IP Library Granted Patent US 7,963,913
Granted Patent B2
US 7,963,913 · App. 11/613,695 · Granted Jun 21, 2011

Instrument interface of a robotic surgical system

Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,963,913
App. No.
11/613,695
Granted
Jun 21, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

An instrument interface of a robotic manipulator and a surgical system including the instrument interface are provided. In one embodiment, the instrument interface includes a spring-loaded input for providing axial load and torque to a sterile adaptor capable of operably coupling an instrument. In another embodiment, a robotic surgical manipulator system includes a manipulator assembly, including a base link operably coupled to a distal end of a manipulator arm, and a carriage link movably coupled to the base link along a lengthwise axis, the carriage link including an integrated instrument interface. The system further includes an instrument operably coupled to the carriage link via the instrument interface, and a processor operably coupled to the manipulator assembly for sensing presence of the instrument.

Claims (30)

1. An integrated instrument interface of a robotic manipulator, comprising:

a spring-loaded input that provides axial load and torque to a sterile adaptor configured to operably couple an instrument;

a fixed mounting bracket that holds a first end of the sterile adaptor; and

a spring-loaded release lever that attaches or releases a second end of the sterile adaptor with a biased lever body.

2. The instrument interface of claim 1 , wherein the spring-loaded input includes an input bar coupled to a shaft operably coupled to an output pulley.

3. The instrument interface of claim 2 , wherein the input bar includes a boss for engaging the sterile adaptor.

4. The instrument interface of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of spring-loaded inputs for operably engaging the sterile adaptor.

5. The instrument interface of claim 1 , wherein the release lever includes a torsion spring for biasing the lever body.

6. The instrument interface of claim 1 , further comprising a Hall-effect sensor for sensing presence of the instrument.

7. The instrument interface of claim 6 , wherein the Hall-effect sensor is capable of sensing a magnet mounted inside the instrument.

8. The instrument interface of claim 1 , further comprising a fiducial for fixing the position of the sterile adaptor relative to the robotic manipulator.

9. The instrument interface of claim 1 , further comprising a spring plunger for providing axial force against the sterile adaptor.

10. The instrument interface of claim 1 , further comprising an electrical interface for interfacing between the sterile adaptor and a printed circuit assembly.

11. The instrument interface of claim 10 , further comprising a protective shroud surrounding the electrical interface.

12. The instrument interface of claim 1 , further including an instrument, wherein the instrument is selected from the group consisting of jaws, scissors, graspers, needle holders, micro-dissectors, staple appliers, tackers, suction irrigation tools, clip appliers, cutting blades, cautery probes, irrigators, catheters, and suction orifices.

13. A robotic surgical manipulator system, comprising:

a manipulator assembly, including:

a base link operably coupled to a distal end of a manipulator arm; and

a carriage link movably coupled to the base link along a lengthwise axis, the carriage link including an integrated instrument interface having:

a spring-loaded input that provides axial load and torque to a sterile adaptor configured to operably couple an instrument;

a fixed mounting bracket that holds a first end of the sterile adaptor; and

a spring-loaded release lever that attaches or releases a second end of the sterile adaptor with a biased lever body;

an instrument operably coupled to the carriage link via the instrument interface; and

a processor operably coupled to the manipulator assembly for sensing presence of the instrument.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the spring-loaded input includes an input bar coupled to a shaft operably coupled to an output pulley.

15. The system of claim 13 , wherein the instrument interface further includes a plurality of spring-loaded inputs for operably engaging the sterile adaptor.

16. The system of claim 13 , wherein the instrument interface further includes a Hall-effect sensor for sensing presence of the instrument.

17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the Hall-effect sensor is capable of sensing a magnet mounted inside the instrument.

18. The system of claim 13 , wherein the instrument is selected from the group consisting of jaws, scissors, graspers, needle holders, micro-dissectors, staple appliers, tackers, suction irrigation tools, clip appliers, cutting blades, cautery probes, irrigators, catheters, and suction orifices.

19. The system of claim 13 , wherein the sterile adaptor is integrated with a sterile drape for separating a part of the robotic surgical system from a surgical field.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 10, 2011
From: INTUITIVE SURGICAL, INC.
To: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 026253/0327 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 30, 2007
From: DEVENGENZO, ROMAN L; COOPER, THOMAS G; ORBAN, JOSEPH P; SCHENA, BRUCE; LOH, ALAN; ANDERSON, S CHRISTOPHER
To: INTUITIVE SURGICAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 018824/0897 →
Continuity (8)
Continuation In Part 11314040 · Dec 20, 2005
Continuation In Part 10922346 · Aug 19, 2004
Continuation 10004399 · Oct 30, 2001
Continuation 09406360 · Sep 28, 1999
Continuation 08975617 · Nov 21, 1997
Provisional Application 60752755 · Dec 20, 2005
Provisional Application 60033321 · Dec 12, 1996
Related Publication 20070119274A1 · May 31, 2007