Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-12127783-B2
Publication Date
2024-10-29
Expiration Date
Abstract
A surgical mechanical arm comprising: an electrosurgical tool comprising: a first tool portion comprising a first surface; a second tool portion comprising a second surface, where said tool portions are mechanically coupled and configured to move relative to each other to change a separation between said first and second surfaces; a first elongated element electrically coupled to at least a part of said first tool portion which is electrically isolated from said second tool portion; and a second elongated element electrically coupled to at least a part of said first tool portion and mechanically coupled to and configured to actuate one or both of said tool portions to change said separation between said first and second surfaces.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a surgical system that combines surgical mechanical arm movement with electrosurgical tool electrical power transfer. At least one surgical mechanical arm includes an elongate body with a proximal end and a distal end, and an electrosurgical tool is coupled to a distal-most segment of the elongate body. At least one motor unit receives control signals for moving the mechanical arm and for electrifying the mechanical arm to supply electrical power to the electrosurgical tool, and actuates movement and enables transfer of the electrical power according to the received control signals.
A key mechanical refinement is that the proximal end of the elongate body is configured to be removably received within a recess on a surface of an elongated housing of the motor unit. At least a part of the proximal end protrudes outside of the surface in a direction perpendicular to the mechanical arm, and another part of the longitudinally extending surface of the proximal end is outside of the recess when the mechanical arm is received in the recess. This provides a modular coupling between the removable elongate body and the motor unit via the recess structure.
The system further addresses electrical power transfer and electrical isolation between tool portions to enable monopolar versus bipolar operation. Electrical conduction pathways and elongated elements are arranged with electrical isolation such that separate current paths are provided for delivering electrical power to an electrosurgical tool according to the selected operational mode. Electrosurgical power delivery is described using slip rings, including monopolar and bipolar slip rings, with insulating elements associated with the slip ring assembly.
Operational mode selection and control are implemented in the motor unit circuitry with a user interface and processor logic. The control logic enables transfer of electrical power based on received control signals and includes selection of an electrosurgical operational mode, storing the mode in memory, and checking whether a supply type matches an operational mode before enabling power via relay-based gating.
Claims Coverage
The provided material includes one explicitly identified independent claim (clm-00001). The main claim coverage includes a modular surgical mechanical arm with a removably received proximal end in a motor-unit recess, and motor-unit circuitry that controls both arm movement and electrosurgical electrification to supply electrical power to a distal electrosurgical tool. The identified dependent claim refinements add operational mode selection, electrical isolation and jaw structure, and specific configuration details.
Removably received proximal end in a motor-unit recess
The proximal end of the elongate body is configured to be removably received within a recess on a surface of the elongated housing of the motor unit, with at least a part of the proximal end protruding outside the surface when received and with another part of a longitudinally extending surface located outside of the recess when the arm is received.
Motor-unit circuitry receiving control signals for arm movement and tool electrification
Motor-unit circuitry receives control signals for moving the surgical mechanical arm and control signals for electrifying the surgical mechanical arm for supplying electrical power to the electrosurgical tool, and actuates movement of the at least one surgical mechanical arm and enables transfer of electrical power according to the received control signals.
Electrosurgical tool coupled to distal-most segment of an elongate body
An electrosurgical tool is coupled to a distal-most segment of the elongate body of the surgical mechanical arm.
User-interface electrosurgical operational mode selection including bipolar, monopolar, and uncharged modes
At least one motor unit is connected to a user interface that receives an electrosurgical operational mode selection as input and displays an indication of the selected mode, where the mode is bipolar, monopolar, or uncharged.
Flap-closed detection gating for enabling electrical power
An elongated housing includes a flap that actuates a locking mechanism to hold the proximal end in place, and motor-unit circuitry detects flap closure and enables electrical power to the electrosurgical tool only when closed.
Jaw motion with electrically conductive jaw bodies whose relative movement changes tissue separation
An electrosurgical tool includes first and second electrically conductive jaws connected to move relative to each other to change tissue separation between the jaws.
Rotational tubular distal portion with insulating sheath excluding conductive jaw bodies
The electrosurgical tool includes an elongate body with a tubular distal portion whose rotation rotates the tool, while an insulating sheath covers the elongate body portion excluding the first and second electrically conductive jaw bodies.
The claim set coverage centers on a modular surgical system where a removably received proximal end is mechanically coupled to a motor unit via a recess, and motor-unit circuitry receives control signals to move the surgical mechanical arm and enable electrical power transfer to a distal electrosurgical tool. The dependent claim refinements identified add user-interface operational mode selection, flap-closed detection gating for enabling power, and electrosurgical tool structural features including jaw motion for tissue separation and a tubular distal portion with an insulating sheath.
Stated Advantages
Enables transfer of electrical power according to received control signals.
Operational mode selection is supported through a user interface with indication of bipolar, monopolar, and uncharged modes.
Electrical power enabling is gated so that power is enabled only when a flap is detected as closed.
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
Interested in licensing this patent?