One-operator surgical system and methods of use
Inventors
Rodriguez-Navarro, Alberto • Loomas, Bryan
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12262971-B2
Publication Date
2025-04-01
Expiration Date
Abstract
Described here are systems, devices, and methods useful for minimally invasive surgical procedures performed by a single operator. The surgical systems may include a user interface, a display, one or more support arms each comprising an external magnet, and one or more intracavity devices. The intracavity devices may be configured to be attracted to respective external magnets. The user interface may be configured to allow the operator to control the location and orientation of the intracavity devices by control of the position of the support arms and magnetic field of the external magnet.
Core Innovation
The invention describes a minimally invasive one-operator surgical system for manipulating tissue in which an intracavity device is advanced through an access site into a body cavity of a patient. The system includes an external magnetic positioning device configured to magnetically couple to the intracavity device through a body cavity wall, and the external magnetic positioning device includes a force sensor configured to measure a contact force of the external magnetic positioning device on an external surface of the body cavity wall.
A controller comprising a processor and memory receives the contact force from the force sensor and controls a position of the external magnetic positioning device. The controller generates a graphical user interface on a display for operator control, and the display includes a touch surface configured to receive a control signal via operator contact to control a function of the intracavity device within the body cavity.
The system supports one-operator operation by advancing, magnetically coupling, repositioning, actuating, and retrieving intracavity devices without needing a second skilled operator. The graphical user interface enables selection and control of multiple intracavity devices using real-time internal images and soft keys, and the system further includes optional sensing features and safety/sterile-field features.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim set is led by 1, with four main inventive areas.
Intracavity device advanced through an access site
An intracavity device configured to be advanced through an access site into a body cavity of a patient.
External magnetic positioning device magnetically coupled through body cavity wall with force sensing
An external magnetic positioning device configured to magnetically couple to the intracavity device through a body cavity wall, the external magnetic positioning device comprising a force sensor configured to measure a contact force of the external magnetic positioning device on an external surface of the body cavity wall.
Controller controlling external positioning device using measured contact force
A controller comprising a processor and memory, the controller configured to receive the contact force from the force sensor to control a position of the external magnetic positioning device.
Display graphical user interface with touch surface receiving operator contact control signals
A display coupled to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to generate a graphical user interface on the display, the display comprising a touch surface configured to receive a control signal via operator contact to control a function of the intracavity device within the body cavity.
The core inventive coverage is centered on force-sensor-based control of an external magnetic positioning device magnetically coupled to an intracavity device, combined with operator-touch control through a graphical user interface on a display.
Stated Advantages
Provides a minimally invasive one-operator surgical system for manipulating tissue.
Enables operator control without needing a second skilled operator.
Maintains contact forces under a threshold using sensors.
Documented Applications
Minimally invasive one-operator surgical manipulation of tissue within a body cavity using magnetically coupled intracavity devices.
Visualization and control of intracavity device functions using real-time internal images presented in a graphical user interface.
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