System and method for minimally invasive cutting instrument operation

Abstract

A system and method of operating a minimally invasive cutting instrument includes a surgical cutting instrument. The surgical cutting instrument includes a drive unit, an end effector located at a distal end of the instrument, and a garage for housing the cutting blade when the cutting blade is not in use. The end effector includes gripping jaws and a cutting blade. To perform a cutting operation,the instrument extends the cutting blade from a first position to a second position, retracts the cutting blade from the second position to a third position between the first and second positions, and further retracts the cutting blade to the first position. While the cutting blade is not in use, the cutting blade is maintained in the first position using a restraining mechanism in the drive unit, force or torque applied by a motor or other active actuator to the drive unit, or both.

Description

[0001] related application [0002] This patent application claims priority to and benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62 / 162,217, filed May 15, 2015, entitled "SYSTEM AND METHOD FORMINIMALLY INVASIVE CUTTING INSTRUMENT OPERATION," which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. technical field [0003] The present disclosure relates generally to the operation of devices having articulated arms and end effectors, and more particularly to the operation of minimally invasive cutting instruments. Background technique [0004] More and more devices are being replaced by autonomous and semi-autonomous electronics. This is especially true in today's hospitals with the vast array of autonomous and semi-autonomous electronic devices that reside in operating rooms, interventional units, intensive care units, emergency rooms, and the like. For example, glass and mercury thermometers are being replaced by electronic thermometers, IV drip lines now include electro...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0009] Due to the remote nature of the operation of such end effectors, in some cases it may be difficult for the surgeon and / or other medical personnel to know the position of one or more components of the end effector during actuation in order to perform the desired procedure.

For example, in some cases other parts of the surgical instrument (including the end effector itself) and / or parts of the patient's anatomy may cause one or more components of the surgical instrument to not to be seen

Additionally, when one or more of the components encounters a failure condition while attempting to perform the desired procedure, due to limited visibility of the end effector, limited space for surgical instrument manipulation, limited access to the surgical instrument , the remote location of the end effector relative to the surgeon and / or other medical personnel, and / or similar factors, it may be difficult for the surgeon and / or other medical personnel to detect and / or correct a fault condition

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