A
system for performing minimally invasive
cardiac procedures. The
system includes a pair of surgical instruments that are coupled to a pair of robotic arms. The instruments have end effectors that can be manipulated to hold and suture tissue. The robotic arms are coupled to a pair of master handles by a controller. The handles can be moved by the surgeon to produce a corresponding movement of the end effectors. The movement of the handles is scaled so that the end effectors have a corresponding movement that is different, typically smaller, than the movement performed by the hands of the surgeon. The scale factor is adjustable so that the surgeon can control the resolution of the end
effector movement. The movement of the end
effector can be controlled by an input button, so that the end
effector only moves when the button is depressed by the surgeon. The input button allows the surgeon to adjust the position of the handles without moving the end effector, so that the handles can be moved to a more comfortable position. The
system may also have a robotically controlled
endoscope which allows the surgeon to remotely view the
surgical site. A cardiac procedure can be performed by making small incisions in the patient's
skin and inserting the instruments and
endoscope into the patient. The surgeon manipulates the handles and moves the end effectors to perform a cardiac procedure such as a coronary
artery bypass graft.