US 12,453,610 B2
Apparatus and method for using a remote control system in surgical procedures
James S. Cunningham, Boulder, CO (US); and Peter M. Mueller, Frederick, CO (US)
Assigned to Covidien LP, Mansfield, MA (US)
Filed by Covidien LP, Mansfield, MA (US)
Filed on Feb. 15, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/109,908.
Application 18/109,908 is a continuation of application No. 16/792,201, filed on Feb. 15, 2020, granted, now 11,607,280.
Application 16/792,201 is a continuation of application No. 15/420,390, filed on Jan. 31, 2017, granted, now 10,561,468, issued on Feb. 18, 2020.
Application 15/420,390 is a continuation of application No. 13/205,889, filed on Aug. 9, 2011, granted, now 9,554,866, issued on Jan. 31, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2023/0190392 A1, Jun. 22, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61B 18/12 (2006.01); A61B 18/14 (2006.01); A61B 34/00 (2016.01); A61B 34/30 (2016.01); A61B 90/00 (2016.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 34/30 (2016.02) [A61B 18/14 (2013.01); A61B 34/76 (2016.02); A61B 90/03 (2016.02); A61B 2017/00119 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00207 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00212 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00221 (2013.01); A61B 18/1445 (2013.01); A61B 2090/365 (2016.02)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for performing a surgical procedure, the method comprising:
analyzing a pre-operative image to generate data about an anatomical section of the patient to assist a user during surgery, wherein analyzing the pre-operative image includes:
computing a safety zone around the anatomical section;
determining if a remote controlled surgical instrument is within the safety zone, wherein one or more sensors are configured to send information to a microcontroller to assist in determining location; and
generating a notification to the user if the remote controlled surgical instrument is within the safety zone, wherein the notification is at least one of a visual, an audible notification or a haptic feedback;
receiving a real time video signal of a surgical site within the patient during a live surgery;
displaying on a user interface the generated data with the video signal;
detecting a user-initiated movement of a user input device in at least three dimensions during the live surgery, wherein detecting the user-initiated movement of the user input device includes detecting movement of the user input device that mimics a movement of a handheld surgical instrument;
translating the detected movement of the user input device into a movement signal for the remote controlled surgical instrument located at the surgical site;
comparing the real time video signal of the surgical site against the safety zone computed from the pre-operative images, wherein:
when the remote controlled surgical instrument is not in the safety zone, actuation of the user input device is permitted; and
when the remote controlled surgical instrument is in the safety zone, the notification to the user is generated;
automatically moving the remote controlled surgical instrument as mimicked based on the translated movement signal;
physically connecting a wireless remote with the remote controlled surgical instrument such that a master remote directly contacts the remote controlled surgical instrument; and
using the remote controlled surgical instrument as a handheld instrument to perform a surgical task while the remote controlled surgical instrument is physically connected to the master remote.