OFFSET REMOTE CENTER MANIPULATOR FOR ROBOTIC SURGERY

Abstract

Medical, surgical, and/or robotic devices and systems often including offset remote center parallelogram manipulator linkage assemblies which constrains a position of a surgical instrument during minimally invasive robotic surgery are disclosed. The improved remote center manipulator linkage assembly advantageously enhances the range of instrument motion while at the same time reduces the overall complexity, size, and physical weight of the robotic surgical system.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: a base link having a proximal end and a distal end; a first link having a proximal end and a distal end, the first link proximal end rotatably coupled to the base link distal end by a first rotational pivot joint; a second link having a proximal end and a distal end, the second link proximal end rotatably coupled to the first link distal end by a second rotational pivot joint; an instrument holder link rotatably coupled to the second link distal end by a third rotational pivot joint, the instrument holder link coupleable to a surgical instrument comprising an elongate shaft; wherein the first and second links and first, second, and third rotational pivot joints define a parallelogram so as to constrain the elongate shaft of the surgical instrument relative to a center of rotation when the instrument is coupled to the instrument holder link; and wherein at least two directly coupled links are offset from each other in different planes.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one pulley and at least one flexible element coupled to the pulley that is configured to constrain shaft motion relative to the center of rotation.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an instrument holder coupled to the instrument holder link, the instrument holder configured to slidably extend the surgical instrument along a longitudinal axis of the instrument holder.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, the first link housing at least one motor for driving movement of the apparatus.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a mounting base, wherein the base link further comprises a linkage axis coupling the proximal and distal ends of the base link, the mounting base directly coupled to the base link proximal end, the base link proximal end further rotatable relative to the mounting base about a first axis, the linkage axis and the first axis intersecting at the base link proximal end.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, at least two directly coupled links having planes of rotation offset from each other.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, the first link and the second link having planes of rotation offset from each other.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, the instrument holder link and the second link having planes of rotation offset from each other.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a mounting base, the base link proximal end coupled to the mounting base, the base link proximal end rotatable relative to the mounting base about a first axis, the base link distal end lying on an axis offset from the first axis.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: at least one flexible element running between a pulley fixed to the base link and a pulley fixed to the second link; and at least one flexible element running between a pulley fixed to instrument holder link and a pulley fixed to the first link.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, said pulleys comprising at least one wheel.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, said pulleys comprising at least one gear.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, said pulleys comprising at least one sprocket.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, each of said at least one flexible elements comprising a belt connected around said pulleys.

15. The apparatus of claim 10, each of said at least one flexible elements comprising a chain connected around said pulleys.

16. The apparatus of claim 10, each of said at least one flexible element comprising a cable connected around said pulleys.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second link is bent at an angle so as to provide clearance for the first link to rest on the second link.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The following drawings should be read with reference to the detailed description. Like numbers in different drawings refer to like elements. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, illustratively depict embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic plane view of a portion of an operating theater illustrating a robotic surgical system, including a master surgeon console or workstation for inputting a surgical procedure and a robotic patient side cart for robotically moving surgical instruments having surgical end effectors at a surgical site.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the robotic patient side cart or stand, including patient side robotic manipulators and one endoscope/camera robotic manipulator.

[0022] FIGS. 3A and 3B are side and front views, respectively, of the linkage of the robotic manipulators of FIG. 2.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an articulated surgical instrument for use in the system of FIG. 1.

[0024] FIGS. 5A and 5B are side and front views, respectively, of an exemplary robotic manipulator linkage assembly constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

[0025] FIGS. 6A and 6B are additional side views of the exemplary robotic manipulator linkage assembly.

[0026] FIGS. 7A and 7B are side views of the exemplary robotic manipulator linkage assembly illustrating an improved range of motion along a pitch axis.

[0027] FIGS. 8A and 8B are side views of the exemplary robotic manipulator linkage assembly illustrating an improved range of motion along a pitch axis.

[0028] FIGS. 9A through 9D are perspective view of the exemplary robotic assembly manipulator linkage illustrating an improved range of motion along both the pitch and yaw axes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] FIGS. 1 through 4 illustrate a robotic surgical system 1 for performing minimally invasive robotic surgery, which is described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,246,200. An operator O (generally a surgeon) performs a minimally invasive surgical procedure on patient P lying on operating table T, the operator O manipulating one or more input devices or masters 2 at a surgeon's console 3. In response to the surgeon's inputs, a computer processor 4 of console 3 directs movement of endoscopic surgical instruments or tools 5, effecting servo-mechanical movement of the instruments via a robotic patient-side system 6 (a cart-mounted system in this example).

[0030] Typically, patient side system or cart 6 includes at least three robotic manipulator arms, Two arms or linkages 7 (mounted at the sides of cart 6 in this example) support and position servo-manipulators 8 which drive surgical tools 5; and one arm or linkage 9 (mounted at the center of cart 6 in this example) supports and positions servo-manipulator 10 which controls the motion of an endoscope/camera probe 11, which captures an image (preferably stereoscopic) of the internal surgical site.

[0031] The image of the internal surgical site is shown to surgeon or operator O by a stereoscopic display viewer 12 in surgeon's console 3, and is simultaneously shown to assistant A by an assistant's display 14. Assistant A assists in pre-positioning the manipulator 8 and 10 relative to patient P using set-up linkage arms 7, 9, in swapping tools 5 in one or more of surgical manipulator 8 (and/or 10) for alternative surgical tools or instruments 5′, in operating related non-robotic medical instruments and equipment, and the like.

[0032] In general terms, the arms or linkages 7, 9 comprise a positioning linkage or set-up arm portion of patient-side system 6, typically remaining in a fixed configuration while tissue is manipulated, and the manipulators 8, 10 comprise a driven portion which is actively articulated under the direction of surgeon's console 3. The actively driven portion is herein generally referred to as a “manipulator”, and the fixable portion of the positioning linkage of patient-side system linkage is referred to herein as a “set-up arm”, it being noted that such set-up arms may optionally have powered and computer controlled joints.

[0033] For convenience in terminology, a manipulator such as 8 actuating tissue affecting surgical tools is generally referred to herein as a PSM (patient-side manipulator), and a manipulator such as 10 controlling an image capture or data acquisition device, such as endoscope 11, is generally referred to herein as a ECM (endoscope-camera manipulator), it being noted that such telesurgical robotic manipulators may optionally actuate, maneuver and control a wide variety of instruments, tools and devices useful in surgery.

[0034] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the cart mounted telesurgical patient-side system 6 of FIG. 1, including two PSM's 8 and one ECM 10. Cart system 6 includes a column 15 which in turn mounts three positioning linkages or set-up arms, including two PSM set-up arms 7, each supporting one of the PSM's 8, and one ECM set-up arm 9 supporting ECM 10. The PSM set-up arms 7 each have six degrees of freedom, and are mounted one on each side of centrally mounted ECM set-up arm 9. The ECM set-up arm 9 shown has less than six degrees of freedom, and ECM 10 may not include all of the tool actuation drive system provided for articulated surgical instruments, such as are typically included in PSM 8. Each PSM 8 releasably mounts surgical tool 5 (shown in dashed lines) and ECM 10 releasably mounts endoscope probe 11 (shown in dashed lines).

[0035] FIGS. 3A and 3B are side and front views, respectively, of the linkage of the robotic surgical manipulator or PSM 8 of FIG. 2, having a remote center mechanism. PSM 8 is one prior art example of a manipulator which may be mounted and supported by a cart mount 6, ceiling mount, or floor/pedestal mount. In this example, the PSM 8 preferably includes a linkage arrangement 20 that constrains movement of tool interface housing 21 and mounted instrument or tool 5. More specifically, linkage 20 includes rigid links coupled together by rotational joints in a parallelogram arrangement so that housing 21 and tool 5 rotate around a point in space 22, as more fully described in issued U.S. Pat. No. 6,758,843.

[0036] The parallelogram arrangement of linkage 20 constrains rotation to pivoting, as indicated by arrow 22a in FIG. 3A, about an axis, sometimes called the pitch axis, which is perpendicular to the page in that illustration and which passes through pivot point 22. The links supporting the parallelogram linkage are pivotally mounted to set-up joints (7 in FIG. 2) so that tool 5 further rotates about an axis 22b (FIG. 3B), sometimes called the yaw axis. The pitch and yaw axes intersect at the remote center 22, which is aligned along a shaft 23 of tool 5. Tool 5 has still further driven degrees of freedom as supported by manipulator 8, including sliding motion of the tool along insertion axis 22c. Tool 5 includes proximal housing 24 which mounts to manipulator interface housing 21. interface housing 21 both provides for motion of the tool 5 along axis 22c and serves to transfer actuator inputs to tool 5 from the end effector actuator servo-mechanisms of PSM 8. In this example of a remote center system, the parallelogram arrangement 20 is coupled to tool 5 so as to mechanically constrain the tool shaft 23 to rotation about pivot point 22 as the servomechanism actuates tool motion according to the surgeon's control inputs.

[0037] As tool 5 slides along axis 22c relative to manipulator 8, remote center 22 remains fixed relative to mounting base 25 (mounting point to set-up arm 7) of manipulator 8. Hence, the entire manipulator 8 is generally moved to re-position remote center 22. Linkage 20 of manipulator 8 is driven by a series of motors 26 (FIG. 3A). These motors actively move linkage 20 in response to commands from a processor (4 in FIG. 1). Motors 26 are further coupled to tool 5 so as to rotate the tool about axis 22c, and may articulate a wrist (29 in FIG. 4) at the distal end of the tool 5 about at least one, and often two, degrees of freedom. Additionally, motors 26 can be used to actuate an articulatable end effector of the tool for grasping tissues in the jaws of a forceps or the like. Motors 26 may be coupled to at least some of the joints of tool 5 using cables, as more fully described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,792,135, the full disclosure of which is also incorporated herein by reference. As described in that reference, the manipulator 8 will often include flexible members for transferring motion from the drive components to the surgical tool 5. For endoscopic procedures, manipulator 8 will often include a cannula 27. Cannula 27, which may be releasably coupled to manipulator 8, supports tool 5, preferably allowing the tool to rotate and move axially through the central bore of the cannula 27.

[0038] FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the articulated surgical tool or instrument 5 and proximal housing 24, that may be employed in the system of FIG. 1. Tool 5 includes elongate shaft 23 supporting end effector 28 relative to proximal housing 24. Proximal housing 24 is adapted for releasably mounting and interfacing instrument 5 to a manipulator (e.g., PSM 8 in FIGS. 1, 2, 3A, and 3B), and for transmitting drive signals and/or motion between the manipulator 8 and end effector 28. An articulated wrist mechanism 29 may provide two degrees of freedom of motion between end effector 28 and shaft 23, and the shaft 23 may be rotatable relative to proximal housing 24 so as to provide the end effector 28 with three substantially orientational degrees of freedom within the patient's body.

[0039] Referring now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, side and front views are illustrated of an exemplary offset remote center robotic manipulator 30 constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. As described in greater detail below, the refined manipulator 30 provides an offset remote center parallelogram manipulator linkage assembly which constrains a position of a surgical instrument 32 coupled to an instrument holder 34 during minimally invasive robotic surgery. The surgical instrument 32 includes an elongate shaft 36 having a distal working end 38 configured for insertion through an incision in a body wall into a body cavity of a patient. It will be appreciated that the above depictions are for illustrative purposes only and do not necessarily reflect the actual shape, size, or dimensions of the robotic surgical manipulator 30. This applies to all depictions hereinafter.

[0040] Generally, the offset remote center robotic manipulator 30 is configured to constrain shaft 36 motion relative to a center of rotation 66. As such, the shaft 36 is maintained substantially aligned through the center of rotation 66 as the shaft 36 is pivotally moved in at least one degree of freedom. Preferably, the center of rotation 66 is aligned with the incision point to the internal surgical site, for example, with a trocar or cannula at an abdominal wall during laparoscopic surgery. As such, an end effector of the surgical instrument 32 can be positioned safely by moving the proximal end of the shaft 36 using the offset remote center robotic manipulator 30 without imposing dangerous forces against the abdominal wall.

[0041] Referring back to FIG. 5A, the refined remote center manipulator generally includes an articulate linkage assembly 30 having a mounting base 40, a parallelogram linkage base 42, and a plurality of links 44, 46 and joints 48, 50, 52, 54. The term “joint” is used interchangeably with the term “pivot” herein. The mounting base 40 is rotationally coupled to the parallelogram linkage base 42 for rotation about a first axis 56, also known as the yaw axis, as indicated by arrow 58. The mounting base 40 allows for the surgical manipulator 30 to be mounted and supported by set-up arms/joints of a cart mount, ceiling mount, floor/pedestal mount, or other mounting surface. The mounting base 40 in this embodiment is fixed to base support 60 by screws or bolts 62, wherein the base support 60 is adapted to be attached to the set-up arms/joints. The parallelogram linkage base 42 is coupled to the instrument holder 34 by rigid links 44, 46 coupled together by rotational pivot joints 48, 50, 52, 54. The links 44, 46 and joints 48, 50, 52, 54 define a parallelogram 64 so as to constrain the elongate shaft 36 of the instrument 32 relative to the center of rotation 66 when the instrument 32 is mounted to the instrument holder 34 and the shaft 36 is moved along a plane of the parallelogram 64.

[0042] Significantly, the first axis 56 and the parallelogram 64 intersect the shaft 36 at the center of rotation 66, wherein the parallelogram 64 is angularly offset from the first axis 56. Specifically, a first side 68 which originates from the first pivot 48 of the parallelogram 64 adjacent the parallelogram linkage base 40 and the first axis 56 intersect the shaft 36 at the center of rotation 66, wherein the first side 68 and the first pivot 48 of the parallelogram 64 are angularly offset from the first axis 56. The first side 68 and first pivot 48 of the parallelogram 64 are offset from the first axis 56 by an angle a of at least 2 degrees, preferably by 10 degrees. Generally, the first side 68 and first pivot 48 of the parallelogram 64 are offset from the first axis 56 by angle a in a range from about 2 degrees to about 45 degrees, preferably in a range from about 2 degrees to about 35 degrees.

[0043] Referring now to FIGS. 6A and 6B, additional side views of the exemplary robotic manipulator linkage assembly 30 are illustrated showing the instrument holder 34 in an extended position. The offset parallelogram 64 arrangement allows for improved rotation of instrument 32 and holder 34 over the prior art example described in FIGS. 3A and 3B while the remote center of rotation 66 remains at the same location. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B, 9C and 9D, the offset articulate linkage assembly 30 provides an improved range of shaft 36 motion that is greater than ±55 degrees relative to a second axis (which is perpendicular to the page in these illustrations and which passes through pivot point 66), preferably greater than ±60 degrees relative to the second axis. Generally, the offset articulate linkage assembly 30 constrains shaft 36 motion about pivot point 66 in a range from ±75 degrees relative to the second axis as indicated by arrow 72, wherein the second axis is sometimes referred to as a pitch axis. The manipulator 30 also provides an improved range of shaft 36 motion that is greater than ±90 degrees relative to the first axis 56, preferably greater than ±95 degrees relative to the first axis 56, as indicated by arrow 58 in FIGS. 9A and 9B. Typically, the cantilevered parallelogram linkage base 42 constrains shaft 36 motion about pivot point 66 in a range from ±168 degrees relative to the first axis 56.

[0044] Additionally, similar to the discussed prior art, the yaw axis 56, the pitch axis (which is perpendicular to the page), and an insertion axis 74 all intersect with each other at the remote center 66, which is aligned along a shaft 36 of the instrument 32. Thus, the instrument 32 can be pivotally rotated though desired angles as indicated by arrows 58 and 72 while the remote center of rotation 66 remains fixed in space relative to the mounting base 40 (mounting point to set-up arm) of manipulator 30. Hence, the entire manipulator 30 is generally moved to re-position the remote center 66. It will further be appreciated that the instrument 32 still has further driven degrees of freedom as supported by the offset remote center manipulator 30, including sliding motion of the instrument along the insertion axis 74.

[0045] The new and improved offset articulate linkage assembly 30 which decouples the first pivot 48 and first side 68 of the parallelogram 64 from the yaw axis 56 advantageously enhances the range of instrument 32 motion about pivot point 66 relative to the second axis, as indicated by arrow 72, The manipulator 30 further allows for an enhanced range of motion relative to the first axis 56, as indicated by arrow 58. An improved pivot range of motion along pitch and yaw axes in turn enhances the efficiency and ease of use of such robotic surgical systems. For example, the overall complexity of the robotic surgical system may be reduced due to the improved range of motion of the system. Specifically, the number of degrees of freedom in the set-up joints/arms may be reduced (e.g., less than six degrees of freedom), This allows for a simpler system platform requiring less pre-configuration of the set-up joints. As such, normal operating room personnel may rapidly arrange and prepare the robotic system for surgery with little or no specialized training.

[0046] The plurality of links comprise an offset yaw link 42, a lowered vertical link 44, and a main bent link 46. The main link 46 is bent at an angle so as to provide clearance for the vertical link 44 to rest on the main bent link 46. This clearance prevents inter-linkage collisions between the vertical link 44 and the main bent link 46. For example, the main link 46 may be bent at an angle of about 22 degrees to allow clearance over a pitch dive 72 as shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 9D. In such an embodiment, the main bent link 46 and the vertical link 44 as well as the instrument holder 34 are located in the same plane. It will be appreciated however that the main link 46 and the vertical link 44 may alternatively be offset in different planes (i.e., placed side by side) to reduce inter-linkage collisions in lieu of bending main link 46. The vertical link 44 pivot 48 is lower relative to the yaw axis 56 so as to provide the offset parallelogram 64 arrangement, as discussed above. The yaw link 42 is offset from links 44, 46, as best seen in FIGS. 9B through 9D. Link 42 and links 44, 46 are not in the same plane, but are rather offset side by side so as to reduce the possibility of inter-linkage collisions between link 42 and links 44, 46.

[0047] At least one of the rigid links 42, 44, 46 coupled together by rotational pivot joints 48, 50, 52, 54 are not completely balanced in at least one degree of freedom. As such, a brake system may be coupled to the articulate linkage assembly 30. The brake system releasably inhibits articulation of at least one of the joints 48, 50, 52, 54. It will be appreciated that the offset remote center manipulator 30 may comprise a lighter system as the linkage is free of any counter-balancing weights. As such, the links 42, 44, 46 will preferably comprise sufficiently rigid and stiff structures so as to support any vibration issues associated with the lighter manipulator 30. It will further be appreciated that the offset remote center manipulator 30 may optionally be balanced by the use of weights, tension springs, gas springs, torsion springs, compression springs, air or hydraulic cylinders, torque motors, or combinations thereof.

[0048] Referring back to FIGS. 6B, 7B, and 8B, the offset remote center manipulator 30 may preferably comprise six pulleys 76, 78a , 78b, 80, 82a, 82b and four flexible elements 84a, 84b, 86a, 86b coupled to the pulleys 76, 78a, 78b, 80, 82a, 82b that are configured to constrain shaft 36 motion relative to the center of rotation 66. Links 42 and 46 are kept from rotating relative to each other by flexible elements 84a, 84b running on two pulleys 76, 78a, with one pulley 76 fixed to link 42 and one pulley 78a fixed to link 46. Links 44 and 34 are likewise kept from rotating relative to each other by a flexible elements 86a, 86b running on the remaining four pulleys 78b, 80, 82a, 82b, with one pulley 78b fixed to link 44, one pulley 80 fixed to link 34, and idler pulleys 82a, 82b to get the flexible elements 86a, 86b around the main bent link 46. Hence, links 42 and 46 can translate but not rotate relative to each other to maintain the parallelogram shape 64. Likewise, links 44 and 34 can translate but not rotate relative to each other to maintain the parallelogram shape 64. It will be appreciated that the term pulley 76, 78a, 78b, 80, 82a, 82b can include wheels, gears, sprockets, and the like.

[0049] The flexible element 84a, 84b, 86a, 86b may include belts, chains, or cables connected around the pulleys 76, 78a, 78b, 80, 82a, 82b. Preferably, the flexible elements comprise multi-layer metal belts, such as stainless steel belts having a breaking strength of approximately 800 lbs and being about a quarter inch wide. The belts are preferably multi-layered utilizing at least 3 plies, preferably 5 plies to be strong enough to carry an adequate tension load yet sufficiently thin enough to not fatigue when repeatedly bent around the pulleys. Pulleys 76 and 78a have approximately the same diameter, e.g., 2.2 inches. Smaller pulleys 78b and 80 have approximately the same diameter, e.g., 1.8 inches. There are two idler pulleys 82a, 82b at the bend of the main link 46 to facilitate running of belts 86a, 86b in opposite directions so as to allow for attachment of the belts ends to be more robust. Utilization of non-continuous offset belts 84a, 84b and 86a, 86b provides for stress reduction, particularly at the attachment points, thus minimizing failures. Further, non-continuous belts allow for convenient tension and position adjustments. It will further be appreciated that belts 84a, 84b as well as belts 86a, 86b may optionally comprise continuous single belts. Additionally, the metal belts may be lightly coupled to flat flex cables that carry electrical signals along the manipulator arm.

[0050] The offset articulate linkage assembly 30 is driven by a series of motors. Motors may be located within the plurality of links to drive the pulley and belt mechanisms. Preferably, a majority of the motors are housed in the lowered vertical link 44. In particular, the motor which drives the pitch axis 72 rotating link 44 relative to link 42 through spur gears and a harmonic drive as well as the motors that run instrument actuation cables (e.g., wrist drive cables which may be spring tensioned) may be housed in link 44. Placement of the vertical link 44, the main bent link 46, and the instrument holder 34 in the same plane is advantageous as the motors that run the actuation cables are housed in link 44. Further, having the vertical link 44, the main bent link 46, and the instrument holder 34 in the same plane allows for space minimization at the distal end of the manipulator 30, which is of significant importance when performing minimally invasive robotic surgery in a confined operating environment. The motor driving the yaw axis 58 may be housed in mounting base 40.

[0051] Although certain exemplary embodiments and methods have been described in some detail, for clarity of understanding and by way of example, it will be apparent from the foregoing disclosure to those skilled in the art that variations, modifications, changes, and adaptations of such embodiments and methods may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the above description should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention which is defined by the appended claims.