METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING THREE-DIMENSIONAL ORIENTATION OF A STEERABLE DISTAL TIP OF AN ENDOSCOPE

Abstract

A method for controlling an orientation of a steerable distal portion of an elongate instrument, said instrument comprising at least one tensioning member attached to said steerable distal portion may include receiving an input command at a controller for articulation of said steerable distal portion, the articulation correlating to an approximate y-bend and an approximate x-bend of said steerable distal portion; calculating an approximate overall bend from said approximate y-bend and said approximate x-bend; and setting a limit of said approximate overall bend beyond which said steerable distal portion is not permitted to achieve. The method may further include one of: causing actuation of said at least one tensioning member to achieve said y-bend and said x-bend on a condition of said calculated approximate overall bend being equal to or less than said limit, and repeating the receiving, calculating, and setting steps on a condition of said calculated approximate overall bend being greater than said limit.

Claims

1. A method for controlling an orientation of a steerable distal portion of an elongate instrument, said instrument comprising at least one tensioning member attached to said steerable distal portion, said method comprising: receiving an input command at a controller for articulation of said steerable distal portion, the articulation correlating to an approximate y-bend and an approximate x-bend of said steerable distal portion; calculating an approximate overall bend from said approximate y-bend and said approximate x-bend; setting a limit of said approximate overall bend beyond which said steerable distal portion is not permitted to achieve; and one of: causing actuation of said at least one tensioning member to achieve said y-bend and said x-bend on a condition of said calculated approximate overall bend being equal to or less than said limit, and repeating the receiving, calculating, and setting steps on a condition of said calculated approximate overall bend being greater than said limit.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying on a graphical user interface an icon representing an approximate orientation of said steerable distal portion.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising displaying on said graphical user interface a cross-hair through an approximate center of at least one circle representing an angular measurement for correlating to the approximate overall bend.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein said at least one circle comprises a plurality of concentric circles.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein an inner one of the concentric circles represents an angular measurement of 90 degrees of overall bend and an outer one of the concentric circles represents an angular measurement of 180 degrees.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein calculating an approximate overall bend further comprises calculating said approximate overall bend by approximating said approximate overall bend using {square root over ((y-bend).sup.2+(x-bend).sup.2)}.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: displaying on a graphical user interface an icon representing an orientation of said steerable distal portion, wherein said graphical user interface comprises a cross-hair through the approximate center of a plurality of concentric circles, wherein the location of said icon relative to each of said plurality of concentric circles represents the approximate angular measurement of said overall bend, and wherein the location of said icon along the horizontal and vertical axes of said cross-hair represent the approximate x-bend and y-bend, respectively, of said steerable distal portion.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: detecting tension in said at least one tensioning member; and said detected tension correlating to the approximate x-bend and the approximate y-bend.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving, from a sensor located on said steerable distal portion, a signal indicative of said approximate overall bend.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the limit is less than an over-saturated orientation of the steerable distal portion.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein detecting the tension in the at least one tensioning member comprises measuring a pull-distance of said at least one tensioning member, wherein said pull-distance correlates to the approximate x-bend and the approximate y-bend.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the claims that follow. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the detailed description below that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and the accompanying drawings.

[0014] In the drawings:

[0015] FIG. 1 depicts an endoscope in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] FIG. 2 depicts several joint segments of a steerable distal portion of an endoscope in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C depict three-dimensional views for describing articulation of the steerable distal portion of an endoscope in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] FIG. 4 depicts an actuator and tendon to articulate the steerable distal portion of an endoscope in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] FIGS. 5A and 5B respectively show plots of the overall bend for an 8 joint-segment and a 21 joint-segment steerable distal portion of an endoscope with relation to a Pythagorean approximation of the overall bend for the 8 joint-segment and 21 joint-segment steerable distal portions;

[0020] FIG. 6 depicts a plurality of joint segments of a steerable distal portion for illustration of hard-stops;

[0021] FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, and 7D depict a graphical user interface in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 8 depicts a non-limiting example of an over-saturated configuration as represented on a graphical user interface in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 9 illustrates limiting the overall bend to approximately 180 degrees in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0024] FIG. 10 is a flow chart depicting one embodiment of a method of preventing over-saturated orientation of an elongate instrument.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] FIG. 1 depicts endoscope 10, a colonoscope in particular, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Endoscope 10 has elongate body 12 with steerable distal portion 14, automatically controlled proximal portion 16, and flexible and passively manipulation proximal portion 18. The skilled artisan will appreciate that automatically controlled proximal portion 16 and flexible and passively manipulated proximal portion 18 may both be flexible and passively manipulated, although it is preferred to provide automatically controlled proximal portion 16. The skilled artisan will also appreciate that elongate body 12 can have only steerable distal portion 14 and automatically controlled portion 16. Steerable distal portion 14 can be articulated manually by turning knobs as with endoscopes produced, for example, by Olympus, or by an actuator as described below and more thoroughly in, for example, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/229,577 previously incorporated herein by reference.

[0026] Selectively steerable distal portion 14 can be selectively bent in any direction 18, as will be more thoroughly described later. Fiber optic imaging bundle 20 and illumination fiber(s) 22 may extend through body 12 from automatically controlled proximal portion 16 to steerable distal portion 14. Alternatively, endoscope 10 may be configured as a video endoscope with video camera 24 (e.g., CCD or CMOS camera), positioned at the distal end of steerable distal portion 14. As the skilled artisan appreciates, a user views live or delayed video feed from video camera 24 via a video cable (e.g., wire or optical fiber, not shown) or through wireless transmission of the video signal. Typically, as will be appreciated by the skilled artisan, endoscope 10 will also include one or more access lumens, working channels, light channels, air and water channels, vacuum channels, and a host of other well known complements useful for both medical and industrial endoscopy. These channels and other amenities are shown generically as 39, because such channels and amenities are well known and appreciated by the skilled artisan.

[0027] When present, automatically controlled proximal portion 16 comprises at least one segment 26, and preferably several such segments 26, which are controlled via computer and/or electronic controller 28. Each segment 26 has tendons mechanically connected to actuators as more fully described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/299,577, previously incorporated herein by reference. Steerable distal portion 14 also has tendons mechanically connected to joint-segments in the steerable distal portion 14, as more thoroughly discussed below and in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/229,577 previously incorporated herein. The actuators driving the tendons may include a variety of different types of mechanisms capable of applying a force to a tendon, e.g., electromechanical motors, pneumatic and hydraulic cylinders, pneumatic and hydraulic motors solenoids, shape memory alloy wires, electronic rotary actuators or other devices or methods as known in the art. If shape memory alloy wires are used, they are preferably configured into several wire bundles attached at a proximal end of each of the tendons within the controller. Segment articulation may be accomplished by applying energy, e.g., electrical current, electrical voltage, heat, etc., to each of the bundles to actuate a linear motion in the wire bundles which in turn actuate the tendon movement. The linear translation of the actuators within the controller may be configured to move over a relatively short distance to accomplish effective articulation depending upon the desired degree of segment movement and articulation.

[0028] Handle 30 may be attached to the proximal end of endoscope 10. Handle 30 may include an ocular connected to fiberoptic imaging bundle 20 for direct viewing. Handle 30 may otherwise have connector 32 for connection to a video monitor, camera, e.g., a CCD or CMOS camera, or recording device 34. Handle 30 may be connected to illumination source 36 by illumination cable 38 that is connected to or continuous with the illumination fibers 22. Alternatively, some or all of these connections could be made at electronic controller 28. Luer lock fittings 40 may be located on handle 30 and connected to the various instrument channels.

[0029] Handle 30 may be connected to electronic controller 28 by way of controller cable 42. Steering controller 44 may be connected to electronic controller 28 by way of second cable 46 or it may optionally be connected directly to handle 30. Alternatively, handle 30 may have steering controller 44 integrated directly into the handle, e.g., in the form of a joystick, conventional disk controllers such as dials, pulleys or wheels, etc. Steering controller 44 allows the user to selectively steer or bend steerable distal portion 14 of elongate body 12 in the desired direction 18. Steering controller 44 may be a joystick controller as shown, or other steering control mechanism, e.g., dual dials or rotary knobs as in conventional endoscopes, track balls, touchpads, mouse, touch screens, or sensory gloves. Electronic controller 28 controls the movement of the segmented automatically controlled proximal portion 16, if present, of elongate body 12. Electronic controller 28 may be implemented using a motion control program running on a microcomputer or using an application-specific motion controller as will be appreciated by the skilled artisan. Alternatively, electronic controller, 28 may be implemented using, e.g., a neural network controller.

[0030] The actuators applying force to tendons which articulate steerable distal portion 14 and, in the embodiment, automatically controlled portion 16, may be included in electronic controller 28, as shown, or may be located separately and connected by a control cable. The tendons controlling steerable distal portion 14 and, in this embodiment, controllable segments 26 of automatically controlled portion 16, extend down the length of elongate body 12 and connect to the actuators. FIG. 1 shows a variation in which the tendons pass through handle 30 and connect directly to electronic controller 28 via quick-release connector 29. In this variation, the tendons are part of controller cable 42, although they could independently connect to the actuators, so long as the actuators are in communication with electronic controller 28. Alternatively, the tendons connected to steerable distal portion 16 could be connected to a manual actuation system comprising a knob/gear system, as in endoscopes sold by Olympus, Fujinon or Pentax. Other variations of connecting tendons 78 to the actuators are more thoroughly discussed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/988,212, which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.

[0031] An axial motion transducer (also called a depth referencing device or datum) 48 may be provided for measuring the axial motion, i.e., the depth change of elongate body 12 as it is advanced and withdrawn. As elongate body 12 of endoscope 10 slides through axial motion transducer 48, it indicates the axial position of the elongate body 12 with respect to a fixed point of reference. Axial motion transducer 48 is more fully described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/229,577 previously incorporated herein by reference.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 2, steerable distal portion 14 is preferably constructed from a plurality of joint segments 50, 52, 54, 56, 57, with only five shown in this example for the sake of clarity. The skilled artisan will readily recognize that any number of joint segments may be used, the ultimate number being primarily defined by the purpose for which steerable distal portion 14 will be used. Each joint segment has two joints, e.g., 64X and 64Y. The skilled artisan will appreciate that joint segments, as used herein, can also be referred as a link, where a link connects one joint to an adjacent joint. Steerable distal portion 14 is depicted in a straight configuration in z-y-x reference frame 60, which reference frame is preferably associated with the most proximal joint segment 50. The skilled artisan will recognize that each joint along the length of steerable distal portion 14 is associated with a z-y-x coordinate frame 62A, 62B . . . 62.sub.distal, and that z-y-x coordinate frame 62A for the most proximal joint 64X is preferably the same as a parallel to z-y-x reference frame 60. When steerable distal portion 14 is in the approximately straight configuration, as show in FIG. 2, the z-axis for z-y-x reference frame 60 and the z-axis for the z-y-x coordinate frames 62A, 62B, 62C . . . 62.sub.distal are approximately the same, and the x-y planes are approximately parallel and spaced apart approximately by length e.

[0033] As show in FIG. 2, each joint segment 50, 52, 54, 56, 57 (with others omitted for clarity) has two joints, an x-joint 64X, 66X, and a y-joint 68Y, 70Y. The x-axis of each coordinate frame 62 runs approximately through or approximately parallel to x-joints 64X, 66X, and similarly the y-axis of each coordinate frame 62 runs approximately through or approximately parallel to the y-joint 68Y, 70Y. Joint segments 50, 52, 54, 56, 57 are alternately connected at y-joints and x-joints. Each joint segment, in this embodiment, can move with two degrees of freedom relative to an adjacent joint segment.

[0034] For example and not by way of limitation, FIG. 2 depicts four joint segments 50, 52, 54 56 and 57. In this example, left most joint segment 50 is the most proximal joint segment of steerable distal portion 14 and adjoins to the most distal portion of automatically controlled section 16 of endoscope 10. Z-Y-X reference frame 60 is located approximately at this junction, or thereabouts, such that steerable distal portion 14 bends relative to z-y-x reference frame 60. As described above, each joint (of which there are two) for each joint segment is associated with a z-y-x coordinate frame 62. It is noted, however, that the most proximal joint segment 50 has only one joint for the purposes of this example. In those joints, e.g., 64X and 66X in this example, where the x-axis runs through the joint, the joint segment 52 and 56 distal to that x-joint can rotate about the x-axis running through the joints 64X and 66X. Thus, in the example given, joint segment 52 can rotate about the x-axis running through joint 64X, thereby moving joint segment 52 up or down in the plane of the page or in the z-y plane of z-y-x coordinate frame 62A. Further, in the example given, joint segment 54 can rotate about y-axis running through joint 68Y, thereby moving joint segment 54 in and out of the plane of the page, or left and right in the z-x plane of the z-y-x coordinate frame 62B. Further details of this vertebra-type structure, and how it is assembled are provided in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/229,577, previously incorporated herein in its entirety.

[0035] Each of these rotations, whether about the y- or x-axis of the various coordinate frames 62, results in a rotation of coordinate frames 62 in three-dimensional space relative to each other and relative to reference frame 60. The rotation of the coordinate frames 62 can be represented using matrices, referred to as rotational matrices. John Craig, Introduction to Robotics 19-60 (2d Ed. 1986). Assuming the overall bend is approximately equally distributed to each joint segment across the length of steerable distal portion 14, Craig show that multiplication of the rotational matrices for coordinate frames 62 of the most distal joint 57 (which coordinate frame 62.sub.distal is adjacent to or includes distal tip 72) to the most proximal joint 64X (which coordinate frame 62A is the same as, or at least parallel to reference frame 60) results in an overall rotational matrix describing rotation of the most distal coordinate frame 62.sub.distal relative to the most proximal coordinate frame 62A and/or z-y-x reference frame 60.

[0036] Referring now to FIG. 3 a schematic diagram of steerable distal portion 14 is provided for discussion purposes and to explain a preferred system and method for bending steerable distal portion 14. It is noted that details relating to the joint segments, joints and the interconnections of the joint segments have been eliminated from this figure for the sake of clarity. It is further noted that FIG. 3 is a good representation of the mathematical model where the overall rotation matrix discussed above describes the rotation of the most distal z-y-x coordinate frame 62.sub.distal relative to the most proximal z-y-x coordinate frame 62A or alternatively reference frame 60. FIG. 3A shows a three-dimensional view of steerable distal portion in its substantially straight configuration. The most distal joint segment and the most proximal joint segment of steerable distal portion 14 are depicted as circles. Bowden-type cables extend down the length of elongate body 12 (not shown in FIG. 3A) and comprise coil tube 76 and tendons 78. Coil tube 76 house tendons 78 along the length of elongate body 12 (not shown in FIG. 3A), but not along the length of steerable distal portion 14. In the variation depicted in FIGS. 3A-C, four tendons 78 are depicted to articulate steerable distal portion 14. Bowden-type cable can be used to apply either tensile or compressive forces, i.e., they may be pushed or pulled, to articulate steerable distal portion 14 and can be actuated remotely to deliver forces as desired to bend steerable distal portion 14. In the present embodiment tendon 78 is fixed at the most distal joint segment 57 of steerable distal portion 14 and coil tube 76 is fixed at the proximal most joint segment 50 of steerable distal portion 14. In this manner, actuation of one or more tendons 78 causes steerable distal portion 14 to articulate.

[0037] In the variation depicted in FIG. 3A-C, four tendons are used to bend steerable distal portion 14, although more or fewer tendons could be used. Four tendons can reliably articulate steerable distal portion 14 in any direction without having to rotate steerable distal portion 14 or elongate body 12 about it longitudinal axis. Tendons 78 are preferably attached at the most distal joint segment 57 close to the edge of the joint segment, spaced equally apart, preferably and only by way of explanation at 12, 3, 6, and 9 O'clock.

[0038] FIG. 3A shows steerable distal portion 14 in its substantially straight configuration with four tendons 78 attached to distal most joint segment 57.sub.distal as described above. As described above, tendons 78 are attached at their proximal ends to actuators (not shown in this figure), which places the tendon under tension or releases tension, thereby bending steerable distal portion 14. FIGS. 3B-C show steerable distal portion 14 bent by independently pulling or slacking each of the four tendons 78.

[0039] For example, referring to FIG. 3B, pulling on tendon 78 at the 12 O'clock position and easing tension on tendon 78 at the 6 O'clock position causes steerable distal portion 14 to bend in the positive y-direction with respect to the z-y-x reference frame 60. It is noted that the most distal z-y-x coordinate frame 62.sub.distal rotates with respect to the z-y-x reference frame 60 and that is the degree of overall bend of steerable distal portion 14. In this situation is only along the positive y-axis, up, because only the tendon 78 at the 12 O'clock position was pulled while easing tension or giving slack to tendon 78 at 6 O'clock. The tendons 78 at three- and 9 O'clock were left substantially static in this example, and, thus, had approximately no or little affect on the overall bend of steerable distal portion 14. The reverse situation (not depicted), pulling on tendon 78 at the 6 O'clock position and slacking or easing the tension on tendon 78 at the 12 O'clock position will result in an overall bend of steerable distal portion 14 in the negative y-direction, or down. Referring to FIG. 3C the same logic applies to bend steerable distal portion 14 in the positive x-direction, right, by an overall bend angle of , or a negative x-direction (not show), left. Steerable distal portion 14 can be bent in any direction by applying varying tensions to the tendons of axis, e.g., applying tension to the tendons at 12 O'clock and 2 O'clock result in an overall ben up and to the left.

[0040] When tension applied to tendons 78 results in an overall bend of steerable distal portion 14 in the y-direction only, this is referred to as a y-bend. Similarly, when tension applied to tendons 78 results in an overall bend of steerable distal portion 14 in the x-direction only, this is referred to as an x-bend. The skilled artisan will also appreciate that the over bend resulting from simultaneous y- and x-bends will have y- and x-components. The skilled artisan can determine the amount of length change of tendons 78 to achieve various y- and x-bends, by, for example and without limitation, examining the overall bend of steerable distal portion for various length changes. The amount of length change of tendons 78 that results in various observed x- and y-bends is also referred to herein as pull-distance. Alternatively, the skilled artisan could determine that the amount of tension required on tendons 78 to achieve the various y- and x-bends, again, by observing the over bend for the various tensions.

[0041] For example, and without limitation, FIG. 4 shows a partial schematic representation of a single tendon 78 bending steerable distal portion 14. For clarity, the other parts of a complete endoscope have been omitted from FIG. 4. Tension applied to tendon 78 is transferred across the entire length of steerable distal portion 14 resulting in bending, as described above. Tendon 78 is placed in tension of actuator 82, which is shown, in this variation, as a motor pulling on tendon 78. In this embodiment the skilled artisan would determine the pull-distance applied by actuator 82 required to achieve a range of y-bends and x-bends can of steerable distal portion 14. Alternatively, tensions of tendon 78 to achieve an x- or y-bend can be determined or measured. The skilled artisan will recognize that factors, such as but not limited to, the amount of articulation along the length of body 12 and friction within coil pipes 76 will affect the amount of tension or pull-distance required to bend steerable distal portion 14. As another alternative, a sensor capable of measuring the x-bend, y-bend and/or overall bend could be placed on each joint segment of steerable distal portion 14 or along the length of steerable distal portion 14. The sensor then would report the x-bend, y-bend and/or overall bend of steerable distal portion 14 via a communication cable (optical fiber or wire) or wirelessly back to electronic controller 28. For example, and without limitation, a strain sensor could be placed along the length of steerable distal portion 14, wherein the amount of strain is indicative of the amount of bend the sensor, and therefor steerable distal portion 14, experiences.

[0042] A preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes one actuator per tendon, and utilizes four tendons as described above. As described above, steering controller 44 is used to direct the actuators to apply tension to individual tendons depending where the user wants to steer the steerable distal portion 14. As also described above, tension in the overall bend, , of steerable distal portion 14 is the approximate angle between the z-axis of z-y-x reference frame 60 and the z-axis of the most distal z-y-x coordinate frame 62.sub.distal. As described above, overall bend and y-bend or x-bend are the same when either x-bend or y-bend is zero, respectively. The skilled artisan will appreciate that in this manner a user or the electronic controller 28 can determine the x- and y-bend or steerable distal portion 14, and, as described above, the overall bend. Further details of how to determine the x- and y-bend of steerable distal portion 14 are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/603,943, incorporated herein it its entirety by reference. Alternatively, it will be recognized that fewer than fewer than four tensioning members may be used to articulate steerable distal portion 14, one for example as in a steerable arterial catheter.

[0043] As discussed above, Craig describes how to solve for an overall rotational matrix describing the rotation between z-y-x reference frame 60 and the most distal z-y-x coordinate frame 62.sub.distal. From this overall rotational matrix one can solve for the overall bend by equating the overall rotational matrix to the ZYZ Euler rotational matrix, and then solving to obtain the overall bend angle , where the Euler rotational matrix is described in Craig. However, if steerable distal portion 14 comprising 21 joint segments (for example and not by way of limitation) were used, this would require multiplication of 21 matrices for each calculation of the overall bend. The skilled artisan will appreciate that this computation would require relatively significant computer time.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 5A-B, the Pythagorean Theorem provides a very good approximation of the overall bend angle. FIG. 5A shows a plot of the overall bend resulting from a y-bend and an x-bend, and a plot for {square root over ((y-bend).sup.2+(x-bend).sup.2)}, the latter plot being identified by open circles , at which points the y-bend equals the x-bend. FIG. 5A is a plot for steerable distal portion 14 comprising 11 joint segments and FIG. 5B is a plot for steerable distal portion 14 comprising 22 joint segments. The 11- and 22-joint segments are used as examples and not by way of limitation. The skilled artisan will appreciate that more or fewer joint segments may be utilized. Both FIGS. 5A-B establish that the Pythagorean sum of the y-bend and x-bend angles approximates the overall bend of steerable distal portion 14. The y-bend and x-bend will also approximate the amount of bend in the y- and x-directions in the z-y-x reference frame 60, which provides the approximate up-, down-, left- and right-direction of steerable distal portion in relation to the origin of the z-y-x reference frame 60. This Pythagorean approximation substantially eases the computational load, and greatly facilitates plotting the overall bend and x-bend and y-bend. However, the skilled artisan will appreciate the process can be accomplished computationally by multiplying out the individual rotational matrices.

[0045] It is noted that the Pythagorean sum approximation of FIG. 5A with 8 joint segments is not quite as good as the approximation of FIG. 5B with 21 joint segments. Considering FIG. 6, joint segments 84 have a limited range of motion about either the y-axis or x-axis of rotation; each of the joint segments has a hard-stop 85 beyond which no more rotation about the y- or x-axis is physically possible. It is with multiple joint segments 84 that steerable distal portion 14 can achieve overall bend angles much greater than any individual angle of deflection achievable to one joint segment 84 about its y- or x-joint axis. Nevertheless, as a result of the physical hard stops of individual joint segments 84, a multi-joint segment steerable distal portion 14 has physical outer limits or hard stops beyond which it will not bend. As the number of segments in steerable distal portion increases, as in FIG. 5B relative to FIG. 5A, the cumulative bend of the joint segments become more continuous, thereby making the approximation even better.

[0046] As appreciated by the skilled artisan, a user will insert and attempt to guide an endoscope to a remote location using a video image to visualize where the endoscope is going, using steerable distal portion 14 to guide the user around any obstacles visualized, and then advancing the endoscope. However, as a skilled artisan will also appreciate, and as described above, a user can become easily disoriented as to the orientation of steerable distal portion 14, even with live video feed from the camera.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 7, one variation of the present invention provides a monitor 86 having a unique graphical user interface (GUI) including a bull's-eye positioning aid 88 for steerable distal portion 14. Bull's-eye positioning aid 88, I this embodiment, comprises two concentric circles 90A-B, with cross-hair 92 through the approximate center of concentric circles 90A-B. The skilled artisan will appreciate that concentric circles may take on any shape defined by the user, for examples ovals, squares, rectangles or any shape desired by the skilled artisan to convey the orientation information to the user. The distance away from the intersection of cross-hair 92 is approximately the degree of overall bend of steerable distal portion 14. Concentric circles 90A-B represent an amount of overall bend of steerable distal portion 14 (90 and 180 degrees in this example), horizontal axis 94 of cross-hair 92 represents the x-bend or left/right orientation, and vertical axis 96 of cross-hair 92 represents the y-bend or up/down orientation. Horizontal and vertical axes of cross-hair 92, in this embodiment, are divided linearly into degrees of deflection. Icon 98, here a dot, represents a vector diagram. The skilled artisan will appreciate that icon 98 can have any shape, and is simply a graphic representation graphically representing the orientation information for steerable distal portion 14. If icon 98 is centered on cross-hair 92 as shown in FIG. 7A, steerable distal portion 14 is in its approximately straight, looking forward configuration. The skilled artisan will appreciate that monitor 86 may also display useful information other than the GUI in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. For example, and without limitation, monitor 86 may also display video images from camera 24 or a three-dimensional shape of the entire endoscope. The skilled artisan will further appreciate that indicators other than the cross-hair may be used to represent the orientation of steerable distal portion 14. For example, and without limitation, other shapes not at right angles may be used, polar coordinates may be used, logarithmic scales and coordinates may be used; the skilled artisan can use any indicator that conveniently displays the orientation of steerable distal portion 14, even a tabular list of bend and overall angles.

[0048] FIGS. 7B-D provide examples of how to use an embodiment of the GUI of the present invention. in FIG. 7A, icon 98 is centered on cross-hair 92, and, therefore, steerable distal portion 14 is in an approximate straight ahead position, as depicted in the three-dimensional diagram of steerable distal portion 14 in FIG. 3A. In FIG. 7B, icon 98 is located on 180 degree circle; this, the magnitude of vector 100 from the origin of cross-hair 92 to icon 98 is 180 degrees. The x-bend in FIG. 7B is also 180 degrees right and the y-bend is zero. Therefore, the overall bend is 180 degrees to the left, like the user is looking directly behind her over the right shoulder. FIG. 7C shows icon 98 having a vector 102 with a magnitude of 180 degrees, but this time with a y-bend 180 degrees down and the x-bend us zero, FIG. 7D shows icon 98 having vector 104 with a y-bend component of approximately 45 degrees down, and an x-bend component of approximately 135 degrees to the right. The magnitude of vector 104, or overall bend, is approximately {square root over ((45).sup.2+(135).sup.2)} or approximately 142 degrees. Therefore, the user has steerable distal portion directed approximately 45 degrees down and approximately 135 degrees to the right with an overall bend of approximately 142 degrees, as depicted in FIG. 7D.

[0049] Alternatively, the y-bend, x-bend and overall bend could be depicted as a three dimensional object on a two-dimensional display (not shown). In this alternative embodiment, a three dimensional object of steerable distal portion 14 is graphically displayed on the GUI. This can be done in many different ways, for example in shadow, or using shading and colors to provide a more realistic three dimensional representation. The x-bend, y-bend and over all bend can then be represented by changing the three-dimensional representation on the GUI. The shape of the steerable distal portion can be shown relative to the distal end of the proximal portion. The distal end of the proximal portion is, preferably though not exclusively, represented at approximately a 45 degree angle relative to the screen of the GUI. This will provide the user of good view of the three-dimensional orientation of the steerable distal portion as the shape of this portion is changed by the user's direction. As the skilled artisan will appreciate the y-bend, x-bend and overall bend information can be used to generate such a three-dimensional object on a graphical user interface such that the endoscope user can visually see the approximate three-dimensional orientation of steerable distal portion 14 on the display. The skilled artisan will appreciated that the three-dimensional object need not be scaled to the size of steerable distal portion, although it could be. The three-dimensional object is manipulated using data from the y-bend, x-bend and overall bend to provide the user with a visual representation of the approximate 3-dimensional orientation of steerable distal portion 14 while it is being manipulated by the user to examine remote locations, such as in a colonoscopy. It is noted, however, the preferred system and method of the present invention uses a dot-vector diagram with a cross-hair graphical user interface display, as previously described.

[0050] As described above, hard stops of individual joint segments lead to steerable distal portion 14 having hard stops as well. In particular, if all the joint segments are rotated to their hard stops about the y-joint axis and not rotated at all about their x-joint axis and vice versa, this will result in a maximum bend or hard stop in the y- and x-directions respectively, i.e., steerable distal portion 14 can bend no further in that particular direction. This condition is referred to herein as saturated. While a multi-joint segment steerable distal portion may be saturated when bent only in the x- or y-direction, it can have a much greater overall bend when bent in the x- and y-directions simultaneously. FIG. 8 depicts an example where saturation in the y- and x-directions is 180 degrees. The example in FIG. 8 shows a y-bend up to 160 degrees and an x-bend right of 120 degrees that result in an approximate overall bend of 200 degrees up and to the right, where 200 degrees larger than the saturation bend in either the y- or x-directions, 180 degrees in this example. The skilled artisan will appreciate that the saturated bend in y- or x-directions do not have to be equal, and can be more or less than 180 degrees. An overall bend above the saturated y- or saturated x-direction is referred to herein as over-saturated.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 9, when using the bull's-eye positioning aid 88, in accordance to one embodiment of the present invention, a user could try to steer left, right or down from the fully saturated up position, see icon 98. The user cannot steer up from the position represented by icon 98, as steerable distal portion 14 is at a hard stop for this direction in this particular example. If the user steers immediately right (as depicted by arrow 106), steerable distal portion 14 will begin to over-saturate, but the construction of steerable distal portion 14 will mechanically permit it to become over-saturated. In regions of over-saturation, the camera can move with substantial rotation as well as translation, which can result in substantially confusing camera motion for the use. In order to provide the user with smooth travel of the steerable distal portion 14 and the icon image thereof, an embodiment of the present invention limits the amount of overall bend to a preset amount. In the present example the maximum amount of the overall bend permitted is 180 degrees in any direction, although the skilled artisan will recognize that the other limits may be used, and these limits may depend on the physical limitations of the joint segments used to make steerable distal portion 14.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 10, in one embodiment of the present invention, the user requests a certain overall bend and direction by moving steering controller 44, e.g., a joy stick. Electronic controller 28 then calculates the overall bend that would result from the motion requested by the user via steering controller 44. A preferred embodiment of the present invention calculates the overall bend by the Pythagorean approximation using the requested x-bend and requested y-bend. As discussed above, electronic controller 28 has a memory of the y- and x-bend resulting from the amount of tension or pull-distance requested on the actuators. If the overall bend requested is less than or equal to the preset limit of the overall bend, 180 degrees in the present example, then the electronic controller 28 will signal the actuators to apply the appropriate tension to the tendons or pull the appropriate distance of the tendon to achieve the requested x- and y-bends. If the calculated overall bend is greater than the preset limit then the electronic controller will wait for the user to modify the requested movement, for example by moving the joystick in a slightly different direction, at which time the calculation and command instructions will start over. Alternatively, the electronic controller 28 could allow movement of steerable distal portion 14, but only up to the preset overall bend limit, 180 degrees in the example. The skilled artisan understands that other methods exist for electronic controller 28 to limit the overall bend of steerable distal portion 14 to a preset limit. In this manner the user will experience a smooth transition through a full range of motion.

[0053] The cross-hair and centered-is-straight concept allows a disoriented user to quickly and easily return to the steerable distal portion 14 to an approximately straight ahead condition. Bull's-eye positioning aid 88 of the present invention is particularly useful in helping a user who has become disoriented, for example after performing an inspection, providing therapy, or performing some procedure, to return the steerable distal portion 14 to a centered, forward looking condition to resume navigation of endoscope 10 further into the remote areas. Bull's-eye positioning aid 88 of the present invention provides a user with an easy to understand orientation of the steerable distal portion of endoscope 10 relative to a centered, forward looking condition similar to the way aircraft instruments display the attitude of an aircraft to an artificial horizon. In much the same way, bull's-eye positioning aid 88 helps the user maintain the attitude of steerable distal portion 14 of endoscope 10. The zero/zero attitude in the illustrative embodiment is the approximately straight orientation or center/forward orientation of steerable distal portion 14, but could be any other convenient orientation as will be appreciated by the skilled artisan. The appearance of the system used to visualize the orientation steerable distal portion 14 may also be changed to accommodate the user. For example and without limitation, more or less than two concentric circles may be used, and those used may be for any degrees of overall bend, as suits the user.

[0054] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used some specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. Nevertheless, the foregoing descriptions of the preferred embodiments of the present invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description and are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed; obvious modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. For example, and not be way of limitation, similar to the endoscope description above, tools of a robotically controlled surgical instrument also have a fixed point or points from which the tools articulate, and the user of such tools has the need to know the orientation of these tools while remotely working with the tools inside a body. Thus, the skilled artisan will appreciate the need to visualize the orientation of various surgical tools extending from a robotic surgical device or platform similar to the need to visualize the orientation of steerable distal portion 14 of an endoscope. Thus, the skilled artisan will appreciate that embodiments of the present invention can be either directly used for visualizing robotically controlled surgical instruments, or can be easily modified without going out of the bounds of the claimed invention to accomplish this purpose. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.