Indicator for tool state and communication in multiarm robotic telesurgery
AssigneeIntuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
InventorsDavid S. Mintz, Theodore C. Walker, David Q. Larkin, Michael L. Hanuschik
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Abstract
Medical and/or robotic devices, systems and methods can provide an indicator associated with each manipulator assembly of a multi-arm telerobotic or telesurgical system. The exemplary indicator comprises a multi-color light emitting diode (LED) mounted to a manipulator moving an associated surgical instrument, allowing the indicator to display any of a wide variety of signals. The invention may provide an additional user interface to facilitate communications between the telesurgical system and/or members of a telesurgical team.
Claims18
A medical system comprising:
- a first manipulator supporting a first tool, the first manipulator having a first indicator on an outer surface of the first manipulator;
- a first input device operatively coupled to the first manipulator;
- a second manipulator supporting a second tool, the second manipulator having a second indicator on an outer surface of the second manipulator;
- a second input device operatively coupled to the second manipulator;
- and
- a processor programmed to command a selected one of the first and second indicators to output a first identifiable signal;
- wherein the selected one of the first and second indicators indicates one of:
- a selected manipulator of the first and second manipulators, a selected tool of the first and second tools, and a selected input device of the first and second input devices;
- and
- wherein the first identifiable signal indicates one of:
- a state or an identity of the selected manipulator, a state or an identity of the selected tool, and a state or an identity of the selected input device.
A medical system comprising:
- a master controller configured to be operated by a user;
- a manipulator adapted to hold and manipulate a surgical instrument, the manipulator having at least one activatable indicator on or proximate to the manipulator so as to viewable by an assistant positioned near the manipulator;
- a display screen proximate to the manipulator so as to be viewable by the assistant positioned near the manipulator, but not viewable by the user while the user is operating the master controller;
- and
- a computer processor programmed to control movement of the manipulator in response to manipulation of the master controller, control activation of the at least one activatable indicator so as to indicate that an action is to be taken by the assistant, and provide instructions on the display screen for the action to be taken when the at least one activatable indicator is activated.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.