Laparoscopic ultrasound robotic surgical system

#The present invention generally relates to robotic surgical systems and in particular, to a laparoscopic ultrasound robotic surgical system useful for performing minimally invasive surgical procedures.

#Minimally invasive surgery offers many benefits over traditional open surgery techniques, including less pain, shorter hospital stays, quicker return to normal activities, minimal scarring, reduced recovery time, and less injury to tissue. Consequently, demand for minimally invasive surgery using robotic surgical systems is strong and growing.

#Laparoscopy is a type of minimally invasive surgery in which a small incision is made in the abdominal wall through which an instrument called a laparoscope is inserted to permit anatomic structures within the abdomen and pelvis to be seen. The abdominal cavity is commonly distended and made visible by the instillation of absorbable gas such as carbon dioxide. Tubes may be pushed through the same or different incisions in the skin so that probes or other instruments can be introduced to a surgical site. In this way, a number of surgical procedures can be performed without the need for a large or open cavity surgical incision.

#FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of an operating room employing a laparoscopic ultrasound robotic surgical system utilizing aspects of the present invention.

#FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a laparoscopic ultrasound robotic surgical system utilizing aspects of the present invention.

#FIG. 3 illustrates a laparoscopic ultrasound probe utilizing aspects of the present invention.

#FIG. 1 illustrates, as an example, a top view of an operating room employing a robotic surgical system. The robotic surgical system in this case is a Laparascopic Ultrasound Robotic Surgical System 100 including a Console (“C”) utilized by a Surgeon (“S”) while performing a minimally invasive diagnostic or surgical procedure with assistance from one or more Assistants (“A”) on a Patient (“P”) who is reclining on an Operating table (“O”).

#The Console includes a Master Display 104 (also referred to herein as a “Display Screen”) for displaying one or more images of a surgical site within the Patient as well as perhaps other information to the Surgeon. Also included are Master Input Devices 107 and 108 (also referred to herein as “Master Manipulators”), one or more Foot Pedals 105 and 106, a Microphone 103 for receiving voice commands from the Surgeon, and a Processor 102. The Master Input Devices 107 and 108 may include any one or more of a variety of input devices such as joysticks, gloves, trigger-guns, hand-operated controllers, or the like. The Processor 102 is preferably a personal computer that may be integrated into the Console or otherwise connected to it in a conventional manner.

#The Surgeon performs a minimally invasive surgical procedure by manipulating the Master Input Devices 107 and 108 so that the Processor 102 causes their respectively associated Slave Arms 128 and 129 (also referred to herein as “Slave Manipulators”) to manipulate their respective removably coupled and held Surgical Instruments 138 and 139 (also referred to herein as “Tools”) accordingly, while the Surgeon views three-dimensional (“3D”) images of the surgical site on the Master Display 104.