US 10,881,478 B1 · Methods for protecting robotic surgery systems with sterile barriers

Abstract

A method of preparing a robotic surgery apparatus for a medical procedure can include covering a manipulator unit of the robotic surgery apparatus with a first sterile barrier by coupling a drape coupler of the first sterile barrier to a bottom surface of the manipulator unit and wrapping a drape of the first sterile barrier around side and top surfaces of the manipulator unit. The drape can be coupled to the drape coupler. The drape can be made of material that is more flexible than material of the drape coupler. The method can include covering an arm of the robotic surgery apparatus supporting the manipulator unit with a second sterile barrier that is distinct from the first sterile barrier by coupling the second sterile barrier to the arm and wrapping the second sterile barrier around the arm.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A method of preparing a robotic surgery apparatus for a medical procedure, the method comprising:

covering a manipulator unit of the robotic surgery apparatus with a first sterile barrier by:
coupling a drape coupler of the first sterile barrier to a bottom surface of the manipulator unit, the coupling comprising attaching a drape coupler fastener positioned at least partially on an external surface of the drape coupler to the bottom surface of the manipulator unit and covering the bottom surface of the manipulator unit with the drape coupler without covering a top surface of the manipulator unit with the drape coupler;
and
wrapping a drape of the first sterile barrier around side and top surfaces of the manipulator unit, the drape coupled to the drape coupler;
and
covering an arm of the robotic surgery apparatus supporting the manipulator unit with a second sterile barrier that is distinct from the first sterile barrier, the covering comprising:
coupling the second sterile barrier to the arm;
and
wrapping the second sterile barrier around the arm.

6 more elements

A method of preparing a robotic surgery apparatus for a medical procedure, the method comprising:

positioning a first sterile harrier on a first portion of the robotic surgery apparatus by:
coupling a drape coupler of the first sterile barrier to a surface of the first portion of the robotic surgery apparatus configured to support at least one surgical instrument of the robotic surgery apparatus, the coupling comprising attaching a drape coupler fastener positioned at least partially on an external surface of the drape coupler to the surface of the first portion of the robotic surgery apparatus and covering the surface of the first portion of the robotic surgery apparatus with the drape coupler without covering any portion of an opposite surface of the first portion of the robotic surgery apparatus with the drape coupler;
and
wrapping a drape of the first sterile barrier around one or more other surfaces of the first portion of the robotic surgery apparatus, the drape coupled to the drape coupler;
and
positioning a second sterile barrier that is distinct from the first sterile barrier on a second portion of the robotic surgery apparatus adjacent to the first portion of the robotic surgery apparatus, the positioning comprising:
coupling the second sterile barrier to the second portion;
and
wrapping the second sterile barrier around the second portion.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Methods for protecting robotic surgery systems with sterile barriers

Life of this patent

Methods for protecting robotic surgery systems with sterile barriers

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22