Intelligent holding arm for head surgery, with touch-sensitive operation

A holding arm for holding a surgical mechatronic assistance system or surgical instrument, the holding arm comprising:

• a proximal end for attaching the holding arm to a base and a distal end for receiving the surgical mechatronic assistance system or the surgical instrument;
• a first interface at the proximal end for connecting the holding arm to an energy source and to an external control unit for transmitting signals to and from the holding arm;
• a second interface at the distal end for coupling the holding arm to the surgical mechatronic assistance system or the surgical instrument to control the surgical mechatronic assistance system or the surgical instrument;
• a transmission unit connecting the first interface to the second interface to transmit energy and signals between the first and second interfaces;
• a recognition unit configured to recognize the surgical mechatronic assistance system or the surgical instrument coupled to the second interface;
• a first arm segment and a second arm segment, wherein the first arm segment is connected to a first joint and the second arm segment is connected to a second joint, wherein each of the first joint and the second joint is releasable and lockable based on a type of the surgical mechatronic assistance system or the surgical instrument coupled to the second interface;
• a switch adapted to release both the first joint and the second joint;
• and
• a first contacting device arranged on the first arm segment, wherein the first contacting device is adapted to release the first joint when a contact occurs between an operator and the first contacting device.