Hand-actuated articulating surgical tool

Abstract

A double cylinder system is disclosed, comprising at least one controller being adapted to transmit hydraulic control signals; at least one slave being in fluid communication with the controller and being configured to respond to the hydraulic control signals transmitted by the controller; and at least one control line providing hydraulic communication between the controller and the slave. Also disclosed is a surgical device, comprising at least one controller located at a proximal end of the device, the controller being adapted to transmit hydraulic control signals; at least one manipulator, the manipulator being configured to be controlled by a human hand and to actuate the controller; at least one slave located at a distal end of the device, the slave being in fluid communication with the controller and being configured to respond to the hydraulic control signals transmitted by the controller; and at least one control line providing hydraulic communication between the controller and the slave.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to the U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 219,593, filed Jul. 20, 2000, by Doyle et al., and entitled “HAND-ACTUATED ARTICULATING SURGICAL TOOL,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, including any drawings.FIELD OF THE INVNETION [0002] The invention relates generally to surgical instruments. More particularly, the invention relates to a hand-actuated articulating surgical tool for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Current laparoscopic surgical tools are limited in accessibility of certain regions of the human body. Existing tools can perform invasive surgery without making a substantial incision, but these tools are incapable of bending within the body to reach, for example, the backside of the human heart. [0004] Additionally, existing tools rely on use of cables to manipulate the surgical tip of the tool. These tools have the disadvantage of requ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] The present invention provides an apparatus for performing minimally invasive surgery while allowing articulation of the tool within the patient's body. Further, the present invention provides a surgical tool that is simple and inexpensive to sterilize and reuse. Another embodiment of the invention allows a surgeon to operate on a portion of an organ, for example, the heart, without the need for arresting the entire organ.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the controller comprises a control cavity and a piston within the control cavity. The piston divides the control cavity into a first control cavity portion and a second control cavity portion and prevents communication between the two portions. The slave comprises a slave cavity and a piston within the slave cavity that divides the slave cavity into first and second portions and prevents communication between the two portions. The control line provides hydraulic communication between the first control cavity portion and the first slave cavity portion. A second control line provides hydraulic communication between the second control cavity portion and the second slave cavity portion.

Problems solved by technology

Current laparoscopic surgical tools are limited in accessibility of certain regions of the human body.

Existing tools can perform invasive surgery without making a substantial incision, but these tools are incapable of bending within the body to reach, for example, the backside of the human heart.

These tools have the disadvantage of requiring extensive sterilization of the internal components.

The cleaning of internal metal cables can be a lengthy and expensive process.

Alternatively, disposable components may be used with a substantial increase in recurring costs.

This requires additional equipment such as the artificial support system, substantially increasing the cost of the procedure.

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