Auxiliary function control device for medical equipment and related system and method

Abstract

A device may include first and second auxiliary function units, each of which includes one or more connector interfaces configured to be operably connected to one or more medical devices via mating engagement with one or more transmission lines. The device may further include a user interface cover panel covering at least a portion of each of the first auxiliary function unit and the second auxiliary function unit. The user interface cover panel includes a user interface control portion that is operably coupled to each of the first auxiliary function unit and the second auxiliary function unit to change the control settings of each auxiliary function unit in response to input at the user interface control portion. The user interface control portion further includes first and second user interface control areas arranged to align with the one or more connector interfaces of the corresponding first and second auxiliary function units.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 813,977, filed on March 5, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to an auxiliary function control device for connecting to and controlling a medical device during a surgical procedure, such as, for example, a minimally invasive surgical procedure employing computer-assisted techniques. Further aspects of the present disclosure relate to a user interface for the auxiliary function control device. Background Art

[0004] Minimally invasive surgery seeks to minimize trauma to the patient by introducing therapeutic, diagnostic, and imaging instruments through small incisions or natural orifices. One group of such instruments are manually operated. Another group of such instruments are remotely operated using a computer-assisted surgical system (teleoperated surgical system), in which a surgeon operates an input control unit to remotely control one or more instruments operated by a manipulator unit to which the one or more instruments are coupled.

[0005] Whether manually operated or operated via a remote surgical system, many instruments are coupled to auxiliary function units that support the clinical purpose of the instrument. For example, electrosurgical instruments are coupled to electrosurgical generator units (ESUs) that provide monopolar and bipolar energy to the instrument as needed. Similarly, the suction / irrigation equipment that can be used during various surgical operations needs to be operably coupled to corresponding irrigating fluids and vacuum sources. Similarly, endoscopic instruments need to support imaging and lighting equipment, which are usually provided in one or more separate auxiliary function units. Therefore, various auxiliary function equipment are usually used during minimally invasive surgery to support the medical equipment used at the remote surgical site performing functions such as insufflation supply, cautery smoke evacuation, ultrasonic energy generation, etc. As used herein, medical equipment includes two instruments for manipulating tissue and sensing environment (e.g., imaging, pressure, oxygen, etc.) at the remote surgical site, and equipment for supplying suction, rinsing, light and other types of flux near the remote surgical site.

[0006] Due to the numerous auxiliary function units for supporting modern surgical operations, as well as the various connections (cables, tubes, etc.) between the auxiliary function units and the corresponding medical equipment, the operating room becomes complicated and crowded during surgical operations. Each auxiliary function unit can be placed in different locations, and the user interface of each unit controlling its function may be different, so it is challenging to easily and quickly access / enter (access). This problem is especially true because for surgeons using manually operated medical equipment, the sterility of continuous medical equipment is important, and for surgeons using remote surgical systems and physically away from patients, access to auxiliary function units may be difficult. So, operating room staff often rely on operating auxiliary function units. Such personnel may need to move to various locations around the patient and work around various transmission lines (e.g., cables, fluid supply pipes, etc.) to reach various auxiliary function unit user interfaces.

[0007] Yet another user interface problem may occur when various auxiliary function units are positioned close to each other, as the physical characteristics of one auxiliary function unit may cause interference with one or more other units. For example, if a first auxiliary function unit is placed above a second auxiliary function unit in a single rack (e.g., a shelf unit), transmission lines from the first auxiliary function unit may fall in front of a user interface or cable connector of the second auxiliary function unit, thereby potentially making access to the second auxiliary function unit difficult and / or potentially obscuring a display on the second auxiliary function unit. This "waterfall" of transmission lines from multiple auxiliary function units may further limit access to and visibility of any auxiliary function unit positioned below other units.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need to simplify the management of operating rooms and the use of various separate auxiliary functional units used during surgical procedures. There is also a need to improve the user interface of various auxiliary functional units used to enhance medical device functions and perform other surgical related tasks. Summary of the invention

[0009] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may exhibit one or more of the above-described desirable features. Other features and / or advantages may become apparent from the following description.

[0010] According to an exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure contemplates a device comprising a first auxiliary function unit and a second auxiliary function unit, the first auxiliary function unit comprising one or more first connector interfaces, the one or more first connector interfaces being configured to be operably connected to one or more medical devices via mating engagement with one or more first transmission lines, the second auxiliary function unit comprising one or more second connector interfaces, the one or more second connector interfaces being configured to be operably connected to one or more medical devices via mating engagement with one or more second transmission lines. The device further comprises a user interface cover panel covering at least a portion of each of the first auxiliary function unit and the second auxiliary function unit. The user interface cover panel comprises a user interface control portion, the user interface control portion being operably coupled to each of the first auxiliary function unit and the second auxiliary function unit to change the control settings of each of the first auxiliary function unit and the second auxiliary function unit in response to input at the user interface control portion. The user interface control portion comprises a first user interface control area arranged to align with the one or more first connector interfaces, and a second user interface control area arranged to align with the one or more second connector interfaces.

[0011] Other purposes, features and / or advantages will be explained in part in the following description, and in part will be obvious from the description, or can be learned by the practice of this disclosure and / or claims. At least some of these purposes and advantages can be realized and achieved by the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the attached claims.

[0012] It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the claims; rather, the claims should be entitled to their full scope, including equivalents thereof. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The present disclosure can be read from the following detailed description either alone or in conjunction with the accompanying Figure 1 The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The accompanying drawings illustrate one or more exemplary embodiments of the present teachings and together with the description are used to explain certain principles and operations. In the drawings:

[0014] Figure 1 is a perspective schematic diagram of an auxiliary function control device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0015] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A front view of the device;

[0016] Figure 3 is a front schematic diagram of another auxiliary function control device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 4 is a front schematic diagram of another auxiliary function control device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 5 is a front schematic diagram of another auxiliary function control device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 6 is a perspective schematic diagram of another auxiliary function control device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 Front view of the device.

[0021] Figure 8 is a front schematic diagram of another auxiliary function control device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] Fig. 9 is a front schematic diagram of another auxiliary function control device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] Fig.10 is a front schematic diagram of another auxiliary function control device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] Fig.11 is a perspective schematic diagram of another auxiliary function control device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Fig.12 yes Fig.11 Front view of the device.

[0026] Fig.13 According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure Figure 6 A front view schematic diagram of an auxiliary function control device integrated as part of the cart.

[0027] Fig.14 is a perspective view of an auxiliary function control device incorporated into an auxiliary system cart according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Fig.15 yes Fig.14 An enlarged view of an exemplary embodiment of an auxiliary function unit and a user interface cover panel.

[0029] Fig.16 yes Fig.13 and Fig.14 Partial rear view of the cart.

[0030] Fig.17 is a diagrammatic view of a computer-assisted surgical system including an auxiliary function control device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Fig.18 is a schematic plan view of a user interface cover panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The present disclosure contemplates various auxiliary function control devices that seek to optimize the arrangement and use of multiple auxiliary function units used during a surgical procedure.

[0033] As used herein, the terms "surgical" or "surgery" as used to describe various procedures and instruments may refer to a variety of procedures for manipulating body parts (e.g., suturing, ablation, cutting grasping, electrocautery, cauterization, stapling, etc.), but may also include imaging, sensing, diagnostic, therapeutic, and other similar procedures. Thus, for example, within the context of the present disclosure, an endoscopic imaging device may be considered a surgical instrument. The term medical device includes both surgical instruments and other equipment, such as irrigation, insufflation, and evacuation equipment used in surgical procedures.

[0034] The present disclosure contemplates various embodiments of an auxiliary function control device, which includes an arrangement of two or more auxiliary function units, each of which is configured to be operably connected to a corresponding one or more medical devices to provide auxiliary function control of such medical devices during a surgical procedure. Various auxiliary function units are used during surgical procedures to provide control of such medical devices, rather than motion control of the medical devices, including, for example, end effectors of surgical instruments. Examples of auxiliary function units for operably connecting to and controlling auxiliary functions of medical devices include, but are not limited to, insufflation and evacuation units, electrosurgical energy generation units (sometimes referred to as ESUs), endoscopic imaging units, flushing units, ultrasound units, and laser or other light generation units. These auxiliary function units typically include a user interface control portion for providing input settings (e.g., function on / off, function power level, function type, function timing, etc.) to the unit, and one or more connector interfaces for coupling the unit to one or more corresponding medical devices. A single auxiliary function unit can supply one or more auxiliary functions. For example, a single ESU may provide monopolar energy to one or two monopolar instruments and to one or two bipolar instruments, or a single insufflation / evacuation unit may provide both insufflation and gas evacuation via separate gas lines. If a single auxiliary function unit supplies and controls more than one auxiliary function, each auxiliary function unit typically has a separate user interface control portion on the auxiliary function unit to adjust the control settings of the auxiliary function unit.

[0035] According to various exemplary embodiments, the auxiliary function control device includes two or more auxiliary function units and a user interface cover panel covering all or part of each of the two or more auxiliary function units. The user interface cover panel has a user interface control portion that is operably coupled to and covers at least a portion of each of the auxiliary function units. In various embodiments, the user interface control portion is a part of a single monolithic cover panel. In other embodiments, the user interface control portion is made of two or more component panels that are flush positioned and abut against each other to provide a facade of a continuous user interface control portion associated with two or more auxiliary function units to the user. Therefore, in various embodiments, the cover panel can be a single monolithic structure or can have a plurality of portions that are abutted together in a flush manner to form a continuous facade relative to the user.

[0036] According to the user interface control part of the user interface overlay panel of the present disclosure, for example, two or more discrete user interface control areas may be included, each of which corresponds to one of the auxiliary function units associated with the user interface control part of the overlay panel and provides control settings for it. Similarly, each of the two or more discrete user interface control areas can be divided into two or more discrete user interface control sub-areas, each sub-area corresponding to the respective functions of the associated auxiliary function units. If the auxiliary function unit provides a single function, then only a single user interface control area may be needed to control the function. And if an auxiliary function unit provides more than one auxiliary function, then more than one user interface control sub-area may be used to control each auxiliary function. However, optionally, the control of two or more functions of a single auxiliary function unit can be completed in a single user interface control area.

[0037] In various exemplary embodiments, a first discrete user interface control area of ​​a user interface control portion of a user interface cover panel transmission line is generally aligned with a first connector or connector group of a first auxiliary function unit (e.g., horizontally or vertically aligned), and the user interface cover panel is placed on at least a portion of the first auxiliary function unit. The first discrete user interface control area is used to control the settings at the first connector or connector group and the auxiliary function output thereof, thereby controlling the auxiliary functions of the medical device (or multiple medical devices coupled to the first connector group) coupled to the first connector. Similarly, the second, third, etc. discrete user interface control areas of the user interface portion of the cover panel can be aligned with the connectors on the corresponding second, third, etc. auxiliary function units, and a cover panel is provided on at least a portion of these auxiliary function units. Similarly, if any one of two or more auxiliary function units provides more than one function from an additional connector, the corresponding user interface control sub-area can generally be aligned with (one or more) additional connectors and used to provide settings adjustments to control the output of the medical device coupled to (one or more) corresponding additional connectors.

[0038] In addition to providing control settings, any of the user interface control areas or sub-areas can provide setting information to the user (e.g., function power level, function on / off, function type, function timing, etc.) and / or can provide feedback to the user about the status of a medical device (e.g., medical device type, status, number of uses, etc.) that is connected to a corresponding connector controlled by the user interface control area or sub-area.

[0039] In various embodiments, the user interface control portion of the user interface overlay panel has various input mechanisms, and the user can interact with it to provide input to change the control settings of the associated auxiliary function unit. Although such input mechanisms can be mechanical components (e.g., knobs, buttons, dials, etc.), in various exemplary embodiments, the user interface control portion includes a graphical user interface display utilizing touch screen technology. The user interface overlay panel can be configured as a touch screen display with corresponding touch screen technology, which is arranged as part of the overlay panel or coupled to the overlay panel. It is further envisioned that the user interface control portion can have a combination of a mechanical input mechanism and a graphical user interface, both for providing feedback to the user and / or including, for example, providing a touch screen graphical user interface input mechanism.

[0040] The user interface cover panel, including the user interface control portion, and the corresponding auxiliary function units, can be arranged to facilitate the overall use of the various auxiliary function units and to achieve an integrated device that provides a simplified user operation and experience. In this way, the disclosed auxiliary function control device provides an integrated hub that optimizes the control settings and connector layout of the various auxiliary function units used during the surgical procedure. The disclosed auxiliary function control device also provides an integrated user interface for changing control settings and receiving feedback and other information related to the various auxiliary function units and the corresponding medical devices to which they are connected.

[0041] In the disclosed aspects, two or more auxiliary function units are arranged with reference to the user interface control portion of the user interface cover panel so that the transmission lines (e.g., electrical transmission lines and wires, fluid lines, data lines, etc.) coupled to the connector interfaces on the auxiliary function units do not interfere with the user interface control area on the panel. In some embodiments, one or more of the connector interfaces are positioned around the edge of the user interface cover panel, such as along the side, bottom and / or top edge of the panel. In other embodiments, the user interface cover panel can extend over the portion of the two or more auxiliary function units including the connector interfaces. In such an embodiment, one or more ports in the panel are aligned with one or more connectors to allow one or more connector interfaces on the line of the medical device to be coupled to the connector interface through the ports in the cover panel.

[0042] In the disclosed aspects, the auxiliary function control devices according to various embodiments of the present disclosure can also be integrated into a portable device that facilitates transportation of the device, for example, within or to and from an operating room. In this way, the task of moving multiple individual auxiliary function units and / or a storage room with multiple sets of auxiliary function units can be eliminated or minimized. In an exemplary embodiment, the auxiliary function control devices are integrated as part of a single movable cart to provide portability. In order to maintain multiple auxiliary function units in a desired arrangement (e.g., a stacked arrangement) relative to the user interface control portion of the cover panel, a shelf can be used and accessible from one side of the cart without interfering with the user interface control portion.

[0043] In this manner, the exemplary embodiments discussed herein may be used in support of surgical procedures, for example, to organize and control various auxiliary functional units associated with surgical procedures. For example, the exemplary embodiments described herein may be used with computer-assisted surgical systems (sometimes referred to as robotic surgical systems), such as, but not limited to, the da Vinci Surgical System commercialized by Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (daVinci ),da Vinci (da Vinci ) and Leonardo da Vinci (da Vinci ) Surgical system. Reference Fig.17 , which diagrammatically illustrates the major system components of an exemplary embodiment of a computer-assisted surgical system 1700 including a system user control unit 1710, which may be Fig.17 The surgeon console is shown in FIG. 1 . However, other forms are possible. The system 1700 may further include a manipulation system 1720 and an auxiliary system 1730. The present disclosure describes a system that can be used as Fig.17 Various embodiments of auxiliary function controls of auxiliary system 1730 are shown. The details of system components 1710 and 1720 may vary and are illustrated as one embodiment of a surgical system with which the auxiliary function controls disclosed herein may be used.

[0044] However, use with such systems or with computer-assisted surgical systems is not limited in the scope of the present disclosure, and the auxiliary function control devices disclosed herein may also be used in conjunction with manual surgical procedures and systems. To this end, the disclosed embodiments of the auxiliary function control devices may facilitate initial, manual preparation for a surgical procedure that may occur prior to transitioning to the use of a computer-assisted surgical procedure (e.g., first entry via an obturator, initial endoscopy).

[0045] Reference now Figure 1 and Figure 2 , showing a side perspective view and a front plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the auxiliary function control device 100. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As illustrated, the auxiliary function control device 100 includes a first auxiliary function unit 102, a second auxiliary function unit 104, and a user interface cover panel 106 that covers a portion of both the first and second auxiliary function units 102 and 104. The first and second auxiliary function units 102 and 104 are each configured to connect to and control auxiliary functions of the medical device during a surgical procedure, as has been described above. A first auxiliary function performed by one or more medical devices can be controlled by the first auxiliary function unit 102, and a second auxiliary function performed by one or more medical devices can be controlled by the second auxiliary function unit 104. According to various exemplary embodiments as will be further described below, the first and second auxiliary functions are different from each other and may include, but are not limited to, power delivery, fluid delivery, fluid aspiration, optical imaging, and / or laser or other light generation. In this regard, the first auxiliary function unit 102 includes one or more first connector interfaces 108 (at Figure 1 and Figure 2 The one or more first connector interfaces 108 are configured to be operably connected to one or more medical devices via mating engagement with one or more first transmission lines (not shown). The second auxiliary function unit 104 includes one or more second connector interfaces 110 ( Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, two connector interfaces 110 are shown, and the one or more second connector interfaces 110 are configured to be operably connected to one or more medical devices via mating engagement with one or more second transmission lines (not shown). It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that each of the first and second auxiliary function units can have any number of connector interfaces, and the number can depend on the auxiliary function and the instrument controlled by the auxiliary function unit.

[0046] The auxiliary function control device 100 also includes a computer controller 150, which is operably coupled to the first auxiliary function unit 102, the second auxiliary function unit 104, and to the user interface overlay panel 106 to control the user interface portion of the panel 106, which will be described in more detail below. The computer controller 150 can, for example, store software for operating the first and second auxiliary function units 102, 104 and the panel 106, including, for example, graphics and / or touch screen technology of the panel 106, and coordinating setting adjustments at the input panel 106 to control the output of the connector interface of the auxiliary function units 102, 104. The software can include computer programs, firmware, or some other form of machine-readable instructions, including operating systems, utilities, drivers, network interfaces, applications, etc. The controller 150 can further include one or more computer processing elements, such as microprocessors or other circuits, to retrieve and execute software from the computer controller 150. The computer controller 150 can also include other components, such as one or more power management units, one or more control interface units, one or more data storage devices, etc.

[0047] The user interface overlay panel 106 includes a user interface control portion on at least a portion of its front face. The user interface control portion is arranged to function as a user interface to allow user input and feedback to provide setup controls and information for both the first and second auxiliary function units 102, 104. In this manner, a simplified look and feel is provided to the customer as compared to providing separate auxiliary function units each with their own separate user interface control portion. According to an exemplary embodiment, the user interface control portion of the overlay panel 106 is divided into a first user interface control area 112 and a second user interface control 114 that are discrete from one another in terms of control and displayed information settings. In this manner, the first auxiliary function unit 102 is controlled in response to input at the first user interface control area 112, and the second auxiliary function unit 104 is controlled in response to input at the second user interface control area 114. In such a manner, the user interface control portion of the overlay panel 106 is divided into a first user interface control area 112 and a second user interface control 114 that are discrete from one another in terms of control and displayed information settings. In such a manner, the first auxiliary function unit 102 is controlled in response to input at the first user interface control area 112, and the second auxiliary function unit 104 is controlled in response to input at the second user interface control area 114. Figure 1 In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the first user interface control area 112 is arranged to align with the first connector interface 108, and the second user interface control area 114 is arranged to align with the second connector interface 110. As discussed above, the first and second user interface control areas can be provided as touch-enabled graphical user interface displays.

[0048] According to various exemplary embodiments, Figure 2 As shown, the first and second auxiliary function units 102 and 104 are arranged along an axis A of the device 100 (e.g., Figure 2 The auxiliary function units 102 and 104 are arranged in a stacked arrangement (vertically stacked in an orientation of ), and the user interface cover panel 106 is positioned relative to the stacked auxiliary function units 102 and 104 so that the first user interface control area 112 covers at least a portion of the first auxiliary function unit 102 and the second user interface control area 114 covers at least a portion of the second auxiliary function unit 104. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in various exemplary embodiments, the first user interface control area 112 covers a portion of the first auxiliary function unit 102 that is directly adjacent to and generally aligned with the first connector interface 108. The second user interface control portion 114 covers a portion of the second auxiliary function unit 104 that is directly adjacent to and generally aligned with the second connector interfaces 108, 110. In this way, the connector interfaces 108 and 110 are placed exposed (i.e., the connector interfaces 108 and 110 are not covered by the cover panel 106) and provide easy connection to the instrument through the transmission line, as described above.

[0049] Various embodiments of the present disclosure further contemplate arranging the auxiliary function unit and its corresponding connector interface, as well as the user interface cover panel, so that the transmission line providing the mating connection between the connector interface and the connected medical device does not obstruct the view of the user interface control portion. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As illustrated, for example, the first and second auxiliary function units 102 and 104 are arranged in a stacked arrangement so that the connector interfaces 108 and 110 are positioned so that when mated with corresponding transmission lines, the transmission lines do not cover or obstruct the front, visible portion of the cover panel 106 including the user interface control portion, but can instead be connected to the connector interfaces 106, 108, 110 and routed in a direction away from the front and user interface control portion, and routed to a connected medical device.

[0050] However, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that Figure 1 and Figure 2 The auxiliary function control device 100 illustrated and described above is exemplary only, and without departing from the scope of the present disclosure and claims, auxiliary control devices according to the present disclosure may have various types, configurations, and / or arrangements of auxiliary function units with various types, numbers, and / or configurations of auxiliary function connector interfaces. In this regard, according to various disclosed embodiments, the selection of the relative stacking arrangement of the auxiliary function units may vary depending on the arrangement of the connector interfaces and taking into account how the connector interfaces will be connected to various medical devices used in the surgical field via transmission lines.

[0051] Thus, based on a given arrangement of auxiliary function units and connector interfaces, the auxiliary function control device according to the present disclosure may also have user interface cover panels of various types, shapes and / or sizes with user interface control portions. Figure 1-10 The figures show various exemplary auxiliary function control devices 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000 having different numbers and arrangements of auxiliary function units with different numbers and arrangements of connector interfaces and how to position the user interface control portion of the user interface cover panel so as to meet the design criteria described above. In various embodiments, for example, the user interface cover panel and / or its user interface control portion has a generally rectangular shape (see, e.g., Figure 1-3 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 9-12 ), while in various other embodiments, the panel and / or the user interface control portion of the panel may have a different polygonal shape (see, e.g. Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 8 ). A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that a rectangular or other polygonal shape may include rounded corners. Figure 3-5 and Figure 8-10In the schematic representation of the embodiment of the invention, the auxiliary function unit is labeled Un, the connector interface is labeled Cn, and the user interface cover panel with the user interface control portion in the form of a graphical user interface display is labeled D, where n is a numerical identifier intended to distinguish the auxiliary function unit and its corresponding connector. Based on the disclosure of the present application, for a given application, a person of ordinary skill in the art will understand how to select various arrangements and configurations of the cover panel with the graphical user interface control portion with respect to the stacked auxiliary function units.

[0052] Those of ordinary skill in the art will further appreciate that the auxiliary function control device according to the present disclosure may include various numbers of auxiliary function units that are used to control various types of auxiliary functions utilized during surgical procedures, and which are stacked in various arrangements. For example, an auxiliary function control device that combines the control of imaging functionality with a combination of two other different types of auxiliary functions (such as, for example, suction / irrigation functionality and electrosurgical energy functionality) can be used for various surgical applications. In such applications, at least three different types of auxiliary function units can be used, namely, an imaging function unit, an electrosurgical energy function unit, and a suction / irrigation function unit. Further, in some embodiments, it may be desirable to provide two imaging function units combined with an electrosurgical energy function unit and a suction / irrigation function unit. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the above numbers and combinations are non-limiting.

[0053] Therefore, if Figure 6-12 As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1 , an auxiliary function control device having three types of auxiliary function units arranged in a stack is shown. Figure 6 and Figure 7 In the embodiment of the invention, the auxiliary function control device 500 includes a first auxiliary function unit 502, a second auxiliary function unit 504, and a third auxiliary function unit 505. A user interface cover panel 506 having a user interface control portion is operably connected to each of the first, second, and third auxiliary function units 502, 504, and 505.

[0054] As above reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 As discussed in the embodiment of the present invention, different auxiliary functions are controlled by each of the auxiliary function units 502, 504, and 505, such that the first auxiliary function is controlled by the first auxiliary function unit 502, the second auxiliary function is controlled by the second auxiliary function unit 504, and the third auxiliary function is controlled by the third auxiliary function unit 505. Therefore, similarly, the first auxiliary function unit 502 includes one or more first connector interfaces 508 (in Figure 6 and Figure 7The second auxiliary function unit 504 includes one or more second connector interfaces 510 (in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, one connector interface 508 is shown), and the one or more connector interfaces 508 are configured to be operably connected to one or more medical devices via mating with one or more transmission lines (not shown). Figure 6 and Figure 7 In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, four connector interfaces 510 are shown, wherein the one or more second connector interfaces 510 are configured to be operably connected to one or more medical devices via mating engagement with one or more second transmission lines (not shown). In addition, the third auxiliary function unit 505 includes one or more third connector interfaces 513 (in Figure 6 and Figure 7 In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, two connector interfaces 513 are shown, and the one or more third connector interfaces 513 are configured to be operably connected to one or more medical devices via mating engagement with one or more third transmission lines (not shown).

[0055] Similar to Figure 1 and Figure 2 In an embodiment of the present invention, the user interface cover panel 506 is arranged to cover at least a portion of each of the auxiliary function units 502, 504 and 505. The user interface control portion of the cover panel 506 is divided into a first user interface control area 512, a second user interface control area 514 and a third user interface control area 515, wherein each of the first, second and third user interface control areas is arranged to be aligned with a corresponding one of the first, second and third auxiliary function connector interfaces 508, 510 and 513. The first auxiliary function unit 502 is controlled in response to input at the first user interface control area 512, the second auxiliary function unit 504 is controlled in response to input at the second user interface control area 514, and the third auxiliary function unit 505 is controlled in response to input at the third user interface control area 515. Although not shown, it will be appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art based on the present disclosure that any of the user interface control areas 512, 514, 515 may also further have a control sub-area to control the output of different connector interfaces of the corresponding auxiliary function unit. For example, different user interface sub-areas of user interface control area 514 may provide control settings and information for a connector interface or set of connector interfaces 510 , and user interface control area 515 and connector interface 513 are similar.

[0056] like Figure 7As shown, the first, second and third auxiliary function units 502, 504 and 505 are arranged in a stacked arrangement along the axis A (i.e., in the vertical direction of the orientation in the figure) of the device 500. The user interface cover panel 506 is positioned relative to the stacked auxiliary function units 502, 504 and 505 so that each of the first, second and third user interface control areas 512, 514 and 515 covers at least a portion of the corresponding first, second and third auxiliary function units 502, 504 and 505.

[0057] As above, those skilled in the art will understand that Figure 6 and Figure 7 The auxiliary function control device 500 illustrated and described above is merely exemplary, and without departing from the scope of the present disclosure and the claims, the auxiliary function control device according to the present disclosure may have various configurations, for example, by Figure 6 and Figure 7 Exemplary auxiliary function control devices 600, 700 and 800 (including similar to the combination of Figure 3-5 The configuration illustrated by the reference mark ) of the embodiment description.

[0058] Although the auxiliary function control devices of various exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings have two or three auxiliary function units, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that these numbers are non-limiting and that any number of auxiliary function units can be used with a continuous graphical user interface display arranged according to the principles disclosed herein. For example, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that any number of auxiliary function units arranged in a stack can be provided as two or more auxiliary control units of the same type in one layer of the stack, and the arrangement of the user interface control areas will generally still be aligned to provide control of multiple auxiliary function units of the same type in one layer of the stack.

[0059] In addition, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that axis A can extend perpendicular to the orientation shown in the accompanying drawings so that the arrangement of the stacked auxiliary function units and the relative orientation of the continuous graphical user interface display are rotated 90 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise, in which case the stacked arrangement of the auxiliary function units will be stacked horizontally in the view of the accompanying drawings. Similarly, the orientation of the auxiliary function control device can be rotated 180 degrees from the orientation shown in the figures. If such an arrangement is implemented, the placement of the auxiliary function control device can be selected to ensure that the transmission line providing a connection between the connector interface of the auxiliary function unit and the medical device to be used during the surgical procedure does not obstruct the viewing of the display; in other words, such a transmission line should extend from the connector interface without dripping over the user interface control area.

[0060] exist Figure 1-10In the embodiment of the present invention, the connector interface of each of the apparatuses 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 and 800 is not covered by the user interface cover panel, but is exposed for connection to a corresponding transmission line for operative connection to a medical device (refer to Fig.14 , which shows that the connector interfaces 1410, 1413 of the auxiliary function units 1404 and 1405 are connected to various surgical instruments S via transmission lines C). Various additional embodiments of the present disclosure contemplate an auxiliary function control device with a user interface cover panel that extends beyond the user interface control portion and covers the connector interfaces of the auxiliary function units. Such a user interface cover panel covering the connector interface of the auxiliary function unit may include a connector port opening that can receive a connector on a transmission line to ultimately place the transmission line in operably connection with the connector interface on the auxiliary function unit so as to operably connect the auxiliary function unit to the medical device via the transmission line.

[0061] References Fig.11 and 12 , schematically depicting a side perspective view and a front plan view, the auxiliary function control device 900 includes Figure 6 and Figure 7 The stacked arrangement of the first, second and third auxiliary function units 502, 504 and 505, and the user interface cover panel 906 operably coupled to each of the auxiliary function units 502, 504 and 505. Fig.11 and 12 As shown, the user interface cover panel 906 extends beyond the user interface control portion including the various user interface control areas 912, 914, 915 so as to cover the connector interfaces 508, 510 and 513 (in the Fig.11 and Fig.12 The user interface cover panel 906 is also configured to receive a connector of the transmission line to enable the transmission line, and thus enable the medical device to which the transmission line is connected to engage with the connector interfaces 508, 510 and 513 of the auxiliary functional units 502, 504, 505.

[0062] According to various embodiments, for example, the user interface cover panel 906 may include one or more first port openings 908 (one first port opening 908 is located at the bottom of the user interface cover panel 906) covering one or more first auxiliary function connector interfaces 508. Fig.11 and 12 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , one or more second port openings 910 (four second port openings 910 are in the embodiment) corresponding to the auxiliary function connector interface 508 of the auxiliary function unit 502 and covering one or more second auxiliary function connector interfaces 510. Fig.11 and 12 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the auxiliary function unit 504 has four second auxiliary function connector interfaces 510 corresponding thereto) and one or more third port openings 913 (two third port openings 913 are in correspondence with each other) covering one or more third auxiliary function connector interfaces 513. Fig.11 and 12 505). For example, the first, second, and third port openings 908, 910, and 913 may be configured to receive connectors of transmission lines and place those connectors into mating engagement with the corresponding first, second, and third auxiliary connector interfaces 508, 510, and 513.

[0063] A person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the port openings 908, 910, 913 are typically arranged on the user interface cover panel 906 to directly align with the corresponding auxiliary function unit connector interfaces 508, 510, 513, that is, like the connector interfaces, the port openings may include openings of various types, numbers and / or configurations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure and claims.

[0064] In addition, as will be further described below, in various embodiments, it is contemplated that the user interface cover panel covering a portion of an auxiliary functional unit that includes a connector interface may also include user interface control areas and / or sub-areas in addition to those on the portion of the user interface cover panel that is provided adjacent to the connector interface.

[0065] As has been described above, the various user interface control portions of the overlay panel in any of the described embodiments may be a graphical user interface display including touch screen technology.

[0066] A user interface cover panel with or without a port opening according to the present disclosure may include various features and indicators (e.g., visual indicators) to assist a user in using an auxiliary function unit and making a correct connection between a transmission line and a connector interface of the auxiliary function unit. In various embodiments in which the user interface cover panel includes a port opening, the port opening is configured to illuminate when a correct connection is made to a medical device to be controlled by the auxiliary function unit, such as by providing an electrical, data, and / or other flux transmission connection between the two via a transmission line. In one embodiment, each of the auxiliary function units may have a different color code assigned to the unit, and the port opening associated with each auxiliary function unit may be configured to illuminate via, for example, a light ring associated with the assigned color to provide an immediate indication of the connection status. In another embodiment, regardless of the type of auxiliary function unit, the color of the light may indicate a correct connection or an incorrect or invalid connection state (e.g., green indicates a correct connection state, and red indicates an incorrect or invalid connection state). In various additional embodiments, as the instrument is connected to the corresponding auxiliary function unit of the auxiliary function control device, a confirmation light (e.g., an LED) may be accompanied by a corresponding user interface control area / sub-area (e.g., displayed on a corresponding graphical user interface portion of the user interface cover panel (see Fig.14 )) illuminates, which conveys information to guide the user through the device and / or other important information related to the auxiliary functional unit and / or the medical setting.

[0067] The user interface overlay panel may also include various other user interface features such as, for example, a power switch, a speaker, a microphone, a keyboard, etc. to allow the user to provide input and receive feedback related to the control of the overall auxiliary function control device and the auxiliary function unit.

[0068] As discussed above, according to various exemplary embodiments, the auxiliary function control device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure can organize multiple auxiliary function units in a stacked arrangement, for example, in a cart to provide easy transportation within and into and out of an operating room. In an exemplary embodiment, the auxiliary function control device can be an auxiliary system of a computer-assisted surgical system using robotic technology.

[0069] Reference now Fig.13 , shows an auxiliary function control device 1300, which includes a cart 1350 having wheels 1340 and shelves 1352, 1353 and 1354, which respectively hold three auxiliary function units 1302, 1304 and 1305 in a stacked arrangement. Fig.13As shown, in such an arrangement, the user interface cover panel 1306 covers the opening 1360 on one side of the shelves 1352, 1353 and 1354. The auxiliary function units 1302, 1304 and 1305 can be removed through the opening 1370 on the other side, such as, for example, the opposite side of the opening 1360, as shown in FIG. Fig.16 1354 and two auxiliary function units). Although not shown, the cart 1300 may include a door or other cover that may close an opening 1370 through which the auxiliary function units 1302, 1304, 1305 may be removed to provide protection and secure closure of the auxiliary function units while the auxiliary function control device is in use or being moved. Thus, the auxiliary function units may be field replaceable for maintenance, replacement, and service. Although Fig.13 Not shown in the figure, cart 1300 may further include components of conventional auxiliary systems of a teleoperated surgical system, such as, for example, a display for displaying a view of the surgical field obtained from dynamic mapping of an imaging device, and other controllers and / or processors for controlling the entire surgical system. A person of ordinary skill in the art will be familiar with that other components may also be provided on such a cart.

[0070] As discussed above, various exemplary embodiments of the auxiliary function control device may integrate at least an insufflation and evacuation functional unit and an imaging functional unit (e.g., configured to provide illumination and endoscopic imaging) as auxiliary functional units, which are generally used in a variety of surgical procedures. An electrosurgical energy control unit (ESU) may also be provided as a third auxiliary functional unit. Such a combination of auxiliary functions has been applied to a variety of surgical procedures, such as, for example, in a variety of surgical procedures performed using a computer-assisted surgical system employing robotic technology.

[0071] When the insufflation and emptying functional unit is one of the auxiliary functional units of the auxiliary function control device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the overall arrangement of the auxiliary functional units may take into account the height at which the hose connector interface of the insufflation and emptying functional unit is placed. This factor may be considered together with the criteria for providing and aligning the user interface control portion containing the user interface control area / sub-area and arranging the connector interface of the auxiliary functional unit to avoid obstructing the user interface control portion when connecting the transmission line thereto as described above for various embodiments. More specifically, the height of the hose connector interface may be such that the possible backflow of body fluids (e.g., from the patient) into the insufflator may be minimized. For example, body fluids may clog the insufflator tube set filter (causing a delay in the procedure when a new tube set is installed), or may even damage the insufflator if any fluid gets through the tube set filter. Therefore, according to various embodiments, in order to minimize the possibility of backflow of body fluids, the insufflator is maintained at a higher position relative to the patient. In various embodiments, for example, the hose connector interface is at a height H of about 48-55 inches, for example, about 53 inches, above the ground surface.

[0072] To address this desired height of the insufflation hose connector interface, various embodiments of the auxiliary function control device include a stacked arrangement of auxiliary function units such that the insufflation and emptying function units are arranged above other auxiliary function units, for example, in a vertical stacked arrangement of auxiliary function units such as described in the various embodiments with reference to the figures herein. In this way, the height of the various user interface control areas with which the user interacts and the height of the associated auxiliary connector interface can be within an ergonomic height range suitable for various people. In a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the auxiliary connector interface can be positioned at a height greater than about 30 inches, the user interface control portion can be positioned at a height greater than about 41 inches, and the overall height of the auxiliary function control device (including the device with a cart) can be less than about 60 inches.

[0073] Fig.14 An exemplary embodiment of an auxiliary function control device 1400 is shown that integrates an insufflation and evacuation function unit, one or more endoscopic imaging function units 1405, and an electrosurgical energy function unit (ESU) with a continuous graphical user interface display as part of a transportable cart. Fig.14 As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1 , the auxiliary function control device 1400 includes a surgical insufflation and evacuation function unit 1402 having an auxiliary function connector interface 1408 configured to receive an insufflator hose, an ESU 1404 having four energy connector interfaces 1410, and an endoscopic imaging function unit 1405 having two endoscope connector interfaces 1413. Alternatively, the endoscopic imaging function unit 1405 can be provided as two different units, each having one endoscope connector interface 1413, such as Fig.14, providing a vertical separation indicating two different units (one to the left and one to the right of the vertical dashed line). Further, one or more of the endoscopic imaging function units 1405 may optionally include one or more "dummy" sockets 1419 that are sized and shaped to resemble the periphery of the connector interface 1413. Such a socket is not a connector interface and is therefore not electrically "active" and may provide a holster to receive the transmission line of an unused endoscope, for example, if the endoscope is switched with another endoscope. Such a socket may thus facilitate single-handed switching of one endoscope to another endoscope.

[0074] The auxiliary function units are arranged in a vertical stack (with Fig.14 1404) such that the insufflation and evacuation functional unit 1402 is positioned above the electrosurgical energy functional unit 1404, and the electrosurgical energy functional unit 1404 is positioned above the endoscopic imaging functional unit 1405. In an exemplary embodiment, the height of the connector interface 1408 of the insufflation and evacuation unit can be in a range from 48 inches to 55 inches, such as about 53 inches; the height of the connector interface 1410 of the electrosurgical energy unit 1404 can be in a range from about 41 inches to 49 inches, such as about 42 inches to 47 inches; and the height of the connector interface 1413 for the endoscopic imaging unit 1405 can be in a range from about 34 inches to 37 inches, such as about 35 inches.

[0075] Auxiliary function units 1402, 1404, and 1405 may be positioned in a shelf (not shown) of wheeled cart 1450, as described, for example, with reference to Fig.13 This arrangement allows the height of the insufflation hose connector interface to be sufficiently above the patient to prevent or minimize the risk of backflow, as discussed above.

[0076] As in Fig.14 As can also be seen from the embodiment of the invention and the arrangement of the three auxiliary functional units 1402, 1404 and 1405, the connector interfaces 1408, 1410 and 1413 are positioned so that when the transmission line is placed in mating engagement with the connector interface ( Fig.14 In the figure, the transmission lines C are labeled as C for convenience, and they can extend to the surgical instruments to which they are connected (which are ultimately located in the surgical field) without obstructing the user interface control areas 1412, 1414, and 1415 of the user interface cover panel 1406. In addition to the arrangement of the auxiliary function units 1402, 1404, and 1405 (i.e., to prevent the transmission lines C from obstructing the user interface control areas 1412, 1414, and 1415), various embodiments may also include one or more hangers 1421 (in Fig.14 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , a rack 1421 is provided to hold one or more transmission lines C. Fig.14As shown, for example, rack 1421 may be attached to cart 1450 and a plurality of transmission lines C may be routed through rack 1421 before being dispersed into the sterile field.

[0077] like Fig.14 As further illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 1 , the electrosurgical energy connector interface 1410 is vertically aligned below the hose connector interface 1408, while the endoscope connector interface 1413 is positioned vertically aligned with the user interface cover panel 1406. Fig.14 In an embodiment, the user interface cover panel 1406 has a generally rectangular shape, wherein the connector interfaces 1408 , 1410 are disposed along a first edge 1420 of the display panel 1406 , and the connector interface 1413 is disposed along a second edge 1430 of the display panel 1406 perpendicular to the first edge 1420 .

[0078] The cart 1450 of the auxiliary function control device 1400 may also have a display 1410, similar to conventional auxiliary systems of other computer-assisted surgical systems. The display 1410 provides a display of images of the remote surgical site taken from an imaging device connected to the imaging function unit 1405. The cart 1450 may also include a platform or other storage area to receive a tank 1460 for supplying insufflation gas. Further, as described above with reference to Fig.16 As described above, the auxiliary function units 1402, 1404, 1405 are installed from the rear of the cart 1450 (i.e., Fig.14 and Fig.15 The side opposite the side shown is accessible through a door so that maintenance and / or removal and replacement of units 1402, 1404, 1405 can be easily performed.

[0079] Although Fig.14 The user interface cover panel 1406 shown in FIG. 1 has a configuration in which edges 1420, 1430 terminate adjacent to the auxiliary connector interfaces 1408, 1410, 1413. In another embodiment, the graphical user interface display panel 1406 can extend over the connector interfaces 1408, 1410, 1413 and include corresponding port openings configured to receive connectors on transmission lines to place the transmission lines into mating engagement with the corresponding connector interfaces 1408, 1410, 1413, as described above with reference to FIG. Fig.11 and Fig.12 The embodiments described herein.

[0080] refer to Fig.15, the user interface cover panel 1406 of the auxiliary function control device 1400 includes various features and indicators (e.g., visual indicators) to assist the user in using the auxiliary function units 1402, 1404, 1405 and making the correct connections between the surgical instrument transmission lines operably coupled to the connector interfaces 1408, 1410, and 1413. Fig.15 , the user interface cover panel 1406 is designed to check the control of each of the insufflation and evacuation unit 1402, the ESU 1404 and the imaging function unit 1405 and the auxiliary connector interfaces 1408, 1410 and 1413. In this way, as described above, the cover panel 506 covers at least a portion of each auxiliary function unit 1402, 1404 and 1406, and the auxiliary connector interfaces 1408, 1410 and 1413 (or the ports of the display panel corresponding to the same in the embodiment where the display panel covers the connector interface) are each aligned with the corresponding user interface control area 1412, 1414 and 1415 of the user interface portion of the cover panel 1406. Each user interface control portion 1412, 1414 and 1415 includes at least one of a control user interface and a feedback user interface corresponding to the operating status of the corresponding auxiliary function unit 1402, 1404 and 1406 it covers. In an embodiment of the auxiliary function control device 1400, the first user interface area 1412 is a graphical user interface that is touch screen enabled and includes various control settings and information graphics (e.g., in the form of icons, alphanumeric characters, and other graphical features) that provide control of and information about the insufflation and evacuation functional unit settings. The second graphical user interface control area 1414 is also a touch screen enabled graphical user interface that includes similar various control settings and information graphics, but relates to control of and information about the ESU and associated surgical instruments operably connected thereto, such as, for example, one or more bipolar and / or monopolar instruments connected to an appropriate connector interface 1410. In addition to such bipolar and / or monopolar connector interfaces 1410, an electrical ground connector interface 1411 may be provided as part of the ESU 1404, as is familiar to those of ordinary skill in the art. The third user interface control area 1415 may include various controls and information graphics (again, for example, in the form of iconic alphanumeric characters and other graphical features, including those similar to those of the user interface areas 1412 and 1414 that are touch screen enabled) that relate to the control of and information about the endoscopic imaging unit 1405 and the endoscope or other imaging device operably connected thereto. Fig.15As further illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 1 , the user interface overlay panel 1406 may also include a fourth user interface control area 1417 that acts as an overall system dashboard to provide at-a-glance status and various options for troubleshooting, instructions for use, and settings for auxiliary function controls, its auxiliary function units, and connected medical devices, etc. In this manner, the user interface control areas 1412 , 1414 , 1415 , and 1417 may be collectively formed into a common user interface that is presented on the user interface control portion of the user interface overlay panel 1406 , which may also be screen-mirrored to other displays located, for example, on a tablet, workstation, laptop, mobile device, etc., used during and / or after a surgical procedure.

[0081] In various further exemplary embodiments, as above, the user interface control areas 1412, 1414, and 1415 can be configured to illuminate or provide another indicator when a correct connection is made between the auxiliary connector interface 508, 510, or 513 and the corresponding transmission line connected to the corresponding medical device. In various exemplary embodiments, as a medical device is connected to the auxiliary function control device 1400, a confirmation light (e.g., LED) surrounding the connector interface 1408, 1410, 1413 (or a port of the user interface cover panel 1406 covering such a connector interface) can be illuminated along with a responsive user interface control area 1412, 1414, 1415 that can, for example, provide setup or usage information and / or other information related to the auxiliary function unit and / or the instrument. By way of further example, if a medical device type that does not match the auxiliary function unit is attempted to be connected to the connector interface, the connector interface (or corresponding port) will not illuminate and / or may change color to indicate that the connection is incorrect or nothing is connected.

[0082] Thus, the present disclosure contemplates a variety of configurations and arrangements of auxiliary function control devices that facilitate the integrated use of the various auxiliary function units that may be used during a surgical procedure, as well as providing a simplified user operation and a consistent experience. As has been discussed with respect to the various embodiments described herein, one aspect of the present disclosure includes the use of a user interface overlay panel that may provide the appearance of a continuous facade that is present in common to all auxiliary function units that are part of the auxiliary function control device and includes an arrangement of features that enhance the user experience. An additional embodiment of such a user interface overlay panel is Fig.18 It is schematically shown in a plan view. Fig.18 The figure shows an exemplary embodiment of a user interface overlay panel 1806 shown in isolation, which can be used, for example, in Fig.15 The arrangement of the auxiliary functional units is depicted above.

[0083] The user interface cover panel 1806 has various sections and is configured to cover the auxiliary function unit ( Fig.15 1806 is a device that is used to control the entire front area of ​​the auxiliary function unit (not shown in the figure), which are behind the cover panel and the cover panel is operably coupled to provide control. As described with reference to other exemplary embodiments, the cover panel 1806 includes at least one user interface control portion 1850, and the at least one user interface control portion 1850 includes a plurality of user interface control areas 1812, 1814, 1815 corresponding to each of the auxiliary function units. More specifically, the user interface control area 1812 is configured to provide control settings and information for and about the first auxiliary function unit, which has a connector interface for medical equipment (the connector interface is not visible and will be placed behind the port opening 1828). In one embodiment, the first auxiliary function unit can be an insufflation / emptying unit as described with reference to other embodiments herein. The user interface control area 1814 is configured to provide control settings and information for and about the second auxiliary function unit, which has a connector interface for medical equipment (the connector interface is not visible and will be placed behind the port openings 1830, 1831). In an embodiment, the second auxiliary function unit can be an ESU described with reference to other embodiments herein. The user interface control area 1815 is configured to provide control settings and information for and about a third auxiliary function unit having a connector interface for a medical device (the connector interface is not visible and will be set aside behind the port openings 1833, 1839). In an embodiment, the third auxiliary function unit can be imaging, which may also include lighting functionality, as described with reference to other embodiments herein. In addition, as described with respect to various embodiments, any of the auxiliary function units may be provided as more than one unit of the same type, for example, an imaging unit may be two separate units, each having one or more connector interfaces. In such an embodiment, the user interface control area is still arranged to be generally positioned to create a visual correlation (e.g., by aligning with) to the user with the corresponding auxiliary function unit connector interface that they control.

[0084] A user interface control area 1817 may also be provided that extends along, for example, all or a portion of a top edge of the user interface display panel 1806 and may provide overall system information to the user, including, for example, various operating states of the overall surgical system of which the auxiliary function controls are a part.

[0085] Other sections of the user interface cover panel 1806 may include a panel portion that includes port openings to cover connector interfaces on various auxiliary functional units behind the cover panel. Fig.18The depicted section below and to the right of the user interface control portion 1850 has covered port openings 1828, 1830, 1831, 1833, 1839 to provide access to various connector interfaces (such as reference Fig.15 In addition to providing port openings, these sections of the user interface cover panel 1806 may also have additional user interface control areas, one of which is depicted as user interface control area 1826. Such areas are helpful in providing more important information or control settings capabilities to the user as an eye-catching area to allow the user to see such relevant settings information at a glance.

[0086] Furthermore, as with the other embodiments described above, any of the port openings may be surrounded by lights (eg, LED lights) of any color to provide feedback to the user regarding the connection status of the connector interface behind the port opening.

[0087] Additional user interface features may also be included as part of the user interface cover panel 1806. For example, a speaker grille 1820 and a microphone grille 1822 may be provided as a speaker and microphone that may be provided as part of the auxiliary function control device. Alternatively, such a speaker and microphone may be provided as some portion of the cover panel itself. In addition, an on / off button 1821 and an emergency stop button 1822 may be provided and operably connected to appropriately control the power to the auxiliary function control device and the corresponding auxiliary function unit. The layout and arrangement of these various additional features are exemplary and non-limiting, and those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that various positions and sizes for such features may be modified and still be within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0088] Another section 1840 of the user interface cover panel may be a customizable portion that may provide a door or the like for storage in the open space behind the cover panel 1806, or may be utilized as an additional section to provide user interface controls or the like.

[0089] The various user interface control areas and sub-areas 1812, 1814, 1815, 1817, 1826 can be graphical user interface displays and can include touch screen technology. Thus, at least in the areas behind those sections, the cover panel can include a touch screen interface and printed circuit board behind those sections. This will similarly apply to any portion of the touch screen enabled portion of the cover panel described with reference to other embodiments.

[0090] The user interface cover panel 1806 may be made as a single piece structure or may be separate panel sections assembled together in an abutting and flush arrangement that presents a generally continuous and common elevation to the user. Such an arrangement may show slight seams where the sections meet together, but will still provide an integrated overall panel structure.

[0091] In various embodiments providing additional ease of use, matching colors can be used on portions of the system. For example, the connector interface of each auxiliary function unit can be provided with one or more unique colors to distinguish them from the connector interfaces of other auxiliary function units of the device. Those same colors can be used for transmission lines connecting various medical devices to the corresponding auxiliary function units. In addition, in various exemplary embodiments, the colors provided on the corresponding user interface control areas and / or ports can match the colors of the corresponding connector interfaces that are aligned with these corresponding user interface control areas and / or ports and are configured as control settings for them.

[0092] A person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the various auxiliary function control devices shown and described with reference to the accompanying drawings are non-limiting, and that other types, configurations and / or arrangements of auxiliary function units with various types, numbers and / or configurations of connector interfaces (which are configured to connect to transmission lines) may be contemplated without departing from the scope of the present disclosure and the claims. In addition, based on a given surgical, therapeutic, diagnostic, etc. application, one of ordinary skill in the art will be able to determine other layouts for auxiliary function connector interfaces and user interface cover panels, and corresponding user interface control areas / sub-areas, for example, using the following design considerations: (1) maintaining a continuous presentation facade to the user for at least the user interface control portion display panel, for at least the user interface control portion display panel; (2) providing an observable mapping or alignment from each auxiliary function connector interface to its user interface control area / sub-area of ​​the user interface control portion of the cover panel; (3) providing an ergonomically desirable height for each of the auxiliary function connector interfaces and user interface cover panels; (4) providing positioning of the connector interfaces so that the connecting transmission lines do not obstruct (e.g., hang in front of) the user interface control area of ​​the cover panel; and (5) providing the height of the connector interfaces, if applicable, taking into account their function (such as insufflation gas pressure). One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that, in addition to those considerations listed above, other considerations regarding the features, arrangement, and positioning of the user interface cover panels and auxiliary function units may also be considered to provide an optimized layout and user experience for the auxiliary function control device.

[0093] It will also be understood by those skilled in the art that a complete computer-assisted surgical system utilizing an auxiliary function control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may have various additional components and parts, such as, for example, a manipulator system to which a surgical instrument is configured to be mounted for use and a user control system (e.g., a surgeon's console) that receives input from a user to control a control instrument mounted to the manipulator system, as well as other auxiliary function equipment and medical devices familiar to those skilled in the art (e.g., see Fig.17 ).

[0094] This specification and the accompanying drawings illustrating exemplary embodiments should not be considered as limiting. Various mechanical, composition, structure, electrical and operational replacements may be made without departing from the scope of this specification and the claimed invention (including equivalents). In some instances, well-known structures and techniques are not shown or described in detail to avoid confusing the present disclosure. Similar numbers in two or more drawings represent identical or similar elements. In addition, elements described in detail with reference to an embodiment and their associated features (whenever practical) may be included in other embodiments that are not specifically shown or described. For example, if an element is described in detail with reference to an embodiment and is not described with reference to a second embodiment, the element may still be claimed as being included in the second embodiment.

[0095] For purposes of this specification and the appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, percentages or ratios, as well as other numerical values ​​used in the specification and claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about" to the extent that they have not been so modified. Accordingly, unless otherwise indicated, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and the appended claims are approximate values ​​that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

[0096] It should be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, unless there is a clear and unambiguous limitation on a referent, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" and any singular use of any word include plural referents. As used herein, the term "include" and its grammatical variants are intended to be non-restrictive, so that the items listed in the list do not exclude other similar items, which can be replaced or added to the listed items. Further, the terms of this specification are not intended to limit the present invention. For example, spatially relative terms - such as "beneath", "below", "lower", "above", "upper", "proximal", "distal", etc. - can be used to describe the relationship between an element or feature and another element or feature illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In addition to the positions and orientations shown in the figures, these spatially relative terms are intended to cover different positions (i.e., positioning) and orientations (i.e., rotational placement) of the device in use or operation. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" or "over" the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term "below" can encompass both above and below positions and orientations. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0097] In view of the disclosure herein, further modifications and alternative embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the apparatus and method may include additional components or steps that are omitted from the diagrams and descriptions for operational clarity. Thus, this description is interpreted only as illustrative and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the general manner of performing this teaching. It should be understood that the various embodiments shown and described herein will be considered exemplary. Elements and materials, and the arrangement of those elements and materials, may replace those shown and described herein, parts and processes may be reversed, and certain features of this teaching may be used independently, all of which will be apparent to those skilled in the art after benefiting from the description herein. Changes may be made to the elements described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of this teaching and claims.

[0098] It is to be understood that the particular examples and embodiments set forth herein are non-limiting; modifications in structure, dimensions, materials, and methods may be made without departing from the scope of the present teachings.

[0099] Other embodiments according to the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. The specification and examples are to be considered exemplary only, and the claims are to be given their fullest scope, including equivalents, under applicable law.

Claims

1. A device for controlling auxiliary functions of a medical device, the device comprising: a surgical insufflation and evacuation unit comprising an insufflator connector interface configured to operably connect to an insufflator hose; an electrosurgical unit comprising one or more electrosurgical connector interfaces configured to operably connect to one or more electrosurgical devices via mating engagement with one or more electrosurgical transmission lines; an imaging control unit including one or more imaging connector interfaces configured to be operably connected to one or more medical imaging devices via mating engagement with one or more imaging transmission lines; as well as a user interface cover panel covering at least a portion of each of the surgical insufflation and evacuation unit, the electrosurgical unit, and the imaging control unit, wherein: the insufflator connector interface being disposed at a first height relative to a base of the device, the one or more electrosurgical connector interfaces being disposed at a second height relative to the base, the one or more imaging connector interfaces being disposed at a third height relative to the base, and the first height being greater than the second height and the third height; the user interface cover panel including a user interface control portion operably coupled to each of the surgical insufflation and evacuation unit, the electrosurgical unit, and the imaging control unit to change control settings of each of the surgical insufflation and evacuation unit, the electrosurgical unit, and the imaging control unit in response to input at the user interface control portion, and The user interface control part comprises: a first user interface control area arranged in horizontal alignment with said insufflator connector interface, a second user interface control area disposed in horizontal alignment with the one or more electrosurgical connector interfaces, and A third user interface control area is disposed in vertical alignment with the one or more imaging connector interfaces.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The surgical insufflation and evacuation unit, the electrosurgical unit, and the imaging control unit are positioned in a stacked arrangement; the first user interface control area being arranged to cover at least a portion of the surgical insufflation and evacuation unit, The second user interface control area is positioned to cover at least a portion of the electrosurgical unit, and The third user interface control area is positioned to cover at least a portion of the imaging control unit.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein: the surgical insufflation and evacuation unit being controllable in response to input at the first user interface control area; and the electrosurgical unit is controllable in response to input at the second user interface control area, and The imaging control unit is controllable in response to input at the third user interface control area.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the user interface control portion comprises a graphical user interface display.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the user interface control portion comprises a touch screen display.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more shelves that hold the surgical insufflation and evacuation unit, the electrosurgical unit, and the imaging control unit in a stacked arrangement.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the one or more shelves are part of a mobile cart.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the surgical insufflation and evacuation unit, the electrosurgical unit, and the imaging control unit are removable from the shelf through an opening on a side of the shelf opposite to a side of the shelf covered by the user interface cover panel.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a computer controller operably coupled to the surgical insufflation and evacuation unit, the electrosurgical unit, and the user interface cover panel.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the user interface cover panel extends beyond the insufflator connector interface, the one or more electrosurgical connector interfaces, and the one or more imaging connector interfaces, and the user interface cover panel comprises: covering the first port opening of the insufflator connector interface, one or more second port openings covering the one or more electrosurgical connector interfaces, and One or more third port openings covering the one or more imaging connector interfaces.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein: The first port opening is configured to receive the insufflator hose, The one or more second port openings are configured to receive one or more electrosurgical transmission line connectors, and The one or more third port openings are configured to receive one or more imaging transmission line connectors.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The surgical insufflation and evacuation unit is positioned in a stacked arrangement above the electrosurgical unit.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the electrosurgical unit is positioned above the imaging control unit in the stacked arrangement.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the one or more electrosurgical connector interfaces are vertically aligned below the insufflator connector interface configured to receive the insufflator hose.

15. The device according to claim 1, wherein: the first user interface control area includes at least one of a first control settings graphical user interface providing controls of the surgical insufflation and evacuation unit and a first feedback graphical user interface providing status information regarding the surgical insufflation and evacuation unit; and The second user interface control area includes at least one of a second control settings graphical user interface providing control of the electrosurgical unit and a second feedback graphical user interface providing status information regarding the electrosurgical unit.

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