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| United States Patent Application |
20080109014
|
| Kind Code
|
A1
|
|
de la Pena; Alejandro Ramos
|
May 8, 2008
|
Robotic surgical device
Abstract
A robotic surgical device for using in laparoscopic surgery, including two
robotic arms, each having at least six joints providing a total of
fourteen degrees of movement that accurately reproduce the movements of a
human torso complete with arms.
| Inventors: |
de la Pena; Alejandro Ramos; (San Pedro Garza Garcia, MX)
|
| Correspondence Address:
|
YOUNG & THOMPSON
209 Madison Street, Suite 500
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
US
|
| Serial No.:
|
593011 |
| Series Code:
|
11
|
| Filed:
|
November 6, 2006 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
606/130; 901/15; 901/24; 901/28; 901/30 |
| Class at Publication: |
606/130; 901/15; 901/24; 901/28; 901/30 |
| International Class: |
A61B 19/00 20060101 A61B019/00 |
Claims
1. A robotic surgical device comprising two or more robotic arms each
having:at least six connection elements and manipulation means;at least
six joints;driving means connected to each connection element and to the
manipulation means for moving each of the connection elements and the
manipulation means;wherein each of the arms have at least fourteen
degrees of movement.
2. A robotic surgical device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each robotic
arm is joined to elongated support means.
3. A robotic surgical device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the driving
means are controlled by electronic control means.
4. A robotic surgical device as claimed in claim 1, in which the
manipulating means comprise a griping tool.
5. A robotic surgical device as claimed in claim 1, including driving
means for each connection element.
6. A robotic surgical device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support
means comprising a long elongated and hollow member having first and a
second end.
7. A robotic surgical device as claimed in claim 1, further including a
camera.
8. A robotic surgical device as claimed in claim 1, comprising a first and
a second robotic arm each positioned in a parallel relationship from each
other, each comprising:a first connection element fixedly attached to the
support means having pivoting linking means, wherein the resting position
for this element comprises a position parallel to the X axis;a second
connection element, pivotally linked to the pivoting linking means of the
first connection element, said second connection element able to pivot up
to 90.degree. to the front until reaching a position parallel to the Z
axis and to a side until reaching a position parallel to the X axis,
taking as reference the first connection element resting position, having
pivoting linking means allowing an forward and backward pivoting movement
and wherein the resting position comprises the position parallel to the X
axis;a third connection element, pivotally linked to the pivoting linking
means of the second connection element, said third connection element
able to pivot up to 90.degree. upwards until reach an horizontal position
parallel to the X axis and downwards until reach a vertical position
parallel to the Y axis, taking as reference the second connection element
resting position, having pivoting linking means allowing an upward and
downward pivoting movement, and wherein the resting position comprises
the position parallel to the Y axis;a fourth connection element,
pivotally linked to the pivoting linking means of the third connection
element, said fourth connection element able to pivot up to 90.degree.
upwards until reach an horizontal position parallel to the Z axis and
downwards until reach a vertical position parallel to the Y axis, taking
as reference the third connection element resting position, having
pivoting linking means allowing an upward and downward pivoting movement,
and wherein the resting position comprises the position parallel to the Y
axis;a fifth connection element, pivotally linked to the pivoting linking
means of the fourth connection element, said fifth connection element
able to pivot up to 90.degree. upwards until reach an horizontal position
parallel to the Z axis and downwards until reach a vertical position
parallel to the Y axis, taking as reference the fourth connection element
resting position, having rotating linking means allowing concentric
rotation over a single axis, and wherein the resting position comprises
the position parallel to the Y axis;a sixth connection element, rotary
linked to the rotating linking means of the fifth connection element,
said sixth connection element able to rotate 360.degree. over its own
axis, having pivoting linking means allowing an upward and downward
pivoting movement, and wherein the resting position for this element
comprises the position parallel to the Y axis;a griping tool, pivotally
linked to the pivoting linking means of the sixth connection element,
said griping tool able to pivot up to 90.degree. upwards until reach an
horizontal position parallel to the Z axis and downwards until reach a
vertical position parallel to the Y axis, taking as reference the sixth
connection element resting position, and wherein the resting position for
the gripping tool comprises the position parallel to the Y axis;
andwherein the robotic surgical device including driving means for each
connection element and to open and close the griping tool.
9. A robotic surgical device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the means for
driving each of the six connection elements comprise a stepper motor.
10. A robotic surgical device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the means for
driving each of the six connection elements comprise a stepper motor,
each connected by means of a cable to a respective connection element,
and each of said cables following a path trough the connection elements
guided by a system of pulleys and sluing drums.
11. A robotic surgical device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the support
means comprising an elongated hollow cylinder having a first and a second
end and having a diameter size adequate for entering trough a standard
sized laparoscopic surgical opening.
12. A robotic surgical device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the driving
means comprising a first and a second group of seven stepper motors, each
group attached to a base and driving a correspondent robotic arm, wherein
the motors of each group are aligned in two parallel rows and wherein
each motor drives a rotary pulley located at a superior portion thereof.
13. A robotic surgical device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the driving
means comprising a first and a second group of seven stepper motors, each
group attached to a base and driving a correspondent robotic arm, wherein
the motors of each group are aligned in two parallel rows, wherein each
motor drives a rotary pulley located at a superior portion thereof and
wherein each connection element is connected to a correspondent stepper
motor by means of a cable attached to the pulley of a respective motor
for a total of fourteen cables divided in two groups of seven cables,
each group corresponding to a robotic arm wherein each of the cables
attached to its respective pulley, passes by a correspondent series of
circular groves, each located at subsequent pulleys, thus lineally
guiding each cable along subsequent pulleys, thus avoiding the
entanglement of the cables, and wherein each cable is pulled when the
pulley of a respective stepper motor rotates in one direction and is
loosen when the pulley rotates in an opposed direction, and wherein both
groups of cables are aligned and conducted trough the support means.
14. A robotic surgical device comprising:support means comprising an
elongated hollow cylinder having a first and a second end and having a
diameter size adequate for entering trough a standard sized laparoscopic
surgical opening;a first and a second robotic arm each positioned in a
parallel relationship from each other;driving means for driving both
robotic arms, comprising: a first and a second group of seven stepper
motors, each group attached to a base and driving a correspondent robotic
arm, wherein the motors of each group are aligned in two parallel rows
and wherein each motor drives a rotary pulley located at a superior
portion thereof;movement transmission means for each stepper motor, each
comprising a cable attached to the pulley of a respective motor for a
total of fourteen cables divided in two groups of seven cables, each
group corresponding to a robotic arm, wherein each of the cables attached
to its respective pulley, passes by a correspondent series of circular
groves, each located at subsequent pulleys, thus lineally guiding each
cable along subsequent pulleys so that a first pulley has one circular
grove, the second pulley has two circular groves, one for its own cable
and one for the passing cable of the previous pulley and so on, thus
avoiding the entanglement of the cables, and wherein each cable is pulled
when the pulley rotates in one direction and is loosen when the pulley
rotates in an opposed direction, and wherein both groups of cables are
aligned and conducted trough the elongated cylinder entering a first end
and exiting trough the second end thereof;wherein each robotic arm
comprising:a first connection element fixedly attached to the support
means having a first open end and a second open end, and pivoting linking
means, wherein the resting position for this element comprises a position
parallel to the X axis;a second connection element having a first open
end and a second open end, pivotally linked to the pivoting linking means
of the first connection element, said second connection element able to
pivot up to 90.degree. to the front until reaching a position parallel to
the Z axis and to a side until reaching a position parallel to the X
axis, taking as reference the first connection element resting position,
having pivoting linking means allowing an forward and backward pivoting
movement and wherein the resting position comprises the position parallel
to the X axis;a third connection element having a first open end and a
second open end, pivotally linked to the pivoting linking means of the
second connection element, said third connection element able to pivot up
to 90.degree. upwards until reach an horizontal position parallel to the
X axis and downwards until reach a vertical position parallel to the Y
axis, taking as reference the second connection element resting position,
having pivoting linking means allowing an upward and downward pivoting
movement, and wherein the resting position comprises the position
parallel to the Y axis;a fourth connection element having a first open
end and a second open end, pivotally linked to the pivoting linking means
of the third connection element, said fourth connection element able to
pivot up to 90.degree. upwards until reach an horizontal position
parallel to the Z axis and downwards until reach a vertical position
parallel to the Y axis, taking as reference the third connection element
resting position, having pivoting linking means allowing an upward and
downward pivoting movement, and wherein the resting position comprises
the position parallel to the Y axis;a fifth connection element having a
first open end a second end having rotary linking means allowing
concentric rotation over a single axis, pivotally linked to the pivoting
linking means of the fourth connection element, said fifth connection
element able to pivot up to 90.degree. upwards until reach an horizontal
position parallel to the Z axis and downwards until reach a vertical
position parallel to the Y axis, taking as reference the fourth
connection element resting position, and wherein the resting position
comprises the position parallel to the Y axis;a sixth connection element
having a first open end rotary linked to the rotating linking means of
the fifth connection element and a second open end having pivoting
linking means allowing an upward and downward pivoting movement, said
sixth connection element able to rotate 360.degree. over its own axis,
and wherein the resting position for this element comprises the position
parallel to the Y axis;a griping tool, pivotally linked to the pivoting
linking means of the sixth connection element, said griping tool able to
pivot up to 90.degree. upwards until reach an horizontal position
parallel to the Z axis and downwards until reach a vertical position
parallel to the Y axis, taking as reference the sixth connection element
resting position, and wherein the resting position for the gripping tool
comprises the position parallel to the Y axis; andwherein the robotic
surgical device including driving means comprising a first and a second
group of seven stepper motors, each group attached to a base and driving
a correspondent robotic arm, wherein the motors of each group are aligned
in two parallel rows and wherein each motor drives a rotary pulley
located at a superior portion thereof;wherein each connection element is
connected to a correspondent stepper motor by means of a cable attached
to the pulley of a respective motor for a total of fourteen cables
divided in two groups of seven cables, each group corresponding to a
robotic arm wherein each of the cables attached to its respective pulley,
passes by a correspondent series of circular groves, each located at
subsequent pulleys, thus lineally guiding each cable along subsequent
pulleys, thus avoiding the entanglement of the cables, and wherein each
cable is pulled when the pulley of a respective stepper motor rotates in
one direction and is loosen when the pulley rotates in an opposed
direction, and wherein both groups of cables are aligned and conducted
trough the support means;wherein a first corresponding group of seven
cables enter the first connection element trough the first open end and
wherein a first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh cable
of said first corresponding group, exit the first connection element
trough the second open end;wherein a first, second, third, fourth, fifth,
sixth, and seventh cable exiting the first connection element, enters the
second connection element trough the first open end and wherein a first,
second, third, fifth, sixth, and seventh cable exit the second connection
element trough the second open end;wherein a first, second, third, fifth,
sixth, and seventh cable exiting the second connection element enters the
third connection element trough its first open end and wherein the first,
second, third, fifth and sixth cable exit the third connection element
trough the second open end;wherein a first, second, third, fifth and
sixth cable exiting the third connection element enters the fourth
connection element trough its first open end and wherein a second, third,
fifth and sixth cable exit the fourth connection element trough the
second open end;wherein a second, third, fifth and sixth cable exiting
the fourth connection element enters the fifth connection element trough
its first open end and wherein a third, fifth and sixth cable exit the
fourth connection element trough its second open end;wherein a third,
fifth and sixth cable exit the fifth connection element trough its second
end enters the sixth connection element trough its first open end and
wherein a third and fifth cable exit the sixth connection element trough
its second open end; andwherein a third and fifth cable exiting the sixth
connection element trough its second open end enters the griping tool
trough its second open end.
15. A robotic surgical device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the first
connection element comprising:a first connection element comprising a
hollow quadrangular member having a first and a second longitudinal wall,
a central longitudinal axis, a first end and a second open rounded end,
including a first and a second pin holes located at each longitudinal
wall near the first end of the first connection element, a rectangular
aperture at a lateral side near the first end, said first connection
element been fixedly attached to the second end of the hollow elongated
cylinder in such way that its longitudinal axis is located
perpendicularly to the hollow cylindrical tube and the lateral
rectangular aperture coincide with the second end of the hollow
cylindrical tube and having:a rotating sluing drum including a pin at
each end, each pin rotary received inside the pin holes so that the ends
of the first rotary sluing drum are rotary linked to both longitudinal
walls and located between them inside the first connection element near
its first end and aligned with its central longitudinal axis, having
seven concentric circular grooves;a first and a second opposed pin holes
each located at a correspondent longitudinal wall near the second end of
the first connection element, each aligned with the central longitudinal
axis; andwherein the first corresponding group of cables enter the first
connection element trough the rectangular aperture, each passing by the
sluing drum and guided by a respective concentric circular groove and
exiting the first connection element trough the second open end.
16. A robotic surgical device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the second
connection element including:a first open end and a second open end, and
a central portion including a first and a second passage, wherein the
first end including a superior rounded longitudinal wall having a central
superior circular recess, a central rounded longitudinal wall, and an
inferior rounded longitudinal wall, each depending from the central
portion and each including a central coincident pin hole, wherein the pin
hole of the superior rounded longitudinal wall is located at a central
portion of the circular recess and wherein the second open end includes a
first rounded lateral wall and a second opposed rounded lateral wall each
extending from the central portion and each respectively having a first
and a second pin hole at a central portion thereof, said second
connection element further having:six pulleys having a central
perforation, each one located below the other forming a vertical row, and
wherein a first, second and third pulley are located and rotary retained
between the superior rounded longitudinal wall and the central rounded
longitudinal wall, and a fourth, fifth and sixth pulley are located and
rotary retained between the central rounded longitudinal wall and the
inferior rounded longitudinal wall;a pin passing trough the pin hole of
the superior rounded longitudinal wall, trough the central perforation of
the first, second and third pulley, trough the pin hole of the central
rounded longitudinal wall, through the central perforation of the fourth,
fifth and sixth pulley and trough the pinhole of the inferior rounded
longitudinal wall, thus rotary retaining the six pulleys and wherein the
pin protrudes over the pinhole of the superior rounded longitudinal wall
and below the inferior rounded longitudinal wall;a circular spring
tightly received inside the circular recess located at the superior
rounded longitudinal wall;wherein a first, second and third cable exiting
the first connection element each enters the second connection element
trough the first open end and passes by and surrounds a correspondent
first, second and third pulley and are guided through the first passage
of its central portion to the second open end trough which they exit the
second connection element and wherein a fifth, sixth, and seventh cable
exiting the first connection element, enters the second connection
element trough the first open end and passes by and surrounds a
correspondent fourth, fifth and sixth pulley and are guided through the
second passage of its central portion to the second open end trough which
they exit the second connection element;wherein a fourth cable is linked
to the central portion of the second connection element, thus connecting
the second connection element directly to a fourth stepper motor, thus
driving the second connection element;wherein the second connection
element is pivotally retained inside the second open rounded end of the
first connection element in such way that the whole first end of the
second connection element including the superior, central and inferior
rounded longitudinal walls and pulleys are retained inside the second
open rounded end of the first connection element so that said second
connection element is able to pivot up to 90.degree. to the front until
reaching a position parallel to the Z axis and to a side until reaching a
position parallel to the X axis, taking as reference the first connection
element resting position, when a fourth stepper motor pulls the fourth
cable linked to the second connection element and wherein the resting
position for this element comprises the position parallel to the X
axis;wherein the circular spring remains tightly retained between the
first connection element and the circular recess of the superior rounded
longitudinal wall of the second connecting element thus applying a
torsional force over said two elements, forcing the second connecting
element to return to its resting position; andfurther including a first
and a second lateral pulley each respectively linked at a superior and
inferior portion of the first and second rounded lateral wall between
them and inside the second open end of the second connection element, and
wherein the seventh cable passing trough the second passage passes by
said first and second lateral pulley before emerging from the second
connection element by the second open end.
17. A robotic surgical device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the third
connection element including:a first open end and a second open end, and
a central portion including a first and a second passage wherein the
first end including a first rounded longitudinal wall having a central
superior circular recess, a central rounded longitudinal wall, and an
third rounded longitudinal wall, each depending from the central portion
and each including a central coincident pin hole, wherein the pin hole of
the first rounded longitudinal wall is located at a central portion of
the circular recess and wherein the second open end includes a first
rounded lateral wall and a second rounded lateral wall each extending
from the central portion and including a correspondent first and a second
pin holes, and having:five pulleys having a central perforation, each one
located below the other forming a linear row, and wherein a first and
second pulley are located and rotary retained between the first rounded
longitudinal wall and the central rounded longitudinal wall, and a third,
fourth and fifth pulley are located and rotary retained between the
central rounded longitudinal wall and the third rounded longitudinal
wall;a pin passing trough the pin hole of the first rounded longitudinal
wall, trough the central perforation of the first and second pulley,
trough the pin hole of the central rounded longitudinal wall, through the
central perforation of the third, fourth and fifth pulley and trough the
pinhole of the third rounded longitudinal wall in that order, thus rotary
retaining the five pulleys and wherein the pin protrudes over the pinhole
of the first rounded longitudinal wall and below the third rounded
longitudinal wall;a circular spring tightly received inside the circular
recess located at the first rounded longitudinal wall;wherein a fifth,
and a sixth cable exiting the second connection element each enters the
third connection element trough the first open end and passes by and
surrounds a correspondent second, and first pulley and are guided through
the first passage of its central portion to the second open end trough
which they exit the third connection element and wherein a first, second
and third cable exiting the second connection element, enters the third
connection element trough the first open end and passes by and surrounds
a correspondent fifth, fourth and third pulley and are guided through the
second passage of its central portion to the second open end trough which
they exit the third connection element;wherein a seventh cable is linked
to the central portion of the third connection element, thus connecting
the third connection element directly to a seventh stepper motor, thus
driving the third connection element;wherein the third connection element
is pivotally retained inside the second open end of the second connection
element in such way that the whole first end of the third connection
element including the first, central and third rounded longitudinal walls
and pulleys are retained inside the second open end of the second
connection element in such way that said third connection element is able
to move up to 90.sup.0 upwards until reach an horizontal position
parallel to the X axis and downwards until reach a vertical position
parallel to the Y axis, taking as reference the second connection element
resting position, when a seventh stepper motor pulls the seventh cable
linked to the third connection element and wherein the resting position
comprises the position parallel to the Y axis; andwherein the circular
spring remains tightly retained between the second connection element and
the circular recess of the first rounded longitudinal wall of the third
connecting element thus applying a torsional force over said two
elements, forcing the third connecting element to return to its resting
position.
18. A robotic surgical device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the fourth
connection element including:a first open end and a second open end, and
an elongated central portion including a first and a second passage and a
central path having a longitudinal axis defined by a first and a second
lateral wall and by an inferior longitudinal wall, wherein the first end
including a first rounded lateral wall having a central superior circular
recess, a central rounded lateral wall, and an third rounded lateral
wall, each depending from the central portion and each including a
central coincident pin hole, wherein the pin hole of the superior rounded
longitudinal wall is located at a central portion of the circular recess
and wherein the second open end includes a first rounded lateral wall and
a second rounded lateral wall extending from the central portion each
having a central pin hole, and having:four pulleys having a central
perforation, each one located below the other forming a linear row, and
wherein a first and a second pulley are located and rotary retained
between the first end first rounded lateral wall and the first end
central rounded longitudinal wall, and a third and fourth pulley are
located and rotary retained between the first end central rounded
longitudinal wall and the first end third rounded longitudinal wall;a pin
passing trough the pin hole of the first end first rounded longitudinal
wall, trough the central perforation of the first and second pulley,
trough the pin hole of the first end central rounded longitudinal wall,
through the central perforation of the third and fourth pulley and trough
the pinhole of the first end third rounded longitudinal wall in that
order, thus rotary retaining the four pulleys and wherein the pin
protrudes over the first end first rounded longitudinal wall and below
the first end third rounded longitudinal wall;a circular spring tightly
received inside the circular recess located at the first end first
rounded longitudinal wall;wherein a sixth and fifth cable exiting the
third connection element each enters the fourth connection element trough
the first open end and passes by and surrounds a correspondent first and
second pulley and are guided through the first passage of the central
portion across the central path to the second open end trough which they
exit the fourth connection element and wherein a second and third cable
exiting the third connection element, enters the fourth connection
element trough the first open end and passes by and surrounds a
correspondent fourth and third pulley and are guided through the first
passage of the central portion across the central path to the second open
end trough which they exit the fourth connection element;wherein a first
cable is linked to the first end third rounded lateral wall of the fourth
connection element, thus connecting the fourth connection element
directly to the first stepper motor, thus driving the fourth connection
element;wherein the fourth connection element is pivotally retained
inside the second open end of the third connection element in such way
that the whole first end of the fourth connection element including the
first, central and third rounded longitudinal walls and pulleys are
retained inside the second open end of the third connection element in
such way that said fourth connection element is able to move up to
90.sup.0 upwards until reach an horizontal position parallel to the Z
axis and downwards until reach a vertical position parallel to the Y
axis, taking as reference the third connection element resting position,
when a first stepper motor pulls the first cable linked to the fourth
connection element and wherein the resting position for the fourth
connection element comprises the position parallel to the Y axis;wherein
the circular spring remains tightly retained between the third connection
element and the circular recess of the first end first rounded lateral
wall of the fourth connecting element thus applying a torsional force
over said two elements, forcing the fourth connecting element to return
to its resting position; andfurther including:a first sluing drum having
a first and a second end, and a longitudinal axis, wherein said first
sluing drum is rotary and transversally retained inside the central path
in such way that both ends are rotary retained between the lateral walls
of the central path with its longitudinal axis being located
perpendicularly to the central path longitudinal axis and having one
circular grove;a second sluing drum having a first and a second end, and
a longitudinal axis, wherein said second sluing drum is rotary and
transversally retained inside the central path in such way that both ends
are rotary retained between the lateral walls of the central path with
its longitudinal axis being located perpendicularly to the central path
longitudinal axis and having a three circular groves;a first pulley,
having a central elongated member axis including a first end and a second
end which is joined to the center of the pulley, wherein the first end of
the axis member is rotary retained to the inferior longitudinal wall of
the central path in such way that it is positioned in a perpendicularly
relationship with respect to the central path longitudinal axis;a second
pulley, having a central elongated member axis including a first end and
a second end which is joined to the center of the pulley, wherein the
first end of the axis member is rotary retained to the second
longitudinal wall of the central path in such way that it is positioned
in a perpendicularly relationship with respect to the central path
longitudinal axis;a third pulley, having a central elongated member axis
including a first end and a second end which is joined to the center of
the pulley, wherein the first end of the axis member is retained to both
lateral walls of the central path in such way that it is positioned
between them;wherein the first sluing drum, second sluing drum and third
pulley are located along the central path in said order in a zig-zag
pattern and retained to both central path lateral walls as described
above;wherein the first and second pulley are located along the central
path in said order in a zig-zag pattern and retained to the second
central path inferior longitudinal wall as described above;wherein the
second cable passing trough the central path, passes by and surrounds the
circular grove of the first sluing drum and passes by and surrounds the
third pulley;wherein the third cable passes by and surrounds a third
circular groove of the second sluing drum, and passes by the second and
third pulleys; andwherein the fifth and sixth cable passes by and
surrounds a correspondent circular grove of the second sluing drum.
19. A robotic surgical device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the fifth
connection element including:a first open end and a second end having a
cylindrical shape, a circular cross section and a circular internal and
external wall, an entrance opening, an exit opening, and a longitudinal
and transversal axis, wherein the first end including a first rounded
lateral wall, and a second rounded longitudinal wall having a central
circular recess, each depending from the second end circular wall and
each including a central coincident pin hole, wherein the pin hole of the
second rounded lateral wall is located at a central portion of the
circular recess and wherein the second end includes cylindrical
connection member including an open transversal lateral housing opened to
the exterior of the rotary connection means and a cylindrical linking
member having two circular passages, and having:a circular spring tightly
received inside the circular recess located at the second rounded lateral
wall;a first sluing drum having a first and a second end, each including
an elongated longitudinal axis, wherein the ends of the longitudinal axis
member passes trough the pin hole of the first and second rounded lateral
wall respectively, thus rotary and transversally retained between the
first and second rounded longitudinal wall in a central portion thereof
and including three circular groves, and wherein each end of the
elongated member axis protrudes over the pinhole of the first rounded
lateral wall and over the pinhole of the second rounded lateral wall;a
second sluing drum having a first and a second end, and a longitudinal
axis, wherein said second sluing drum is rotary and transversally
retained between the first and second rounded lateral wall and including
one circular grove, wherein the second sluing drum is located next to the
first sluing drum in a parallel relationship and off center with respect
to the longitudinal axis;a third and a fourth sluing drums, each having a
first and a second end and a circular grove, and each parallely located
with respect to each other and aligned with respect to the transversal
axis;a first and a second pulley, each having a central elongated member
axis including a first end and a second end which is joined to the center
of the pulley, wherein the first end of the axis member of the first
pulley is attached to the interior circular wall of the cylindrical
connection member and the first end of the axis member of the second
pulley is attached to the interior circular wall of the cylindrical
linking member in such way that each axis is positioned in a
perpendicularly relationship with respect to the longitudinal axis, and
in a parallel relationship with respect to the transversal axis, wherein
the first pulley including only one circular grove and the second pulley
including a first and a second circular grove and wherein the first
pulley is located next to the third and fourth parallel sluing drums and
wherein the second pulley is located next to the first pulley;a third
pulley having a central elongated member axis including a first end and a
second end which is joined to the center of the pulley, said third pulley
rotary retained inside the open transversal lateral housing wherein the
first end of the axis member is retained to a wall of the open
transversal lateral housing in such way that it is positioned in a
parallel relationship with respect to the longitudinal axis, and in a
perpendicular relationship with respect to the transversal axis;wherein a
third cable exiting the fourth connection element enters the fifth
connection element trough the first open end and passes by and surrounds
a correspondent grove of the first sluing drum and third sluing drum and
is guided trough the cylindrical connection member and cylindrical
linking member and exits the fifth connection element trough the first
circular passage;wherein a fifth cable exiting the fourth connection
element enters the fifth connection element trough the first open end and
passes by and surrounds the respective grove of the first sluing drum and
second sluing drum and is guided trough the cylindrical connection member
inside of which it passes by the first pulley and the first grove of the
second pulley and trough the cylindrical linking member and exits the
fifth connection element through the second circular passage;wherein the
sixth cable exiting the fourth connection element enters the fifth
connection element trough the first open end and passes by and surrounds
a respective grove of the first and fourth sluing drum and is guided
through the cylindrical connection member inside of which it passes by
the first pulley, trough the cylindrical linking member inside of which
it passes by the second grove of the second pulley, makes a turn of
90.sup.0, passes by the third pulley and exits the fifth element trough
the open transversal lateral housing;wherein the second cable exiting the
fourth connection element is linked to the first open end second rounded
lateral wall;wherein the fifth connection element is pivotally retained
inside the second open end of the fourth connection element in such way
that the whole first end of the fifth connection element is retained
inside the second open end of the fourth connection element so that said
fourth connection element is able to move up to 90.degree. upwards until
reach an horizontal position parallel to the Z axis and downwards until
reach a vertical position parallel to the Y axis, taking as reference the
fourth connection element resting position, when a second stepper motor
pulls the second cable linked to the first open end second rounded
lateral wall and wherein the resting position for the fifth connection
element comprises the position parallel to the Y axis; andwherein the
circular spring remains tightly retained between the fourth connection
element and the circular recess of the fifth connection element second
rounded lateral wall thus applying a torsional force over said two
elements, forcing the fifth connecting element to return to its resting
position.
20. A robotic surgical device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the sixth
connection element including:a longitudinal and transversal axis, a first
open end having a cylindrical shape and a circular cross section
including a hollow rotary connection section having a circular internal
wall, rotary linked to the rotary linking means of the fifth connection
element thus rotary linking the fifth and sixth connection element, and a
second open end having a first rounded lateral wall, a second rounded
lateral wall each including a central coincident pin hole and an inferior
longitudinal wall each depending from the first open end, and having:a
first pulley having a central elongated member axis including a first end
and a second end which is rotary joined to the center of the pulley,
wherein the first end of the axis member is retained to the inferior
longitudinal wall in such way that its central elongated member axis is
located perpendicularly to the longitudinal wall and between both lateral
walls;a second pulley having a central elongated member axis including a
first end and a second end which is rotary joined to the center of the
pulley, wherein the first end of the axis member is retained to the
inferior longitudinal wall, next to the first pulley, in such way that
its central elongated member axis is located perpendicularly to the
longitudinal wall and between both lateral walls;a sluing drum having a
first and a second end, and a longitudinal axis, wherein said sluing drum
is rotary and transversally retained between the lateral walls, with its
longitudinal axis being located perpendicularly to the sixth connection
element longitudinal axis and over both pulleys and having one circular
grove;wherein the sixth cable which exits the fifth connection element is
linked to the circular internal wall of the sixth connection element
rotary connection section, thus connecting the sixth connection element
directly to a sixth stepper motor, so that when the stepper motor pulls
the sixth cable, it laterally pulls the sixth connection element thus
rotating it over the rotary connection which connects it to the fifth
connection element;wherein the fifth cable exiting the fifth connection
element enters the sixth connection element trough the first open end,
passes by and surrounds the first pulley, passes by the second pulley
thereafter and exits the sixth connection element by the second open
end;wherein the third cable exiting the fifth connection element enters
the sixth connection element trough the first open end passes by the
sluing drum and exits the sixth connection element by the second open
end; andwherein the sixth connection element is able to rotate over its
own axis over the rotary connection, and is able to move up to 90.degree.
upwards until reach an horizontal position parallel to the Z axis and
downwards until reach a vertical position parallel to the Y axis together
with the fifth connection element.
21. A robotic surgical device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the griping
tool comprising:a hollow main body having a rectangular shape, including
a first end having a semi-cylindrical wall having a circular passage
grove, an elongated cable receiving section including a passage to the
interior of the hollow main body located next to the circular passage
grove, a first and a second longitudinal wall, a first and a second
lateral walls, a hollow interior a second open end, and a cable attaching
element located inside the hollow interior of the hollow main body at a
central portion thereof, wherein the first end of the hollow main body,
having a central superior circular recess at the first lateral wall,
wherein the first end of the hollow main body having a coincident pin
hole at each lateral wall, wherein the pin hole of the first lateral wall
is located at a central portion of the circular recess, and wherein the
first and second longitudinal walls each including a coincident
perforation at a central portion thereof, and further having;a circular
spring tightly received inside the circular recess located at the first
rounded lateral wall;a fixed plier joined and depending from the second
lateral wall, first longitudinal wall and second longitudinal wall;a
pulley, having a central elongated member axis including a first end and
a second end which is joined to the center of the pulley, each one rotary
retained inside the griping tool hollow main body wherein the first and
second end passes trough a respective perforation, of a respective
lateral wall and each one protruding over its respective lateral wall,
thus rotary joining the pulley to the first and second lateral walls, so
that its elongated member axis is located parallel to both longitudinal
walls and perpendicularly to the lateral walls and wherein it is
positioned in such way that the pulley is concentric with the first end
semi-cylindrical wall cross section and coinciding with the circular
passage grove;a pivotal second plier, having a first and a second end,
wherein the first end has a drum including a first and a second end
having a respective pin, a circular grove near the second end and a
longitudinal axis, wherein the drum is pivotally joined inside the hollow
main body at a central portion thereof so that the pins of both ends are
pivotally retained inside a respective pin hole of a respective
longitudinal wall, and thus pivotally linking the pivotal plier and
forming a complete and symmetrical pair of pliers with the fixed
plier;wherein the griping tool hollow main body first end is pivotally
retained inside the second open end of the sixth connection element in
such way that the whole first end of the griping tool hollow main body is
retained inside the second open end of the sixth connection element so
that said griping tool hollow main body is able to move up to 90.degree.
upwards until reach an horizontal position parallel to the Z axis and
downwards until reach a vertical position parallel to the Y axis, taking
as reference the fifth connection element resting position, and wherein
the resting position for the griping tool comprises the position parallel
to the Y axis;wherein the circular spring remains tightly retained
between the sixth connection element and the circular recess of the first
lateral wall of the griping tool hollow main body thus applying a
torsional force over said two elements, forcing the griping tool hollow
main body to return to its resting positionwherein the third cable
exiting the sixth connection element is received inside the elongated
cable receiving section and enters the griping tool hollow main body in
order to be linked to the cable attaching element, thus connecting the
griping element hollow main body directly to a third stepper motor, so
that when the third stepper motor pulls the third cable, it pulls the
griping tool causing it to move up to 90.sup.0 upwards until reach an
horizontal position parallel to the Z axis;wherein it is further included
a circular spring tightly retained around the drum near its first end and
between both griping tool hollow main body lateral walls, thus forcing
the pliers to open, which comprise its resting position;wherein the fifth
cable exiting the sixth connection element enters the griping tool hollow
main body by the circular passage grove, passes by the pulley and is
wound around the drum of the pivotal, thus directly connecting a fifth
stepper motor to the pivotal plier, so that when the fifth stepper motor
pulls the fifth cable it causes the drum of the pivotal plier to rotate,
thus pivoting the pivotal plier and opening the pliers, wherein the
resting position for the pliers is at a closed position.
22. A robotic surgical device comprising:support means comprising an
elongated hollow cylinder having a first and a second end and having a
diameter size adequate for entering trough a standard sized laparoscopic
surgical opening;a first and a second robotic arm each positioned in a
parallel relationship from each other;driving means for driving both
robotic arms, comprising: a first and a second group of seven stepper
motors, each group attached to a base and driving a correspondent robotic
arm, wherein the motors of each group are aligned in two parallel rows
and wherein each motor drives a rotary pulley located at a superior
portion thereof;movement transmission means for each stepper motor, each
comprising a cable attached to the pulley of a respective motor for a
total of fourteen cables divided in two groups of seven cables, each
group corresponding to a robotic arm wherein each of the cables attached
to its respective pulley, passes by a correspondent series of circular
groves, each located at subsequent pulleys, thus lineally guiding each
cable along subsequent pulleys so that a first pulley has one circular
grove, the second pulley has two circular groves, one for its own cable
and one for the passing cable of the previous pulley and so on, thus
avoiding the entanglement of the cables as shown in FIG. 3, and wherein
each cable is pulled when the pulley rotates in one direction and is
loosen when the pulley rotates in an opposed direction, and wherein both
groups of cables are aligned and conducted trough the elongated cylinder
entering a first end and exiting trough the second end thereof;wherein
each robotic arm comprising:a first connection element comprising a
hollow quadrangular member having a first and a second longitudinal wall,
a central longitudinal axis, a first end and a second open rounded end,
including a first and a second pin holes located at each longitudinal
wall near the first end of the first connection element, a rectangular
aperture at a lateral side near the first end, said first connection
element been fixedly attached to the second end of the hollow elongated
cylinder in such way that its longitudinal axis is located
perpendicularly to the hollow cylindrical tube and the lateral
rectangular aperture coincide with the second end of the hollow
cylindrical tube and having:a rotating sluing drum including a pin at
each end, each pin rotary received inside the pin holes so that the ends
of the first rotary sluing drum are rotary linked to both longitudinal
walls and located between them inside the first connection element near
its first end and aligned with its central longitudinal axis, having
seven concentric circular grooves;a first and a second opposed pin holes
each located at a correspondent longitudinal wall near the second end of
the first connection element, each aligned with the central longitudinal
axis;wherein the first corresponding group of cables enter the first
connection element trough the rectangular aperture, each passing by the
sluing drum and guided by a respective concentric circular groove and
exiting the first connection element trough the second open end;
andwherein the resting position for this element comprises a position
parallel to the X axis;a second connection element including a first open
end and a second open end, and a central portion including a first and a
second passage, wherein the first end including a superior rounded
longitudinal wall having a central superior circular recess, a central
rounded longitudinal wall, and an inferior rounded longitudinal wall,
each depending from the central portion and each including a central
coincident pin hole, wherein the pin hole of the superior rounded
longitudinal wall is located at a central portion of the circular recess
and wherein the second open end includes a first rounded lateral wall and
a second opposed rounded lateral wall each extending from the central
portion and each respectively having a first and a second pin hole at a
central portion thereof, said second connection element further
having:six pulleys having a central perforation, each one located below
the other forming a vertical row, and wherein a first, second and third
pulley are located and rotary retained between the superior rounded
longitudinal wall and the central rounded longitudinal wall, and a
fourth, fifth and sixth pulley are located and rotary retained between
the central rounded longitudinal wall and the inferior rounded
longitudinal wall;a pin passing trough the pin hole of the superior
rounded longitudinal wall, trough the central perforation of the first,
second and third pulley, trough the pin hole of the central rounded
longitudinal wall, through the central perforation of the fourth, fifth
and sixth pulley and trough the pinhole of the inferior rounded
longitudinal wall, thus rotary retaining the six pulleys and wherein the
pin protrudes over the pinhole of the superior rounded longitudinal wall
and below the inferior rounded longitudinal wall;a circular spring
tightly received inside the circular recess located at the superior
rounded longitudinal wall;wherein a first, second and third cable exiting
the first connection element each enters the second connection element
trough the first open end and passes by and surrounds a correspondent
first, second and third pulley and are guided through the first passage
of its central portion to the second open end trough which they exit the
second connection element and wherein a fifth, sixth, and seventh cable
exiting the first connection element, enters the second connection
element trough the first open end and passes by and surrounds a
correspondent fourth, fifth and sixth pulley and are guided through the
second passage of its central portion to the second open end trough which
they exit the second connection element;wherein a fourth cable is linked
to the central portion of the second connection element, thus connecting
the second connection element directly to a fourth stepper motor, thus
driving the second connection element;wherein the second connection
element is pivotally retained inside the second open rounded end of the
first connection element by locking the portions of the pin protruding
over the superior rounded longitudinal wall and below the inferior
rounded longitudinal wall inside the first and second pin holes located
at a correspondent longitudinal wall of the first connection element in
such way that the whole first end of the second connection element
including the superior, central and inferior rounded longitudinal walls
and pulleys are retained between the first and second longitudinal walls
in such way that said second connection element is able to pivot up to
90.degree. to the front until reaching a position parallel to the Z axis
and to a side until reaching a position parallel to the X axis, taking as
reference the first connection element resting position, when the fourth
stepper motor pulls the fourth cable linked to the second connection
element and wherein the resting position for this element comprises the
position parallel to the X axis;wherein the circular spring remains
tightly retained between the first longitudinal wall inferior portion of
the first connection element and the circular recess of the superior
rounded longitudinal wall of the second connecting element thus applying
a torsional force over said two elements, forcing the second connecting
element to return to its resting position; andfurther including a first
and a second lateral pulley each respectively linked at a superior and
inferior portion of the first and second rounded lateral wall between
them and inside the second open end of the second connection element, and
wherein the seventh cable passing trough the second passage passes by
said first and second lateral pulley before emerging from the second
connection element by the second open end;a third connection element
including a first open end and a second open end, and a central portion
including a first and a second passage wherein the first end including a
first rounded longitudinal wall having a central superior circular
recess, a central rounded longitudinal wall, and an third rounded
longitudinal wall, each depending from the central portion and each
including a central coincident pin hole, wherein the pin hole of the
first rounded longitudinal wall is located at a central portion of the
circular recess and wherein the second open end includes a first rounded
lateral wall and a second rounded lateral wall each extending from the
central portion and including a correspondent first and a second pin
holes, and having:five pulleys having a central perforation, each one
located below the other forming a linear row, and wherein a first and
second pulley are located and rotary retained between the first rounded
longitudinal wall and the central rounded longitudinal wall, and a third,
fourth and fifth pulley are located and rotary retained between the
central rounded longitudinal wall and the third rounded longitudinal
wall;a pin passing trough the pin hole of the first rounded longitudinal
wall, trough the central perforation of the first and second pulley,
trough the pin hole of the central rounded longitudinal wall, through the
central perforation of the third, fourth and fifth pulley and trough the
pinhole of the third rounded longitudinal wall in that order, thus rotary
retaining the five pulleys and wherein the pin protrudes over the pinhole
of the first rounded longitudinal wall and below the third rounded
longitudinal wall;a circular spring tightly received inside the circular
recess located at the first rounded longitudinal wall;wherein a fifth,
and a sixth cable exiting the second connection element each enters the
third connection element trough the first open end and passes by and
surrounds a correspondent second, and first pulley and are guided through
the first passage of its central portion to the second open end trough
which they exit the third connection element and wherein a first, second
and third cable exiting the second connection element, enters the third
connection element trough the first open end and passes by and surrounds
a correspondent fifth, fourth and third pulley and are guided through the
second passage of its central portion to the second open end trough which
they exit the third connection element;wherein a seventh cable is linked
to the central portion of the third connection element, thus connecting
the third connection element directly to a seventh stepper motor, thus
driving the third connection element;wherein the third connection element
is pivotally retained inside the second open end of the second connection
element by locking the portions of the pin protruding over the first
rounded longitudinal wall and below the third rounded longitudinal wall
inside the first and second pin hole located at a correspondent second
open end rounded lateral wall of the second connection element in such
way that the whole first end of the third connection element including
the first, central and third rounded longitudinal walls and pulleys are
retained between the first and second rounded longitudinal walls in such
way that said third connection element is able to move up to 90.sup.0
upwards until reach an horizontal position parallel to the X axis and
downwards until reach a vertical position parallel to the Y axis, taking
as reference the second connection element resting position, when the
seventh stepper motor pulls the seventh cable linked to the third
connection element and wherein the resting position comprises the
position parallel to the Y axis; andwherein the circular spring remains
tightly retained between an internal face of the second rounded lateral
wall of the second connection element and the circular recess of the
first rounded longitudinal wall of the third connecting element thus
applying a torsional force over said two elements, forcing the third
connecting element to return to its resting position;a fourth connection
element including a first open end and a second open end, and an
elongated central portion including a first and a second passage and a
central path having a longitudinal axis defined by a first and a second
lateral wall and by an inferior longitudinal wall, wherein the first end
including a first rounded lateral wall having a central superior circular
recess, a central rounded lateral wall, and an third rounded lateral
wall, each depending from the central portion and each including a
central coincident pin hole, wherein the pin hole of the superior rounded
longitudinal wall is located at a central portion of the circular recess
and wherein the second open end includes a first rounded lateral wall and
a second rounded lateral wall extending from the central portion each
having a central pin hole, and having:four pulleys having a central
perforation, each one located below the other forming a linear row, and
wherein a first and a second pulley are located and rotary retained
between the first end first rounded lateral wall and the first end
central rounded longitudinal wall, and a third and fourth pulley are
located and rotary retained between the first end central rounded
longitudinal wall and the first end third rounded longitudinal wall;a pin
passing trough the pin hole of the first end first rounded longitudinal
wall, trough the central perforation of the first and second pulley,
trough the pin hole of the first end central rounded longitudinal wall,
through the central perforation of the third and fourth pulley and trough
the pinhole of the first end third rounded longitudinal wall in that
order, thus rotary retaining the four pulleys and wherein the pin
protrudes over the first end first rounded longitudinal wall and below
the first end third rounded longitudinal wall;a circular spring tightly
received inside the circular recess located at the first end first
rounded longitudinal wall;wherein a sixth and fifth cable exiting the
third connection element each enters the fourth connection element trough
the first open end and passes by and surrounds a correspondent first and
second pulley and are guided through the first passage of the central
portion across the central path to the second open end trough which they
exit the fourth connection element and wherein a second and third cable
exiting the third connection element, enters the fourth connection
element trough the first open end and passes by and surrounds a
correspondent fourth and third pulley and are guided through the first
passage of the central portion across the central path to the second open
end trough which they exit the fourth connection element;wherein a first
cable is linked to the first end third rounded lateral wall of the fourth
connection element, thus connecting the fourth connection element
directly to the first stepper motor, thus driving the fourth connection
element;wherein the fourth connection element is pivotally retained
inside the second open end of the third connection element by locking the
portions of the pin protruding over the first end first rounded lateral
wall and below the first end third rounded longitudinal wall inside the
first and second pin holes located at a correspondent second open end
first and second rounded lateral wall of the third connection element in
such way that the whole first end of the fourth connection element
including the first, central and third rounded longitudinal walls and
pulleys are retained between the second end first and second longitudinal
walls in such way that said fourth connection element is able to move up
to 90
.sup.0 upwards until reach an horizontal position parallel to the Z axis
and downwards until reach a vertical position parallel to the Y axis,
taking as reference the third connection element resting position, when
the first stepper motor pulls the first cable linked to the fourth
connection element and wherein the resting position for the fourth
connection element comprises the position parallel to the Y axis;wherein
the circular spring remains tightly retained between an internal face of
the second end first rounded lateral wall of the third connection element
and the circular recess of the first end first rounded lateral wall of
the fourth connecting element thus applying a torsional force over said
two elements, forcing the fourth connecting element to return to its
resting position; andfurther including:a first sluing drum having a first
and a second end, and a longitudinal axis, wherein said first sluing drum
is rotary and transversally retained inside the central path in such way
that both ends are rotary retained between the lateral walls of the
central path with its longitudinal axis being located perpendicularly to
the central path longitudinal axis and having one circular grove;a second
sluing drum having a first and a second end, and a longitudinal axis,
wherein said second sluing drum is rotary and transversally retained
inside the central path in such way that both ends are rotary retained
between the lateral walls of the central path with its longitudinal axis
being located perpendicularly to the central path longitudinal axis and
having a three circular groves;a first pulley, having a central elongated
member axis including a first end and a second end which is joined to the
center of the pulley, wherein the first end of the axis member is rotary
retained to the inferior longitudinal wall of the central path in such
way that it is positioned in a perpendicularly relationship with respect
to the central path longitudinal axis;a second pulley, having a central
elongated member axis including a first end and a second end which is
joined to the center of the pulley, wherein the first end of the axis
member is rotary retained to the second longitudinal wall of the central
path in such way that it is positioned in a perpendicularly relationship
with respect to the central path longitudinal axis;a third pulley, having
a central elongated member axis including a first end and a second end
which is joined to the center of the pulley, wherein the first end of the
axis member is retained to both lateral walls of the central path in such
way that it is positioned between them;wherein the first sluing drum,
second sluing drum and third pulley are located along the central path in
said order in a zig-zag pattern and retained to both central path lateral
walls as described above;wherein the first and second pulley are located
along the central path in said order in a zig-zag pattern and retained to
the second central path inferior longitudinal wall as described
above;wherein the second cable passing trough the central path, passes by
and surrounds the circular grove of the first sluing drum and passes by
and surrounds the third pulley;wherein the third cable passes by and
surrounds a third circular groove of the second sluing drum, and passes
by the second and third pulleys; andwherein the fifth and sixth cable
passes by and surrounds a correspondent circular grove of the second
sluing drum;a fifth connection element including a first open end and a
second end having a cylindrical shape, a circular cross section and a
circular internal and external wall, an entrance opening, an exit
opening, and a longitudinal and transversal axis, wherein the first end
including a first rounded lateral wall, and a second rounded longitudinal
wall having a central circular recess, each depending from the second end
circular wall and each including a central coincident pin hole, wherein
the pin hole of the second rounded lateral wall is located at a central
portion of the circular recess and wherein the second end includes
cylindrical connection member including an open transversal lateral
housing opened to the exterior of the rotary connection means and a
cylindrical linking member having two circular passages and having:a
circular spring tightly received inside the circular recess located at
the second rounded lateral wall;a first sluing drum having a first and a
second end, each including an elongated longitudinal axis member, wherein
the ends of the longitudinal axis member passes trough the pin hole of
the first and second rounded lateral wall respectively, thus rotary and
transversally retained between the first and second rounded longitudinal
wall in a central portion thereof and including three circular groves and
wherein each end of the elongated member axis protrudes over the pinhole
of the first rounded lateral wall and over the pinhole of the second
rounded lateral wall;a second sluing drum having a first and a second
end, and a longitudinal axis, wherein said second sluing drum is rotary
and transversally retained between the first and second rounded lateral
wall and including one circular grove, wherein the second sluing drum is
located next to the first sluing drum in a parallel relationship and off
center with respect to the longitudinal axis;a third and a fourth sluing
drums, each having a first and a second end and a circular grove, and
each parallely located with respect to each other and aligned with
respect to the transversal axis;a first and a second pulley, each having
a central elongated member axis including a first end and a second end
which is joined to the center of the pulley, wherein the first end of the
axis member of the first pulley is attached to the interior circular wall
of the cylindrical connection member and the first end of the axis member
of the second pulley 98 is attached to the interior circular wall of the
cylindrical linking member in such way that each axis is positioned in a
perpendicularly relationship with respect to the longitudinal axis, and
in a parallel relationship with respect to the transversal axis, wherein
the first pulley including only one circular grove and the second pulley
including a first and a second circular grove and wherein the first
pulley is located next to the third and fourth parallel sluing drums and
wherein the second pulley is located next to the first pulley;a third
pulley having a central elongated member axis including a first end and a
second end which is joined to the center of the pulley, said third pulley
rotary retained inside the open transversal lateral housing wherein the
first end of the axis member is retained to a wall of the open
transversal lateral housing in such way that it is positioned in a
parallel relationship with respect to the longitudinal axis, and in a
perpendicular relationship with respect to the transversal axis;wherein a
third cable exiting the fourth connection element enters the fifth
connection element trough the first open end and passes by and surrounds
a correspondent grove of the first sluing drum and third sluing drum and
is guided trough the cylindrical connection member and cylindrical
linking member and exits the fifth connection element trough the first
circular passage;wherein a fifth cable exiting the fourth connection
element enters the fifth connection element trough the first open end and
passes by and surrounds the respective grove of the first sluing drum and
second sluing drum and is guided trough the cylindrical connection member
inside of which it passes by the first pulley and the first grove of the
second pulley and trough the cylindrical linking member and exits the
fifth connection element through the second circular passage;wherein the
sixth cable exiting the fourth connection element enters the fifth
connection element trough the first open end and passes by and surrounds
a respective grove of the first and fourth sluing drum and is guided
through the cylindrical connection member inside of which it passes by
the first pulley, trough the cylindrical linking member inside of which
it passes by the second grove of the second pulley, makes a turn of
90.sup.0, passes by the third pulley and exits the fifth element trough
the open transversal lateral housing;wherein the second cable exiting the
fourth connection element is linked to the first open end second rounded
lateral wall;wherein the fifth connection element is pivotally retained
inside the second open end of the fourth connection element by locking
the ends of the elongated longitudinal axis member protruding over the
first rounded lateral wall and over the second rounded lateral wall
inside the first and second pin holes located at a correspondent second
open end rounded lateral wall of the fourth connection element in such
way that the whole first end of the fifth connection element is retained
between the second open end first and second lateral walls so that said
fourth connection element is able to move up to 90.degree. upwards until
reach an horizontal position parallel to the Z axis and downwards until
reach a vertical position parallel to the Y axis, taking as reference the
fourth connection element resting position, when the second stepper motor
pulls the second cable linked to the first open end second rounded
lateral wall and wherein the resting position for the fifth connection
element comprises the position parallel to the Y axis; andwherein the
circular spring remains tightly retained between an internal face of the
second end second rounded lateral wall of the fourth connection element
and the circular recess of the fifth connection element second rounded
lateral wall thus applying a torsional force over said two elements,
forcing the fifth connecting element to return to its resting position;a
sixth connection element including a longitudinal and transversal axis, a
first open end having a cylindrical shape and a circular cross section
including a hollow rotary connection section having a circular internal
wall, rotary receiving and linking the cylindrical linking member of the
fifth connection element thus rotary linking the fifth and sixth
connection element, and a second open end having a first rounded lateral
wall, a second rounded lateral wall each including a central coincident
pin hole and an "inferior" longitudinal wall each depending from the
first open end, and having:a first pulley having a central elongated
member axis including a first end and a second end which is rotary joined
to the center of the pulley, wherein the first end of the axis member is
retained to the "inferior" longitudinal wall in such way that its central
elongated member axis is located perpendicularly to the longitudinal wall
and between both lateral walls;a second pulley having a central elongated
member axis including a first end and a second end which is rotary joined
to the center of the pulley, wherein the first end of the axis member is
retained to the inferior longitudinal wall, next to the first pulley, in
such way that its central elongated member axis is located
perpendicularly to the longitudinal wall and between both lateral walls;a
sluing drum having a first and a second end, and a longitudinal axis,
wherein said sluing drum is rotary and transversally retained between the
lateral walls, with its longitudinal axis being located perpendicularly
to the sixth connection element longitudinal axis and over both pulleys
and having one circular grove;wherein the sixth cable which exits the
fifth connection element by open transversal lateral housing of the
Cylindrical connection member which is received and rotary retained
inside the hollow rotary connection section of the sixth connection
element, is linked to the circular internal wall of the sixth connection
element rotary connection section, thus connecting the sixth connection
element directly to a sixth stepper motor, so that when the stepper motor
pulls the sixth cable, it laterally pulls the sixth connection element
thus rotating it over the rotary connection which connects it to the
fifth connection element;wherein the fifth cable exiting the fifth
connection element enters the sixth connection element trough the first
open end, passes by and surrounds the first pulley, passes by the second
pulley thereafter and exits the sixth connection element by the second
open end;wherein the third cable exiting the fifth connection element
enters the sixth connection element trough the first open end passes by
the sluing drum and exits the sixth connection element by the second open
end; andwherein the sixth connection element is able to rotate over its
own axis over the rotary connection as previously described, and is able
to move up to 90.degree. upwards until reach an horizontal position
parallel to the Z axis and downwards until reach a vertical position
parallel to the Y axis together with the fifth connection element;a
griping tool comprising:a hollow main body having a rectangular shape,
including a first end having a semi-cylindrical wall having a circular
passage grove, an elongated cable receiving section including a passage
to the interior of the hollow main body located next to the circular
passage grove, a first and a second longitudinal wall, a first and a
second lateral walls, a hollow interior a second open end, and a cable
attaching element located inside the hollow interior of the hollow main
body at a central portion thereof, wherein the first end of the hollow
main body, having a central superior circular recess at the first lateral
wall, wherein the first end of the hollow main body having a coincident
pin hole at each lateral wall, wherein the pin hole of the first lateral
wall is located at a central portion of the circular recess, and wherein
the first and second longitudinal walls each including a coincident
perforation at a central portion thereof, and further having;a circular
spring tightly received inside the circular recess located at the first
rounded lateral wall;a fixed plier, joined and depending from the second
lateral wall, first longitudinal wall and second longitudinal wall;a
pulley, having a central elongated member axis including a first end and
a second end which is joined to the center of the pulley, each one rotary
retained inside the griping tool hollow main body wherein the first and
second end passes trough a respective perforation of a respective lateral
wall and each one protruding over its respective lateral wall, thus
rotary joining the pulley to the first and second lateral walls, so that
its elongated member axis is located parallel to both longitudinal walls
and perpendicularly to the lateral walls and wherein it is positioned in
such way that the pulley is concentric with the first end
semi-cylindrical wall cross section and coinciding with the circular
passage grove;a pivotal second plier, having a first and a second end,
wherein the first end has a drum including a first and a second end
having a respective pin, a circular grove near the second end and a
longitudinal axis, wherein the drum is pivotally joined inside the hollow
main body at a central portion thereof so that the pins of both ends are
pivotally retained inside a respective pin hole of a respective
longitudinal wall, and thus pivotally linking the pivotal plier and
forming a complete and symmetrical pair of pliers with the fixed plier;
wherein the griping tool hollow main body first end is pivotally retained
inside the second open end of the sixth connection element by locking the
ends of the first and second end of the pulley central elongated member
axis protruding over the first and second lateral walls inside the first
and second coincident pin holes located at a correspondent second open
end rounded longitudinal wall of the sixth connection element in such way
that the whole first end of the griping tool hollow main body is retained
between the first and second longitudinal walls in such way that said
griping tool hollow main body is able to move up to 90.degree. upwards
until reach an horizontal position parallel to the Z axis and downwards
until reach a vertical position parallel to the Y axis, taking as
reference the fifth connection element resting position, and wherein the
resting position for the griping tool comprises the position parallel to
the Y axis;wherein the circular spring remains tightly retained between
an internal face of the first lateral wall of the sixth connection
element and the circular recess of the first lateral wall of the griping
tool hollow main body thus applying a torsional force over said two
elements, forcing the griping tool hollow main body to return to its
resting positionwherein the third cable exiting the sixth connection
element is received inside the elongated cable receiving section and
enters the griping tool hollow main body in order to be linked to the
cable attaching element, thus connecting the griping element hollow main
body directly to a third stepper motor, so that when the third stepper
motor pulls the third cable, it pulls the griping tool causing it to move
up to 90.sup.0 upwards until reach an horizontal position parallel to the
Z axis;wherein it is further included a circular spring tightly retained
around the drum near its first end and between both griping tool hollow
main body lateral walls, thus forcing the pliers to open, which comprise
its resting position.wherein the fifth cable exiting the sixth connection
element enters the griping tool hollow main body by the circular passage
grove, passes by the pulley and is wound around the drum of the pivotal
plier, thus directly connecting the fifth stepper motor to the pivotal
plier, so that when the fifth stepper motor pulls the fifth cable it
causes the drum of the pivotal plier to rotate, thus pivoting the pivotal
plier and opening the pliers, wherein the resting position for the pliers
is at a closed position.
23. A method for performing minimal invasive surgery in a patient,
comprising:making one incision in patient's body and preparing patient
for a laparoscopic operation;introducing trough said incision a robotic
surgical device comprising two or more robotic arms each having: at least
six connection elements including manipulating means; at least six
joints; driving means connected to each connection element and to the
manipulating means for moving each of the connection elements and the
manipulating means and remote control means for each robotic arm; wherein
each of the arms have at least fourteen degrees of movement; andoperating
each robotic arm using the remote control means.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001]A. Field of the Invention
[0002]The present invention is related to robotic surgical devices, and
more particularly to a robotic surgical device for using in laparoscopic
surgery which includes two robotic arms and a respective griping tool
each reproducing the natural movements of the human arm.
[0003]B. Description of the Related Art
[0004]The laparoscopic surgery systems available today including a robotic
arm, have limited degrees of movement, which are reduced to simulate only
some movements of the human wrist.
[0005]Said limited degree of movements limit the number of maneuvers that
can be done during a surgery, Furthermore, the device that is introduced
in the patients body normally have only one robotic arm at a distal
portion, and since some procedures such as tissue cutting or suture
procedures need at least two robotic arms, it is necessary to practice
two or more incisions in patient's body in order to introduce an
additional arm having a corresponding griping tool thus complicating the
whole surgery procedure.
[0006]Consequently, surgeons are required to take a training procedure
which may take a time of-one year in order to be qualified to operate a
specific device.
[0007]There have been developed some devices which try to address the
above referred problem such as U.S. patent application No.
US2005/0096502, which describes "a robotic surgical device configured for
performing minimally invasive surgical procedures. The robotic surgical
device comprises an elongated body for insertion into a patient's body
through a small incision. In one variation, the elongated body houses a
plurality of robotic arms. Once the distal portion of the elongated body
is inserted into the patient body, the operator may then deploy the
plurality of robotic arms to perform surgical procedures within the
patient's body. An image detector may be positioned at the distal portion
of the elongated body or on one of the robotic arms to provide visual
feedback to the operator of the device. In another variation, each of the
robotic arms comprises two or more joints, allowing the operator to
maneuver the robotic arms in a coordinated manner within a region around
the distal end of the device".
[0008]Although the above referred device provides two parallel robotic
arms, it doesn't describe a detailed implementation of the robotic arms
for the device nor a specific preferred embodiment for a robotic arm
including a specific number of joints, driving means, etc.
[0009]Therefore, applicant's developed a specific implementation of a
robotic surgical device for using in laparoscopic surgery, including two
robotic arms each having at least six joints providing a total of
fourteen degrees of movement that accurately reproduce the movements of a
human torso complete with arms.
[0010]Applicant's device includes a torso, two superior extremities each
having a shoulder, arm, elbow, forearm, wrist and "hand".
[0011]Since applicant's device simulates the movements of the upper human
extremities, it is easier for the surgeon to control the device since it
can be maneuvered using the same movements learned during the standard
training.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012]It is therefore a main object of the present invention to provide a
robotic surgical device for using in laparoscopic surgery, including two
robotic arms each having at least six joints.
[0013]It is another main object of the present invention to provide a
robotic surgical device of the above disclosed nature which have least
six joints providing a total of fourteen degrees of movement that
accurately reproduce the movements of a human torso complete with arms.
[0014]It is a further object of the present invention to provide a robotic
surgical device of the above disclosed nature which accurately reproduces
the movements of a human torso complete with arms.
[0015]It is a further object of the present invention to provide a robotic
surgical device of the above disclosed nature which simulates the
movements of the upper human extremities, thus allowing the surgeon to
control the device since it can be maneuvered using the same movements
learned during the standard training.
[0016]These and other objects and advantages of the robotic surgical
device of the present invention will become apparent to those persons
having an ordinary skill in the art, from the following detailed
description of the embodiments of the invention which will be made with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the robotical surgical device of the
present invention including both robotic arms.
[0018]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the seven stepper motors and
movement transmission cables mounted over its base.
[0019]FIG. 3 is a close up perspective view of the seven stepper motors
and movement transmission cables mounted over its base.
[0020]FIG. 4 is a close up perspective view of the first, second and third
connection elements and movement transmission cables of the second
robotic arm.
[0021]FIG. 5 is a partially disembodied view of the first connection
element of the second robotic arm showing the circular spring.
[0022]FIG. 6 is a close up disembodied perspective view of the first,
second and third connection elements and movement transmission cables of
the second robotic arm showing its internal components.
[0023]FIG. 7 is a is a close up disembodied frontal view of the first,
second and third connection elements and movement transmission cables of
the second robotic arm showing its internal components.
[0024]FIG. 8 is a close up partially disembodied perspective view of the
first, second and third connection elements and movement transmission
cables of the second robotic arm showing the internal components of the
first and second connection element.
[0025]FIG. 9 is a close up perspective view of the third and fourth
connection elements.
[0026]FIG. 10 is a close up front view of the third and fourth connection
elements.
[0027]FIG. 11 is a close up partially disembodied perspective view of the
third and fourth connection elements showing the circular spring of the
fourth connection element.
[0028]FIG. 12 is a close up partially disembodied perspective view of the
third and fourth connection elements showing the internal components of
the fourth connection element.
[0029]FIG. 13 is a close up partially disembodied frontal view of the
third and fourth connection elements showing the internal components of
the fourth connection element.
[0030]FIG. 14 is a close up perspective view of the fifth connection
element connected to the fourth and sixth connection elements.
[0031]FIG. 15 is a close up perspective view of the fifth connection
element showing the cylindrical linking member.
[0032]FIG. 16 is a close up partially disembodied perspective view of the
fourth and fifth element showing the circular spring of the fifth
connection element.
[0033]FIG. 17 is a close up disembodied front view of the fifth connection
element showing its internal components.
[0034]FIG. 18 is a close up frontal view of the second end of the fifth
connection element partially showing its internal components.
[0035]FIG. 19 is a close up left lateral disembodied view of the fifth
connection element showing its internal components.
[0036]FIG. 20 is a close up partially disembodied perspective view of the
fourth, fifth and sixth element showing the internal elements of the
fifth connection element.
[0037]FIG. 21 is a close up left perspective view of the sixth connection
element and griping tool.
[0038]FIG. 22 is a close up perspective partially disembodied view of the
fifth, sixth and griping tool showing the internal components of the
sixth connection element.
[0039]FIG. 23 is a close up frontal view of the sixth connection element
and griping tool partially showing the internal elements of the sixth
connection element.
[0040]FIG. 24 is a 21 is a close up right perspective view of the sixth
connection element and griping tool.
[0041]FIG. 25 is a close up partially disembodied perspective view of the
sixth connection element and griping tool lacking the fixed plier showing
the internal components of the second end of the sixth connection
element, and the circular spring located at a first end of the griping
tool hollow main body.
[0042]FIG. 26 is a close up disembodied perspective view of the griping
tool showing only the fixed plier and its internal components.
[0043]FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the robotical surgical device of
the present invention including both robotic arms in an extended position
ready for entering to a patient's body trough a surgical incision.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0044]The robotical surgical device of the present invention will be
described making reference to the X-Y-Z axis wherein the X axis
corresponds to the left and right directions, the Y axis corresponds to
the up and down directions and the Z axis corresponds to the front and
rear directions.
[0045]Now the robotical surgical device will be described in accordance
with its more general embodiment thereof, comprising:
[0046]support means comprising a long elongated and hollow member 1 having
first 2a and a second 3 end;
[0047]a first 4 and a second 5 robotic arm each positioned in a parallel
relationship from each other, each comprising: [0048]a first connection
element 6 fixedly attached to the second end of the support means having
pivoting linking means 7, wherein the resting position for this element
comprises a position parallel to the X axis; [0049]a second connection
element 8, pivotally linked to the pivoting linking means of the first
connection element 6, said second connection element 8 able to pivot up
to 90.sup.0 to the front until reaching a position parallel to the Z axis
and to a side until reaching a position parallel to the X axis, taking as
reference the first connection element 6 resting position, having
pivoting linking means 9 allowing an forward and backward pivoting
movement and wherein the resting position comprises the position parallel
to the X axis; [0050]a third connection element 10, pivotally linked to
the pivoting linking means of the second connection element, said third
connection element 10 able to pivot up to 90.sup.0 upwards until reach an
horizontal position parallel to the X axis and downwards until reach a
vertical position parallel to the Y axis, taking as reference the second
connection element resting position, having pivoting linking means 11
allowing an upward and downward pivoting movement, and wherein the
resting position comprises the position parallel to the Y axis; [0051]a
fourth connection element 12, pivotally linked to the pivoting linking
means of the third connection element, said fourth connection element
able to pivot up to 90.sup.0 upwards until reach an horizontal position
parallel to the Z axis and downwards until reach a vertical position
parallel to the Y axis, taking as reference the third connection element
resting position, having pivoting linking means 13 allowing an upward and
downward pivoting movement, and wherein the resting position comprises
the position parallel to the Y axis; [0052]a fifth connection element 14,
pivotally linked to the pivoting linking means of the fourth connection
element, said fifth connection element able to pivot up to 90.sup.0
upwards until reach an horizontal position parallel to the Z axis and
downwards until reach a vertical position parallel to the Y axis, taking
as reference the fourth connection element resting position, having
rotating linking means 15 for linking an additional connection element,
allowing concentric rotation over a single axis, and wherein the resting
position comprises the position parallel to the Y axis; [0053]a sixth
connection element 16, rotary linked to the rotating linking means 15 of
the fifth connection element 14, said sixth connection element 16 able to
rotate 360.degree. over its own axis, having pivoting linking means for
linking a further element 17 allowing an upward and downward pivoting
movement, and wherein the resting position for this element comprises the
position parallel to the Y axis; [0054]a griping tool 18, pivotally
linked to the pivoting linking means of the sixth connection element 16,
said griping tool 18 able to pivot up to 90.degree. upwards until reach
an horizontal position parallel to the Z axis and downwards until reach a
vertical position parallel to the Y axis, taking as reference the sixth
connection element resting position, and wherein the resting position for
the gripping tool comprises the position parallel to the Y axis; and
[0055]driving means connected to each connection element and griping tool
for driving each of the sixth connection elements and to open and close
the griping tool.
[0056]Thanks to the pivotal connections between each connection element,
the griping tool 18 of each robotic arm is able to move inside a very
ample operational area, which mimics the functionality of a human torso
including hands.
[0057]Now the robotical surgical device of the present invention will be
described making reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, comprising:
[0058]support means comprising an elongated hollow cylinder 1 having a
first 2a and a second end 3 and having a diameter size adequate for
entering trough a standard sized laparoscopic surgical opening;
[0059]a first 4 and a second 5 robotic arm each positioned in a parallel
relationship from each other;
[0060]driving means for driving both robotic arms, comprising: a first 19
and a second group (not shown) of seven stepper motors, each group
attached to a base 19a and driving a correspondent robotic arm, wherein
the motors of each group are aligned in two parallel rows and wherein
each motor drives a rotary pulley 20 located at a superior portion
thereof;
[0061]movement transmission means for each stepper motor, each comprising
a cable (21a, 21b, 21c, 21d, 21e, 21f, 21g) attached to the pulley of a
respective motor for a total of fourteen cables (only seven shown)
divided in two groups of seven cables, each group corresponding to a
robotic arm 4, 5, wherein each of the cables attached to its respective
pulley 20, passes by a correspondent series of circular groves 22, each
located at subsequent pulleys 20, thus lineally guiding each cable along
subsequent pulleys 20 so that a first pulley has one circular grove, the
second pulley has two circular groves, one for its own cable and one for
the passing cable of the previous pulley 20 and so on, thus avoiding the
entanglement of the cables as shown in FIG. 3, and wherein each cable is
pulled when the pulley 20 rotates in one direction and is loosen when the
pulley 20 rotates in an opposed direction, and wherein both groups of
cables are aligned and conducted trough the elongated cylinder 1 entering
a first end 2a and exiting trough the second end 3 thereof;
[0062]wherein each robotic arm comprising:
[0063]a first connection element 6 comprising a hollow quadrangular member
having a first 23 and a second (not shown) longitudinal wall, a central
longitudinal axis, a first end 24 and a second open rounded end 25,
including a first 25a and a second (not shown) pin holes located at each
longitudinal wall near the first end 24 of the first connection element
6, a rectangular aperture 26 at a lateral side near the first end 24,
said first connection element 6 been fixedly attached to the second end 3
of the hollow elongated cylinder 1 in such way that its longitudinal axis
is located perpendicularly to the hollow cylindrical tube and the lateral
rectangular aperture 26 coincide with the second end 3 of the hollow
cylindrical tube 1 and having: [0064]a rotating sluing drum 27
including a pin 27a, 27b at each end, each pin rotary received inside the
pin holes 25a so that the ends of the first rotary sluing drum 27 are
rotary linked to both longitudinal walls 23 and located between them
inside the first connection element 6 near its first end 24 and aligned
with its central longitudinal axis, having seven concentric circular
grooves 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d, 28e, 28f, 28g; [0065]a first 29 and a second
(not shown) opposed pin holes each located at a correspondent
longitudinal wall 23 near the second end 25 of the first connection
element 6, each aligned with the central longitudinal axis;
[0066]wherein the first corresponding group of cables 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d,
21e, 21f, 21g enter the first connection element 6 trough the rectangular
aperture 26, each passing by the sluing drum 27 and guided by a
respective concentric circular groove 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d, 28e, 28f, 28g
and exiting the first connection element 6 trough the second open end 25;
and
[0067]wherein the resting position for this element comprises a position
parallel to the X axis;
[0068]a second connection element 8 including a first open end 29a and a
second open end 30, and a central portion 31 including a first (not
shown) and a second 32 passage, wherein the first end 29a including a
superior rounded longitudinal wall 33 having a central superior circular
recess 34, a central rounded longitudinal wall 35, and an inferior
rounded longitudinal wall 36, each depending from the central portion 31
and each including a central coincident pin hole (not shown), wherein the
pin hole of the superior rounded longitudinal wall 33 is located at a
central portion of the circular recess 34 and wherein the second open end
30 includes a first rounded lateral wall 37 and a second opposed rounded
lateral wall 38 each extending from the central portion 31 and each
respectively having a first (not shown) and a second 39 pin hole at a
central portion thereof, said second connection element 8 further having:
[0069]six pulleys 40 having a central perforation (not shown), each one
located below the other forming a vertical row, and wherein a first 40a,
second 40b and third pulley 40c are located and rotary retained between
the superior rounded longitudinal wall 33 and the central rounded
longitudinal wall 35, and a fourth 40d, fifth 40e and sixth 40f pulley
are located and rotary retained between the central rounded longitudinal
wall 35 and the inferior 36 rounded longitudinal wall;
[0070]a pin 41 passing trough the pin hole of the superior rounded
longitudinal wall 33, trough the central perforation of the first 40a,
second 40b and third 40c pulley, trough the pin hole of the central
rounded longitudinal wall 35, through the central perforation of the
fourth 40d, fifth 40e and sixth 40f pulley and trough the pinhole of the
inferior rounded longitudinal wall 36, thus rotary retaining the six
pulleys 40 and wherein the pin protrudes over the pinhole of the superior
rounded longitudinal wall 33 and below the inferior rounded longitudinal
wall 36;
[0071]a circular spring 42 tightly received inside the circular recess 34
located at the superior rounded longitudinal wall 33;
[0072]wherein a first 21a, second 21b and third 21c cable exiting the
first connection element 6 each enters the second connection element 8
trough the first open end 29a and passes by and surrounds a correspondent
first 40a, second 40b and third 40c pulley and are guided through the
first passage of its central portion 31 to the second open end 30 trough
which they exit the second connection element 8 and wherein a fifth 21e,
sixth 21f, and seventh 21g cable exiting the first connection element 6,
enters the second connection element 8 trough the first open end 29a and
passes by and surrounds a correspondent fourth 40d, fifth 40e and sixth
40f pulley and are guided through the second passage 32 of its central
portion 31 to the second open end 30 trough which they exit the second
connection element 8;
[0073]wherein a fourth cable 21d is linked to the central portion 31 of
the second connection element 8, thus connecting the second connection
element 8 directly to a fourth stepper motor, thus driving the second
connection element 8;
[0074]wherein the second connection 8 element is pivotally retained inside
the second open rounded end 25 of the first 6 connection element by
locking the portions of the pin 41 protruding over the superior rounded
longitudinal wall 33 and below the inferior rounded longitudinal 36 wall
inside the first 29 and second pin holes located at a correspondent
longitudinal wall 23, 25 of the first connection element 6 in such way
that the whole first end 29a of the second connection element 8 including
the superior 33, central 35 and inferior 36 rounded longitudinal walls
and pulleys 40 are retained between the first 23 and second longitudinal
walls in such way that said second connection element 8 is able to pivot
up to 90.degree. to the front until reaching a position parallel to the Z
axis and to a side until reaching a position parallel to the X axis,
taking as reference the first connection element 6 resting position, when
the fourth stepper motor pulls the fourth cable 21d linked to the second
connection element 8 and wherein the resting position for this element
comprises the position parallel to the X axis;
[0075]wherein the circular spring 42 remains tightly retained between the
first longitudinal wall 23 inferior portion of the first connection
element 6 and the circular recess 34 of the superior rounded longitudinal
wall 33 of the second connecting element 8 thus applying a torsional
force over said two elements, forcing the second connecting element 8 to
return to its resting position; and
[0076]further including a first 43 and a second 44 lateral pulley each
respectively linked at a superior and inferior portion of the first 37
and second 38 rounded lateral wall between them and inside the second
open end 30 of the second connection element 8, and wherein the seventh
cable 21g passing trough the second passage 32 passes by said first 43
and second 44 lateral pulley before emerging from the second connection
element 8 by the second open end 30;
[0077]a third connection element 10 including a first open end 45 and a
second open end 46, and a central portion 47 including a first and a
second passage (not shown) wherein the first end 45 including a first
rounded longitudinal wall 48 having a central superior circular recess
49, a central rounded longitudinal wall 50, and an third rounded
longitudinal wall 51, each depending from the central portion 47 and each
including a central coincident pin hole (not shown), wherein the pin hole
of the first rounded longitudinal wall 48 is located at a central portion
of the circular recess 49 and wherein the second open end 46 includes a
first rounded lateral wall 52 and a second rounded lateral wall 53 each
extending from the central portion 47 and including a correspondent first
54 and a second (not shown) pin holes, and having:
[0078]five pulleys 55 having a central perforation (not shown), each one
located below the other forming a linear row, and wherein a first 55a and
second 55b pulley are located and rotary retained between the first
rounded longitudinal wall 48 and the central rounded longitudinal wall
50, and a third 55c, fourth 55d and fifth 55e pulley are located and
rotary retained between the central rounded longitudinal wall 50 and the
third rounded longitudinal wall 51;
[0079]a pin 56 passing trough the pin hole of the first rounded
longitudinal wall 48, trough the central perforation of the first 55a and
second 55b pulley, trough the pin hole of the central rounded
longitudinal wall 50, through the central perforation of the third 55c,
fourth 55d and fifth 55e pulley and trough the pinhole of the third
rounded longitudinal wall 51 in that order, thus rotary retaining the
five pulleys 55 and wherein the pin 56 protrudes over the pinhole of the
first rounded longitudinal wall 48 and below the third rounded
longitudinal wall 51;
[0080]a circular spring 57 tightly received inside the circular recess 49
located at the first rounded longitudinal wall 48;
[0081]wherein a fifth 21e, and a sixth 21f cable exiting the second
connection element 8 each enters the third connection element 10 trough
the first open end 45 and passes by and surrounds a correspondent second
55b, and first 55a pulley and are guided through the first passage of its
central portion 47 to the second open end 46 trough which they exit the
third connection element 10 and wherein a first 21a, second 21b and third
21c cable exiting the second connection element 8, enters the third
connection element 10 trough the first open end 45 and passes by and
surrounds a correspondent fifth 55e, fourth 55d and third 55c pulley and
are guided through the second passage of its central portion 47 to the
second open end 46 trough which they exit the third connection element
10;
[0082]wherein a seventh cable 21g is linked to the central portion 47 of
the third connection element 10, thus connecting the third connection
element directly to a seventh stepper motor, thus driving the third
connection element 10;
[0083]wherein the third connection element 10 is pivotally retained inside
the second open end 30 of the second connection element 10 by locking the
portions of the pin 56 protruding over the first rounded longitudinal
wall 48 and below the third rounded longitudinal wall 51 inside the first
and second 39 pin hole located at a correspondent second open end 30
rounded lateral wall 37, 38 of the second connection element 8 in such
way that the whole first end 45 of the third connection element 10
including the first 48, central 50 and third 51 rounded longitudinal
walls and pulleys 55 are retained between the first 37 and second 38
rounded longitudinal walls in such way that said third connection element
10 is able to move up to 90.sup.0 upwards until reach an horizontal
position parallel to the X axis and downwards until reach a vertical
position parallel to the Y axis, taking as reference the second
connection element 8 resting position, when the seventh stepper motor
pulls the seventh cable 21g linked to the third connection element 10 and
wherein the resting position comprises the position parallel to the Y
axis; and
[0084]wherein the circular spring 57 remains tightly retained between an
internal face of the second rounded lateral wall 38 of the second
connection element 8 and the circular recess 49 of the first rounded
longitudinal wall 48 of the third connecting element 10 thus applying a
torsional force over said two elements, forcing the third connecting
element 10 to return to its resting position;
[0085]a fourth connection element 12 including a first open end 58 and a
second 59 open end, and an elongated central portion 60 including a first
and a second passage (not shown) and a central path 61 having a
longitudinal axis defined by a first 62 and a second 63 lateral wall and
by an "inferior" longitudinal wall 64, wherein the first end 58 including
a first rounded lateral wall 65 having a central superior circular recess
66, a central rounded lateral wall 67, and an third rounded lateral wall
68, each depending from the central portion 60 and each including a
central coincident pin hole (not shown), wherein the pin hole of the
superior rounded longitudinal wall is located at a central portion of the
circular recess 66 and wherein the second open end 59 includes a first
rounded lateral wall 69 and a second rounded lateral wall 70 extending
from the central portion each having a central pin hole 70a (only the pin
hole of the second rounded lateral wall 70 shown), and having:
[0086]four pulleys 71 having a central perforation (not shown), each one
located below the other forming a linear row, and wherein a first 71a and
a second pulley 71b are located and rotary retained between the first end
58 first rounded lateral wall 65 and the first end central rounded
longitudinal wall 67, and a third 71c and fourth 71d pulley are located
and rotary retained between the first end central rounded longitudinal
wall 67 and the first end third rounded longitudinal wall 68;
[0087]a pin 72 passing trough the pin hole of the first end first rounded
longitudinal wall 65, trough the central perforation of the first 71a and
second 71b pulley, trough the pin hole of the first end central rounded
longitudinal wall 67, through the central perforation of the third 71c
and fourth pulley 71d and trough the pinhole of the first end third
rounded longitudinal wall 68 in that order, thus rotary retaining the
four pulleys 71 and wherein the pin 72 protrudes over the first end first
rounded longitudinal wall 65 and below the first end third rounded
longitudinal wall 68;
[0088]a circular spring 73 tightly received inside the circular recess 66
located at the first end first rounded longitudinal wall 65;
[0089]wherein a sixth 21f and fifth 21e cable exiting the third connection
element 10 each enters the fourth connection element 12 trough the first
open end 58 and passes by and surrounds a correspondent first 71a and
second 71b pulley and are guided through the first passage of the central
portion 60 across the central path 61 to the second open end 59 trough
which they exit the fourth connection element 12 and wherein a second 21b
and third 21c cable exiting the third connection element 10, enters the
fourth connection element 12 trough the first open end 58 and passes by
and surrounds a correspondent fourth 71d and third 71c pulley and are
guided through the first passage of the central portion 60 across the
central path 61 to the second open end 59 trough which they exit the
fourth connection element 12;
[0090]wherein a first cable 21a is linked to the first end third rounded
lateral wall 68 of the fourth connection element, thus connecting the
fourth connection element directly to the first stepper motor, thus
driving the fourth connection element;
[0091]wherein the fourth connection element 12 is pivotally retained
inside the second open end 46 of the third connection element 10 by
locking the portions of the pin 72 protruding over the first end first
rounded lateral wall 65 and below the first end third rounded
longitudinal wall 68 inside the first 54 and second pin holes located at
a correspondent second open end first 52 and second 53 rounded lateral
wall of the third connection element 10 in such way that the whole first
end 58 of the fourth connection element 12 including the first 65,
central 67 and third 68 rounded longitudinal walls and pulleys 71 are
retained between the second end first 52 and second 53 longitudinal walls
in such way that said fourth connection element 12 is able to move up to
90.sup.0 upwards until reach an horizontal position parallel to the Z
axis and downwards until reach a vertical position parallel to the Y
axis, taking as reference the third connection element 10 resting
position, when the first stepper motor pulls the first cable 21a linked
to the fourth connection element 12 and wherein the resting position for
the fourth connection element 12 comprises the position parallel to the Y
axis;
[0092]wherein the circular spring 73 remains tightly retained between an
internal face of the second end first rounded lateral wall 52 of the
third connection element 10 and the circular recess 66 of the first end
first rounded lateral wall 65 of the fourth connecting element 12 thus
applying a torsional force over said two elements, forcing the fourth
connecting element 12 to return to its resting position; and
[0093]further including: [0094]a first sluing drum 74 having a first and
a second end, and a longitudinal axis, wherein said first sluing drum is
rotary and transversally retained inside the central path 61 in such way
that both ends are rotary retained between the lateral walls 62, 63 of
the central path 61 with its longitudinal axis being located
perpendicularly to the central path longitudinal axis and having one
circular grove 75; [0095]a second sluing drum 76 having a first and a
second end, and a longitudinal axis, wherein said second sluing drum 76
is rotary and transversally retained inside the central path 61 in such
way that both ends are rotary retained between the lateral walls 62, 63
of the central path 61 with its longitudinal axis being located
perpendicularly to the central path longitudinal axis and having a three
circular groves 77a, 77b, 77c; [0096]a first pulley 78, having a central
elongated member axis including a first end and a second end which is
joined to the center of the pulley, wherein the first end of the axis
member is rotary retained to the inferior longitudinal wall 64 of the
central path 61 in such way that it is positioned in a perpendicularly
relationship with respect to the central path longitudinal axis; [0097]a
second pulley 79, having a central elongated member axis including a
first end and a second end which is joined to the center of the pulley,
wherein the first end of the axis member is rotary retained to the second
longitudinal wall 64 of the central path 61 in such way that it is
positioned in a perpendicularly relationship with respect to the central
path longitudinal axis; [0098]a third pulley 80, having a central
elongated member axis including a first end and a second end which is
joined to the center of the pulley, wherein the first end of the axis
member is retained to both lateral walls 62, 63 of the central path 61 in
such way that it is positioned between them; [0099]wherein the first
sluing drum 74, second sluing drum 76 and third pulley 80 are located
along the central path 61 in said order in a zig-zag pattern and retained
to both central path 61 lateral walls as described above; [0100]wherein
the first 78 and second 79 pulley are located along the central path 61
in said order in a zig-zag pattern and retained to the second central
path 61 inferior longitudinal wall 64 as described above; [0101]wherein
the second cable 21b passing trough the central path 61, passes by and
surrounds the circular grove 75 of the first sluing drum 74 and passes by
and surrounds the third pulley 78; [0102]wherein the third cable 21c
passes by and surrounds a third circular groove 77c of the second sluing
drum 76, and passes by the second 78 and third 79 pulleys; and
[0103]wherein the fifth 21e and sixth 21f cable passes by and surrounds a
correspondent circular grove 77b, 77a of the second sluing drum 76;
[0104]a fifth connection element 14 including a first open end 81 and a
second end 82 having a cylindrical shape, a circular cross section and a
circular internal and external wall, an entrance opening, an exit
opening, and a longitudinal and transversal axis, wherein the first end
including a first rounded lateral wall 82, and a second rounded
longitudinal wall 83 having a central circular recess 84, each depending
from the second end circular wall and each including a central coincident
pin hole (not shown), wherein the pin hole of the second rounded lateral
wall is located at a central portion of the circular recess 85 and
wherein the second end 82 includes cylindrical connection member 86
including an open transversal lateral housing 87 opened to the exterior
of the rotary connection means 86 and a cylindrical linking member 86a
having two circular passages 88a, 88b, and having:
[0105]a circular spring 89 tightly received inside the circular recess 85
located at the second rounded lateral wall 84;
[0106]a first sluing drum 90 having a first and a second end, each
including an elongated longitudinal axis member 90a, wherein the ends of
the longitudinal axis member passes trough the pin hole of the first 83
and second 84 rounded lateral wall respectively, thus rotary and
transversally retained between the first 83 and second 84 rounded
longitudinal wall in a central portion thereof and including three
circular groves 91a, 91b, 91c, and wherein each end of the elongated
member axis protrudes over the pinhole of the first rounded lateral wall
83 and over the pinhole of the second rounded lateral wall 84;
[0107]a second sluing drum 92 having a first and a second end, and a
longitudinal axis, wherein said second sluing drum is rotary and
transversally retained between the first 83 and second 84 rounded lateral
wall and including one circular grove 93, wherein the second sluing drum
92 is located next to the first sluing drum 90 in a parallel relationship
and off center with respect to the longitudinal axis;
[0108]a third 94 and a fourth 96 sluing drums, each having a first and a
second end and a circular grove 95 (only the circular grove of the third
sluing drum shown), and each parallely located with respect to each other
and aligned with respect to the transversal axis;
[0109]a first 97 and a second 98 pulley, each having a central elongated
member axis including a first end and a second end which is joined to the
center of the pulley 97, 98, wherein the first end of the axis member of
the first pulley 97 is attached to the interior circular wall of the
cylindrical connection member 86 and the first end of the axis member of
the second pulley 98 is attached to the interior circular wall of the
cylindrical linking member 86a in such way that each axis is positioned
in a perpendicularly relationship with respect to the longitudinal axis,
and in a parallel relationship with respect to the transversal axis,
wherein the first pulley 97 including only one circular grove 97a and the
second pulley 98 including a first 98a and a second 98b circular grove
and wherein the first pulley 97 is located next to the third 94 and
fourth 96 parallel sluing drums and wherein the second pulley 98 is
located next to the first pulley 97;
[0110]a third pulley 99 having a central elongated member axis including a
first end and a second end which is joined to the center of the pulley,
said third pulley rotary retained inside the open transversal lateral
housing 87 wherein the first end of the axis member is retained to a wall
of the open transversal lateral housing 87 in such way that it is
positioned in a parallel relationship with respect to the longitudinal
axis, and in a perpendicular relationship with respect to the transversal
axis;
[0111]wherein a third cable 21c exiting the fourth connection element 12
enters the fifth connection element 14 trough the first open end 81 and
passes by and surrounds a correspondent grove 91c of the first sluing
drum 90 and third sluing drum 94 and is guided trough the cylindrical
connection member 86 and cylindrical linking member 86a and exits the
fifth connection element 14 trough the first circular passage 88a;
[0112]wherein a fifth cable 21e exiting the fourth connection element 12
enters the fifth connection element 14 trough the first open end 81 and
passes by and surrounds the respective grove 91b of the first sluing drum
90 and second sluing drum 92 and is guided trough the cylindrical
connection member 86 inside of which it passes by the first pulley 97 and
the first grove 98a of the second pulley 98 and trough the cylindrical
linking member and exits the fifth connection element 14 through the
second circular passage 88b;
[0113]wherein the sixth cable 21f exiting the fourth connection element 12
enters the fifth connection element 14 trough the first open end 81 and
passes by and surrounds a respective grove 91a of the first 90 and fourth
96 sluing drum and is guided through the cylindrical connection member 86
inside of which it passes by the first pulley 97, trough the cylindrical
linking member 86a inside of which it passes by the second grove 98b of
the second pulley 98, makes a turn of 900, passes by the third pulley 99
and exits the fifth element 14 trough the open transversal lateral
housing 87;
[0114]wherein the second cable 21b exiting the fourth connection element
12 is linked to the first open end 81 second rounded lateral wall 84;
[0115]wherein the fifth connection element 14 is pivotally retained inside
the second open end 59 of the fourth connection element 12 by locking the
ends of the elongated longitudinal axis member 90a protruding over the
first rounded lateral wall 83 and over the second rounded lateral wall 84
inside the first and second 70a pin holes located at a correspondent
second open end 59 rounded lateral wall 69, 70 of the fourth connection
element 12 in such way that the whole first end 81 of the fifth
connection element 14 is retained between the second open end 59 first 52
and second 53 lateral walls so that said fourth connection element 12 is
able to move up to 90.degree. upwards until reach an horizontal position
parallel to the Z axis and downwards until reach a vertical position
parallel to the Y axis, taking as reference the fourth connection element
12 resting position, when the second stepper motor pulls the second cable
21b linked to the first open end 81 second rounded lateral wall 84 and
wherein the resting position for the fifth connection element comprises
the position parallel to the Y axis; and
[0116]wherein the circular spring 89 remains tightly retained between an
internal face of the second end 59 second rounded lateral wall 70 of the
fourth connection element 12 and the circular recess 85 of the fifth
connection element 14 second rounded lateral wall 84 thus applying a
torsional force over said two elements, forcing the fifth connecting
element 14 to return to its resting position;
[0117]a sixth connection element 16 including a longitudinal and
transversal axis, a first open end 100 having a cylindrical shape and a
circular cross section including a hollow rotary connection section (not
shown) having a circular internal wall, rotary receiving and linking the
cylindrical linking member 86a of the fifth connection element 14 thus
rotary linking the fifth 14 and sixth 16 connection element, and a second
open end 101 having a first rounded lateral wall 102, a second rounded
lateral wall 103 each including a central coincident pin hole 103a, 103b
and an "inferior" longitudinal wall 104 each depending from the first
open end 100, and having:
[0118]a first pulley 105 having a central elongated member axis including
a first end and a second end which is rotary joined to the center of the
pulley, wherein the first end of the axis member is retained to the
"inferior" longitudinal wall 104 in such way that its central elongated
member axis is located perpendicularly to the longitudinal wall 104 and
between both lateral walls 102, 103;
[0119]a second pulley 106 having a central elongated member axis including
a first end and a second end which is rotary joined to the center of the
pulley, wherein the first end of the axis member is retained to the
"inferior" longitudinal wall 104, next to the first pulley 105, in such
way that its central elongated member axis is located perpendicularly to
the longitudinal wall 104 and between both lateral walls 102, 103;
[0120]a sluing drum 107 having a first and a second end, and a
longitudinal axis, wherein said sluing drum is rotary and transversally
retained between the lateral walls 102, 103, with its longitudinal axis
being located perpendicularly to the sixth connection 16 element
longitudinal axis and "over" both pulleys 105, 106 and having one
circular grove 108;
[0121]wherein the sixth cable 21f which exits the fifth connection element
14 by open transversal lateral housing 87 of the Cylindrical connection
member 86 which is received and rotary retained inside the hollow rotary
connection section of the sixth connection element 16, is linked to the
circular internal wall of the sixth connection element 16 rotary
connection section, thus connecting the sixth connection element 16
directly to a sixth stepper motor, so that when the stepper motor pulls
the sixth cable 21f, it laterally pulls the sixth connection element 16
thus rotating it over the rotary connection which connects it to the
fifth connection element 14;
[0122]wherein the fifth cable 21e exiting the fifth connection element 14
enters the sixth connection element 16 trough the first open end 100,
passes by and surrounds the first pulley 105, passes by the second pulley
106 thereafter and exits the sixth connection element 16 by the second
open end 101;
[0123]wherein the third cable 21c exiting the fifth connection element 14
enters the sixth connection element 16 trough the first open end 100
passes by the sluing drum 107 and exits the sixth connection element 16
by the second open end 101; and
[0124]wherein the sixth connection element 16 is able to rotate over its
own axis over the rotary connection as previously described, and is able
to move up to 90.degree. upwards until reach an horizontal position
parallel to the Z axis and downwards until reach a vertical position
parallel to the Y axis together with the fifth connection element 14;
[0125]a griping tool 18 comprising:
[0126]a hollow main body 109 having a rectangular shape, including a first
end 110 having a semi-cylindrical wall having a circular passage grove
111, an elongated cable receiving section 112 including a passage (not
shown) to the interior of the hollow main body 109 located next to the
circular passage grove 111, a first 113 and a second (not shown)
longitudinal wall, a first 114 and a second 115 lateral walls, a hollow
interior a second open end 116, and a cable attaching element located
(not shown) inside the hollow interior of the hollow main body 109 at a
central portion thereof, wherein the first end of the hollow main body
109, having a central superior circular recess 117 at the first lateral
wall 114, wherein the first end of the hollow main body 109 having a
coincident pin hole (not shown) at each lateral wall 114, 115, wherein
the pin hole of the first lateral wall 114 is located at a central
portion of the circular recess 117, and wherein the first 113 and second
longitudinal walls each including a coincident perforation at a central
portion thereof, and further having; [0127]a circular spring 119
tightly received inside the circular recess 117 located at the first
rounded lateral wall 114; [0128]a fixed plier 120, joined and depending
from the second lateral wall, first longitudinal wall 113 and second
longitudinal wall 114; [0129]a pulley 121, having a central elongated
member axis including a first end and a second end which is joined to the
center of the pulley, each one rotary retained inside the griping tool
hollow main body 18 wherein the first and second end passes trough a
respective perforation 103a, 103b of a respective lateral wall 114, 115
and each one protruding over its respective lateral wall 114, 115, thus
rotary joining the pulley 121 to the first and second lateral walls 114,
115, so that its elongated member axis is located parallel to both
longitudinal walls 113 and perpendicularly to the lateral walls 113, 114
and wherein it is positioned in such way that the pulley 121 is
concentric with the first end 110 semi-cylindrical wall cross section and
coinciding with the circular passage grove 111; [0130]a pivotal second
plier 122, having a first 123 and a second end 124, wherein the first end
123 has a drum 125 including a first and a second end having a respective
pin 126 (only the pin of the first end shown), a circular grove 127 near
the second end and a longitudinal axis, wherein the drum is pivotally
joined inside the hollow main body at a central portion thereof so that
the pins of both ends 126 are pivotally retained inside a respective pin
hole 118 of a respective longitudinal wall 113, and thus pivotally
linking the pivotal plier 122 and forming a complete and symmetrical pair
of pliers 120, 122 with the fixed plier 120;
[0131]wherein the griping tool hollow main body 109 first end 110 is
pivotally retained inside the second open end 101 of the sixth connection
element 16 by locking the ends of the first and second end of the pulley
121 central elongated member axis protruding over the first 114 and
second 115 lateral walls inside the first 103a and second 103b coincident
pin holes located at a correspondent second open end 101 rounded
longitudinal wall 102, 103 of the sixth connection element 16 in such way
that the whole first end 110 of the griping tool hollow main body 109 is
retained between the first 113 and second 114 longitudinal walls in such
way that said griping tool hollow main body 109 is able to move up to
90.degree. upwards until reach an horizontal position parallel to the Z
axis and downwards until reach a vertical position parallel to the Y
axis, taking as reference the fifth connection element 14 resting
position, and wherein the resting position for the griping tool 18
comprises the position parallel to the Y axis;
[0132]wherein the circular spring 119 remains tightly retained between an
internal face of the first lateral wall 102 of the sixth connection
element 16 and the circular recess 117 of the first lateral wall 114 of
the griping tool 18 hollow main body 109 thus applying a torsional force
over said two elements, forcing the griping tool 18 hollow main body to
return to its resting position
[0133]wherein the third cable 21c exiting the sixth connection element 16
is received inside the elongated cable receiving section 112 and enters
the griping tool 18 hollow main body 109 in order to be linked to the
cable attaching element, thus connecting the griping element 18 hollow
main body 109 directly to a third stepper motor, so that when the third
stepper motor pulls the third cable 21c, it pulls the griping tool
causing it to move up to 90.sup.0 upwards until reach an horizontal
position parallel to the Z axis;
[0134]wherein it is further included a circular spring 128 tightly
retained around the drum 125 near its first end and between both griping
tool 18 hollow main body 109 lateral walls 114, 115, thus forcing the
pliers to open, which comprise its resting position.
[0135]wherein the fifth cable 21e exiting the sixth connection element 16
enters the griping tool 18 hollow main body 109 by the circular passage
grove 111, passes by the pulley 121 and is wound around the drum 125 of
the pivotal plier 122, thus directly connecting the fifth stepper motor
to the pivotal plier 122, so that when the fifth stepper motor pulls the
fifth cable 21e it causes the drum of the pivotal plier 122 to rotate,
thus pivoting the pivotal plier 122 and opening the pliers, wherein the
resting position for the pliers is at a closed position;
[0136]A camera may be included in the second end of the support means
hollow cylinder, thus allowing the surgeon to have an impeded view of
both robotic arms inside the patient's body from a central rear
perspective.
[0137]Although it was described that the means for driving each element
comprises a system of cables and stepper motors, said means may be
comprised by any other known means, such as a transmission system
comprised by a plurality of gears.
[0138]Also, the invention is not limited to the above referred number of
movable elements, since it may be comprised by a further number of
movable elements thus increasing the flexibility and movement
combinations the device is capable to achieve.
[0139]Each one of the stepper motors are connected to control means
comprising a computer including a control interface for the surgeon such
a pair of joysticks, control gloves or an upper limb exoskeleton for a
more realistic control of both arms.
[0140]For performing a minimal invasive surgery using the device of the
present invention, it is necessary to practice only one incision the
enters the patient's body trough an incision by parallely extending both
arms, thus reducing the diameter necessary for both arms to enter trough
the incision as shown in FIG. 27.
[0141]Furthermore, in combination with the robotic surgical device of the
present invention, it is also provided a method for performing a minimal
invasive surgery in a patient using the device of the present invention,
wherein said method comprising the steps of:
[0142]making one incision in patient's body and preparing patient for a
laparoscopic operation;
[0143]introducing trough said incision a robotic surgical device
comprising two or more robotic arms each having: at least six connection
elements including manipulating means; at least six joints; driving means
connected to each connection element and to the manipulating means for
moving each of the connection elements and the manipulating means and
remote control means for each robotic arm; wherein each of the arms have
at least fourteen degrees of movement; and
[0144]operating each robotic arm using the remote control means.
[0145]Finally it must be understood that the robotic surgical device of
the present invention, is not limited exclusively to the embodiments
above described and illustrated and that the persons having ordinary
skill in the art can, with the teaching provided by the invention, to
make modifications to the robotic surgical device of the present
invention, which will clearly be within of the true inventive concept and
of the scope of the invention which is claimed in the following claims.
* * * * *