STERILE BARRIER ASSEMBLY FOR USE IN ROBOTIC SURGICAL SYSTEM

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] Robotic surgical systems have been used in minimally invasive medical procedures. Some robotic surgical systems include a console supporting a robot arm and a surgical instrument that is mounted to the robot arm. The robot arm provides mechanical power to the surgical instrument for its operation and movement. Each robot arm may include an instrument drive unit that is operatively connected to the surgical instrument.

[0002] Prior to or during use of the robotic system, surgical instruments are selected and connected to the instrument drive units of each robot arm. For proper installation to be completed, certain connecting features of the surgical instrument must be matingly engaged to corresponding connecting features of the instrument drive unit. Once these features are matingly engaged, the instrument drive unit can drive the actuation of the surgical instrument.

[0003] The utilization is subject to strict sterility requirements. Current sterilization techniques (such as steam sterilizing) are not suitable or only conditionally suitable for electrical and electronic equipment. In order to achieve sterility nevertheless, sterile plastic or rubber covers, so-called sterile barriers, are generally pulled over the (inherently non-sterile) device, or are used to give the device a sterile covering.

[0004] WO 2014/005689 A2 (Kuka Lab GmbH) discloses a robot-guided surgical instrument with a drive module and an instrument shaft of such an instrument, a manipulator assembly having at least one such instrument, which is guided by a manipulator, and a method and a guidance means for guiding such an instrument. A sterile barrier encases a drive unit and is disposed between this drive unit and the instrument shaft. There is a need for a sterile barrier assembly that provides for an easier removal and attachment to a surgical instrument. Additional relevant sterile barriers are disclosed in US 2009/248039 A1 and WO 2010/121117 A1.

SUMMARY

[0005] In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a sterile barrier assembly as defined in claim 1 annexed hereto. The barrier assembly includes a base member, a securing member and a barrier membrane securely interposed between the base member and the securing member, the base member and securing member defining a cavity with the barrier membrane partitioning the cavity into a sterile and a non-sterile side; a tab having a first and a second portion with the barrier member interposed between the first and second portions of the tab, the tab being slideable along a sliding path in a cavity of the sterile barrier assembly. The barrier membrane at least partially moves with the tab as the tab slides along the sliding path. A first portion of the tab interfaces with an output of a surgical tool driving unit on the non-sterile side. A second portion of the tab interfaces with a tool driver of a surgical tool on the sterile side.

[0006] The barrier membrane is interposed between the first and the second portions of the tab.

[0007] In another embodiment, the barrier membrane may be adjacent the first portion of the tab and the barrier membrane may contour around at least one of the first portion of the tab and the surgical tool driving unit output as the first portion of the tab interfaces with the surgical tool driving unit output. Alternatively, the barrier membrane may be adjacent the second portion of the tab and the barrier membrane may contour around at least one of the second portion of the tab and the tool driver as the second portion of the tab interfaces with the tool driver. The surgical tool driving unit output may move rotationally while the tab and the tool driver move translationally, and the tab may impart translational movement to the tool driver from the rotational output of the driving unit.

[0008] The sterile barrier assembly includes an elongated element attached to the tab and extending into a longitudinal channel in the sterile barrier assembly. The tab and elongated element slide in a longitudinal direction of the channel that is collinear with the barrier membrane. In addition, the tab may slide longitudinally along a guide rail in the sterile barrier assembly.

[0009] In still another embodiment, the barrier membrane may be formed of an elastic material. Alternatively, the barrier membrane may be formed of an inelastic material. In particular, the barrier membrane may include slack in the inelastic material that tautens as the tab slides in at least one direction. The barrier membrane may be hermetically sealed to at least one component of the sterile barrier assembly.

[0010] In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a robotic surgical system including a sterile instrument, a manipulator assembly, a non- sterile drive unit, and a sterile barrier assembly in accordance with the invention. The sterile instrument has a surgical tool manipulated by a plurality of tool drivers in a plurality of directions. The manipulator assembly has a linkage coupling a base to an instrument holder supporting the sterile instrument. The linkage is movable in a plurality of degrees of freedom. The non-sterile drive unit includes a plurality of driven outputs. The sterile barrier has a barrier membrane partitioning the sterile barrier into a sterile side coupled to the sterile instrument and a non-sterile side coupled to the non-sterile drive unit. The barrier membrane at least partially moves with a plurality of tabs in the sterile barrier as the tabs slide along respective tab sliding paths. The tabs couple the driven outputs of the drive unit to the tool drivers of the sterile instrument.

[0011] The tabs include a first portion coupling to the driven outputs of the drive unit and a second portion coupling to the tool drivers of the instrument. The barrier membrane is interposed between the first and second portions. At least one portion of each tab may be slidingly attached to at least one guide rail. The at least one guide rail may define the respective tab sliding paths for each tab. An axial translation of each tab along the at least one guide rail may impart a translational movement to the respective tool drivers of the instrument. The barrier membrane may be formed of polyethylene or polycarbonate.

[0012] Also disclosed herein but not forming part of the invention is a method including actuating a driven output of an instrument drive unit detachably coupled to a non-sterile side of a sterile barrier having a barrier membrane partitioning the non-sterile side of the sterile barrier from a sterile side; responsive to the actuating, sliding a tab in the sterile barrier detachably coupled to the driven output along a translational tab slide path in the sterile barrier; at least partially moving the barrier membrane as the tab slides along the translational tab slide path; responsive to the sliding of the tab, translationally moving a driver of a sterile instrument detachably coupled to the sliding tab on the sterile side of the sterile barrier; and manipulating a surgical tool connected to the driver as the driver is translationally moved.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Various embodiments of the present disclosure are described hereinbelow with reference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a robotic surgical system;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a drive assembly of the robotic surgical system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a medical device cartridge of the drive assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the medical device cartridge of FIG. 3, with an outer housing removed therefrom;

FIG. 5 is a top view of a sterile barrier assembly for use with the robotic surgical system of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the sterile barrier assembly of FIG. 5, with a barrier membrane removed therefrom;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the drive assembly of FIG. 2, with portions of housings of a medical device cartridge and an instrument drive unit removed to show the drive assembly in greater detail;

FIGS. 8-13 are perspective views of instrument drive units illustrating various tab arrangements; and

FIGS. 14 and 15 are partial side views of an instrument drive unit illustrating various barrier membrane arrangements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. As used herein, the term "distal," as is conventional, will refer to that portion of the instrument, apparatus, device or component thereof which is farther from the user while, the term "proximal," will refer to that portion of the instrument, apparatus, device or component thereof which is closer to the user. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure in unnecessary detail.

[0015] With reference to FIG. 1, there is provided a robotic surgical system 10 including a sterile barrier assembly 100 (FIG. 5) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Robotic surgical system 10 generally includes displays 12, a mapping system 14, an input control system 16, an electronic control system 18, a manipulator assembly 20, and a manipulator assembly support structure 22. In particular, mapping system 14 determines a position and orientation of a sensor-equipped surgical instrument 44. Input control system 16 controls actuation of surgical instrument 44 through user input. Electronic control system 18 translates user input from input control system 16 into actuation control signals. In response to the actuation control signals, manipulator assembly 20 actuates surgical instrument 44. Manipulator assembly 20 includes a translation assembly 32 and a drive assembly 34 mounted on translation assembly 32. Drive assembly 34 is configured to actuate the surgical instrument 44 in response to the actuation control signals from electronic control system 18. Manipulator assembly support structure 22 is utilized to position manipulator assembly 20 in proximity to a patient "P".

[0016] With reference now to FIGS. 2-4, drive assembly 34 includes an instrument drive unit ("IDU") 38 and a medical device cartridge 36 removably attached to IDU 38. Medical device cartridge 36 includes an outer housing 40 (FIG. 3), a base portion 48 (FIG. 3), and a rotatable assembly 42 (FIG. 4) disposed within outer housing 40. Rotatable assembly 42 includes surgical instrument 44 operatively coupled thereto. Rotatable assembly 42 includes mechanical drive interfaces 64_{1, 2} operatively associated with tabs 176_{1, 2} (FIG. 5) of sterile barrier assembly 100 (FIG. 5).

[0017] With reference now to FIG. 6, sterile barrier assembly 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure is configured to separate a sterile portion of surgical instrument 44 with the non-sterile portion of manipulator assembly 20 (FIG. 1), while enabling motion to pass from IDU 38 (FIG. 2) to surgical instrument 44. Sterile barrier assembly 100 includes a base member 102, a securing member 104, a barrier membrane 106 (FIG. 5), actuation rails 112, and tabs 176_1-4. Base member 102 and securing member 104 define a cavity 108 dimensioned to receive actuation rails 112 and tabs 176_1-4 operatively mounted on actuation rails 112.

[0018] With reference now to FIG. 5, barrier membrane 106 is securely interposed between base member 102 and securing member 104 such that barrier membrane 106 establishes a hermetic seal between the sterile portion of surgical instrument 44 and the non-sterile portion of manipulator assembly 20 (FIG. 1). For example, screws 101, rivets, welds, glue, or other fasteners may be used to secure barrier membrane 106 to a periphery of sterile barrier assembly 100. Moreover, barrier membrane 106 is also securely fixed to each tab 176_1-4. For example, a screw 176c may be utilized to securely fix barrier membrane 106 to the respective tab 176_1-4. Barrier membrane 106 may be formed of a thin elastic material such as, e.g., silicone rubber. In addition, barrier membrane 106 may be formed of other elastic or inelastic materials, e.g., polyethylene, latex, nitrile rubber, plastic, vinyl, or neoprene. In some instances, extra barrier membrane 106 may be provided within cavity 108, to provide slack in barrier membrane 106 between tabs 176_1-4 and base and securing members 102, 104 to inhibit damage to barrier membrane 106 and undesirable pulling force applied to tabs 176_1-4 by barrier membrane 106.

[0019] With reference back to FIG. 6, each tab 176_1-4 includes a first portion 176a and a second portion 176b. Barrier membrane 106 is securely positioned between first and second tab portions 176a, 176b. Under such a configuration, first portion 176a of each tab 176_1-4 is disposed on a non-sterile side 150 of sterile barrier assembly 100 and second portion 176b of each tab 176_1-4 is disposed on a sterile side 152 of sterile barrier assembly 100. Tabs 176_1-4 are free to move with respect to barrier membrane 106. Under such a configuration, tabs 176_1-4 can transmit force and torque from IDU 38 to surgical instrument 44.

[0020] With continued reference to FIG. 6, second portion 176b of each tab 176₁, ₂ includes an engaging portion 178 configured to engage a respective mechanical drive interface 64₁, ₂ (FIG. 4) of medical device cartridge 36. Engaging portion 178 includes a finger 178a defining, e.g., a groove or concaved portion, adapted to facilitate engagement of tabs 176_{1, 2} with respective mechanical drive interface 64_{1, 2} (FIG. 4) of medical device cartridge 36.

[0021] With reference now to FIG. 7, first tab 176₁ extends through slot 128₁ defined in base portion 48 of medical device cartridge 36 and operatively engages flange 124₁ of drive interface 64₁. Second tab 176₂ extends through slot 128₂ in base portion 48 and operatively engages flange 124₂ of drive interface 64₂. IDU 38 includes a drive system 138 operatively coupled to first and second tabs 176₁, ₂ to impart translational movement onto respective drive interfaces 64_{1, 2} (FIG. 4) of medical device cartridge 36. IDU 38 further includes a dedicated motor controller (not shown) for drive system 138. Tabs 176_{1, 2} are configured to be driven by a motor. As tabs 176_{1, 2} are driven by the motor, tabs 176_{1, 2} travel along actuation rail 112 (FIG. 6) and impart translational movement onto respective drive interfaces 64_{1, 2} (FIG. 4). Motor controller communicates with electronic control system 18 and controls movement of the motor of drive system 138. While use of only first and second tabs 176_{1, 2} have been shown, it is also contemplated that all four tabs 176_1-4 may be utilized in other surgical instruments.

[0022] In addition, IDU 38 may include a force sensor (not shown), such as, for example a strain gauge, coupled to tab 176_{1, 2}. Strain gauge is configured to measure actuation forces being applied by drive system 138 to drive interfaces 64_{1, 2}. Strain gauge 190 is electrically coupled to motor controller and electronic control system 18 to communicate measured force being applied to the respective drive interface 64_{1, 2}. A force sensor ensures at least a minimum contact force between tab 176_1-4 and respective drive interface 64_{1, 2} is maintained. As discussed hereinabove, by providing slack in barrier membrane 106 between tabs 176_1-4 and base and securing members 102, 104, undesirable pulling force, applied to tabs 176_1-4 by barrier membrane 106, may be reduced. In this manner, more accurate readings by the force sensor may be achieved.

[0023] It is also contemplated that the barrier membrane configuration of sterile barrier assembly 100 may be utilized in various tab/rail configurations. With reference to FIG. 8, an IDU 200 includes four tabs 276_{a, b}. A first pair of tabs 276_a is in a superposed relation with a second pair of tabs 276_b. Each tab 276_{a, b} includes first and second portions (not shown). As discussed hereinabove, barrier membrane 106 may be interposed between first and second portions of first pair of tabs 276_a or second pair of tabs 276_b. With reference to FIG. 9, an IDU 300 includes a first pair of tabs 376_a movable on a first plane and a second pair of tabs 376_b movable on a second plane, wherein tabs 376_b are disposed radially outward of tabs 376_a. Each of the first and second pair of tabs 376_{a, b} includes first and second portions (not shown) configured to secure barrier membrane 106. With reference to FIG. 10, a sterile barrier assembly 400 includes four tabs 476 movably arranged in a co-planar relation. Each tab 476 includes first and second portions (not shown) configured to secure barrier membrane 106 therebetween.

[0024] With reference now to FIG. 11, it is also contemplated that an IDU 500 may include actuation rails 512_{a, b} arranged in a non-parallel orientation and tabs 576_{a, b} operatively mounted on the respective actuation rails 512_{a, b}. In particular, actuation rails 512_{a, b} may be transverse to each other such that tab 576_a is movable in the direction of an arrow "V" and tab 576_b is movable in the direction of arrow "T". Each tab 576_{a, b} includes first and second portions 576_{1, 2}. As discussed hereinabove, barrier membrane 106 may be interposed between first and second portions 576_{1, 2} of tabs 576a_{, b} to establish a hermetic seal between a sterile portion of a surgical instrument and a non-sterile portion of a manipulator assembly.

[0025] With reference now to FIG. 12, it is also contemplated that an IDU 600 may include actuation rails 612_{a, b} that are non-linear and tabs 676_{a, b} operatively mounted on the respective actuation rails 612_{a, b}. Each actuation rail 612_{a, b} may define a radius of curvature tailored to meet the needs of the surgical instrument. Each tab 676_{a, b} includes first and second portions 676_{1, 2}. As discussed hereinabove, barrier membrane 106 may be interposed between first and second portions 676_{1, 2} of tabs 676_{a, b} to establish a hermetic seal between a sterile portion of a surgical instrument and a non-sterile portion of a manipulator assembly.

[0026] With reference now to FIG. 13, it is also contemplated that an IDU 700 may include an actuation rail 712 movable in the direction of an arrow "S", a tab 776 operatively mounted on actuation rail 712, a rotatable member 720 operatively coupled with tab 776, and a cable member 722 operatively associated with rotatable member 720. Tab 776 includes first and second portions (not shown). The first portion of tab 776 is operatively coupled with actuation rail 712, and the second portion of tab 776 is operatively coupled with rotatable member 720. Under such a configuration, movement of actuation rail 712 in the direction of arrow "S" causes rotation of rotatable member 720 in the direction of an arrow "K". Cable 722 is operatively coupled with rotatable member 720 such that rotation of rotatable member 720 causes movement of first and second ends 722_a,b of cable 722 in opposite directions. Barrier membrane 106 may be interposed between the first and second portions of tab 776 to establish a hermetic seal between a sterile portion of a surgical instrument and a non-sterile portion of a manipulator assembly.

[0027] With reference now to FIG. 14, it is also envisioned that barrier membrane 106 may surround a tab 876 such that at least a portion of barrier membrane 106 is interposed between tab 876 and an interfacing member 802 of a surgical instrument such that barrier membrane 106 establishes a hermetic seal between a sterile portion of the surgical instrument and a non-sterile portion of a manipulator assembly and tab 876. Alternatively, it is also envisioned that at least a portion of barrier membrane 106 may be interposed between tab 876 and an interfacing member 804 of the manipulator assembly such that barrier membrane 106 establishes a hermetic seal between the sterile portion of the surgical instrument and tab 876, and the non-sterile portion of the manipulator assembly. In some instances, extra barrier membrane 106 may be provided to create slack in barrier membrane 106 to inhibit damage to barrier membrane 106 and undesirable pulling force applied to tab 876 by barrier membrane 106. Alternatively, barrier membrane 106 may be secured within an actuation rail 912 (FIG. 15) and a tab 976 (FIG. 15) such that barrier membrane 106 establishes a hermetic seal between an interfacing member 902 of a surgical instrument that is sterile and an interfacing member 904 of a manipulator assembly that is non-sterile.

[0028] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that these embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

[0029] Although the illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, the above description, disclosure, and figures should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments.

Claims

1. A sterile barrier assembly (100) comprising:

a base member (102), a securing member (104) and a barrier membrane (106) securely interposed between the base member and the securing member, the base member and securing member defining a cavity (108) with the barrier membrane partitioning the cavity into a sterile and a non-sterile side;

a tab (176) having a first and a second portion (176_a, 176_b) with the barrier member interposed between the first and second portions of the tab, the tab being slideable along a sliding path in the cavity of the sterile barrier assembly,

the barrier membrane at least partially moving with the tab as the tab slides along the sliding path, and being securely movable with the first and second portion of the tab while providing a hermetic seal between the sterile side and the non-sterile side,

wherein the first portion of the tab interfaces with an output of a surgical tool driving unit on the non-sterile side, and the second portion of the tab interfaces with a tool driver of a surgical tool on the sterile side, characterised in that the second portion includes an elongated element (178) extending into a longitudinal channel in the sterile barrier assembly, the tab (176) and elongated element (178) sliding in a longitudinal direction of the channel that is collinear with the barrier membrane, the elongated element (178) including an engaging portion (178a) configured to facilitate engagement of the tab with a mechanical tool drive interface.

2. The sterile barrier assembly according to claim 1, wherein the barrier membrane is adjacent the first portion of the tab and the barrier membrane contours around at least one of the first portion of the tab and the surgical tool driving unit output as the first portion of the tab interfaces with the surgical tool driving unit output; or wherein the barrier membrane is adjacent the second portion of the tab and the barrier membrane contours around at least one of the second portion of the tab and the tool driver as the second portion of the tab interfaces with the tool driver.

3. The sterile barrier assembly according to claim 2, wherein the surgical tool driving unit output moves rotationally while the tab and the tool driver move translationally and the tab imparts translational movement to the tool driver from the rotational output of the driving unit.

4. The sterile barrier assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the tab (176) slides longitudinally along a guide rail (112) in the sterile barrier assembly.

5. The sterile barrier assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the barrier membrane (106) is formed of an elastic material; or wherein the barrier membrane is formed of an inelastic material; preferably wherein the barrier membrane includes slack in the inelastic material that tautens as the tab slides in at least one direction.

6. The sterile barrier assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the barrier membrane (106) is hermetically sealed to at least one component of the sterile barrier assembly.

7. A robotic surgical system comprising:

a sterile instrument (44) having a surgical tool manipulated by a plurality of tool drivers in a plurality of directions;

a manipulator assembly (20) having a linkage coupling a base to an instrument holder supporting the sterile instrument, the linkage movable in a plurality of degrees of freedom;

a non-sterile drive unit (34) including a plurality of driven outputs; and

the sterile barrier assembly according to claim 1, wherein the barrier membrane (106) partitions the sterile barrier assembly into a sterile side coupled to the sterile instrument (44) and a non-sterile side coupled to the non-sterile drive unit (34), the barrier membrane at least partially moving with the at least one tab in the sterile barrier assembly as the tab slides along the tab sliding path, the tab coupling the driven outputs of the drive unit to the tool drivers of the sterile instrument.

8. The surgical system according to claim 7 wherein the sterile barrier assembly has a plurality of tabs, the barrier membrane at least partially moving with the plurality of tabs in the sterile barrier as the tabs slide along respective tab sliding paths.

9. The surgical system according to claim 8, wherein the tabs include a first portion coupling to the driven outputs of the drive unit and a second portion coupling to the tool drivers of the instrument, the barrier membrane being interposed between the first and second portions.

10. The surgical system according to claim 8 and claim 9, wherein at least one portion of each tab is slidingly attached to at least one guide rail, the at least one guide rail defining the respective tab sliding paths for each tab.

11. The surgical system according to claim 10, wherein an axial translation of each tab along the at least one guide rail imparts a translational movement to the respective tool drivers of the instrument.

12. The surgical system according to any of claims 7 to 11, wherein the barrier membrane is formed of an elastic material; preferably wherein the barrier membrane is formed of polyethylene or polycarbonate.

13. The surgical system according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the barrier membrane is formed of an inelastic material.

Ansprüche

1. Sterile Barrierenanordnung (100), umfassend:

ein Basiselement (102), ein Sicherungselement (104) und eine Barrierenmembran (106), die sicher zwischen dem Basiselement und dem Sicherungselement eingefügt ist, wobei das Basiselement und das Sicherungselement einen Hohlraum (108) definieren, wobei die Barrierenmembran den Hohlraum in eine sterile und eine nicht sterile Seite teilt;

eine Lasche (176), die einen ersten und einen zweiten Abschnitt (176_a, 176_b) aufweist, wobei das Barrierenelement zwischen dem ersten und dem zweiten Abschnitt der Lasche eingefügt ist, wobei die Lasche entlang einem Gleitweg in dem Hohlraum der sterilen Barrierenanordnung verschiebbar ist,

wobei sich die Barrierenmembran mindestens teilweise mit der Lasche bewegt, während die Lasche entlang dem Gleitweg gleitet und mit dem ersten und dem zweiten Abschnitt der Lasche sicher beweglich ist, während sie eine hermetische Abdichtung zwischen der sterilen Seite und der nicht sterilen Seite bereitstellt,

wobei der erste Abschnitt der Lasche mit einem Ausgang einer Antriebseinheit eines chirurgischen Werkzeugs auf der nicht sterilen Seite gekoppelt ist und der zweite Abschnitt der Lasche mit einer Werkzeugantriebseinrichtung eines chirurgischen Werkzeugs auf der sterilen Seite gekoppelt ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der zweite Abschnitt ein längliches Element (178) einschließt, das sich in einen Längskanal in der sterilen Barrierenanordnung erstreckt, wobei die Lasche (176) und das längliche Element (178) in einer Längsrichtung des Kanals gleiten, der kollinear mit der Barrierenmembran ist, wobei das längliche Element (178) einen Eingriffsabschnitt (178a) einschließt, der konfiguriert ist, um den Eingriff der Lasche mit einer mechanischen Werkzeugantriebsschnittstelle zu erleichtern.

2. Sterile Barrierenanordnung nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Barrierenmembran an den ersten Abschnitt der Lasche angrenzt und die Barrierenmembran um mindestens einen des ersten Abschnitts der Lasche und des Ausgangs der Antriebseinheit des chirurgischen Werkzeugs konturiert, während der erste Abschnitt der Lasche mit dem Ausgang der Antriebseinheit des chirurgischen Werkzeugs gekoppelt ist; oder wobei die Barrierenmembran an den zweiten Abschnitt der Lasche angrenzt und die Barrierenmembran um mindestens einen des zweiten Abschnitts der Lasche und die Werkzeugantriebseinrichtung konturiert, während der zweite Abschnitt der Lasche mit der Werkzeugantriebseinrichtung gekoppelt ist.

3. Sterile Barrierenanordnung nach Anspruch 2, wobei sich der Ausgang der Antriebseinheit des chirurgischen Werkzeugs drehend bewegt, während sich die Lasche und die Werkzeugantriebseinrichtung translatorisch bewegen und die Lasche der Werkzeugantriebseinrichtung eine Translationsbewegung von dem Drehausgang der Antriebseinheit verleiht.

4. Sterile Barrierenanordnung nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Lasche (176) in Längsrichtung entlang einer Führungsschiene (112) in der sterilen Barrierenanordnung gleitet.

5. Sterile Barrierenanordnung nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Barrierenmembran (106) aus einem elastischen Material gebildet ist; oder wobei die Barrierenmembran aus einem unelastischen Material gebildet ist; wobei vorzugsweise die Barrierenmembran Durchhang in dem unelastischen Material einschließt, der sich spannt, während die Lasche in mindestens einer Richtung gleitet.

6. Sterile Barrierenanordnung nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Barrierenmembran (106) gegen mindestens eine Komponente der sterilen Barrierenanordnung hermetisch abgedichtet ist.

7. Chirurgisches Robotersystem, umfassend:

ein steriles Instrument (44), das ein chirurgisches Werkzeug aufweist, das durch eine Vielzahl von Werkzeugantriebseinrichtungen in einer Vielzahl von Richtungen manipuliert wird;

eine Manipulatoranordnung (20), die ein Gestänge aufweist, das eine Basis an einen Instrumentenhalter ankoppelt, der das sterile Instrument stützt, wobei die Verbindung in einer Vielzahl von Freiheitsgraden beweglich ist;

eine nicht sterile Antriebseinheit (34), die eine Vielzahl von angetriebenen Ausgängen einschließt; und

die sterile Barrierenanordnung nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Barrierenmembran (106) die sterile Barrierenanordnung in eine sterile Seite, die an das sterile Instrument (44) angekoppelt ist, und eine nicht sterile Seite, die an die nicht sterile Antriebseinheit (34) angekoppelt ist, teilt, wobei sich die Barrierenmembran mindestens teilweise mit der mindestens einen Lasche in der sterilen Barrierenanordnung bewegt, während die Lasche entlang dem Laschengleitweg gleitet, wobei die Lasche die angetriebenen Ausgänge der Antriebseinheit an die Werkzeugantriebseinrichtungen des sterilen Instruments ankoppelt.

8. Chirurgisches System nach Anspruch 7, wobei die sterile Barrierenanordnung eine Vielzahl von Laschen aufweist, wobei sich die Barrierenmembran mindestens teilweise mit der Vielzahl von Laschen in der sterilen Barriere bewegt, während die Laschen entlang jeweiligen Laschengleitwegen gleiten.

9. Chirurgisches System nach Anspruch 8, wobei die Laschen einen ersten Abschnitt, der an die angetriebenen Ausgänge der Antriebseinheit angekoppelt ist, und einen zweiten Abschnitt einschließt, der an die Werkzeugantriebseinrichtungen des Instruments angekoppelt ist, wobei die Barrierenmembran zwischen dem ersten und dem zweiten Abschnitt eingefügt ist.

10. Chirurgisches System nach Anspruch 8 und 9, wobei mindestens ein Abschnitt jeder Lasche gleitend an mindestens einer Führungsschiene befestigt ist, wobei die mindestens eine Führungsschiene die jeweiligen Laschengleitwege für jede Lasche definiert.

11. Chirurgisches System nach Anspruch 10, wobei eine axiale Verschiebung jeder Lasche entlang der mindestens einen Führungsschiene den jeweiligen Werkzeugantriebseinrichtungen des Instruments eine translatorische Bewegung verleiht.

12. Chirurgisches System nach einem der Ansprüche 7 bis 11, wobei die Barrierenmembran aus einem elastischen Material gebildet ist; wobei vorzugsweise die Barrierenmembran aus Polyethylen oder Polycarbonat gebildet ist.

13. Chirurgisches System nach einem der Ansprüche 7 bis 11, wobei die Barrierenmembran aus einem unelastischen Material gebildet ist.

Revendications

1. Ensemble barrière stérile (100) comprenant :

un élément de base (102), un élément de fixation (104) et une membrane barrière (106) interposée de manière solidaire entre l'élément de base et l'élément de fixation, l'élément de base et l'élément de fixation définissant une cavité (108) avec la membrane barrière séparant la cavité en un côté stérile et non stérile ;

une languette (176) ayant une première et une seconde partie (176_a, 176_b) avec l'élément barrière interposé entre la première et la seconde partie de la languette, la languette pouvant coulisser le long d'un chemin de coulissement dans la cavité de l'ensemble barrière stérile,

la membrane barrière se déplaçant au moins partiellement avec la languette lorsque la languette coulisse le long du chemin de coulissement et étant mobile de manière solidaire avec la première et la seconde partie de la languette tout en fournissant un joint hermétique entre le côté stérile et le côté non stérile,

dans lequel la première partie de la languette est en interface avec une sortie d'une unité d'entraînement d'outil chirurgical sur le côté non stérile, et la seconde partie de la languette est en interface avec un élément d'entraînement d'outil d'un outil chirurgical sur le côté stérile, caractérisé en ce que la seconde partie comporte un élément allongé (178) s'étendant dans un canal longitudinal dans l'ensemble barrière stérile, la languette (176) et l'élément allongé (178) coulissant dans un sens longitudinal du canal qui est colinéaire avec la membrane barrière, l'élément allongé (178) comportant une partie de mise en prise (178a) conçue pour faciliter la mise en prise de la languette avec une interface d'entraînement d'outil mécanique.

2. Ensemble barrière stérile selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la membrane barrière est adjacente à la première partie de la languette et aux contours de la membrane barrière autour d'au moins l'une parmi la première partie de la languette et la sortie de l'unité d'entraînement d'outil chirurgical lorsque la première partie de la languette est en interface avec la sortie de l'unité d'entraînement d'outil chirurgical ; ou dans lequel la membrane barrière est adjacente à la seconde partie de la languette et aux contours de la membrane barrière autour d'au moins l'une parmi la seconde partie de la languette et l'entraînement d'outil lorsque la seconde partie de la languette est en interface avec l'entraînement d'outil.

3. Ensemble barrière stérile selon la revendication 2, dans lequel la sortie de l'unité d'entraînement d'outil chirurgical se déplace en rotation tandis que la languette et le mouvement de l'élément d'entraînement d'outil se déplacent en translation et la languette confère un mouvement de translation à l'élément d'entraînement d'outil à partir de la sortie rotative de l'unité d'entraînement.

4. Ensemble barrière stérile selon l'une quelconque revendication précédente, dans lequel la languette (176) coulisse longitudinalement le long d'un rail de guidage (112) dans l'ensemble barrière stérile.

5. Ensemble barrière stérile selon l'une quelconque revendication précédente, dans lequel la membrane barrière (106) est formée d'un matériau élastique ; ou dans lequel la membrane barrière est formée d'un matériau inélastique ; de préférence dans lequel la membrane barrière comporte un mou dans le matériau inélastique qui se tend lorsque la languette glisse dans au moins un sens.

6. Ensemble barrière stérile selon l'une quelconque revendication précédente, dans lequel la membrane barrière (106) est scellée hermétiquement à au moins un composant de l'ensemble barrière stérile.

7. Système chirurgical robotisé comprenant :

un instrument stérile (44) ayant un outil chirurgical manipulé par une pluralité d'éléments d'entraînement d'outil dans une pluralité de sens ;

un ensemble manipulateur (20) ayant une liaison accouplant une base à un porte-instrument supportant l'instrument stérile, la liaison étant mobile dans une pluralité de degrés de liberté ;

une unité d'entraînement non stérile (34) comportant une pluralité de sorties entraînées ; et

l'ensemble barrière stérile selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la membrane barrière (106) sépare l'ensemble barrière stérile en un côté stérile accouplé à l'instrument stérile (44) et un côté non stérile accouplé à l'unité d'entraînement non stérile (34), la membrane barrière se déplaçant au moins partiellement avec l'au moins une languette dans l'ensemble barrière stérile lorsque la languette coulisse le long du chemin de coulissement de la languette, la languette accouplant les sorties entraînées de l'unité d'entraînement aux éléments d'entraînement d'outil de l'instrument stérile.

8. Système chirurgical selon la revendication 7, dans lequel l'ensemble barrière stérile a une pluralité de languettes, la membrane barrière se déplaçant au moins partiellement avec la pluralité de languettes dans la barrière stérile lorsque les languettes coulissent le long des chemins de coulissement de languette respectifs.

9. Système chirurgical selon la revendication 8, dans lequel les languettes comportent une première partie d'accouplement aux sorties entraînées de l'unité d'entraînement et une seconde partie d'accouplement aux éléments d'entraînement d'outil de l'instrument, la membrane barrière étant interposée entre la première et la seconde partie.

10. Système chirurgical selon la revendication 8 et la revendication 9, dans lequel au moins une partie de chaque languette est fixée de manière coulissante à au moins un rail de guidage, l'au moins un rail de guidage définissant les chemins de coulissement de languette respectifs pour chaque languette.

11. Système chirurgical selon la revendication 10, dans lequel une translation axiale de chaque languette le long de l'au moins un rail de guidage confère un mouvement de translation aux éléments d'entraînement d'outil respectifs de l'instrument.

12. Système chirurgical selon l'une quelconque des revendications 7 à 11, dans lequel la membrane barrière est formée d'un matériau élastique ; de préférence dans lequel la membrane barrière est formée de polyéthylène ou de polycarbonate.

13. Système chirurgical selon l'une quelconque des revendications 7 à 11, dans lequel la membrane barrière est formée d'un matériau inélastique.

Drawing