WO2008053485A1

WO2008053485A1 - Modular surgical workstation

Info

Publication number: WO2008053485A1
Application number: PCT/IL2007/001331
Authority: WO
Inventors: Doron Adler; David Newton
Original assignee: Gyrus Group Plc
Priority date: 2006-11-05
Filing date: 2007-10-31
Publication date: 2008-05-08
Also published as: IL179051A0

Abstract

Apparatus (20, 70, 90) for treatment of a body of a patient (24) includes one or more functional modules (50, 52, 54, 56, 68, 72, 74, 76, 78, 92, 94, 96, 98). Each functional module includes at least one connector (102) for connection to a respective functional element (28, 30, 32) that is applied to the body of the patient, respective user controls (124), for controlling operation of the respective functional element, and a respective communication interface (120), which is configured to receive signals for remote control of the respective functional element. A central control unit (59) includes a user interface (44, 104) for receiving user inputs for controlling the one or more functional modules. Control circuitry (129) is operative to deactivate the respective user controls of the functional modules while the functional modules are under control by the central control unit, and to activate the respective user controls upon occurrence of a predetermined condition.

Description

MODULAR SURGICAL WORKSTATION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to medical electronic equipment, and specifically to integration of modular medical electronic devices with a shared user interface .

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent years, a number of manufacturers have introduced integrated electronic systems for use in the operating room. For example, Olympus Surgical America (Orangeburg, New York) offers the EndoALPHA integrated surgery- system for endosurgery. According to the manufacturer, the basic concept of this system is that all equipment, including an insufflator, electrosurgical unit, TV camera, and light source, can be controlled via a touch screen on the nurse's control panel. For operation within the sterile area, a remote control with one-touch operation is provided. Operation of the system is also possible from the camera via buttons on the digital video system camera head. Other integrated systems for endosurgery include AlphaLine, produced by GIMMI (Tuttlingen, Germany) , and VIO 300 D, produced by ERBE Elektromedizin GmbH (Tubingen, Germany) .

Endosurgical systems with centralized control have also been described in the patent literature. Representative examples include U.S. Patents 5,609,560 and 5,678,568 and U.S.

Patent Application Publication 2004/0204627 , whose disclosures are incorporated herein by reference. In U.S. Patent

5,678,568, a plurality of pieces of medical equipment have display portions, on which setting conditions or operating conditions are displayed, and operating portions for modifying the setting conditions or the operating conditions. A centralized controller for controlling the pieces of medical equipment has a centralized display device, which displays the contents of the pieces of medical equipment, and a centralized operation device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for integrated control of electronic medical equipment. These systems and methods are particularly useful in video-assisted surgical applications, such as endosurgery. These embodiments that are described hereinbelow permit multiple functional modules to be combined with a common display and control interface, in a manner, that is easy to assemble and convenient for the user to control.

There is therefore provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, apparatus for treatment of a body of a patient, the apparatus including: one or more functional modules, each functional module including: i) at least one connector for connection to a respective functional element that is applied to the body of the patient; ii) respective user controls, for controlling operation of the respective functional element; and iii) a respective communication interface, which is configured to receive signals for remote control of the respective functional element; a central control unit, which includes a user interface for receiving user inputs for controlling the one or more functional modules, and which is coupled to communicate with the respective communication interface of each of the functional modules in order to control the one or more functional modules in accordance with the user inputs; and control circuitry, which is operative to deactivate the respective user controls of the one or more functional modules while the one or more functional modules are under control by the central control unit, and to activate the respective user controls upon occurrence of a predetermined condition.

In a disclosed embodiment, the predetermined condition includes a fault associated with the central control unit.

The control circuitry may be configured to automatically detect an interruption of the control by the central control unit, and to activate the user controls in response to the interruption. Alternatively or additionally, the predetermined condition includes a transfer signal generated by the central control unit in response to a user input via the user interface.

Typically, the one or more functional modules include a plurality of functional modules. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a console, which contains the one or more functional modules and the control unit, and which includes a door, which is closed when the respective user controls are deactivated, and which is arranged to open in order to provide access to the respective user controls upon the occurrence of the predetermined condition.

In a disclosed embodiment, the one or more functional modules include a radio frequency (RF) generator, and the functional elements include an RF electrosurgery instrument, coupled to the RF generator, for effecting the treatment of tissue in the body.

In some embodiments, the central control unit includes a touch-sensitive display screen associated with the user interface. In one embodiment, the one or more functional modules include a camera control unit (CCU) , and the functional elements include an imaging device, coupled to the CCU, for capturing endoscopic images within the body, and the display screen is coupled to receive from the CCU and to display the endoscopic images captured by the imaging device. There is also provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method for treatment of a body of a patient, the method including: providing one or more functional modules, each including: i) at least one connector for connection to a respective functional element that is applied to the body of the patient; ii) respective user controls, for controlling operation of the respective functional element; and iii) a respective communication interface, which is configured to receive signals for remote control of the respective functional element; coupling a central control unit, which includes a user interface for receiving user inputs for controlling the functional modules, to communicate with the respective communication interface of each of the functional modules in order to control the one or more functional modules in accordance with the user inputs; deactivating the respective user controls of the functional modules while the functional modules are under control by the central control unit; and activating the respective user controls upon occurrence of a predetermined condition.

The present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of the embodiments thereof, taken together with the drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a schematic, pictorial illustration of an integrated endosurgical system in use in an operating room, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic, pictorial illustration showing details of an integrated endosurgical system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a schematic, pictorial illustration of an endoscopic imaging device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figs. 4A and 4B are schematic, pictorial illustrations of an integrated endosurgical system, seen in front and back views, respectively, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a schematic, pictorial illustration of an integrated endosurgical system, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a schematic, pictorial illustration of the integrated endosurgical system of Fig. 5 in an open configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 7 is a schematic, frontal view of functional modules used in an integrated endosurgical system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Fig. 1 is a schematic, pictorial illustration of an integrated system 20 for endosurgery, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. System 20 is shown in use in an operating room (OR) setting, in which a surgeon 22 uses functional elements in operating on a patient 24. Typically, an assistant 26, such as a nurse, supports the surgeon in controlling certain functions of system 20. Functional elements used by the surgeon and controlled by system 20 may include, for example, an endoscopic imaging device 28, an electrosurgical device 30, and an insufflation device 32, as well as other devices not shown in this figure. Devices 28, 30, 32, ..., are controlled and powered by functional modules (shown in Fig. 2) in a central console 40 of system 20. For this purpose, the devices are connected by suitable cables to connectors 34 on an interface panel 36 of the console. In this embodiment, panel 36 is accessible via a suitable opening in a front door 38 of console 40, which encloses the individual functional modules. This physical arrangement of the elements of system 20 is not essential to the operation of the system, however, and some possible alternative arrangements are shown in the figures that follow. Surgeon 22 views endoscopic images and instrument displays on a video monitor 42. Typically, assistant 26 interacts with and controls system 20 via a touch-sensitive display screen 44 (also referred to as a "touch screen") Optionally, an additional remote station 46 with touch screen may be provided for use by surgeon 22 and/or other sterile personnel in controlling system 20. Remote station 46 may be covered by a transparent sterile drape 48. The remote station may communicate with console 40 by either a wired or wireless link. Additionally or alternatively, monitor 42 may be configured as a touch screen, as well.

The touch screens typically serve as user interfaces for all of the functional modules, displaying the module outputs (including video images produced by imaging device 28) and enabling the surgeon and assistant to control the operating parameters. The displays on screen 44 and station 46 may be identical, or they may alternatively contain different display views and/or controls to suit the differing needs of the surgeon and the assistant. Further alternatively, system 20 may comprise and be controlled via a single touch screen or via any other suitable type of user interface device.

Typically, system 20 is used by different surgeons at different times. Each surgeon may have different preferences in terms of the default settings of the functional elements

(such as the voltage setting of the electrosurgical device or the brightness of the video image display) . Optionally, console 40 comprises a memory (not shown) , which stores multiple sets of default settings according to the surgeon' s name or other identifier. At the initiation of a procedure, the surgeon or assistant may then set all the functional elements to the desired default settings automatically simply by entering the appropriate name or other identifier. Fig. 2 is a schematic, pictorial illustration showing details of system 20, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, front door 38 and a side panel of console 40 have been removed to show the interior of the console. The console contains multiple functional modules 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, for controlling, providing power to, and receiving signals from the functional elements used by the surgeon, such as devices 28, 30, 32 (Fig. 1). These functional modules may typically comprise, for example, a camera control unit (CCU) ; a light source; video accessories, such as a video recorder and/or printer; an insufflation module (typically including a connection to a suitable gas source and a pressure regulator) ; a pump; and various surgical modules, such as a radio frequency (RF) generator for electrosurgery and/or a laser. The above list of modules is provided solely for the sake of example. The array of modules may be varied, and other modules may be added according to therapeutic needs and the preferences of the surgeon.

In one embodiment, for instance, system 20 comprises two cameras, which may be used to view the surgical field from different points of view. Optionally, a single CCU may be used to control both cameras and may be controlled by the surgeon or assistant to show either or both of the different views. To capture color images, the cameras may comprise either a single image sensor with a suitable mosaic color filter or multiple image sensors with individual color filters and a suitable beamsplitter, as is known in the art. In one configuration, the system comprises one single-sensor camera and one three-sensor camera. Functional modules 50, 52, 54, 56, 58 are connected, typically via suitable cables and/or a backplane (not shown) to a system control unit 59, on which panel 36 is mounted.

System control unit 59 comprises control circuitry, which receives input signals from the functional modules and outputs control signals to control the operation of the functional modules. The system control unit combines the inputs from the functional modules in order to generate the images and user control icons that appear on touch screen 44 and to receive user inputs via the touch screen. Although control unit 59 is shown in the figure as a separate module, distinct from functional modules 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, the functions of the control unit may alternatively be integrated into one of the functional modules, which can then serve as the master module of system 20.

Functional modules 50, 52, 54, 56, 58 typically have their own user interfaces, including status displays and user controls. Ordinarily, however, during normal operation^' of system 20, door 38 (Fig. 1) remains closed, and screen 44 provides the sole user interface to the functional modules (possibly supplemented by remote station 46, as shown in Fig. 1) . In this manner, the users are relieved of the need to interact with the individual user interfaces of the functional modules. Optionally, the functional modules may be designed and controlled so that as long as control unit 59 is operating properly, the individual user interfaces of the functional modules are deactivated. The inactive state of the individual user interfaces may be indicated, for example, by extinguishing the lights in the panel displays and buttons of the functional modules. For this purpose, each of the functional modules may comprise control circuitry of its own, which interacts with control unit 59 in order to determine that the control unit is in control of the system and to deactivate the individual user interface of the functional module as appropriate.

On the other hand, if a predetermined condition of a certain type, such as a fault, occurs in control unit 59 or in communications between the control unit and any (or all) of the functional modules, the control circuitry in the control unit and/or the functional modules activates the individual user interfaces of the affected functional modules and transfers control to these individual user interfaces. Under these circumstances, for example, an alarm message may appear on monitor 42 and/or screen 44, an alarm light or tone may be activated, and door 38 may open (automatically or under user control) to provide access to the functional modules. In order to protect against catastrophic failure of control unit 59, the control circuitry in one or more of the functional modules may comprise a watchdog circuit, which periodically checks communication with the control unit. If the control unit fails to respond to the periodic check, the watchdog circuit concludes that communication has been interrupted due to a failure, and activates the individual user interface of the functional module. Alternatively or additionally, system 20 may comprise one or more push buttons or other switches that may be actuated by the user in order to generate a transfer signal, which transfers control from control unit 59 to the individual functional modules.

Fig. 3 is a schematic, pictorial illustration showing details of imaging device 28, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Device 28 comprises an endoscope 60, whose distal end is inserted into the body of patient 24, and a handle 61 at the proximal end of the device, which is held and manipulated by surgeon 22 or by an assistant. In the example shown in Fig. 3, endoscope 60 is rigid and comprises objective and relay optics, as are known in the art, while handle 61 contains an image sensor and associated electronics. Alternatively, the image sensor may be located at the distal end of the endoscope, which may be either rigid or flexible.

Device 28 comprises user controls 62 and 64 on handle 61. In this illustration, the controls comprise push-buttons, but other types and numbers of control components may alternatively be used. Controls 62 and 64 are coupled electrically by cable (not shown) or by wireless link to transmit control signals to the control circuitry in console 40, and thus enable the user to control certain functions of system 20. In this example, controls 62 are used to direct imaging-related functions of the system, such as controlling camera parameters, controlling illumination intensity, and recording selected images of image sequences. Controls 64 may be used for controlling functional modules that are not directly related to imaging, i.e., for purposes other than capturing the endoscopic images and controlling the illumination intensity. These functions of controls 64 may- include, for example, operating an electrosurgical device, insufflator, pump, or laser. Typically, the functions that are assigned to controls 62 and 64 may be configured in the software of system 20, according to the preferences of the surgeon or assistant using device 28. The controls may be used for multiple functions in conjunction with the user interface displayed on monitor 42, screen 44 and/or remote station 46. For example, one of the controls may be used to scroll through items in a menu, while another control is used to select the desired item. Controls 64 thus enable the user to be in command of any and all elements of system 20 without removing his or her hands from imaging device 28.

Figs. 4A and 4B are schematic, pictorial illustrations, showing front and rear views, respectively, of an integrated system 70 for endosurgery, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Console 40, interface panel 36 and screens 42 and 44 are labeled with the same numbers as in Figs. 1 and 2, and the functions of system 70 are similar to those of system 20 as described above. The main difference between the systems is that while system 20 is made to accommodate functional modules 52, 54, 56, 58 of varying sizes and shapes, system 70 comprises functional modules 72, 74, 76, 78 having a uniform, modular profile.

Modules 72, 74, 76, 78 are assembled in console 40 in a stacked configuration, as shown in Fig. 4B. A power unit 80 supplies electrical power to the modules. The inner sides of the modules, adjacent to the rear side of screen 44, may have control interfaces (not shown in this figure) for communicating with corresponding interfaces behind the screen. Alternatively, power unit 80 may also comprise control interfaces and control circuitry for communicating with the modules and with screens 42 and 44.

Reference is now made to Figs. 5 and 6, which are schematic, pictorial illustrations of an integrated system 90 for endosurgery, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 shows the system in its normal, closed, operating configuration, whereas in Fig. 6 the system is open, as explained hereinbelow. System 90 comprises stacking functional modules 92, 94, 96, 98 (as in system 70, except that the modules in system 90 stack vertically rather than horizontally) . In this example, the modules include a camera control unit (CCU) , light source, insufflator, and electrosurgical power generator.

When stacked in the manner shown in the figures, modules 92, 94, 96, 98 define a common surface that engages the back side of a user interface unit 100. In this example, the stacked modules are designed to create a recess, whose depth and transverse dimensions match those of user interface unit 100, so that unit 100 is accommodated neatly and securely in this recess. In the pictured embodiment, each of modules 92, 94, 96, 98 comprises a connector area, with connectors 102 alongside the user interface unit. Thus, each module is connected directly to the functional device with which it interacts via the corresponding connector. Although the connector area in Fig. 5 is horizontally adjacent to the user interface unit, the connector area may alternatively be located above or below the user interface unit, and the term "alongside" should be understood in the context of the present patent application as including all sides of the unit: left, right, above and/or below. Alternatively or additionally, one or more of the modules may have a connector in another location, for reasons of convenience or safety, for example, or may have no external connector at all (if the module controls a wireless device or performs some internal function, such as video recording, within the system) .

User interface unit 100 comprises a touch-sensitive screen 104, which displays an image 106 captured by an endoscopic imaging device connected to the CCU, and also displays a user control area 110 for each of modules 92, 94, 96, 98. In this example, the CCU (assumed to be module 92) is configured to control and receive images from two different cameras, such as single-sensor camera and a three-sensor camera, as noted above. Image 106 from one of the cameras is displayed with high resolution on screen 104, while the image formed by the other camera is shown in a miniature picture-in- picture window 108. The user may switch back and forth between the views of the two cameras by touching on-screen control buttons 116 or using controls on one of the cameras.

Other on-screen user control areas 110 typically include status display elements 112 and user controls 114. A few such elements and controls are shown in the figure, such as a slider control for varying the illumination intensity, and an insufflation pressure indicator and pressure controls. These controls, as well as the overall configuration of the display on screen 104, are shown here only by way of example, and alternative arrangements will be apparent to those skilled in the art. These arrangements may also include information overlaid on image 106, particularly alerts and other high- priority messages to system users. All such alternative arrangements are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

As shown in Fig. 6, user interface unit 100 may be hinged to swing away from stacked modules 92, 94, 96, 98, or may be otherwise removable when necessary. Each module comprises a control interface 120, which communicates with a corresponding control interface 122 on the back of unit 100. Interfaces 120 and 122 may comprise either optical or electrical communication interfaces, for example. Swinging the user interface unit away from the functional modules also exposes user controls 124 and display elements 126 on the front side of each functional module. These controls and display elements may be used as an alternative to the on-screen controls and display elements in control areas 110 (Fig. 5). In particular, the control and display elements on the functional modules may be used for backup in case of a fault associated with user interface unit 100, in a manner similar to that described above with reference to system 20. In other words, user controls 124 and display elements 126 may be deactivated as long as user interface unit 100 is working properly. If a fault is detected, however (by control circuitry 129 in either the user interface unit or in one or more of the functional modules, as illustrated in Fig. 7), user controls 124 and display elements 126 are activated. The user interface unit swings away to give the user access to these user controls and display elements.

Fig. 7 is a schematic, frontal view of system 90, showing an expanded system configuration, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. User interface unit 100 is omitted from this view for visual clarity, but it is positioned in the recess defined by modules 92, 94, 96, 98, as shown in Fig. 5. Additional functional modules 130 and/or 132 may be added to the system alongside (i.e., to the left or right or below or above) modules 92, 94, 96, 98. These additional modules communicate with the user interface unit via auxiliary control interfaces 134 on modules 92, 94, 96, 98. Thus, the number of functional modules in the system is not limited by the size and configuration of the user interface unit.

Although systems 20, 70 and 90 are shown in the figures above in certain particular physical arrangements, the principles of the present invention that are embodied in these systems may similarly be applied in other physical configurations. It will thus be appreciated that the embodiments described above are cited by way of example, and that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather, the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of the various features described hereinabove, as well as variations and modifications thereof which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description and which are not disclosed in the prior art.

Claims

1. Apparatus for treatment of a body of a patient, the apparatus comprising: one or more functional modules, each functional module comprising: i) at least one connector for connection to a respective functional element that is applied to the body of the patient; ii) respective user controls, for controlling operation of the respective functional element; and iii) a respective communication interface, which is configured to receive signals for remote control of the respective functional element; a central control unit, which comprises a user interface for receiving user inputs for controlling the one or more functional modules, and which is coupled to communicate with the respective communication interface of each of the functional modules in order to control the one or more functional modules in accordance with the user inputs; and control circuitry, which is operative to deactivate the respective user controls of the one or more functional modules while the one or more functional modules are under control by the central control unit, and to activate the respective user controls upon occurrence of a predetermined condition.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition comprises a fault associated with the central control unit.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control circuitry is configured to automatically detect an interruption of the control by the central control unit, and to activate the user controls in response to the interruption.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition comprises a transfer signal generated by the central control unit in response to a user input via the user interface.

5. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the one or more functional modules comprise a plurality of functional modules.

6. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5, and comprising a console, which contains the one or more functional modules and the control unit, and which comprises a door, which is closed when the respective user controls are deactivated, and which is arranged to open in order to provide access to the respective user controls upon the occurrence of the predetermined condition.

7. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the one or more functional modules comprise a radio frequency (RF) generator, and the functional elements comprise an RF electrosurgery instrument, coupled to the RF generator, for effecting the treatment of tissue in the body.

8. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the central control unit includes a touch-sensitive display screen associated with the user interface.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the one or more functional modules comprise a camera control unit (CCU) , and wherein the functional elements comprise an imaging device, coupled to the CCU, for capturing endoscopic images within the body, and wherein the display screen is coupled to receive from the CCU and to display the endoscopic images captured by the imaging device.

10. A method for treatment of a body of a patient, the method comprising: providing one or more functional modules, each comprising: i) at least one connector for connection to a respective functional element that is applied to the body of the patient; ii) respective user controls, for controlling operation of the respective functional element; and iii) a respective communication interface, which is configured to receive signals for remote control of the respective functional element;

- coupling a central control unit, which comprises a user interface for ^l receiving user inputs for controlling the functional modules, to communicate with the respective communication interface of each of the functional modules in order to control the one or more functional modules in accordance with the user inputs; deactivating the respective user controls of the functional modules while the functional modules are under control by the central control unit; and activating the respective user controls upon occurrence of a predetermined condition.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the predetermined condition comprises a fault associated with the central control unit.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein activating the respective user controls comprises automatically detecting an interruption of the control by the central control unit, and activating the respective user controls in response to the interruption.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the predetermined condition comprises a transfer signal generated by the central control unit in response to a user input via the user interface.

14. The method according to any of claims 10 to 13, wherein the one or more functional modules comprise a plurality of functional modules.

15. The method according to any of claims 10 to 14, wherein the one or more functional modules and the control unit are contained in a console, which comprises a door, which is closed when the respective user controls of the one or more functional modules are deactivated, and wherein activating the respective user controls comprises opening the door in order to provide access to the respective user controls upon the occurrence of the predetermined condition.

16. The method according to any of claims 10 to 15, wherein the one or more functional modules comprise a radio frequency (RF) generator, and the functional elements comprise an RF electrosurgery instrument, coupled to the RF generator, for effecting the treatment of tissue in the body.

17. The method according to any of claims 10-16, wherein the central control unit includes a touch-sensitive display screen associated with the user interface.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the functional modules comprise a camera control unit (CCU) , and wherein the functional elements comprise an imaging device, coupled to the CCU, and wherein the method comprises capturing endoscopic images within the body using the imaging device, and displaying the endoscopic images on the display screen.