Abstract:
A novel magnetic retraction system is provided herein. The magnetic retraction system includes magnetic means for applying a magnetic field around a defined area of the magnetic retraction system. An articulatable support is provided for such magnetic means. The magnetic means includes an upper (North) magnetic pole. A lower (South) magnetic pole is induced in the intestine of a patient into which has been introduced a magnetic or magnetizable material. The induced lower pole is spaced a selectable spaced distance from the upper (North) magnetic pole. The upper pole may have its strength and/or the orientation of its magnetic field varied to adjust and/or to manipulate the intestine.
Abstract:
An improvement is provided in a method for carrying out laparoscopic surgery on an intestine of a patient. The improvement includes establishing discrete magnetic zones within the intestine by having the patient ingest a magnetic medium. An electromagnetic field which can be focused and translated around the patient is induced by means of a particularly-described electromagnet. Poles of the magnetic medium which is within the intestine is attracted to a pole of the electromagnet. The intestine is manipulated by suspension, or retraction, or lengthwise translation of the entire intestine which in a segment-by-segment fashion by the essential step of selectively focusing and translating the electromagnetic field by way of manipulation of said upper electromagnet pole. The upper electromagnet pole may include a plurality of displaceable expandable pole heads supported on a rotatable shaft magnet, the electromagnet field being focused and translated by means of rotation of the rotatable shaft magnet of one of such expandable pole heads; or the upper electromagnet pole may include expandable heads supported in a rotatable shaft magnet, and the electromagnetic field is focused and translated means of displacement of one of the expandable pole heads transversely with respect to the patient; or the upper electromagnet pole may include a plurality of magnetizable rotatable helical shafts and the electromagnetic field is focused and translated by rotation of one of the magnetizable rotatable helical shafts; or the upper electromagnet pole may include a series of magnetically-active wire coils, the electromagnetic field being induced by passing a controlled DC voltage through the magnetically-active wire coils, and the electromagnetic field is focused and translated by controlling the DC voltage to selected ones of the magnetically-active wire coils.
Abstract:
A robotic system for use in Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) is provided that, in various aspects of this specification, comprises at least one elongated shaft known as the robotic arm. In certain aspects, the robotic arm is provided with an independent roll wrist mechanism, which can allow for imparting the roll motion to the end effectors while mitigating or potentially eliminating the need of rotating the entire robotic arm, thus ensuring independent movement of end effectors. The independent movement of the end effectors sweeps a considerably smaller conical volume, as compared to that swept by the entire robotic arm, thereby reducing the likelihood of collisions with neighboring tissues or organs.
Abstract:
A novel operating table system is provided herein. The operating table system includes a table formed of non-magnetic material. A support is provided for such table. Magnetic means are provided for applying a magnetic field around a defined area of the table. The magnetic means includes one pole below the table and a second pole disposed a selected spaced-distance above the table. The second pole includes controls for selectively focusing and translating the electromagnetic field by way of manipulation of the second pole.