Patent attributes
Disclosed is a mechanical telemanipulator handle to control surgical instruments with articulated end-effectors, such as dissectors, scissors or graspers, enhancing a surgeon's performance during various surgical procedures. These surgical instruments may be inserted into surgical incisions in a body of a patient and the articulated end-effector is mounted on the distal extremity of the instrument shaft, comprising a plurality of links interconnected by a plurality of joints, whose movements are remotely controlled at the telemanipulator's proximal handle. This remote actuation is accomplished through mechanical transmission, optimally along flexible elements, which are able to kinematically connect the end-effector with the handle such that the movements applied on the handle are reproduced by the end-effector at a predetermined scaled ratio. The articulated handle further comprises one or more movement-amplification systems that amplify the movements generated at the handle so that the gripping force at the instrument's end-effector can be increased and the surgeon's ergonomy improved.
