Abstract: The following invention is a vocally activated control system for controlling an apparatus in a surgical setting, the system comprises: a. a voice sensor configured to detect vocal commands generated by surgeons during surgery; b. a signal transmitter connected to the voice sensor, the transmitter is configured to convert a vocal command into a transmittable signal and transmit it; c. a processor connected to a signal transmitter configured to receive a transmittable vocal signal, the processor is configured to convert a vocal signal to a predetermined set of operative instructions associated with the apparatus, the predetermined set of operative instructions comprising at least one instruction; and d. control means connected to the processor and apparatus; the control means is configured to receive a predetermined set of operative instructions and to cause the apparatus to operate accordingly; Said voice sensor and said transmitter are integrated within a wearable element.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for maneuvering an endoscope (SFME) during a medical procedure, comprising a. at least one maneuvering system, adapted to maneuver said endoscope in at least two degrees of freedom (DOF); and, b. at least one joystick unit in communication with said maneuvering system, adapted to operate said maneuvering system; wherein operation of said joystick results in movement of said endoscope by means of said maneuvering system.

Abstract: A system for altering the field of view of an endoscope image, comprising: an endoscope with a wide-angle lens in its distal end and a camera in its proximal end. The wide angle lens provides images of the endoscope's field of view. A processor, by selecting a portion of the endoscope's field of view, enables virtual maneuvering of a display field of view without physically maneuvering the endoscope or the wide-angle lens.

Abstract: A surgical system includes at least two laparoscopic instruments having distal portions positionable in a body cavity. An endoscopic camera is carried by a robotic automated assistant and is positionable in the body cavity to capture images of a surgical site and the distal portions of the laparoscopic instruments. At least one computerized platform is configured for receiving input from a user input device indicating a user selection of a selected one of the laparoscopic instruments, visually identifying the selected one of said laparoscopic instruments using a graphic designator on said displayed images of the surgical site, tracking the selected laparoscopic instrument using image information received from said endoscopic camera, and causing the automated assistant to maneuver the endoscopic camera so as to focus said endoscope on s the selected laparoscopic instrument.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for controlling an endoscope, comprising a. an endoscope adapted to provide real time images of FOV within a body cavity; said FOV defines FOVx-axis, FOVy-axis and FOVz-axis, b. a maneuvering system for maneuvering said endoscope; said maneuvering system defines an X-axis, a y-axis; and, a z-axis; c. control means adapted to receive commands of motions from a user to maneuver said endoscope; and d. a data processing system in communication with said control means, adapted to instruct said maneuvering system to maneuver said endoscope according to said commands of motions; wherein said data control means instructs said maneuvering system to maneuver said endoscope according to said commands of motions relative to said FOVx-axis, said FOVy-axis and said FOVz-axis, regardless of said X-axis, said y-axis and said z-axis as defined by said maneuvering system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for controlling an endoscope, comprising a. an endoscope adapted to provide real time images of FOV within a body cavity; said FOV defines FOVx-axis, FOVy-axis and FOVz-axis, b. a maneuvering system for maneuvering said endoscope; said maneuvering system defines an X-axis, a y-axis; and, a z-axis; c. control means adapted to receive commands of motions from a user to maneuver said endoscope; and d. a data processing system in communication with said control means, adapted to instruct said maneuvering system to maneuver said endoscope according to said commands of motions; wherein said data control means instructs said maneuvering system to maneuver said endoscope according to said commands of motions relative to said FOVx-axis, said FOVy-axis and said FOVz-axis, regardless of said X-axis, said y-axis and said z-axis as defined by said maneuvering system.

Abstract: A method of controlling a surgical tool includes capturing, with an endoscope, real-time images of surgical tools in a field of view within the body cavity. Image processing of the images is performed in real time to detect movement of at least a portion of a first one of the surgical tools. The system determines if the detected movement is within one of the plurality of predetermined protocols of input movement and, if it is, a corresponding predetermined output commands is carried out such that a second one of the surgical tools is robotically maneuvered or activated.

Abstract: The following invention is a vocally activated control system for controlling an apparatus in a surgical setting, the system comprises: a. a voice sensor configured to detect vocal commands generated by surgeons during surgery; b. a signal transmitter connected to the voice sensor, the transmitter is configured to convert a vocal command into a transmittable signal and transmit it; c. a processor connected to a signal transmitter configured to receive a transmittable vocal signal, the processor is configured to convert a vocal signal to a predetermined set of operative instructions associated with the apparatus, the predetermined set of operative instructions comprising at least one instruction; and d. control means connected to the processor and apparatus; the control means is configured to receive a predetermined set of operative instructions and to cause the apparatus to operate accordingly; Said voice sensor and said transmitter are integrated within a wearable element.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a surgical maneuvering system, in which movement of a moving element is used to control a surgical device such as a surgical tool or an endoscope. The moving element can be a tool or a portion of an operator's body. The relationship between the moving element and the surgical device can be any of: motion of a moving element controlling motion of a surgical device, motion of a moving element controlling an action of a surgical device, a command of a moving element controlling motion of a surgical device, or a command of a moving element controlling an action of the device. Commands are typically arbitrary movements such as shaking a tool. Actions are changes in a surgical device that do not change its overall position, such as closing a grasper.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical controlling system, comprising: a. at least one surgical tool configured to be insertable into a surgical environment of a human body for assisting a surgical procedure; b. at least one location estimating means configured to real-time locate the 3D spatial position of said at least one surgical tool at any given time t; c. at least one movement detection means communicable with a movement's database and with said location estimating means; and, d. a controller having a processing means communicable with a controller's database, said controller configured to control the spatial position of said at least one surgical tool; said controller's database is in communication with said movement detection means.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for maneuvering an endoscope (SFME) during a medical procedure, comprising a. at least one maneuvering system, adapted to maneuver said endoscope in at least two degrees of freedom (DOF); and, b. at least one joystick unit in communication with said maneuvering system, adapted to operate said maneuvering system; wherein operation of said joystick results in movement of said endoscope by means of said maneuvering system.

Abstract: Methods and devices for improving the interface between a surgeon and an operating medical assistant or between the surgeon and an endoscope system for laparoscopic surgery. A device is useful for controlling an endoscope system for laparoscopic surgery and includes a wearable interface for enhancing the control of an endoscope system during laparoscopic surgery.

Abstract: A device to direct an endoscope to follow a surgical instrument during laparoscopic surgery, comprising an automated assistant mechanically interconnected to the endoscope, and at least one wireless transmitter with at least one operating key, where the wireless transmitter is in communication with a wireless receiver. The wireless receiver is in communication with the wireless receiver and with the automated assistant. The automated assistant can load surgical instrument spatial locating software and automated assistant maneuvering software and can provide a visual onscreen depiction of the field of view, including any surgical instruments therein. Depression of an operating key selects an instrument, which is then automatically followed by the endoscope. The operating key can be attached to an instrument or can be freestanding.

Abstract: An improved interface between the surgeon and an endoscope system for laparoscopic surgery, holding a laparoscopic camera and/or controlling an automated endoscope assistant includes at least one wireless transmitter with at least one operating key, at least one wireless receiver, at least one conventional laparoscopy computerized system loaded with conventional surgical instrument spatial location software, and conventional automated assistant maneuvering software, software loaded onto the conventional laparoscopy system that enables a visual response to the depression of at least one key on the wireless transmitter as well as an interface with the conventional automated assistant maneuvering software so as to achieve movement of the endoscope, and at least one video screen.

Abstract: The present invention provides a two-part robotic device for positioning of a hand tool, comprising: a. a fixed base unit constantly fix to its position; b. a detachable body unit reversibly coupled to said fixed base unit, coupled to said current medical instrument; wherein said fixed base unit is adapted to provide independent movement to said hand tool, said independent movement selected from the group consisting of rotation and translation, and further wherein said detachable body unit is removable and replaceable from said fixed base unit such that upon exchange of said hand tool for a second hand tool, said second hand tool is placed in substantially the same location as the location of said hand tool prior to said exchange.

Abstract: A surgical controlling system includes a controller having a processing means communicable with a controller's database, said controller configured to control the spatial position of a surgical tool. The controller's database is in communication with movement detection means. The controller's database is configured to store a predetermined set of rules according to which allowed and restricted movements of the surgical tool are determined, each detected movement by said movement detection means of said at least one surgical tool being determined as either an allowed movement or as a restricted movement according to said predetermined set of rules. The system automatically real-time analyzes and determines the location of each anatomical element in the surgical environment.

Abstract: A method for assisting a surgical operator in performing a surgical procedure uses a surgical controlling system includes a controller having a processing means communicable with a controller's database, said controller configured to control the spatial position of a surgical tool. The controller's database is in communication with movement detection means. The controller's database is configured to store a predetermined set of rules according to which allowed and restricted movements of the surgical tool are determined, each detected movement by said movement detection means of said at least one surgical tool being determined as either an allowed movement or as a restricted movement according to said predetermined set of rules. The system automatically real-time analyzes and determines the location of each anatomical element in the surgical environment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical controlling system, comprising: a. a surgical tool; b. a location estimating means configured to real-time locate the 3D spatial position of said at least one surgical tool at any given time t; c. a movement detection means communicable with a movement's database and with said location estimating means; said movement's database is configured to store said 3D spatial position of said at least one surgical tool at time tf and at time t0, where tf>t0; said movement detection means is configured to detect movement of said at least one surgical tool if the 3D spatial position of said at least one surgical tool at time tf is different than said 3D spatial position of said at least one surgical tool at time t0; and, d. a controller configured to control the spatial position of said at least one surgical tool.