Abstract: A sterile drape configured for isolating a portion of a surgical device within a sterile environment, comprising: a plurality of drape interface mechanisms comprising: at least one drape/handle interface mechanism comprising a first ring defining a first opening through the sterile drape and configured for coupling with a control mechanism, the control mechanism comprising a surgical device for controlling a surgical instrument; and at least one drape/shaft interface mechanism comprising a second ring defining a second opening through the sterile drape, and configured for sealingly receiving a shaft there through as the shaft moves with a piston and is detachably coupled with the piston, wherein the piston is configured for responding to a first set of control signals sent by a first mechanical manipulation mechanism via a first connector by moving between a proximal end and a distal end of a first mechanical slave cylinder.

Abstract: A detachable control handle of a surgical device for use in positioning an instrument for use in a surgical procedure. The detachable control handle comprises: a handle assembly configured for communicating with a mechanical positioning mechanism via a connector, wherein said mechanical positioning mechanism is configured to couple with said instrument outside of a patient's body and to move said instrument relative to said patient's body, said handle assembly comprising: a control handle; a detaching mechanism coupled with said control handle, said detaching mechanism configured for detachably coupling said control handle with said mechanical positioning mechanism, wherein said control handle and said mechanical positioning mechanism are sealingly coupled with a first and second portion of a drape interface mechanism of a sterile drape, respectively, wherein said sterile drape is configured for isolating a portion of said surgical device within a sterile environment.

Abstract: A remotely controlled surgical device control portion comprises a user moveable bi-directional trigger, a finger loop disposed within the trigger, and a flange coupled to the finger loop. The trigger is configured for receiving a motion input in opposing first and second directions. The motion input is for controlling an articulation motion of an articulating surgical instrument. The finger loop is configured for receiving the motion input in the form of a user squeezing the trigger in the first direction with at least one finger or pushing the trigger in the second direction with said at least one finger. The flange is configured for receiving the motion input in the form of pushing the trigger in the second direction with a thumb.

Abstract: A surgical device for use in positioning an instrument for use in a surgical procedure. The surgical device comprises: a mechanical positioning mechanism configured to couple with an instrument outside of a patient's body and to move the instrument relative to said patient's body; a control mechanism comprising a detachable control handle configured to be detachably coupled with the mechanical positioning mechanism and is sealingly coupled with a drape interface mechanism of a sterile drape, the sterile drape being configured for isolating a portion of the surgical device within a sterile environment, the drape interface mechanism comprising a ring defining an opening through the sterile drape; and a connector operatively coupled with the control mechanism and the mechanical positioning mechanism and configured for causing the mechanical positioning mechanism to move the instrument by transmitting force applied by a human to the control mechanism through the connector.

Abstract: A sterile drape configured for isolating a portion of a surgical device within a sterile environment, comprising: a plurality of drape interface mechanisms comprising: at least one drape/handle interface mechanism comprising a first ring defining a first opening through the sterile drape and configured for coupling with a control mechanism, the control mechanism comprising a surgical device for controlling a surgical instrument; and at least one drape/shaft interface mechanism comprising a second ring defining a second opening through the sterile drape, and configured for sealingly receiving a shaft there through as the shaft moves with a piston and is detachably coupled with the piston, wherein the piston is configured for responding to a first set of control signals sent by a first mechanical manipulation mechanism via a first connector by moving between a proximal end and a distal end of a first mechanical slave cylinder.

Abstract: A detachable control handle of a surgical device for use in positioning an instrument for use in a surgical procedure. The detachable control handle comprises: a handle assembly configured for communicating with a mechanical positioning mechanism via a connector, wherein said mechanical positioning mechanism is configured to couple with said instrument outside of a patient's body and to move said instrument relative to said patient's body, said handle assembly comprising: a control handle; a detaching mechanism coupled with said control handle, said detaching mechanism configured for detachably coupling said control handle with said mechanical positioning mechanism, wherein said control handle and said mechanical positioning mechanism are sealingly coupled with a first and second portion of a drape interface mechanism of a sterile drape, respectively, wherein said sterile drape is configured for isolating a portion of said surgical device within a sterile environment.

Abstract: A surgical device comprising: a mechanical manipulation mechanism configured for transmitting a first set of control signals; and at least one mechanical slave cylinder coupled with the mechanical manipulation mechanism and positioned at a distal end of the surgical device, the at least one mechanical slave cylinder configured for receiving the first set of control signals, wherein the at least one mechanical slave cylinder comprises: a piston configured for responding to the first set of control signals by moving between a proximal end and a distal end of the mechanical slave cylinder; and a detachable shaft configured for detachably coupling with a distal end of the piston and for the moving with the piston.

Abstract: A surgical device for use in positioning an instrument for use in a surgical procedure. The surgical device comprises: a mechanical positioning mechanism configured to couple with an instrument outside of a patient's body and to move the instrument relative to said patient's body; a control mechanism comprising a detachable control handle configured to be detachably coupled with the mechanical positioning mechanism and is sealingly coupled with a drape interface mechanism of a sterile drape, the sterile drape being configured for isolating a portion of the surgical device within a sterile environment, the drape interface mechanism comprising a ring defining an opening through the sterile drape; and a connector operatively coupled with the control mechanism and the mechanical positioning mechanism and configured for causing the mechanical positioning mechanism to move the instrument by transmitting force applied by a human to the control mechanism through the connector.

Abstract: A surgical device for remotely controlling an articulating surgical instrument comprises an articulating surgical instrument, a control portion, and a slave portion. The control portion is configured for receiving motion inputs in a plurality of degrees of freedom from a human shoulder, arm, and hand and translating the motion inputs into one or more control signals for controlling motion of the articulating surgical instrument. The control signals are generated within the control portion and wherein at least one of the control signals comprises displacement of hydraulic fluid. The slave portion is coupled between the control portion and the articulating surgical instrument. The control portion is configured for moving the articulating surgical instrument in response to the one or more control signals.

Abstract: A control portion of a remotely controlled surgical device comprises a first set of controls, a second set of controls, and a function control mechanism. The first set of controls is configured for receiving motion from a human shoulder, arm, and hand and translating one or more of its received motion inputs into one or more macro motion control signals for controlling one or more macro motions associated with an articulating surgical instrument. The second set of controls is configured for receiving motion from the human shoulder, arm, and hand and translating one or more of its received motion inputs into one or more micro motion control signals for controlling one or more micro motions of the articulating surgical instrument. The function control mechanism is configured for receiving a function control input from a user of the control portion. The function control input is for controlling a function associated with the remotely controlled surgical device.

Abstract: A remotely controlled surgical device control portion comprises a user moveable bi-directional trigger, a finger loop disposed within the trigger, and a flange coupled to the finger loop. The trigger is configured for receiving a motion input in opposing first and second directions. The motion input is for controlling an articulation motion of an articulating surgical instrument. The finger loop is configured for receiving the motion input in the form of a user squeezing the trigger in the first direction with at least one finger or pushing the trigger in the second direction with said at least one finger. The flange is configured for receiving the motion input in the form of pushing the trigger in the second direction with a thumb.