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: 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: 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.

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 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 identifying at least one surgical procedure, comprising: a. at least one robotic manipulator connectable to said at least one surgical tool; b. at least one imaging device configured to real time provide at least one image in a field of view of a surgical environment; c. processor in communication with said robotic manipulator and said imaging device; and, d.

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 tracking system for assisting an operator to perform a laparoscopic surgery of a human body, said surgical tracking system comprising: a. at least one endoscope adapted to acquire real-time images of a surgical environment within said human body; b. a maneuvering subsystem adapted to control the spatial position of said endoscope during said laparoscopic surgery; and, c. a tracking subsystem in communication with said maneuvering subsystem, adapted to control the maneuvering system so as to direct and modify the spatial position of said endoscope to a region of interest.

Abstract: An intelligent surgical tool control system, comprising a tool management system; an indicating means to indicate at least one surgical event; a communicable database for storing, for each item of interest, its identity, its present 3D position and at least one previous 3D position; and at least one processor to identify, from a surgical event, an output surgical procedure. The tool management system can comprise a maneuvering mechanism to maneuver a surgical tool in at least two dimensions; and a controller to control at least one of activation and deactivation of a surgical tool and articulation of a surgical tool. The indicating means can indicate a surgical event selected from movement of a moving element and presence of an item of interest, where movement is determinable if the current 3D position of the moving element is substantially different from a previous 3D position of the same.

Abstract: A surgical controlling system comprising: at least one location estimating means to real-time locate the 3D spatial position of at least one surgical tool; at least one movement detection means in communication with a movement database and with the location estimating means; and a controller, which controls the position of at least one surgical tool, in communication with a movement database, a control database and the movement detection means. The movement database stores the 3D spatial position of each surgical tool at the present time and at at least one previous time; a tool has moved if its present position is different from its previous position. The control database stores rules to identify a movement of a tool as either an ALLOWED movement or a RESTRICTED movement.

Abstract: A surgical controlling system comprising: at least one location estimating means to real-time locate the 3D spatial position of at least one surgical tool, at least one movement detection means in communication with a movement database and with the location estimating means and a controller, which controls the position of at least one surgical tool, in communication with a movement database, a control database and the movement detection means. The movement database stores the 3D spatial position of each surgical tool at the present time and at at least one previous time; a tool has moved if its present position is different from its previous position. The control database stores rules to identify a movement of a tool as either an allowed movement or a restricted movement. Examples of rules include a maximum speed rule, a virtual zoom rule, a virtual rotation of scene rule, and position of tool rule.

Abstract: A surgical controlling system comprising: at least one surgical tool insertable into a surgical environment of a body; a means to real-time locate 3D spatial positions of the surgical tools at any time t, in communication with a movement detection means and a movement database; a controller having a processing means in communication with a controller database and the movement detection means; and an endoscope, either one of the tools or in addition to them, to provide a real-time image of the surgical environment. The movement database stores the 3D spatial positions of the surgical tools at times tf and t0. A surgical tool has moved if its 3D spatial position at time tf differs from its position at time t0. The controller database stores rules used by the controller to control the spatial positions of the surgical tools; the rules determine ALLOWED and RESTRICTED movements of the surgical tools.

Abstract: A surgical controlling system comprising: means to real-time locate the 3D spatial position of at least one surgical tool insertable into a surgical environment of a body, in communication with a movement detection means and a movement database; and a controller in communication with a controller database and the movement detection means. The movement database stores 3D spatial positions of surgical tools at times tf and t0; it has moved if its 3D spatial position at time tf differs from that at time t0. Rules stored in the controller database determine ALLOWED and RESTRICTED movements of surgical tools and are used to control the surgical tools' spatial positions. Rules include: most used tool, right tool, left tool, field of view, no fly zone, route, environmental, operator input, proximity, collision prevention, history-based, tool-dependent ALLOWED and RESTRICTED movement, preferred volume zone, preferred tool, movement detection, tagged tool, and change of speed rules.

Abstract: A device for controlling an endoscope system for laparoscopic surgery. The device includes a wearable interface and an automated assistant for maneuvering an endoscope to a desired location, and at least one wearable operator. The wearable operator includes a transmitter that is in communication with at least one instrument. The system also includes a wireless receiver to receive signals from the transmitter and a computerized laparoscopy system that is in communication with the wireless receiver and that provides a visual depiction of a selected instrument.

Abstract: A surgical controlling system comprising: a location estimating means to real-time locate the 3D spatial position of surgical tools, a movement detection means and movement database in communication with the location estimating means and with a control database and controller to control the position of surgical tools. The movement database stores 3D spatial positions of the surgical tools at the present time and at at least one previous time; movement has occurred if a present position is different from a previous position. In the control database are rules identifying tool movement as allowed or restricted, selected from: most used tool rule, right or left tool rule, field of view rule, no fly zone rule, route rule, environmental rule, operator input rule, proximity rule, collision prevention rule, history-based rule, tool-dependent allowed and restricted movement rule, preferred volume zone, preferred tool, movement detection rule, tagged tool rule, and change of speed rule.

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: Surgical controlling systems and methods. A surgical controlling system includes: at least one surgical tool adapted to be inserted into a surgical environment of a human body for assisting a surgical procedure; at least one location estimating unit to real-time locate the 3D spatial position of at least one surgical tool at any given time t; and at least one movement detection unit in communication with a movement's database and with the location estimating means. The system also includes a controller having a processing unit in communication with a controller's database. The controller controls the spatial position of at least one surgical tool.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surgical controlling system and method for improving the interface between the surgeon and the laparoscopic surgery system. The invention includes one or more surgical tools that are inserted into the human body, a tracking system to locate the tool and detect its movement, and a processing system capable of controlling the location of the tool.

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.