Surgical robotic systems

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 12029507
  • Patent Number
    12,029,507
  • Date Filed
    Wednesday, July 17, 2019
    6 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, July 9, 2024
    a year ago
Abstract
A surgical robotic system includes an elongated slide, a carriage for supporting an instrument drive unit, a drive motor operably coupled to the carriage and configured to drive a movement of the carriage relative to the slide, and a motor release mechanism configured to selectively disengage the drive motor from the carriage to permit a manual movement of the carriage along the slide.
Description
BACKGROUND

Surgical robotic systems have been used in minimally invasive medical procedures. Some surgical robotic systems included a console supporting a surgical robotic arm and a surgical instrument having at least one end effector (e.g., forceps or a grasping tool) mounted to the robotic arm. The robotic arm provided mechanical power to the surgical instrument for its operation and movement.


Manually-operated surgical instruments often included a handle assembly for actuating the functions of the surgical instrument. However, when using a robotic surgical system, no handle assembly was typically present to actuate the functions of the end effector. Accordingly, to use each unique surgical instrument with a robotic surgical system, an instrument drive unit was used to interface with the selected surgical instrument to drive operations of the surgical instrument.


The instrument drive unit was typically coupled to the robotic arm via a slide. The slide allowed the instrument drive unit and the attached surgical instrument to move along an axis of the slide, providing a means for adjusting the axial position of the end effector of the surgical instrument relative to a patient.


SUMMARY

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a surgical robotic system is provided and includes an elongated slide defining a longitudinal axis, a carriage for supporting an instrument drive unit, a drive motor, and a motor release mechanism. The carriage is coupled to the slide and movable relative thereto along the longitudinal axis. The drive motor is operably coupled to the carriage and configured to drive the movement of the carriage relative to the slide. The motor release mechanism is configured to selectively disengage the drive motor from the carriage to permit a manual movement of the carriage along the slide.


In aspects, the system may further include a pulley that operably couples the drive motor and the carriage. An activation of the motor release mechanism may disengage the pulley from the drive motor.


In certain aspects, the system may further include a motor output member rotatable by the drive motor. An activation of the motor release mechanism may slide the pulley relative to the motor output member from a first position to a second position. In the first position, the pulley and the motor output member are rotatable with one another, and in the second position the pulley is independently rotatable relative to the motor output member.


The system may further include a torque transfer pin non-rotatably coupling the pulley with the motor output member. The pulley may be configured to slide between the first and second positions along the torque transfer pin.


In aspects, the system may further include a one way bearing disposed between the pulley and the motor output member. The one way bearing may be configured to allow rotation of the pulley relative to the motor output member in a first direction, and resist rotation of the pulley relative to the motor output member in a second direction.


The one way bearing may be disposed within the pulley, and the motor output member may extend through the one way bearing and the pulley.


In certain aspects, the one way bearing may be non-rotationally fixed to the motor output member.


In aspects, the motor release mechanism may include a hub axially retained with the pulley and threadedly coupled to the motor output member. A rotation of the hub may move the pulley relative to the motor output member between the first and second positions.


The motor release mechanism may further include a knob configured to slide into and out of non-rotatable engagement with the hub.


In aspects, the system may further include a belt operably coupled to the pulley and fixed to the carriage, such that movement of the belt drives a movement of the carriage along the side.


The system may further include a robotic arm having the slide coupled thereto.


In another aspect of the present disclosure, a surgical robotic system includes a robotic arm, an elongated slide coupled to an end portion of the robotic arm, a drive motor, a pulley, and a motor release mechanism. The pulley is operably coupled to the drive motor and configured to drive a movement of an instrument drive unit along the slide. The motor release mechanism is configured to selectively disengage the pulley from the drive motor to permit a manual rotation of the pulley relative to the drive motor.


The system may further include a belt operably coupled to the pulley and fixedly coupled to an instrument drive unit, such that movement of the belt drives a movement of an instrument drive unit along the side.


Further details and aspects of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described in more detail below with reference to the appended figures.


As used herein, the terms parallel and perpendicular are understood to include relative configurations that are substantially parallel and substantially perpendicular up to about + or −10 degrees from true parallel and true perpendicular.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:



FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a surgical robotic system including an instrument drive unit coupled to a slide in accordance with the present disclosure;



FIG. 2 is a front view of the instrument drive unit and an associated surgical instrument coupled to an exemplary embodiment of a slide;



FIG. 3 is a side view, with parts removed, of a carriage coupled to the slide of FIG. 2;



FIG. 4 is a front view, with parts removed, of the carriage coupled to the slide;



FIG. 5 is a side view of the slide, with an outer shaft of the slide shown in phantom, illustrating an inner shaft of the slide;



FIG. 6 is a side view of the slide, illustrating a belt and pulley system of the surgical robotic system;



FIG. 7 is a side perspective view, with parts removed, of the carriage coupled to the slide, illustrating the slide in an extended configuration and the carriage in an ascended position;



FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the slide coupled to a portion of a robotic arm, illustrating a motor release mechanism for use with the belt and pulley system of FIG. 6;



FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view, taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 8, of components of the motor release mechanism of FIG. 8 and the belt and pulley system of FIG. 6;



FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view of components of the motor release mechanism of FIG. 8 and the belt and pulley system of FIG. 6, illustrating the motor release mechanism in an inactivated state; and



FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view of components of the motor release mechanism of FIG. 8 and the belt and pulley system of FIG. 6, illustrating the motor release mechanism in an activated state.





DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the presently disclosed surgical robotic system and methods of use thereof are described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. As used herein, the term “proximal” refers to that portion of the surgical robotic system or component thereof that is closest to the clinician, while the term “distal” refers to that portion of the surgical robotic system or component thereof further from the clinician.


As will be described in detail below, provided is a surgical robotic system including a robotic arm, an elongated slide or rail coupled to the robotic arm, a belt and pulley system for driving movement of an instrument drive unit along the slide, and a motor release mechanism for selectively disengaging the belt and pulley system from a drive motor. During an emergency (e.g., a power outage), the motor release mechanism may be activated to allow for manual movement of the instrument drive unit along the slide. The motor release mechanism includes a one way bearing that allows for manual movement of the instrument drive unit in the direction away from a patient and resists manual movement of the instrument drive unit in a direction toward the patient.


Referring initially to FIG. 1, a surgical system, such as, for example, a surgical robotic system 1, generally includes a plurality of surgical robotic arms 2, 3 having an instrument drive unit 20 and an electromechanical instrument 10 removably attached thereto; a control device 4; and an operating console 5 coupled with control device 4. Operating console 5 includes a display device 6, which is set up in particular to display three-dimensional images; and manual input devices 7, 8, by means of which a person (not shown), for example a surgeon, is able to telemanipulate robotic arms 2, 3 in a first operating mode, as known in principle to a person skilled in the art.


Each of the robotic arms 2, 3 may be composed of a plurality of members, which are connected through joints. Robotic arms 2, 3 may be driven by electric drives (not shown) that are connected to control device 4. Control device 4 (e.g., a computer) is set up to activate the drives, in particular by means of a computer program, in such a way that robotic arms 2, 3, the attached instrument drive units 20, and thus electromechanical instrument 10 execute a desired movement according to a movement defined by means of manual input devices 7, 8. Control device 4 may also be set up in such a way that it regulates the movement of robotic arms 2, 3 and/or of the drives.


Surgical robotic system 1 is configured for use on a patient “P” lying on a surgical table “ST” to be treated in a minimally invasive manner by means of a surgical instrument, e.g., electromechanical instrument 10. Surgical robotic system 1 may also include more than two robotic arms 2, 3, the additional robotic arms likewise being connected to control device 4 and being telemanipulatable by means of operating console 5. A surgical instrument, for example, an electromechanical surgical instrument 10 (including an electromechanical end effector (not shown)), may also be attached to the additional robotic arm.


Control device 4 may control a plurality of motors, e.g., motors (Motor 1 . . . n), with each motor configured to drive movement of robotic arms 2, 3 in a plurality of directions. Further, control device 4 may control a plurality of motors (not explicitly shown) of instrument drive unit 20 to drive various operations of surgical instrument 10. The instrument drive unit 20 transfers power and actuation forces from its motors to driven members (not shown) of the electromechanical instrument 10 to ultimately drive movement of components of the end effector (not shown) of the electromechanical instrument 10, for example, a movement of a knife blade (not shown) and/or a closing and opening of jaw members (not shown) of the end effector.


For a more detailed description of the construction and operation of components of an exemplary robotic surgical system, reference may be made to U.S. Pat. No. 8,828,023, entitled “Medical Workstation,” (hereinafter, “the '023 patent”), and International Patent Publication WO2017/205308A1, entitled “Robotic Surgical Assemblies,” filed on May 23, 2017, (hereinafter, “the '308 Publication”), the entire contents of each of which are incorporated by reference herein.


With reference to FIGS. 2-7, the surgical robotic system 1 includes a carriage 30 on which the instrument drive unit 20 is supported or carried, and the slide 100, which supports the carriage 30. The carriage 30 is configured to fix the instrument drive unit 20 thereto, such that movement of the carriage 30 along and relative to the slide 100 causes the instrument drive unit 20 to move therewith. The carriage 30 is slidably coupled to a linear track 102 defined longitudinally along an outer sleeve 106 of the slide 100, as will be described below.


The slide 100 may have a generally rectangular shape and is constructed from an inner shaft 104 and an outer sleeve or sheath 106 disposed around the inner shaft 104. In embodiments, the slide 100 may assume any suitable shape, such as, for example, tubular or cylindrical. The inner shaft 104 is coupled to an end of the robotic arm 2 (FIG. 1) either in a fixed or rotatable manner. The inner shaft 104 has a bottom end portion 140a and a top end portion 104b and defines a longitudinal axis “X” therebetween. The inner shaft 104 may have an overall length approximately equal to half the length of a conventional slide.


The outer sleeve 106 of the slide 100 is disposed about the inner shaft 104 and is telescopically coupled thereto. As such, the outer sleeve 106 is slidable along and relative to the longitudinal axis “X” of the inner shaft 104 between a retracted position, as shown in FIG. 3, and an extended position, as shown in FIG. 7. When the outer sleeve 106 is in the retracted position, the slide has a first length “L1” (FIG. 3), substantially equal to approximately half the length of a conventional slide (e.g., as shown and described in the '023 patent, and the '308 Publication), and when the outer sleeve is in the extended position, the slide 100 has a second length “L2” (FIG. 7), substantially equal to approximately the full length of a conventional slide.


The outer sleeve 106 of the slide 100 defines a longitudinally-extending track 102. The track 102 of the outer sleeve 106 may be a single rail or a pair of parallel rails. As mentioned above, the carriage 30 is slidably coupled to the track 102 of the outer sleeve 106. More specifically, the carriage 30 has a coupling member or flange 32 extending from a back side thereof and through an elongated slot 108 of the outer sleeve 106. The coupling member 32 of the carriage 30 is received in an interior chamber 110 (FIG. 7) of the outer sleeve 106 and is fixed to a belt or cable 112 of a belt and pulley system 114 of the slide 100 for driving the movement of the carriage 30 between the ascended and descended positions, as will be described in detail.


The elongated slot 108 is defined along the length of the outer sleeve 106 and runs parallel with the track 102 between a bottom end portion 106a of the outer sleeve 106 and a top end portion 106b of the outer sleeve 106. The elongated slot 108 of the outer sleeve 106 has an upper limit defining a surface feature 116 that prevents the carriage 30 from ascending beyond the upper limit. In embodiments, the surface feature 116 may be a projection extending outwardly from the top end portion 106b of the outer sleeve 106. Upon the coupling member 32 of the carriage 30 contacting the surface feature 116, a threshold force exerted on the carriage 30 in an upward direction causes the outer sleeve 106 to rise relative to the inner shaft 104.


The top end portion 106b may further include a locking feature 118, such as, for example, a roller catch, a magnetic latch, or the like. The locking feature 118 is configured to selectively lock the carriage 30 to the top end portion 106b of the outer sleeve 106 when the carriage 30 enters the ascended position. As such, with the outer sleeve 106 in the extended position relative to the inner shaft 104, as shown in FIG. 7, a downward force exerted on the carriage 30 via the belt 112 causes the outer sleeve 106 to move downwardly with the carriage 30 due to the locking feature 118 locking the outer sleeve 106 and the carriage 30 to one another. Upon the bottom end portion 106a of the outer sleeve 106 bottoming out on the bottom end portion 104a of the inner shaft 104, the locking feature 118 releases the carriage 30 to allow the carriage 30 to descend along the track 102 of the outer sleeve 106.


With reference to FIGS. 5-7, the belt and pulley system 114 or drivetrain of the slide 100 is illustrated. The drivetrain 114 is operably coupled to a drive motor 120 disposed in the bottom end portion 104a of the inner shaft 104. The drivetrain 114 includes a pair of first and second pulleys 114a, 114b coupled to the outer shaft 106, and a third pulley 114c coupled to the inner shaft 104. The first pulley 114a is axially fixed and rotatably coupled to the top end portion 106b of the outer sleeve 106 of the slide 100, and the second pulley 114b is axially fixed and rotatably coupled to the bottom end portion 10ba of the outer sleeve 106. As such, as the outer sleeve 106 moves relative to the inner shaft 104 toward the extended position, the first and second pulleys 114a, 114b move therewith. The third pulley 114c is axially fixed and rotatably coupled to the top end portion 104b of the inner shaft 104.


The second pulley 114b is disposed between the first and third pulleys 114a, 114c and is longitudinally spaced from the first pulley 114a along the length of the outer sleeve 106. As shown in FIG. 5, when the outer sleeve 106 is in the retracted position, the first and third pulleys 114a, 114c are disposed adjacent one another, with the second pulley 114b longitudinally spaced from the third pulley 114c. As shown in FIG. 7, when the outer sleeve 106 is in the extended position, the first and third pulleys 114a, 114c are longitudinally spaced from one another, with the second and third pulleys 114b, 114c proximate to one another.


With specific reference to FIG. 6, the second pulley 114b is positioned relative to the first and third pulleys 114a, 114c so that a net downward force, in the direction indicated by arrow “A” in FIG. 6, is exerted on the outer sleeve 106. In particular, the second pulley 114b has a vertical axis “Y” extending through a center point thereof and parallel with the longitudinal axis “X” (FIG. 2) of the inner shaft 104. The first pulley 114a is disposed a first distance “d1” from the vertical axis “Y” in a transverse direction, and the third pulley 114c is disposed a second distance “d2” from the vertical axis “Y” in the transverse direction, less than the first distance “d1.” Accordingly, a first portion “P1” of the belt 112 extends from the second pulley 114b to the first pulley 114a at an angle greater than an angle at which a second portion “P2” of the belt 112 extends from the second pulley 114b to the third pulley 114c. Due to the difference in these angles, the downward force exerted by the first pulley 114a on the outer sleeve 106 is greater than the upward force exerted by the third pulley 114c on the outer sleeve 106, whereby the outer sleeve 106 has a constant net downward force imparted thereon. Stated differently, a sum of all of the Y-components of force acting on first portion “P1” of belt 112, and second portion “P2” of belt 112, due to the angles of inclination of first portion “P1” and second portion “P2” of belt 112, is such that there is constant net downward force imparted on outer sleeve 106.


The belt 112 is operably coupled to the drive motor 120, via a main pulley 123 (FIG. 9), and each of the first, second, and third pulleys 114a-c. The belt 112 is wrapped over the first pulley 114a, under the second pulley 114b, and over the third pulley 114c. The belt 112 is driven by the motor 120 and is fixed to the coupling member 32 of the carriage 30, such that an activation of the motor 120 causes the belt 112 to move around the pulleys 114a-c and move the attached carriage 30 along the outer sleeve 106 either toward the ascended position or the descended position.


In operation, prior to performing a surgical procedure, the instrument dive unit 20 may be attached to the carriage 30, and the electromechanical instrument 10 may be attached to the instrument drive unit 20. With the instrument drive unit 20 and the associated electromechanical instrument 10 attached to the carriage 30, a longitudinal position (e.g., height) of the carriage 30 along the longitudinal axis “X” may be adjusted. For example, to raise the carriage 30, the motor 120 of the slide 100 is activated to move the belt 112 upwardly relative to the outer sleeve 106 of the slide 100. The carriage 30 is raised to the ascended position and contacts the locking feature 118 and/or the surface feature 116 of the top end portion 106b of the outer sleeve 106. With the carriage 30 fixed to the top end portion 106b of the outer sleeve 106, an activation of the motor 120 causes the carriage 30 to exert an upward force on the outer sleeve 106 to move the outer sleeve 106 upwardly relative to the inner shaft 104. As the outer sleeve 106 moves, the first and second pulleys 114a, 114b move therewith and relative to the third pulley 114c. In the fully extended position, as shown in FIG. 7, the slide 100 assumes a length substantially equal to the length of a conventional slide.


To lower the carriage 30 from the extended position, the motor 120 is activated to drive the belt 112 in the opposite direction. In the embodiment where the locking feature 118 fixes the carriage 30 to the top end portion 106b of the outer sleeve 106 of the slide 100, the downward force exerted on the carriage 30, via the belt 112, causes the outer sleeve 106 to retract relative to the inner shaft 104. The outer sleeve 106 may be retracted until the bottom end portion 106a of the outer sleeve 106 bottoms out on the bottom end portion 104a of the inner shaft 104. At this point, to further lower the carriage 30, the belt 112, via the motor 120, exerts a force great enough to unlock the carriage 30 from the top end portion 106a of the outer sleeve 106, whereby the carriage 30 descends along the track 102 of the outer sleeve 106 toward the descended position, as shown in FIGS. 3-5.


With reference to FIGS. 8-10B, the slide 100 may further include a motor release mechanism 200 for manually disengaging the main pulley 123 of the belt and pulley system 114 (FIG. 5) from the drive motor 120 to allow a clinician to manually move the carriage 30 and associated instrument drive unit 20 and surgical instrument 10 to a safe position away from the position during an emergency situation (e.g., a power outage).


The motor release mechanism 200 generally includes a hub 202 and a knob 204. The hub 202 is threadedly coupled to a threaded outer surface 130 of a motor output member 132, and the knob 204 is slidably coupled to the hub 202. The knob 204 protrudes outwardly from the slide 100 to provide access to the knob 204. To activate the motor release mechanism 200, the knob 204 is pushed inwardly, in the direction indicated by arrow “B” in FIG. 9, which non-rotationally fixes the knob 204 to the hub 202 in a friction fit engagement. With the knob 204 non-rotationally fixed to the hub 202, a rotation of the knob 204 rotates the hub 202 relative to the motor output member 132. As the motor release mechanism 200 is rotated, the motor release mechanism 200 is pulled along the motor output member 132, in the direction indicated by arrow “C.” In embodiments, the knob 204 may be permanently non-rotatably coupled to the hub 202 to remove the safety step of pushing the knob 204 into engagement with the hub 202 prior to activating the motor release mechanism 200.


The hub 202 of the motor release mechanism 200 is axially retained within a proximal end 123a of the pulley 123 while also being permitted to rotate relative to the pulley 123. A thrust bearing 133 may be provided to facilitate rotation of the hub 202 within and relative to the pulley 132. Due to the hub 202 being axially retained within the pulley 123, as the hub 202 of the motor release mechanism 200 is moved in direction “C,” so is the pulley 123.


The motor output member 132 of the belt and pulley system 114 includes a casing 132a and a shaft 132b extending from the casing 132a. The shaft 132b is non-rotationally fixed to a motor gearbox output shaft 125 of the drive motor 120 and extends axially through the pulley 123. A pair of torque transfer pins 134a, 134b are fixed to the casing 132a and extend through corresponding bores 127a, 127b defined through a distal end 123b of the pulley 123. In embodiments, there may be more or less than two pins 134a, 134b. The torque transfer pins 134a, 134b drivingly couple the pulley 123 to the motor output member 132, such that the pulley 123 rotates with the motor output member 132 in response to an activation of the drive motor 120.


The pulley 123 is slidable relative to and along the pins 134a, 134b to adjust an axial position of the pulley 123 relative to the motor output member 132. In particular, the pulley 123 is axially movable along the torque transfer pins 134a, 134b, in response to an activation of the motor release mechanism 200, between a first axial position, as shown in FIG. 10A, and a second axial position, as shown in FIG. 10B. In the first axial position, the torque transfer pins 134a, 134b extend through the bores 127a, 127b of the pulley 123, non-rotationally fixing the pulley 123 with the motor output member 132. In the second axial position, the pulley 123 is disengaged from the torque transfer pins 134a, 134b, whereby the pulley 123 is decoupled from the motor output member 123 and independently rotatable relative to the motor output member 132. The slide 100 may include a spring 135 (e.g., a wave spring) that resiliently biases the pulley 123 toward the first position. A thrust bearing 137 may be provided to facilitate rotation of the pulley 123 relative to the spring 135.


The slide 100 further includes a one way bearing 138 disposed within the pulley 123 and captured between the pulley 123 and the shaft 132b of the motor output member 132. The bearing 138 may be non-rotationally fixed to the shaft 132b of the motor output member 132. The bearing 138 may be any suitable one way bearing or clutch, such as, for example, a one way bearing having rollers, sprags, or spring elements. The bearing 138 is configured to resist rotation of the pulley 123 relative to the motor output member 132 in the direction corresponding to a movement of the carriage 30/instrument drive unit 20 in a downward direction along the slide 100, as described below.


In operation, when the pulley 123 is in the first or operational position, as shown in FIG. 10A, an activation of the drive motor 120 rotates the motor output member 132, the bearing 138, and the pulley 123 as one integral unit in either rotational direction (i.e., clockwise or counter-clockwise). As described above, a rotation of the pulley 123 results in a movement of the surgical instrument 10 along the slide 100 in a selected direction. For example, a clockwise rotation of the pulley 123 may result in an upward movement of the surgical instrument 10 along the slide 100, whereas a counter-clockwise rotation of the pulley 123 may result in a downward movement of the surgical instrument 10 along the slide.


During an emergency (e.g., a power outage), a clinician may desire to move the surgical instrument 10 out of and away from the patient. However, during a power outage, the drive motor 120 will be locked out and prevent a manual movement of the surgical instrument 10 along the slide 100. Accordingly, to move the surgical instrument 10/carriage 30/instrument drive unit 20, the carriage 30 may need to be operably disengaged from the drive motor 120.


To disengage the drive motor 120 from the carriage 20, the motor release mechanism 200 may be actuated by pushing the knob 204 thereof into non-rotational engagement with the hub 202 thereof. With the knob 204 and hub 202 of the motor release mechanism 200 non-rotationally coupled to one another, the knob 204 and hub 202 are rotated together about the motor output member 132 to draw the pulley 123 away from the casing 132a of the motor output member 132 toward the second position, whereby the belt and pulley system 114 (FIG. 5) is disengaged from the drive motor 120.


When the pulley 123 is in the second or safety position, as shown in FIG. 10B, the bearing 138 permits a rotation of the pulley 123 relative thereto and relative to the motor output member 132 in the direction corresponding to movement of the carriage 30/instrument drive unit 20/surgical instrument 10 in an upward direction along the slide 100. Accordingly, the surgical instrument 10 may be manually moved up and out of the patient to a selected position along the slide 100. In contrast, an attempt to move the carriage 30/instrument drive unit 20/surgical instrument 10 in the downward direction is thwarted due to the one way bearing 138 preventing rotation of the pulley 123 relative to the bearing 138 in the corresponding rotational direction. Further, since the drive motor 120 is in a locked state (e.g., due to a power outage), the drive motor 120 prevents the bearing 138 and the motor output member 132 from being rotated by the applied force on the carriage 30/instrument drive unit 20/surgical instrument 10.


It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of various embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended thereto.

Claims
  • 1. A surgical robotic system, comprising: an elongated slide defining a longitudinal axis;a carriage for supporting an instrument drive unit, wherein the carriage is coupled to the elongated slide and movable relative thereto along the longitudinal axis;a drive motor operably coupled to the carriage and configured to drive the movement of the carriage relative to the elongated slide;a motor release mechanism configured to selectively disengage the drive motor from the carriage to permit a manual movement of the carriage along the elongated slide;a pulley operably coupling the drive motor and the carriage, wherein an activation of the motor release mechanism disengages the pulley from the drive motor; anda motor output member rotatable by the drive motor, wherein an activation of the motor release mechanism slides the pulley relative to the motor output member from a first position, in which the pulley and the motor output member are rotatable with one another, to a second position, in which the pulley is independently rotatable relative to the motor output member.
  • 2. The surgical robotic system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one torque transfer pin non-rotatably coupling the pulley with the motor output member, wherein the pulley is configured to slide between the first and second positions along the at least one torque transfer pin.
  • 3. The surgical robotic system according to claim 1, further comprising a one way bearing disposed between the pulley and the motor output member, wherein the one way bearing is configured to allow rotation of the pulley relative to the motor output member in a first direction, and resist rotation of the pulley relative to the motor output member in a second direction.
  • 4. The surgical robotic system according to claim 3, wherein the one way bearing is disposed within the pulley and the motor output member extends through the one way bearing and the pulley.
  • 5. The surgical robotic system according to claim 3, wherein the one way bearing is non-rotationally fixed to the motor output member.
  • 6. The surgical robotic system according to claim 1, wherein the motor release mechanism includes a hub axially retained with the pulley and threadedly coupled to the motor output member, such that a rotation of the hub moves the pulley relative to the motor output member between the first and second positions.
  • 7. The surgical robotic system according to claim 6, wherein the motor release mechanism further includes a knob configured to slide into and out of non-rotatable engagement with the hub.
  • 8. The surgical robotic system according to claim 1, further comprising a belt operably coupled to the pulley and fixed to the carriage, such that movement of the belt drives a movement of the carriage along the elongated slide.
  • 9. The surgical robotic system according to claim 1, further comprising a robotic arm having the elongated slide coupled thereto.
  • 10. A surgical robotic system, comprising: a robotic arm;an elongated slide coupled to an end portion of the robotic arm;a drive motor;a pulley operably coupled to the drive motor and configured to drive a movement of an instrument drive unit along the elongated slide;a motor release mechanism configured to selectively disengage the pulley from the drive motor to permit a manual rotation of the pulley relative to the drive motor; anda motor output member rotatable by the drive motor, wherein an activation of the motor release mechanism slides the pulley relative to the motor output member from a first position, in which the pulley and the motor output member are rotatable with one another, to a second position, in which the pulley is independently rotatable relative to the motor output member.
  • 11. The surgical robotic system according to claim 10, further comprising at least one torque transfer pin non-rotatably coupling the pulley with the motor output member, wherein the pulley is configured to slide between the first and second positions along the at least one torque transfer pin.
  • 12. The surgical robotic system according to claim 10, further comprising a one way bearing disposed between the pulley and the motor output member, wherein the one way bearing is configured to allow rotation of the pulley relative to the motor output member in a first direction, and resist rotation of the pulley relative to the motor output member in a second direction.
  • 13. The surgical robotic system according to claim 12, wherein the one way bearing is disposed within the pulley and the motor output member extends through the one way bearing and the pulley.
  • 14. The surgical robotic system according to claim 12, wherein the one way bearing is non-rotationally fixed to the motor output member.
  • 15. The surgical robotic system according to claim 10, wherein the motor release mechanism includes a hub axially retained with the pulley and threadedly coupled to the motor output member, such that a rotation of the hub moves the pulley relative to the motor output member between the first and second positions.
  • 16. The surgical robotic system according to claim 15, wherein the motor release mechanism further includes a knob configured to slide into and out of non-rotatable engagement with the hub.
  • 17. The surgical robotic system according to claim 10, further comprising a belt operably coupled to the pulley and fixedly coupled to an instrument drive unit, such that movement of the belt drives a movement of an instrument drive unit along the elongated slide.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National Stage Application filed under 35 U.S.C. § 371(a) of International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/US2019/042112, filed Jul. 17, 2019, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/703,489, filed Jul. 26, 2018, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

PCT Information
Filing Document Filing Date Country Kind
PCT/US2019/042112 7/17/2019 WO
Publishing Document Publishing Date Country Kind
WO2020/023255 1/30/2020 WO A
US Referenced Citations (492)
Number Name Date Kind
2957353 Babacz Oct 1960 A
3111328 Di Rito et al. Nov 1963 A
3695058 Keith, Jr. Oct 1972 A
3734515 Dudek May 1973 A
3759336 Marcovitz et al. Sep 1973 A
4162399 Hudson Jul 1979 A
4606343 Conta et al. Aug 1986 A
4683772 Colimitra Aug 1987 A
4705038 Sjostrom et al. Nov 1987 A
4722685 de Estrada et al. Feb 1988 A
4823807 Russell et al. Apr 1989 A
4862759 Trevelyan et al. Sep 1989 A
4874181 Hsu Oct 1989 A
5129118 Walmesley Jul 1992 A
5129570 Schulze et al. Jul 1992 A
5152744 Krause et al. Oct 1992 A
5301061 Nakada et al. Apr 1994 A
5312023 Green et al. May 1994 A
5326013 Green et al. Jul 1994 A
5350355 Sklar Sep 1994 A
5383874 Jackson et al. Jan 1995 A
5383880 Hooven Jan 1995 A
5389098 Tsuruta et al. Feb 1995 A
5395033 Byrne et al. Mar 1995 A
5400267 Denen et al. Mar 1995 A
5411508 Bessler et al. May 1995 A
5413267 Solyntjes et al. May 1995 A
5427087 Ito et al. Jun 1995 A
5433721 Hooven et al. Jul 1995 A
5467911 Tsuruta et al. Nov 1995 A
5476379 Disel Dec 1995 A
5487499 Sorrentino et al. Jan 1996 A
5518163 Hooven May 1996 A
5518164 Hooven May 1996 A
5526822 Burbank et al. Jun 1996 A
5529235 Boiarski et al. Jun 1996 A
5535934 Boiarski et al. Jul 1996 A
5535937 Boiarski et al. Jul 1996 A
5540375 Bolanos et al. Jul 1996 A
5540706 Aust et al. Jul 1996 A
5542594 McKean et al. Aug 1996 A
5549637 Crainich Aug 1996 A
5553675 Pitzen et al. Sep 1996 A
5562239 Boiarski et al. Oct 1996 A
5564615 Bishop et al. Oct 1996 A
5609560 Ichikawa et al. Mar 1997 A
5626587 Bishop et al. May 1997 A
5632432 Schulze et al. May 1997 A
5645209 Green et al. Jul 1997 A
5647526 Green et al. Jul 1997 A
5653374 Young et al. Aug 1997 A
5658300 Bito et al. Aug 1997 A
5662662 Bishop et al. Sep 1997 A
5667517 Hooven Sep 1997 A
5693042 Boiarski et al. Dec 1997 A
5704534 Huitema et al. Jan 1998 A
5713505 Huitema Feb 1998 A
5762603 Thompson Jun 1998 A
5779130 Alesi et al. Jul 1998 A
5782396 Mastri et al. Jul 1998 A
5782397 Koukline Jul 1998 A
5784542 Ohm et al. Jul 1998 A
5792573 Pitzen et al. Aug 1998 A
5797536 Smith et al. Aug 1998 A
5797900 Madhani et al. Aug 1998 A
5820009 Melling et al. Oct 1998 A
5863159 Lasko Jan 1999 A
5908427 McKean et al. Jun 1999 A
5954259 Viola et al. Sep 1999 A
5964774 McKean et al. Oct 1999 A
5993454 Longo Nov 1999 A
6010054 Johnson et al. Jan 2000 A
6017354 Culp et al. Jan 2000 A
6032849 Mastri et al. Mar 2000 A
6045560 McKean et al. Apr 2000 A
6090123 Culp et al. Jul 2000 A
6126651 Mayer Oct 2000 A
6129547 Cise et al. Oct 2000 A
6165169 Panescu et al. Dec 2000 A
6239732 Cusey May 2001 B1
6241139 Milliman et al. Jun 2001 B1
6264086 McGuckin, Jr. Jul 2001 B1
6264087 Whitman Jul 2001 B1
6302311 Adams et al. Oct 2001 B1
6315184 Whitman Nov 2001 B1
6321855 Barnes Nov 2001 B1
6329778 Culp et al. Dec 2001 B1
6343731 Adams et al. Feb 2002 B1
6348061 Whitman Feb 2002 B1
6368324 Dinger et al. Apr 2002 B1
6371909 Hoeg et al. Apr 2002 B1
6434507 Clayton et al. Aug 2002 B1
6443973 Whitman Sep 2002 B1
6451027 Cooper et al. Sep 2002 B1
6461372 Jensen et al. Oct 2002 B1
6488197 Whitman Dec 2002 B1
6491201 Whitman Dec 2002 B1
6533157 Whitman Mar 2003 B1
6537280 Dinger et al. Mar 2003 B2
6554844 Lee et al. Apr 2003 B2
6610066 Dinger et al. Aug 2003 B2
6611793 Burnside et al. Aug 2003 B1
6645218 Cassidy et al. Nov 2003 B1
6654999 Stoddard et al. Dec 2003 B2
6698643 Whitman Mar 2004 B2
6699177 Wang et al. Mar 2004 B1
6716233 Whitman Apr 2004 B1
6743240 Smith et al. Jun 2004 B2
6783533 Green et al. Aug 2004 B2
6792390 Burnside et al. Sep 2004 B1
6793652 Whitman et al. Sep 2004 B1
6817508 Racenet et al. Nov 2004 B1
6830174 Hillstead et al. Dec 2004 B2
6846308 Whitman et al. Jan 2005 B2
6846309 Whitman et al. Jan 2005 B2
6849071 Whitman et al. Feb 2005 B2
6860892 Tanaka et al. Mar 2005 B1
6899538 Matoba May 2005 B2
6905057 Swayze et al. Jun 2005 B2
6959852 Shelton, IV et al. Nov 2005 B2
6964363 Wales et al. Nov 2005 B2
6981628 Wales Jan 2006 B2
6981941 Whitman et al. Jan 2006 B2
6986451 Mastri et al. Jan 2006 B1
6988649 Shelton, IV et al. Jan 2006 B2
7032798 Whitman et al. Apr 2006 B2
RE39152 Aust et al. Jun 2006 E
7055731 Shelton, IV et al. Jun 2006 B2
7059508 Shelton, IV et al. Jun 2006 B2
7077856 Whitman Jul 2006 B2
7111769 Wales et al. Sep 2006 B2
7122029 Koop et al. Oct 2006 B2
7140528 Shelton, IV Nov 2006 B2
7141049 Stern et al. Nov 2006 B2
7143923 Shelton, IV et al. Dec 2006 B2
7143925 Shelton, IV et al. Dec 2006 B2
7143926 Shelton, IV et al. Dec 2006 B2
7147138 Shelton, IV Dec 2006 B2
7172104 Scirica et al. Feb 2007 B2
7225964 Mastri et al. Jun 2007 B2
7238021 Johnson Jul 2007 B1
7246734 Shelton, IV Jul 2007 B2
7252660 Kunz Aug 2007 B2
7328828 Ortiz et al. Feb 2008 B2
7364061 Swayze et al. Apr 2008 B2
7380695 Doll et al. Jun 2008 B2
7380696 Shelton, IV et al. Jun 2008 B2
7404508 Smith et al. Jul 2008 B2
7407078 Shelton, IV et al. Aug 2008 B2
7416101 Shelton, IV et al. Aug 2008 B2
7419080 Smith et al. Sep 2008 B2
7422139 Shelton, IV et al. Sep 2008 B2
7422592 Morley et al. Sep 2008 B2
7431189 Shelton, IV et al. Oct 2008 B2
7441684 Shelton, IV et al. Oct 2008 B2
7448525 Shelton, IV et al. Nov 2008 B2
7464846 Shelton, IV et al. Dec 2008 B2
7464847 Viola et al. Dec 2008 B2
7464849 Shelton, IV et al. Dec 2008 B2
7481347 Roy Jan 2009 B2
7481824 Boudreaux et al. Jan 2009 B2
7487899 Shelton, IV et al. Feb 2009 B2
7549564 Boudreaux Jun 2009 B2
7565993 Milliman et al. Jul 2009 B2
7568603 Shelton, IV et al. Aug 2009 B2
7575144 Ortiz et al. Aug 2009 B2
7588175 Timm et al. Sep 2009 B2
7588176 Timm et al. Sep 2009 B2
7637409 Marczyk Dec 2009 B2
7641093 Doll et al. Jan 2010 B2
7644848 Swayze et al. Jan 2010 B2
7670334 Hueil et al. Mar 2010 B2
7673780 Shelton, IV et al. Mar 2010 B2
7699835 Lee et al. Apr 2010 B2
7721931 Shelton, IV et al. May 2010 B2
7738971 Swayze et al. Jun 2010 B2
7740159 Shelton, IV et al. Jun 2010 B2
7743960 Whitman et al. Jun 2010 B2
7758613 Whitman Jul 2010 B2
7766210 Shelton, IV et al. Aug 2010 B2
7770773 Whitman et al. Aug 2010 B2
7770775 Shelton, IV et al. Aug 2010 B2
7793812 Moore et al. Sep 2010 B2
7799039 Shelton, IV et al. Sep 2010 B2
7802712 Milliman et al. Sep 2010 B2
7803151 Whitman Sep 2010 B2
7822458 Webster, III et al. Oct 2010 B2
7845534 Viola et al. Dec 2010 B2
7845537 Shelton, IV et al. Dec 2010 B2
7857185 Swayze et al. Dec 2010 B2
7870989 Viola et al. Jan 2011 B2
7900805 Shelton, IV et al. Mar 2011 B2
7905897 Whitman et al. Mar 2011 B2
7918230 Whitman et al. Apr 2011 B2
7922061 Shelton, IV et al. Apr 2011 B2
7922719 Ralph et al. Apr 2011 B2
7947034 Whitman May 2011 B2
7951071 Whitman et al. May 2011 B2
7954682 Giordano et al. Jun 2011 B2
7959051 Smith et al. Jun 2011 B2
7963433 Whitman et al. Jun 2011 B2
7967178 Scirica et al. Jun 2011 B2
7967179 Olson et al. Jun 2011 B2
7992758 Whitman et al. Aug 2011 B2
8011550 Aranyi et al. Sep 2011 B2
8016178 Olson et al. Sep 2011 B2
8016855 Whitman et al. Sep 2011 B2
8020743 Shelton, IV Sep 2011 B2
8025199 Whitman et al. Sep 2011 B2
8035487 Malackowski Oct 2011 B2
8052024 Viola et al. Nov 2011 B2
8074859 Kostrzewski Dec 2011 B2
8092451 Schechter et al. Jan 2012 B2
8114118 Knodel et al. Feb 2012 B2
8127975 Olson et al. Mar 2012 B2
8132705 Viola et al. Mar 2012 B2
8152516 Harvey et al. Apr 2012 B2
8157150 Viola et al. Apr 2012 B2
8157151 Ingmanson et al. Apr 2012 B2
8182494 Yencho et al. May 2012 B1
8186555 Shelton, IV et al. May 2012 B2
8186587 Zmood et al. May 2012 B2
8220367 Hsu Jul 2012 B2
8235273 Olson et al. Aug 2012 B2
8237388 Jinno et al. Aug 2012 B2
8241322 Whitman et al. Aug 2012 B2
8272554 Whitman et al. Sep 2012 B2
8292150 Bryant Oct 2012 B2
8292888 Whitman Oct 2012 B2
8342379 Whitman et al. Jan 2013 B2
8348130 Shah et al. Jan 2013 B2
8348855 Hillely et al. Jan 2013 B2
8353440 Whitman et al. Jan 2013 B2
8357144 Whitman et al. Jan 2013 B2
8365633 Simaan et al. Feb 2013 B2
8365972 Aranyi et al. Feb 2013 B2
8371492 Aranyi et al. Feb 2013 B2
8372057 Cude et al. Feb 2013 B2
8391957 Carlson et al. Mar 2013 B2
8403926 Nobis et al. Mar 2013 B2
8418904 Wenchell et al. Apr 2013 B2
8424739 Racenet et al. Apr 2013 B2
8454585 Whitman Jun 2013 B2
8465476 Rogers et al. Jun 2013 B2
8505802 Viola et al. Aug 2013 B2
8517241 Nicholas et al. Aug 2013 B2
8523043 Ullrich et al. Sep 2013 B2
8551076 Duval et al. Oct 2013 B2
8561871 Rajappa et al. Oct 2013 B2
8561874 Scirica Oct 2013 B2
8602287 Yates et al. Dec 2013 B2
8623000 Humayun et al. Jan 2014 B2
8627995 Smith et al. Jan 2014 B2
8632463 Drinan et al. Jan 2014 B2
8636192 Farascioni et al. Jan 2014 B2
8636766 Milliman et al. Jan 2014 B2
8647258 Aranyi et al. Feb 2014 B2
8652121 Quick et al. Feb 2014 B2
8657174 Yates et al. Feb 2014 B2
8657177 Scirica et al. Feb 2014 B2
8672206 Aranyi et al. Mar 2014 B2
8696552 Whitman Apr 2014 B2
8708213 Shelton, IV et al. Apr 2014 B2
8715306 Faller et al. May 2014 B2
8758391 Swayze et al. Jun 2014 B2
8806973 Ross et al. Aug 2014 B2
8808311 Heinrich et al. Aug 2014 B2
8820605 Shelton, IV Sep 2014 B2
8851355 Aranyi et al. Oct 2014 B2
8858571 Shelton, IV et al. Oct 2014 B2
8875972 Weisenburgh, II et al. Nov 2014 B2
8888762 Whitman Nov 2014 B2
8893946 Boudreaux et al. Nov 2014 B2
8899462 Kostrzewski et al. Dec 2014 B2
8905289 Patel et al. Dec 2014 B2
8919630 Milliman Dec 2014 B2
8925786 Holsten et al. Jan 2015 B2
8931680 Milliman Jan 2015 B2
8939344 Olson et al. Jan 2015 B2
8950646 Viola Feb 2015 B2
8960519 Whitman et al. Feb 2015 B2
8961396 Azarbarzin et al. Feb 2015 B2
8967443 McCuen Mar 2015 B2
8968276 Zemlok et al. Mar 2015 B2
8968337 Whitfield et al. Mar 2015 B2
8992422 Spivey et al. Mar 2015 B2
8998799 Orban, III et al. Apr 2015 B2
9016545 Aranyi et al. Apr 2015 B2
9023014 Chowaniec et al. May 2015 B2
9033868 Whitman et al. May 2015 B2
9055943 Zemlok et al. Jun 2015 B2
9064653 Prest et al. Jun 2015 B2
9072515 Hall et al. Jul 2015 B2
9113847 Whitman et al. Aug 2015 B2
9113875 Viola et al. Aug 2015 B2
9113876 Zemlok et al. Aug 2015 B2
9113899 Garrison et al. Aug 2015 B2
9216013 Scirica et al. Dec 2015 B2
9241712 Zemlok et al. Jan 2016 B2
9282961 Whitman et al. Mar 2016 B2
9282963 Bryant Mar 2016 B2
9295522 Kostrzewski Mar 2016 B2
9307986 Hall et al. Apr 2016 B2
9937626 Rockrohr Apr 2018 B2
10179413 Rockrohr Jan 2019 B2
20010031975 Whitman et al. Oct 2001 A1
20020040217 Jinno Apr 2002 A1
20020049454 Whitman et al. Apr 2002 A1
20020087148 Brock et al. Jul 2002 A1
20020165541 Whitman Nov 2002 A1
20030038938 Jung et al. Feb 2003 A1
20030165794 Matoba Sep 2003 A1
20040034369 Sauer et al. Feb 2004 A1
20040111012 Whitman Jun 2004 A1
20040133189 Sakurai Jul 2004 A1
20040153124 Whitman Aug 2004 A1
20040176751 Weitzner et al. Sep 2004 A1
20040193146 Lee et al. Sep 2004 A1
20050125027 Knodel et al. Jun 2005 A1
20050131442 Yachia et al. Jun 2005 A1
20060079884 Manzo et al. Apr 2006 A1
20060142656 Malackowski et al. Jun 2006 A1
20060142740 Sherman et al. Jun 2006 A1
20060142744 Boutoussov Jun 2006 A1
20060235436 Anderson et al. Oct 2006 A1
20060259073 Miyamoto et al. Nov 2006 A1
20060278680 Viola et al. Dec 2006 A1
20060284730 Schmid et al. Dec 2006 A1
20070023476 Whitman et al. Feb 2007 A1
20070023477 Whitman et al. Feb 2007 A1
20070029363 Popov Feb 2007 A1
20070084897 Shelton et al. Apr 2007 A1
20070102472 Shelton May 2007 A1
20070152014 Gillum et al. Jul 2007 A1
20070175947 Ortiz et al. Aug 2007 A1
20070175949 Shelton et al. Aug 2007 A1
20070175950 Shelton et al. Aug 2007 A1
20070175951 Shelton et al. Aug 2007 A1
20070175955 Shelton et al. Aug 2007 A1
20070270784 Smith et al. Nov 2007 A1
20080029570 Shelton et al. Feb 2008 A1
20080029573 Shelton et al. Feb 2008 A1
20080029574 Shelton et al. Feb 2008 A1
20080029575 Shelton et al. Feb 2008 A1
20080039256 Jinno et al. Feb 2008 A1
20080058801 Taylor et al. Mar 2008 A1
20080103491 Omori et al. May 2008 A1
20080109012 Falco et al. May 2008 A1
20080110958 McKenna et al. May 2008 A1
20080119870 Williams May 2008 A1
20080147089 Loh et al. Jun 2008 A1
20080167736 Swayze et al. Jul 2008 A1
20080185419 Smith et al. Aug 2008 A1
20080188841 Tomasello et al. Aug 2008 A1
20080196533 Bergamasco Aug 2008 A1
20080197167 Viola et al. Aug 2008 A1
20080208195 Shores et al. Aug 2008 A1
20080237296 Boudreaux et al. Oct 2008 A1
20080245175 Jinno et al. Oct 2008 A1
20080251561 Eades et al. Oct 2008 A1
20080255413 Zemlok et al. Oct 2008 A1
20080255607 Zemlok Oct 2008 A1
20080262654 Omori et al. Oct 2008 A1
20080308603 Shelton et al. Dec 2008 A1
20090012533 Barbagli et al. Jan 2009 A1
20090090763 Zemlok et al. Apr 2009 A1
20090099876 Whitman Apr 2009 A1
20090138006 Bales et al. May 2009 A1
20090171147 Lee et al. Jul 2009 A1
20090182193 Whitman et al. Jul 2009 A1
20090209946 Swayze et al. Aug 2009 A1
20090209990 Yates et al. Aug 2009 A1
20090254094 Knapp et al. Oct 2009 A1
20090299141 Downey et al. Dec 2009 A1
20100016852 Manzo et al. Jan 2010 A1
20100016853 Burbank Jan 2010 A1
20100023022 Zeiner et al. Jan 2010 A1
20100069942 Shelton, IV Mar 2010 A1
20100193568 Scheib et al. Aug 2010 A1
20100211053 Ross et al. Aug 2010 A1
20100225073 Porter et al. Sep 2010 A1
20100228264 Robinson et al. Sep 2010 A1
20100292708 Madhani et al. Nov 2010 A1
20110071508 Duval et al. Mar 2011 A1
20110077673 Grubac et al. Mar 2011 A1
20110121049 Malinouskas et al. May 2011 A1
20110125138 Malinouskas et al. May 2011 A1
20110139851 McCuen Jun 2011 A1
20110155783 Rajappa et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110155786 Shelton, IV Jun 2011 A1
20110172648 Jeong Jul 2011 A1
20110174009 Iizuka et al. Jul 2011 A1
20110174099 Ross et al. Jul 2011 A1
20110184245 Xia et al. Jul 2011 A1
20110204119 McCuen Aug 2011 A1
20110218522 Whitman Sep 2011 A1
20110276057 Conlon et al. Nov 2011 A1
20110290854 Timm et al. Dec 2011 A1
20110295242 Spivey et al. Dec 2011 A1
20110295269 Swensgard et al. Dec 2011 A1
20120000962 Racenet et al. Jan 2012 A1
20120010616 Huang et al. Jan 2012 A1
20120074199 Olson et al. Mar 2012 A1
20120080475 Smith et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120080485 Woodard, Jr. et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120089131 Zemlok et al. Apr 2012 A1
20120104071 Bryant May 2012 A1
20120116368 Viola May 2012 A1
20120116416 Neff et al. May 2012 A1
20120143002 Aranyi et al. Jun 2012 A1
20120168485 Marczyk et al. Jul 2012 A1
20120172924 Allen, IV Jul 2012 A1
20120199630 Shelton, IV Aug 2012 A1
20120209292 Devengenzo Aug 2012 A1
20120223121 Viola et al. Sep 2012 A1
20120245428 Smith et al. Sep 2012 A1
20120253329 Zemlok et al. Oct 2012 A1
20120310220 Malkowski et al. Dec 2012 A1
20120323226 Chowaniec et al. Dec 2012 A1
20120330285 Hartoumbekis et al. Dec 2012 A1
20130020376 Shelton, IV et al. Jan 2013 A1
20130032629 Viola Feb 2013 A1
20130093149 Saur et al. Apr 2013 A1
20130131695 Scarfogliero et al. May 2013 A1
20130158542 Manzo et al. Jun 2013 A1
20130181035 Milliman Jul 2013 A1
20130184704 Beardsley et al. Jul 2013 A1
20130214025 Zemlok et al. Aug 2013 A1
20130274722 Kostrzewski et al. Oct 2013 A1
20130282052 Aranyi et al. Oct 2013 A1
20130292451 Viola et al. Nov 2013 A1
20130313304 Shelton, IV et al. Nov 2013 A1
20130317486 Nicholas et al. Nov 2013 A1
20130319706 Nicholas et al. Dec 2013 A1
20130324978 Nicholas et al. Dec 2013 A1
20130324979 Nicholas et al. Dec 2013 A1
20130325095 Ollivier Dec 2013 A1
20130331858 Devengenzo et al. Dec 2013 A1
20130334281 Williams Dec 2013 A1
20140005640 Shelton, IV et al. Jan 2014 A1
20140012236 Williams et al. Jan 2014 A1
20140012237 Pribanic et al. Jan 2014 A1
20140012289 Snow et al. Jan 2014 A1
20140025046 Williams et al. Jan 2014 A1
20140110455 Ingmanson et al. Apr 2014 A1
20140166023 Kishi Jun 2014 A1
20140207125 Applegate et al. Jul 2014 A1
20140207182 Zergiebel et al. Jul 2014 A1
20140207185 Goble et al. Jul 2014 A1
20140236174 Williams et al. Aug 2014 A1
20140276932 Williams et al. Sep 2014 A1
20140299647 Scirica et al. Oct 2014 A1
20140303668 Nicholas et al. Oct 2014 A1
20140358129 Zergiebel et al. Dec 2014 A1
20140361068 Aranyi et al. Dec 2014 A1
20140365235 DeBoer et al. Dec 2014 A1
20140373652 Zergiebel et al. Dec 2014 A1
20140378761 Zorn et al. Dec 2014 A1
20150014392 Williams et al. Jan 2015 A1
20150048144 Whitman Feb 2015 A1
20150076205 Zergiebel Mar 2015 A1
20150080912 Sapre Mar 2015 A1
20150112381 Richard Apr 2015 A1
20150122870 Zemlok et al. May 2015 A1
20150133224 Whitman et al. May 2015 A1
20150150547 Ingmanson et al. Jun 2015 A1
20150150574 Richard et al. Jun 2015 A1
20150150636 Hagn et al. Jun 2015 A1
20150157320 Zergiebel et al. Jun 2015 A1
20150157321 Zergiebel et al. Jun 2015 A1
20150164502 Richard et al. Jun 2015 A1
20150201931 Zergiebel et al. Jul 2015 A1
20150272577 Zemlok et al. Oct 2015 A1
20150297199 Nicholas et al. Oct 2015 A1
20150303996 Calderoni Oct 2015 A1
20150320420 Penna et al. Nov 2015 A1
20150327850 Kostrzewski Nov 2015 A1
20150342601 Williams et al. Dec 2015 A1
20150342603 Zergiebel et al. Dec 2015 A1
20150374366 Zergiebel et al. Dec 2015 A1
20150374370 Zergiebel et al. Dec 2015 A1
20150374371 Richard et al. Dec 2015 A1
20150374372 Zergiebel et al. Dec 2015 A1
20150374449 Chowaniec et al. Dec 2015 A1
20150380187 Zergiebel et al. Dec 2015 A1
20160095585 Zergiebel et al. Apr 2016 A1
20160095596 Scirica et al. Apr 2016 A1
20160106406 Cabrera et al. Apr 2016 A1
20160113648 Zergiebel et al. Apr 2016 A1
20160113649 Zergiebel et al. Apr 2016 A1
20170142738 You et al. May 2017 A1
20180168748 Kapadia Jun 2018 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (38)
Number Date Country
2451558 Jan 2003 CA
1547454 Nov 2004 CN
1957854 May 2007 CN
101340852 Jan 2009 CN
101495046 Jul 2009 CN
102058437 May 2011 CN
102247182 Nov 2011 CN
103732174 Apr 2014 CN
104394793 Mar 2015 CN
104619280 May 2015 CN
105611894 May 2016 CN
102008053842 May 2010 DE
0443576 Aug 1991 EP
0705571 Apr 1996 EP
1563793 Aug 2005 EP
1769754 Apr 2007 EP
2316345 May 2011 EP
2668910 Dec 2013 EP
3416582 Dec 2018 EP
2333509 Feb 2010 ES
2005125075 May 2005 JP
2009226028 Oct 2009 JP
2012120884 Jun 2012 JP
2013034833 Feb 2013 JP
2013103137 May 2013 JP
2014512888 May 2014 JP
2015134203 Jul 2015 JP
20120022521 Mar 2012 KR
2011016640 Feb 2011 WO
2011037394 Aug 2011 WO
2011108840 Sep 2011 WO
2012040984 Apr 2012 WO
2015023834 Feb 2015 WO
2015142785 Sep 2015 WO
2016043845 Mar 2016 WO
2017142738 Aug 2017 WO
2017151458 Sep 2017 WO
2018013304 Jan 2018 WO
Non-Patent Literature Citations (5)
Entry
Supplemental Partial European Search Report dated Apr. 8, 2022, issued in corresponding EP Appln. No. 19840043, 13 pages.
Extended European Search Report dated Jul. 12, 2022, issued in corresponding EP Appln. No. 19840043, 12 pages.
Openbuilds: “V-Slot Linear Actuator Bundle (Belt Driven) Example Build”, Oct. 8, 2015, XP093107956, Avaialble at:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCr1 ogUuNPA, Last retrieved on Jan. 5, 2024.
Examination Report Issued in European Patent Application No. 19 840 043.4 dated Dec. 6, 2023 (8 pages).
Chinese Office Action Dated Dec. 4, 2023 for Chinese Application No. 2019800603387 (12 pages).
Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20210169591 A1 Jun 2021 US
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
62703489 Jul 2018 US