Intelligent holding arm for head surgery, with touch-sensitive operation

Abstract

A holding arm for holding a surgical mechatronic assistance system or a surgical instrument is described. The holding arm includes a proximal end for attaching the holding arm to a base and a distal end for receiving the surgical mechatronic assistance system or the surgical instrument. The holding arm also includes a first arm segment connected to a first joint and a second arm segment connected to a second joint. The first joint and the second joint are releasable and lockable. The holding arm also includes a switch adapted to release both the first and second joints. The holding arm also includes a first contacting device with two contact elements arranged substantially opposite one another on the first arm segment. The first contacting device is adapted to release the first joint only when both of the two contact elements of the first contacting device are contacted.

1 . A holding arm for holding a surgical mechatronic assistance system or a surgical instrument, the holding arm comprising:
 a proximal end for attaching the holding arm to a base and a distal end for receiving the surgical mechatronic assistance system or the surgical instrument;   a first arm segment and a second arm segment, wherein the first arm segment is connected to a first joint and the second arm segment is connected to a second joint, wherein each of the first joint and the second joint is releasable and lockable;   a switch adapted to release both the first joint and the second joint; and   a first contacting device arranged on the first arm segment, wherein the first contacting device has two contact elements arranged substantially opposite one another on the first arm segment, and wherein the first contacting device is adapted to release the first joint only when both of the two contact elements of the first contacting device are contacted.   
     
     
         2 . The holding arm according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second contacting device arranged on the second arm segment, wherein the second contacting device is adapted to release the second joint when the second contacting device is contacted. 
     
     
         3 . The holding arm according to  claim 2 , wherein the second contacting device has two contact elements arranged substantially opposite one another on the second arm segment, and wherein the second contacting device is adapted to release the second joint only when both of the two contact elements of the second contacting device are contacted. 
     
     
         4 . The holding arm according to  claim 1 , wherein the two contact elements of the first contacting device are pushbuttons or touch-sensitive sensors. 
     
     
         5 . The holding arm according to  claim 1 , wherein the first joint comprises a first brake adapted to release and lock the first joint, and the second joint comprises a second brake adapted to release and lock the second joint. 
     
     
         6 . The holding arm according to  claim 1 , wherein the holding arm comprises seven arm segments including the first arm segment and the second arm segment, and seven joints including the first joint and the second joint. 
     
     
         7 . The holding arm according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one cable duct provided inside the first and second arm segments to guide cables from the proximal end to the distal end of the holding arm. 
     
     
         8 . The holding arm according to  claim 1 , wherein the proximal end comprises a first mechanical coupling for releasably coupling the holding arm to a second corresponding coupling of an operating table. 
     
     
         9 . The holding arm according to  claim 1 , wherein the distal end comprises a mechatronic interface for coupling to the surgical mechatronic assistance system or the surgical instrument. 
     
     
         10 . The holding arm of  claim 1 , wherein the switch is at the distal end of the holding arm or is a footswitch disposed at a distance from the holding arm. 
     
     
         11 . The holding arm of  claim 1 , wherein the switch is adapted to release both the first joint and the second joint simultaneously. 
     
     
         12 . A holding arm for holding a surgical mechatronic assistance system or a surgical instrument, the holding arm comprising:
 a proximal end for attaching the holding arm to a base and a distal end for receiving the surgical mechatronic assistance system or the surgical instrument;   a first arm segment and a second arm segment, wherein the first arm segment is connected to a first joint and the second arm segment is connected to a second joint, wherein each of the first joint and the second joint is releasable and lockable;   a switch adapted to release both the first joint and the second joint;   a first contacting device arranged on the first arm segment, wherein the first contacting device is adapted to release the first joint when the first contacting device is contacted;   a first interface at the proximal end for connecting the holding arm to an external control unit that transmits signals to and receives signals from the holding arm;   a second interface at the distal end for connecting the holding arm to the surgical mechatronic assistance system or the surgical instrument, the second interface transmitting signals to and receiving signals from the surgical mechatronic assistance system or the surgical instrument;   a transmission unit connecting the first interface to the second interface to transmit signals between the first and second interfaces; and   a safety element at the second interface, wherein the safety element is configured to identify a faulty connection between the surgical mechatronic assistance system or the surgical instrument and the second interface, and to lock all joints of the holding arm in response to identifying the faulty connection between the surgical mechatronic assistance system or the surgical instrument and the second interface.   
     
     
         13 . The holding arm according to  claim 12 , wherein the first interface comprises a connector for an external accumulator. 
     
     
         14 . The holding arm according to  claim 12 , wherein the transmission unit comprises a bus. 
     
     
         15 . The holding arm according to  claim 12 , further comprising a recognition unit configured to recognize the surgical mechatronic assistance system or the surgical instrument coupled to the second interface, wherein control of releasing or locking of the first and second joints is based on a type of the surgical mechatronic assistance system or the surgical instrument coupled to the second interface. 
     
     
         16 . The holding arm according to  claim 12 , further comprising a display configured to display a representation of data transferred to the first or second interface. 
     
     
         17 . The holding arm according to  claim 12 , wherein the first interface connects the holding arm to an energy source for powering the holding arm and the surgical mechatronic assistance system or the surgical instrument. 
     
     
         18 . A holding arm for holding a surgical mechatronic assistance system or a surgical instrument, the holding arm comprising:
 a proximal end for attaching the holding arm to a base and a distal end for receiving the surgical mechatronic assistance system or the surgical instrument;   a first interface at the proximal end for connecting the holding arm to an energy source and to an external control unit that transmits signals to and receives signals from the holding arm;   a second interface at the distal end for connecting the holding arm to the surgical mechatronic assistance system or the surgical instrument, the second interface transmitting signals to and receiving signals from the surgical mechatronic assistance system or the surgical instrument;   a bus connecting the first interface to the second interface to transmit energy and signals between the first and second interfaces;   a first arm segment and a second arm segment, wherein the first arm segment is connected to a first joint and the second arm segment is connected to a second joint, wherein the first joint comprises a first brake adapted to release and lock the first joint and the second joint comprises a second brake adapted to release and lock the second joint;   a switch adapted to release both the first joint and the second joint; and   a first contacting device arranged on the first arm segment, wherein the first contacting device is adapted to release the first joint when the first contacting device is contacted,   a control unit is coupled to the first contacting device, the first brake and the second brake.   
     
     
         19 . The holding arm of  claim 18 , further comprising an interface at the proximal end, the interface comprising a connector for the bus. 
     
     
         20 . The holding arm of  claim 18 , further comprising an interface at the distal end, the interface comprising a connector for the bus.