SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INHIBITING INJURY TO A PATIENT DURING LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY

摘要

This group of inventions provides means and methods for preventing thedamaging portions of surgical tools, such as laparoscopic devices, fromadversely contacting tissues and organs that are not in the desired field ofsurgery. As such, the present disclosure pertains to any form of a warning orpositioning device or methods, including those that are facilitated viasoftwarethat are adapted and arranged for use in tracking portions of surgicalinstrumentsduring laparoscopic surgery or other medical procedures. Such systems includethose that are adapted and arranged to provide a warning to the surgeon orothermedical personnel regarding the positional status of an instrument, and thosethat are adapted and arranged for disabling or attenuating the portions ofthoseinstruments that might be dangerous to a patient when a dangerous portion ofthe instrument is near or outside the desired, or denominated, field ofsurgery.Data relating to the position and orientation of the instrument and of thepositionof a safe zone within which the instrument can be kept safely is optionally(preferably) stored throughout a medical procedure for later playback fortrainingpurposes or for ensuring that a patient was not injured during a medicalprocedure.