Method and apparatus for multi-system remote surgical navigation from a single control center

Abstract

A system and method are provided for performing remote surgical navigation in multiple systems from a single control center, where there are at least two remote navigation systems in separate procedure rooms having respective control computers. The system includes a Control Center separate from each procedure room that has a set of displays and interface input devices. A switch may also be included for connecting the Control Center to the set of displays, interface input devices, and remote navigation systems. A method is provided for performing multiple simultaneous remote medical procedures that includes displaying information transmitted from a remote navigation system to the Control Center, and accepting user input from a remote navigation system. The method provides for establishing an encryption key with the remote system, converting the user input to a script data and encrypting the data. The transmitted script command is then transmitted to the remote navigation system.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A method for performing multiple simultaneous remote medical interventional procedures on any of a set of remote navigation systems from a single, physically distant Control Center, the method comprising the steps of:
 displaying information, transmitted over a link from any of the remote navigation systems, in the Control Center;   accepting user input into a Control Center computer;   establishing an encryption key between the Control Center computer and the remote navigation system computer;   converting the user input data to a pre-determined data stream format and then encrypting this data on the Control Center computer;   transmitting the encrypted data over a link from the Control Center computer to a computer at the remote navigation system site;   decrypting the received data and converting it to USB-format data, and   transmitting the USB-format data to the remote navigation system control computer via a local, standard USB cable link.   
     
     
         13 . A method for performing multiple simultaneous remote medical interventional procedures on any of a set of remote navigation systems from a single, physically distant Control Center, the method comprising the steps of:
 displaying information, transmitted over a link from any of the remote navigation systems, in the Control Center;   accepting user input into a Control Center computer;   establishing an encryption key between the Control Center computer and the remote navigation system computer;   converting the user input data to a pre-determined data stream format and then encrypting this data on the Control Center computer;   transmitting the encrypted data over a link from the Control Center computer to a computer at the remote navigation system site;   decrypting the received data and converting it to a set of pre-determined script commands corresponding to medical device control and user interaction elements, and   transmitting the script commands to the remote navigation system control computer via a local, standard Ethernet link.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , where the link between the Control Center computer and the remote navigation system computer is a physical connection using Copper conductors. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , where the link between the Control Center computer and the remote navigation system computer is a physical connection using optical fibers. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , where the link between the Control Center computer and the remote navigation system computer is a wireless connection employing a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum for communication. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , where the link between the Control Center computer and the remote navigation system computer is a physical connection using Copper conductors. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , where the link between the Control Center computer and the remote navigation system computer is a physical connection using optical fibers. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , where the link between the Control Center computer and the remote navigation system computer is a wireless connection employing a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum for communication. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , where the script commands include changing medical device tip orientation. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 13 , where the script commands include advancement/retraction of the medical device. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 12 , where at least one of the remote navigation systems is a magnetic navigation system. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 12 , where at least one of the remote navigation systems is a mechanically actuated navigation system. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 13 , where at least one of the remote navigation systems is a magnetic navigation system. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 13 , where at least one of the remote navigation systems is a mechanically actuated navigation system. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 12 , where each of the remote navigation systems incorporates a local over-ride option with which system control from the Control Center could be disabled. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 13 , where each of the remote navigation systems incorporates a local over-ride option with which system control from the Control Center could be disabled. 
     
     
         28 . The system of claim  1 , where each of the remote navigation systems incorporates a local over-ride option with which system control from the Control Center could be disabled. 
     
     
         29 . The system of claim  2 , where each of the remote navigation systems incorporates a local over-ride option with which system control from the Control Center could be disabled.