Abstract:
A surgical robotic system is provided including at least one robotic unit that is mechanically self-contained such that the robotic unit is movable on a bodily surface inside a patient&#39;s body independently of any structure positioned outside of the patient&#39;s body, and a control device positioned remotely from the at least one robotic unit, wherein said control device transmits commands that manipulate the at least one robotic unit inside the patient&#39;s body. A method of performing a robotically assisted medical procedure is also provided, including positioning at least one robotic unit inside a patient&#39;s body, moving the robotic unit on a bodily surface inside the patient&#39;s body by transmitting commands thereto via a control device that is positioned remotely from the at least one robotic unit, and actuating at least one medical tool positioned on the robotic unit via the control device.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to the field of robotically assisted medical diagnosis and treatment. More specifically, the present invention relates to a robotic system and method for performing medical diagnosis and treatment using a plurality of remotely controlled in vivo robotic units. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The field of robotically-assisted surgery has been fast growing and presents numerous advantages over traditional surgical procedures performed by a surgeon. Some of the advantages include possibility for remote surgery, which allows a surgeon to perform surgery from anywhere in the world using computer-controlled robotic systems. Additionally, robotically-assisted medical procedures are minimally invasive, allowing for more precision, miniaturization, smaller incisions, decreased blood loss, less pain, and quicker patient healing time. Furthermore, robotically-assisted medical procedures give surgeons much better control over surgical instruments, such as articulation beyond normal manipulation, filtering out naturally occurring hand tremors, performance of certain actions with much smoother, feedback-controlled motions than could ever be achieved by a human hand, and a better view of a surgical site. In addition, surgeons no longer have to stand throughout the surgery and, thus, do not tire as quickly. 
         [0003]    In robotically-assisted surgery, a surgeon typically operates a controller to remotely control the motion of surgical instruments affixed to robotic arms positioned at a surgical site. The controller is in a location that may be remote from the patient (e.g., across the operating room, in a different room or a completely different building from the patient). The controller typically includes one or more hand input devices, such as handheld wrist gimbals, joysticks, exosceletal gloves, handpieces, etc., coupled to the robotic arms holding the surgical instruments. The controller controls motors associated with the robotic arms for articulating the instruments at the surgical site. During the surgery, the hand devices provide mechanical articulation/control of a variety of surgical instruments coupled to the robotic arms that each perform various surgical functions for the surgeon. 
         [0004]    Known surgical robotic systems usually include either robot arms fastened to the side of an operating table at fixed locations or a robot arm fastened to a separate movable stand that can be positioned adjacent to the operating table. To position the surgical instruments relative to a patient body at the commencement of a surgical procedure using a robotically-assisted system, incisions are typically made where the instruments are to enter the patient body. Then, the robotic arms of the surgical system are maneuvered to position guides on the arms in the incisions. The guides on the robotic arms then serve to guide the surgical instruments through the incisions and into the patient&#39;s body. Once in the patient&#39;s body, the robotic arms operate the surgical instruments to perform various functions required during a particular surgical procedure. 
         [0005]    However, known robotic systems have a number of disadvantages. For example, most of the current systems are too complex and cumbersome in design, requiring undesirably long setup times and procedures prior to surgery in order to secure the robotic system at the surgical site and position the robotic arms adjacent the patient. 
         [0006]    Another disadvantage of current systems is that they are typically restricted to performing specific classes of medical procedures and a different class necessitates another type of robotic system. For multiple medical procedures in a specified region of the patient, current systems can require the undesirable complicated and time consuming repositioning and/or substitution of a replacement robotic system while the patient is on the operating table. 
         [0007]    A further disadvantage with current systems is that they are limited in function and reach. For example, known systems typically only allow a surgeon to perform medical procedures on tissues or organs directly adjacent to the incision site, and are incapable of performing minimally invasive procedures on tissues/organs located remotely from the incision cite. 
         [0008]    Yet another disadvantage of known robotically-assisted surgical systems is that they usually require a separate imaging device and a light source to be introduced in order to view the surgical site, which requires larger incisions and more invasive approach procedures. 
         [0009]    Therefore, there is a need for a remotely controlled surgical robotic system that overcomes the shortcomings of known robotically assisted devices. There is also a need for an improved remotely controlled surgical robotic system that is simple in design and easy to assemble. There is further a need for a remotely controlled surgical robotic system that has improved functionality and reach and is capable of performing different types of medical procedures. Finally, there is a need for a remotely controlled surgical robotic system that has integrated imaging and illumination capabilities. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved remotely controlled surgical robotic system that overcomes the above-discussed shortcomings of known robotically assisted devices. 
         [0011]    In order to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art and to achieve at least some of the objects and advantages listed, a surgical robotic system is provided, including at least one robotic unit that is mechanically self-contained such that the robotic unit is movable on a bodily surface inside a patient&#39;s body independently of any structure positioned outside of the patient&#39;s body, and a control device positioned remotely from the at least one robotic unit, wherein the control device transmits commands that manipulate the at least one robotic unit inside the patient&#39;s body. 
         [0012]    In some embodiments, the at least one robotic unit includes at least one imaging device positioned thereon. In certain of these embodiments, the surgical robotic system further includes a processor receiving image data from the at least one imaging device. In further of these embodiments, the surgical robotic system further includes a display receiving processed image data from the processor and displaying the image data to a user. 
         [0013]    In certain embodiments, the at least one robotic unit has at least one illumination device generating light for illuminating surrounding tissue. 
         [0014]    In some cases, the surgical robotic system further includes a power source providing electrical power to the at least one robotic unit. 
         [0015]    In certain advantageous embodiments, the control device transmits commands to the at least one robotic unit via a wireless connection. In other advantageous embodiments, the control device transmits commands to the at least one robotic unit via a cable. 
         [0016]    In some embodiments, the at least one robotic unit includes at least one medical tool that receives commands from the control device. In certain of these embodiments, the at least one medical tool is at least one of a cutting tool, a grasping tool, a fluid delivery tool, a suturing tool, a suctioning tool, and a wedging tool. In additional of these embodiments, the at least one robotic unit includes a movable positioning device coupled to the at least one medical tool that positions the medical tool adjacent target tissue. 
         [0017]    In certain embodiments, the at least one robotic unit includes a storage compartment that receives a tissue sample. 
         [0018]    In some cases, the at least one robotic unit includes a moving device configured to make contact with the bodily surface to move the at least one robotic unit on the bodily surface inside the patient&#39;s body. 
         [0019]    In certain embodiments, the surgical robotic system further includes at least one transporter unit configured to transport the at least one robotic unit in and out of the patient&#39;s body and within the patient&#39;s body. In some of these embodiments, the at least one transporter unit includes a moving device that moves the unit and a lifting device that positions the at least one robotic unit adjacent target tissue. 
         [0020]    A surgical robotic system is also provided, including at least one robotic unit, the robotic unit having a moving device configured to make contact with and to push off a bodily surface inside a patient&#39;s body to propel the robotic unit, and a control station positioned remotely from the at least one robotic unit, the control station including a control device that transmits commands that manipulate the at least one robotic unit inside the patient&#39;s body. 
         [0021]    In certain embodiments, the at least one robotic unit includes at least one imaging device positioned thereon. In some of these embodiments, the surgical robotic system further includes a processor that receives image data from the at least one imaging device. In additional of these embodiments, the surgical robotic system further includes a display receiving processed image data from the processor and displaying the image data to a user. 
         [0022]    In some embodiments, the at least one robotic unit has at least one illumination device generating light for illuminating surrounding tissue. 
         [0023]    In certain embodiments, the surgical robotic system further includes a power source providing electrical power to the at least one robotic unit. 
         [0024]    In some advantageous embodiments, the control device transmits commands to the at least one robotic unit via a wireless connection. In other advantageous embodiments, the control device transmits commands to the at least one robotic unit via a cable. 
         [0025]    In some cases, the at least one robotic unit includes at least one medical tool that receives commands from the control device. In certain of these embodiments, the at least one medical tool is at least one of a cutting tool, a grasping tool, a fluid delivery tool, a suturing tool, a suctioning tool, and a wedging tool. In further of these embodiments, the at least one robotic unit includes a movable positioning device coupled to the at least one medical tool that positions the medical tool adjacent target tissue. 
         [0026]    In some cases, the at least one robotic unit includes a storage compartment that receives a tissue sample. 
         [0027]    In certain embodiments, the surgical robotic system further includes at least one transporter unit configured to transport the at least one robotic unit in and out of the patient&#39;s body and within the patient&#39;s body. In some of these embodiments, the at least one transporter unit inlcludes a moving device that moves the unit and a lifting device that positions the at least one robotic unit adjacent target tissue. 
         [0028]    A method of performing a robotically assisted medical procedure, comprising the steps of: positioning at least one robotic unit inside a patient&#39;s body, moving the at least one robotic unit on a bodily surface inside the patient&#39;s body by transmitting commands thereto via a control device that is positioned remotely from the at least one robotic unit, and actuating at least one medical tool positioned on the at least one robotic unit via the control device. 
         [0029]    In some embodiments, the method according further includes the step of visualizing surrounding tissue via at least one imaging device positioned on the at least one robotic unit. In some of these embodiments, the method also includes the step of transmitting image data from the at least one imaging device to a display for display to a user. 
         [0030]    In certain embodiments, the method further includes the step of illuminating surrounding tissue via at least one illumination device positioned on the at least one robotic unit. 
         [0031]    In some cases, the at least one medical tool is at least one of a cutting tool, a grasping tool, a fluid delivery tool, a suturing tool, a suctioning tool, and a wedging tool. 
         [0032]    In certain advantageous embodiments, the control device is transmitting commands to the at least one robotic unit via a wireless connection. In other advantageous embodiments, the control device is transmitting commands to the at least one robotic unit via a cable. 
         [0033]    Other objects of the invention and its particular features and advantages will become more apparent from consideration of the following drawings and accompanying detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0034]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a remotely controlled surgical robotic system in accordance with the invention being operated inside a patient&#39;s body. 
           [0035]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a robotic unit of the remotely controlled surgical robotic system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0036]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a robotic unit of the remotely controlled surgical robotic system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0037]      FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  are perspective views of a robotic unit of the remotely controlled surgical robotic system of  FIG. 1 , showing the robotic unit in an inactivated and activated configurations 
           [0038]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a robotic unit of the remotely controlled surgical robotic system of  FIG. 1 , showing a movable positioning device. 
           [0039]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a robotic unit of the remotely controlled surgical robotic system of  FIG. 1 , showing a fluid delivery device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0040]    The basic components of one embodiment of a remotely controlled surgical robotic system in accordance with the invention are illustrated in  FIG. 1 . As used in the description, the terms “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below,” “over,” “under,” “above,” “beneath,” “on top,” “underneath,” “up,” “down,” “upper,” “lower,” “front,” “rear,” “back,” “forward” and “backward” refer to the objects referenced when in the orientation illustrated in the drawings, which orientation is not necessary for achieving the objects of the invention. 
         [0041]    The remotely controlled surgical robotic system of the present invention may be used to perform any type of medical procedure. For example, the system may be used to perform various surgical procedures that are typically performed by a surgeon during a surgery, e.g. clipping, suturing, coring, cutting, suctioning, irrigating, etc. Additionally, the robotic system of the present invention is design to perform a variety of diagnostic procedures, such as biopsy tissue sampling, imaging of target tissue areas, and the like. The system can also be used to deliver drugs and other therapeutic agents to various organs and/or tissues. 
         [0042]    The basic components of one embodiment of a remotely controlled surgical robotic system in accordance with the invention are illustrated in  FIG. 1 . As shown in this figure, the system  10  of the present invention includes a plurality of robotic units  12  and a remote control station  14 . The robotic units  12  are located in an operating room in close proximity to a patient  11  positioned on an operating table. The robotic units  12  are remotely controlled using the control station  14  (e.g. surgical workstation), which may be located away from the operating table, such as at a surgeon&#39;s station within the operating room, in a control room within a hospital, or at another facility. The control station  14  is connected to the robotic units  12  by cables or through wireless connection  13 , and may be attached to a hospital local network and/or a remote network such as the Internet. 
         [0043]    The control station  14  preferably includes an image display or a monitor  16  for viewing an image of the surgical site provided by an imaging device positioned on each robotic unit  12 . The monitor  16  may be capable of providing simultaneous images from several robotic units, as shown in  FIG. 1 . The control station further includes at least one manually operatable manipulator  18  coupled to the robotic units  12  for controlling and manipulating the robotic units by the surgeon. Any type of suitable manipulator device, such as handheld wrist gimbals, joysticks, exosceletal gloves, handpieces, touchscreens, etc., may be used in accordance with the present invention. Accordingly, when using the control station  14 , the surgeon may sit in a chair in front of the control station  14 , position his/her eyes in front of the monitor  16 , and operate one or more manipulators  18 , while observing the surgical site on the monitor  16 . Alternatively, the manipulator  18  comprises a portable remote control device, such that the surgeon can move about the room. 
         [0044]    Each robotic unit  12  is operatively connected to at least one manipulator  18 , although it is understood that a single type of manipulator may be used to control all of the robotic units  12 , which may, for example, control different units based on the positioning of a switch or dial. Each of the robotic units  12  preferably includes at least one imaging device positioned on the unit to assist the surgeon in inserting and operating the robotic unit inside a patient&#39;s body. Any suitable type of imaging device may be used in accordance with the present invention. In some embodiments, the imaging device is a fiber optic image bundle or lens array positioned on the robotic unit  12 . In other embodiments, the imaging device is an ultrasonic device capable of providing ultrasonic images to monitor the location of the unit inside a patient&#39;s body. Each robotic unit  12  may also include a light source to illuminate the surrounding areas of bodily cavities into which it is introduced to further facilitate positioning and operation of the robotic unit  12  in vivo. 
         [0045]    The robotic units  12  are designed to perform various medical functions inside a patient&#39;s body. Thus, each robotic unit  12  preferably includes a medical tool coupled to and controlled by the manipulator  18 . The medical tool can be in the form of any of a plurality of different tools capable of performing various functions, such as, for example, imaging, lighting, cutting, wedging, grasping, clipping, suturing, coring, spraying, suctioning, irrigating, tissue medication, radio-ablation, painting, etc. For example, the medical tool can be in the form of a jaw-like arrangement, such as forceps, a clip applier for anchoring surgical clips, scissors, needle graspers, needles, or the like. In other embodiments, the medical tool can be in the form of a single working element arrangement, such as, for example, an electrocautery electrode, a scalpel, or the like. It is understood that any type of medical instrument may be used with the robotic system of the present invention. Every robotic unit  12  has at least one functionality or a group of functionalities described above. 
         [0046]    One exemplary embodiment of a robotic unit  12  is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The unit includes a body  20  and a medical tool  22  positioned on a proximal end of the body  20  for performing a specific medical task. In the embodiment shown in this figure, the medical tool  22  is forceps capable of obtaining a tissue sample from a bodily cavity for diagnostic examination. The medical tool includes jaw-like members  24  for severing a tissue sample, and a sample chamber  26  for containing the tissue sample until it is transported outside of the patient&#39;s body for examination. A transport device—shown here as a set of wheels  28 , but which may comprise legs or any other type of locomotion mechanism—is positioned on a bottom side of the robotic unit  12  for transporting the unit inside the bodily cavity and in and out of the bodily cavity. The robotic unit  12  further includes an imaging device  25  and an illumination source  27  positioned on the body  20  for providing an image of the tissue site to assist the surgeon in controlling and manipulating the robotic unit  12 . In some embodiments, the robotic unit  12  further includes at least one sensor to further facilitate positioning and manipulation of the unit inside the patient&#39;s body. 
         [0047]      FIG. 3  illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a robotic unit  12 . In this embodiment, the robotic unit  12  includes a body  52  and a transport device in the form of a plurality of legs  56  positioned on three side walls of the body  52 . Each of the legs  56  comprises a plurality of movable leg segments  53 . Such design of the legs  56  allows the robotic unit  12  to perform various movements in multiple degrees of freedom, e.g. up and down movement in a vertical plane, in addition to planar movement inside bodily cavities. Each of the legs  56  may also include a suction member  55  positioned at a proximal end of the leg  56  to facilitate the movement of the unit  12  on non-planar surfaces. The unit  12  further includes a medical tool  54  comprising two scissor-like members positioned on a fourth side wall of the body  52 . The tool  54  may be used for various types of cutting procedures. The robotic unit  12  also includes an imaging device  57  and a light source  58 , both positioned adjacent the medical tool  54  for providing an image of and illuminating the surgical site. 
         [0048]    In some embodiments, the robotic units  12  are capable of transforming into other units with different functionalities once in a bodily cavity. For example, the robotic unit  12  may function as a transport unit while it is being introduced into the patient&#39;s body, and then transform into a medical tool with specific functionality or a plurality of functionalities once it is positioned at a target site. In further embodiments, the robotic units  12  can transform into various types of medical tools while in the patient&#39;s body, thus eliminating the need to withdraw a specific robotic unit from the bodily cavity and to introduce a different unit when a different type of medical procedure needs to be performed. For example, in one exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b , a tubular robotic unit  12  is capable of opening up into two halves  102 ,  104  to reveal a plurality of medical instruments positioned within the tubular body. The tubular robotic unit  12  is delivered inside the patient&#39;s body in a closed configuration illustrated in  FIG. 4   a . Once the robotic unit  12  is positioned next to a target tissue site  103  via a transport device  105 , the two body halves  102 ,  104  of the tubular robotic unit  12  are opened to reveal an imaging and illumination device  106 , a cutting device  107  and a grasping device  108  positioned in one of the body halves  104 , as shown in  FIG. 4   b . The other body half  102  includes a sampling chamber  109  with a cover. The cutting device  107  is used to resect a tissue sample  110 , which is then picked up by the grasping device  108  and dropped into the sampling chamber  109 . The imaging and illumination device  106  provides an image of the tissue site to the surgeon to facilitate the procedure. Once the sample  110  is deposited in the sampling chamber  109 , the cover is closed and the robotic unit  12  may be withdrawn from the patient&#39;s body to retrieve the tissue sample for examination. 
         [0049]    Referring back to  FIG. 1 , during a medical procedure, one of the robotic units  12  is typically introduced to an internal surgical site through an aperture  32  in a patient&#39;s body  34 . The aperture  32  can be in the form of a naturally occurring body aperture, or, as is more typically the case, it can be in the form of an incision made to permit the robotic unit  12  to be inserted therethrough to be introduced to the surgical site. The robotic unit  12  is typically inserted through the aperture  32  and is then navigated through part of the patient body to be positioned in close proximity to the target organ site  37 . Any type of suitable medical device  38 , such as a trocar or a cannula sleeve, may be positioned in the aperture  32  to retain it in an open condition to facilitate insertion of the robotic unit  12 . The trocar  38  may have a plurality of lumens for performing different functions and to allow introduction of multiple robotic units simultaneously. The trocar  38  may also include at least one imaging device  36  to facilitate introduction and positioning of the trocar in a bodily cavity. 
         [0050]    In some advantageous embodiments, the robotic units  12  also include one or more tubes attached to the body of each robotic unit. The tubes may be used to suction fluids, such as blood, from the surgical site and out of the patient&#39;s body. Additionally, the tubes may be used to deliver various fluids, such as irrigation fluid, medications, etc., to the surgical site. 
         [0051]    Each of the robotic units  12  is capable of operating in two environments—planar and tubular. When the robotic unit  12  is introduced into a patient&#39;s body via the trocar  38 , it moves down a tubular shaft of the trocar  38  towards the target site. In some embodiments, the downward movement of the robotic unit  12  is performed by a transport device, such as rotatable wheels or legs, positioned on the robotic unit  12 . The robotic units  12  may further include gripping/suctioning devices to adhere the unit to the trocar wall to facilitate the introduction of the robotic unit  12  into the patient&#39;s body. In additional embodiments, the robotic unit  12  is attached to a wire or cable and is lowered down the trocar  38  while supported by the wire. The wire can be the same wire that connects the robotic unit with the control station. 
         [0052]    Once the robotic unit is positioned inside a bodily cavity, it is capable of performing planar movements inside the cavity. For example, the unit can move to locations remote from the incision site to perform various medical procedures. The movement of the robotic unit within a bodily cavity is enabled by at least one transport device positioned on each robotic unit. It is understood that each robotic unit can also perform non-planar movement inside bodily cavities, such as, for example, rotating around its axis to provide an image of the surrounding tissue, or to deliver therapeutic agents to the surrounding tissue. 
         [0053]    In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 5 , the robotic system of the present invention further includes at least one transporter platform unit  40  adapted for transporting the robotic units  12  in and out of a patient&#39;s body, as well as transporting the units within the patient&#39;s body to target tissue or organ sites. The transporter platform includes a transporting device  42 , such as a set of wheels, that enable the movement of the platform inside the trocar  38  and/or inside bodily cavities. The platform further includes a lifting device  44  positioned on a top surface of the transporter platform unit  40 . The lifting device  44  is adapted to carry a medical tool  46 , such as a drug delivery device shown in  FIG. 6 , to and within the bodily cavity for performing a specific medical task. The lifting device  44  is also adapted to position the medical tool  46  adjacent the target tissue/organ site after it is delivered there. For example, the lifting tool  44  may perform lateral movement in horizontal or vertical planes to position the medical tool closer to the target tissue, as schematically illustrated in  FIG. 5 . Additionally, the lifting tool  44  may perform rotational moves in various planes to more precisely position the medical tool  46  adjacent the target site. 
         [0054]    In additional embodiments, a separate platform may be introduced into a patient&#39;s body prior to the introduction of the robotic units  12 . The platform is used to facilitate the operation of the robotic units and preferably has a smooth planar surface on which the robotic units move once positioned inside a bodily cavity. The platform may be introduced into the patient in a compact configuration, and then opened up to its functional configuration once positioned at a target site. In some embodiments, the platform may be delivered to a bodily cavity via one of the robotic units. 
         [0055]    In some embodiments, the platform includes walls and/or ceiling to create a partial or full enclosure. When the surgical tasks are completed, multiple robotic units can be moved into the enclosure, which can then be lifted out of the body through the trocar or cannula, thereby acting as a sort of elevators for multiple robots. 
         [0056]    Referring again to  FIG. 1 , each of the robotic units  12  is in communication with the control station  14  via the communication capabilities of the control station. The robotic units  12  can be linked through a wire based connection to a wired communication link of the control station  14 . In some embodiments, the connection and the link may be an existing operating room communication infrastructure network, such that the robotic units  12  are attached to an electrical/mechanical connection harness commonly located in the operating room near the operating table. It is recognized that the harness can be attached to a wireless unit for sending and receiving wireless communications with the control station  14  and other devices via the operating room network. 
         [0057]    In some embodiments, each of the robotic units  12  has a separate assigned IP address, a unique code, or a different communication frequency to facilitate communication with the control station  14 . This prevents any interference between the robotic units when several robotic units are used to perform a medical procedure simultaneously. 
         [0058]    In some embodiments, one or more connectors are provided on each robotic unit  12 . For example, in one such embodiment, each robotic unit  12  includes a data signal connector for receiving/transmitting data to and from the control station  14  (e.g. imaging device signals, position sensor signals, etc.), and a control signal connector for receiving control signals from the control station  14  and providing feedback signals. Each robotic unit  12  may also include a power supply or power supply connector for supplying the requisite electrical and/or mechanical (e.g. pneumatic, hydraulic) power to actuate the robotic unit  12 , which may or may not also serve as the data signal connector or control signal connector, or the robotic unit may include its own self-contained power source. Complementary connectors of the robotic unit&#39;s data signal connector, control signal connector and power supply connector are located in the control station  14  for coupling with those respective connectors of the robotic unit. 
         [0059]    In other embodiments, each robotic unit  12  and the control station  14  includes a receiver/transceiver and a transmitter/transceiver for sending and receiving control and data signals. It is understood that data, control signal, and power requirements can vary depending upon the specific robotic unit used and its designed medical task (e.g. high voltage vs. low voltage, medical tool operational requirements, etc.). 
         [0060]    In certain embodiments, unique mechanical and/or electrical configurations of the connectors of each robotic unit  12  may be utilized to facilitate auto-recognition of a particular robotic unit by software provided on the control station when the unit is attached to the control station. Similarly, a unique identifier can be transmitted wirelessly by the robotic unit  12  and detected by the control station  14  in order to recognize the particular type of unit connected. 
         [0061]    It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be covered hereby.