Abstract: Systems and processes for facilitating the removal of material with a robotically assisted tool with laser, irrigation capabilities, aspiration capabilities. Tool guidance systems that make use of vision technologies, including optical coherence tomography (OCT), white light imaging, and structured light imaging. Emulsification patterns optimized to minimize risk to the patient and reduce procedure time. Robotic tools with articulation capabilities that allow for precise control during capsulorhexis and emulsification procedures. Robotic instrument drive mechanisms combined with pumps, flow meters, and valves regulate and control irrigation and aspiration functionalities during robotic ophthalmologic procedures.

Abstract: Certain aspects relate to systems and techniques for navigation path tracing. In one aspect, a system displays a preoperative model of a luminal network is displayed. The system determines a position of an instrument within the luminal network relative to the preoperative model. Based on the position of the instrument relative to the preoperative model, the system determines whether to enter a path tracing mode. In path tracing mode the system displays visual indicia indicative of a path of the instrument with respect to the displayed preoperative model. The visual indicia may be used to visual the navigation path of the instrument and/or to extend the preoperative model.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for tracking an elongate instrument or other medical instrument in an image.

Abstract: Certain aspects relate to systems and techniques for medical instrument navigation and targeting. In one aspect, a system includes a medical instrument having an elongate body and at least one sensor, a display, a processor, and a memory storing a model of a mapped portion of a luminal network and a position of a target with respect to the model. The processor may be configured to: determine, based on data from the at least one sensor, a position and orientation of a distal end of the medical instrument with respect to the model, and cause, on at least a portion of the display, a rendering of the model, the position of the target, and the position and orientation of the distal end of the medical instrument. The rendering may be based on a viewpoint directed at the target and different from a viewpoint of the medical instrument.

Abstract: A medical instrument can include a wrist, an end effector, pull wires that extend through the wrist toward for controlling a motion of the end effector, and a conductive cable that extends through the wrist to the end effector. The wrist can have proximal and distal clevises and proximal and distal pulleys through which the conductive cable passes. The conductive cable can extend over one or more redirect surfaces of the distal and/or proximal clevises.

Abstract: Certain aspects relate to systems and apparatuses with shielded wrists, and methods of actuating instruments with wrists. In one aspect, an instrument includes a shaft, an end effector, and a wrist connecting the shaft to the end effector. For example, the wrist may include a proximal clevis, a distal clevis, and an intermediary frame positioned between the proximal clevis and the distal clevis.

Abstract: Certain aspects relate to systems and techniques for robotic medical instrument system. The medical system can include an elongated shaft configured for insertion into a patient. The system can also include a pull wire extending along the elongated shaft. The pull wire can be actuatable to articulate the elongated shaft. The medical system can include a dynamic pulley coupled to the pull wire, the dynamic pulley configured to collapse during rotation in a first direction and to expand during rotation in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for displaying an estimated location of an instrument. In one aspect, the method includes determining a first location of the instrument based on first location data generated by a set of one or more location sensors for the instrument, the first location data corresponding to a first time period, and after the first time period, receiving a user command to move the instrument during a second time period. The method also includes estimating a second location of the instrument based on the first location and the received user command, the estimated second location corresponding to the second time period, and confirming the estimated second location based on second location data generated by the set of location sensors. The method further includes causing the estimated second location to be displayed prior to the confirmation of the estimated second location.

Abstract: A system includes one or more processors configured to execute instructions to cause the system to access a plurality of images generated by one or more imaging devices of an endoscope when the endoscope is disposed within anatomy of a patient, for each of the plurality of images, determine a value for each of one or more image reliability metrics, and determine a position of the endoscope within the anatomy of the patient based at least in part on the one or more image reliability metrics of each of the plurality of images.

Abstract: Methods and systems for administering directed fluidics during a medical procedure for removing an object are disclosed. A method includes inserting first and second medical instruments into a treatment site, providing irrigation and aspiration of the treatment site through the first and second medical instruments, determining a characteristic of one of the irrigation and the aspiration, and selecting a characteristic of the other of the irrigation and aspiration based on the determined characteristic.

Abstract: Robotic systems can be capable of collision detection and avoidance. A robotic medical system can include a robotic arm, an input device configured to receive one or more user inputs for controlling the robotic arm, and a display configured to provide information related to the robotic medical system. The display can include a first icon that is representative of the robotic arm and includes at least a first state and a second state. The robotic medical system can be configured to control movement of the robotic arm based on the user inputs received at the input device in real time, determine a distance between the robotic arm and a component, and provide information to the user about potential, near, and/or actual collisions between the arm and the component.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamic adjustments based on load inputs for robotic systems are provided. In one aspect, a robotic system includes a first robotic arm having at least one joint, a set of one or more processors, and at least one computer-readable memory in communication with the set of one or more processors and having stored thereon computer-executable instructions. The computer executable instructions cause the one or more processors to determine a first external load threshold for the at least one joint based on a maximum safe load capability of the first robotic arm, and adjust the first external load threshold during a medical procedure.

Abstract: Certain aspects relate to percutaneous sheaths for medical procedures as well as to related systems and methods. For example, a system for performing a percutaneous assisted medical procedure can include a percutaneous sheath. The percutaneous sheath can include a first conduit for providing aspiration into the kidney and a second conduit for passing a catheter into the kidney. The system can also include an aspiration catheter configured to be inserted into the kidney through the second conduit of the percutaneous sheath. A fluidics system can include an irrigation source comprising a pump and an aspiration source comprising a vacuum. The irrigation source can be connected to a fluid inlet of the percutaneous sheath that is connected to the first conduit. The aspiration source can be connected to the aspiration catheter.

Abstract: A catheter comprises a flexible polymer catheter body including a proximal shaft section and a distal working section, a wire support structure embedded within the distal working section of the catheter body, a proximal adapter mounted to the proximal shaft section of the catheter body, and a wire disposed within the catheter body. The wire has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the wire being operably connected to the proximal adapter, and the distal end of the wire is anchored to the wire support structure.

Abstract: A robotically enabled teleoperated system can include a controller and a robotic tool capable of manipulation by the controller. The controller can include a handle, a gimbal and a positioning platform. The handle can be configured for actuation by an operator to cause a corresponding manipulation of the robotic tool. The gimbal can include a joint and a load cell. The joint can be configured to be manipulated based on an impedance control, such that manipulation of the gimbal causes a corresponding manipulation of the robotic tool based on a displacement of the joint. A portion of the positioning platform can be configured to be manipulated based on an admittance control, such that manipulation of the positioning platform causes a corresponding manipulation of the robotic tool based on a force imparted on the controller and measured by the load cell.

Abstract: Certain aspects relate to systems and techniques for robotic medical instrument system. The medical system can include an elongated shaft configured for insertion into a patient. The system can also include a pull wire extending along the elongated shaft. The pull wire can be actuatable to articulate the elongated shaft. The medical system can include a dynamic pulley coupled to the pull wire, the dynamic pulley configured to collapse during rotation in a first direction and to expand during rotation in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: An object sizing system sizes an object positioned within a patient. The object sizing system identifies a presence of the object. The object sizing system navigates an elongate body of an instrument to a position proximal to the object within the patient. An imaging sensor coupled to the elongate body captures one or more sequential images of the object. The instrument may be further moved around within the patient to capture additional images at different positions/orientations relative to the object. The object sizing system also acquires robot data and/or EM data associated with the positions and orientations of the elongate body. The object sizing system analyzes the captured images based on the acquired robot data to estimate a size of the object.

Abstract: An electromagnetic (EM) system for tracking a surgical tool is provided. The system may comprise a plurality of subsets of field generator coils disposed along edge portions of a surgical bed. Each subset of field generator coils may be configured to generate a magnetic field within a control volume. The system may further comprise a position sensor disposed on a portion of the surgical tool. The position sensor may be configured to generate a sensor signal in response to the magnetic field when the position sensor is located inside the control volume. Additionally, the system may comprise an EM system controller configured to selectively activate one or more of the subsets of field generator coils based on the sensor signal.