Abstract: A surgical instrument system for use in surgical procedures is disclosed. The surgical instrument system includes a guide assembly, a surgical tip assembly, and a drive unit. The guide assembly includes an elongated portion having a central axis of rotation, and a distal end that is positioned a radial distance away from the central axis. The surgical tip assembly may be attached to the guide assembly. The drive unit is coupled to the guide assembly for rotating the guide assembly and thereby rotating the surgical tip with respect to the central axis.

Abstract: A master station of a master/slave surgery system, adapted to be manually manipulated by a surgeon to, in turn, control motion at a slave station at which is disposed a surgical instrument in response to the surgeon manipulation, the master station comprising: a lower positioner assembly; upper positioner assembly supported over the lower positioner assembly and rotational relative to the lower positioner assembly to enable lateral side-to-side surgeon manipulation; and an arm assembly having a hard assembly at its distal end for engagement by the surgeon's hand, and a proximal end pivotally supported from the upper positioner assembly to enable an orthogonal forward-and-back surgeon manipulation in a direction substantially orthogonal to the lateral surgeon manipulation.

Abstract: A system and associated method for delivering to an internal body site a selected one of a plurality of instruments including fluid-dispensing instruments. An instrument storage chamber is providing having passages for separately accommodating the plurality of instruments. An outlet guide tube couples from the instrument storage chamber and receives a selected one of these instruments for delivery to an internal operative site. An indexing mechanism is provided associated with the chamber for causing relative displacement between the instruments and the outlet guide tube. An instrument driver displaces the registered instrument from the chamber into the outlet guide tube for delivery to the internal operative site.

Abstract: A program of instructions for the processor which include: receiving an insertion length of a medical instrument inserted in a patient; and determining a distal end location of the instrument at a target site in the patient from the insertion length. The instrument typically has a straight proximal portion and curved distal portion, lies in a single plane and is a rigid guide member. The instrument is typically inserted and then fixed at a pivot axis outside the patient. The pivot axis is generally aligned with an insertion point at which the instrument is inserted into the patient. The program of instructions may include determining a subsequent location of the distal end associated with pivoting about the pivot axis.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for sensing at an anatomic body site and mapping or transforming the sensor signal into various forms of virtual image and feedback signals, having particular application in assisting surgeons and other operators during a medical procedure. In one embodiment, a medical system is provided that includes a medical implement, a manipulator controllable by an operator for control of the medical implement at an anatomic body site and a sensing device for sensing a non-visible field associated with a body structure at the site. A controller, intercoupling the sensing device and the manipulator, includes a mapping component for translating characteristics of the sensed field signal into a tactile feedback signal to the manipulator to warn the surgeon that he is approaching this structure with the implement.

Abstract: A robotic medical apparatus for performing a medical procedure or application on an anatomy, said apparatus comprising: a first medical instrument member having a working end adapted to be disposed at an internal target area at which the medical procedure or application is to be performed; and a second medical instrument member having a working end adapted to be disposed at an internal target area at which the medical procedure or application is to be performed. The first medical instrument member is disposed so as to extend into the anatomy at a first ingress location and passing intraluminally; and the second medical instrument member is disposed so as to extend into the anatomy at a second ingress location different than said first ingress location and passing extraluminally.

Abstract: An articulated apparatus is disclosed that includes an actuator base and a plurality of serially coupled link members that are mutually joined to one another at a plurality of joints. Each of the serially coupled link members has an axis of rotation. The plurality of link member includes a proximal link member that is proximal to the actuator base, and a distal link member that is distal to the actuator base, and each link member includes a proximal end and a distal end. The apparatus also includes a plurality of actuators that are located at the base, and each actuator is associated with a respective link member. The apparatus further includes a plurality of tendons, each of which is coupled to an actuator and a respective link member for effecting movement of the link member with respect to the actuator base.

Abstract: A surgical instrument end effector apparatus that includes a pair of jaws, a first pivot for supporting one of the jaws, a link member connected to one of the jaws, and a second pivot for supporting the link member. The link member has a first unlocked position in which one jaw member is opened relative to the other jaw member, and a second locked position in which one jaw member is locked closed relative to the other jaw member.