Abstract: An optical fiber cleaning assembly includes a cleaning tape, a first spool having the cleaning tape wound thereon, a second spool onto which the cleaning tape is drawn, a drive mechanism configured to move the cleaning tape from the first spool to the second spool, and one or more first connectors configured to mate with one or more connectors of a system, the system including a first optical fiber. The optical fiber cleaning assembly further includes one or more second connectors configured to mate with one or more optical fiber connectors of a device while the optical fiber cleaning assembly is attached to the system by the one or more first connectors, the device including a second optical fiber. The drive mechanism is configured to move the cleaning tape from the first spool to the second spool to wipe the face of the first or second optical fiber.

Abstract: A non-transitory machine-readable media storing instructions is provided. The instructions cause one or more processors to: define a subregion of a model of an anatomic region of a patient anatomy, the subregion corresponding to an area surrounding a tip of an image capture probe located within the anatomic region, the subregion including a plurality of virtual tissue structures—a set of virtual tissue structures of the plurality of virtual tissue structures is situated distally from the tip of the probe; compare a tissue structure in an image received from a camera positioned at the tip of the probe to a portion of the plurality of virtual tissue structures to identify a closest matched virtual tissue structure; and based on identification of the closest matched virtual tissue structure, register the image to the model to identify a virtual probe position for the tip of the probe with respect to the model.

Abstract: A method is performed by a computing system. The method includes receiving image data from an imaging device, and determining, using the image data, a plurality of image-space tools, each image-space tool associated with a tool of a plurality of tools, each tool controlled by a manipulator of a plurality of manipulators. The method further includes determining a first correspondence between a first image-space tool of the plurality of image-space tools and a first tool of the plurality of tools based on a first disambiguation setting associated with the first tool.

Abstract: A measurement system accesses first and second images captured respectively from first and second vantage points by first and second cameras included within a stereoscopic endo scope located at a surgical area associated with a patient. The measurement system receives user input designating a user-selected two-dimensional (“2D”) endpoint corresponding to a feature within the surgical area as represented in the first image, and identifies, based on the user-selected 2D endpoint, a matched 2D endpoint corresponding to the feature as represented in the second image. Based on the user-selected and matched 2D endpoints, the measurement system defines a three-dimensional (“3D”) endpoint corresponding to the feature within the surgical area. The measurement system then determines a distance from the 3D endpoint to an additional 3D endpoint corresponding to an additional feature within the surgical area. Corresponding systems and methods are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for minimally invasive computer-assisted telesurgery are described. For example, this disclosure describes computer-assisted teleoperated surgery instruments with cable-actuated joint mechanisms Some such joint mechanisms include linkages that maintain the joints in operable configurations without relying on cable tension to do so.

Abstract: Implementations relate to detecting user touch on a controller handle. In some implementations, a non-controlling mode of a control system is activated, and in the non-controlling mode, one or more actuators are controlled to cause a vibration to be provided on a handle of a controller. The vibration is sensed with one or more sensors, and a difference in the vibration is determined to have occurred relative to a reference vibration using the one or more sensors, where the difference satisfies one or more predetermined thresholds. A controlling mode of the system is activated in response to determining the difference in the vibration, and the vibration is modified on the handle in response to detecting the change in the vibration.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a controller coupled to a stereoscopic image viewer. The stereoscopic image viewer includes a viewing lens, an image capture unit, and a plurality of light sources. The image capture unit is configured to capture image frames. The controller receives the captured image frames. The controller is configured to switch light output from one of the plurality of light sources to another one of the plurality of light sources if a corneal reflection in a captured image frame intersects a fixed reflection in the captured image frame.

Abstract: Integrated table motion includes a computer-assisted device. The computer-assisted device includes an articulated arm and a control unit coupled to the articulated arm. To support integrated motion with a table physically separate from and communicatively coupled to the computer-assisted device via a communications connection, the control unit is configured to receive a table movement request from a table command unit of the table, determine whether the table movement request should be allowed, and allow the table to perform the table movement request based on determining that the table movement request should be allowed.

Abstract: A method includes receiving anatomic image data comprising a plurality of graphical units; generating an initial segmented set of the plurality of graphical units associated with an anatomic tree structure; receiving an indication of a first user selected graphical unit, the first user selected graphical unit being outside the initial segmented set of the plurality of graphical units; applying a cost function to determine a first sequence of graphical units from the first user selected graphical unit to the initial segmented set of graphical units; receiving an indication of a second user selected graphical unit, the second user selected graphical unit being selected from the first sequence of the plurality of graphical units; and applying the cost function to determine a second sequence of the plurality of graphical units from the second user selected graphical unit to the initial segmented set of the plurality of graphical units.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for stapler reload detection and identification. A manipulator is configured to have an instrument mounted thereto. The instrument includes an end effector configured for mounting of a replaceable stapler cartridge and a pusher member configured to articulate a staple pushing shuttle of the stapler cartridge to deploy staples from the stapler cartridge. An actuation mechanism is drivingly coupled with the pusher member. A control unit is configured to control operation of the actuation mechanism to move the pusher member from a first position to a second position, wherein at the second position, the pusher member makes contact with a portion of the staple cartridge or a portion of the end effector; determine a distance of movement of the pusher member from the first position to the second position; and determine, based on the distance of movement, an operational status of the instrument relating to the stapler cartridge.

Abstract: A robotic surgical system includes a surgical instrument and a processor. The surgical instrument includes an elongate hollow shaft having a flexible section, a sensor apparatus configured to generate sensor data about the flexible section, and a force transmission mechanism coupled to the proximal end of the shaft. The processor is communicatively coupled to the sensor apparatus. The processor is configured to receive the sensor data about the flexible section from the sensor apparatus and to combine the sensor data received from the sensor apparatus with known information regarding mechanical and material property data for the surgical instrument to derive at least one of an internal actuation force applied by the force transmission mechanism or external force information for the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A system may comprise a first catheter having a first steerable segment and a second catheter disposed within the first catheter. The second catheter may have a second steerable segment. The system may also comprise an imaging element supported at a distal end of the second catheter, a coil reference sensor supported at a distal portion of the second catheter, and a processor in electrical communication with the coil reference sensor. The processor may be configured to determine a position of a distal portion of the first catheter with reference to the coil reference sensor.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a shaft with a proximal end and a distal end, a movable component coupled at the distal end of the shaft, a force transmission mechanism coupled at the proximal end of the shaft, and an actuation element with a first end coupled to the force transmission mechanism and a second end coupled to the movable component. The actuation element being configured to transmit an actuation force from the force transmission mechanism to the movable component. A coil spring is coupled to the actuation element between the first and second ends. First and second ends of the coil spring are coupled to longitudinally separated locations on the actuation element. The coil spring is configured to passively expand and contract in response to tension changes in the actuation element. A distance between the longitudinally separated locations changes as the coil spring passively expands and contracts.

Abstract: A method for performing a surgical procedure includes adjusting an encoding configuration of a video encoder in response to receiving an input associated with a change of state of a surgical system performing the surgical procedure, and encoding image data of the surgical procedure captured after the change of state based on the adjusted encoding configuration.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes a backend and a pair of release elements. The backend includes a docking feature shaped to engage a docking structure such as a docking port of a surgical robot or a sterile adaptor for a surgical robot. Each release element is coupled to the backend and may include an activation feature on one side of the backend and a push tab extending from either an opposite side or the same side of the backend. Movement of the activation features moves the push tabs from being aligned with the docking feature to pushing on the docking structure, permitting the medical instrument to be disengaged from the docking structure. Optionally, a coupling of the release elements limits a movement of the activation features.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus includes a housing, a test port retainer, a pressure test chamber, and an image capture assembly. The housing includes a pressure test port. The test port retainer includes a test port retainer housing, a probe seal, and a liquid exclusion barrier. In one aspect, the test port retainer also includes a hydrophobic membrane mounted within the test port retainer housing. The pressure test chamber includes a manifold and a central tube. The first end of the central tube is affixed to the image capture assembly to form a pressure seal, and the second end of the central tube is coupled to the test port retainer so that the pressure test port communicates with the interior volume of the central tube through the test port retainer.

Abstract: A surgical drape assembly can include a surgical drape; and a cinch assembly affixed to the surgical drape. The cinch assembly can include a folding mechanism having a plurality of links and at least two hinge joints respectively connecting respective adjacent links of the plurality of links. The plurality of links can be foldable relative to one another about the at least two hinge joints between an unfolded configuration and a folded configuration. A first portion of the surgical drape is in an extended configuration in the unfolded configuration with a portion of the drape being in a gathered configuration in the folded configuration of the plurality of links.

Abstract: A computer implemented method comprises receiving a model of a tissue region, steering a distal end of a catheter within a body to a first area of a tissue region, and obtaining a first image from the distal end of the catheter of the first area of the tissue region. The method further comprises mapping the first image of the first area of the tissue region to the model of the tissue region and displaying the first image of the first area of the tissue region on the model of the tissue region.

Abstract: A medical instrument system includes an imaging probe and an elongated medical instrument. The imaging probe includes a first sealing feature comprising a first tapered profile formed on an external surface of the distal tip. The elongated medical instrument has a working channel extending to an opening in the distal portion. The distal portion includes a second sealing feature comprising a second tapered profile formed on an internal surface of the channel. A distal end surface of the distal tip extends through the opening and distally of a distal end surface of the elongated medical instrument when the first sealing feature is engaged with the second sealing feature. The first tapered profile and the second tapered profile form a seal that prevents fluid from passing through the opening when the imaging probe is within the working channel of the elongated medical instrument and the first and second sealing features contact.

Abstract: An instrument access device of a teleoperated surgical system includes an envelope, a clamp, and a plurality of ports. The envelope includes a distal opening and a cavity. The clamp is in the distal opening of the envelope. The plurality of ports are coupled to the envelope. The plurality of ports are proximal to the clamp and the distal opening of the envelope. Each of the plurality of ports includes a seal, which is sized and shaped to seal an outer surface of a cannula and to fix a position of the cannula relative to the port and the envelope.