Abstract: At least one robotic arm is coupled to an instrument and docked to a cannula. The cannula includes a first location of the cannula and a second location of the cannula. The at least one robotic arm is capable of entering a guided mode whereby a remote center of motion changes from the first location of the cannula to the second location of the cannula, and wherein an alert associated with the guided mode informs a user of entry into the guided mode.

Abstract: Robotic medical systems can be capable of contact sensing and contact reaction. A robotic medical system can include a robotic arm and one or more sensors. The robotic medical system can be configured to detect, via the one or more sensors, a contact force or torque that is exerted on the robotic arm by an external object. In response to detecting the contact force or torque, and in accordance with a determination that a magnitude of the contact force or torque is between a lower contact force or torque limit and an upper contact force or torque limit, the robotic medical system can enable a first set of controlled movements on the robotic arm in accordance with the detected contact force or torque.

Abstract: A robotic system can incorporate one or more sensors along a robotic arm in order to permit self- or auto-alignment of the robotic arm with a cannula during a docking procedure. The sensor can detect and measure a force or moment resulting from contact between an instrument driver of the robotic arm and the cannula. In response thereto, the robotic system can translate and/or rotate components of the robotic arm in order to align the instrument driver with the cannula, thereby facilitating latching of the cannula to the instrument driver.

Abstract: Certain aspects relate to admittance control modes for a robotic surgery system. The admittance control modes can be based on detecting and/or measuring forces (rotational and/or nonrotational) on a robotic arm and moving the robotic arm in response to such interactions. The forces can include direct manual interaction with the robotic arm by a clinician. The movement of the robotic arm can be within a nullspace that maintains the positions of a medical instrument.