Abstract: A coordination system for coordinating content presentation associated with a session involves using a computer-assisted medical system, the coordination system including a session awareness engine and a content selection engine. The session awareness engine being configured to obtain data from the computer-assisted medical system, the data indicative of an operational state of the computer-assisted medical system and determine a context of the session based on the data. The content selection engine being configured to select a content for presentation to a user of the computer-assisted medical system from a variety of contents by applying a content selection logic to the context of the session and facilitate presentation of the content to the user.

Abstract: A medical device includes a shaft, an electrically insulative outer cover, an electrically insulative spacer, and a wrist assembly. The outer cover is positioned over an outer surface of the shaft and a distal end portion of the outer cover extends beyond a distal end surface of the shaft. The spacer comprises a first coupling portion, a second coupling portion, and a circumferential annular protrusion. The first coupling portion of the spacer is coupled to an inner surface of the shaft. The wrist assembly is coupled to the second coupling portion of the spacer. The annular protrusion of the spacer includes a shoulder and a seal surface. The shoulder of the annular protrusion is in contact with the distal end surface of the shaft, and the shaft is electrically isolated by the seal surface of the annular protrusion contacting the inner surface of the outer cover.

Abstract: An example method includes causing an illuminator to simultaneously illuminate tissue with a first visible color illumination component, a second visible color illumination component, and a fluorescence excitation illumination component; and causing a display unit to display, based on the illumination, a display scene that includes: a reduced color scene component corresponding to the first and second visible color illumination components, and a highlighted scene component corresponding to the fluorescence excitation illumination component.

Abstract: A system comprises a processor and a memory storing computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to: define a subregion of a model of an anatomic region, the subregion including a plurality of virtual tissue structures and corresponding to an area surrounding a tip of an image capture probe located within the anatomic region; compare a tissue structure in an image received from the image capture probe to at least a portion of virtual tissue structures of the plurality of virtual tissue structures; based on the comparison, determine a respective similarity measure between the image and each virtual tissue structure; identify a closest matched virtual tissue structure based on the determined similarity measures; and based on identifying the closest matched virtual tissue structure, register the image to the model to determine a virtual position for the image capture probe with respect to the model.

Abstract: Techniques for maintaining instrument position and orientation include a computer-assisted device having an articulated structure and a control unit. The articulated structure includes a plurality of joints and is configured to support an instrument. The control unit is configured to determine a reference frame based on a type of a disturbance that causes a movement of a first joint of the plurality of joints; determine, in the reference frame, a first change to the instrument due to the disturbance; and rive at least a second joint of the plurality of joints to reduce the first change. The first change comprises: a change in a position of the instrument, or a change in an orientation of the instrument, or a change in both the position of the instrument and the orientation of the instrument.

Abstract: An exemplary image registration system identifies a subsurface structure at a surgical site based on subsurface imaging data from a subsurface image scan at the surgical site. The image registration system uses the identified subsurface structure at the surgical site for a registration of endoscopic imaging data from an endoscopic imaging modality with additional imaging data from an additional imaging modality. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Described are optical fibers, e.g., for use in stress-sensing or shape-sensing applications, that use overlapping grating configurations with chirped gratings to facilitate strain delay registration. In accordance with various embodiments, a fiber core may, for instance, have two overlapping sets of chirped gratings that differ in the direction of the chirp between the first and second sets, or a set of chirped gratings overlapping with a single-frequency grating. Also described are strain sensing systems and associated computational methods employing optical fibers with overlapping gratings.

Abstract: Techniques for motion mode management include a computer-assisted device having an input control, a repositionable structure, and a controller coupled to the input control and the repositionable structure. The controller is configured to detect motion of the input control for teleoperating the repositionable structure and in response to determining that the motion of the input control includes a component of motion used to change a mode of operation of the computer-assisted device, temporarily disable changes in the mode of operation of the computer-assisted device based on motion of the input control.

Abstract: Modified animal tissues, organs, and organ systems for use in simulated surgical procedures are disclosed. The tissues, organs, and/or organ systems can be modified by enhancing their electrical conductivity, by including simulated contents mimicking what would normally be present in live animals, and by having fake blood perfusing through them. Portions of different tissues, organs, or organ systems, which can be from the same or different animals, can be adhered to provide hybrid/chimeric tissues, organs, or organ systems, and also used for simulated surgical procedures. These modifications can provide surgeons with a more realistic experience during a simulated surgical procedure.

Abstract: A surgeon training apparatus includes a cassette, which includes biological tissue re-purposed into a form consistent with the anatomical configuration of a foregut, affixed into an anatomically correct framework which replicates the abdominal anatomy. The framework positions the cassette in an anatomically correct position within the abdominal cavity, enabling surgeons to train using a properly positioned representation of the target anatomy, thus requiring the surgeon to properly use surgical tools to simulate surgical operations performed on a foregut. The cassette is formed by applying biologic tissue to a specially designed “plate,” which affixes the tissue block into the anatomic framework. The cassette can be positioned inside a mannequin, and can be used to train surgeons to perform surgeries using multiple techniques, including robot assisted and laparoscopic methods.

Abstract: A first display image includes a first captured image captured by an imaging device and showing a first view of a surgical area, which shows surface anatomy located at the surgical area and an object located at the surgical area, and an augmentation region. The augmentation region occludes at least a portion of the first view. Subsequent to capture of the first captured image, the system detects an overlap between the object and the augmentation region and determines whether the overlap is due to motion of the object. The system directs the display device to display a second display image including a second captured image captured by the imaging device. Inclusion of the augmentation region in the second display image and/or an extent of the occlusion within the overlap in the second display image is based on the determination whether the overlap is due to motion of the object.

Abstract: A camera control system may access surgical session data for a surgical session, the surgical session including performance of one or more operations by a computer-assisted surgical system. The camera control system may identify, based on the surgical session data, an event associated with the surgical session, and may determine, based on the surgical session data, a location associated with the event. In response to the determination of the location of the event, the camera control system may direct an automatic adjustment of a view of a camera to capture a specific view of the location associated with the event.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a surgical instrument that is sensitive to backlash that would adversely affect the transmission of controlled torque and position to the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument is coupled to motors in a surgical instrument manipulator assembly via a mechanical interface. The combination of the mechanical interface and surgical instrument manipulator assembly have low backlash, e.g., less than 0.7 degrees. The backlash is controlled in the surgical instrument manipulator assembly. From the drive output disk in the surgical instrument manipulator assembly to the driven disk of the surgical instrument, the mechanical interface has zero backlash for torque levels used in surgical procedures.

Abstract: A medical system including a flexible instrument such as a lung catheter or bronchoscope provides a control mode in which direct manual control of insertion can be used with computer-assisted control of instrument characteristics such as the orientation or rigidity of a portion of the instrument. To facilitate manual insertion control, a mechanism can provide low inertia and friction for movement along an insertion axis. One implementation employs a manual grip of the instrument for control of insertion pressure, a joystick or other input device for computer-assisted steering, and a foot pedal for control of stiffness or compliance in the instrument. Another implementation employs a joystick for computer-assisted steering and for control of stiffness or compliance in the instrument.

Abstract: A device for positioning in the body of an animal, the device comprising a first portion and a second portion that may be positioned in contact with one other, the first portion and the second portion each comprising a biocompatible conductive thermoplastic material, such that when the device is positioned in the body of an animal and electric current flows from the first portion to the second portion, heat is generated by electrical resistance at the point of contact between the first portion and the second portion so as to melt regions of the first portion and the second portion, and when the electric current is thereafter terminated, the melted regions of the first portion and the second portion re-solidify so that a weld is formed between the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: A method of aligning a surgical instrument with the instrument sterile adapter for coupling the surgical instrument and an instrument carriage includes inserting the instrument shaft of the surgical instrument into an entry guide held in a fixed relation to the instrument carriage and the instrument sterile adapter, insertion of the instrument shaft into the entry guide constraining the surgical instrument to rotation around a first cylindrical axis of the instrument shaft and axial translation along the first cylindrical axis of the instrument shaft. The method further includes passing the instrument shaft of the surgical instrument through the shaft receiving slot of the instrument sterile adapter.

Abstract: A surgical instrument, such as a tissue sealing instrument, is provided with an end effector having first and second movable jaws that define a gap therebetween in the closed position for clamping, sealing and/or stapling tissue. The jaws are movable relative to each other in the closed position to reduce a thickness of least one portion of this gap. This configuration allows the jaws to be moved closer together to reduce the overall size of the instrument when, for example, the instrument is introduced and retracted through an opening in the patient, or maneuvered within a body cavity. The surgical instrument may also have multiple settings for use with different staple cartridges, while still maintaining a fixed dimension between the two jaws for clamping, stapling and/or sealing tissue, providing a more adaptable surgical instrument that allows the surgeon to use different staple cartridges without having to change surgical instruments.

Abstract: A method for providing a visual indication regarding a state of an instrument comprises sensing usage information about the instrument and using a motor to rotate an indicator body from a first position to a second position in response to sensing the usage information meets a predetermined condition. The method further comprises holding the indicator body in the first position or the second position, respectively. In the first position a first portion of the indicator body is visible on an exterior of the instrument and in the second position a second portion is visible. In the first position, the first portion of the indicator body provides a visual indication that the usage information of the instrument does not meet the predetermined condition, and in the second position the second portion of the visual indicator body provides a visual indication that the usage information of the instrument meets the predetermined condition.

Abstract: A bifurcated navigation control system defines a path whereby a manipulator cart is to navigate from an initial location to a target location, and identifies a navigation condition associated with a navigation of the manipulator cart along the path. Based on the navigation condition, the bifurcated navigation control system defines a propulsion limitation for the manipulator cart during the navigation of the manipulator cart along the path. The bifurcated navigation control system directs the manipulator cart to navigate along at least part of the path in a bifurcated navigation control mode in which the bifurcated navigation control system is configured to autonomously control a steering of the manipulator cart while allowing operator control of a propulsion of the manipulator cart in accordance with the propulsion limitation. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Implementations relate to actuated grips for a controller. In some implementations, a controller includes a central member, a grip member coupled to the central member and moveable in a grip degree of freedom, a shaft coupled to the grip member, and an actuator coupled to the shaft and operative to output an actuator force on the shaft. The actuator force causes a grip force to be applied via the shaft to the grip member in the grip degree of freedom.