Abstract: A mechanical interface for a robotic medical instrument permits engagement of the instrument and a drive system without causing movement of an actuated portion of the instrument. An instrument interface can include a symmetrical, tapered or cylindrical projection on one of a medical instrument or a drive system and a complementary bore in the other of the drive system or the medical instrument. Symmetry of the projection and the bore allows the projection to be compression fit to the bore regardless of the rotation angle of the drive system relative to the medical instrument.

Abstract: The systems and methods of the present disclosure are for use in a medical procedure, in which a connection mechanism is provided with a first end connected to a medical system interface at a first joint and a second end connected to an anatomic orifice device at a second joint. The anatomic orifice device is fixedly coupled to a patient. A flexible portion is provided between the first and second ends, the flexible portion being able to provide flexibility in at least one degree of freedom in response to movement of the anatomic orifice device.

Abstract: An antenna system for tissue ablation includes an energy transmission member, a conductive hollow coil member, and a fluid cooling system. The energy transmission member has an inner conductor, an outer conductor, and a dielectric layer between the inner and outer conductors. A portion of the dielectric layer extends distally of a distal end of the outer conductor. The conductive hollow coil member includes a member lumen within a length of the conductive hollow coil member. The conductive hollow coil member is coiled around the portion of the dielectric layer and is separate from the inner conductor. The conductive hollow coil member extends along an entire length of the outer conductor of the energy transmission member. The fluid cooling system is coupled to the conductive hollow coil member for providing a flow of a cooling fluid through the member lumen for cooling the conductive hollow coil member.

Abstract: A remote center manipulator for use in minimally invasive robotic surgery includes a base link held stationary relative to a patient, an instrument holder, and a linkage coupling the instrument holder to the base link. First and second links of the linkage are coupled to limit motion of the second link to rotation about a first axis intersecting a remote center of manipulation. A parallelogram linkage portion of the linkage pitches the instrument holder around a second axis that intersects the remote center of manipulation. The second axis is angularly offset from the first axis by a non-zero angle other than 90 degrees.

Abstract: A medical system includes an elongate instrument, a tracking system, and one or more processors configured to: receive image data of a set of connected passageways of a patient anatomy; model the set as a plurality of linked bounded-surface elements, each linked bounded-surface element defined in part by basepoints on an anatomical centerline, an element centerline spanning a shortest distance between the basepoints, and a radius; receive position information for a point on the instrument when disposed in the set; based on a comparison of the received position information to the plurality of linked bounded-surface elements, generate adjusted position information for the point; match one of the plurality of linked bounded-surface elements to the point to register the instrument to the image data; create an adjusted instrument image with the adjusted position information; and generate a composite image including the image data of the set and the adjusted instrument image.

Abstract: Techniques for monitoring control points of a computer-assisted device include a first articulated arm associated with a first control point and a control unit coupled to the first articulated arm. The control unit is configured to determine a first expected path representative of expected positions of the first control point over time when a movement of the first control point is caused by a movement of a table that moves the first articulated arm, the table being separate from the computer-assisted device; determine a first actual path representative of actual positions of the first control point over time when the movement of the first control point is caused by the movement of the table; determine whether to perform a first remedial action based on the first actual path and the first expected path; and in response to a determination to perform the first remedial action, perform the first remedial action.

Abstract: A surgical method is provided for use with a teleoperated surgical system (surgical system), the method comprising: recording surgical instrument kinematic information indicative of surgical instrument motion produced within the surgical system during the occurrence of the surgical procedure; determining respective kinematic signatures associated with respective surgical instrument motions; producing an information structure in a computer readable storage device that associates respective kinematic signatures with respective control signals; comparing, during a performance of the surgical procedure surgical instrument kinematic information during the performance with at least one respective kinematic signature; launching, during a performance of the surgical procedure an associated respective control signal in response to a match between surgical instrument kinematics during the performance and a respective kinematic signature.

Abstract: A system and method of operating a minimally invasive cutting instrument includes a surgical cutting instrument. The surgical cutting instrument includes a drive unit, an end effector located at a distal end of the instrument, and a garage for housing the cutting blade when the cutting blade is not in use. The end effector includes gripping jaws and a cutting blade. To perform a cutting operation, the instrument extends the cutting blade from a first position to a second position, retracts the cutting blade from the second position to a third position between the first and second positions, and further retracts the cutting blade to the first position. While the cutting blade is not in use, the cutting blade is maintained in the first position using a restraining mechanism in the drive unit, force or torque applied by a motor or other active actuator to the drive unit, or both.

Abstract: A robotic system includes a manipulator assembly and a processing system. The manipulator assembly includes a first manipulator, a second manipulator, and a drivable structure. The first manipulator and the second manipulator are mechanically coupled to the drivable structure. The processing system is configured to determine a drivable structure motion for effecting a commanded motion for a first end effector of a first tool mechanically coupled to the first manipulator. Performing only the drivable structure motion would cause motion of the first end effector simultaneously with motion of a second end effector, the second end effector being of a second tool mechanically coupled to the second manipulator. The processing system is further configured to determine a movement of the second manipulator and the second tool that, when performed simultaneously with the drivable structure motion, would compensate for the motion of the second end effector.

Abstract: Example embodiments add an optical amplifier to an multi-channel, continuously swept OFDR measurement system, adjust amplified swept laser output power between rising and falling laser sweeps, and/or utilize portions of a laser sweep in which OFDR measurements are not typically performed to enhance the integrity of the OFDR measurement system, improve the performance and quality of OFDR measurements, and perform additional measurements and tests.

Abstract: A method of reprocessing a surgical instrument includes converting force associated with a flow of fluid used during reprocessing of a surgical instrument to a drive force to drive an input drive member of a transmission mechanism of the instrument.

Abstract: An antenna system for tissue ablation includes an energy transmission member, an antenna body coupled to the energy transmission member, a fluid source, and a choke member comprising an integrally formed choke body and choke connector electrically coupled to the energy transmission member by the choke connector. The choke body defines an outermost portion of the choke member. The choke body has an axial length and the choke connector extends along a majority of the length of the choke body and contacts the choke body along the majority of the length. The choke connector is in direct contact with a fluid from the fluid source. The choke connector is disposed between the choke body and the energy transmission member. The choke connector forms a delivery path for the fluid between the choke body and the energy transmission member. The choke connector and the choke body are a continuous wire mesh.

Abstract: A system comprises a teleoperational assembly including an operator input system and a teleoperational manipulator configured for operation by the operator input system. The teleoperational manipulator is coupled to a medical instrument in a surgical environment. The system also comprises a processing unit including one or more processors. The processing unit is configured to retrieve a user profile for a user. The user profile includes a parameter established during a prior teleoperational procedure. The parameter includes anthropometric data for the user. The processing unit is also configured to provide instructions to configure an operation of the teleoperational assembly based upon the parameter. The operation includes adjusting an operating table based on the anthropometric data.

Abstract: Implementations relate to anatomical models and surgical training. In some implementations, an anatomical training model includes a base portion and a top portion that form a hollow space between the base portion and top portion. A plurality of holes are positioned in the top portion. The model includes a plurality of cannula supports, where each cannula support is aligned with one or more corresponding holes in the top portion.

Abstract: A method comprises displaying an image of an environment on a graphical user interface, the environment including personnel elements visible in the image, detecting a gaze of a user directed at an image of a first personnel element corresponding to a first information conveyor of a plurality of information conveyors, changing a state of the first information conveyor corresponding to the first personnel element from a passive state to a listening state in response to detecting that the gaze is directed at the image of the first personnel element, wherein the first information conveyor includes a first audio output device, receiving audio information through an audio input device, and when the state of the first information conveyor is changed to the listening state, controlling an output operation, wherein the output operation includes directing the received audio information as an audio output through the first audio output device.

Abstract: Surgical stapling instruments include mechanisms for identifying and/or deactivating stapler cartridge for use with the instruments. The stapling instrument includes a drive member for actuating a staple cartridge and a locking member movable from a disabled position permitting distal translation of the drive member through a staple firing stroke, to a locking position inhibiting distal translation of the drive member through the staple firing stroke. The staple cartridge may include a switch for maintaining the locking member in the disabled position. The switch may be further configured to operate as a reload detection mechanism for determining the type of reload present in the surgical stapling instrument.

Abstract: A cart for supporting one or more instruments for a computer-assisted, remote procedure can include a base and a support structure extending from the base and adjustable to different configurations, the support structure being configured to support one or more instruments to perform a remote procedure. The cart can further include a steering interface configured to be grasped by a user and a sensor mechanism configured to detect a force applied to the steering interface. The cart also can include a drive system comprising a control module operably coupled to receive an input from the sensor mechanism in response to the force applied to the steering interface and information about a configuration of the support structure, the control module operably coupled to output a movement command based on the received input from the sensor mechanism and the information about the configuration of the support structure.

Abstract: A family of endoscopes includes a non-zero degree endoscope and a zero degree endoscope. The zero degree endoscope includes a first image capture unit mounted in a distal portion of the zero degree endoscope with a lengthwise axis of the first image capture unit substantially parallel to a lengthwise axis of that distal portion. The non-zero degree endoscope includes a second image capture unit mounted in a distal portion of the non-zero degree endoscope with a lengthwise axis of the second image capture unit intersecting a lengthwise axis of that distal portion at a non-zero angle. The first and second image capture units have substantially identical non-folded optical paths.

Abstract: A medical system includes an interventional instrument and a control system including one or more processors. The control system is configured to: receive a pose dataset for a point on the instrument retained in compliant movement with a cyclically moving patient anatomy for a plurality of time parameters during a cyclical anatomical motion; determine a set of pose differentials for the identified point with respect to a reference point at each time parameter; identify a periodic signal for the anatomical motion from the set of pose differentials; generate a command signal indicating an intended movement of the instrument relative to the patient anatomy; adjust the command signal to include an instruction for a cyclical instrument motion based on a phase of the anatomical motion; and cause the intended movement of the instrument relative to the patient anatomy based on the adjusted command signal to compensate for the anatomical motion.

Abstract: A surgical manipulator assembly comprises a manipulator movably supporting a tool holder and an indicator section operably coupled to the manipulator for indicating state or identity information. The indicator section includes a multiple-color light emitting diode (LED) and a first fastener for operably coupling a second fastener of a sterile drape used to substantially cover the surgical manipulator assembly.