Abstract: An apparatus for use during robotic surgery, where the apparatus includes a robotic arm; a tool driver connected to the robotic arm; a cannula including a proximal portion and a distal portion wherein the proximal portion is coupled to the tool driver; and a damping element connected to one of the robotic arm, the tool driver and the cannula. Also, a method including guiding a surgical tool coupled to a robotic arm into a patient, wherein the surgical tool is disposed through a cannula and coupled to a tool driver coupled to a distal portion of the robotic arm; and maneuvering the tool driver by way of the robotic arm, wherein vibrations generated by the maneuvering are inhibited by a damping element coupled to one of the robotic arm, the tool driver and the cannula.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are non-woven graft materials for use in specialized surgical procedures involving nerve repair and regeneration. Some embodiments describe electrospun fiber products such as conduits, wraps, or grafts comprising a resorbable hybrid-scale matrix to facilitate nerve repair and regeneration.

Abstract: A colon linearizing device installed in an endoscope to linearize a colon by performing translation and expansion motions in the colon may include a ring-shaped proximal member installed to surround an outer circumferential surface of an insertion tube of an endoscope, a fixed end secured to the insertion tube, a ring-shaped distal member positioned between the proximal member and the fixed end and movably installed along a longitudinal direction of the insertion tube, and an elastic member connected between the fixed end and the distal member.

Abstract: A system for accessing a patient's uterine cavity and detecting perforations in the uterus includes an elongated probe having a flow channel extending to a terminal outlet in a distal region of the probe. A fluid source is coupled to the flow channel, and a seal on the probe is positionable in an endocervical canal. The probe may be trans-cervically inserted into the uterine cavity, and a fluid may be introduced through the channel to flow outwardly from the terminal outlet into the uterine cavity. A parameter of said fluid flow is monitored to detect a perforation in the uterus.

Abstract: A method to assist in forming one or more cut surfaces on a bone in preparation for contact with one or more contact surfaces of an implant is provided. Cutting instructions are provided to direct a computer-assisted surgical (CAS) device during formation of a first number of cut surfaces on the bone. The first number of cut surfaces being less than a total number of contact surfaces of the implant. A system for the practice of the method is also provided.

Abstract: A surgical device is provided includes a hand-held portion with a working portion movably coupled to the hand-held portion for driving a tool. Actuators are provided for moving the working portion with each of the actuators having a travel range. An indicator notices a user when at least one of actuators is: (i) within the travel range; (ii) approaching a travel limit of the travel range; or (iii) outside the travel range. A surgical system is also provided inclusive the surgical device and a computing system configured to activate the indicator.

Abstract: A method performed by a surgical robotic system. The method determines a surgical procedure that is to be performed using a robotic arm. The method determines, for the robotic arm, a planned trajectory based on the surgical procedure, where the planned trajectory is from a current pose of the robotic arm to a predefined procedure pose that is within a threshold distance from a trocar that is coupled to a patient. The method drives the robotic arm along the planned trajectory from the current pose to the predefined procedure pose.

Abstract: A virtual representation of an operating room is generated based on robot information and sensing of the OR with depth cameras. One of the depth cameras is integrated with a portable electronic device, operated by a local user in the operating room. The virtual representation of the OR is communicated to the virtual reality headset, with three-dimensional point cloud data. A virtual reality environment is rendered to a display of the virtual reality headset, operated by a remote user. A virtual representation of the remote user is rendered in augmented reality to a display of the portable electronic device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include radio frequency identification location systems and methods. In one embodiment, RF signals are transmitted from one or more RFID readers, and in accordance therewith, backscattered signals are received from a tag to be located. A plurality of measured position parameters are used to determine a location of the tag. One reader may transmit and three readers may receive signals to determine the position of a tag. In other embodiments, multiple readers may transmit and receive. One reader may transmit from different positions to locate a tag. Embodiments of the invention may be used to track a moving tag. A reader's position may be determined using GPS, reference tags, or the reader may be positioned in a known location. A map may be provided to a user to display the location or movement of a tag or a corresponding item.

Abstract: A method comprises steps of in response to an initiating signal, providing a drive signal with a first amplitude range for a first period to drive an transducer of the ultrasonic surgical instrument; subsequent to the first period, providing a first transition signal with a decreasing amplitude for a first predetermined interval; subsequent to the first predetermined interval, providing a drive signal with a second amplitude range for a second period, wherein an upper limit of the second amplitude range is lower than a lower limit of the first amplitude range; subsequent to the second period, providing a second transition signal with an increasing amplitude for a second predetermined interval; and subsequent to the second predetermined interval, providing a drive signal with a third amplitude range for a third period, wherein a lower limit of the third amplitude range is higher than the upper limit of the second amplitude range.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handle portion; an elongated shaft extending from the handle portion to a distal side; an end effector; and an joint assembly, a articulating mechanism and a lockout assembly, the lockout assembly comprises a first lock member and a second lock member, the first lock member is operated to selectively lock a bending operation of the articulating mechanism, and the first lock member is arranged to selectively lock the bending operation of the articulating mechanism under an operation of the articulating mechanism; and the second lock member is arranged to selectively lock a position of the joint assembly under an operation of the handle portion.

Abstract: A system and method are described herein for determining if hardware installed in a bone is at least partially within a volume of bone to be removed. The method includes determining a location for the volume of bone to be removed relative to a position of the bone. A POSE of a piece of hardware installed in the bone is determined. A computer comprising a processor then calculates if any portion of the piece of hardware is located at least partially within the volume of bone to be removed using the determined location of the volume of bone to be removed and the determined POSE of the piece of hardware. A user may be notified if any portion of the hardware is located at least partially within the cut volume.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to methods and systems for cleaning scopes using a camera port (e.g. trocar) which has been modified to include a cleaning system. A trocar is a device designed to allow surgical instruments and tools to be quickly and easily inserted into a body cavity without contacting the surrounding tissue.

Abstract: A surgical robotic system has a robotic grasper, a user interface device (UID), and one or more processors communicatively coupled to the UID and the robotic grasper. The system detects a directive to engage or re-engage a teleoperation mode, determines that the system is in a non-teleoperation mode, receives a sequence of user actions through the UID, determines the UID matches a jaw angle or a grip force of the robotic grasper, and transitions into teleoperation mode. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector assembly configured to apply ultrasonic energy or electrosurgical energy to a tissue. The end effector assembly includes an ultrasonic blade configured to transmit ultrasonic vibration to the tissue and a clamp arm assembly, where the clamp arm assembly is configured to be operatively pivoted towards or away from the ultrasonic blade, and includes a clamp pad arranged adjacent to the ultrasonic blade and configured to compress or transect the tissue clamped therebetween; a first electrode arranged at a side of the clamp pad away from the ultrasonic blade and configured to apply the electrosurgical energy to the tissue; and an insulative support member pivotally coupled to the transmission assembly and configured to support the clamp pad and the first electrode.

Abstract: A medical image viewer can render to a display, a three-dimensional view of patient anatomy, a multi planar reconstruction (MPR) view of the patient anatomy, and an intra-operational view. Some of the views can be synchronized to show a common focal point of the anatomy. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A foot pedal assembly for controlling a robotic surgical system. The foot pedal assembly including a foot pedal base, a foot pedal and a sensor. The foot pedal moves relative to the foot pedal base and has a contact surface extending from a distal end to a proximal end of the foot pedal. The contact surface is to come into contact with a foot of a user during use of the foot pedal assembly for controlling the robotic surgical system and the distal end is farther away from a heel of the foot than the proximal end during use of the assembly for controlling the robotic surgical system. The sensor is coupled to the contact surface of the foot pedal at a position closer to the proximal end than the distal end, and the sensor is operable to sense a target object positioned a distance over the contact surface.

Abstract: A method for disengagement detection of a surgical instrument of a surgical robotic system, the method comprising: determining whether a user's head is unstable prior to disengagement of a teleoperation mode; determining whether a pressure release has occurred relative to at least one of a first user input device or a second user input device for controlling a surgical instrument of the surgical robotic system during the teleoperation mode; and in response to determining the user's head is unstable or determining the pressure release has occurred, determining whether a distance change between the first user input device and the second user input device indicates the user is performing an unintended action prior to disengagement of the teleoperation mode.

Abstract: There is provided a surgical instrument for navigated surgeries and systems and methods using such a surgical instrument. The surgical tool comprises a tip; a tool interface, separate from the tip; and an optically trackable target. The tip is configured to probe positions in a space and identify the positions using optical information from the optically trackable target. The tool interface is configured to mate with a surgical tool such that the optical trackable target then provides optical information with which to determine positional information for the surgical tool in the space. In one example, the system provides navigational information during surgery using the surgical instrument, namely, a single integrated tracker instrument with two or more mechanical interfaces for coupling the tracker instrument with anatomical features and/or surgical tools.