Abstract: A surgical instrument for use with a robotic manipulator includes an end effector assembly having one or two end effector members, each having a distal treatment end, a proximal end, and a tendon pass-through. Tendons that provide both mechanical actuation and electrical conduction to the end effector members are positioned in the pass-throughs.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a drive unit on a support. The drive unit includes motors or other actuators and a plurality of output elements arranged such that operation of each drive unit linearly translates a corresponding one of the output elements. A surgical device has actuation elements extending through an elongate shaft to a distal articulation section, and an input subsystem carried at the proximal end of the shaft. Linear translatable input elements or pistons of the input subsystem are each associated with a corresponding one of the actuation elements. The input and output elements are positioned such that operation of an actuator linearly translates an output element, causing linear translation of a corresponding input element and engagement of an actuation element. A sterile drape is positionable between the input elements and the output elements.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a drive unit on a support. The drive unit includes motors or other actuators and a plurality of output elements arranged such that operation of each drive unit linearly translates a corresponding one of the output elements. A surgical device has actuation elements extending through an elongate shaft to a distal articulation section, and an input subsystem carried at the proximal end of the shaft. Linear translatable input elements or pistons of the input subsystem are each associated with a corresponding one of the actuation elements. The input and output elements are positioned such that operation of an actuator linearly translates an output element, causing linear translation of a corresponding input element and engagement of an actuation element. A sterile drape is positionable between the input elements and the output elements.

Abstract: A robotic surgical system includes a hydraulic drive system and a surgical instrument removably positioned in operative engagement with the hydraulic drive system.

Abstract: A sterile drape positionable covering medical equipment, such as between a robotic manipulator and a sterile surgical instrument. The drape is formed of a flexible sterile material, with conductive ink printed on the flexible material. The drape provides both a sterile barrier and a shield against electrostatic discharge or electromagnetic interference.

Abstract: A robotic surgical system includes a hydraulic drive system and a surgical instrument removably positioned in operative engagement with the hydraulic drive system.

Abstract: A system and method for augmenting an endoscopic display during a medical procedure including capturing a real-time image of a working space within a body cavity during a medical procedure. A feature of interest in the image is identified and an overlay is displayed on the image marking the feature. Computer vision is used to detect in real time changes in the image that are indicative of the feature of interest being at least partially obscured. In response to such detected changes, a quality of the overlay is altered, e.g. to make it more bright or opaque, based on the change in visibility of the feature of interest in the image.

Abstract: A minimally invasive medical system comprises a manipulator having a plurality of joints, each of the plurality of joints including a torque and/or force sensor. The manipulator includes an effector configured to receive a surgical instrument. The system comprises a programmable computing device programmed for moving the surgical instrument while estimating surgical forces applied to the patient by the surgical instrument using torque and/or force measurements from the plurality of torque and/or force sensors located at the joints.

Abstract: A surgical system includes an instrument driver having a distal end positionable in a body cavity and a user input device. The instrument driver and user input device are positioned to removably receive distal and proximal portions, respectively, of a surgical instrument. The user input device is configured to generate movement signals in response to manual manipulation of the proximal portion of the surgical instrument. At least one motor operable to actuate the instrument driver in response to the movement signals and to thereby change position of the distal portion of the surgical instrument within the body cavity.

Abstract: A surgical system includes an instrument driver having a distal end positionable in a body cavity and a user input device. The instrument driver and user input device are positioned to removably receive distal and proximal portions, respectively, of a surgical instrument. The user input device is configured to generate movement signals in response to manual manipulation of the proximal portion of the surgical instrument. At least one motor operable to actuate the instrument driver in response to the movement signals and to thereby change position of the distal portion of the surgical instrument within the body cavity.

Abstract: A surgical system includes an instrument driver having a distal end positionable in a body cavity and a user input device. The instrument driver and user input device are positioned to removably receive distal and proximal portions, respectively, of a surgical instrument. The user input device is configured to generate movement signals in response to manual manipulation of the proximal portion of the surgical instrument. At least one motor operable to actuate the instrument driver in response to the movement signals and to thereby change position of the distal portion of the surgical instrument within the body cavity.

Abstract: A surgical system includes an instrument driver having a distal end positionable in a body cavity and a user input device. The instrument driver and user input device are positioned to removably receive distal and proximal portions, respectively, of a surgical instrument. The user input device is configured to generate movement signals in response to manual manipulation of the proximal portion of the surgical instrument. At least one motor operable to actuate the instrument driver in response to the movement signals and to thereby change position of the distal portion of the surgical instrument within the body cavity.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for use with a mechanized surgical system that includes a roll drive unit operable by a motor. The instrument includes an elongate shaft having a longitudinal axis, and an end effector and handle on the shaft. The handle includes an actuator manually operable by a user to mechanically actuate the end effector. The shaft includes a roll joint positioned between proximal and distal shaft portions, such that the distal shaft portion is longitudinally rotatable relative to the proximal shaft portion at the roll joint. The instrument further includes a drive segment on the distal shaft portion, the drive segment including first features rotationally engageable with second features of the roll drive unit such that operation of the motor causes the distal shaft portion to axially roll relative to the proximal shaft portion.

Abstract: A system for performing multi-tool minimally invasive medical procedures through a single instrument port into a body cavity includes a rigid tube carried by a mount. Cannulas having instrument channels and steerable distal ends extend distally from the rigid tube. During a procedure using the system, the mount is supported by an operating room fixture, and instruments are advanced through the steerable instrument channels. Manipulation of the instrument handles engages actuators positioned on the mount, which steer the distal ends of the cannulas through the action of pull cables. The distal ends of the instruments may thus be steered within the body by the distal ends of the steerable cannulas.

Abstract: A support arm for a medical device includes a column and a boom rotatably coupled to the column for rotation relative to a first axis. An arm is coupled to the boom for rotation relative to a second axis. A link mount is coupled to the arm and rotatable relative to the arm about a third axis. A device mount is supported by a linkage having link members arranged such that rotation of said first link member relative to the link mount about a fourth axis rotates the medical device about a fifth axis. The device mount is rotatable relative to the linkage about a sixth axis. The third, fifth and sixth axes extend through the center of mass of a medical instrument supported by the device mount.

Abstract: An instrument shaft includes an outer elongate shaft having a rigid proximal section, a rigid distal section, and a fixed bend between the rigid proximal and distal sections. An inner shaft includes rigid proximal and distal sections and a flexible intermediate section between the rigid proximal and distal sections. The inner shaft is slidably disposed within the lumen of the outer shaft such that the flexible intermediate section extends through the bend.