Abstract: A medical device includes a mechanical structure and a force sensor unit. The force sensor unit comprises a mounting bracket, a first rod, a second rod, a first magnet, a second magnet, a first coil coupled to the mounting bracket, and a second coil coupled to the mounting bracket. The first rod and the second rod each have a center axis defined between a proximal and distal portion of the respective first and second rods. The center axis of the second rod is noncoaxial with the center axis of the first rod. The first magnet is coupled to the first rod and translates within the first coil along the center axis of the first rod. Similarly, the second magnet is coupled to the second rod and translates within the second coil along the center axis of the second rod.

Abstract: A variety of applications can include apparatus and/or methods that provide an axial force transducer. Two coils wound coaxially with respect to each other can be used with a magnet to determine a distance traveled based on application of an axial force to an instrument component. The two coils and magnet can be configured in a number of ways with respect to the instrument component. In various embodiments, the difference between an inductance associated with one of the two coils along with its relation to the magnet and an inductance associated with the other one of the two coils along with its relation to the magnet can be used to determine the axial force on the component of the instrument associated with the distance travelled. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of operating an imaging system includes reducing common-mode current induced on a cable connected between an imaging system and an endoscope by utilizing a common-mode choke between the cable and a circuit within the endoscope, the common-mode choke being mounted within a body of the endoscope.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a body and a circuit board mounted within the body. A cable couples the circuit board to an imaging system. A common-mode choke is mounted within the body and is configured to electrically isolate the cable from the body at cautery frequencies. A method includes twisting a plurality of wires together to form a twisted set of wires. The twisted set of wires is wound around a core so that windings do not overlap, and so that a first winding and a last winding are separated from each other. Wires in the twisted set of wires are coupled to a plurality of wires in the cable. Also, these wires in the twisted set of wires are also coupled to the circuit board.

Abstract: A medical system includes a first electrical circuit, a second electrical circuit electrically isolated from the first electrical circuit, an optical isolator circuit coupled between the first and second electrical circuits, and a common-mode choke comprising a plurality of wires wound around a core and configured to reduce a voltage transient at an input of the optical isolator circuit to a level within a tolerance of the optical isolator circuit. A first end of the wires is conductively coupled to an output of the first electrical circuit and a second end of the wires is conductively coupled to the input of the optical isolator circuit.

Abstract: A surgical instrument support arm of a teleoperated patient side cart may include a first arm portion including a first connector end and a second a second arm portion including a second connector end. The second arm portion may be removably connectable to the first arm portion via mating engagement of the first and second connector ends. The first and second connector ends may each include complementary mechanical connections and complementary electrical connections. At least one of the electrical connections of the first and second connector ends may include electrical shielding to protect against electrical interference in a position in which the electrical connections are matingly engaged. The electrical shielding may be configured to axially compress when the electrical connections of the first and second connector ends are matingly engaged.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a force sensor apparatus that is immune to noise from arcing cautery without relying on fiber optic strain gauges, and that is autoclabable. The surgical instrument includes a housing, a shaft, the force sensor apparatus, a joint, and an end component. The force sensor apparatus includes at least one strain gauge that is enclosed in a Faraday cage. The Faraday cage includes a sensor capsule that includes one or more strain gauges, a cable shield tube connected to the sensor capsule, and an electronics enclosure connected to the cable shield tube. The sensor capsule is positioned between the joint and the shaft. The cable shield tube extends through the shaft to the electronics enclosure that is within the housing.

Abstract: A surgical instrument support arm of a teleoperated patient side cart may include a first arm portion including a first connector end and a second a second arm portion including a second connector end. The second arm portion may be removably connectable to the first arm portion via mating engagement of the first and second connector ends. The first and second connector ends may each include complementary mechanical connections and complementary electrical connections. At least one of the electrical connections of the first and second connector ends may include electrical shielding to protect against electrical interference in a position in which the electrical connections are matingly engaged. The electrical shielding may be configured to axially compress when the electrical connections of the first and second connector ends are matingly engaged.

Abstract: A surgical instrument support arm of a teleoperated patient side cart may include a first arm portion including a first connector end and a second a second arm portion including a second connector end. The second arm portion may be removably connectable to the first arm portion via mating engagement of the first and second connector ends. The first and second connector ends may each include complementary mechanical connections and complementary electrical connections. At least one of the electrical connections of the first and second connector ends may include electrical shielding to protect against electrical interference in a position in which the electrical connections are matingly engaged. The electrical shielding may be configured to axially compress when the electrical connections of the first and second connector ends are matingly engaged.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a force sensor apparatus that is immune to noise from arcing cautery without relying on fiber optic strain gauges, and that is autoclabable. The surgical instrument includes a housing, a shaft, the force sensor apparatus, a joint, and an end component. The force sensor apparatus includes at least one strain gauge that is enclosed in a Faraday cage. The Faraday cage includes a sensor capsule that includes one or more strain gauges, a cable shield tube connected to the sensor capsule, and an electronics enclosure connected to the cable shield tube. The sensor capsule is positioned between the joint and the shaft. The cable shield tube extends through the shaft to the electronics enclosure that is within the housing.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a body and a circuit board mounted within the body. A cable couples the circuit board to an imaging system. A common-mode choke is mounted within the body and is configured to electrically isolate the cable from the body at cautery frequencies. A method includes twisting a plurality of wires together to form a twisted set of wires. The twisted set of wires is wound around a core so that windings do not overlap, and so that a first winding and a last winding are separated from each other. Wires in the twisted set of wires are coupled to a plurality of wires in the cable. Also, these wires in the twisted set of wires are also coupled to the circuit board.

Abstract: A patient side cart for a teleoperated surgical system can include one or more wheels positioned to support the cart for wheeled motion on a ground surface, at least one manipulator portion for holding a surgical instrument, a steering interface having a grasping portion and comprising a sensor positioned to sense turning, fore, and aft forces exerted on the grasping portion to move the cart, wherein the sensor is in signal communication with a drive control system of the patient side cart, and an additional sensor operatively coupled to the drive control system. The additional sensor may be positioned between the steering interface and the wheels on a side of the cart at which the steering interface is positioned, wherein in response to a force exerted on the additional sensor during backward motion of the cart in response to an aft force exerted on the grasping portion, the sensor sends a signal to the drive control system to stop motion of the cart.

Abstract: A patient side cart for a teleoperated surgical system can include one or more wheels positioned to support the cart for wheeled motion on a ground surface, at least one manipulator portion for holding a surgical instrument, a steering interface having a grasping portion and comprising a sensor positioned to sense turning, fore, and aft forces exerted on the grasping portion to move the cart, wherein the sensor is in signal communication with a drive control system of the patient side cart, and an additional sensor operatively coupled to the drive control system. The additional sensor may be positioned between the steering interface and the wheels on a side of the cart at which the steering interface is positioned, wherein in response to a force exerted on the additional sensor during backward motion of the cart in response to an aft force exerted on the grasping portion, the sensor sends a signal to the drive control system to stop motion of the cart.

Abstract: A patient side cart for a teleoperated surgical system includes at least one manipulator portion for holding a surgical instrument and a steering interface. The steering interface may include at least one sensor positioned to sense turning, fore, and aft forces exerted by a user to move the cart. The steering interface may further include a coupling mechanism to removably couple the steering interface with the patient side cart. The at least one sensor may be placed in signal communication with a drive control system of the patient side cart when the steering interface is in a coupled state with the patient side cart.

Abstract: A surgical instrument support arm of a teleoperated patient side cart may include a first arm portion including a first connector end and a second a second arm portion including a second connector end. The second arm portion may be removably connectable to the first arm portion via mating engagement of the first and second connector ends. The first and second connector ends may each include complementary mechanical connections and complementary electrical connections. At least one of the electrical connections of the first and second connector ends may include electrical shielding to protect against electrical interference in a position in which the electrical connections are matingly engaged. The electrical shielding may be configured to axially compress when the electrical connections of the first and second connector ends are matingly engaged.

Abstract: A patient side cart for a teleoperated surgical system includes at least one manipulator portion for holding a surgical instrument and a steering interface. The steering interface may include at least one sensor positioned to sense turning, fore, and aft forces exerted by a user to move the cart. The steering interface may further include a coupling mechanism to removably couple the steering interface with the patient side cart. The at least one sensor may be placed in signal communication with a drive control system of the patient side cart when the steering interface is in a coupled state with the patient side cart.

Abstract: A patient side cart for a teleoperated surgical system includes at least one manipulator portion for holding a surgical instrument and a steering interface. The steering interface may include at least one sensor positioned to sense turning, fore, and aft forces exerted by a user to move the cart. The steering interface may further include a coupling mechanism to removably couple the steering interface with the patient side cart. The at least one sensor may be placed in signal communication with a drive control system of the patient side cart when the steering interface is in a coupled state with the patient side cart.

Abstract: A patient side cart for a teleoperated surgical system includes at least one manipulator portion for holding a surgical instrument and a steering interface. The steering interface may include at least one sensor positioned to sense turning, fore, and aft forces exerted by a user to move the cart. The steering interface may further include a coupling mechanism to removably couple the steering interface with the patient side cart. The at least one sensor may be placed in signal communication with a drive control system of the patient side cart when the steering interface is in a coupled state with the patient side cart.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved electrosurgical instruments and systems having electrocautery energy supply conductors that provide inhibited current leakage and methods of performing a robotically controlled minimally invasive surgical procedure while preventing unintended capacitive coupling. A surgical instrument generally comprises an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and defining an internal longitudinally extending passage. An electrocautery end effector is coupled to or disposed at the distal end of the shaft. An interface or tool base is coupled to or disposed at the proximal end of the shaft and removably connectable to the robotic surgical system. Typically, an independent electrical conductor extends from the interface to the end effector to transmit electrical energy to tissue engaged by the end effector. A sealed insulation tube extends within the passage and over the conductor. A separation is maintained between the sealed insulation tube and the conductor.

Abstract: A control device for converting a manual input into an electrical signal is provided. The control device includes a control button, a first magnet having a first predetermined polarity, a second magnet having a second predetermined polarity, and a hall-effect sensor located adjacent to the control button. The control button is mounted for pivotal displacement about a neutral position in accordance with the manual input. The first magnet and the second magnet are mounted to the control button. The polarity of the second magnet is opposite the polarity of the first magnet. The hall-effect sensor has an electrical input and an electrical output. The electrical signal produced by the control device may, for example, be used to control the velocity of a motor, which rotates an ultrasound transducer.