Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to systems and methods for a surgical tool or a surgical robotic system. A coupling device driven by a plurality of drive disks corresponds to a first motor and a second motor. One or more processors are configured to send a low torque command to a first motor, send the low torque command to a second motor, determine whether the first motor and the second motor meet one or more hold engagement criteria, send a high torque command to the first motor in response to the first motor and the second motor meeting the one or more hold engagement criteria, and send the high torque command to the second motor in response to the first motor and the second motor meeting the one or more hold engagement criteria.

Abstract: A system and computerized method for detection of engagement of a surgical tool to a tool drive of a robotic arm of a surgical robotic system. The method may include activating an actuator of the tool drive to rotate a drive disk to be mechanically engaged with a tool disk in the surgical tool. One or more motor operating parameters of the actuator that is causing the rotation of the drive disk are monitored while activating the actuator. The method detects when the drive disk becomes mechanically engaged with the tool disk, based on the one or more monitored motor operating parameters. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for achieving a smooth transition in the grip force when the wrist jaws transition between the position and force mode. In the position mode, the desired jaw angle is above a threshold corresponding to an angle at which both jaws are just simultaneously in contact with an object held between the jaws or, if there is no object, when the jaws begin to touch each other. A feedback loop may determine that the jaws are transitioning between the modes based on changes of the desired jaw angle. The feedback loop may analyze the commanded grip force and the measured grip force to determine whether to adjust the commanded grip force during the transition. If so, the feedback loop may adjust the commanded grip force to reduce changes in the measured grip force that is otherwise based on the desired jaw angle.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for maintaining the opening force generated by robotic wrist jaws operating in position mode in which the jaws are commanded to a desired jaw angle prior to being commanded to generate a grip force. In the position mode, the desired jaw angle is above a threshold corresponding to an angle at which both jaws are just simultaneously in contact with an object held between the jaws or, if there is no object, when the jaws begin to touch each other. A feedback loop may analyze the desired jaw angle, the estimated jaw angle, and the measured opening force to determine if the jaws are in the position mode and if the measured opening force is below a minimum opening force threshold. If so, the feedback loop may calculate a jaw opening force error to maintain the jaw opening force above the minimum opening force threshold.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for limiting the grip force generated by closing robotic wrist jaws while operating in position mode in which the jaws are commanded to a desired jaw angle prior to being commanded to generate a grip force. In the positional mode, the desired jaw angle is above a threshold that corresponds to an angle at which both jaws are just simultaneously in contact with an object between the jaws or, if there is no object to grasp, when the jaws begin to touch each other. A feedback loop may analyze the desired jaw angle and the measured grip force to determine if the jaws are closing in the position mode and if the measured grip force exceeds a maximum grip force threshold. If so, the feedback loop may calculate a grip force error to limit the measured grip force to the maximum grip force threshold.

Abstract: For control of a surgical instrument in a surgical robotic system, multiple actuators establish a static pretension by actuating in opposition to each other in torque control. The static pretension reduces or removes the compliance and elasticity, reducing the backlash width. To drive the tool, the actuators are then moved in cooperation with each other in position mode control so that the movement maintains the static pretension while providing precise control.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to systems and methods for a surgical tool or a surgical robotic system. One example system for detecting disengagement of a surgical tool, includes an end effector connected to and driven by cables of a tool driver, sensors configured to detect forces associated with the cables, and one or more processors. The one or more processors identify cable tensions derived from forces detected by the sensors, compare the tension to a threshold tension value, calculate a velocity norm value based on a vector including the velocity value for each of the cables, compare the velocity norm value to a statistic velocity threshold, and identify a disengagement of at least one of the plurality of cables based on the first comparison and the second comparison.

Abstract: A surgical robotic tool used with a surgical robotic system can include cables that effect movement in the surgical robotic tool. A brake in any of these cables can be detected by checking a plurality of conditions. A process can compare a) a tension error against a first threshold, b) a rate of change of the sensed tension of the cable against a second threshold, and c) a rate of change of a cable extension error against a third threshold. If all thresholds are exceeded, the process can disable the respective actuator.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to systems and methods for a surgical tool or a surgical robotic system. A coupling device driven by a plurality of drive disks corresponds to a first motor and a second motor. One or more processors are configured to send a low torque command to a first motor, send the low torque command to a second motor, determine whether the first motor and the second motor meet one or more hold engagement criteria, send a high torque command to the first motor in response to the first motor and the second motor meeting the one or more hold engagement criteria, and send the high torque command to the second motor in response to the first motor and the second motor meeting the one or more hold engagement criteria.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to systems and methods for a surgical tool or a surgical robotic system. An actuator or a motor of a tool driver is configured to operate a joint of a tool. One or more processors are configured to receive an initial joint command for the joint of the tool, determine a joint torque based on motor torque of the motor or actuator as well as motor to joint torque mapping, calculate a tip force based on an effective length associated with the joint and based on the joint torque, compare the tip force to a predetermined threshold, calculate an admittance control compensation term in response to the tip force exceeding the predetermined threshold, and generate a command for the motor or actuator based on the admittance control compensation term and the initial joint command.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to systems and methods for a surgical tool or a surgical robotic system. A tool driver is coupled to a distal end of a robotic arm and includes a roll drive disk driven by a rotary motor. One or more processors are configured to detect an attachment of a surgical tool to the tool driver. The surgical tool includes a roll tool disk to be engaged with the roll drive disk of the tool driver, actuate of the roll drive disk through the rotary motor, determine that a measured torque of the rotary motor exceeds a preset torque threshold for a preset period of time since the actuation, and report a successful engagement between the roll drive disk and the roll tool disk.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to systems and methods for a surgical tool or a surgical robotic system. An end effector of the surgical tool is coupled to a tool driver. An actuator is driven by a motor of the tool driver and configured to drive a degree of freedom of the end effector. One or more processors are configured to receive a position command describing a desired position for the end effector, translate the desired position to a command for a joint associated with the end effector, calculate a compensation term to compensate for a source of hysteresis for backlash and/or compliance, and send a motor command for the motor coupled with the actuator based on the compensation term and the command for the end effector.

Abstract: A computerized method for estimating joint friction in a joint of a robotic wrist of an end effector. Sensor measurements of force or torque in a transmission that mechanically couples a robotic wrist to an actuator, are produced. Joint friction in a joint of the robotic wrist that is driven by the actuator is computed by applying the sensor measurements of force or torque to a closed form mathematical expression that relates transmission force or torque variables to a joint friction variable. A tracking error of the end effector is also computed, using a closed form mathematical expression that relates the joint friction variable to the tracking error. Other aspects are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A system and computerized method for detection of engagement of a surgical tool to a tool drive of a robotic arm of a surgical robotic system. The method may include activating an actuator of the tool drive to rotate a drive disk to be mechanically engaged with a tool disk in the surgical tool. One or more motor operating parameters of the actuator that is causing the rotation of the drive disk are monitored while activating the actuator. The method detects when the drive disk becomes mechanically engaged with the tool disk, based on the one or more monitored motor operating parameters. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A system for controlling a surgical robotic tool having an end effector driven by actuators through antagonistic cables is disclosed. The control system may include a position controller and a grip force controller. The position controller may be configured to receive an input signal to control the position of the end effector and generate a first command to drive the actuators to move the end effector. The grip force controller may be configured to receive another input to control the force exerted by jaws of the end effector and generate a second command. The first command and the second command may be combined to generate a composite command that is provided to the actuators to drive motion of the end effector. A third current or position command may be generated by a slack controller to prevent cable slack.