Abstract: A computer-assisted medical device includes a first articulated arm, a second articulated arm, an arm stabilizer, and a control system. The arm stabilizer includes first and second clamps and one or more sensors. The first and second clamps are configured to couple the arm stabilizer to the first and second articulated arms. At least one of a distance or a relative orientation between the first and second clamps is adjustable and the one or more sensors are configured to determine the distance or relative orientation. The control system is configured to implement a following mode in which the control system drives movement of the second articulated arm in response to movements of the first articulated arm and the arm stabilizer.

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 including a parameter established during a prior teleoperational procedure. The parameter includes an ergonomic setup for an input device of the operator input system. The input device is configured to operate the teleoperational manipulator. 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 the operator input system based on the at least one of the ergonomic setup for the operator input system.

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: A method may comprise receiving a model of a patient, identifying a kinematic measure for a teleoperated system, and receiving a human factors constraint for use of the teleoperated system. The method may also comprise establishing a set of port placement locations for the teleoperated system on the model based on the kinematic measure and the human factors constraint.

Abstract: A system and method includes deploying first and second articulated arms of a computer-assisted device so that a first attachment point on the first articulated arm and a second attachment point of the second articulated arm are positioned and oriented relative to each other based on a size and a shape of an arm stabilizer; stabilizing and reducing vibration of the first and second articulated arms by attaching the arm stabilizer to the first and second attachment points; after the stabilizing and reducing vibration of the first and second articulated arms, positioning and orienting a tool with the first articulated arm; and after the positioning and orienting of the tool, operating the tool. In some embodiments, the tool is a medical tool. In some embodiments, the system and method further include positioning and orienting a second tool with the second articulated arm and operating the second tool.

Abstract: A computing device comprises a memory and a control unit coupled to the memory. The control unit is configured to receive a patient model and identify a plurality of port locations on the patient model for accessing a workspace using a plurality of instruments controlled by a computer-assisted device. For each of the port locations, the control unit determines a collision volume for portions of the computer-assisted device proximal to the port location, a reachability metric, and an anthropomorphic metric. For each combination of the plurality of port locations, the control unit determines a collision metric based on overlaps of the collision volumes for the port locations in the combination, and an aggregate metric for the combination. The control unit is also configured to display one or more of the combinations of the plurality of port locations to a user along with a corresponding aggregate metric.

Abstract: A system and method includes deploying first and second articulated arms of a computer-assisted device so that a first attachment point on the first articulated arm and a second attachment point of the second articulated arm are positioned and oriented relative to each other based on a size and a shape of an arm stabilizer; stabilizing and reducing vibration of the first and second articulated arms by attaching the arm stabilizer to the first and second attachment points; after the stabilizing and reducing vibration of the first and second articulated arms, positioning and orienting a tool with the first articulated arm; and after the positioning and orienting of the tool, operating the tool. In some embodiments, the tool is a medical tool. In some embodiments, the system and method further include positioning and orienting a second tool with the second articulated arm and operating the second tool.

Abstract: A surgical method is provided, comprising: providing an information structure in a computer readable storage device that associates an indication of surgeon skill level in at least one surgical activity performed using the surgical instrument with a surgical instrument actuator safety state of the surgical instrument for use during performance of the at least one surgical activity using the surgical instrument by a surgeon having the indicated skill level; tracking surgical instrument actuator state of a surgical instrument during performance of a surgical procedure by a surgeon; and transitioning the surgical instrument actuator state of the surgical instrument to the surgical instrument safety state during performance of the at least one surgical activity by the surgeon using the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A surgical method is provided, comprising: providing an information structure in a computer readable storage device that associates an indication of surgeon skill level in at least one surgical activity performed using the surgical instrument with a surgical instrument actuator safety state of the surgical instrument for use during performance of the at least one surgical activity using the surgical instrument by a surgeon having the indicated skill level; tracking surgical instrument actuator state of a surgical instrument during performance of a surgical procedure by a surgeon; and transitioning the surgical instrument actuator state of the surgical instrument to the surgical instrument safety state during performance of the at least one surgical activity by the surgeon using the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A surgical method is provided, comprising: providing an information structure in a computer readable storage device that associates an indication of surgeon skill level in at least one surgical activity performed using the surgical instrument with a surgical instrument actuator safety state of the surgical instrument for use during performance of the at least one surgical activity using the surgical instrument by a surgeon having the indicated skill level; tracking surgical instrument actuator state of a surgical instrument during performance of a surgical procedure by a surgeon; and transitioning the surgical instrument actuator state of the surgical instrument to the surgical instrument safety state during performance of the at least one surgical activity by the surgeon using the surgical instrument.

Abstract: An imaging system processes images of a plurality of objects which have been captured by an image capture device for display. Normal processing of the images is modified as either a function of a depth corresponding to one or more of the plurality of objects appearing in the captured images relative to the image capture device or as a function of the depth and one or more image characteristics extracted from the captured images. A depth threshold may be used to avoid inadvertent modifications due to noise.

Abstract: A computing device comprises a memory and a control unit coupled to the memory. The control unit is configured to receive a patient model and identify a plurality of port locations on the patient model for accessing a workspace using a plurality of instruments controlled by a computer-assisted device. For each of the port locations, the control unit determines a collision volume for portions of the computer-assisted device proximal to the port location, a reachability metric, and an anthropomorphic metric. For each combination of the plurality of port locations, the control unit determines a collision metric based on overlaps of the collision volumes for the port locations in the combination, and an aggregate metric for the combination. The control unit is also configured to display one or more of the combinations of the plurality of port locations to a user along with a corresponding aggregate metric.

Abstract: A surgical method is provided, comprising: providing an information structure in a computer readable storage device that associates an indication of surgeon skill level in at least one surgical activity performed using the surgical instrument with a surgical instrument actuator safety state of the surgical instrument for use during performance of the at least one surgical activity using the surgical instrument by a surgeon having the indicated skill level; tracking surgical instrument actuator state of a surgical instrument during performance of a surgical procedure by a surgeon; and transitioning the surgical instrument actuator state of the surgical instrument to the surgical instrument safety state during performance of the at least one surgical activity by the surgeon using the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A system comprises a teleoperational assembly including an operator control system and a teleoperational manipulator configured for operation by the operator control 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 including a parameter established during a prior teleoperational procedure. The processing unit is also configured to provide instructions to configure an operation of the teleoperational assembly based upon the parameter.

Abstract: An imaging system processes images of a plurality of objects which have been captured by an image capture device for display. Normal processing of the images is modified as either a function of a depth corresponding to one or more of the plurality of objects appearing in the captured images relative to the image capture device or as a function of the depth and one or more image characteristics extracted from the captured images. A depth threshold may be used to avoid inadvertent modifications due to noise.

Abstract: An imaging system processes images of a plurality of objects which have been captured by an image capture device for display. Normal processing of the images is modified as either a function of a depth corresponding to one or more of the plurality of objects appearing in the captured images relative to the image capture device or as a function of the depth and one or more image characteristics extracted from the captured images. A depth threshold may be used to avoid inadvertent modifications due to noise.

Abstract: A system and method includes deploying first and second articulated arms of a computer-assisted device so that a first attachment point on the first articulated arm and a second attachment point of the second articulated arm are positioned and oriented relative to each other based on a size and a shape of an arm stabilizer; stabilizing and reducing vibration of the first and second articulated arms by attaching the arm stabilizer to the first and second attachment points; after the stabilizing and reducing vibration of the first and second articulated arms, positioning and orienting a tool with the first articulated arm; and after the positioning and orienting of the tool, operating the tool. In some embodiments, the tool is a medical tool. In some embodiments, the system and method further include positioning and orienting a second tool with the second articulated arm and operating the second tool.

Abstract: A system and method for an articulated arm stabilization includes an arm stabilizer for use with articulated arms of a computer-assisted medical device. The stabilizer includes a spine, a first vibration absorbing mount attached to the spine, a second vibration absorbing mount attached to the spine, a first clamp attached to the first vibration absorbing mount, and a second clamp attached to the second vibration absorbing mount. The first clamp is adapted to hold a first attachment point of a first articulated arm without slipping. The second clamp is adapted to hold a second attachment point of a second articulated arm without slipping. In some embodiments, the arm stabilizer stabilizes and reduces vibration in the first and second articulated arms. In some embodiments, the vibration is in a range from 0.5 to 14 Hz. In some embodiments, the spine limits relative motion between the first clamp and the second clamp.

Abstract: A vessel sealer has a stepped jaw that allows the jaw to have an overall shape and a width that provides desired strength, shape, and functionality while permitting a smaller raised portion to apply the sealing pressure. The smaller area applying the sealing pressure allows an actuating mechanism to apply a clinically desired sealing pressure without exceeding the force or torque limitations of the actuating mechanism and can limit thermal spread during a sealing procedure.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for operating a surgical system. In accordance with a method, a position of a surgical instrument is measured, the surgical instrument being included in a mechanical assembly having a plurality of joints and a first number of degrees of freedom, the position of the surgical instrument being measured for each of a second number of degrees of freedom of the surgical instrument. The method further includes estimating a position of each of the joints, where estimating the position of each joint includes applying the position measurements to at least one kinematic model of the mechanical assembly, the kinematic model having a third number of degrees of freedom greater than the first number of degrees of freedom. The method further includes controlling the mechanical assembly based on the estimated position of the joints.