Abstract: A cable-driven device, such as a joint or instrument of a computer-assisted manipulator system, may comprise a capstan mechanism to wind/unwind cables. The capstan mechanism comprises a capstan that has a groove in an outer surface of the capstan to guide the cables, which are routed from a take-up pulley, to spool onto the capstan as the capstan rotates. A guide element is engaged with the groove. The guide element is held translationally stationary relative to the take-up pulley, while there is relative translation between the capstan and both the guide element and the take-up pulley. Thus, as the capstan rotates, the guide element engages with the groove and forces the capstan and the take-up pulley to translate relative to one another. This relative translation of the capstan and the take-up pulley may prevent deviation of a take-up angle of the cable as the cable spools onto the capstan.

Abstract: Systems and methods for minimally invasive procedures include a computer-assisted system comprising a manipulator assembly configured to couple to a cannula and a controller coupled to the manipulator assembly. The cannula has a lumen configured to receive a shaft of an instrument. The controller is configured to position a remote center of motion for the manipulator assembly at a first location relative to the cannula, and in response to an indication to reposition the remote center of motion relative to the cannula, reposition the remote center of motion to a second location relative to the cannula while constraining the second location to be located along the cannula. The second location is different from the first location.

Abstract: Systems and methods for minimally invasive procedures include a computer-assisted system comprising a manipulator assembly configured to couple to a cannula and a controller coupled to the manipulator assembly. The cannula has a lumen configured to receive a shaft of an instrument. The controller is configured to position a remote center of motion for the manipulator assembly at a first location relative to the cannula, and in response to an indication to reposition the remote center of motion relative to the cannula, reposition the remote center of motion to a second location relative to the cannula while constraining the second location to be located along the cannula. The second location is different from the first location.

Abstract: Systems and methods for minimally invasive tele-surgery are described. For example, the disclosure describes methods for independently controlling motions of the robotic manipulator, cannula, and surgical instrument in various surgical contexts.

Abstract: Systems and methods for minimally invasive computer-assisted telesurgery are described. For example, this disclosure describes cannula devices for use with computer-assisted teleoperated surgery systems. The cannula devices can facilitate enlargement of a minimally invasive surgical workspace by creating a tissue tent. The devices and methods described herein can be used in conjunction with computer-assisted teleoperated surgery systems that use either hardware-constrained remote centers of motion or software-constrained remote centers of motion.

Abstract: Systems and methods for minimally invasive computer-assisted telesurgery are described. For example, this disclosure describes cannula devices for use with computer-assisted teleoperated surgery systems. The cannula devices can facilitate enlargement of a minimally invasive surgical workspace by creating a tissue tent. The devices and methods described herein can be used in conjunction with computer-assisted teleoperated surgery systems that use either hardware-constrained remote centers of motion or software-constrained remote centers of motion.

Abstract: An instrument holder generally includes a carriage rotatable with respect to a carriage support, a light pipe extending axially through the carriage, and an electrical conductor extending through the carriage radially outward of the light pipe. The light pipe can transmit light energy and the electrical conductor can transmit electricity between a proximal end portion and a distal end portion of the carriage to a medical instrument. The rotatable carriage may include a sterile adapter assembly positioned at the proximal and/or distal end portions of the rotatable carriage. The sterile adapter assembly may include a roll disk rotatable with respect to the outer frame, an inner disk rotatable with respect to the roll disk, and a light pipe to transmit light energy through the roll disk. The inner disk can transfer movement of an actuator between the rotatable carriage and the instrument.

Abstract: An instrument holder generally includes a carriage support having an output drive and a carriage configured to removably couple an instrument thereto, the carriage may have a lateral opening extending radially outward from a central axis of the carriage, and the lateral opening may be configured to receive a portion of the instrument therein. The carriage may further include a positioning member disposed on an outer surface of the such that rotation of the output drive changes an angular position of the carriage relative to the carriage support. The positioning member may be configured to allow the output drive to operably couple with the carriage at an engagement point adjacent to the lateral opening. The carriage may include a positionable door or a fin extending into the lateral opening to allow the output drive to drive the carriage around a full 360 degree rotation or greater.

Abstract: Systems and methods for computer-assisted systems using robotic technology are described. For example, this disclosure describes systems and methods that can be used in various contexts such as, but not limited to, minimally invasive computer-assisted tele-operated surgery using robotic technology. The disclosure describes instruments and mechanisms for actuating and controlling the motions of such instruments. The instruments and actuator mechanisms may be used in medical operations and non-medical operations.

Abstract: Systems and methods for computer-assisted systems using robotic technology are described. For example, this disclosure describes systems and methods that can be used in various contexts such as, but not limited to, minimally invasive computer-assisted tele-operated surgery using robotic technology. The disclosure describes instruments and mechanisms for actuating and controlling the motions of such instruments. The instruments and actuator mechanisms may be used in medical operations and non-medical operations.

Abstract: Systems and methods for minimally invasive tele-surgery are described. For example, the disclosure describes methods for independently controlling motions of the robotic manipulator, cannula, and surgical instrument in various surgical contexts.

Abstract: Systems and methods for minimally invasive computer-assisted telesurgery are described. For example, this disclosure describes cannula devices for use with computer-assisted teleoperated surgery systems. The cannula devices can facilitate enlargement of a minimally invasive surgical workspace by creating a tissue tent. The devices and methods described herein can be used in conjunction with computer-assisted teleoperated surgery systems that use either hardware-constrained remote centers of motion or software-constrained remote centers of motion.