Abstract: An endoscope device is provided. The device includes a handle, a steerable sheath, disposed on the handle, and a flexible tube. The device further includes a light source and an image sensor disposed on the flexible tube. The handle includes a passage. The steerable sheath includes a tip, a steerable section, and a lumen. The steerable section of the steerable sheath is actuable to form a bend, such that the tip is operable to be steered toward an anatomical region within a patient. The flexible tube is configured to be inserted within the lumen and the inner passage, such that the light source and the image source are positioned at or near the tip of the steerable sheath. The flexible tube is further configured to be removed from the lumen, such that the lumen is operable to aspirate a bodily object from the anatomical region via the tip.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an endoscopic apparatus and associated methods. The apparatus may include a steerable tool having a first flexible tube concentrically nested within a second flexible tube. The apparatus may include an end cap disposed on the steerable tool, an image sensor disposed on the end cap, and one or more light sources disposed on the end cap. The apparatus may be configured for accessing a region within a middle ear cavity of a patient. As such, the apparatus may further include a flexible tube, through which the steerable tool may extend, as well as a pre-curved rigid tube, through which the flexible tube may extend, thus allowing the apparatus to be deployed for middle ear access.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for an endoscopic apparatus and methods. The apparatus may include a steerable sheath, a control wire disposed within the steerable sheath, and a basket disposed on the control wire. The steerable sheath may be actuated to form a bend, advancing movements of the control wire may cause the basket to project out of the steerable sheath and expand, and retreating movements of the control wire may cause the basket to retract into the steerable sheath and contract.

Abstract: A concentric tube steerable device includes a plurality of tubes having a nested, concentric configuration. The tubes include an outer tube and an inner tube that extends coaxially within the outer tube. The inner tube terminates at a tip, and a pose of the tip is effectuated through individual or collective rotation or translation of the tubes about a tube axis. The concentric tube steerable device includes an actuator for rotating at least one tube about a respective tube axis, and a translator for translating at least one tube along a respective tube axis. Each tube includes a precurved portion and a corresponding axis of precurvature. For at least one tube, a flexural rigidity of the tube along its axis of precurvature is less than a flexural rigidity of the tube along a second axis that is perpendicular to the axis of precurvature, thereby improving stability of the tube.

Abstract: A small diameter surgical tool implements an agonist-antagonist deflectable joint. The deflectable joint is an actuatable bendable structure that uses push-pull, agonist-antagonist action of a pair of nested tubes to actuate the joint. The tubes are designed to have non-central, offset neutral axes, and they are fixed together at locations distal to the deflectable joint, such as at their distal ends. Axial translations of the tubes relative to each other causes a push-pull, agonist-antagonist action between the tubes, which causes the deflectable joint to bend. In one implementation, a deflectable joint can be created in nested tubes by configuring radial portions of the tube sidewalls extending along the joint to have an axial region of reduced stiffness. As a result, axial agonist-antagonist motion between the tubes can cause bending of the deflectable joint.

Abstract: A small diameter surgical tool implements an agonist-antagonist deflectable joint. The deflectable joint is an actuatable bendable structure that uses push-pull, agonist-antagonist action of a pair of nested tubes to actuate the joint. The tubes are designed to have non-central, offset neutral axes, and they are fixed together at locations distal to the deflectable joint, such as at their distal ends. Axial translations of the tubes relative to each other causes a push-pull, agonist-antagonist action between the tubes, which causes the deflectable joint to bend. In one implementation, a deflectable joint can be created in nested tubes by configuring radial portions of the tube sidewalls extending along the joint to have an axial region of reduced stiffness. As a result, axial agonist-antagonist motion between the tubes can cause bending of the deflectable joint.

Abstract: A concentric tube steerable device includes a plurality of tubes having a nested, concentric configuration. The tubes include an outer tube and an inner tube that extends coaxially within the outer tube. The inner tube terminates at a tip, and a pose of the tip is effectuated through individual or collective rotation or translation of the tubes about a tube axis. The concentric tube steerable device includes an actuator for rotating at least one tube about a respective tube axis, and a translator for translating at least one tube along a respective tube axis. Each tube includes a precurved portion and a corresponding axis of precurvature. For at least one tube, a flexural rigidity of the tube along its axis of precurvature is less than a flexural rigidity of the tube along a second axis that is perpendicular to the axis of precurvature, thereby improving stability of the tube.

Abstract: Mechanical bending actuators are provided including a first concentric, pre-curved bellows; and a second concentric, pre-curved bellows nested inside the first concentric, pre-curved bellows to provide a concentric, pre-curved bellows pair that when rotated axially at a base of the first and/or second concentric, pre-curved bellows provides independent control of a curvature and bending plane of the concentric, pre-curved bellows pair.

Abstract: Continuum robots and similar devices and methods and systems for controlling such devices are provided. The devices can include rods comprising strips, that are pre-curved, or both. Also provided is a system and method for modeling and controlling the configuration and operation of such devices.

Abstract: A small diameter surgical tool implements an agonist-antagonist deflectable joint. The deflectable joint is an actuatable bendable structure that uses push-pull, agonist-antagonist action of a pair of nested tubes to actuate the joint. The tubes are designed to have non-central, offset neutral axes, and they are fixed together at locations distal to the deflectable joint, such as at their distal ends. Axial translations of the tubes relative to each other causes a push-pull, agonist-antagonist action between the tubes, which causes the deflectable joint to bend. In one implementation, a deflectable joint can be created in nested tubes by configuring radial portions of the tube sidewalls extending along the joint to have an axial region of reduced stiffness. As a result, axial agonist-antagonist motion between the tubes can cause bending of the deflectable joint.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for collecting and processing physical space data for use while performing an image-guided surgical (IGS) procedure. A method includes performing a rigid alignment of a computer model of a non-rigid structure of interest in a patient and surface data in a patient space associated with at least a portion of said non-rigid structure, and computing a deformation of the computer model that provides a non-rigid alignment of said computer model and an organ geometric representation of data, said deformation computed using a set of boundary conditions and field variables defined for said computer model based on said rigid alignment and a parameterization function.

Abstract: Method for controlling continuum robots and systems therefrom are provided. In the system and method, a new system of equations is provided for controlling a shape of the elastic member and a tension on a tendon applying a force to an elastic member of the robot. The system of equations can be used to estimate a resulting shape of the elastic member from the tension applied to the tendon. The system of equations can also be used to estimate a necessary tension for the tendon to achieve a target shape.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for collecting and processing physical space data for use while performing an image-guided surgical (IGS) procedure. A method includes performing a rigid alignment of a computer model of a non-rigid structure of interest in a patient and surface data in a patient space associated with at least a portion of said non-rigid structure, and computing a deformation of the computer model that provides a non-rigid alignment of said computer model and an organ geometric representation of data, said deformation computed using a set of boundary conditions and field variables defined for said computer model based on said rigid alignment and a parameterization function.