Abstract: Systems and methods for electromagnetic (EM) distortion detection and compensation are disclosed. In one aspect, the system includes an instrument, the system configured to: determine a reference position of the distal end of the instrument at a first time based on EM location data, determine that the distal end of the instrument at a second time is static, and determine that the EM location data at the second time is indicative of a position of the distal end of the instrument having changed from the reference position by greater than a threshold distance. The system is further configured to: determine a current offset based on the distance between the position at the second time and the reference position at the first time, and determine a compensated position of the distal end of the instrument based on the EM location data and the current offset.

Abstract: Techniques relate to providing image data, indicators, and/or other data associated with a medical instrument with the appropriate orientation to assist a user in performing a procedure. For example, a user interface can present an image representation representing image data from a scope and/or a working channel indicator indicating an angle of rotation of a working channel of the scope. When the scope rolls, a rotation adjustment can be applied to the image representation to rotate the image representation within the user interface. Further, the working channel indicator can rotate within the user interface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for electromagnetic (EM) distortion detection and compensation are disclosed. In one aspect, the system includes an instrument, the system configured to: determine a reference position of the distal end of the instrument at a first time based on EM location data, determine that the distal end of the instrument at a second time is static, and determine that the EM location data at the second time is indicative of a position of the distal end of the instrument having changed from the reference position by greater than a threshold distance. The system is further configured to: determine a current offset based on the distance between the position at the second time and the reference position at the first time, and determine a compensated position of the distal end of the instrument based on the EM location data and the current offset.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for controlling an instrument feeder device to engage with and/or control a medical instrument are discussed herein. For example, an instrument feeder device can be configured to couple to a drive output of a robotic arm and/or engage with an elongate shaft of a medical instrument. The drive output can be configured to control the engagement assembly to selectively engage with and/or retain the elongate shaft. A state of the engagement assembly can be determined based on an amount of force applied by the drive output, a position of the drive output, and/or other information.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for evaluating and/or removing slack in an elongate shaft of a medical instrument are discussed herein. For example, an instrument feeder device can be configured to engage with the elongate shaft to facilitate axial motion of the elongate shaft. An amount of slack between the instrument feeder device and an instrument handle of the medical instrument can be determined. Further, slack in the elongate shaft can be removed by moving the instrument handle in a direction away from the instrument feeder device and/or controlling the instrument feeder device to insert the elongate shaft.

Abstract: A method of controlling an instrument involves measuring strain of one or more optical fibers associated with an elongate shaft of an instrument, determining a first shape estimation of the elongate shaft based on the measured strain, determining, based on the measured strain, a strain-indicated characteristic of the elongate shaft with respect to a mechanical condition of the elongate shaft, determining an expected range of the mechanical condition of the elongate shaft, determining that the strain-indicated characteristic is outside of the expected range of the mechanical condition, and in response to the determination that the strain-indicated characteristic is outside of the expected range, determining a second shape estimation of the elongate shaft, the second shape estimation being based to a lesser degree on the measured strain compared to the first shape estimation.

Abstract: A surgical robotic system automatically calibrates tubular and flexible surgical tools such as endoscopes. By compensating for unideal behavior of an endoscope, the surgical robotic system can accurately model motions of the endoscope and navigate the endoscope while performing a surgical procedure on a patient. During calibration, the surgical robotic system moves the endoscope to a target position and receives data describing an actual position and/or orientation of the endoscope. The surgical robotic system determines gain values based at least on the discrepancy between the target position and the actual position. The endoscope can include tubular components referred to as a sheath and leader. An instrument device manipulator of the surgical robotic system actuates pull wires coupled to the sheath and/or the leader, which causes the endoscope to articulate.

Abstract: Provided are robotic systems and methods for navigation of luminal network that can improve strain-based shape sensing. In one aspect, the system can compare strain-based shape data to shape data determined based on robotic data (e.g., kinematic model data, torque measurements, mechanical model data, command data, etc.) and adjust the strain-based shape data as necessary. Any portion of the strain-based shape data can be adjusted, weighted differently, or discarded based on the comparison. For example, data from trustworthy sources may indicate that the shape of an instrument exhibits or should exhibit one or more characteristics. If the system determines that any portion of the strain-based shape data is not in agreement with such characteristics, the system may adjust the portion of the strain-based shape data such that the adjusted strain-based shape data is in agreement with the characteristics of the instrument.

Abstract: Certain aspects relate to systems and techniques for compensating for compression in elongated shafts of medical instruments. Medical instruments can include elongated shafts that may experience compression when articulated. The medical instruments can be attached to instrument positioning devices that are configured to move the medical instruments to compensate for this compression. For example, an instrument positioning device can advance a medical instrument to compensate for compression in an elongated shaft of the medical instrument. In some instances, the amount of compression is determined using a compression compensation parameter. The compression compensation parameter can be determined during a calibration process of the medical instrument.

Abstract: A surgical robotic system automatically calibrates tubular and flexible surgical tools such as endoscopes. By compensating for unideal behavior of an endoscope, the surgical robotic system can accurately model motions of the endoscope and navigate the endoscope while performing a surgical procedure on a patient. During calibration, the surgical robotic system moves the endoscope to a target position and receives data describing an actual position and/or orientation of the endoscope. The surgical robotic system determines gain values based at least on the discrepancy between the target position and the actual position. The endoscope can include tubular components referred to as a sheath and leader. An instrument device manipulator of the surgical robotic system actuates pull wires coupled to the sheath and/or the leader, which causes the endoscope to articulate.

Abstract: A robotic system includes a medical instrument comprising an elongate shaft dimensioned to be disposed at least partially within an access sheath and control circuitry configured to cause the elongate shaft to be retracted at least partially within the access sheath, determine a position of a distal end of the elongate shaft relative to the access sheath, and modify a speed of retraction of the elongate shaft based on the determined position of the distal end of the elongate shaft relative to the access sheath.

Abstract: Certain aspects relate to systems and techniques for compensating for compression in elongated shafts of medical instruments. Medical instruments can include elongated shafts that may experience compression when articulated. The medical instruments can be attached to instrument positioning devices that are configured to move the medical instruments to compensate for this compression. For example, an instrument positioning device can advance a medical instrument to compensate for compression in an elongated shaft of the medical instrument. In some instances, the amount of compression is determined using a compression compensation parameter. The compression compensation parameter can be determined during a calibration process of the medical instrument.

Abstract: Certain aspects relate to systems and techniques for docking medical instruments. For example, a medical system can include an instrument drive mechanism having a drive output that rotates and engages a corresponding drive input on a robotic medical instrument, a motor configured to rotate the drive output, and a torque sensor configured to measure torque imparted on the drive output. The robotic medical instrument can include a pre-tensioned pull wire actuated by the drive input. The system can activate the motor associated with the drive output to rotate the drive output in response to a torque signal from the torque sensor associated with the drive output in order to align the drive output with the drive input.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and techniques for compensating for insertion of an instrument into a working channel of another instrument in a surgical system. According to one embodiment, a method of compensation includes: detecting insertion of an insertable instrument into a working channel of a flexible instrument; detecting, based on a data signal from at least one sensor, a position change of a distal portion of the flexible instrument from an initial position: generating a control signal based on the detected position change; and adjusting a tensioning of a pull wire based on the control signal to return the distal portion to the initial position.

Abstract: Certain aspects relate to systems and techniques for luminal network navigation. Some aspects relate to incorporating respiratory frequency and/or magnitude into a navigation system to implement patient safety measures. Some aspects relate to identifying, and compensating for, motion caused by patient respiration in order to provide a more accurate identification of the position of an instrument within a luminal network.

Abstract: A robotic system includes a robotic manipulator configured to: manipulate a medical instrument having a basket; open the basket at a first opening speed and a second, faster opening speed; and close the basket at a first closing speed and a second, faster closing speed. The system includes an input device configured to receive one or more user interactions and initiate one or more actions by the robotic manipulator, including directly controlled movement and/or pre-programmed motions. Control circuitry of the robotic system is configured to: in response to receiving a first user interaction via the input device, trigger a first pre-programmed motion of the robotic manipulator to open the basket at the second, faster opening speed; and in response to receiving a second user interaction via the input device, trigger a second pre-programmed motion to close the basket at the second, faster closing speed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and techniques for compensating for insertion of an instrument into a working channel of another instrument in a surgical system. According to one embodiment, a method of compensation includes: detecting insertion of an insertable instrument into a working channel of a flexible instrument; detecting, based on a data signal from at least one sensor, a position change of a distal portion of the flexible instrument from an initial position: generating a control signal based on the detected position change; and adjusting a tensioning of a pull wire based on the control signal to return the distal portion to the initial position.

Abstract: Certain aspects relate to systems and techniques for docking medical instruments. For example, a medical system can include an instrument drive mechanism having a drive output that rotates and engages a corresponding drive input on a robotic medical instrument, a motor configured to rotate the drive output, and a torque sensor configured to measure torque imparted on the drive output. The robotic medical instrument can include a pre-tensioned pull wire actuated by the drive input. The system can activate the motor associated with the drive output to rotate the drive output in response to a torque signal from the torque sensor associated with the drive output in order to align the drive output with the drive input.

Abstract: Certain aspects relate to systems and techniques for luminal network navigation. Some aspects relate to incorporating respiratory frequency and/or magnitude into a navigation system to implement patient safety measures. Some aspects relate to identifying, and compensating for, motion caused by patient respiration in order to provide a more accurate identification of the position of an instrument within a luminal network.

Abstract: A robotic system includes a robotic manipulator configured to: manipulate a medical instrument having a basket; open the basket at a first opening speed and a second, faster opening speed; and close the basket at a first closing speed and a second, faster closing speed. The system includes an input device configured to receive one or more user interactions and initiate one or more actions by the robotic manipulator, including directly controlled movement and/or pre-programmed motions. Control circuitry of the robotic system is configured to: in response to receiving a first user interaction via the input device, trigger a first pre-programmed motion of the robotic manipulator to open the basket at the second, faster opening speed; and in response to receiving a second user interaction via the input device, trigger a second pre-programmed motion to close the basket at the second, faster closing speed.