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: A surgical manipulator linkage assembly may comprise a linkage arm that includes a first pulley and a second pulley. Each of the first pulley and the second pulley comprise a first drive track and a second drive track. The first drive track and the second drive track are substantially co-planar, and the first drive track extends at least partially around the second drive track. The linkage arm also includes a first drive member section extending between the first drive tracks of the first pulley and the second pulley. The linkage arm also includes a second drive member section extending between the second drive tracks of the first pulley and the second pulley. The first drive member section is wound around the first pulley in a first tensile direction and the second drive member section is wound around the first pulley in a opposite second tensile direction.

Abstract: A computer-assisted medical system includes robotic manipulators, a user input system operable to generate signals to control the manipulators, and a controller configured to execute instructions to perform operations. A portion of the user input system is movable relative to the plurality of manipulators. The operations include, in a pairing mode, associating a first manipulator of the plurality of manipulators with the portion of the user input system based on movement of the portion of the user input system relative to the first manipulator, and, in a following mode, controlling motion of the first manipulator in accordance with an indication generated by the user input system in response to operation of the portion of the user input system by a user.

Abstract: Systems and methods for minimally invasive computer-assisted telesurgery are described. For example, this disclosure provides surgical instruments and instrument drive systems for computer-assisted tele-operated surgery that are structured and operated to negate the effects of cable stretch within the surgical instruments.

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: A medical device system includes: an auxiliary rail including a frame and a flange extending from the frame; and a surgical arm mounting device including a coupler and a surgical arm interface. The frame is configured to be mounted on a side rail of an operating table. The coupler includes a clamp for the flange of the auxiliary table rail. The clamp of the coupler has a first mechanical state in which the mounting device is fixed to the auxiliary rail and a second mechanical state in which the mounting device is translatable along the auxiliary rail. The surgical arm interface receives a mating mounting device interface of a surgical arm.

Abstract: An instrument system includes an instrument, a drive system, and a controller operably connected to a first drive mechanism and a second drive mechanism of the drive system. The controller is configured to operate the first drive mechanism and the second drive mechanism drive a flexible tensioning member of the instrument to cause movement of an end effector of the instrument while maintaining a tension applied to the flexible tensioning member of the instrument in a tension range.

Abstract: A computer-assisted medical system includes manipulators, a user input system, a user output system comprising a display device, and a controller configured to execute instructions to perform operations. The operations include, in a pairing mode and in response to a first set of signals generated by the user input system, causing a virtual selector shown on the display device to move relative to an imagery shown on the display device. The operations further include, in the pairing mode, associating a first manipulator with a portion of the user input system based on movement of the virtual selector relative to a represented location of the first instrument, and, in a following mode, controlling motion of the first instrument in accordance to a second set of signals generated by the user input system in response to operation of the portion of the user input system by a user.

Abstract: A surgical access port comprises an instrument guide. The instrument guide comprises a proximal end, a distal end, a plurality of instrument guide channels between the proximal and distal ends, and an outside surface that fits closely to an inner wall surface of a cannula into which the instrument guide is inserted. The instrument guide also comprises a first guide channel opening defined along a length of a first guide channel of the plurality of instrument guide channels. The instrument guide also comprises a second guide channel opening defined along a length of a second guide channel of the plurality of instrument guide channels. The instrument guide also comprises an insufflation channel defined between the first and second guide channel openings. The insufflation channel extends from a position between the proximal and distal ends of the instrument guide to the distal end of the instrument guide.

Abstract: A computer-assisted system includes an instrument manipulator assembly including a preload assembly and a motor, an insertion assembly configured to control a position of the instrument manipulator assembly, and a motor controller coupled to the preload assembly. The motor controller is configured to actuate the preload assembly to control an amount of preload applied by the preload assembly to the motor and actuate the preload assembly to apply a low preload in response to detecting that a sterile adapter is mounted to the instrument manipulator assembly.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling an end effector includes a drive unit having a first actuator and a second actuator, a moveable platform drivably coupled to the first actuator, first and second engagement members drivably coupled to the second actuator; and a control unit. The control unit is configured to actuate the first actuator to drive the platform, detect engagement of the first engagement member with a third engagement member of an instrument, detect engagement of the second engagement member with a fourth engagement member of the instrument, and actuate the second actuator to drive the first and second engagement members. Movement of the third and engagement member causes movement of a degree of freedom of an end effector of the instrument in a first direction. Movement of the fourth engagement member causes movement of the degree of freedom in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A computer-assisted teleoperated surgical system includes one or more manipulator devices and other components. A manipulator device includes a first link, a second link coupled to a distal end of the first link, a third link coupled to the second link, and an instrument actuator coupled to the third link. A joint that couples the second link to the first link defines a yaw axis. A joint that couples the third link to the second link defines a pitch axis. The instrument actuator defines an insertion axis. The yaw, pitch, and insertion axes are fixed in relation to each other and intersect at a remote center of motion. The instrument actuator may insert a surgical instrument along the insertion axis roll and may roll the surgical instrument around the insertion axis. The proximal end of the first link may be coupled to a repositionable setup structure, which may optionally be mechanically grounded to an operating room table.

Abstract: A computer-assisted medical system includes robotic manipulators, a user input system operable to generate signals to control the manipulators, and a controller configured to execute instructions to perform operations. A portion of the user input system is movable relative to the plurality of manipulators. The operations include, in a pairing mode, associating a first manipulator of the plurality of manipulators with the portion of the user input system based on movement of the portion of the user input system relative to the first manipulator, and, in a following mode, controlling motion of the first manipulator in accordance with an indication generated by the user input system in response to operation of the portion of the user input system by a user.

Abstract: A manipulator for a surgical instrument may comprise an instrument holder coupled with the surgical instrument and rotatable in a plane that passes through a remote center. The manipulator may also comprise a linkage assembly coupled to the instrument holder to limit motion of the instrument holder to rotation about an axis that intersects the remote center. The linkage assembly may comprise a first linkage arm comprising first and second pulleys. Each pulley may comprise first and second drive tracks which are substantially co-planar. The first linkage arm may also comprise a first drive member section extending between the first drive tracks of the pulleys and a second drive member section extending between the second drive tracks of the pulleys. The first drive member section may be wound around the first pulley in a first direction and the second drive member section may be wound around the first pulley in an opposite direction.

Abstract: A system includes a manipulator arm and a cannula mount arm. The manipulator arm includes a link and a locking assembly coupled to the link. The cannula mount arm includes a latch. The cannula mount arm is configured to be extended from the link to an extended position. The locking assembly is configured to engage with the latch when the cannula mount arm is extended from the link to the extended position so as to lock the cannula mount arm in the extended position. Activation of an electrical component coupled to the locking assembly is inhibited when a cannula is docked to the cannula mount arm.

Abstract: A system comprises a teleoperational assembly including an operator control system and a first teleoperational manipulator configured for operation by an operator control device of the operator control system. The first teleoperational manipulator is configured to control the operation of a first medical instrument in a surgical environment. The system also comprises a processing unit including one or more processors. The processing unit is configured to display an image of a field of view of the surgical environment and display a menu proximate to an image of the first medical instrument in the image of the field of view. The menu includes at least one icon representing a function for the first medical instrument.

Abstract: Robotic surgery systems include a floor supported surgical robot with offset links. A robotic surgery system includes a surgical robot and a control system. The surgical robot includes a manipulator and a floor/pedestal mount. The manipulator includes a mounting base, a yaw joint, an offset extension link, a parallelogram linkage assembly, and an instrument holder. The floor/pedestal mount is configured for supporting the mounting base in a fixed position and orientation relative to a patient and includes set-up joints operable to reposition and reorient the mounting base to reposition a remote center of manipulation relative to the patient prior to conducting surgery on the patient via the manipulator. The manipulator includes offset links. The control system is configured to electronically communicate with and control operation of the manipulator to articulate a surgical instrument during surgery.

Abstract: A drape includes a first drape portion configured to receive a manipulator arm of a surgical system and a pocket coupled to a distal portion of the first drape portion. The pocket is configured to receive a manipulator of the surgical system. The pocket includes a flexible membrane positionable between an output of the manipulator and an input of a surgical instrument mountable to the manipulator. In some embodiments, the flexible membrane is located at a distal end of the pocket. In some embodiments, the flexible membrane is configured to allow an actuating force to be transmitted from the output of the manipulator to the input of the surgical instrument. In some embodiments, the pocket provides a sterile barrier between the manipulator and the surgical instrument. In some embodiments, the drape further includes a rotatable seal configured to couple a proximal opening of the pocket to the first drape portion.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling a moveable component include a moveable component and a controller. The controller is configured to control motion of the moveable component according to a state machine comprising a first and second state. In the first state, the controller holds the moveable component at a current position. The controller transitions the state machine from the first state to the second state in response to detecting a displacement of the moveable component, due to a disturbance, from the current position for longer than a first predetermined duration of time. In the second state, the controller commands the moveable component to perform a motion. The controller remains in the second state until a stop condition is detected, even if the disturbance ends before the stop condition is detected. The controller transitions the state machine from the second state to the first state in response to detecting the stop condition.

Abstract: A teleoperational medical system comprises a teleoperational assembly including an operator control system, a first teleoperational manipulator, a first medical instrument, and a processing unit including one or more processors. The first teleoperational manipulators is configured for operation by an operator control device of the operator control system. The first teleoperational manipulator is configured to control the operation of the first medical instrument in a surgical environment. The processing unit is configured to display an image of a field of view of the surgical environment and display a menu proximate to an image of the first medical instrument in the image of the field of view. The menu includes at least one state indicator representing a state of a component of the first medical instrument.