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: 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 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 teleoperated manipulator system includes a manipulator assembly and a tool actuation assembly coupled to the manipulator assembly. The tool actuation assembly inserts a tool, such as a surgical instrument, along an insertion axis and also rotates the tool around the insertion axis. The manipulator assembly includes an arm that rotates with reference to a mounting base to rotate the tool around a yaw axis that intersects the insertion axis. A distal portion of the arm defines an arcuate pitch arc, and a center of the pitch arc is coincident with the intersection of the insertion axis and the yaw axis. The tool actuation assembly is driven along the pitch arc to pitch the tool. The manipulator system is optionally a telesurgical system, and the tool is optionally a therapeutic, diagnostic, or imaging surgical instrument.

Abstract: Systems and methods for minimally invasive computer-assisted telesurgery are described. A computer-assisted teleoperated surgery system includes a teleoperated instrument actuation pod. The surgical instrument actuation pod includes a plurality of linear actuators arranged around a surgical instrument. The linear actuators engage with actuator engagement members on the instrument and so drive movable parts on the instrument. The actuation pod is mounted on a teleoperated manipulator. Instrument pod mass is close to the teleoperated manipulator to minimize the pod's inertia, momentum, and gravity effects on the manipulator.

Abstract: A system is provided including a reclosable storage container comprising an interior sterile environment. The system also includes a sterile teleoperated component of a teleoperated surgical manipulator assembly in the interior sterile environment. A communications interface enables communication between a device outside the storage container and the component inside the storage container. A viewing window allows the stored component to be seen through the storage container. Multiple storage containers can be moved and stored. In an operating room, the storage container is opened, and the component is removed and assembled into the teleoperated surgical assembly.

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: 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 teleoperated manipulator system includes a manipulator assembly and a tool actuation assembly coupled to the manipulator assembly. The tool actuation assembly inserts a tool, such as a surgical instrument, along an insertion axis and also rotates the tool around the insertion axis. The manipulator assembly includes an arm that rotates with reference to amounting base to rotate the tool around a yaw axis that intersects the insertion axis. A distal portion of the arm defines an arcuate pitch arc, and a center of the pitch arc is coincident with the intersection of the insertion axis and the yaw axis. The tool actuation assembly is driven along the pitch arc to pitch the tool. The manipulator system is optionally a telesurgical system, and the tool is optionally a therapeutic, diagnostic, or imaging surgical instrument.

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: Techniques for controlling a moveable component include a system, a method, and/or a non-transitory computer-readable medium. A controller coupled to the moveable component is configured to hold the moveable component at a first position, detect a disturbance that moves the moveable component from the first position, in response to a detection of the disturbance, move the moveable component according to a first motion, continue to move the moveable component according to the first motion until a stop condition is detected, even if the disturbance ends before the stop condition is detected, and in response to a detection of the stop condition, hold the moveable component at a second position.

Abstract: An instrument manipulator and a robotic surgical system including an instrument manipulator are provided. In one embodiment, an instrument manipulator includes a plurality of independent actuator drive modules, each of the plurality of actuator drive modules including an actuator output, wherein each of the actuator outputs are configured to independently actuate a corresponding actuator input of a surgical instrument without force input from another actuator output. The instrument manipulator further includes a frame housing the plurality of independent actuator drive modules, the frame including a distal end from which each of the actuator outputs distally protrude for engaging the corresponding actuator inputs of the surgical instrument.

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: A controller in a computer-assisted teleoperated surgical system automatically moves a part of the system, in response to a user tapping the part, to facilitate draping of that part. This speeds the draping process and diminishes the likelihood that the sterile surgical drape is damaged or contaminated during the draping of that part of the system.

Abstract: A medical device system includes: a surgical arm mounting device including a coupler and a surgical arm interface, the coupler including a clamp for a first side rail of an operating table; and a support member including a brace, the brace extending from the coupler at least part way across the width of an operating table. The clamp has a first mechanical state in which the mounting device is fixed to the side rail, a second mechanical state in which the mounting device is translatable along the side rail, and a third mechanical state in which the mounting device is removable from the side rail. The surgical arm interface is configured to receive a mating mounting device interface of a surgical arm.

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: A computer-assisted system comprises a manipulator configured to support a tool, a lockable joint, and a controller. The manipulator extends distally from a base and comprises a distal portion. The lockable joint is coupled to the base and located proximally relative to the base. The controller is operably coupled to a powered joint. The powered joint is located distally relative to the base. The controller is configured to perform operations. The operations comprise: driving the powered joint to move the distal portion while the lockable joint is locked, and driving the powered joint to move the base while the lockable joint is unlocked and a position of the distal portion is externally maintained. A method includes processes for operating a computer-assisted system. A method includes determining a desired motion envelope for a tool supported by a manipulator, and positioning a base of the manipulator based on the desired motion envelope.

Abstract: A manipulator for articulating a surgical tool during surgery includes an instrument holder, a parallelogram linkage assembly, an offset extension link, a yaw joint, and a mounting base. The instrument holder is configured to couple with the surgical tool. The parallelogram linkage assembly produces motion of the instrument holder that is limited to rotation about a pitch axis that intersects a remote center of manipulation. The offset extension link has an offset extension link distal end and an offset extension link proximal end. The yaw joint is connected to the offset extension link proximal end and produces motion of the instrument holder that is limited to rotation about a yaw axis that intersects the remote center of manipulation. The offset extension link distal end is offset from the yaw axis. The mounting base is coupled with the yaw joint.

Abstract: A method comprises displaying an image of a field of view of a surgical environment. A first medical instrument in the field of view may be coupled to a first manipulator in a teleoperational assembly. The method may comprise displaying a menu proximate to an image of the first medical instrument in the image of the field of view. The menu may include a plurality of icons wherein each icon is associated with a function for the first medical instrument. The method may also comprise identifying a selected icon from the plurality of icons based upon a movement of an operator control device of a teleoperational operator control system.

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.