Abstract: Methods and apparatuses provide improved navigation through tubular networks such as lung airways by providing improved estimation of location and orientation information of a medical instrument (e.g., an endoscope) within the tubular network. Various input data such as image data, EM data, and robot data are used by different algorithms to estimate the state of the medical instrument, and the state information is used to locate a specific site within a tubular network and/or to determine navigation information for what positions/orientations the medical instrument should travel through to arrive at the specific site. Probability distributions together with confidence values are generated corresponding to different algorithms are used to determine the medical instrument's estimated state.

Abstract: A robotic system includes control circuitry configured to cause actuation of one or more actuators of each of a first robotic arm and a second robotic arm. The control circuitry is configured to determine a position of a first end effector of the first robotic arm and a position of a second end effector of the second robotic arm, the positions of the first end effector and the second end effector forming a virtual rail, receive manual positioning input for the first robotic arm based at least in part on sensor signals from one or more sensors of the first robotic arm, and in response to the manual positioning input, generate a first movement command to move the first robotic arm in accordance with the manual positioning input and generate a second movement command to move the second robotic arm in a manner as to maintain at least one of a position or orientation of the second end effector relative to a point on the virtual rail.

Abstract: An object sizing system sizes an object positioned within an anatomical feature. The object sizing system navigates an elongate body to a location within an anatomical feature and proximate to the object. An imaging sensor coupled to the elongate body captures images of the object. The object sizing system captures the object with a basket. The object sizing system captures an image of the object with the imaging sensor. The object sizing system detects a basket marker in the captured image. The object sizing system determines a distance from the object to the imaging sensor based on the detected basket marker. The object sizing system determines an estimated size of the object based at least in part on the distance.

Abstract: An endolumenal robotic system provides the surgeon with the ability to drive a robotically-driven endoscopic device to a desired anatomical position in a patient without the need for awkward motions and positions, while also enjoying improved image quality from a digital camera mounted on the endoscopic device.

Abstract: Techniques for ratcheting an alignment between an input means and an instrument include a teleoperated system comprising a robotic means configured to support an instrument, an input means configured to be manipulated by an operator to command motion of the instrument, and a ratcheting means. The ratcheting means is configured to determine first rotation values describing an orientation of the input means; determine second rotation values describing an orientation of the instrument; determine, based on the first rotation values and the second rotation values, an orientation error between the orientation of the input means and the orientation of the instrument; generate, based on the orientation error, a motion command for the instrument to reduce the orientation error by increasing an alignment between the input means and the instrument; and command the robotic means to move in accordance with the motion command.

Abstract: Floating electromagnetic field generator systems and methods are provided. The system comprises a surgical bed portion. The system also comprises a brace component disposed within the surgical bed portion. Additionally, the system comprises a first arm that is attached to the brace component. The first arm is positioned adjacent to the surgical bed portion. Additionally, the first arm has at least one field generator coil embedded therein. The system also comprises a second arm that is attached to the brace component. The second arm is positioned adjacent to the surgical bed portion. Additionally, the second arm has at least one field generator coil embedded therein. The second arm is positioned parallel to the first arm.

Abstract: Medical and/or robotic devices, systems and methods can provide an indicator associated with each manipulator assembly of a multi-arm telerobotic or telesurgical system. The exemplary indicator comprises a multi-color light emitting diode (LED) mounted to a manipulator moving an associated surgical instrument, allowing the indicator to display any of a wide variety of signals. The invention may provide an additional user interface to facilitate communications between the telesurgical system and/or members of a telesurgical team.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses provide improved navigation through tubular networks such as lung airways by providing improved estimation of location and orientation information of a medical instrument (e.g., an endoscope) within the tubular network. Various input data such as image data, EM data, and robot data are used by different algorithms to estimate the state of the medical instrument, and the state information is used to locate a specific site within a tubular network and/or to determine navigation information for what positions/orientations the medical instrument should travel through to arrive at the specific site. Probability distributions together with confidence values are generated corresponding to different algorithms are used to determine the medical instrument's estimated state.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses provide improved navigation through tubular networks such as lung airways by providing improved estimation of location and orientation information of a medical instrument (e.g., an endoscope) within the tubular network. Various input data such as image data, EM data, and robot data are used by different algorithms to estimate the state of the medical instrument, and the state information is used to locate a specific site within a tubular network and/or to determine navigation information for what positions/orientations the medical instrument should travel through to arrive at the specific site. Probability distributions together with confidence values are generated corresponding to different algorithms are used to determine the medical instrument's estimated state.

Abstract: A surgical robotic system includes an endoscope, a robotic arm including a drive mechanism, the drive mechanism coupled to the endoscope. The surgical robotic system further includes a controller configured to receive a command to move the endoscope using the robotic arm, access a set of calibration parameters associated with the endoscope, generate an adjusted command based on the command and the set of calibration parameters, and provide the adjusted command to the robotic arm to move the endoscope.

Abstract: Techniques for ratcheting an alignment between an input means and an instrument include a teleoperated system comprising a robotic means configured to support an instrument, an input means configured to be manipulated by an operator to command motion of the instrument, and a ratcheting means. The ratcheting means is configured to determine first rotation values describing an orientation of the input means; determine second rotation values describing an orientation of the instrument; determine, based on the first rotation values and the second rotation values, an orientation error between the orientation of the input means and the orientation of the instrument; generate, based on the orientation error, a motion command for the instrument to reduce the orientation error by increasing an alignment between the input means and the instrument; and command the robotic means to move in accordance with the motion command.

Abstract: A teleoperated system includes a robotic arm configured to support an instrument, a grip configured to be manipulated by an operator to command motion of the instrument, and a control system communicatively coupled to the robotic arm and the grip. To align the grip with the instrument by the grip, the control system is configured to determine grip rotation values describing an orientation of the grip, determine instrument rotation values describing an orientation of the instrument, determine an orientation error between the orientation of the grip and the orientation of the instrument based on the grip rotation values and the instrument rotation values, produce a motion command by selectively imposing, based on the orientation error, an artificial joint limit on a commanded movement of the instrument, and command the robotic arm to move in accordance with the motion command.

Abstract: An object sizing system sizes an object positioned within an anatomical feature. The object sizing system navigates an elongate body to a location within an anatomical feature and proximate to the object. An imaging sensor coupled to the elongate body captures images of the object. The object sizing system captures the object with a basket. The object sizing system captures an image of the object with the imaging sensor. The object sizing system detects a basket marker in the captured image. The object sizing system determines a distance from the object to the imaging sensor based on the detected basket marker. The object sizing system determines an estimated size of the object based at least in part on the distance.

Abstract: An instrument device manipulator (IDM) is attached to a surgical arm of a robotic system and comprises a surgical tool holder and an outer housing. The surgical tool holder includes an attachment interface that can secure a surgical tool in a front-mount configuration (where the attachment interface is on a face opposite of a proximal extension of the surgical tool) or a back-mount configuration (where the attachment interface is on the same face as the proximal extension of the surgical tool). The surgical tool holder may rotate continuously within the outer housing. In a back-mount configuration, the surgical tool holder may have a passage that receives the proximal extension of the tool and allows free rotation of the proximal extension about the rotational axis. A surgical drape separates the IDM and robotic arm from a tool, while allowing electrical and/or optical signals to pass therebetween.

Abstract: An object sizing system sizes an object positioned within a patient. The object sizing system identifies a presence of the object. The object sizing system navigates an elongate body of an instrument to a position proximal to the object within the patient. An imaging sensor coupled to the elongate body captures one or more sequential images of the object. The instrument may be further moved around within the patient to capture additional images at different positions/orientations relative to the object. The object sizing system also acquires robot data and/or EM data associated with the positions and orientations of the elongate body. The object sizing system analyzes the captured images based on the acquired robot data to estimate a size of the object.

Abstract: An electromagnetic (EM) system for tracking a surgical tool is provided. The system may comprise a plurality of subsets of field generator coils disposed along edge portions of a surgical bed. Each subset of field generator coils may be configured to generate a magnetic field within a control volume. The system may further comprise a position sensor disposed on a portion of the surgical tool. The position sensor may be configured to generate a sensor signal in response to the magnetic field when the position sensor is located inside the control volume. Additionally, the system may comprise an EM system controller configured to selectively activate one or more of the subsets of field generator coils based on the sensor signal.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a memory device and a processor coupled to a display device, an image capture device, and the memory device. The processor is configured to: cause images captured by the image capture device to be displayed in a viewing area on the display device; determine a position of a tool in a reference frame of the image capture device; determine a position to display a non-depictive symbol for the tool in a boundary area circumscribing the viewing area to indicate a direction of the determined position of the tool relative to a field of view of the image capture device, by determining a trajectory of the tool; and cause the non-depictive symbol to be displayed at the determined position in the boundary area while images that were captured by the image capture device are restricted to being displayed in the viewing area.

Abstract: An endolumenal robotic system provides the surgeon with the ability to drive a robotically-driven endoscopic device to a desired anatomical position in a patient without the need for awkward motions and positions, while also enjoying improved image quality from a digital camera mounted on the endoscopic device.

Abstract: A teleoperated system includes a robotic arm configured to support an instrument, a grip configured to be manipulated by an operator to command motion of the instrument, and a control system communicatively coupled to the robotic arm and the grip. To align the grip with the instrument by the grip, the control system is configured to determine grip rotation values describing an orientation of the grip, determine instrument rotation values describing an orientation of the instrument, determine an orientation error between the orientation of the grip and the orientation of the instrument based on the grip rotation values and the instrument rotation values, produce a motion command by selectively imposing, based on the orientation error, an artificial joint limit on a commanded movement of the instrument, and command the robotic arm to move in accordance with the motion command.

Abstract: An instrument device manipulator (IDM) is attached to a surgical arm of a robotic system and comprises a surgical tool holder and an outer housing. The surgical tool holder includes an attachment interface that can secure a surgical tool in a front-mount configuration (where the attachment interface is on a face opposite of a proximal extension of the surgical tool) or a back-mount configuration (where the attachment interface is on the same face as the proximal extension of the surgical tool). The surgical tool holder may rotate continuously within the outer housing. In a back-mount configuration, the surgical tool holder may have a passage that receives the proximal extension of the tool and allows free rotation of the proximal extension about the rotational axis. A surgical drape separates the IDM and robotic arm from a tool, while allowing electrical and/or optical signals to pass therebetween.