Abstract: A user interface for a surgical system can include a display configured to output video images of a remote surgical site at which one or more electrosurgical instruments of the surgical system are deployed; and a graphical user interface configured to be output on the display with the video images. The graphical user interface may comprise a visual indication of a state of the one or more electrosurgical instruments that indicates a state of the one or more electrosurgical instruments being ready for activation to deliver energy or actively delivering energy.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an end effector include a first jaw, a second jaw, a first actuation mechanism configured to actuate the first jaw and the second jaw toward each other with a first force, and a second actuation mechanism configured to actuate the first jaw and the second jaw toward each other with a second force greater than the first force. The second actuation mechanism is different from the first actuation mechanism. In some embodiments, the first actuation mechanism includes a first pull cable configured to increase an angle between the first jaw and the second jaw and a second pull cable configured to decrease the angle between the first jaw and the second jaw. In some embodiments, the second actuation mechanism includes a lead screw.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cutting element indication include an end effector having a jaw for clamping a material and a cutting element within the end effector and a processor. The cutting element is moveable relative to the end effector. The cutting element is driven by a drive element and a mechanism coupling the drive element to the cutting element. The processor is configured to determine a position of the cutting element relative to the end effector via a displacement of the drive element and a displacement of the mechanism and display, on a user interface, an indicator of the position of the cutting element relative to the end effector.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for the elimination/mitigation of vibration arising from a mode transition during robotic operation include a moveable robotic mechanism and a processor configured to control the robotic mechanism. The processor is configured to detect a request for a mode transition, wherein the request for the mode transition designates a new mode that is different than a current mode, determine initial parameters of the robotic mechanism, calculate a smoothing curve, and move the robotic mechanism according to the smoothing curve. The initial parameters include a position and a velocity of the robotic mechanism. The smoothing curve transitions between the current mode and the new mode and is C3 continuous. In some embodiments, to calculate the smoothing curve, the processor is configured to establish a first command position, calculate a step value, and set a second command position based on the first command position and the step value.

Abstract: Active and semi-active damping of systems include a first link supported by a base, a second link, a damper coupling the first link to the second link, the damper having a variable damping coefficient, and a processor. The processor is configured to predict an acceleration or a vibration of the second link expected to result from a commanded movement of the second link and adjust the variable damping coefficient of the damper based on the predicted acceleration or the predicted vibration to reduce vibration in the second link.

Abstract: A user interface for a surgical system can include a display configured to output video images of a remote surgical site at which one or more electrosurgical instruments of the surgical system are deployed; and a graphical user interface configured to be output on the display with the video images. The graphical user interface may comprise a visual indication of a state of the one or more electrosurgical instruments that indicates a state of the one or more electrosurgical instruments being ready for activation to deliver energy or actively delivering energy.

Abstract: A system for moveable element position indication includes an end effector having a jaw for clamping a material, a moveable element within the end effector, a drive element drivingly coupled with the moveable element via a mechanism, and a processor. The processor is configured to track a kinematic chain of the moveable element by determining a displacement of the drive element and determining a displacement of the mechanism, determine a position of the moveable element relative to the end effector using the tracked kinematic chain, and display an indicator of the position of the moveable element relative to the end effector. The position is determined from among a pre-cut position, a cut-complete position, and any position between the pre-cut position and the cut-complete position. In some embodiments, the moveable element includes a cutting blade. In some embodiments, the indicator is superimposed over an image of the end effector.

Abstract: A cart for supporting one or more instruments during a computer-assisted remote procedure can comprise a base; a steering interface having a portion configured to be grasped by a user; a sensor mechanism configured to detect a force applied to the steering interface by a user; and a switch operable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The cart may further include a drive system comprising a control module operably coupled to receive an input from the sensor mechanism in response to the force applied to the steering interface and, on the condition that the switch is in the engaged position, to output a movement command based on the received input from the sensor mechanism. A driven wheel mounted to the base of the cart may be configured to impart motion to the cart in response to the movement command.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling staple firing include an end effector, a drive system configured to apply a force or torque to cause staple firing to occur, and a processor. The end effector includes a first jaw and a second jaw holding staples. The processor is configured to monitor the applied force or torque to cause staple firing to occur and maintain application of clamping by the first jaw and the second jaw while suspending application of the force or torque that causes the staple firing, when the applied force or torque is outside an acceptable range of force or torque.

Abstract: Systems and related methods control movement of an end effector. A method of controlling movement of an end effector includes receiving, by a controller, a command to close or open an end effector that includes a first jaw member, a second jaw member, a wrist, and an instrument shaft. In response to the command, the controller controls movement of the end effector to simultaneously move the first jaw member relative to the second jaw member and actuate the wrist to orient the end effector so that at least one of a position and an orientation of a reference aspect of the end effector is substantially maintained in space.

Abstract: A surgical system includes methods and systems for damping vibrations. The surgical system can include one or several moveable set-up linkages. A passive, active, or semi-active damper can be connected with one or several of the set-up linkages. The damper can mitigate a vibration arising in one of the set-up linkages and the damper can prevent a vibration arising in one of the linkages from affecting another of the set-up linkages. The active and semi-active dampers can be controlled with a feedback or a feed-forward model. In some embodiments, the system includes a first link supported by a base, a second link, a damper having a variable portion coupling the first link to the second link, and a processor. The processor is configured to detect a movement or a vibration of the second link and adjust the variable portion of the damper based on the detected movement or vibration.

Abstract: A method of assigning an auxiliary input device to control a surgical instrument in a computer-assisted surgical system includes detecting a first surgical instrument coupled to a first manipulator interface assembly of a computer-assisted surgical system, the first manipulator interface assembly being controlled by a first input device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling staple firing include an end effector including a first jaw and a second jaw holding staples, a drive system configured to apply a force or torque to cause staple firing to occur, and a processor. The processor is configured to monitor the applied force or torque and control application of the force or torque by the drive system based on a comparison of the applied force or torque to an acceptable range of force or torque. In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to determine one or more of a position of the first jaw and the second jaw or a displacement of the drive system and control application of the force or torque by the drive system based on one or more of the position of the first jaw and the second jaw or the displacement of the drive system.

Abstract: A user interface for a surgical system can include a display configured to output video images of a remote surgical site at which one or more electrosurgical instruments of the surgical system are deployed; and a graphical user interface configured to be output on the display with the video images. The graphical user interface may comprise a visual indication of a state of the one or more electrosurgical instruments that indicates a state of the one or more electrosurgical instruments being ready for activation to deliver energy or actively delivering energy.

Abstract: A surgical method is provided, comprising: providing an information structure in a computer readable storage device that associates an indication of surgeon skill level in at least one surgical activity performed using the surgical instrument with a surgical instrument actuator safety state of the surgical instrument for use during performance of the at least one surgical activity using the surgical instrument by a surgeon having the indicated skill level; tracking surgical instrument actuator state of a surgical instrument during performance of a surgical procedure by a surgeon; and transitioning the surgical instrument actuator state of the surgical instrument to the surgical instrument safety state during performance of the at least one surgical activity by the surgeon using the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A product [11] includes a foldable clamshell-type housing [10] folded to a closed position to contain a pre-formed sensor pad [17] that was formed in situ therein when the housing [10] was in an open position, prior to closing. The housing [10] has an enclosed volume [12] bounded by relatively thin and flexible walls [23, 34], and outwardly extending tabs [18] which facilitate opening. This structure enables the user to easily open the housing [10] to remove the sensor pad [17], a cured silicone composition, by pushing inward on an outer surface of the outer wall [34] of a base section [15] of the housing [10]. This product [11] reduces the amount of manipulation needed to place the sensor pad [17] in a desired position, for example, during installation of a rain sensor system for a vehicle windshield.

Abstract: An operator telerobotically controls tools to perform a procedure on an object at a work site while viewing real-time images of the object, tools and work site on a display. Tool information is provided by filtering a part of the real-time images for enhancement or degradation to indicate a state of a tool and displaying the filtered images on the display.

Abstract: A user interface for a surgical system can include a display configured to output video images of a remote surgical site at which one or more electrosurgical instruments of the surgical system are deployed; and a graphical user interface configured to be output on the display with the video images. The graphical user interface may comprise a visual indication of a state of the one or more electrosurgical instruments that indicates a state of the one or more electrosurgical instruments being ready for activation to deliver energy or actively delivering energy.

Abstract: A system comprises a medical tool including a shaft having proximal and distal ends and an articulatable distal portion coupled to the distal end of the shaft. The system also comprises a processing unit including one or more processors. The processing unit is configured to determine a target in a medical environment. The articulatable distal portion is directed toward the target. The processing unit is also configured to determine a motion of at least a portion of the shaft, and in response to the determined motion, control a pose of the articulatable distal portion so that the articulatable distal portion remains directed toward the target.