Abstract: Techniques for repositioning a computer-assisted system include the following. The computer-assisted system comprises a repositionable structure system, the repositionable structure system comprising a plurality of links coupled by a plurality of joints, and a control unit communicably coupled to the repositionable structure system. The control unit is configured to: determine a target pose of a system portion of the computer-assisted system, determine a current pose of the system portion, determine a motion for the repositionable structure system based on a difference between the target pose and the current pose, the motion including a first component in a first direction, determine a partitioning of the first component into a plurality of partitions, and cause a first movement of a first joint set to achieve a first partition and a second movement of a second joint set to achieve a second partition.

Abstract: A system includes a robotic manipulator including a plurality of joints and a processing unit including one or more processors. The processing unit is configured to provide one or more weights associated with a plurality of joint state estimates of the plurality of joints based on one or more weighting scheme parameters associated with the robotic manipulator. The weights are provided to reduce vibrations at a first control point. The processing unit is further configured to apply the one or more weights to the joint state estimates for the plurality of joints to generate a plurality of weighted joint state estimates; and control the plurality of joints based on the plurality of weighted joint state estimates.

Abstract: A bifurcated navigation control system is configured to identify a navigation condition associated with a navigation of a component of a computer-assisted medical system component along a path from an initial location to a target location; determine, based on the navigation condition, a propulsion limitation configured to be imposed on operator-provided commands related to a propulsion of the component during the navigation of the component along the path; and direct the component to navigate, in a bifurcated navigation control mode, along at least part of the path from the initial location to the target location. In the bifurcated navigation control mode, the bifurcated navigation control system is configured to autonomously control a steering of the component while allowing operator control of the propulsion of the component based on the operator-provided commands as limited by the propulsion limitation.

Abstract: A robotic system includes a base movable relative to a floor surface and a controllable arm extending from the base. The arm is configured to support and move a tool. The arm has a powered joint operable to position and/or orient the tool. The robotic system further includes a positioning indicator. A processor operates the positioning indicator to direct a manual repositioning of the base relative to the floor surface while the processor is operating the powered joint to maintain the position and/or orientation of the tool during the manual repositioning.

Abstract: A method is performed by a computing system. The method includes receiving image data from an imaging device, and determining, using the image data, a plurality of image-space tools, each image-space tool associated with a tool of a plurality of tools, each tool controlled by a manipulator of a plurality of manipulators. The method further includes determining a first correspondence between a first image-space tool of the plurality of image-space tools and a first tool of the plurality of tools based on a first disambiguation setting associated with the first tool.

Abstract: A bifurcated navigation control system defines a path whereby a manipulator cart is to navigate from an initial location to a target location, and identifies a navigation condition associated with a navigation of the manipulator cart along the path. Based on the navigation condition, the bifurcated navigation control system defines a propulsion limitation for the manipulator cart during the navigation of the manipulator cart along the path. The bifurcated navigation control system directs the manipulator cart to navigate along at least part of the path in a bifurcated navigation control mode in which the bifurcated navigation control system is configured to autonomously control a steering of the manipulator cart while allowing operator control of a propulsion of the manipulator cart in accordance with the propulsion limitation. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system comprises a robotic manipulator for control of motion of a medical tool. The robotic manipulator including a joint and a link connected to the joint. The link is configured to connect to the medical tool. A processing unit of the system is configured to receive first data from an encoder of the joint. A first tool tip estimate of a first parameter of a tool tip coupled at a distal end of the medical tool is generated using the first data. The first parameter of the tool tip is a position or a velocity of the tool tip. Second data is received from a sensor system located at a sensor portion of the link or the medical tool. The joint is controlled based on a first difference between the first tool tip estimate and a second tool tip estimate generated using the first and second data.

Abstract: A system includes a robotic manipulator including a serial chain comprising a first joint, a second joint, and a first link. The system further includes a processing unit including one or more processors. The processing unit is configured to receive first link data from a first sensor system located at the first link, generate a first joint state estimate of the first joint based on the first link data, and generate a second joint state estimate of the second joint. The processing unit is further configured to apply a first weight to the first joint state estimate to generate a first weighted joint state estimate, apply a second weight to the second joint state estimate to generate a second weighted joint state estimate, and control the first and second joints based on the first weighted joint state estimate and second weighted joint state estimate.

Abstract: Techniques for inter-arm registration include a computer-assisted system having a repositionable arm and a control unit coupled to the repositionable arm. The control unit is configured to receive, from an imaging device, image data of an instrument, the instrument mounted to the repositionable arm; determine an observed geometric property of a feature set of the instrument based on the image data, the feature set comprising at least one feature; determine an expected geometric property of the feature set based on at least kinematic data of the repositionable arm; determine a difference between the observed geometric property and the expected geometric property; update, based on the difference. a registration transform to produce an updated registration transform associated with the instrument; and control the instrument using the updated registration transform.

Abstract: A method is performed by a computing system. The method includes receiving image data from an imaging device, and determining, using the image data, a plurality of image-space tools, each image-space tool associated with a tool of a plurality of tools, each tool controlled by a manipulator of a plurality of manipulators. The method further includes determining a first correspondence between a first image-space tool of the plurality of image-space tools and a first tool of the plurality of tools based on a first disambiguation setting associated with the first tool.

Abstract: A system comprises a robotic manipulator for control of motion of a medical tool. The robotic manipulator including a joint and a link connected to the joint. The link is configured to connect to the medical tool. A processing unit of the system is configured to receive first data from an encoder of the joint. A first tool tip estimate of a first parameter of a tool tip coupled at a distal end of the medical tool is generated using the first data. The first parameter of the tool tip is a position or a velocity of the tool tip. Second data is received from a sensor system located at a sensor portion of the link or the medical tool. The joint is controlled based on a first difference between the first tool tip estimate and a second tool tip estimate generated using the first and second data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for inter-arm registration include a computer-assisted system having a control unit coupled to a repositionable arm of a computer-assisted device. The control unit is configured to: receive, from an imaging device, successive images of an instrument mounted to the repositionable arm; determine an observed velocity of a feature of the instrument; determine an expected velocity of the feature of the instrument based on kinematics of the repositionable arm; transform the observed velocity and/or the expected velocity to a common coordinate system using a registration transform; determine an error between directions of the observed and expected velocities in the common coordinate system; and update the registration transform based on the determined error. In some embodiments, the instrument is a medical instrument and the imaging device is an endoscope. In some embodiments, the control unit is further configured to control the instrument using the registration transform.

Abstract: A system is configured to direct a manipulator cart to navigate, in a first bifurcated navigation control mode, from an initial location to an intermediate location; and direct the manipulator cart to navigate, in a second bifurcated navigation control mode, from the intermediate location to a target location. In the first bifurcated navigation control mode, the system is configured to autonomously control a steering of the manipulator cart while allowing operator control of a propulsion of the manipulator cart using a primary control interface configured to facilitate operator control of both steering and propulsion of the manipulator cart. In the second bifurcated navigation control mode, the system is configured to autonomously control the steering of the manipulator cart while allowing operator control of the propulsion of the manipulator cart using a secondary control interface configured to facilitate operator control of the propulsion and not the steering of the manipulator cart.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling an end effector include a first engagement member coupled to a first actuator, a second engagement member coupled to a second actuator; and a control unit. The control unit is configured to engage the first engagement member with a third engagement member of an instrument, where movement of the third engagement member causes a movement of a degree of freedom (DOF) of an end effector in a first direction; engage the second engagement member with a fourth engagement member of the instrument, where movement of the fourth engagement member causes a movement of the DOF in a second direction opposite the first direction; actuate the DOF in the first direction to a first detectable position; actuate the DOF in the second direction to a second detectable position; and actuate the DOF to a third position between the first and second detectable positions.

Abstract: A computer-assisted system includes a manipulator assembly configured to couple to a cannula at a distal portion of the manipulator assembly. The cannula has a lumen configured to receive a shaft of an instrument. A cannula axis is aligned with the cannula when the cannula is coupled to the manipulator assembly. An instrument axis is aligned with the instrument when the instrument is coupled to the manipulator assembly. A controller coupled to the manipulator assembly is configured to receive an indication to reposition a remote center of motion (RCM) for the manipulator assembly while the RCM is positioned at a first location relative to the distal portion along an axis, wherein the axis is aligned with the cannula axis or the instrument axis; and in response to receiving the indication, cause the RCM to be positioned at a second location relative to the distal portion along the axis.

Abstract: A bifurcated navigation control system defines a path whereby a manipulator cart is to navigate from an initial location to a target location. The system directs the manipulator cart to navigate, in a first bifurcated navigation control mode associated with a primary control interface that facilitates both operator control of steering and propulsion, along at least part of a first portion of the path from the initial to an intermediate location. The system further directs the manipulator cart to navigate, in a second bifurcated navigation control mode associated with a secondary control interface that facilitates operator control of propulsion but not steering, along at least part of a second portion of the path from the intermediate to the target location. In the first and second bifurcated navigation control modes, the system autonomously controls the steering of the manipulator cart while allowing operator control of the propulsion of the manipulator cart.

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 method is performed by a computing system. The method includes receiving image data from an imaging device, and determining, using the image data, a plurality of image-space tools, each image-space tool associated with a tool of a plurality of tools, each tool controlled by a manipulator of a plurality of manipulators. The method further includes determining a first correspondence between a first image-space tool of the plurality of image-space tools and a first tool of the plurality of tools based on a first disambiguation setting associated with the first tool.

Abstract: Systems and methods for minimally invasive procedures include a computer-assisted system comprising a manipulator assembly configured to couple to a cannula and a controller coupled to the manipulator assembly. The cannula has a lumen configured to receive a shaft of an instrument. The controller is configured to position a remote center of motion for the manipulator assembly at a first location relative to the cannula, and in response to an indication to reposition the remote center of motion relative to the cannula, reposition the remote center of motion to a second location relative to the cannula while constraining the second location to be located along the cannula. The second location is different from the first location.

Abstract: A system includes a memory and a processing unit coupled to the memory. The processing unit is configured to receive first image data from a first image sensor exterior to a body, the first image data including data of an object; receive second image data from a second image sensor interior to the body, the second image data including data of the object; track the object moving across a body wall of the body based on the first and second image data to generate a tracking result to indicate a status of movement of the object across the body wall.