Abstract: A virtual reality system providing a virtual robotic surgical environment, and methods for using the virtual reality system, are described herein. The virtual reality system may be used to expedite the R&D cycle during development of a robotic surgical system, such as by allowing simulation of potential design without the time and significant expense of physical prototypes. The virtual reality system may also be used to test a control algorithm or a control mode for a robotic surgical component.

Abstract: A virtual reality system may generate a virtual robotic surgical environment using a client application, where the virtual robotic surgical environment includes at least one virtual robotic component. In response to a user input to move the at least one virtual robotic component in the virtual robotic surgical environment, the system may pass status information regarding the at least one virtual robotic component from the client application to a server application, generate an actuation command based on the user input and the status information using the server application, pass the actuation command from the server application to the client application, and move the at least one virtual robotic component based on the actuation command. The client application and the server application may be run on a shared processor device, or on separate processor devices.

Abstract: A virtual reality system providing a virtual robotic surgical environment, and methods for using the virtual reality system, are described herein. Within the virtual reality system, various user modes enable different kinds of interactions between a user and the virtual robotic surgical environment. For example, one variation of a method for facilitating navigation of a virtual robotic surgical environment includes displaying a first-person perspective view of the virtual robotic surgical environment from a first vantage point, displaying a first window view of the virtual robotic surgical environment from a second vantage point and displaying a second window view of the virtual robotic surgical environment from a third vantage point. Additionally, in response to a user input associating the first and second window views, a trajectory between the second and third vantage points can be generated sequentially linking the first and second window views.

Abstract: Systems and methods for adaptive frequency hopping for reducing or avoiding electromagnetic interference between two radios operating in the same radio frequency (RF) band are provided. In one aspect, a host device, which includes first and second wireless radios and a hardware processor, can use adaptive frequency hopping among a plurality of RF channels to reduce interference. The device can control the first wireless radio to establish a first wireless connection with a terminal device via a first subset of channels, determine a set of performance statistics for the channels, and replace at least one of the first subset of the channels with a new channel within the plurality of channels based on the statistics. For example, a channel can be replaced if a packet error rate (PER) exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A system determines a baseline of at least one route segment based on measurement data received from a plurality of vehicles. The system receives first measurement data of a first vehicle that has traveled along the at least one route segment, and compares the first measurement data to the baseline. Based on the comparing, the system determines whether operation of the first vehicle is within an acceptable tolerance of a performance criterion, and determines whether the at least one route segment is an undesirable route segment according to a route criterion.

Abstract: A virtual reality system providing a virtual robotic surgical environment, and methods for using the virtual reality system, are described herein. The virtual reality system may simulate a robotic surgical environment in which a user may operate both a robotically-controlled surgical instrument using a handheld controller and a manual laparoscopic surgical instrument while adjacent a patient table.

Abstract: A virtual reality system providing a virtual robotic surgical environment, and methods for using the virtual reality system, are described herein. Within the virtual reality system, various user modes enable different kinds of interactions between a user and the virtual robotic surgical environment. For example, one variation of a method for facilitating navigation of a virtual robotic surgical environment includes displaying a first-person perspective view of the virtual robotic surgical environment from a first vantage point, displaying a first window view of the virtual robotic surgical environment from a second vantage point and displaying a second window view of the virtual robotic surgical environment from a third vantage point. Additionally, in response to a user input associating the first and second window views, a trajectory between the second and third vantage points can be generated sequentially linking the first and second window views.

Abstract: A hyperdexterous surgical system is provided. The system on include one or more surgical arms coupleable in a fixture and configured to support one or more surgical tools. The system can include an electronic control system configured to communicate electronically with the one or more robotic surgical tools. The control system can electronically control the operation of the one or more surgical tools. The system can include one or more portable handheld controllers actuatable by a surgeon to communicate one or more control signals to the one or more surgical tools via the electronic control system to operate the one or more surgical tools. The one or more portable handheld controllers can provide said one or more control signals from a plurality of locations of an operating arena, allowing a surgeon to be mobile during a surgical procedure and to remotely operate the one or more surgical tools from different locations of the operating arena.

Abstract: A robotic arm according to various implementations includes: a tool driver configured to hold a surgical tool; a first section comprising a first end coupled to a base, a second end distal from first end; a first link that includes a motor configured to rotate at least a portion of the first section around a pitch axis; a second link coupled to the first link, the second link including a motor configured to rotate at least a portion of the first section around a roll axis; and a second section comprising: a first end coupled to the second end of the first section, a second end distal from the first end, a first link that includes a motor configured to rotate at least a portion of the second section around a roll axis, a second link coupled to the first link.

Abstract: Systems and methods for embodiments of a hyperdexterous robotic system using groundless user input devices (UIDs). In some embodiments, the hyperdexterous system allows for the slave control to follow the master control even when the two are misaligned. The motion of the master control occurring in multiple degrees of freedom may be decoupled into its component parts and processed differently. Each degree of freedom may be processed independently and scaled differently. For example, in some embodiments, only the roll motion of the groundless user interface device is transferred, in some embodiments, the master slave control is only allowed when the master and slave are within a certain region of each other.

Abstract: A robotic arm according to various implementations includes: a tool driver configured to hold a surgical tool; a first section comprising a first end coupled to a base, a second end distal from first end; a first link that includes a motor configured to rotate at least a portion of the first section around a pitch axis; a second link coupled to the first link, the second link including a motor configured to rotate at least a portion of the first section around a roll axis; and a second section comprising: a first end coupled to the second end of the first section, a second end distal from the first end, a first link that includes a motor configured to rotate at least a portion of the second section around a roll axis, a second link coupled to the first link.

Abstract: In some examples, a system determines a baseline of at least one route segment based on measurement data received from a plurality of vehicles. The system receives first measurement data of a first vehicle that has traveled along the at least one route segment, and compares the first measurement data to the baseline. Based on the comparing, the system determines whether operation of the first vehicle is within an acceptable tolerance of a performance criterion, and determines whether the at least one route segment is an undesirable route segment according to a route criterion.

Abstract: A virtual reality system providing a virtual robotic surgical environment, and methods for using the virtual reality system, are described herein. The virtual reality system may simulate a robotic surgical environment in which a user may operate both a robotically-controlled surgical instrument using a handheld controller and a manual laparoscopic surgical instrument while adjacent a patient table.

Abstract: At least one of axial stiffness (i.e. bending stiffness) and radial stiffness of a luminal stent of a luminal stent assembly, or of the luminal stent assembly, linking a fenestrated aortic prosthesis to a branch of a branched artery, decreases with increasing distance from a proximal end of the luminal stent or the luminal stent assembly, and a method of their use implants the luminal stent, the luminal stent, or a luminal stent system that includes at least one of the luminal stent or stent assembly in a branched artery to therapeutically treat a diseased tissue at the branched artery.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus related to electrolaminate clutches and transmissions are disclosed. A device can include: an input shaft that can be coupled to an electrolaminate sheet; an output shaft that can be coupled rigidly to a spring positioned over the input shaft, where the spring includes a tab that fits a groove of a spring capture ring that can be positioned over the input shaft; and a drum connected to an electrical ground between the electrolaminate sheet and the spring capture ring, where the drum can be coupled rigidly to the spring capture ring. Then, when a voltage is applied to the electrolaminate sheet, the electrolaminate sheet can clamp to the drum and impart rotation of the input shaft to the drum. The imparted rotation can cause the spring capture ring and the spring to rotate and clamp down on the input shaft, imparting rotation to the output shaft.

Abstract: User interface devices are disclosed. The device can include a body that can be held in a user's hand. The body has an outer surface that can be gripped by fingers of the user's hand to facilitate translation and rotation of the body by the user's hand. The device can include one or snore sensors disposed within the body. In some embodiments, the one or more sensor can provide one or both of position and orientation information of the body to a control system. The body can provide feedback to the user via the exterior surface of the body that is gripped by the user's fingers and/or can receive control inputs from the user via one or more of translation of the body, rotation of the body, pressing of the outer surface with the user's fingers, and changing of the angular orientation of the longitudinal axis of the body. Methods of using a user interface device are also provided.

Abstract: A virtual reality system providing a virtual robotic surgical environment, and methods for using the virtual reality system, are described herein. The virtual reality system may simulate a robotic surgical environment in which a user may operate both a robotically-controlled surgical instrument using a handheld controller and a manual laparoscopic surgical instrument while adjacent a patient table.

Abstract: A vascular repair device assembly includes a main prostheses, first internal prostheses, an optional second internal prostheses, and at least two sub-prostheses. Methods for delivering vascular repair devices include delivering a vascular repair device through a blood vessel to the aneurysm site, aligning a proximal open end of a main prosthesis cranially to the site of the aneurysm patient and directing a distal end of at least one additional one vascular repair device through a proximal end of at least a first internal lumen, and aligning the proximal end of the additional vascular repair device into a distal end of the at least one sub-prosthesis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microfluidic device for the detection of circulating tumour cells (CTCs) in a fluid sample. The invention also relates to an in vitro method for the detection and/or quantification of circulating tumour cells (CTCs) in a fluid sample. Further, the invention relates to in vitro methods for (a) diagnosing a tumour and/or metastasis in a subject, and (b) determining the prognosis of a subject suffering from a tumour and/or metastasis. Finally, the invention refers to a kit comprising (a) a microfluidic device according to the first aspect of the invention, and (b) labelled probes targeting a first CTCs surface marker and, optionally, at least a second CTCs surface marker.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to a thermal management system for an electronic device, such as an augmented reality or virtual reality device. The thermal management system can comprise an active cooling mechanism in various embodiments to dynamically or actively cool components of the device, for example, by adjust fan speeds of a fan assembly. In some embodiments, a hardware shutdown mechanism can be provided to shut down the device if software-based thermal management devices are inoperable. In some embodiments, the air flow into and/or within the electronic device can be adjusted to cool various components of the device.