Abstract: An apparatus for advancing a device through a gastrointestinal tract. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes first and second grabbing mechanisms adapted to grab and release tissue of the gastrointestinal tract, the first grabbing mechanism being releasably attachable to the device, the second grabbing mechanism being attached to an outer element configured to at least partially surround the device, the first and second grabbing mechanisms being axially movable with respect to each other along the gastrointestinal tract; and a radially expandable blocking element disposed proximal to the first grabbing mechanism and movable with the first grabbing mechanism with respect to the second grabbing mechanism, the blocking element being adapted to move tissue of the intestinal tract with respect to the second grabbing mechanism when the blocking element is moved toward the second grabbing mechanism. The invention also includes corresponding methods.

Abstract: A surgical instrument assembly comprises a guide tube and first and second instruments extended within the guide tube. The first instrument comprises a first elongated shaft coupled to a first end effector. The second instrument comprises a second elongated shaft coupled to a second end effector. The surgical instrument assembly may also comprise an imaging assembly extended distally of the guide tube. The imaging assembly comprises a distal imaging component and an elongated imaging shaft. The distal imaging component is coupled to a distal end of the elongated imaging shaft by a pivot joint. The imaging assembly has a first configuration with the elongated imaging shaft aligned with the distal imaging component when inserted through the guide tube and a second configuration with the distal imaging component pivoted out of alignment with the elongated imaging shaft when the distal imaging component is extended from the guide tube.

Abstract: A surgical instrument assembly comprises a guide tube and a first instrument. The first instrument includes a first elongated shaft and a first proximal arm link coupled by a first shoulder joint, the first proximal arm link and a first distal arm link coupled by a first elbow joint, and the first distal arm link and a first end effector coupled by a first wrist joint. The surgical instrument assembly also comprises a second instrument that includes a second elongated shaft and a second proximal arm link coupled by a second shoulder joint, the second proximal arm link and a second distal arm link coupled by a second elbow joint, and the second distal arm link and a second end effector coupled by a second wrist joint. The surgical instrument assembly also includes an imaging assembly. The first and second end effectors are within the imaging assembly's field of view.

Abstract: A surgical assembly may comprise an actuator system including a plurality of wedge-shaped actuator assemblies arranged radially around a longitudinal axis. The surgical assembly may also comprise a first instrument assembly including a first elongate instrument shaft and a first wedge-shaped transmission mechanism coupled at a proximal end of the first elongate instrument shaft. The first wedge-shaped transmission mechanism is configured to engage a first wedge-shaped actuator assembly of the plurality of wedge-shaped actuator assemblies. The first wedge-shaped actuator assembly is movable linearly, relative to the other of the plurality of wedge-shaped actuator assemblies of the plurality of wedge-shaped actuator assemblies, along a path parallel to the longitudinal axis to linearly translate the first instrument assembly.

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: A device for distending a body lumen for enhanced visualization with a capsule endoscope includes a plurality of struts configured to extend from the capsule endoscope, a retention mechanism configured to attach the plurality of struts to the capsule endoscope, and a trigger configured to release the retention mechanism.

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: 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: 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: A surgical system (200) includes a surgical instrument (260) that is sensitive to backlash that would adversely affect the transmission of controlled torque and position to the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument (260) is coupled to motors in a surgical instrument manipulator assembly (240) via a mechanical interface. The combination of the mechanical interface and surgical instrument manipulator assembly (240) have low backlash, e.g., less than 0.7 degrees. The backlash is controlled in the surgical instrument manipulator assembly (240). From the drive output disk (545) in the surgical instrument manipulator assembly to the driven disk (964) of the surgical instrument, the mechanical interface has zero backlash for torque levels used in surgical procedures.

Abstract: A drape includes a first drape portion configured to receive a manipulator arm of a surgical system and a pocket coupled to a distal portion of the first drape portion. The pocket is configured to receive a manipulator of the surgical system. The pocket includes a flexible membrane positionable between an output of the manipulator and an input of a surgical instrument mountable to the manipulator. In some embodiments, the flexible membrane is located at a distal end of the pocket. In some embodiments, the flexible membrane is configured to allow an actuating force to be transmitted from the output of the manipulator to the input of the surgical instrument. In some embodiments, the pocket provides a sterile barrier between the manipulator and the surgical instrument. In some embodiments, the drape further includes a rotatable seal configured to couple a proximal opening of the pocket to the first drape portion.

Abstract: An instrument manipulator may comprise a frame comprising an outer shell and an inner frame, the inner frame being movably coupled to the outer shell. The instrument manipulator may also include a plurality of actuator outputs protruding in a distal direction from the frame and an instrument support feature coupled to the outer shell. The instrument manipulator may further comprise a latching mechanism, the latching mechanism being configured to move the inner frame, the outer shell, or both relative to one another, so as to operably engage the plurality of actuator outputs with a plurality of actuator inputs of an instrument supported by the instrument support feature.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a surgical instrument that is sensitive to backlash that would adversely affect the transmission of controlled torque and position to the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument is coupled to motors in a surgical instrument manipulator assembly via a mechanical interface. The combination of the mechanical interface and surgical instrument manipulator assembly have low backlash, e.g., less than 0.7 degrees. The backlash is controlled in the surgical instrument manipulator assembly. From the drive output disk in the surgical instrument manipulator assembly to the driven disk of the surgical instrument, the mechanical interface has zero backlash for torque levels used in surgical procedures.

Abstract: A rigidizing overtube includes an elongate flexible tube, one or more mounting elements attached to the flexible tube, and a plurality of engagers connected to the one or more mounting elements. The rigidizing overtube has a flexible configuration in which the plurality of engagers are configured to move relative to other engagers to accommodate bending of the flexible tube. The rigidizing overtube also has a rigid configuration in which the plurality of engagers are fixed relative to other engagers to prevent the flexible tube from bending.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a manipulator, a surgical tool and a control system. The manipulator includes a manipulator mounting base, a pitch mechanism, a roll mechanism and a redundant rotation mechanism. The surgical tool is supported by the manipulator and has a tool shaft axis. The pitch mechanism rotates the surgical tool around a pitch axis. The roll mechanism rotates the surgical tool around a roll axis transverse to the pitch axis. The redundant rotation mechanism rotates the surgical tool around a redundant rotation axis. Each of the tool shaft axis, the pitch axis and the roll axis intersect at a remote center. The control system is configured to electronically communicate with and control operation of the manipulator to articulate the surgical tool during surgery.

Abstract: Robotic surgical systems and methods of coupling a surgical instrument to a manipulator arm are provided. In one embodiment, a system includes a base; a setup link operably coupled to the base, the setup link locating a remote center of motion for the robotic surgical system; a proximal link operably coupled to the setup link; and a distal link operably coupled to the proximal link. A plurality of instrument manipulators are rotatably coupled to a distal end of the distal link, each of the instrument manipulators including a plurality of actuator outputs distally protruding from a distal end of a frame.

Abstract: An entry guide tube and cannula assembly, a surgical system including the assembly, and a method of surgical instrument insertion are provided. In one embodiment, the assembly includes a cannula having a proximal portion that operably couples to an accessory clamp of a manipulator arm, and a distal tubular member coupled to the proximal portion, the tubular member having an opening for passage of at least one instrument shaft. The assembly also includes an entry guide tube rotatably coupled to the proximal portion of the cannula, the entry guide tube including a plurality of channels for passage of a plurality of instrument shafts, wherein the entry guide tube is rotatably driven relative to the proximal portion of the cannula by rotation of at least one instrument shaft about a longitudinal axis of the entry guide tube.

Abstract: A sterile drape, a surgical system with the drape, and a draping method are provided. In one embodiment, a sterile drape includes a plurality of drape pockets, each of the drape pockets including an exterior surface to be adjacent a sterile field for performing a surgical procedure and an interior surface to be adjacent a non-sterile instrument manipulator coupled to a manipulator arm of a robotic surgical system. The drape further includes a plurality of flexible membranes at a distal face of each of the drape pockets for interfacing between outputs of an instrument manipulator and inputs of a respective surgical instrument, and a rotatable seal adapted to couple a proximal opening of each of the drape pockets to a rotatable element at a distal end of the manipulator arm.

Abstract: A drape includes a first drape portion configured to receive a manipulator arm of a surgical system and a pocket coupled to a distal portion of the first drape portion. The pocket is configured to receive a manipulator of the surgical system. The pocket includes a flexible membrane positionable between an output of the manipulator and an input of a surgical instrument mountable to the manipulator. In some embodiments, the flexible membrane is located at a distal end of the pocket. In some embodiments, the flexible membrane is configured to allow an actuating force to be transmitted from the output of the manipulator to the input of the surgical instrument. In some embodiments, the pocket provides a sterile barrier between the manipulator and the surgical instrument. In some embodiments, the drape further includes a rotatable seal configured to couple a proximal opening of the pocket to the first drape portion.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is inserted through a guide tube. The surgical instrument exits at an intermediate position of the guide tube and is oriented to be substantially parallel to the guide tube's longitudinal axis as it exits. A stereoscopic image capture component is on the guide tube between the intermediate position and the guide tube's distal end. The image capture component's field of view is generally perpendicular to the guide tube's longitudinal axis. The guide tube is jointed to allow the image capture component to be moved. The surgical instruments and the guide tube are telemanipulatively controlled.