Abstract: A robotic catheter system includes a controller with a master input device. An instrument driver is in communication with the controller and has a elongate instrument interface including a plurality of instrument drive elements responsive to control signals generated, at least in part, by the master input device. An elongate instrument has a base, distal end, and a working lumen, wherein the guide instrument base is operatively coupled to the guide instrument interface. The elongate instrument preferably comprises and/or defines other lumens to accommodate instruments such as an optics bundle, a light bundle, a laser fiber, and flush irrigation. The working lumen preferably is configured to accommodate a grasping or capturing tool, such as a collapsible basket or grasper, for use in procedures such as kidney stone interventions. The elongate instrument includes a plurality of instrument control elements operatively coupled to respective drive elements and secured to the distal end of the instrument.

Abstract: Configurations are described for conducting minimally invasive medical interventions utilizing elongate robotically controlled instruments and assemblies thereof. In one embodiment, a junction sheath may be utilized to facilitate surgical triangulation of two interventional instrument assemblies, while also directing them to the surgical theater through a minimal single wound or surgical port. One or more instrument drivers, and one or more master input devices comprising an operator workstation, may be utilized to independently and simultaneously control multiple degrees of freedom pertinent to each instrument comprising one or more instrument assembly.

Abstract: A variety of embodiments relate to systems, methods, circuits and devices are implemented to perform location-based correlations. One such embodiment relates to a circuit-implemented method for use with an actual probe within an anatomical structure. For a virtual probe at a virtual location within a model of the anatomical structure, virtual image data captured by the virtual probe is generated. The virtual image data is assessed through a probabilistic comparison of the virtual image data to actual image data captured by the actual probe at an actual location. Based upon the assessment, a correlation is updated between the actual location of the actual probe and a sensed location of the actual probe to provide synchronicity between the sensed location and actual location. For maintaining the synchronicity between a subsequently sensed location and subsequent actual location, the assessment is used to select a new virtual location for the virtual probe.

Abstract: A medical instrument system includes a controller and a guide instrument coupled to an instrument driver, the instrument driver configured to manipulate a distal end portion of the guide instrument in response to control signals generated by the controller. A force sensor is associated with the guide instrument or with a working instrument carried by the guide instrument, and generates force signals responsive to a force applied to a respective distal end portion of the guide instrument or working instrument.

Abstract: A robotic instrument system includes a controller configured to control actuation of at least one servo motor, and an elongate bendable guide instrument defining a lumen and operatively coupled to, and configured to move in response to actuation of, the at least one servo motor. The controller controls movement of the guide instrument via actuation of the at least one servo motor based at least in part upon a control model, wherein the control model takes into account an attribute of an elongate working instrument positioned in the guide instrument lumen.

Abstract: An automated medical system comprises a first instrument assembly including a first ultrasound transducer having a first transducer field of view that transmits and receives ultrasound signals in imaging planes disposed circumferentially about a guide instrument, and a second instrument assembly including a second ultrasound transducer having a second transducer field of view coupled to one of a second flexible guide instrument and a working instrument. A computing system is operatively coupled to the respective first and second transducers and configured to determine a relative spatial orientation of the respective first and second transducers based at least in part on detecting a signal transmitted by one of the first and second transducers and received by the other of the first and second transducers, the received signal having an amplitude indicating the receiving one of the transducers is in the field of view of the transmitting one of the transducers.

Abstract: A robotic surgical system includes an instrument driver and an instrument assembly operatively coupled to the instrument driver such that mechanisms of the instrument driver operate or control movement, operation, or both, of components of the instrument assembly. The instrument assembly components include an elongate flexible guide instrument and an image capture device, wherein the image capture device is configured to capture images of a forward-oriented field of view. The system further comprises a controller operatively coupled to the instrument driver and configured to operate the instrument driver mechanisms in a manner so as to control advancement of the instrument assembly toward a target along a trajectory that maintains the target in the forward-oriented field of view of the image capture device.

Abstract: A robotic surgical system includes an instrument driver and an instrument assembly operatively coupled to the instrument driver such that mechanisms of the instrument driver operate or control movement, operation, or both, of components of the instrument assembly. The instrument assembly components include an elongate flexible guide instrument, an optical light source, a camera and a working tool, wherein the light source, camera, and working tool are carried in one or more lumens of the guide instrument. An operator control station is operatively coupled to the instrument driver via a remote communication link.

Abstract: A robotic catheter system includes a controller with a master input device, and an instrument driver in communication with the controller, the instrument driver configured for independently controlling each of number of desired motions of a flexible, elongate guide instrument in a body of a patient in response to control signals generated by the controller, the desired motions selected from the group comprising axial advancement, axial retraction, axial rotation, and radial bending. Integrated haptics capability may be provided, in which one or more motors provide tactile feedback to an operator through the master input device.

Abstract: A method comprises inserting a flexible instrument in a body; maneuvering the instrument using a robotically controlled system; predicting a location of the instrument in the body using kinematic analysis; generating a graphical reconstruction of the catheter at the predicted location; obtaining an image of the catheter in the body; and comparing the image of the catheter with the graphical reconstruction to determine an error in the predicted location.

Abstract: A method using a robotic system to perform a procedure on a patient, includes moving a control interface provided on a master input device, generating control signals corresponding, at least in part, to movement of the interface, moving one or more drive elements of an instrument driver in response to the control signal, the one or more drive elements operatively coupled to a corresponding plurality of control elements of an elongate guide instrument, the control elements secured to a distal end of the guide instrument and moveable axially relative to the guide instrument such that movement of the drive elements causes a corresponding movement of the guide instrument. The method may further comprise providing tactile feedback through the interface.