Abstract: A multi-user medical robotic system for collaboration or training in minimally invasive surgical procedures includes first and second master input devices, a first slave robotic mechanism, and at least one processor configured to generate a first slave command for the first slave robotic mechanism by switchably using one or both of a first command indicative of manipulation of the first master input device by a first user and a second command indicative of manipulation of the second master input device by a second user. To facilitate the collaboration or training, both first and second users communicate with each other through an audio system and see the minimally invasive surgery site on first and second displays respectively viewable by the first and second users.

Abstract: A surgical access port comprises an instrument guide. The instrument guide comprises a proximal end, a distal end, a plurality of instrument guide channels between the proximal and distal ends of the instrument guide, and an outside surface that fits closely to an inner wall surface of a cannula into which the instrument guide is inserted. A first guide channel of the plurality of instrument guide channels is configured to support a first surgical instrument at a first defined position within the cannula. A second guide channel of the plurality of instrument guide channels is configured to support a second surgical instrument at a second defined position within the cannula. A first guide channel opening is defined along a length of the first guide channel to be open to the outside surface of the instrument guide and to place a portion of the first surgical instrument supported by the first guide channel of the instrument guide adjacent the inner wall surface of the cannula.

Abstract: A robotic surgical system is configured with rigid, curved cannulas that extend through the same opening into a patient's body. Surgical instruments with passively flexible shafts extend through the curved cannulas. The cannulas are oriented to direct the instruments towards a surgical site. A teleoperation control system that moves the curved cannulas and their associated instruments in a manner that allows a surgeon to experience intuitive control is disclosed. The flexible shaft instruments are controlled as if extending along a virtual straight line insertion and withdrawal axis. Various port features that support the curved cannulas within the single opening are disclosed. Cannula support fixtures that support the cannulas during insertion into the single opening and mounting to robotic manipulators are disclosed.

Abstract: A method may include coupling a proximal end of a first cannula to a first manipulator of a surgical system, the first manipulator being configured to remotely actuate movement of the first cannula, wherein the first cannula comprises a rigid portion disposed between the proximal end and a distal end of the first cannula, the rigid portion having a curved longitudinal axis, and coupling a proximal end of a second cannula to a second manipulator of a surgical system, the second manipulator being configured to remotely actuate movement of the second cannula, wherein the second cannula comprises a rigid portion disposed between the proximal end and a distal end of the second cannula, the rigid portion having a curved longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A medical instrument including a shaft and an actuated structure mounted at a distal end of the shaft can employ a pair of tendons connected to the actuated structure, extending down the shaft, and respectively wound around a capstan in opposite directions. A preload system may be coupled to maintain minimum tensions in the tendons.

Abstract: A surgical device comprises a tube including a proximal segment and a distal segment and a plurality of force transmission elements coupled to the tube. The force transmission elements are actuatable to alter the distal segment of the tube between a flexible state and a stiffened state. The device also comprises a plurality of routing members. Each routing member is coupled to a wall of the tube. The routing members are configured to receive and route the force transmission elements along a length of the tube while permitting the length of the tube to flex and compress. The device also comprises a decoupling structure that generates a reduced force transmitted to the proximal segment when an applied force is applied to the distal segment by the force transmission elements.

Abstract: Vision systems on catheters, cannulas, or similar devices with guiding lumens include receptors distributed in annular areas around respective lumens. Each of the receptors has a field of view covering only a portion of an object environment, and the field of view of each of the receptors overlaps with at least one of the fields of view of the other receptors. A processing system can receive image data from the receptors of the vision systems and combine the image data to construct a visual representation of the object environment.

Abstract: An access port for use in single port surgery includes a cannula to provide minimally invasive access to a surgical site and an instrument guide that fits closely within the cannula. The instrument guide includes guide channels that are open to the outside surface of the instrument guide. Each of the guide channels is configured to support a single surgical instrument at a defined position within the cannula. The guide channels may be smoothly enlarged at the end that receives surgical instruments. The access port may further include a seal that couples the instrument guide to the cannula such that the seal retains a pressurized insufflation fluid within the surgical site. The instrument guide may include one or more insufflation channels for introducing an insufflation fluid to the surgical site. The access port may include a flexible section. The surgical instruments may be controlled robotically by servo actuators.

Abstract: A robotic system includes a camera having an image frame whose position and orientation relative to a fixed frame is determinable through one or more image frame transforms, a tool disposed within a field of view of the camera and having a tool frame whose position and orientation relative to the fixed frame is determinable through one or more tool frame transforms, and at least one processor programmed to identify pose indicating points of the tool from one or more camera captured images, determine an estimated transform for an unknown one of the image and tool frame transforms using the identified pose indicating points and known ones of the image and tool frame transforms, update a master-to-tool transform using the estimated and known ones of the image and tool frame transforms, and command movement of the tool in response to movement of a master using the updated master-to-tool transform.

Abstract: A multi-user medical robotic system for collaboration or training in minimally invasive surgical procedures includes first and second master input devices, a first slave robotic mechanism, and at least one processor configured to generate a first slave command for the first slave robotic mechanism by switchably using one or both of a first command indicative of manipulation of the first master input device by a first user and a second command indicative of manipulation of the second master input device by a second user. To facilitate the collaboration or training, both first and second users communicate with each other through an audio system and see the minimally invasive surgery site on first and second displays respectively viewable by the first and second users.

Abstract: A robotic system includes a camera having an image frame whose position and orientation relative to a fixed frame is determinable through one or more image frame transforms, a tool disposed within a field of view of the camera and having a tool frame whose position and orientation relative to the fixed frame is determinable through one or more tool frame transforms, and at least one processor programmed to identify pose indicating points of the tool from one or more camera captured images, determine an estimated transform for an unknown one of the image and tool frame transforms using the identified pose indicating points and known ones of the image and tool frame transforms, update a master-to-tool transform using the estimated and known ones of the image and tool frame transforms, and command movement of the tool in response to movement of a master using the updated master-to-tool transform.

Abstract: Information extracted from sequential images captured from the perspective of a distal end of a medical device moving through an anatomical structure are compared with corresponding information extracted from a computer model of the anatomical structure. A most likely match between the information extracted from the sequential images and the corresponding information extracted from the computer model is then determined using probabilities associated with a set of potential matches so as to register the computer model of the anatomical structure to the medical device and thereby determine the lumen of the anatomical structure which the medical device is currently in. Sensor information may be used to limit the set of potential matches. Feature attributes associated with the sequence of images and the set of potential matches may be quantitatively compared as part of the determination of the most likely match.

Abstract: Methods and system perform tool tracking during minimally invasive robotic surgery. Tool states are determined using triangulation techniques or a Bayesian filter from either or both non-endoscopically derived and endoscopically derived tool state information, or from either or both non-visually derived and visually derived tool state information. The non-endoscopically derived tool state information is derived from sensor data provided either by sensors associated with a mechanism for manipulating the tool, or sensors capable of detecting identifiable signals emanating or reflecting from the tool and indicative of its position, or external cameras viewing an end of the tool extending out of the body. The endoscopically derived tool state information is derived from image data provided by an endoscope inserted in the body so as to view the tool.

Abstract: A vision system that may be used in a catheter or similar guiding instrument includes receptors distributed in an annular area. Each of the receptors has a field of view covering only a portion of an object environment, and the field of view of each of the receptors overlaps with at least one of the fields of view of the other receptors. A processing system can receive image data from the receptors and combine image data from the receptors to construct a visual representation of the entirety of the object environment.

Abstract: Control systems and methods for a medical instrument use measurements to determine and control the tensions that actuators apply through instrument transmission systems. The use of tension and feedback allows control of a medical instrument having transmission systems that provide non-negligible compliance between joints and actuators even when the positions of joints cannot be directly related to actuator positions. One embodiment determines joint torques and tensions from differences between desired and measured joint positions. Another embodiment determines joint torques and tensions from differences between desired and measured positions of a tip of the instrument. Determination of tensions from joint torques can be performed using sequential evaluation of joints in an order from a distal end of the instrument toward a proximal end of the instrument.

Abstract: A slave manipulator manipulates a medical device in response to operator manipulation of an input device through joint control systems. The stiffness and strength of the slave manipulator are adjustable according to criteria such as the mode of operation of the slave manipulator, the functional type of the medical device currently being held by the slave manipulator, and the current phase of a medical procedure being performed using the slave manipulator by changing corresponding parameters of the control system. For safety purposes, such changes are not made until it is determined that it can be done in a smooth manner without causing jerking of the medical device. Further, an excessive force warning may be provided to surgery staff when excessive forces are being commanded on the slave manipulator for more than a specified period of time.

Abstract: A multi-user medical robotic system for collaboration or training in minimally invasive surgical procedures includes first and second master input devices, a first slave robotic mechanism, and at least one processor configured to generate a first slave command for the first slave robotic mechanism by switchably using one or both of a first command indicative of manipulation of the first master input device by a first user and a second command indicative of manipulation of the second master input device by a second user. To facilitate the collaboration or training, both first and second users communicate with each other through an audio system and see the minimally invasive surgery site on first and second displays respectively viewable by the first and second users.

Abstract: A medical instrument system includes a plurality of joints, a plurality of actuators, and a plurality of transmission systems. The transmission systems have proximal ends respectively coupled to the actuators. Each of the transmission systems have a distal end attached to an associated one of the joints to allow the transmission of a force for articulation of the medical instrument system. The system also includes a sensor coupled to measure a configuration of the medical instrument; and a control system coupled to receive configuration data, including a current configuration of a tip of the medical instrument from the sensor and a desired configuration of the tip of the medical instrument. Using the difference between the desired configuration and the current configuration of the tip of the medical instrument, the control system generates control signals for the actuators that cause the actuators to apply a set of tensions to the plurality of transmission systems.

Abstract: A medical robotic system has a robotic arm holding a medical device, and a control system for controlling movement of the arm according to operator manipulation of an input device. If the medical device is being commanded to a state exceeding a limitation by a threshold amount, then the control system disengages control of the medical device by the input device, servos the arm so that it remains in its current state, servos the input device so that it is set at a position such that a force being applied on the input device remains at its current level, requests the operator to lighten hold of the input device, sets a parameter associated with the input device upon detecting such lightened hold so that the medical device is commanded to a different state that does not exceed the limitation, and reengages control of the medical device by the input device.

Abstract: A multi-user medical robotic system for collaboration or training in minimally invasive surgical procedures includes first and second master input devices, a first slave robotic mechanism, and at least one processor configured to generate a first slave command for the first slave robotic mechanism by switchably using one or both of a first command indicative of manipulation of the first master input device by a first user and a second command indicative of manipulation of the second master input device by a second user. To facilitate the collaboration or training, both first and second users communicate with each other through an audio system and see the minimally invasive surgery site on first and second displays respectively viewable by the first and second users.