Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a proximal control mechanism having an instrument control surface. The instrument control surface has two openings through which two resilient latch arms can be inserted to engage a fixed latch structure contained within the proximal control mechanism. The fixed latch structure provides two lead-in ramps that force the resilient latch arms onto locking surfaces. The resilient latch arms are contained entirely within the proximal control mechanism when engaged. Inward forces can be applied to two buttons to apply an outward force on the resilient latch arms and release them from the locking surfaces of the fixed latch structure. Each of the two buttons is accessible from one of two opposite outside surfaces of the proximal control mechanism.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a surgical instrument includes a housing linkable with a manipulator arm of a robotic surgical system, a shaft operably coupled to the housing, a force transducer on a distal end of the shaft, and a plurality of fiber optic strain gauges on the force transducer. In one example, the plurality of strain gauges are operably coupled to a fiber optic splitter or an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) multiplexer. A fiber optic connector is operably coupled to the fiber optic splitter or the AWG multiplexer. A wrist joint is operably coupled to a distal end of the force transducer, and an end effector is operably coupled to the wrist joint. In another embodiment, a robotic surgical manipulator includes a base link operably coupled to a distal end of a manipulator positioning system, and a distal link movably coupled to the base link, wherein the distal link includes an instrument interface and a fiber optic connector optically linkable to a surgical instrument.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for controlling a telesurgical system are disclosed. In accordance with a method, a first tool connected to a first manipulator of the system, and a second tool connected to a second manipulator of the system, are controlled. A swap of the tools such that the first tool is connected to the second manipulator and the second tool is connected to the first manipulator is then detected. The first tool connected to the second manipulator and the second tool connected to the first manipulator are then controlled.

Abstract: An instrument carriage provides control of a surgical instrument coupled to the instrument carriage. The instrument carriage includes a control surface that is coupled to the surgical instrument to provide the control. A detection pin having a first distal end that extends from the control surface is coupled to the instrument carriage. A sensor fixed relative to the instrument carriage detects a position of the detection pin. A carriage controller coupled to the sensor, provides a signal that indicates at least a first state and a second state responsive to a distance between the distal end of the detection pin and the control surface. The signal may indicate if an instrument sterile adapter is coupled to the control surface of the instrument carriage. A third state of the signal may indicate if a surgical instrument is coupled to the instrument sterile adapter.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a surgical instrument includes a housing linkable with a manipulator arm of a robotic surgical system, a shaft operably coupled to the housing, a force transducer on a distal end of the shaft, and a plurality of fiber optic strain gauges on the force transducer. In one example, the plurality of strain gauges are operably coupled to a fiber optic splitter or an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) multiplexer. A fiber optic connector is operably coupled to the fiber optic splitter or the AWG multiplexer. A wrist joint is operably coupled to a distal end of the force transducer, and an end effector is operably coupled to the wrist joint. In another embodiment, a robotic surgical manipulator includes a base link operably coupled to a distal end of a manipulator positioning system, and a distal link movably coupled to the base link, wherein the distal link includes an instrument interface and a fiber optic connector optically linkable to a surgical instrument.

Abstract: A build plate assembly for a three-dimensional printer includes: a lighting panel having individually addressable pixels configured to selectively emit light and/or transmit light from illumination below the pixels to a top surface top surface of the lighting panel; a rigid, optically transparent, gas-impermeable planar screen or base having an upper surface having an uneven surface topology and a lower surface that is affixed to the top surface of the lighting panel; and a flexible, optically transparent, gas-permeable sheet having upper and lower surfaces, the upper surface comprising a build surface for forming a three-dimensional object, the sheet lower surface positioned opposite the base, wherein the build plate is configured to permit gas flow to the build surface.

Abstract: An instrument carriage provides control of a surgical instrument coupled to the instrument carriage. The instrument carriage includes a control surface that is coupled to the surgical instrument to provide the control. A detection pin having a first distal end that extends from the control surface is coupled to the instrument carriage. A magnet is fixed to a proximal end of the detection pin. A carriage controller provides an indication that the surgical instrument is present on the instrument carriage when movement of the detection pin causes an output signal from a Hall effect sensor to exceed a presence threshold value that is stored in the carriage controller as part of a calibration procedure during the assembly of the instrument carriage. Surgical instrument removal may be indicated when detection pin movement causes the output signal to be less than a removal threshold value of less than the presence threshold value.

Abstract: A device to regulate tension of an actuation element for actuating movement of a surgical instrument includes an elastically deformable body configured to be coupled to the actuation element. The deformable body is configured to elastically deform in response to a state of slack occurring in the actuation element. As slack occurs in the actuation element, the deformable body is configured to divert a path of the actuation element to accommodate the slack so the path of the actuation element differs from an axis the actuation element follows prior to the actuation element developing slack. A force transmission mechanism for a teleoperated surgical instrument includes a chassis, an actuation input mechanism, an actuation element, and a tension regulator coupled to the actuation element to compensate for slack of the actuation element.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a proximal control mechanism. The proximal control mechanism has an opening through which a resilient latch arm can be inserted to engage a locking surface of a fixed latch structure contained within the proximal control mechanism. The resilient latch arm is contained entirely within the proximal control mechanism when engaged. A release channel extends from an outer periphery of the proximal control mechanism to the resilient latch arm entrance opening. The release channel provides a passage through which a release tool can be inserted to engage the resilient latch arm and provides a fulcrum for the release tool where the release channel is joined to the outer periphery of the proximal control mechanism. The surgical instrument can be released by prying the resilient latch arm away from the locking surface of the fixed latch structure with the release tool used as a lever on the fulcrum.

Abstract: A method of forming a three-dimensional object including a continuous sheet of material includes: (a) providing at least one drive roller and a build plate, with the build plate including an optically transparent member, with the optically transparent member including a build surface, and with the build surface at least partially defining a build region and the at least one drive roller adjacent the build region; (b) filling the build region with a polymerizable liquid; (c) irradiating the build region with light through the optically transparent member to form a solid polymer from the polymerizable liquid; and (d) rotating the at least one drive roller to form the three-dimensional object from the solid polymer and/or to advance (or draw) the continuous sheet of material away from the build region.

Abstract: Mechanisms, assemblies, systems, tools, and methods include an offset drive shaft within an independently rotating member. An example method of transmitting torque through an offset drive shaft routed within a rotatable main shaft includes supporting a main shaft to rotate relative to a base so that the main shaft rotates about a main shaft rotational axis. A drive shaft is supported to rotate relative to the main shaft so that the drive shaft rotates about a drive shaft rotational axis that is offset from the main shaft rotational axis. The drive shaft is engaged with a drive feature having a drive feature rotational axis that is fixed relative to the base as the main shaft rotates. The main shaft is rotated relative to the base. The drive feature is rotated relative to the main shaft so as to rotate the drive shaft relative to the main shaft.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a proximal control mechanism having an instrument control surface. The instrument control surface has an opening through which a resilient latch arm can be inserted to engage a fixed latch structure contained within the proximal control mechanism. The fixed latch structure provides a lead-in ramp that forces the resilient latch arm onto a locking surface. The resilient latch arm is contained entirely within the proximal control mechanism when engaged. A release channel extends from an outer periphery of the instrument control surface to the opening through which the resilient latch arm enters, and provides a passage through which a release tool can be inserted to engage the resilient latch arm and release it from the locking surface of the fixed latch structure. A section of the release channel may be shaped to provide a fulcrum for the release tool.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for controlling a telesurgical system are disclosed. In accordance with a method, a first tool connected to a first manipulator of the system, and a second tool connected to a second manipulator of the system, are controlled. A swap of the tools such that the first tool is connected to the second manipulator and the second tool is connected to the first manipulator is then detected. The first tool connected to the second manipulator and the second tool connected to the first manipulator are then controlled.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for controlling a telesurgical system are disclosed. In accordance with a method, a first tool connected to a first manipulator of the system, and a second tool connected to a second manipulator of the system, are controlled. A swap of the tools such that the first tool is connected to the second manipulator and the second tool is connected to the first manipulator is then detected. The first tool connected to the second manipulator and the second tool connected to the first manipulator are then controlled.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a surgical instrument includes a housing linkable with a manipulator arm of a robotic surgical system, a shaft operably coupled to the housing, a force transducer on a distal end of the shaft, and a plurality of fiber optic strain gauges on the force transducer. In one example, the plurality of strain gauges are operably coupled to a fiber optic splitter or an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) multiplexer. A fiber optic connector is operably coupled to the fiber optic splitter or the AWG multiplexer. A wrist joint is operably coupled to a distal end of the force transducer, and an end effector is operably coupled to the wrist joint. In another embodiment, a robotic surgical manipulator includes a base link operably coupled to a distal end of a manipulator positioning system, and a distal link movably coupled to the base link, wherein the distal link includes an instrument interface and a fiber optic connector optically linkable to a surgical instrument.

Abstract: An instrument carriage provides control of a surgical instrument coupled to the instrument carriage. The instrument carriage includes a control surface that is coupled to the surgical instrument to provide the control. A detection pin having a first distal end that extends from the control surface is coupled to the instrument carriage. A magnet is fixed to a proximal end of the detection pin. A carriage controller provides an indication that the surgical instrument is present on the instrument carriage when movement of the detection pin causes an output signal from a Hall effect sensor to exceed a presence threshold value that is stored in the carriage controller as part of a calibration procedure during the assembly of the instrument carriage. Surgical instrument removal may be indicated when detection pin movement causes the output signal to be less than a removal threshold value of less than the presence threshold value.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising: a jaw assembly; a slider beam; first and second distal jaw-mounted coaxial pulleys rotatably mounted to a distal portion of the second assembly; a two degree of freedom wrist that includes first and second pitch axis pulleys rotatable about a pitch axis and that includes a yaw pulley rotatable about a yaw axis; a first cable that is secured to the slider beam, that wraps about the first distal jaw-mounted pulley and that extends parallel to the jaw assembly to opposite sides of the first pitch axis pulley; a second cable that is secured to the slider beam, that wraps about the second distal jaw-mounted pulley and that extends parallel to the second jaw assembly to opposite sides of the second pitch axis pulley; and at least one yaw cable wrapped about at least a portion of the yaw pulley.

Abstract: Mechanisms, assemblies, systems, tools, and methods incorporating the use of an offset drive shaft within an independently rotating member are provided. An example mechanism includes a base and a main shaft mounted to rotate relative to the base, a first drive shaft mounted inside the main shaft, and a first drive feature engaged with the first drive shaft. The main shaft includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a main shaft rotational axis defined therebetween. The first drive shaft is offset from the main shaft rotational axis. A first drive feature rotational axis is defined for the first drive feature and is fixed relative to the base as the main shaft rotates. The first drive feature rotates the first drive shaft.

Abstract: An instrument carriage provides control of a surgical instrument coupled to the instrument carriage. The instrument carriage includes a control surface that is coupled to the surgical instrument to provide the control. A detection pin having a first proximal end that extends from the control surface is coupled to the instrument carriage. A magnet is fixed to a distal end of the detection pin. A carriage controller provides an indication that the surgical instrument is coupled to the instrument carriage when movement of the detection pin causes an output signal from a Hall effect sensor to exceed a threshold value that is stored in the carriage controller as part of a calibration procedure during the assembly of the instrument carriage. Surgical instrument removal may be indicated when detection pin movement causes the output signal to be less than an instrument removal threshold value of less than the instrument threshold value.

Abstract: A method includes: providing a three-dimensional printer including a build surface and a carrier that is movable away from and toward the build surface; advancing the carrier toward the build surface and contacting a lower surface of the carrier with the build surface or a fixture or frame member adjacent the build surface to align the carrier in an aligned position with the lower surface of the carrier parallel to the build surface; and locking the carrier in a locked state to maintain the carrier in the aligned position.