Abstract: A user console for a surgical robotic system has a seat having an armrest and an electromagnetic (EM) transmitter coupled to the armrest to generate an EM field in an EM tracking space around the armrest. A user input device having a handheld housing is to be positioned within the EM tracking by an operator who is seated in the seat, during a surgical procedure. Other aspects are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A tool driver for use in robotic surgery includes a base configured to couple to a distal end of a robotic arm, and a tool carriage slidingly engaged with the base and configured to receive a surgical tool. In one variation, the tool carriage may include a plurality of linear axis drives configured to actuate one or more articulated movements of the surgical tool. In another variation, the tool carriage may include a plurality of rotary axis drives configured to actuate one or more articulated movements of the surgical tool. Various sensors, such as a capacitive load cell for measuring axial load, a position sensor for measuring linear position of the guide based on the rotational positions of gears in a gear transmission, and/or a capacitive torque sensor based on differential capacitance, may be included in the tool driver.

Abstract: A control system for surgical robots based on proximity sensing, the control system including a proximity sensor coupled to a component of a surgical robot, the surgical robot component including a table, robotic arms coupled to the table, and surgical tools mounted on the robotic arms, the proximity sensor configured to sense a movement of a nearby controlling object in one or more degrees of freedom; and a processor configured to drive the component of the surgical robot to follow the movement of the controlling object.

Abstract: A user console for a surgical robotic system has a seat having an armrest and an electromagnetic (EM) transmitter coupled to the armrest to generate an EM field in an EM tracking space around the armrest. A user input device having a handheld housing is to be positioned within the EM tracking by an operator who is seated in the seat, during a surgical procedure. Other aspects are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A tool driver for use in robotic surgery includes a base configured to couple to a distal end of a robotic arm, and a tool carriage slidingly engaged with the base and configured to receive a surgical tool. In one variation, the tool carriage may include a plurality of linear axis drives configured to actuate one or more articulated movements of the surgical tool. In another variation, the tool carriage may include a plurality of rotary axis drives configured to actuate one or more articulated movements of the surgical tool. Various sensors, such as a capacitive load cell for measuring axial load, a position sensor for measuring linear position of the guide based on the rotational positions of gears in a gear transmission, and/or a capacitive torque sensor based on differential capacitance, may be included in the tool driver.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor for characterizing force or torque includes a first plurality of non-patterned conductive regions and a first plurality of patterned conductive regions, and a second plurality of non-patterned conductive regions and a second plurality of patterned conductive regions. The first and second pluralities of non-patterned conductive regions are facing and the first and second pluralities of patterned conductive regions are facing.

Abstract: A handheld user interface device for controlling a robotic system may include a member, a housing at least partially disposed around the member and configured to be held in the hand of a user, and a tracking sensor system disposed on the member and configured to detect at least one of position and orientation of at least a portion of the device. At least one of the detected position of the portion of the device and detected orientation of the portion of the device is correlatable to a control of the robotic system.

Abstract: A surgical robotic system has a tool drive coupled to a distal end of a robotic arm that has a plurality of actuators. The tool drive has a docking interface to receive a trocar. One or more sensors in the docking interface sense a magnetic field generated by the trocar. One or more processors are configured to determine a position and orientation of the trocar based on the sensed magnetic field, and then drive the actuators to orient the docking interface to the determined orientation of the trocar, or otherwise guide the robotic arm toward the determined position of the trocar. Other aspects are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor for characterizing force or torque includes a first plurality of non-patterned conductive regions and a first plurality of patterned conductive regions, and a second plurality of non-patterned conductive regions and a second plurality of patterned conductive regions. The first and second pluralities of non-patterned conductive regions are facing and the first and second pluralities of patterned conductive regions are facing.

Abstract: A handheld user interface device for controlling a robotic system may include a member, a housing at least partially disposed around the member and configured to be held in the hand of a user, and a tracking sensor system disposed on the member and configured to detect at least one of position and orientation of at least a portion of the device. At least one of the detected position of the portion of the device and detected orientation of the portion of the device is correlatable to a control of the robotic system.

Abstract: A surgical robotic system has a tool drive coupled to a distal end of a robotic arm that has a plurality of actuators. The tool drive has a docking interface to receive a trocar. One or more sensors in the docking interface sense a magnetic field generated by the trocar. One or more processors are configured to determine a position and orientation of the trocar based on the sensed magnetic field, and then drive the actuators to orient the docking interface to the determined orientation of the trocar, or otherwise guide the robotic arm toward the determined position of the trocar. Other aspects are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A surgical robotic system has a tool drive coupled to a distal end of a robotic arm that has a plurality of actuators. The tool drive has a docking interface to receive a trocar. The system also includes one or more sensors that are operable to visually sense a surface feature of the trocar. One or more processors determine a position and orientation of the trocar, based on the visually sensed surface feature. In response, the processor controls the actuators to orient the docking interface to the determined orientation of the trocar and to guide the robotic arm toward the determined position of the trocar. Other aspects are also described and claimed.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus can include a cart for a surgical robotic arm having a coupler releasably coupleable to a coupling site on a surgical table. The cart can include a base and a first engagement feature. The base can be freely movably on a support surface between a first location remote from the surgical table and a second location adjacent the surgical table. The first engagement feature can be configured for engagement with a second engagement feature associated with the surgical table such that, when the first engagement feature and the second engagement feature are engaged, the coupler of the robotic am is disposed in a position in which the coupler of the robotic arm can be engaged by the coupler of the surgical table.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various techniques and devices for detecting a level of fluid within a fluid collection receptacle. These techniques and devices may further determine a flow rate of fluid entering the fluid collection receptacle or a volume of fluid collected within the fluid collection receptacle. Sensors, including pressure sensors, may be installed in, on, or within the fluid collection receptacle to detect information about the liquid within the receptacle including fluid level, flow rate, and volume.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus can include a cart for a surgical robotic arm having a coupler releasably coupleable to a coupling site on a surgical table. The cart can include a base and a first engagement feature. The base can be freely movably on a support surface between a first location remote from the surgical table and a second location adjacent the surgical table. The first engagement feature can be configured for engagement with a second engagement feature associated with the surgical table such that, when the first engagement feature and the second engagement feature are engaged, the coupler of the robotic arm is disposed in a position in which the coupler of the robotic arm can be engaged by the coupler of the surgical table.

Abstract: A control system for surgical robots based on proximity sensing, the control system including a proximity sensor coupled to a component of a surgical robot, the surgical robot component including a table, robotic arms coupled to the table, and surgical tools mounted on the robotic arms, the proximity sensor configured to sense a movement of a nearby controlling object in one or more degrees of freedom; and a processor configured to drive the component of the surgical robot to follow the movement of the controlling object.

Abstract: A surgical robotic system including a surgical table, a surgical robotic manipulator coupled to the surgical table and comprising a plurality of links coupled together by a plurality of joints that are operable to move with respect to one another to move the surgical robotic manipulator, at least one of the plurality of links or the plurality of joints having a portion that faces another of the plurality of links or the plurality of joints, a proximity sensing assembly coupled to the portion of the at least one of the plurality of links or the plurality of joints, the proximity sensing assembly operable to detect an object prior to the surgical robotic manipulator colliding with the object and to output a corresponding detection signal, and a processor operable to receive the corresponding detecting signal and cause the manipulator or the object to engage in a collision avoidance operation.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor for characterizing force or torque includes a first plurality of non-patterned conductive regions and a first plurality of patterned conductive regions, and a second plurality of non-patterned conductive regions and a second plurality of patterned conductive regions. The first and second pluralities of non-patterned conductive regions are facing and the first and second pluralities of patterned conductive regions are facing.

Abstract: A handheld user interface device for controlling a robotic system may include a member, a housing at least partially disposed around the member and configured to be held in the hand of a user, and a tracking sensor system disposed on the member and configured to detect at least one of position and orientation of at least a portion of the device. At least one of the detected position of the portion of the device and detected orientation of the portion of the device is correlatable to a control of the robotic system.

Abstract: A surgical robotic system has a tool drive coupled to a distal end of a robotic arm that has a plurality of actuators. The tool drive has a docking interface to receive a trocar. One or more sensors in the docking interface sense a magnetic field generated by the trocar. One or more processors are configured to determine a position and orientation of the trocar based on the sensed magnetic field, and then drive the actuators to orient the docking interface to the determined orientation of the trocar, or otherwise guide the robotic arm toward the determined position of the trocar. Other aspects are also described and claimed.