Abstract: Embodiments of an actuated cannula seal are disclosed In some embodiments, a cannula seal includes a base portion that engages with a cannula; and a seal portion integrally formed with the base portion, the sealing portion capable of engaging with an instrument shaft, the sealing portion capable of being actuated by an actuator so that the sealing portion is continually in motion relative to the instrument shaft. The actuation of the sealing portion can be accomplished by rotation or vibration of the sealing portion relative to the instrument shaft.

Abstract: Techniques for adjusting a display unit (206) of a viewing system include repositionable structure (204) configured to support a display unit, first and second hand-input sensors (240) configured to receive inputs from the operator; and a control unit. The display unit is configured to display images viewable by an operator. The control unit is configured to receive a first input from the first hand-input sensor, receive a second input from the second hand-input sensor, and, in response to satisfaction of a criteria set including, determine a commanded motion based on the first and second inputs and command an actuator to move the repositionable structure based on the commanded motion. The criteria set includes that a first magnitude of the first input and a second magnitude of the second input are greater than a threshold.

Abstract: Systems and methods of providing a haptic barrier for an instrument include a computer-assisted device. The computer-assisted device includes a grip input control, a repositionable arm configured to support an instrument, and one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to detect a position of the grip input control in a first direction of a degree of freedom having In a first region, a second region, and a third region between the first and second regions; in response to determining that the detected position is in the first region, operate the instrument according to a first mode; in response to determining that the detected position is in the third region, provide a haptic barrier to resist movement of the grip input control through the third region; and in response to determining that the detected position is in the second region, operate the instrument according to a second mode.

Abstract: Techniques for adjusting a headrest of a computer-assisted system include the following. The computer-assisted system includes a display unit configured to display images viewable by an operator, a headrest coupled to the display unit, the headrest configured to be contacted by a head of the operator, an actuator operable to move the headrest relative to the display unit, a head-input sensor, and a control unit communicably coupled to the actuator and the head-input sensor. The control unit is configured to: determine head data based on sensor data acquired by the head-input sensor, determine a commanded motion based on at least the head data, a baseline, and a damping, and command the actuator to move the headrest based on the commanded motion.

Abstract: A surgical system is provided comprising: an input device; and a controller for receiving control inputs from the input device and for providing haptic feedback at the input device, the controller configured to apply a staged transition from a first haptic feedback profile at the input device to a second haptic feedback profile at the input device.

Abstract: Implementations relate to detection and mitigation of potential collisions with a user control system. In some implementations, a method includes detecting an object in a sensing field of a sensor of a user control system, and the user control system includes a control input device. The control input device is in a controlling mode in which manipulation of the control input device activates a function of a manipulator device. The method includes determining that the object is an unidentified object and determining a characteristic of the object including a location with respect to the user control system, a velocity, or a trajectory. The method determines whether the characteristic of the object satisfies a condition corresponding to the characteristic, and exits the controlling mode in response to determining that the object is an unidentified object and that the characteristic satisfies the corresponding condition.

Abstract: An accelerometer is included within the confined space and limited volume of a distal portion of a surgical instrument. The surgical instrument includes an end component, a joint coupled to the end component, a shaft coupled to the joint, and a force transducer and accelerometer apparatus. The force transducer and accelerometer apparatus is coupled between the joint and the shaft. The force transducer and accelerometer apparatus includes a force sensor and an accelerometer. The accelerometer includes an optic fiber having a Fiber Bragg Grating. Information acquired from the Fiber Bragg Grating is used to drive a vibro-tactile haptic feedback output device coupled to a master control arm surgeon grip.

Abstract: A surgical system is provided comprising: an input device; and a controller for receiving control inputs from the input device and for providing haptic feedback at the input device, the controller configured to apply a staged transition from a first haptic feedback profile at the input device to a second haptic feedback profile at the input device.

Abstract: A teleoperated surgical system includes a manipulator, an electric motor, and a power circuit. The motor is operatively connected to and configured to drive movement of at least a portion of the manipulator. The power circuit includes a plurality of wires and a switch. The wires connect a selectively activated power source to the motor. The switch is connected to the wires between the power source and the motor. On a first condition in which the power source changes from an activated state to a deactivated state, the switch short-circuits the motor to cause the unpowered motor to automatically dampen motion of the at least a portion of the manipulator. On a second condition in which the power source changes from the deactivated state to the activated state, the switch electrically connects the motor to the power source to supply operating power from the power source to the motor via the wires.

Abstract: Implementations relate to a moveable display system. In some implementations, a control unit includes a first support and a second support coupled to the first support. The second support is linearly translatable along a first axis in a first degree of freedom with respect to the first support, and at least a portion of the second support is linearly translatable along a second axis in a second degree of freedom with respect to the first support. The control unit includes a display unit rotatably coupled to the second support. The display unit is rotatable about a third axis in a third degree of freedom with respect to the second support, and the display unit includes a display device.

Abstract: A cannula is provided that includes a head portion that defines a proximal opening sized to receive one or more surgical instruments; an elongated inner tube rigidly fastened to the head portion defines an elongated conduit; a surgical instrument can be inserted within the conduit; an elongated overtube rigidly fastened to the head portion is coaxially aligned with the inner tube and extends about a portion of the inner tube; an inner wall of the overtube is spaced apart from an outer wall of the inner tube; sensors are disposed on the overtube to provide an indication of forces applied to the outer wall of the overtube in a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal dimension of the overtube.

Abstract: Implementations relate to hand presence sensing at a control input device. In some implementations, a control input device includes a base member, a handle coupled to the base member and configured to be manually contacted at a grip portion of the handle and moved by a hand of a user in one or more degrees of freedom, one or more control input sensors configured to detect positions or orientations of the handle in the one or more degrees of freedom, and a presence sensor coupled to the base member. The presence sensor has a sensing field, and at least a portion of the sensing field is located proximate to the handle.

Abstract: A surgical system is provided comprising: an input device; and a controller for receiving control inputs from the input device and for providing haptic feedback at the input device, the controller configured to apply a staged transition from a first haptic feedback profile at the input device to a second haptic feedback profile at the input device.

Abstract: Implementations relate to a moveable display unit on a track. In some implementations, a control unit includes a support linkage including a first support coupled to a second support, a track member coupled to a distal portion of the second support, and a display unit coupled to the track member. The display unit includes a display device. The display unit is linearly translatable in first and second degrees of freedom provided by the support linkage. The display unit is rotatable, with respect to the second support, about a tilt axis in a third degree of freedom defined by the track member.

Abstract: A surgical system is provided comprising: an input device; a first actuator and a second actuator; a controller for controlling the first actuator and the second actuator, the controller configured to apply a first scale factor to a first commanded output and a second commanded output for the first actuator the second actuator, respectively, when the first commanded output would fall outside a first predetermined working range of the first actuator, wherein the first scale factor adjusts the first commanded output to be within the first predetermined working range.

Abstract: A surgical system is provided comprising: an input device; a first actuator and a second actuator; a controller for controlling the first actuator and the second actuator, the controller configured to apply a first scale factor to a first commanded output and a second commanded output for the first actuator the second actuator, respectively, when the first commanded output would fall outside a first predetermined working range of the first actuator, wherein the first scale factor adjusts the first commanded output to be within the first predetermined working range.

Abstract: A cannula is provided that includes a head portion that defines a proximal opening sized to receive one or more surgical instruments; an elongated inner tube rigidly fastened to the head portion defines an elongated conduit; a surgical instrument can be inserted within the conduit; an elongated overtube rigidly fastened to the head portion is coaxially aligned with the inner tube and extends about a portion of the inner tube; an inner wall of the overtube is spaced apart from an outer wall of the inner tube; sensors are disposed on the overtube to provide an indication of forces applied to the outer wall of the overtube in a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal dimension of the overtube.

Abstract: A surgical system is provided comprising: an input device: and a controller for receiving control inputs from the input device and for providing haptic feedback at the input device, the controller configured to apply a staged transition from a first haptic feedback profile at the input device to a second haptic feedback profile at the input device.

Abstract: An accelerometer is included within the confined space and limited volume of a distal portion of a surgical instrument. The surgical instrument includes an end component, a joint coupled to the end component, a shaft coupled to the joint, and a force transducer and accelerometer apparatus. The force transducer and accelerometer apparatus is coupled between the joint and the shaft. The force transducer and accelerometer apparatus includes a force sensor and an accelerometer. The accelerometer includes an optic fiber having a Fiber Bragg Grating. Information acquired from the Fiber Bragg Grating is used to drive a vibrotactile haptic feedback output device coupled to a master control arm surgeon grip.

Abstract: Implementations relate to breakage detection of a tension element for a counterbalance mechanism. In some implementations, a tension element breakage detection mechanism includes a tension element, a moveable detection element contacting the tension element, and an actuator. The moveable detection element is biased by the tension element toward a first configuration in a range of motion of the moveable detection element. The moveable detection element is biased toward a second configuration in the range of motion of the moveable detection element by a force generated by the actuator on the moveable detection element. The breakage detection mechanism includes a sensor of a change of the moveable detection element from the first configuration to the second configuration, the change being in response to breakage of the tension element.