Abstract: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide mechanisms for electrically connecting shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator wires of an actuation device to a power or current source via at least one connection element.

Abstract: An interface structure for detachably interfacing a surgical robot arm to a surgical instrument, the interface structure comprising: a base portion comprising a first surface for facing the surgical instrument and a second surface for facing the surgical robot arm; and a plurality of first fasteners supported by the base portion and protruding from the first surface, the plurality of first fasteners configured to engage the surgical instrument so as to retain the interface structure to the surgical instrument. The interface structure engages the surgical robot arm so as to retain the interface structure to the surgical robot arm, wherein the plurality of first fasteners and the remainder of the interface structure are shaped such that when the surgical instrument is detached from the surgical robot arm the interface structure is retained to the surgical robot arm.

Abstract: An interface structure for detachably interfacing a surgical robot arm to a surgical instrument, the interface structure comprising: a base portion comprising a first surface for facing the surgical instrument and a second surface for facing the surgical robot arm; and a plurality of first fasteners supported by the base portion and protruding from the first surface, the plurality of first fasteners configured to engage the surgical instrument so as to retain the interface structure to the surgical instrument. The interface structure engages the surgical robot arm so as to retain the interface structure to the surgical robot arm, wherein the plurality of first fasteners and the remainder of the interface structure are shaped such that when the surgical instrument is detached from the surgical robot arm the interface structure is retained to the surgical robot arm.

Abstract: An interface structure for detachably interfacing a surgical robot arm to a surgical instrument, the interface structure comprising: a base portion comprising a first surface for facing the surgical instrument and a second surface for facing the surgical robot arm; and a plurality of first fasteners supported by the base portion and protruding from the first surface, the plurality of first fasteners configured to engage the surgical instrument so as to retain the interface structure to the surgical instrument. The interface structure engages the surgical robot arm so as to retain the interface structure to the surgical robot arm, wherein the plurality of first fasteners and the remainder of the interface structure are shaped such that when the surgical instrument is detached from the surgical robot arm the interface structure is retained to the surgical robot arm.

Abstract: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide mechanisms for electrically connecting shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator wires of an actuation device to a power or current source via at least one connection element.

Abstract: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide mechanisms for electrically connecting shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator wires of an actuation device to a power or current source via at least one connection element.

Abstract: A surgical robot drape for enveloping a joint of a surgical robot, the joint configured to permit axial rotation of a part of a robot arm adjacent the joint about a joint axis, the drape comprising a proximal drape material portion configured to provide a sterile barrier over, and to be rotationally fast with, a part of the robot proximal of the joint, and a distal drape material portion configured to provide a sterile barrier over, and to be rotationally fast with, a part of the robot distal of the joint; the drape being configured such that the proximal and distal drape material portions are freely rotatable relative to one another about the joint axis.

Abstract: A surgical robot drape for providing a sterile barrier over a portion of a surgical robot, the drape comprising a plurality of accessibility portions spaced apart from one another in the drape for providing selective access through the drape at the respective locations of the accessibility portions, each accessibility portion comprising a separation line joining neighbouring portions of the drape and being configured to permit the separation of the neighbouring portions of the drape about the separation line for allowing access through an opening thereby formed in the drape.

Abstract: A drive interface structure for interfacing one or more drive assembly interface elements of a surgical robot arm and one or more instrument interface elements of a surgical instrument. The drive interface structure includes a sheet of flexible material for providing a barrier between the one or more instrument interface elements and the one or more drive assembly interface elements; and a rigid rim attached to an outer edge of the sheet of flexible material, the rigid rim configured to engage an interface structure for detachably interfacing the surgical robot arm to the surgical instrument so that when the drive interface structure is engaged with the interface structure the sheet of flexible material covers an aperture of the interface structure through which the one more drive assembly interface elements transfer drive to the one or more instrument interface elements.

Abstract: An interface structure for detachably interfacing a surgical robot arm to a surgical instrument, the interface structure comprising: a base portion comprising a first surface for facing the surgical instrument and a second surface for facing the surgical robot arm; and a plurality of first fasteners supported by the base portion and protruding from the first surface, the plurality of first fasteners configured to engage the surgical instrument so as to retain the interface structure to the surgical instrument. The interface structure engages the surgical robot arm so as to retain the interface structure to the surgical robot arm,wherein the plurality of first fasteners and the remainder of the interface structure are shaped such that when the surgical instrument is detached from the surgical robot arm the interface structure is retained to the surgical robot arm.

Abstract: An interface assembly for detachably interfacing a surgical robot arm to a surgical instrument, the interface assembly comprising: an interface structure comprising: a base portion comprising a first surface for facing the surgical instrument and a second surface for facing the surgical robot arm; and a rear portion attached to a rear edge of the base portion, the rear portion comprising one or more fasteners for fastening the interface structure to a proximal exposed surface of the surgical robot arm; and a locking element moveably mounted on the rear portion, the locking element moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein when the locking element is in the locked position the locking element biases the one or more fasteners inward and when the locking element is in the unlocked position the locking element does not bias the one or more fasteners inward.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for casting a metal strip with a cross sectional form which varies along the length of the strip. One embodiment of the apparatus includes opposing cooling systems, a positionable molten metal feed system between the opposing cooling systems, and a form adjustment system. The form adjustment system may include at least one dam to determine, at least in part, the cross sectional form of a molten metal feed to the opposing cooling systems. In this way, it is possible to determine the cross sectional form of the solidified metal strip. The dam is moveable during operation of the apparatus to vary the cross sectional form of the molten metal feed to the opposing cooling systems.

Abstract: A continuous casting apparatus and method is disclosed for casting a metal strip with a cross sectional form which varies along the length of the strip. The apparatus comprises: opposing cooling means; a molten metal feed system positionable to provide a molten metal feed for solidification between the opposing cooling means to form a solidified metal strip along a length direction; and a form adjustment system. The form adjustment system comprises at least one dam to determine, at least in part, the cross sectional form of the molten metal feed to the opposing cooling means. In this way, it is possible to determine the cross sectional form of the solidified metal strip. The dam is moveable during operation of the apparatus to vary the cross sectional form of the molten metal feed to the opposing cooling means.