Abstract: A system for performing minimally invasive cardiac procedures. The system includes a pair of surgical instruments that are coupled to a pair of robotic arms. The instruments have end effectors that can be manipulated to hold and suture tissue. The robotic arms are coupled to a pair of master handles by a controller. The handles can be moved by the surgeon to produce a corresponding movement of the end effectors. The movement of the handles is scaled so that the end effectors have a corresponding movement that is different, typically smaller, than the movement performed by the hands of the surgeon. The scale factor is adjustable so that the surgeon can control the resolution of the end effector movement. The movement of the end effector can be controlled by an input button, so that the end effector only moves when the button is depressed by the surgeon.

Abstract: A medical system which has a robotic arm that can move a surgical instrument. The surgical instrument is coupled to a tool driver of the arm that allows for a quick connect and disconnect of the instrument. The system does not require any tools to attach the surgical instrument to the tool driver. The instrument has an end effector that is actuated by the driver.

Abstract: A minimally invasive surgical system includes a pair of surgical instruments having end effectors to hold and suture tissue, a pair of robotic arms coupled to the surgical instruments, a controller, and a pair of master handles coupled through the controller to the robotic arms, so that surgeon manipulation of the handles produces corresponding movement of the end effectors in an adjustably scaled fashion. An input button allows the surgeon to adjust the position of the handles without moving the end effectors, so that the handles may be moved to a more comfortable position. An optionally included robotically controlled endoscope allows the surgeon to remotely view the surgical site. Using the system, a cardiac procedure can be performed by making small incisions in the patient's skin, inserting the instruments and endoscope through the incisions, and manipulating the handles to move the end effectors to perform the cardiac procedure.

Abstract: A system for performing minimally invasive cardiac procedures. The system includes a pair of surgical instruments that are coupled to a pair of robotic arms. The instruments have end effectors that can be manipulated to hold and suture tissue. The robotic arms are coupled to a pair of master handles by a controller. The handles can be moved by the surgeon to produce a corresponding movement of the end effectors. The movement of the handles is scaled so that the end effectors have a corresponding movement that is different, typically smaller, than the movement performed by the hands of the surgeon. The scale factor is adjustable so that the surgeon can control the resolution of the end effector movement. The movement of the end effector can be controlled by an input button, so that the end effector only moves when the button is depressed by the surgeon.