Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for controlling a plurality of manipulator assemblies of a robotic system. In accordance with a method, a first plurality of sensor signals are received at a plurality of joint space interface elements from a plurality of connector input elements via a first mapping between the joint space interface elements and joints of the first manipulator assembly. The connector input elements are operable to couple to only one manipulator assembly at a time. The received first sensor signals are then processed with a joint controller so as to control the first manipulator assembly. A second plurality of sensor signals are then received from the connector input elements at the joint space interface elements via a second mapping different than the first mapping. The received second sensor signals are then processed with the joint controller so as to control a second manipulator assembly different than the first manipulator assembly.

Abstract: A medical robotic system includes an entry guide with articulated instruments extending out of its distal end. A controller is configured to command manipulation of one of the articulated instruments towards a state commanded by operator manipulation of an input device while commanding sensory feedback to the operator indicating a difference between the commanded state and a preferred pose of the articulated instrument, so that the sensory feedback serves to encourage the operator to return the articulated instrument back to its preferred pose.

Abstract: A robotic system has a plurality of user selectable operating modes. To select one of the operating modes, a user performs a distinguishing action which uniquely identifies a desired operating mode among the plurality of user selectable operating modes. A method implemented by a processor in the robotic system identifies the distinguishing action and places the robotic system in the user selected operating mode.

Abstract: An entry guide tube and cannula assembly, a surgical system including the assembly, and a method of surgical instrument insertion are provided. In one embodiment, the assembly includes a cannula having a proximal portion that operably couples to an accessory clamp of a manipulator arm, and a distal tubular member coupled to the proximal portion, the tubular member having an opening for passage of at least one instrument shaft. The assembly also includes an entry guide tube rotatably coupled to the proximal portion of the cannula, the entry guide tube including a plurality of channels for passage of a plurality of instrument shafts, wherein the entry guide tube is rotatably driven relative to the proximal portion of the cannula by rotation of at least one instrument shaft about a longitudinal axis of the entry guide tube.

Abstract: A controller in a computer-assisted teleoperated surgical system automatically moves a part of the system, in response to a user tapping the part, to facilitate draping of that part. This speeds the draping process and diminishes the likelihood that the sterile surgical drape is damaged or contaminated during the draping of that part of the system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a teleoperational system and control thereof are provided. An exemplary system includes a first manipulator configured to support an instrument moveable within an instrument workspace, the instrument having an instrument frame of reference, and includes an operator input device configured to receive movement commands from an operator. The system further includes a control system to implement the movement commands by comparing an orientation of the instrument with an orientation of a field of view of the instrument workspace to produce an orientation comparison. When the comparison does not meet certain criteria, the control system causes instrument motion in a first direction relative to the instrument frame in response to a movement command. When the comparison meets the criteria, the control system causes instrument in a second direction relative to the instrument frame in response to the movement command. The second direction differs from the first direction.

Abstract: A medical robotic system includes an entry guide with surgical tools and a camera extending out of its distal end. To supplement the view provided by an image captured by the camera, an auxiliary view including articulatable arms of the surgical tools and/or camera is generated from sensed or otherwise determined information about their positions and orientations are displayed along with indications of range of motion limitations on a display screen from the perspective of a specified viewing point.

Abstract: A medical robotic system includes an entry guide with surgical tools and a camera extending out of its distal end. To supplement the view provided by an image captured by the camera, an auxiliary view including articulatable arms of the surgical tools and/or camera is generated from sensed or otherwise determined information about their positions and orientations are displayed along with indications of range of motion limitations on a display screen from the perspective of a specified viewing point.

Abstract: A computer-assisted medical system comprises a flexible elongate instrument. The flexible elongate instrument comprises a plurality of wires extending from a proximal end of the flexible elongate instrument to a distal end of the flexible elongate instrument. Each wire of the plurality of wires may be used to steer the distal end. The system also comprises a control system coupled to the flexible elongate instrument. The control system is configured to monitor movement of the flexible elongate instrument along a longitudinal central axis and determine an extent of motion of the flexible elongate instrument in a first direction along the longitudinal central axis based on the monitoring. The control system is also configured to alter a rigidity of the flexible elongate instrument based on a rigidity profile relative to the extent of motion by adjusting one or more forces applied by the plurality of wires to the distal end of the flexible elongate instrument.

Abstract: A medical robotic system includes an entry guide with surgical tools and a camera extending out of its distal end. To supplement the view provided by an image captured by the camera, an auxiliary view including articulatable arms of the surgical tools and/or camera is generated from sensed or otherwise determined information about their positions and orientations and displayed on a display screen from the perspective of a specified viewing point.

Abstract: A medical robotic system includes articulated instruments extending out of a distal end of an entry guide. Prior to pivoting the entry guide to re-orient it and the instruments, the instruments are moved in tandem back towards the entry guide after a delay. Haptic cues and velocity limits are provided to assist the operator in the retraction of the instruments. After retraction, the entry guide may then be pivoted without concern that the instruments will harm patient anatomy. The movement of the instruments in tandem back towards the entry guide may also occur through coupled control modes while the entry guide is held in a fixed position and orientation.

Abstract: A medical robotic system includes an entry guide with articulated instruments extending out of its distal end. A controller is configured to command manipulation an articulated instrument in response to operator manipulation of an associated input device while generating a force command to the input device that nudges the operator to command the instrument to a preferred pose. When a transition is to occur between first and second preferred poses, one is phased in while the other is phased out. Virtual barriers may be imposed to prevent the articulated instrument from being commanded to an undesirable pose.

Abstract: A medical robotic system includes an entry guide with articulated instruments extending out of its distal end. A controller is configured to command manipulation an articulated instrument in response to operator manipulation of an associated input device while generating a force command to the input device that nudges the operator to command the instrument to a preferred pose. When a transition is to occur between first and second preferred poses, one is phased in while the other is phased out. Virtual barriers may be imposed to prevent the articulated instrument from being commanded to an undesirable pose.

Abstract: A medical robotic system includes articulated instruments extending out of a distal end of an entry guide. Prior to pivoting the entry guide to re-orient it and the instruments, the instruments are moved in tandem back towards the entry guide after a delay. Haptic cues and velocity limits are provided to assist the operator in the retraction of the instruments. After retraction, the entry guide may then be pivoted without concern that the instruments will harm patient anatomy. The movement of the instruments in tandem back towards the entry guide may also occur through coupled control modes while the entry guide is held in a fixed position and orientation.

Abstract: In a coupled control mode, the surgeon directly controls movement of an associated slave manipulator with an input device while indirectly controlling movement of one or more non-associated slave manipulators, in response to commanded motion of the directly controlled slave manipulator, to achieve a secondary objective. By automatically performing secondary tasks through coupled control modes, the system's usability is enhanced by reducing the surgeon's need to switch to another direct mode to manually achieve the desired secondary objective. Thus, coupled control modes allow the surgeon to better focus on performing medical procedures and to pay less attention to managing the system.

Abstract: A medical robotic system includes an entry guide with surgical tools and a camera extending out of its distal end. To supplement the view provided by an image captured by the camera, an auxiliary view including articulatable arms of the surgical tools and/or camera is generated from sensed or otherwise determined information about their positions and orientations and displayed on a display screen from the perspective of a specified viewing point.

Abstract: A system includes manipulators and a controller. The controller is configured to detect mounting of an imaging device to a first manipulator of the manipulators, determine a first reference frame for the imaging device based on the mounting of the imaging device to the first manipulator, control a tool relative to the first reference frame by controlling a relative position and orientation of a tip of the tool relative to the imaging device in the first reference frame by correlating movement of a master input control to movement of the tool in the first reference frame, detect mounting of the imaging device to a second manipulator of the manipulators, the second manipulator being different from the first manipulator, determine a second reference frame for the imaging device based on the mounting of the imaging device to the second manipulator, and control the tool relative to the second reference frame.

Abstract: A manipulator for articulating a surgical tool during surgery includes an instrument holder, a parallelogram linkage assembly, an offset extension link, a yaw joint, and a mounting base. The instrument holder is configured to couple with the surgical tool. The parallelogram linkage assembly produces motion of the instrument holder that is limited to rotation about a pitch axis that intersects a remote center of manipulation. The offset extension link has an offset extension link distal end and an offset extension link proximal end. The yaw joint is connected to the offset extension link proximal end and produces motion of the instrument holder that is limited to rotation about a yaw axis that intersects the remote center of manipulation. The offset extension link distal end is offset from the yaw axis. The mounting base is coupled with the yaw joint.

Abstract: In a coupled control mode, the surgeon directly controls movement of an associated slave manipulator with an input device while indirectly controlling movement of one or more non-associated slave manipulators, in response to commanded motion of the directly controlled slave manipulator, to achieve a secondary objective. By automatically performing secondary tasks through coupled control modes, the system's usability is enhanced by reducing the surgeon's need to switch to another direct mode to manually achieve the desired secondary objective. Thus, coupled control modes allow the surgeon to better focus on performing medical procedures and to pay less attention to managing the system.

Abstract: An instrument manipulator and a robotic surgical system including an instrument manipulator are provided. In one embodiment, an instrument manipulator includes a plurality of independent actuator drive modules, each of the plurality of actuator drive modules including an actuator output, wherein each of the actuator outputs are configured to independently actuate a corresponding actuator input of a surgical instrument without force input from another actuator output. The instrument manipulator further includes a frame housing the plurality of independent actuator drive modules, the frame including a distal end from which each of the actuator outputs distally protrude for engaging the corresponding actuator inputs of the surgical instrument.