Abstract: Techniques for operating a kinematic structure by manual motion of a link coupled to the kinematic structure include a system comprising a first manipulating means and processing means. The processing means is for detecting whether a first means for accessing an internal worksite is mounted to the first manipulating means; detecting an input indicating the system is to be in a set-up mode; and inhibiting, in response to detecting that the first means is mounted to the first manipulating means, transition of the system to the set-up mode.

Abstract: Break-away clutching includes a robotic system having a processor and a robotic structure with a plurality of joints, a plurality of linkages coupled by the plurality of joints, and a drive system or a brake system for facilitating or inhibiting motion of the robotic structure. The processor is configured to inhibit, using the drive system or brake system, manual articulation of the robotic structure in response to a first manual effort applied to the robotic structure being below an articulation threshold; facilitate, using the drive system or brake system, the manual articulation of the robotic structure in response to a second manual effort applied to the robotic structure exceeding the articulation threshold; and inhibit, using the drive system or brake system, further manual articulation of the robotic structure in response to a determination that a speed of the manual articulation of the robotic structure has fallen below a speed threshold.

Abstract: User-initiated break-away clutching includes a robotic system having a joint, a brake or drive unit coupled to the joint, and a control system coupled with the brake or drive unit. The control system is configured to determine a first manual effort applied to the joint; inhibit, using the brake or drive unit, manual articulation of the joint in response to the first manual effort being below an articulation threshold; facilitate, using the brake or drive unit, the manual articulation of the joint in response to the first manual effort exceeding the articulation threshold; and inhibit, using the brake or drive unit, further manual articulation of the joint in response to a determination that a speed of the manual articulation of the joint is below a speed threshold.

Abstract: Techniques for operating a kinematic structure by manual motion of a link coupled to the kinematic structure include a system comprising a first manipulating means and processing means. The processing means is for detecting whether a first means for accessing an internal worksite is mounted to the first manipulating means; detecting an input indicating the system is to be in a set-up mode; and inhibiting, in response to detecting that the first means is mounted to the first manipulating means, transition of the system to the set-up mode.

Abstract: Techniques for operating a kinematic structure by manual motion of a link coupled to the kinematic structure include a system having a kinematic structure configured to support an instrument and a processor. The processor is configured to place the system in a clutching mode; transition the system from the clutching mode to a set-up mode in response to detecting a joint operation of the kinematic structure; while in the set-up mode, determine an input displacement of a link from an initial positional relationship relative to a portion of the kinematic structure to a displaced positional relationship relative to the portion of the kinematic structure; and while in the set-up mode and in response to the determined input displacement, drive the kinematic structure so that the link returns toward the initial positional relationship relative to the portion of the kinematic structure.

Abstract: User-initiated break-away clutching includes a robotic system having a joint, a brake or drive unit coupled to the joint, and a control system coupled with the brake or drive unit. The control system is configured to determine a first manual effort applied to the joint; inhibit, using the brake or drive unit, manual articulation of the joint in response to the first manual effort being below an articulation threshold; facilitate, using the brake or drive unit, the manual articulation of the joint in response to the first manual effort exceeding the articulation threshold; and inhibit, using the brake or drive unit, further manual articulation of the joint in response to a determination that a speed of the manual articulation of the joint is below a speed threshold.

Abstract: Robotic and/or surgical devices, systems, and methods include a robotic device. The robotic device includes a manipulator, a drive unit coupled to the manipulator, and a processor coupled with the drive unit. The processor is configured determine that a cannula is mounted to the manipulator and inhibit, using the drive unit, manual articulation of the manipulator in response to determining that the cannula is mounted to the manipulator. In some embodiments, the robotic device further includes a linkage. The processor is further configured to determine a manual effort against the manipulator; inhibit, using the drive unit, the manual articulation of the linkage in response to the manual effort being below an articulation threshold; and facilitate, using the drive unit and in response to not determining that the cannula is mounted to the manipulator, the manual articulation of the linkage in response to the manual effort exceeding the articulation threshold.

Abstract: Techniques for operating a kinematic structure by manual motion of a link coupled to the kinematic structure include a system having a kinematic structure configured to support an instrument and a processor. The processor is configured to place the system in a clutching mode; transition the system from the clutching mode to a set-up mode in response to detecting a joint operation of the kinematic structure; while in the set-up mode, determine an input displacement of a link from an initial positional relationship relative to a portion of the kinematic structure to a displaced positional relationship relative to the portion of the kinematic structure; and while in the set-up mode and in response to the determined input displacement, drive the kinematic structure so that the link returns toward the initial positional relationship relative to the portion of the kinematic structure.

Abstract: Techniques for operating a kinematic structure by manual motion of a link coupled to the kinematic structure include a system having a kinematic structure configured to support an instrument and a processor. The processor is configured to place the system in a clutching mode, transition the system from the clutching mode to a set-up mode in response to detecting a joint operation of the kinematic structure, establish a desired reference location of a link relative to a portion of the kinematic structure, detect an error between an actual reference location of the link relative to the portion and the desired reference location of the link, and drive the kinematic structure so as to decrease the error. The link is distal to the portion on the kinematic structure. The error is due to manual movement of the link.

Abstract: Techniques for operating a kinematic structure by manual motion of a link coupled to the kinematic structure include a system having a kinematic structure configured to support an instrument and a processor. The processor is configured to place the system in a clutching mode, transition the system from the clutching mode to a set-up mode in response to detecting a joint operation of the kinematic structure, establish a desired reference location of a link relative to a portion of the kinematic structure, detect an error between an actual reference location of the link relative to the portion and the desired reference location of the link, and drive the kinematic structure so as to decrease the error. The link is distal to the portion on the kinematic structure. The error is due to manual movement of the link.

Abstract: Robotic and/or surgical devices, systems, and methods include a manipulator configured to be mounted to a cannula and a processor. The processor is configured to detect a mounting state of the cannula, detect an input indicating the system is to be in a set-up mode, and inhibit transition of the system to the set-up mode in response to the detected mounting state. In some embodiments, detecting the input indicating the system is to be in the set-up mode includes detecting an activation of a dedicated input button. In some embodiments, detecting the input indicating the system is to be in the set-up mode comprises detecting a joint operation of a first kinematic structure coupling the manipulator with a platform that is supported by a second kinematic structure.

Abstract: A continuity test system (100), includes a base unit (1) and a mobile unit (9). The base unit (1) is adapted to be connected to a first portion of a test item, and, the mobile unit (9) is both interconnected to said base unit (1), and adapted to be connected to a second portion of said test item. The continuity test system (100) includes a signal generator (2), adapted to generate a dual polarity measurement signal, a measurement unit (14), adapted to measure electrical parameters of said test item (16)as said dual polarity measurement signal is applied thereto, and, a processor (13, 4), to process said measured electrical parameters and provide a resultant continuity test signal output.

Abstract: Robotic and/or surgical devices, systems, and methods include a robotic device. The robotic device includes a manipulator, a drive unit coupled to the manipulator, and a processor coupled with the drive unit. The processor is configured determine that a cannula is mounted to the manipulator and inhibit, using the drive unit, manual articulation of the manipulator in response to determining that the cannula is mounted to the manipulator. In some embodiments, the robotic device further includes a linkage. The processor is further configured to determine a manual effort against the manipulator; inhibit, using the drive unit, the manual articulation of the linkage in response to the manual effort being below an articulation threshold; and facilitate, using the drive unit and in response to not determining that the cannula is mounted to the manipulator, the manual articulation of the linkage in response to the manual effort exceeding the articulation threshold.

Abstract: Robotic and/or surgical devices, systems, and methods include a manipulator configured to be mounted to a cannula and a processor. The processor is configured to detect a mounting state of the cannula, detect an input indicating the system is to be in a set-up mode, and inhibit transition of the system to the set-up mode in response to the detected mounting state. In some embodiments, detecting the input indicating the system is to be in the set-up mode includes detecting an activation of a dedicated input button. In some embodiments, detecting the input indicating the system is to be in the set-up mode comprises detecting a joint operation of a first kinematic structure coupling the manipulator with a platform that is supported by a second kinematic structure.

Abstract: Robotic and/or surgical devices, systems, and methods include kinematic linkage structures and associated control systems configured to facilitate preparation of the system for use. A set-up mode employs an intuitive user interface in which one or more joints of the kinematic linkage are initially held static by a brake or joint drive system. The user may articulate the joint(s) by manually pushing against the linkage with a force, torque, or the like that exceeds a manual articulation threshold. Articulation of the moving joints is facilitated by modifying the signals transmitted to the brake or drive system. The system may sense completion of the reconfiguration from a velocity of the joint(s) falling below a threshold, optionally for a desired dwell time. Embodiments of the invention can provide for manual movement of a platform supporting a plurality of surgical manipulators or the like without having to add additional input devices.

Abstract: Robotic and/or surgical devices, systems, and methods include kinematic linkage structures and associated control systems configured to facilitate preparation of the system for use. One or more kinematic linkage sub-systems may include joints that are actively driven, passive, or a mix of both, and may employ a set-up mode in which one or more of the joints are actively driven in response to manual articulation of one or more other joints of the kinematic chain. In an exemplary embodiment, the actively driven joints will move a platform structure that supports multiple manipulators in response to movement of one of the manipulators, facilitating and expediting the arrangement of the overall system by moving those multiple manipulators as a unit into alignment with the workspace. Manual independent positioning of the manipulator can be provided through passive set-up joint systems supporting the manipulators relative to the platform.

Abstract: A continuity test system (100), includes a base unit (1) and a mobile unit (9). The base unit (1) is adapted to be connected to a first portion of a test item, and, the mobile unit (9) is both interconnected to said base unit (1), and adapted to be connected to a second portion of said test item. The continuity test system (100) includes a signal generator (2), adapted to generate a dual polarity measurement signal, a measurement unit (14), adapted to measure electrical parameters of said test item (16)as said dual polarity measurement signal is applied thereto, and, a processor (13, 4), to process said measured electrical parameters and provide a resultant continuity test signal output.

Abstract: Robotic and/or surgical devices, systems, and methods include kinematic linkage structures and associated control systems configured to facilitate preparation of the system for use. A set-up mode employs an intuitive user interface in which one or more joints of the kinematic linkage are initially held static by a brake or joint drive system. The user may articulate the joint(s) by manually pushing against the linkage with a force, torque, or the like that exceeds a manual articulation threshold. Articulation of the moving joints is facilitated by modifying the signals transmitted to the brake or drive system. The system may sense completion of the reconfiguration from a velocity of the joint(s) falling below a threshold, optionally for a desired dwell time. Embodiments of the invention can provide for manual movement of a platform supporting a plurality of surgical manipulators or the like without having to add additional input devices.

Abstract: Robotic and/or surgical devices, systems, and methods include kinematic linkage structures and associated control systems configured to facilitate preparation of the system for use. One or more kinematic linkage sub-systems may include joints that are actively driven, passive, or a mix of both. A set-up mode employs an intuitive user interface in which one or more joints are initially held static by a brake or joint drive system. The user may articulate the joint(s) by manually pushing against the linkage with a force, torque, or the like that exceeds a manual articulation threshold. Articulation of the moving joints is facilitated by modifying the signals transmitted to the brake or drive system. The system may sense completion of the reconfiguration from a velocity of the joint(s) falling below a threshold, optionally for a desired dwell time. The system may provide a detent-like manual articulation that is not limited to mechanically pre-defined detent joint configurations.

Abstract: Robotic and/or surgical devices, systems, and methods include kinematic linkage structures and associated control systems configured to facilitate preparation of the system for use. One or more kinematic linkage sub-systems may include joints that are actively driven, passive, or a mix of both, and may employ a set-up mode in which one or more of the joints are actively driven in response to manual articulation of one or more other joints of the kinematic chain. In an exemplary embodiment, the actively driven joints will move a platform structure that supports multiple manipulators in response to movement of one of the manipulators, facilitating and expediting the arrangement of the overall system by moving those multiple manipulators as a unit into alignment with the workspace. Manual independent positioning of the manipulator can be provided through passive set-up joint systems supporting the manipulators relative to the platform.