Abstract: A surgical instrument apparatus for performing a surgical procedure within a body cavity of a patient is disclosed and includes an elongate manipulator having a distal end for receiving an end effector and including a plurality of control links extending through the manipulator operable to cause movement of the distal end in response to movement of the control links in a longitudinal direction. An actuator chassis is disposed at a proximal end of the manipulator and includes a plurality of actuators slidingly mounted within the actuator chassis for linear movement in the longitudinal direction. Each actuator is coupled to a control link and adjacently disposed about a curved periphery of the actuator chassis. An outwardly oriented portion couples a drive force to the actuator to cause movement of the control link.

Abstract: A surgical head clamp and robotics platform secures a head of a patient and positions an instrument relative to the head for a medical procedure. The head clamp and robotics platform comprises a planar C-shaped frame for at least partially encircling the head of a patient. An instrument arm is mounted is to a free distal end of one arm member of the frame. The instrument arm extends away from the arm member in a direction transverse to the plane of the frame. The instrument arm includes a base mounted to the arm member for movement along, three degrees of freedom relative to the frame, a proximal portion extending from and pivotally connected to the base, and a distal instrument holder extending from and pivotally connected to the proximal portion. The instrument arm functions to selectively position the instrument in an angular position relative to the head clamp.

Abstract: A visualization device for a robotic surgery apparatus includes a housing configured to be removably attached to a mounting interface of the apparatus and be positioned adjacent an insertion device of the apparatus. The housing includes first and second openings positioned on an exterior of the housing. The housing includes a substantially flexible camera tube with a first end attached to the housing and a second end including at least one camera. The second end is inserted through the first opening in the housing, pass through interior of the housing, and exit the housing through the second opening in the housing. The second end extends away from the housing toward a region of interest outside the housing or retract away from the region of interest and back toward the housing. The camera tube forms a loop around a portion of the housing.

Abstract: An insertion device for a single port robotic surgery apparatus can include an insertion section with first and second camera channels and an instrument channel, the first camera channel configured to facilitate insertion and removal of a primary camera, the second camera channel configured to enclose a secondary camera, and the instrument channel configured to permit insertion and removal of a surgical instrument from the insertion section, The insertion device can include a housing attached to the insertion section, the housing including a passage configured to permit at least a portion of the primary camera to pass through the housing into the first camera channel and exit the first camera channel. The secondary camera can be configured to provide image data of a surgical site to facilitate insertion into the surgical site of at least one of the surgical instrument or the primary camera.

Abstract: A surgical instrument apparatus for performing a surgical procedure within a body cavity of a patient is disclosed and includes an elongate manipulator having a distal end for receiving an end effector and including a plurality of control links extending through the manipulator operable to cause movement of the distal end in response to movement of the control links in a longitudinal direction. An actuator chassis is disposed at a proximal end of the manipulator and includes a plurality of actuators slidingly mounted within the actuator chassis for linear movement in the longitudinal direction. Each actuator is coupled to a control link and adjacently disposed about a curved periphery of the actuator chassis. An outwardly oriented portion couples a drive force to the actuator to cause movement of the control link.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an insertion device for a single port robotic surgery apparatus includes a plurality of instrument channels positioned in an interior of a housing and extending along substantially an entire length of the housing, the plurality of instrument channels configured to removably house a plurality of surgical instruments, a plurality of openings in a rear exterior surface of the housing, the plurality of openings providing access to the plurality of instrument channels and configured to facilitate insertion of the plurality of surgical instruments into the plurality of instrument channels, and an illumination device supported at least partially at the rear exterior surface of the housing and positioned proximal to the plurality of openings, the illumination device configured to illuminate the openings to facilitate insertion of the plurality of instruments through the plurality of openings.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a visualization device for a robotic surgery apparatus can include a housing configured to be removably attached to a mounting interface of the apparatus and be positioned adjacent an insertion device of the apparatus. The housing can include first and second openings positioned on an exterior of the housing. The housing can include a substantially flexible camera tube with a first end attached to the housing and a second end including at least one camera. The second end can be inserted through the first opening in the housing, pass through interior of the housing, and exit the housing through the second opening in the housing. The second end can extend away from the housing toward a region of interest outside the housing or retract away from the region of interest and back toward the housing. The camera tube can form a loop around a portion of the housing.

Abstract: An insertion device for a single port robotic surgery apparatus can include an insertion section with first and second camera channels and an instrument channel, the first camera channel configured to facilitate insertion and removal of a primary camera, the second camera channel configured to enclose a secondary camera, and the instrument channel configured to permit insertion and removal of a surgical instrument from the insertion section, The insertion device can include a housing attached to the insertion section, the housing including a passage configured to permit at least a portion of the primary camera to pass through the housing into the first camera channel and exit the first camera channel. The secondary camera can be configured to provide image data of a surgical site to facilitate insertion into the surgical site of at least one of the surgical instrument or the primary camera.

Abstract: A surgical instrument apparatus for performing a surgical procedure within a body cavity of a patient is disclosed and includes an elongate manipulator having a distal end for receiving an end effector and including a plurality of control links extending through the manipulator operable to cause movement of the distal end in response to movement of the control links in a longitudinal direction. An actuator chassis is disposed at a proximal end of the manipulator and includes a plurality of actuators slidingly mounted within the actuator chassis for linear movement in the longitudinal direction. Each actuator is coupled to a control link and adjacently disposed about a curved periphery of the actuator chassis. An outwardly oriented portion couples a drive force to the actuator to cause movement of the control link. A proximate end of the manipulator may be laterally offset to facilitate location of the surgical instrument apparatus closely adjacent to another surgical instrument apparatus.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an insertion device for a single port robotic surgery apparatus includes a plurality of instrument channels positioned in an interior of a housing and extending along substantially an entire length of the housing, the plurality of instrument channels configured to removably house a plurality of surgical instruments, a plurality of openings in a rear exterior surface of the housing, the plurality of openings providing access to the plurality of instrument channels and configured to facilitate insertion of the plurality of surgical instruments into the plurality of instrument channels, and an illumination device supported at least partially at the rear exterior surface of the housing and positioned proximal to the plurality of openings, the illumination device configured to illuminate the openings to facilitate insertion of the plurality of instruments through the plurality of openings.

Abstract: Methods and systems for insertion of an instrument into a body cavity of an animal for performing a surgical procedure using a processor circuit controlled robotic surgery system are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method involves receiving body cavity image data representing an interior view of the body cavity captured by a camera inserted into the body cavity, determining, by the processor circuit, instrument parameters associated with physical extents of the instrument to be inserted, determining, by the processor circuit, an instrument envelope identifying a region through which the instrument is capable of moving in the body cavity, and generating, by the processor circuit, display signals operable to display a composite view of the interior of the body cavity on a display, the composite view being based on the body cavity image data and including an envelope overlay image generated to represent the instrument envelope.

Abstract: A foot pedal apparatus for use with a workstation operated by a seated user in controlling a robotic surgery system is disclosed. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a platform mountable to the workstation proximate a floor surface on which the workstation is located. The apparatus also includes a first pedal mounted on the platform and having an upwardly disposed actuation surface, and a second pedal mounted vertically elevated with respect to the first pedal and having an upwardly disposed actuation surface, the second pedal having at least a proximate portion vertically overlapping a distal portion of the first pedal such that the first and second pedals have a mounted depth in a direction away from the user that is less than a sum of the respective individual depths of the first and second pedals.

Abstract: A method of preparing a robotic surgery apparatus for a medical procedure can include covering a manipulator unit of the robotic surgery apparatus with a first sterile barrier by coupling a drape coupler of the first sterile barrier to a bottom surface of the manipulator unit and wrapping a drape of the first sterile barrier around side and top surfaces of the manipulator unit. The drape can be coupled to the drape coupler. The drape can be made of material that is more flexible than material of the drape coupler. The method can include covering an arm of the robotic surgery apparatus supporting the manipulator unit with a second sterile barrier that is distinct from the first sterile barrier by coupling the second sterile barrier to the arm and wrapping the second sterile barrier around the arm.

Abstract: Methods and systems for insertion of an instrument into a body cavity of an animal for performing a surgical procedure using a processor circuit controlled robotic surgery system are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method involves receiving body cavity image data representing an interior view of the body cavity captured by a camera inserted into the body cavity, determining, by the processor circuit, instrument parameters associated with physical extents of the instrument to be inserted, determining, by the processor circuit, an instrument envelope identifying a region through which the instrument is capable of moving in the body cavity, and generating, by the processor circuit, display signals operable to display a composite view of the interior of the body cavity on a display, the composite view being based on the body cavity image data and including an envelope overlay image generated to represent the instrument envelope.

Abstract: A method of preparing a robotic surgery apparatus for a medical procedure can include covering a manipulator unit of the robotic surgery apparatus with a first sterile barrier by coupling a drape coupler of the first sterile barrier to a bottom surface of the manipulator unit and wrapping a drape of the first sterile barrier around side and top surfaces of the manipulator unit. The drape can be coupled to the drape coupler. The drape can be made of material that is more flexible than material of the drape coupler. The method can include covering an arm of the robotic surgery apparatus supporting the manipulator unit with a second sterile barrier that is distinct from the first sterile barrier by coupling the second sterile barrier to the arm and wrapping the second sterile barrier around the arm.

Abstract: A foot pedal apparatus for use with a workstation operated by a seated user in controlling a robotic surgery system is disclosed. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a platform mountable to the workstation proximate a floor surface on which the workstation is located. The apparatus also includes a first pedal mounted on the platform and having an upwardly disposed actuation surface, and a second pedal mounted vertically elevated with respect to the first pedal and having an upwardly disposed actuation surface, the second pedal having at least a proximate portion vertically overlapping a distal portion of the first pedal such that the first and second pedals have a mounted depth in a direction away from the user that is less than a sum of the respective individual depths of the first and second pedals.

Abstract: A method of preparing a robotic surgery apparatus for a medical procedure can include covering a manipulator unit of the robotic surgery apparatus with a first sterile barrier by coupling a drape coupler of the first sterile barrier to a bottom surface of the manipulator unit and wrapping a drape of the first sterile barrier around side and top surfaces of the manipulator unit. The drape can be coupled to the drape coupler. The drape can be made of material that is more flexible than material of the drape coupler. The method can include covering an arm of the robotic surgery apparatus supporting the manipulator unit with a second sterile barrier that is distinct from the first sterile barrier by coupling the second sterile barrier to the arm and wrapping the second sterile barrier around the arm.

Abstract: A sterile barrier system for a robotic surgery apparatus can include a drape coupler. The drape coupler can include an external surface configured to face a first surface of a first portion of the robotic surgery apparatus. The drape coupler can include at least one drape coupler fastener positioned at least partially on the external surface and configured to removably attach the drape coupler to the first surface. The drape coupler can be configured to at least partially cover the first surface. The system can include a drape made of a flexible material and coupled to the drape coupler, the drape configured to wrap around a second surface of the first portion of the robotic surgery apparatus, the second surface different from the first surface. The drape coupler and the drape can be sterile.

Abstract: An instrument adapter for a robotic surgery apparatus can include an adapter housing configured to receive and support an actuator housing of a surgical instrument. The actuator housing can include a plurality of surgical instrument actuators. The adapter can include a plurality of interface actuators configured to engage with the plurality of instrument actuators of the actuator housing and cause movement of the instrument actuators. Movement of the instrument actuators can cause movement of an end effector of the surgical instrument. The instrument adapter can be configured to facilitate the actuator housing of the surgical instrument to transition from a first orientation in which the interface actuators are not engaged with the instrument actuators of the surgical instrument to a second orientation in which the interface actuators are engaged with the instrument actuators.