Abstract: A method is provided for a robotic endoscope system. The method comprises: generating a 3D depth map of an environment surrounding the robotic endoscope system; autonomously actuating a self-propelled base of a robotic support system to a desired location relative to a patient bed based on the 3D depth map, wherein the robotic support system comprises a robotic arm coupled to the self-propelled base at a proximal end and coupled to a flexible endoscope apparatus via an instrument driving mechanism (IDM) at a distal end; and actuating the robotic arm to align the IDM to a component coupled to or part of the patient bed.

Abstract: A method is provided for a robotic endoscope system. The method comprises: generating a 3D depth map of an environment surrounding the robotic endoscope system; autonomously actuating a self-propelled base of a robotic support system to a desired location relative to a patient bed based on the 3D depth map, wherein the robotic support system comprises a robotic arm coupled to the self-propelled base at a proximal end and coupled to a flexible endoscope apparatus via an instrument driving mechanism (IDM) at a distal end; and actuating the robotic arm to align the IDM to a component coupled to or part of the patient bed.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a tip velocity of an articulating flexible endoscope. The method comprises: generating a command to move a tip of an elongated member of the articulating flexible endoscope at an expected velocity; receiving sensor data acquired by a sensor disposed at a distal tip portion of the elongated member to calculate a tip velocity; calculate a disparity between the expected velocity and the tip velocity; and controlling the tip velocity based on the disparity.

Abstract: A steerable endoscope system includes a continuum manipulator, a plurality of syringes, and a steerable tip. The continuum manipulator includes a plurality of spaced discs and a plurality of backbones each extending through all discs. A bending movement of the continuum manipulator changes a varying linear displacement of each backbone. Each backbone is further coupled to a different one of the syringes such that the linear displacement of each backbone pushes or pulls a piston of the corresponding syringe by a varying amount. The steerable tip includes a plurality of bellows each pneumatically coupled to a different syringe such that movement of the piston of a syringe causes the corresponding bellow to inflate or deflate. Because the distal end of each bellow is fixedly coupled to the same end effector, variations in the amount of inflation or deflation on each bellow causes a bending of the steerable tip.

Abstract: A method is provided for navigating an endoscopic device through an anatomical luminal network of a patient. The method comprises: (a) commanding a distal tip of an articulating elongate member to move along a pre-determined path; (b) concurrent with (a), collecting positional sensor data and kinematics data; and (c) computing an estimated roll angle based on the positional sensor data and the kinematics data.

Abstract: A method is provided for auto registration for a robotic endoscopic apparatus. The method comprises: (a) generate a first transformation between an orientation of the robotic endoscopic apparatus and an orientation of a location sensor based at least in part on a first set of sensor data collected using the location sensor; (b) generating a second transformation between a coordinate frame of the robotic endoscopic apparatus and a coordinate frame of a model representing an anatomical luminal network based at least in part on the first transformation and a second set of sensor data; and (c) updating, based at least in part on a third set of sensor data, the second transformation using an updating algorithm.

Abstract: An endoscopic robotic arm system and apparatus is provided. The devices and systems comprise various features improving the cost efficiency and reducing the complexity of manufacturing as well as usage. Disposable elongate members are described herein. The user interface device may also be adapted to the user behavior and may be personalized.

Abstract: An articulating flexible endoscope is provided. The endoscope comprises: a distal tip portion that is steerable via a driving mechanism; a bending section connected to the distal tip portion at a first end, and connected to a shaft portion at a transition interface, the bending section is articulated by one or more pull wires; and the shaft portion comprising one or more load transmission tubes for reducing at least a portion of the articulation force applied to the bending section by the one or more pull wires thereby improving stability of the shaft portion, the one or more load transmission tubes are anchored to the transition interface and have a length greater than the length of the shaft portion.

Abstract: A steerable endoscope system includes a continuum manipulator, a plurality of syringes, and a steerable tip. The continuum manipulator includes a plurality of spaced discs and a plurality of backbones each extending through all discs. A bending movement of the continuum manipulator changes a varying linear displacement of each backbone. Each backbone is further coupled to a different one of the syringes such that the linear displacement of each backbone pushes or pulls a piston of the corresponding syringe by a varying amount. The steerable tip includes a plurality of bellows each pneumatically coupled to a different syringe such that movement of the piston of a syringe causes the corresponding bellow to inflate or deflate. Because the distal end of each bellow is fixedly coupled to the same end effector, variations in the amount of inflation or deflation on each bellow causes a bending of the steerable tip.