Abstract: A method and apparatus for manipulating tissue. A tissue control point is displayed over an image of the tissue in a user interface. An input is received that moves the tissue control point within the user interface. A first instrument that is physically associated with the tissue is operated based on the received input to thereby manipulate the tissue.

Abstract: A surgical method is provided, comprising: providing an information structure in a computer readable storage device that associates an indication of surgeon skill level in at least one surgical activity performed using the surgical instrument with a surgical instrument actuator safety state of the surgical instrument for use during performance of the at least one surgical activity using the surgical instrument by a surgeon having the indicated skill level; tracking surgical instrument actuator state of a surgical instrument during performance of a surgical procedure by a surgeon; and transitioning the surgical instrument actuator state of the surgical instrument to the surgical instrument safety state during performance of the at least one surgical activity by the surgeon using the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manipulating tissue. A tissue control point is displayed over an image of the tissue in a user interface. An input is received that moves the tissue control point within the user interface. A first instrument that is physically associated with the tissue is operated based on the received input to thereby manipulate the tissue.

Abstract: A system includes first and second manipulating means, and a means for detecting mounting of an imaging means to the first manipulating means, a means for determining a first reference frame for the imaging means while the imaging means is mounted to the first manipulating means, a means for controlling a tool means relative to the first reference frame by maintaining a position and orientation of a distal portion of the tool means relative to the imaging means in the first reference frame based on a position and orientation of an input means relative to a display means, a means for detecting mounting of the imaging means to the second manipulating means, a means for determining a second reference frame for the imaging means while the imaging means is mounted to the second manipulating means, and a means for controlling the tool means relative to the second reference frame.

Abstract: A system and method of variable velocity control of an instrument by a computer-assisted device includes a computer-assisted device that includes an actuator and one or more processors. To perform an operation with an instrument coupled to the computer-assisted device, the one or more processors are configured to set a velocity set point of the actuator to an initial velocity, monitor force or torque applied by the actuator to actuate the instrument, when the applied force or torque is above a first force or torque limit, determine whether a total duration of a set of pauses occurring during the operation of the instrument is below a maximum pause threshold, and in response to determining that the total duration is below the maximum pause threshold, pause the operation of the instrument.

Abstract: A system and method of variable velocity control of an instrument by a computer-assisted device includes a computer-assisted device that includes an actuator and one or more processors. To perform an operation with an instrument coupled to the computer-assisted device, the one or more processors are configured to set a velocity set point of the actuator to an initial velocity, monitor force or torque applied by the actuator to actuate the instrument, when the applied force or torque is above a first force or torque limit, determine whether a total duration of a set of pauses occurring during the operation of the instrument is below a maximum pause threshold, and in response to determining that the total duration is below the maximum pause threshold, pause the operation of the instrument.

Abstract: Inter-operative switching of tools in a robotic system includes a system with a plurality of manipulators and a controller. The controller is configured to detect mounting of a first imaging device to a first manipulator of the plurality of manipulators, the first imaging device having a first reference frame; in response to detecting the mounting of the first imaging device, control a tool relative to the first reference frame using a second manipulator of the plurality of manipulators, the tool being mounted to the second manipulator; detect mounting of a second imaging device to a third manipulator of the plurality of manipulators, the second imaging device having a second reference frame; and in response to detecting the mounting of the second imaging device, control the tool relative to the second reference frame using the second manipulator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for instrument control include first and second actuators and a controller configured to command the first actuator to maintain a first degree of freedom (DOF) of an instrument at a first position; command the second actuator to maintain a second DOF of the instrument at a second position; detect, while the first actuator is maintaining the first DOF at the first position, a first manual actuation of the first actuator that exceeds a first threshold; detect, while the second actuator is maintaining the second DOF at the second position, a second manual actuation of the second actuator that does not exceed a second threshold; and in response to detecting that the first manual actuation exceeds the first threshold and the second manual actuation does not exceed the second threshold, terminate the command to the first actuator to maintain the first DOF at the first position.

Abstract: Surgical instruments and assemblies for sealing and cutting tissue monitor jaw angle and/or jaw clamping force to provide feedback to an operator of the surgical instrument indicative of whether the tissue is suitable clamped for sealing and/or cutting. A surgical instrument or assembly includes a jaw operable to clamp tissue, a sealing mechanism, a cutting mechanism, an actuation monitoring assembly, and a feedback assembly. The actuation monitoring assembly monitors jaw angle and/or clamping force. The feedback assembly outputs feedback to the operator, based on the jaw angle and/or clamping force, as to whether the current clamping angle and/or jaw angle is suitable for sealing and/or clamping tissue.

Abstract: Surgical instruments and assemblies for sealing and cutting tissue monitor jaw angle and/or jaw clamping force to provide feedback to an operator of the surgical instrument indicative of whether the tissue is suitable clamped for sealing and/or cutting. A surgical instrument or assembly includes a jaw operable to clamp tissue, a sealing mechanism, a cutting mechanism, an actuation monitoring assembly, and a feedback assembly. The actuation monitoring assembly monitors jaw angle and/or clamping force. The feedback assembly outputs feedback to the operator, based on the jaw angle and/or clamping force, as to whether the current clamping angle and/or jaw angle is suitable for sealing and/or clamping tissue.

Abstract: A computer-assisted device include an actuator and one or more processors. The computer-assisted device is configured to support an instrument having an end effector located at a distal end. To perform an operation with the instrument, the one or more processors are configured to operate the end effector according to a state machine having a first state and a second state. In the first state a velocity set point of the actuator is set to a first velocity. In the second state the velocity set point of the actuator is set to a second velocity lower than the first velocity. The state machine transitions from the first state to the second state when a force or torque applied by the actuator is above a first threshold and transitions from the second state to the first state when the force or torque applied by the actuator is below a second threshold.

Abstract: A surgical method is provided, comprising: providing an information structure in a computer readable storage device that associates an indication of surgeon skill level in at least one surgical activity performed using the surgical instrument with a surgical instrument actuator safety state of the surgical instrument for use during performance of the at least one surgical activity using the surgical instrument by a surgeon having the indicated skill level; tracking surgical instrument actuator state of a surgical instrument during performance of a surgical procedure by a surgeon; and transitioning the surgical instrument actuator state of the surgical instrument to the surgical instrument safety state during performance of the at least one surgical activity by the surgeon using the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A surgical method is provided, comprising: providing an information structure in a computer readable storage device that associates an indication of surgeon skill level in at least one surgical activity performed using the surgical instrument with a surgical instrument actuator safety state of the surgical instrument for use during performance of the at least one surgical activity using the surgical instrument by a surgeon having the indicated skill level; tracking surgical instrument actuator state of a surgical instrument during performance of a surgical procedure by a surgeon; and transitioning the surgical instrument actuator state of the surgical instrument to the surgical instrument safety state during performance of the at least one surgical activity by the surgeon using the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A system and method of variable velocity control of a surgical instrument in a computer-assisted medical device including an end effector located at a distal end of the instrument, an actuator, and drive mechanisms for coupling force or torque from the actuator to the end effector. To perform an operation with the instrument, the computer-assisted medical device sets a velocity set point of the actuator to an initial velocity, monitors force or torque applied by the actuator, reduces the velocity set point when the applied force or torque is above a first threshold, increases the velocity set point when the applied force or torque is below a second threshold, decreases the velocity set point to zero when the applied force or torque is above a maximum threshold, and drives the actuator based on the velocity set point. The first and second thresholds are lower than the maximum threshold.

Abstract: A surgical method is provided, comprising: providing an information structure in a computer readable storage device that associates an indication of surgeon skill level in at least one surgical activity performed using the surgical instrument with a surgical instrument actuator safety state of the surgical instrument for use during performance of the at least one surgical activity using the surgical instrument by a surgeon having the indicated skill level; tracking surgical instrument actuator state of a surgical instrument during performance of a surgical procedure by a surgeon; and transitioning the surgical instrument actuator state of the surgical instrument to the surgical instrument safety state during performance of the at least one surgical activity by the surgeon using the surgical instrument.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for providing commanded movement of an end effector of a manipulator while providing a desired movement of one or more joints of the manipulator. Methods include augmenting a Jacobian so that joint movements calculated from the Jacobian perform one or more auxiliary tasks and/or desired joint movements concurrent with commanded end effector movement, the one or more auxiliary tasks and/or desired joint movements extending into a null-space. The auxiliary tasks and desired joint movements include inhibiting movement of one or more joints, inhibiting collisions between adjacent manipulators or between a manipulator and a patient surface, commanded reconfiguration of one or more joints, or various other tasks or combinations thereof. Such joint movements may be provided using joint velocities calculated from the pseudo-inverse solution of the: augmented Jacobian. Various configurations for systems utilizing such methods are provided herein.

Abstract: Inter-operative switching of tools in a robotic system includes a system with a plurality of manipulators and a controller. The controller is configured to detect mounting of a first imaging device to a first manipulator of the plurality of manipulators, the first imaging device having a first reference frame; in response to detecting the mounting of the first imaging device, control a tool relative to the first reference frame using a second manipulator of the plurality of manipulators, the tool being mounted to the second manipulator; detect mounting of a second imaging device to a third manipulator of the plurality of manipulators, the second imaging device having a second reference frame; and in response to detecting the mounting of the second imaging device, control the tool relative to the second reference frame using the second manipulator.

Abstract: A system and method of variable velocity control of a surgical instrument in a computer-assisted medical device includes a surgical instrument having an end effector located at a distal end of the instrument, an actuator, and one or more drive mechanisms for coupling force or torque from the actuator to the end effector. To perform an operation with the instrument, the computer-assisted medical device is configured to set a velocity set point of the actuator to an initial velocity and monitor force or torque applied by the actuator. When the applied force or torque is above a first force or torque limit it is determined whether a continue condition for the operation is satisfied. When the continue condition is satisfied the operation is paused and when the continue condition is not satisfied it is determined whether forced firing of the actuator should take place.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manipulating tissue. A tissue control point is displayed over an image of the tissue in a user interface. An input is received that moves the tissue control point within the user interface. A first instrument that is physically associated with the tissue is operated based on the received input to thereby manipulate the tissue.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of manipulators and a controller. The controller is configured to detect mounting of a first imaging device to a first manipulator of the plurality of manipulators, determine a first reference frame for the first imaging device based on the mounting of the first imaging device to the first manipulator, detect mounting of a second imaging device to a second manipulator of the plurality of manipulators, select the first imaging device as a reference imaging device, and in response to selecting the first imaging device as the reference imaging device, control the second imaging device relative to the first reference frame. In some embodiments, the controller is configured to select the first imaging device as the reference imaging device in response to the first imaging device being mounted prior to the second imaging device operator selection or based on a type of the first imaging device.