Abstract: A method may include coupling a proximal end of a first cannula to a first manipulator of a surgical system, the first manipulator being configured to remotely actuate movement of the first cannula, wherein the first cannula comprises a rigid portion disposed between the proximal end and a distal end of the first cannula, the rigid portion having a curved longitudinal axis, and coupling a proximal end of a second cannula to a second manipulator of a surgical system, the second manipulator being configured to remotely actuate movement of the second cannula, wherein the second cannula comprises a rigid portion disposed between the proximal end and a distal end of the second cannula, the rigid portion having a curved longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a force sensor apparatus that is immune to noise from arcing cautery without relying on fiber optic strain gauges, and that is autoclabable. The surgical instrument includes a housing, a shaft, the force sensor apparatus, a joint, and an end component. The force sensor apparatus includes at least one strain gauge that is enclosed in a Faraday cage. The Faraday cage includes a sensor capsule that includes one or more strain gauges, a cable shield tube connected to the sensor capsule, and an electronics enclosure connected to the cable shield tube. The sensor capsule is positioned between the joint and the shaft. The cable shield tube extends through the shaft to the electronics enclosure that is within the housing.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided that includes an elongated shaft that includes a proximal end and a distal end; a cantilever beam is disposed at the distal end of the shaft; an optical fiber extends within a channel that extends within between proximal and distal portions of the cantilever beam; a first fiber Bragg grating (FBG) is formed in a segment of the optical fiber within the proximal portion of the beam; a second FBG is formed in a segment of the optical fiber within the distal portion of the beam.

Abstract: A medical apparatus can include an instrument comprising a shaft and a jaw assembly coupled to an end of the shaft; an image capture device; and a controller operably coupled to the image capture device to receive image data from the image capture device. The image data is from images of material gripped between jaw members of the jaw assembly and captured by the image capture device, with the controller programmed to process the received image data using at least one of optical flow and digital image correlation. A medical apparatus can include an instrument comprising a shaft, and a jaw assembly coupled to an end of the shaft, the jaw assembly comprising a pair of jaw members having opposing surfaces configured to grasp material between the opposing surfaces, wherein at least a portion of the opposing surface of a first jaw member of the pair of jaw members is transparent.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and end effector coupled to the distal end of the shaft. An electrical transmission conduit extends along the shaft from the proximal end to the distal end and is configured to deliver electrical energy to energize the end effector. A connector assembly electrically couples the electrical transmission conduit to the end effector, and the end effector is pivotably coupled to the connector assembly. In another aspect, a surgical instrument includes a pin, an electrically conductive connector including a contact portion and an attachment, the contact portion surrounding the pin. An electrical conduit is electrically coupled to the attachment of the connector. An electrically conductive jaw including an aperture is pivotable around the contact portion, and the contact portion electrically contacts the jaw at the aperture of the jaw.

Abstract: A computer-assisted medical system includes manipulators, a user input system, a user output system comprising a display device, and a controller configured to execute instructions to perform operations. The operations include, in a pairing mode and in response to a first set of signals generated by the user input system, causing a virtual selector shown on the display device to move relative to an imagery shown on the display device. The operations further include, in the pairing mode, associating a first manipulator with a portion of the user input system based on movement of the virtual selector relative to a represented location of the first instrument, and, in a following mode, controlling motion of the first instrument in accordance to a second set of signals generated by the user input system in response to operation of the portion of the user input system by a user.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided that includes an elongated shaft that includes a proximal end and a distal end; a cantilever beam is disposed at the distal end of the shaft; an optical fiber extends within a channel that extends within between proximal and distal portions of the cantilever beam; a first fiber Bragg grating (FBG) is formed in a segment of the optical fiber within the proximal portion of the beam; a second FBG is formed in a segment of the optical fiber within the distal portion of the beam.

Abstract: A surgical instrument shaft is provided that includes a hollow tube formed of a base material and including an inner wall surface and an outer wall surface; reinforcing glass material is embedded between the inner surface and outer wall surface; an optical fiber is embedded within the base material between the inner wall surface and the outer wall surface.

Abstract: A teleoperational medical system comprises an input device and a manipulator configured to couple with and move an instrument. The system also comprises a control system including one or more processors. In response to a determination that the instrument is inserted into an instrument workspace in a corresponding direction to a field of view of the workspace, the control system is configured to map movement of the input device to movement of the instrument according to a first mapping. In response to a determination that the instrument is inserted into the instrument workspace in a non-corresponding direction to the field of view, the control system is configured to map movement of the input device to movement of the instrument according to a second mapping. The second mapping includes an inversion of the first mapping for at least one direction of motion of the instrument.

Abstract: A mechanical interface for a robotic medical instrument permits engagement of the instrument and a drive system without causing movement of an actuated portion of the instrument. An instrument interface can include a symmetrical, tapered or cylinthical projection on one of a medical instrument or a drive system and a complementary bore in the other of the drive system or the medical instrument. Symmetry of the projection and the bore allows the projection to be compression fit to the bore regardless of the rotation angle of the drive system relative to the medical instrument.

Abstract: A cannula is provided that includes a head portion that defines a proximal opening sized to receive one or more surgical instruments; an elongated inner tube rigidly fastened to the head portion defines an elongated conduit; a surgical instrument can be inserted within the conduit; an elongated overtube rigidly fastened to the head portion is coaxially aligned with the inner tube and extends about a portion of the inner tube; an inner wall of the overtube is spaced apart from an outer wall of the inner tube; sensors are disposed on the overtube to provide an indication of forces applied to the outer wall of the overtube in a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal dimension of the overtube.

Abstract: A system includes a medical instrument that includes a termination fixture, an actuated element, and drive members coupled to the actuated element and extending to the termination fixture. The termination fixture provides an interface that exposes portions of the drive member to direct movement by an external system that may include a manipulator and a sterile barrier.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating haptic surface texture with a deformable surface layer are disclosed. The haptic device includes a flexible surface layer, a haptic substrate, and a deforming mechanism. The flexible surface layer is made of elastic materials and is capable of reconfiguring its surface characteristics. The haptic substrate, in one embodiment, provides a first pattern in response to a first activating signal. Alternatively, the haptic substrate is capable of providing a second pattern in accordance with a second activating signal. The deforming mechanism is configured to change the flexible surface from a first surface characteristic to a second surface characteristic in accordance with the first pattern.

Abstract: An instrument system includes an instrument, a drive system, and a controller operably connected to a first drive mechanism and a second drive mechanism of the drive system. The controller is configured to operate the first drive mechanism and the second drive mechanism drive a flexible tensioning member of the instrument to cause movement of an end effector of the instrument while maintaining a tension applied to the flexible tensioning member of the instrument in a tension range.

Abstract: A method comprises providing a medical instrument having a first tendon that extends from an interface at a proximal end of the medical instrument to an actuated element at a distal end of the medical instrument. The first tendon has a first tension in the medical instrument as provided. The interface comprises a first plate connected to a second plate by a support. The first tendon has a portion extending between the first and second plate and passing through holes in the first and second plates. The interface also comprises an engagement structure attached to a proximal end of the first tendon. The method also comprises receiving the engagement structure into engagement with a manipulator which includes increasing tension in the first tendon from the first tension to a preload tension. After receiving the engagement structure, the actuated element is actuated by pulling the first tendon.

Abstract: A mechanical interface for a robotic medical instrument permits engagement of the instrument and a drive system without causing movement of an actuated portion of the instrument. An instrument interface can include a symmetrical, tapered or cylindrical projection on one of a medical instrument or a drive system and a complementary bore in the other of the drive system or the medical instrument. Symmetry of the projection and the bore allows the projection to be compression fit to the bore regardless of the rotation angle of the drive system relative to the medical instrument.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of actuator mechanisms for a multi-touch tactile touch panel are disclosed. The tactile touch panel includes an electrical insulated layer and a tactile layer. The top surface of the electrical insulated layer is capable of receiving an input from a user. The tactile layer includes a grid or an array of haptic cells. The top surface of the haptic layer is situated adjacent to the bottom surface of the electrical insulated layer, while the bottom surface of the haptic layer is situated adjacent to a display. Each haptic cell further includes at least one piezoelectric material, Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (“MEMS”) element, thermal fluid pocket, MEMS pump, resonant device, variable porosity membrane, laminar flow modulation, or the like. Each haptic cell is configured to provide a haptic effect independent of other haptic cells in the tactile layer.

Abstract: A cannula is provided that includes a head portion that defines a proximal opening sized to receive one or more surgical instruments; an elongated inner tube rigidly fastened to the head portion defines an elongated conduit; a surgical instrument can be inserted within the conduit; an elongated overtube rigidly fastened to the head portion is coaxially aligned with the inner tube and extends about a portion of the inner tube; an inner wall of the overtube is spaced apart from an outer wall of the inner tube; sensors are disposed on the overtube to provide an indication of forces applied to the outer wall of the overtube in a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal dimension of the overtube.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a wrist, an end effector, a cable pair, and a transmission. A proximal wrist portion is coupled to a distal end portion of a shaft. Actuation of the wrist moves a distal wrist portion relative to the proximal wrist portion. The end effector is coupled to the distal wrist portion, and can be actuated to move relative to the wrist. The transmission is coupled to a proximal end portion of the shaft, and can move an end of the cable pair to actuate the end effector. The end of the cable pair is routed through a transmission cable path within the transmission. The transmission includes an adjustment mechanism having an input portion that receives a force exerted by the end of the cable pair. The adjustment mechanism is configured to change a length of the transmission cable path in response to a change in the force.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes a snake wrist structure further including: a first joint disk having a first rim having a first tooth slot and a first toothed gear with the first tooth slot opposite the first toothed gear along the first rim; and a first strut having a first slot bearing and a first hole bearing connected by a first connection strut with the first slot bearing in the first tooth slot.