Abstract: A jaw closure transmission system is presented that includes an input sub-system, output sub-system and a transmission sub-system. These transmission sub-systems may utilize the transmission member as an energy storing device over a certain portion of an input stroke, to achieve a specific desired performance of the surgical tool. These apparatuses and methods may be particularly useful with hand-held, minimally invasive surgical tools having jaws.

Abstract: A jaw closure transmission system is presented comprising an input sub-system, output sub-system and a transmission sub-system.

Abstract: A parallel kinematic mechanism apparatus includes a frame, a handle and an input joint that connects having at least two independent and functionally parallel paths for transmission of motion coupling the handle to the frame. A first path includes a first intermediate body connected to the frame by a first connector and to the handle by a third connector while the second path that is independent from the first path includes a second intermediate body that is connected to the frame by a second connector and to the handle by a fourth connector. The first connector and the fourth connector both allow rotation in a first rotational direction and restrict rotation in a second rotational direction and the second and third connectors allow rotation in the second rotational direction and restrict rotation in the first rotational direction.

Abstract: Many embodiments of a surgical tool are set forth herein that can be employed for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures and in remote access surgical procedures. The surgical tool has multiple bodies with one or more detachable structural interfaces that can be established between one or more pairs of the bodies. Certain locks, interlocks, and/or joints can be present in the surgical tool and among the bodies in various embodiments in order to provide certain functionalities during use.

Abstract: An articulating joint comprising a multi-cluster joint where every consecutive pair of links is interfaced by a gimbal, which offers rotation about two orthogonal axes within the same plane. Thus, the articulating joint comprises an alternating sequence of links and gimbals. Furthermore, there may be multiple cables attached to one or more of the links. As these cables are selectively pulled and released, one can achieve any desired articulation of the articulating joint. There may be a transmission member extending through the links and gimbals, parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the joint in its nominal non-articulated condition. This transmission member may be either a tension member that is pulled on (e.g. a cable or flexible pull rod) and that loads the articulating joint in compression, or the transmission member may be a flexible push rod that loads the articulating joint in tension.

Abstract: A passenger state modulation system for passenger vehicles is presented. The passenger state modulation system operates to predict events that will impact the passengers state (e.g., motion sickness) before they happen and use the prediction to implement preemptive interventions with active vehicle sub-systems.

Abstract: An articulating joint comprising a multi-cluster joint where every consecutive pair of links is interfaced by a gimbal, which offers rotation about two orthogonal axes within the same plane. Thus, the articulating joint comprises an alternating sequence of links and gimbals. Furthermore, there may be multiple cables attached to one or more of the links. As these cables are selectively pulled and released, one can achieve any desired articulation of the articulating joint. There may be a transmission member extending through the links and gimbals, parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the joint in its nominal non-articulated condition. This transmission member may be either a tension member that is pulled on (e.g. a cable or flexible pull rod) and that loads the articulating joint in compression, or the transmission member may be a flexible push rod that loads the articulating joint in tension.

Abstract: A jaw closure transmission system is presented comprising an input sub-system, output sub-system and a transmission sub-system.

Abstract: An example roll handle assembly includes a handle body, a roll body, a closure body, and a shuttle body. The roll body is coupled to the handle body and has a rotational degree of freedom about a roll axis relative to the handle body. The roll body is translationally constrained along the roll axis relative to the handle body. The closure body is coupled to the handle body and has one or more degrees of freedom of motion relative to the handle body. The shuttle body is coupled to the roll body and the closure body, and has a translational degree of freedom along the roll axis relative to the roll body. The shuttle body is rotationally constrained about the roll axis relative to the roll body, and has a rotational degree of freedom about the roll axis relative to the closure body.

Abstract: Slack-compensating pulleys, transmission systems including slack-compensating pulleys, and methods of operating these. In general, slack-compensating pulleys include a pulley body onto which a cable can wind, and one or more (e.g., two) slack take-up surfaces that rotate with the pulley body that are configured to remove slack form an outgoing length of cable by increasing the cable path length and wrap angle. In particular, described herein are minimal access tools having slack-compensating transmissions.

Abstract: A parallel kinematic mechanism apparatus includes a frame, a handle and an input joint that connects having at least two independent and functionally parallel paths for transmission of motion coupling the handle to the frame. A first path includes a first intermediate body connected to the frame by a first connector and to the handle by a third connector while the second path that is independent from the first path includes a second intermediate body that is connected to the frame by a second connector and to the handle by a fourth connector. The first connector and the fourth connector both allow rotation in a first rotational direction and restrict rotation in a second rotational direction and the second and third connectors allow rotation in the second rotational direction and restrict rotation in the first rotational direction.

Abstract: A parallel kinematic mechanism apparatus includes a frame, a handle and an input joint that connects having at least two independent and functionally parallel paths for transmission of motion coupling the handle to the frame. A first path includes a first intermediate body connected to the frame by a first connector and to the handle by a third connector while the second path that is independent from the first path includes a second intermediate body that is connected to the frame by a second connector and to the handle by a fourth connector. The first connector and the fourth connector both allow rotation in a first rotational direction and restrict rotation in a second rotational direction and the second and third connectors allow rotation in the second rotational direction and restrict rotation in the first rotational direction.

Abstract: Devices having a handle that provides unlimited roll to an end-effector at the distal end of the device. For example, described herein are medical devices that have an elongate tool frame, an end-effector, and a handle that includes: a first portion, a second portion that rolls relative to the first portion, a push rod within the first portion connected to a control input, and a shuttle body within the second portion that rotates with the second portion but is axially driven by the push rod when the user actuates the control input. The device may include a proximal wrist/forearm attachment allowing one or more degrees of freedom in pitch, yaw or roll about the user's arm. The handle may articulate relative to the tool frame, and this articulation may be transmitted to the end-effector. The end-effector may be a jaw assembly.

Abstract: A jaw closure transmission system is presented comprising an input sub-system, output sub-system and a transmission sub-system.

Abstract: Slack-compensating pulleys, transmission systems including slack-compensating pulleys, and methods of operating these. In general, slack-compensating pulleys include a pulley body onto which a cable can wind, and one or more (e.g., two) slack take-up surfaces that rotate with the pulley body that are configured to remove slack form an outgoing length of cable by increasing the cable path length and wrap angle. In particular, described herein are minimal access tools having slack-compensating transmissions.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for attaching a minimal access tool to a user's boy (e.g., wrist or forearm) so that movements of the user's forearm, wrist, hand and fingers can control movements at a distal end of the minimal access tool. In particular, described herein are forearm attachment devices (which may be used with or integrated into) a minimal access tool including a cuff configured to secure to the user's forearm and a coupling joint configured to connect the cuff to the frame so that the cuff may move relative to the frame with between 1 and 4 degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A jaw closure transmission system is presented comprising an input sub-system, output sub-system and a transmission sub-system.

Abstract: A tissue biopsy device comprising an inner needle loaded by a first spring and held in place by a first trigger; an outer needle loaded by a second spring and held in place by a second trigger; an outer housing that surrounds the first and the second needles; and a handle attached thereto.

Abstract: Devices having a handle that provides unlimited roll to an end-effector at the distal end of the device. For example, described herein are medical devices that have an elongate tool frame, an end-effector, and a handle that includes: a first portion, a second portion that rolls relative to the first portion, a push rod within the first portion connected to a control input, and a shuttle body within the second portion that rotates with the second portion but is axially driven by the push rod when the user actuates the control input. The device may include a proximal wrist/forearm attachment allowing one or more degrees of freedom in pitch, yaw or roll about the user's arm. The handle may articulate relative to the tool frame, and this articulation may be transmitted to the end-effector. The end-effector may be a jaw assembly.

Abstract: An embodiment of an electromagnetic actuator, such as a moving magnet actuator (MMA), includes a back iron, a first coil winding, a second coil winding, a mover, and a permanent magnet. The first and second coil windings are connected to the back iron, and have generally annular shapes. The mover moves relative to the back iron during use of the MMA. The permanent magnet is connected to the mover and moves with the mover during use of the MMA. The permanent magnet has a generally annular shape.