Abstract: Described herein is a device and method used to effectively remove volume inside a patient in various types of surgeries, such as spinal surgeries (e.g. laminotomy), neurosurgeries (various types of craniotomy), ENT surgeries (e.g. tumor removal), and orthopedic surgeries (bone removal). Robotic assistance linked with a navigation system and medical imaging it can shorten surgery time, make the surgery safer and free surgeon from doing repetitive and laborious tasks. In certain embodiments, the disclosed technology includes a surgical instrument holder for use with a robotic surgical system. In certain embodiments, the surgical instrument holder is attached to or is part of an end effector of a robotic arm, and provides a rigid structure that allows for precise removal of a target volume in a patient.

Abstract: Described herein are systems, apparatus, and methods for precise placement and guidance of tools during a surgical procedure, particularly a spinal surgical procedure. The system features a portable robot arm with an end effector for precise positioning of a surgical tool. The system requires only minimal training by surgeons/operators, is intuitive to use, and has a small footprint with significantly reduced obstruction of the operating table. The system works with existing, standard surgical tools, does not require increased surgical time or preparatory time, and safely provides the enhanced precision achievable by robot-assisted systems.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, the systems, apparatus, and methods disclosed herein relate to robotic surgical systems with built-in navigation capability for patient position tracking and surgical instrument guidance during a surgical procedure, without the need for a separate navigation system. Robotic based navigation of surgical instruments during surgical procedures allows for easy registration and operative volume identification and tracking. The systems, apparatus, and methods herein allow re-registration, model updates, and operative volumes to be performed intra-operatively with minimal disruption to the surgical workflow. In certain embodiments, navigational assistance can be provided to a surgeon by displaying a surgical instrument's position relative to a patient's anatomy.

Abstract: Systems and methods for resecting a knee joint using a navigated pin guide driver system. The navigated pin guide driver system communicates with a navigation system to aid a user in placing cut block pins into the knee joint. The navigated pin guide driver system may include a handle, a reference element that electronically communicates with the navigation system, one or more pin guide tubes that may correspond to one or more cut blocks, and a distal tip that is configured to attach to the bone.

Abstract: A robotic surgical system for performing surgery, the system includes a robotic arm having a force and/or torque control sensor coupled to the end-effector and configured to hold a first surgical tool. The robotic system further includes an actuator that includes controlled movement of the robotic arm and/or positioning of the end-effector. The system further includes a tracking detector having optical markers for real time detection of (i) surgical tool position and/or end-effector position and (ii) patient position. The system also includes a feedback system for moving the end effector to a planned trajectory based on the threshold distance between the planned trajectory and the actual trajectory.

Abstract: Described herein is a device and method used to effectively remove volume inside a patient in various types of surgeries, such as spinal surgeries (e.g. laminotomy), neurosurgeries (various types of craniotomy), ENT surgeries (e.g. tumor removal), and orthopedic surgeries (bone removal). Robotic assistance linked with a navigation system and medical imaging it can shorten surgery time, make the surgery safer and free surgeon from doing repetitive and laborious tasks. In certain embodiments, the disclosed technology includes a surgical instrument holder for use with a robotic surgical system. In certain embodiments, the surgical instrument holder is attached to or is part of an end effector of a robotic arm, and provides a rigid structure that allows for precise removal of a target volume in a patient.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, the systems, apparatus, and methods disclosed herein relate to robotic surgical systems with built-in navigation capability for patient position tracking and surgical instrument guidance during a surgical procedure, without the need for a separate navigation system. Robotic based navigation of surgical instruments during surgical procedures allows for easy registration and operative volume identification and tracking. The systems, apparatus, and methods herein allow re-registration, model updates, and operative volumes to be performed intra-operatively with minimal disruption to the surgical workflow. In certain embodiments, navigational assistance can be provided to a surgeon by displaying a surgical instrument's position relative to a patient's anatomy.

Abstract: A robotic surgical system for performing surgery, the system includes a robotic arm having a force and/or torque control sensor coupled to the end-effector and configured to hold a first surgical tool. The robotic system further includes an actuator that includes controlled movement of the robotic arm and/or positioning of the end-effector. The system further includes a tracking detector having optical markers for real time detection of (i) surgical tool position and/or end-effector position and (ii) patient position. The system also includes a feedback system for moving the end effector to a planned trajectory based on the threshold distance between the planned trajectory and the actual trajectory.

Abstract: Systems and methods for resecting a knee joint using a navigated pin guide driver system. The navigated pin guide driver system communicates with a navigation system to aid a user in placing cut block pins into the knee joint. The navigated pin guide driver system may include a handle, a reference element that electronically communicates with the navigation system, one or more pin guide tubes that may correspond to one or more cut blocks, and a distal tip that is configured to attach to the bone.

Abstract: A passive end effector of a surgical system includes a base, a first mechanism, and a second mechanism. The base attaches to an end effector coupler of a robot arm positioned by a surgical robot. The first mechanism extends between a rotatable connection to the base and a rotatable connection to a tool attachment mechanism. The second mechanism extends between a rotatable connection to the base and a rotatable connection to the tool attachment mechanism. The first and second mechanisms pivot about the rotatable connections to constrain movement of the tool attachment mechanism to a range of movement within a working plane. The tool attachment mechanism is configured to connect to a surgical saw including a saw blade for cutting.

Abstract: A passive end effector of a surgical system includes a base, a first mechanism, and a second mechanism. The base attaches to an end effector coupler of a robot arm positioned by a surgical robot. The first mechanism extends between a rotatable connection to the base and a rotatable connection to a tool attachment mechanism. The second mechanism extends between a rotatable connection to the base and a rotatable connection to the tool attachment mechanism. The first and second mechanisms pivot about the rotatable connections to constrain movement of the tool attachment mechanism to a range of movement within a working plane. The tool attachment mechanism is configured to connect to a surgical saw including a saw blade for cutting.

Abstract: Described herein is an anti-skid surgical instrument for use in preparing holes in bone tissue. The disclosed surgical instrument provides the ability to prepare a precise hole in bone tissue during surgery (e.g., spinal surgeries and pedicle screw placement, intramedullary screw placement). The disclosed surgical instrument accomplishes precise hole placement regardless of whether the angle between the drill axis and surface of the bone tissue is perpendicular. The disclosed technology includes a flat drilling surface which is perpendicular to the surface of the body of the surgical instrument. This reduces the likelihood of the surgical instrument skidding on the surface of the bone tissue and thereby increases the precision of the hole.

Abstract: An implant for therapeutically separating bones of a joint has two endplates each having an opening through the endplate, and at least one ramped surface on a side opposite a bone engaging side. A frame is slideably connected to the endplates to enable the endplates to move relative to each other at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the implant, in sliding connection with the frame. An actuator screw is rotatably connected to the frame. A carriage forms an open area aligned with the openings in the endplates. The openings in the endplates pass through the carriage to form an unimpeded passage from bone to bone of the joint. The carriage has ramps which mate with the ramped surfaces of the endplates, wherein when the carriage is moved by rotation of the actuator screw, the endplates move closer or farther apart.

Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to robotic surgical systems for improving surgical procedures. In certain embodiments, the disclosed technology relates to robotic surgical systems for use in osteotomy procedures in which bone is cut to shorten, lengthen, or change alignment of a bone structure. The osteotome, an instrument for removing parts of the vertebra, is guided by the surgical instrument guide which is held by the robot. In certain embodiments, the robot moves only in the “locked” plane (one of the two which create the wedge—i.e., the portion of the bone resected during the osteotomy). In certain embodiments, the robot shall prevent the osteotome (or other surgical instrument) from getting too deep/beyond the tip of the wedge. In certain embodiments, the robotic surgical system is integrated with neuromonitoring to prevent damage to the nervous system.

Abstract: Minimally invasive surgical techniques are used to obtain access to vertebrae while protecting soft tissues in the surrounding area. The dilators may be used to provide a working channel through which the operation is performed. Standard dilators may be used with a robotic surgical system to provide precise guidance of surgical tools. A dilator may be held by the robot and automatically repositioned when the surgeon adjusts a trajectory for performing the surgery. The dilator itself may be used as a surgical instrument guide along with dilator adaptors that adjust the diameter of a portion of the dilator to allow for different sized tools to be guided by the dilator. Alternatively, surgical instrument guides may also be held by the robotic arm such that tools are guided by a surgical instrument guide through the dilator to perform a medical procedure.

Abstract: Described herein is a surgical instrument holder for use with a robotic surgical system, for example, during spinal surgery. In certain embodiments, the surgical instrument holder is an interface between the robotic arm and a surgical instrument used during surgery. This interface may hold the surgical instrument precisely, rigidly, and in a stable manner while permitting a surgeon to easily and quickly install or withdraw the instrument in case of emergency.

Abstract: Described herein are systems, apparatus, and methods for precise placement and guidance of tools during a surgical procedure, particularly a spinal surgical procedure. The system features a portable robot arm with end effector for precise positioning of a surgical tool. The system requires only minimal training by surgeons/operators, is intuitive to use, and has a small footprint with significantly reduced obstruction of the operating table. The system works with existing, standard surgical tools, does not required increased surgical time or preparatory time, and safely provides the enhanced precision achievable by robotic-assisted systems.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and apparatus of surgical instruments engineered for integration with robotic surgical systems to enhance precision in surgical procedures. Also described herein are methods of using such surgical instruments in performing surgical procedures. The use of such surgical instruments reduce complications arising from misalignment during surgery. The disclosed technology assists in stages of a surgical procedure that require a precise trajectory to be followed. Surgical instrument guides are attached to a universal surgical instrument guide, which is engineered to attach directly or indirectly with a robotic arm of a robotic surgical system. Surgical instruments can then be precisely guided along an axis defined by the universal surgical instrument guide. Individual instruments are easily inserted and removed from the channel of the universal surgical instrument guide, thus allowing a range of instruments to be used throughout a procedure while maintaining the surgical trajectory.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and apparatus of surgical instruments engineered for integration with robotic surgical systems to enhance precision in surgical procedures. Also described herein are methods of using such surgical instruments in performing surgical procedures. The use of such surgical instruments reduce complications arising from misalignment during surgery. The disclosed technology assists in stages of a surgical procedure that require a precise trajectory to be followed. Surgical instrument guides are attached to a universal surgical instrument guide, which is engineered to attach directly or indirectly with a robotic arm of a robotic surgical system. Surgical instruments can then be precisely guided along an axis defined by the universal surgical instrument guide. Individual instruments are easily inserted and removed from the channel of the universal surgical instrument guide, thus allowing a range of instruments to be used throughout a procedure while maintaining the surgical trajectory.

Abstract: Minimally invasive surgical techniques are used to obtain access to vertebrae while protecting soft tissues in the surrounding area. The dilators may be used to provide a working channel through which the operation is performed. Standard dilators may be used with a robotic surgical system to provide precise guidance of surgical tools. A dilator may be held by the robot and automatically repositioned when the surgeon adjusts a trajectory for performing the surgery. The dilator itself may be used as a surgical instrument guide along with dilator adaptors that adjust the diameter of a portion of the dilator to allow for different sized tools to be guided by the dilator. Alternatively, surgical instrument guides may also be held by the robotic arm such that tools are guided by a surgical instrument guide through the dilator to perform a medical procedure.