Abstract: A robotic surgery system includes an orienting platform, a first manipulator, a second manipulator supported by the orienting platform, and a first set-up linkage by which the first manipulator is coupled to and supported by the orienting platform. The first manipulator includes a first instrument holder configured to support a first surgical instrument. The first manipulator is operable to insert and manipulate the first surgical instrument. The second manipulator includes a second instrument holder configured to support a second surgical instrument. The second manipulator is operable to insert and manipulate the second surgical instrument. The first set-up linkage is operable to selectively reposition the first manipulator relative to the orienting platform.

Abstract: A robotic surgery system includes a mounting base, a column base fixedly coupled with the mounting base, a translatable column member slideably coupled to the column base, an orienting platform coupled with the translatable column member, outer set-up linkages, and outer surgical instrument manipulators. Each of the outer set-up linkages is rotationally coupled to and supported by the orienting platform. Each of the outer set-up linkages includes an extension link, a coupling link, and a first joint that couples the respective coupling link to the respective extension link. Each of the outer surgical instrument manipulators is operable to selectively articulate a respective surgical instrument mounted to the outer surgical instrument manipulator and to insert the surgical instrument along an insertion axis through a remote center of manipulation.

Abstract: A force transmission transmits forces received by three levers to an input gimbal plate having three support points. The input gimbal play may in turn transmit the force to a wrist assembly coupled to a surgical tool. The three axes of rotation for the three levers are parallel. Two of the levers may have half-cylinder surfaces at an end of the lever to receive a support point of the input gimbal plate. Two of the levers may be supported with one degree of rotational freedom orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the fulcrum. A spring may draw the second and third levers toward one another. Two levers may have stops that bear against the support points. The force transmission may include a parallelogram linkage that includes a rocker link pivotally coupled to the first lever and having a flat surface that supports the first gimbal support point.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is inserted through a guide tube. The surgical instrument exits at an intermediate position of the guide tube and is oriented to be substantially parallel to the guide tube's longitudinal axis as it exits. A stereoscopic image capture component is on the guide tube between the intermediate position and the guide tube's distal end. The image capture component's field of view is generally perpendicular to the guide tube's longitudinal axis. The guide tube is jointed to allow the image capture component to be moved. The surgical instruments and the guide tube are telemanipulatively controlled.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises an instrument shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, an end effector coupled to the distal end of the shaft, and a sheath disposed on an external surface of the instrument shaft. The sheath has a first section made of ePTFE and a second section made of a second material, wherein the second section provides a friction seal with the shaft, and wherein the ePTFE is gas-permeable.

Abstract: An entry guide tube and cannula assembly, a surgical system including the assembly, and a method of surgical instrument insertion are provided. In one embodiment, the assembly includes a cannula having a proximal portion that operably couples to an accessory clamp of a manipulator arm, and a distal tubular member coupled to the proximal portion, the tubular member having an opening for passage of at least one instrument shaft. The assembly also includes an entry guide tube rotatably coupled to the proximal portion of the cannula, the entry guide tube including a plurality of channels for passage of a plurality of instrument shafts, wherein the entry guide tube is rotatably driven relative to the proximal portion of the cannula by rotation of at least one instrument shaft about a longitudinal axis of the entry guide tube.

Abstract: An articulatable member includes a distal end, a proximal end, an actuation member, and a constraint member. The actuation member extends from the proximal end to the distal end. The actuation member transmits force to bend the articulatable member from a neutral position. The constraint member extends from the proximal end to the distal end. The constraint member may have opposite ends that are fixed to the distal end and the proximal end. In one embodiment, the constraint member follows a helical path along at least a portion of the articulatable member from the proximal end to the distal end. In another embodiment, the actuation member follows a helical path along at least a portion of the articulatable member.

Abstract: A force transmission transmits forces received by three levers to an input gimbal plate having three support points. The input gimbal play may in turn transmit the force to a wrist assembly coupled to a surgical tool. The three axes of rotation for the three levers are parallel. Two of the levers may have half-cylinder surfaces at an end of the lever to receive a support point of the input gimbal plate. Two of the levers may be supported with one degree of rotational freedom orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the fulcrum. A spring may draw the second and third levers toward one another. Two levers may have stops that bear against the support points. The force transmission may include a parallelogram linkage that includes a rocker link pivotally coupled to the first lever and having a flat surface that supports the first gimbal support point.

Abstract: A surgical end effector includes a clevis and two jaws rotatably coupled to the clevis. A rocking pin in the form of a solid of revolution is pivotally supported by the clevis. The rocking pin may be pivotally supported by the clevis at the midpoint between the first and second ends. The opposite ends of the rocking pin engage the jaws to constrain the jaws to have opposite motions around the axes of rotation of the jaws. The clevis may be coupled to an elongate shaft to provide an endoscopic instrument. The first and second jaws may be electrically isolated from one another for electrocautery and the rocking pin may be formed from a non-conductive material or electrically isolated from the first and second jaws by electrically non-conductive liners. The jaws may be opened and closed by pushing and pulling on wires coupled to the jaws.

Abstract: Medical, surgical, and/or robotic devices and systems often including offset remote center parallelogram manipulator linkage assemblies which constrains a position of a surgical instrument during minimally invasive robotic surgery are disclosed. The improved remote center manipulator linkage assembly advantageously enhances the range of instrument motion while at the same time reduces the overall complexity, size, and physical weight of the robotic surgical system.

Abstract: A surgical instrument assembly comprises a guide tube and first and second instruments extended within the guide tube. The first instrument comprises a first elongated shaft coupled to a first end effector. The second instrument comprises a second elongated shaft coupled to a second end effector. The surgical instrument assembly may also comprise an imaging assembly extended distally of the guide tube. The imaging assembly comprises a distal imaging component and an elongated imaging shaft. The distal imaging component is coupled to a distal end of the elongated imaging shaft by a pivot joint. The imaging assembly has a first configuration with the elongated imaging shaft aligned with the distal imaging component when inserted through the guide tube and a second configuration with the distal imaging component pivoted out of alignment with the elongated imaging shaft when the distal imaging component is extended from the guide tube.

Abstract: A surgical instrument assembly comprises a guide tube and a first instrument. The first instrument includes a first elongated shaft and a first proximal arm link coupled by a first shoulder joint, the first proximal arm link and a first distal arm link coupled by a first elbow joint, and the first distal arm link and a first end effector coupled by a first wrist joint. The surgical instrument assembly also comprises a second instrument that includes a second elongated shaft and a second proximal arm link coupled by a second shoulder joint, the second proximal arm link and a second distal arm link coupled by a second elbow joint, and the second distal arm link and a second end effector coupled by a second wrist joint. The surgical instrument assembly also includes an imaging assembly. The first and second end effectors are within the imaging assembly's field of view.

Abstract: A surgical assembly may comprise an actuator system including a plurality of wedge-shaped actuator assemblies arranged radially around a longitudinal axis. The surgical assembly may also comprise a first instrument assembly including a first elongate instrument shaft and a first wedge-shaped transmission mechanism coupled at a proximal end of the first elongate instrument shaft. The first wedge-shaped transmission mechanism is configured to engage a first wedge-shaped actuator assembly of the plurality of wedge-shaped actuator assemblies. The first wedge-shaped actuator assembly is movable linearly, relative to the other of the plurality of wedge-shaped actuator assemblies of the plurality of wedge-shaped actuator assemblies, along a path parallel to the longitudinal axis to linearly translate the first instrument assembly.

Abstract: Medical, surgical, and/or robotic devices and systems often including offset remote center parallelogram manipulator linkage assemblies which constrains a position of a surgical instrument during minimally invasive robotic surgery are disclosed. The improved remote center manipulator linkage assembly advantageously enhances the range of instrument motion while at the same time reduces the overall complexity, size, and physical weight of the robotic surgical system.

Abstract: An instrument comprises a plurality of elongate members having a proximal end and a distal end, a shaft, an actuation member extending through the shaft, and a tube member extending through the shaft and housing at least a portion of a length of the actuation members. An end effector is coupled to a distal end of, and a force transmission mechanism is coupled to a proximal region of, at least one of the plurality of elongate members. At least one of the plurality of elongate members comprises a first electrically conductive length portion, a second electrically conductive length portion, and an electrically insulative length portion between and connecting the first electrically conductive length portion and the second electrically conductive length portion. The electrically insulative length portion reduces a conductive length of the elongate member, thereby reducing a capacitive coupling effect in the instrument.

Abstract: An actuation mechanism for a medical instrument includes a pinion and a face gear that move a push-pull element. The pinion has a mounting that permits rotation of the pinion by an external control system such as a robot. The face gear meshes with the pinion. The push-pull element may have a proximal end coupled to the face gear and a distal end coupled to a tool at a distal end of an instrument shaft. A manipulator coupled for manual rotation of the actuation mechanism may include a slip clutch to prevent manual application of excessive force to the actuation mechanism.

Abstract: A medical device includes a lever with an applied force position, a load position, and a fulcrum position. A first cable extends from the applied force position of the lever to a first capstan, the first cable wrapping around the first capstan. A second cable extends from the applied force position of the lever to a second capstan, the second cable wrapping around the second capstan. A rod couples the load position of the lever and a surgical end effector. The first and second capstans may be fixed to an axle. The axle may receive a rotational input from a rotary actuator. A hand wheel may be coupled to the axle. There may be a spring between a support structure and the lever to bias the lever to rotate about the fulcrum position of the lever.

Abstract: An articulatable member includes a distal end, a proximal end, an actuation member, and a constraint member. The actuation member extends from the proximal end to the distal end. The actuation member transmits force to bend the articulatable member from a neutral position. The constraint member extends from the proximal end to the distal end. The constraint member may have opposite ends that are fixed to the distal end and the proximal end. In one embodiment, the constraint member follows a helical path along at least a portion of the articulatable member from the proximal end to the distal end. In another embodiment, the actuation member follows a helical path along at least a portion of the articulatable member.

Abstract: Techniques for limiting motion of a first structure include a manipulator supported by the first structure, a second structure supporting the first structure, and a processor. The processor is configured to, in response to entering a first mode, determine, relative to the first structure, a first position of a reference location on entry into the first mode, the reference location being associated with a link of the manipulator; and while in the first mode: detect a manual movement of the reference location to a second position relative to the first structure, wherein a difference between the first and second positions comprises a displacement having first and second components in respective different first and second directions; and, in response, command the second structure to move relative to the reference location in the first direction so as to reduce the first component while not changing the second component.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes an instrument shaft with exit holes near a distal end of the shaft, a tool coupled to the distal end of the shaft, and a backend. The backend may include a mechanism that manipulates a drive element that extends through the shaft and couples to the tool, a fluid inlet, and a fluid channel assembly providing fluid communication between the fluid inlet and the proximal end of the shaft. Cleaning fluid is directed into the fluid inlet, through the fluid channel assembly, and into the shaft. A chassis or other structural piece of the backend may form part of the fluid channel assembly.