The various robotic medical devices include robotic devices that are disposed within a body cavity and positioned using a support component disposed through an orifice or opening in the body cavity. Additional embodiments relate to devices having arms coupled to a device body wherein the device has a minimal profile such that the device can be easily inserted through smaller incisions in comparison to other devices without such a small profile. Further embodiments relate to methods of operating the above devices.

A method of operating a modular surgical system including a control module, a first surgical module, and a second surgical module is disclosed. The method includes detachably connecting the first surgical module to the control module by stacking the first surgical module with the control module in a stack configuration, detachably connecting the second surgical module to the first surgical module by stacking the second surgical module with the control module and the first surgical module in the stack configuration, powering up the modular surgical system, and monitoring distribution of power from a power supply of the control module to the first surgical module and the second surgical module.

A surgical system includes a plurality of voice sensors located in a surgical environment and configured to detect sound and generate a first plurality of signals. The surgical system also includes a position indicator, in proximity to a designated user, configured to indicate a first position of the designated user and generate a second signal representative of the first position. The surgical system further includes a processor configured to receive the first plurality of signals and the second signal and determine, based on the first plurality of signals, a second position. The processor is also configured to compare the detected sound with registered voice command of the designated user stored in a memory to verify the designated user's credentials, and send a command signal to a surgical instrument to carry out an operation related to the voice command based on at least one of the verification of the designated user's credentials, the first position and the second position.

A driver interface according to an embodiment may include an engagement member, an actuator, a detection member, and a sensor. The engagement member includes an engagement protrusion protruding from a surface of the engagement member and provided corresponding to an engagement recess provided at a drive transmission member rotatably provided in an adaptor. The actuator is configured to rotate the engagement member. The detection member is movable in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the engagement member. The sensor detects the detection member that has moved as a result of contact with a part of the drive transmission member.

A knife assembly for use with a surgical instrument includes a knife having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end including an aperture defined therein having a series of spaced apart fins extending thereacross. A knife drive rod is included and is configured to operably engage the fins to secure the knife drive rod to the knife. A retention mechanism is operably disposed at a distal end of the knife drive rod and is configured to secure the knife drive rod in engagement between the fins.

A surgical instrument includes a housing including an actuator disposed thereon and an elongated shaft extending therefrom. The elongated shaft includes an end effector assembly including a pair of opposing jaw members including a knife channel defined therein. An articulation section is disposed between the housing and the end effector assembly and is configured to articulate the end effector assembly upon actuation of the actuator, the articulating section and a proximal end of the knife channel defining a first distance therebetween. A knife assembly includes a knife having a length, the proximal end including an engagement feature disposed thereon. A knife drive rod is configured to engage the engagement feature to secure the knife drive rod to the knife such that the distal end of the knife extends beyond the engagement feature and wherein the knife length is less than the length of the first distance.

A method of compressing tissue during a surgical procedure is disclosed. The method comprises obtaining a surgical instrument comprising an end effector, wherein the end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw, establishing a communication pathway between the surgical instrument and a surgical hub, and inserting the surgical instrument into a surgical site. The method further comprises compressing tissue between the first jaw and the second jaw, determining a location of the compressed tissue with respect to at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw, communicating the determined location of the compressed tissue to the surgical hub, and displaying the determined location of the compressed tissue on a visual feedback device.

A sterile interface for a surgical platform is provided, optionally to be used with a mechanical telemanipulator. The sterile interface is configured to allow for transmission of motion without dimensional inconsistencies between a non-sterile surgical platform and a sterile surgical instrument that are related to one another in a master-slave configuration. The sterile interface is configured to allow for multiple changes of sterile surgical instruments during a surgical procedure without contaminating the sterile field. The sterile interface allows for interchangeable sterile articulated surgical instruments to be attached to the surgical platform without coming into contact with non-sterile portions of the surgical platform.

A basket apparatus is described that assists in removing objects from within a patient. The apparatus includes a number of pull wires, each pull wire physically coupled to a different capstan that individually actuates one of the pull wires. The apparatus also includes an outer support shaft itself including a number of channels through which the pull wires traverse. The portions of the pull wires extending out of the outer support shaft form a basket of adjustable size, shape, and position. The pull wires are attached together at a tip located at a distal end of the basket apparatus. By controlling the actuation of the various pull wires, the basket's shape, position size can be manipulated to reposition the basket around an object located within a patient, independent of or in conjunction with motion of the remainder of the apparatus or an associated endoscope.

A surgical instrument that includes an elongate channel that is configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein. In at least one form, an anvil is pivotally coupled to a proximal end of the elongate channel such that the anvil is pivotal about a discrete, non-movable anvil axis defined by the elongate channel. A firing member is configured for axial travel within the elongate channel in response to an application of firing motions thereto. The firing member is configured to movably engage the anvil and the elongate channel to space the anvil relative to the elongate channel at a desired spacing as the firing member is axially driven through the elongate channel. A closure member is configured to move the anvil from an open position to closed positions relative to the elongate channel upon application of closure motions to the closure member.