A system and method by which a catheter tube may be automatically driven to a target location within the body of a subject, such as an enteral cavity or respiratory tract of the subject. The catheter tube may include an imaging device, a transceiver, a spectrometer, and a battery embedded in a tube wall at a distal end of the catheter tube. The imaging device may capture image data of structures proximal to the distal end of the catheter tube. An articulated stylet may be inserted in the catheter tube, which may be controlled by a robotic control engine according to navigation data generated by an artificial intelligence (AI) model based on the topographical image data. The spectrometer may sample and identify biomarkers proximal to the catheter tube. A remote computer may implement the robotic control engine and AI model and may wirelessly receive the image data from the transceiver.

This application provides an endoscopic device having at least one shaft with at least one portion deflectable, and having at least one deflection mechanism, which is configured to deflect the deflectable portion and includes at least one first connection member and at least one second connection member. When the connection members are arranged in a straight position relative to each other, a straight-position spacing exists defined by a shortest connection between a geometric midpoint of the first connection member and a geometric midpoint of the second connection member and, when the connection members are arranged in a deflection position relative to each other, a deflection-position spacing exists which is defined by a shortest connection between a geometric midpoint of the first connection member and a geometric midpoint of the second connection member, and the deflection-position spacing in the deflection position is greater than the straight-position spacing in the straight position.

The present application provides an endoscopic device having at least one shaft, which has at least one portion deflectable in at least one plane, and having at least one deflection mechanism, which is configured to deflect the deflectable portion and includes, arranged in series, at least one first connection member and at least one second connection member interacting for a deflection with the first connection member. The first connection member is formed at least partially from a first material, and the second connection member is formed at least partially from a second material, of which the elasticity differs from that of the first material.

Systems and methods for kinematic optimization with shared robotic degrees-of-freedom are provided. In one aspect, a robotic medical system includes a base, an adjustable arm support coupled to the base, and at least one robotic arm coupled to the adjustable arm support. The at least one robotic arm is further configured to be coupled to a medical tool that is configured to be delivered through an incision or natural orifice of a patient. The system further includes a processor configured to adjust a position of the adjustable arm support and the at least one robotic arm while maintaining a remote center of movement of the tool.

Provided are systems and methods for weight-based registration of location sensors. In one aspect, a system includes an instrument and a processor configured to provide a first set of commands to drive the instrument along a first branch of the luminal network, the first branch being outside a path to a target within a model. The processor is also configured to track a set of one or more registration parameters during the driving of the instrument along the first branch and determine that the set of registration parameters satisfy a registration criterion. The processor is further configured to determine a registration between a location sensor coordinate system and a model coordinate system based on location data received from a set of location sensors during the driving of the instrument along the first branch and a second branch.

A robotic medical system can include a patient platform. The patient platform includes a tilt mechanism. The tilt mechanism can include a lateral tilt mechanism and a longitudinal tilt mechanism. The lateral tilt mechanism can include a tilt plate and a pivot housing. A linear actuator mounted on the tilt plate can apply a linear force to the pivot housing. The lateral tilt mechanism can also include a first linear guide that extends along a first axis, and the pivot housing can translate along the first linear guide. Application of the linear force to the pivot housing tilts the tilt plate by causing the pivot housing to translate along the first linear guide.

Systems and methods for electromagnetic (EM) distortion detection and compensation are disclosed. In one aspect, the system includes an instrument, the system configured to: determine a reference position of the distal end of the instrument at a first time based on EM location data, determine that the distal end of the instrument at a second time is static, and determine that the EM location data at the second time is indicative of a position of the distal end of the instrument having changed from the reference position by greater than a threshold distance. The system is further configured to: determine a current offset based on the distance between the position at the second time and the reference position at the first time, and determine a compensated position of the distal end of the instrument based on the EM location data and the current offset.

A surgical instrument system comprising a shaft, an end effector, a firing member, a sensor system, an electric motor, a trigger coupled to the electric motor, and a control system is disclosed. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw rotatable relative to the first jaw. The firing member comprises a first portion configured to engage the first jaw and a second portion configured to engage the second jaw and control a position of the second jaw relative to the first jaw. The sensor system is configured to detect positions of the firing member. The electric motor is configured to move the firing member through a firing stroke. The control system is in communication with the sensor system, the electric motor, and the trigger. The control system is configured to limit a maximum movement of the trigger based on a signal generated by the sensor system.

Apparatus and methods are described including acquiring 3D image data of a targeted vertebra. A processor indicates the targeted vertebra within the 3D image data. A radiopaque element is positioned on the body of the subject with respect to the spine and a radiographic image is acquired. The processor (a) generates a plurality of 2D projections of the targeted vertebra from the 3D image data, (b) for each vertebra that is visible in the radiographic image, identifies if there exists a 2D projection of the targeted vertebra that matches the radiographic image of the vertebra that is visible, and (c) in response, indicates on the 2D radiographic image the vertebra for which a match with a projection of the targeted vertebra was identified, such that a location of the targeted vertebra is identified with respect to the radiopaque element. Other applications are also described.

A surgical tool includes an elongate shaft, an end effector arranged at a distal end of the shaft and including opposing jaws, and an articulable wrist interposing the end effector and the shaft and comprising a plurality of articulation links arranged in series along a longitudinal length of the wrist. A closure redirect mechanism includes first and second rigid links arranged proximal to the wrist, first and second transfer mechanisms pivotably mounted to the first and second rigid links, respectively, first and second transfer links interposing the end effector and the wrist, and first and second tension members extending distally from the first and second transfer mechanisms, respectively, and being secured to the first and second transfer links, respectively. Moving the first rigid link relative to the second rigid link, and vice versa, causes the first and second transfer links to correspondingly move and thereby open or close the jaws.