Manipulators and cartridges for robotic-assisted vascular access are described herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a cartridge including a guidewire, a needle, and a catheter that are coaxially disposed with respect to each other; and a plurality of guides coupled to the guidewire, the needle, and the catheter; a manipulation device including a plurality of actuators each configured to couple to a different guide member of the plurality of guides, the plurality of actuators being configured to linearly advance and retract the plurality of guides to move the needle, the guidewire, and the catheter; and a control unit operatively coupled to the manipulation device, the control unit configured to control the plurality of actuators to selectively move the needle, the guidewire, and the catheter to gain access via the catheter to a target vessel of a patient.

An endoluminal crawler used in endoscopic procedures includes a body and an actuation unit. The body includes a tubular portion. The actuation unit includes an actuator providing a rotational output and a traction belt. The traction belt includes a traction portion and an engaging portion. The traction portion protrudes out of a slot defined in the tubular portion and the engaging portion operatively engages the actuator.

The present invention relates to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for placing screws in the spine using a robot attached to a passive structure. The present invention also related to a method, such as a surgical method for assisting a surgeon for removing volumes in the body of a patient using a robot attached to a passive structure and to a device to carry out said methods. The present invention further concerns a device suitable to carry out the methods according to the present invention.

A robotic catheter system including a housing and a drive mechanism configured to engage and to impart motion to a catheter device is provided. The drive mechanism is supported by the housing. The robotic catheter system includes a guide catheter support coupled to the housing. The guide catheter support is located in front of the drive mechanism, and the guide catheter support has a longitudinal axis. The guide catheter support includes a first surface configured to engage a guide catheter and a rotation joint allowing the first surface to be rotated about the longitudinal axis such that the surface is able to engage the guide catheter at a plurality of angular positions relative to a patient.

Example embodiments relate to surgical devices, systems, and methods. The system may include an end-effector assembly. The end-effector assembly may comprise an instrument assembly and a wrist assembly. The instrument assembly may comprise an instrument for performing a surgical action. The instrument assembly may further comprise an instrument driven portion configurable to be driven in such a way as to move the instrument relative to a first axis. The instrument assembly may further comprise an instrument insulative portion providable between the instrument and the instrument driven portion. The instrument insulative portion may be configurable to electrically isolate the instrument from at least the instrument driven portion when the instrument insulative portion is provided between the instrument and the instrument driven portion. The wrist assembly may include a wrist driven portion configurable to be driven in such a way as to move the instrument relative to a second axis.

Provided are systems for performing a medical procedure in the intestine of a patient. The system comprises an elongate device and a console. The elongate device comprises a proximal portion, a middle portion, and a distal portion. The elongate device further comprises a functional assembly positioned on the distal portion, the functional assembly being configured to treat and/or diagnose target tissue. The console comprises a human interface device and a controller. The console is configured to robotically manipulate one or more portions of the elongate device, and/or the functional assembly.

Surgical systems and methods of demonstrating planned autonomous manipulation of an anatomy by a tool of a robotic surgical system include generating manipulation parameters representing planned constraints on autonomous manipulation of a volume of the anatomy by the tool in a first mode and generating demonstrative parameters relating to the manipulation parameters and defined in relation to a surface of the anatomy. The demonstrative parameters are less invasive to the anatomy than the manipulation parameters. The tool is moved in accordance with the demonstrative parameters in a second mode thereby demonstrating planned constraints on autonomous manipulation of the anatomy in relation to the surface of the anatomy.

Systems and methods are provided for determining acceptable ranges of pressures for use by a robotic arm on a surgical instrument, robotic systems and methods that are limited to using the acceptable ranges of pressures, and the medical devices for use in the robotic surgery. Learning software is included in the methods and systems for correlating manually-performed procedures with pressure sensors as a tactile gauge for qualifying the acceptable ranges of pressures for use by a robotic system.

Lumen-traveling biological interface devices and associated methods and systems are described. Lumen-traveling biological interface devices capable of traveling within a body lumen may include a propelling mechanism to produce movement of the lumen-traveling device within the lumen, electrodes or other electromagnetic transducers for detecting biological signals and electrodes, coils or other electromagnetic transducers for delivering electromagnetic stimuli to stimulus responsive tissues. Lumen-traveling biological interface devices may also include additional components such as sensors, an active portion, and/or control circuitry.

Origami robots, and associated systems, methods of treatment, and methods of manufacture are provided. A system includes an origami robot encapsulated for ingestion by a patient, such as in a biocompatible material that is dissolvable or meltable within the gastrointestinal tract. A method of treatment includes delivering an origami robot in a folded position into a gastrointestinal tract of a patient, causing the origami robot to unfold within the gastrointestinal tract, and directing the origami robot to a site requiring treatment in the gastrointestinal tract.