In accordance with one embodiment, an automated probe system includes a probe configured to be reversibly inserted into a live body part, a robotic arm attached to the probe and configured to manipulate the probe, a first sensor configured to track movement of the probe during an insertion and a reinsertion of the probe in the live body part, a second sensor configured to track movement of the live body part, and a controller configured to calculate an insertion path of the probe in the live body part based on the tracked movement of the probe during the insertion, and calculate a reinsertion path of the probe based on the calculated insertion path while compensating for the tracked movement of the live body part, and send control commands to the robotic arm to reinsert the probe in the live body part according to the calculated reinsertion path.

A surgical robotic system is provided comprising a wrist comprising a surgical instrument and an elongated shaft configured to transmit actuation forces from a drive assembly to the spherical wrist to actuate rotation of the spherical wrist. The surgical instrument is a hinged surgical instrument comprising jaws, wherein the jaws are biased in a normally open position by a resilient biasing element, wherein the surgical instrument is actuatable by the drive assembly towards a closed position by a preloaded string which runs from the drive assembly through the elongated shaft to the surgical instrument and which preloads the surgical instrument.

A control system for controlling manipulation of a surgical instrument in response to manipulation of a remote surgeon input device. The surgical instrument comprises opposable first and second end effector elements connected to a shaft by an articulated coupling. The control system: transforms commands from the surgeon input device to alter the opening angle between the first and second end effector elements according to a first control relationship to drive signals to drive the first and second end effector elements to rotate; receives sensed forces applied to the first and second end effector elements, and compares the sensed forces to a threshold force; and upon determining that the threshold force has been exceeded, transforms subsequent commands from the surgeon input device to alter the opening angle between the first and second end effector elements according to a second control relationship to drive signals to drive the first and second end effector elements to rotate, wherein the second control relationship is different to the first control relationship.

A surgical assembly for use with a robotic arm includes an outer housing configured to be selectively coupled to a robotic arm, a power pack disposed within the outer housing, and an electric motor operably coupled to the power pack. The outer housing has a supercapacitor attached to an inner surface of the outer housing. The power pack is configured to non-rotatably couple to a surgical instrument such that the surgical instrument and power pack are configured to rotate together. The supercapacitor is in electric communication with the electric motor and configured to supply a direct current to the electric motor to generate a braking torque during a power loss.

A surgical system according to one or more embodiments may include: manipulators respectively supporting an endoscope and first and second surgical instruments; a remote control apparatus including a display device, a first operation handle for right hand to operate the first surgical instrument, and a second operation handle for left hand to operate the second surgical instrument; and a control apparatus. The control apparatus may display, on the display device, a graphical user interface, overlapped with the image captured by the endoscope, the graphical user interface including a first area that displays information on the first surgical instrument to be operated by the first operation handle, a second area that displays information on the second surgical instrument to be operated by the second operation handle, and a third area that displays information on the endoscope, which are arranged side by side in order from right to left.

A surgical system according to one or more embodiments may include: manipulators respectively supporting an endoscope and first and second surgical instruments; a remote control apparatus including a display device, a first operation handle for right hand to operate the first surgical instrument, and a second operation handle for left hand to operate the second surgical instrument; and a control apparatus. The control apparatus may display, on the display device, a graphical user interface, overlapped with the image captured by the endoscope, the graphical user interface including a first area that displays information on the first surgical instrument to be operated by the first operation handle, a second area that displays information on the second surgical instrument to be operated by the second operation handle, and a third area that displays information on the endoscope, which are arranged side by side in order from right to left.

A variety of applications can include apparatus and/or methods that provide an axial force transducer. Two coils wound coaxially with respect to each other can be used with a magnet to determine a distance traveled based on application of an axial force to an instrument component. The two coils and magnet can be configured in a number of ways with respect to the instrument component. In various embodiments, the difference between an inductance associated with one of the two coils along with its relation to the magnet and an inductance associated with the other one of the two coils along with its relation to the magnet can be used to determine the axial force on the component of the instrument associated with the distance travelled. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

A variety of applications can include apparatus and/or methods that provide an axial force transducer. Two coils wound coaxially with respect to each other can be used with a magnet to determine a distance traveled based on application of an axial force to an instrument component. The two coils and magnet can be configured in a number of ways with respect to the instrument component. In various embodiments, the difference between an inductance associated with one of the two coils along with its relation to the magnet and an inductance associated with the other one of the two coils along with its relation to the magnet can be used to determine the axial force on the component of the instrument associated with the distance travelled. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

A surgical system comprises an articulated mechanical arm comprising arm segments connected serially by arm joints that flex and rotate, and first and second input-devices. The second input-device comprises a handle configurable to be oriented in any orientation in an x-y-z space, and the handle comprises segment members and joint members corresponding to the arm segments and arm joints of the arm. The arm joints can be actuatable by, and have the same degrees of freedom as, the handle joint member. A method of using the surgical system includes retroflecting the arm, transitioning control of the arm from the first input device to the second input device, and performing a surgical action, during which a displacement vector or a reorientation arc of the handle member through the x-y-z space is translated to a corresponding displacement vector or corresponding reorientation arc of the end effector in the same x-y-z space.

A wrist joint, such as for a surgical instrument, may include a first disc, a second disc adjacent the first disc, a drive tendon connecting the first disc and the second disc. The first disc and the second disc may include respective opposing gear features that intermesh with one another. The first disc and the second disc may further include opposing load bearing surfaces. In response to tensioning the drive tendon, the first and second discs rotate relative to each other. The first and second discs may have a maximum rotational range of motion greater than about +/−45 degrees relative to each other.