A robotic surgical assembly includes a slave manipulator with an actuator, a pushing device connected to the actuator, a sensor detecting a contact force on the pushing device, a position sensing system, and a control unit. A surgical instrument is detachable to the slave manipulator and separated from the slave manipulator by a sterile barrier. The surgical instrument includes a frame; an articulated link; a tendon associated with the actuator, having proximal and distal portions secured to the link. A transmission device in contact with the tendon proximal portion exerts a traction action. The transmission device has one degree of freedom of motion relative to the frame. The pushing device releasably and selectively connects with the transmission device to transmit a pushing action to the transmission device through the sterile barrier. An elastic device biases the transmission device to exert a traction action on the tendon.

A robotic surgical assembly includes a slave manipulator with an actuator, a pushing device connected to the actuator, a sensor detecting a contact force on the pushing device, a position sensing system, and a control unit. A surgical instrument is detachable to the slave manipulator and separated from the slave manipulator by a sterile barrier. The surgical instrument includes a frame; an articulated link; a tendon associated with the actuator, having proximal and distal portions secured to the link. A transmission device in contact with the tendon proximal portion exerts a traction action. The transmission device has one degree of freedom of motion relative to the frame. The pushing device releasably and selectively connects with the transmission device to transmit a pushing action to the transmission device through the sterile barrier. An elastic device biases the transmission device to exert a traction action on the tendon.

Apparatus, systems, and methods for inserting prosthesis implants into surgically-created implant pockets in a subject and for preventing capsular contracture resulting from surgical insertion of prosthesis implants. The apparatus may include a shielding member capable of shielding an implant from at least a portion of the dissection tunnel connecting the incision to the implant pocket. The apparatus may also include a base operable to secure the shielding member during implant insertion as well as to protect the implant from the skin during insertion into the shielding member. The apparatus may also have an implant receiving member operable to receive the implant and shield the implant from the skin of the patient during insertion of the implant into the shielding member. The apparatus is capable of shielding the implant from microbial contamination, including contamination by the endogenous flora of the subject, during insertion of the implant into the surgically-created implant pocket.

Apparatus, systems, and methods for inserting prosthesis implants into surgically-created implant pockets in a subject and for preventing capsular contracture resulting from surgical insertion of prosthesis implants. The apparatus may include a shielding member capable of shielding an implant from at least a portion of the dissection tunnel connecting the incision to the implant pocket. The apparatus may also include a base operable to secure the shielding member during implant insertion as well as to protect the implant from the skin during insertion into the shielding member. The apparatus may also have an implant receiving member operable to receive the implant and shield the implant from the skin of the patient during insertion of the implant into the shielding member. The apparatus is capable of shielding the implant from microbial contamination, including contamination by the endogenous flora of the subject, during insertion of the implant into the surgically-created implant pocket.

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.

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.

A surgical incision drape, comprises a flexible substantially flat areal substrate having an upper side and an opposing tissue-facing side, having a longitudinal axis and a pressure sensitive adhesive disposed on the tissue-facing side; at least one hollow microtubular compartment containing a flowable medical agent, said hollow microtubular compartment positioned to intersect the longitudinal axis and embedded into the substrate or positioned on the substrate.

A surgical incision drape, comprises a flexible substantially flat areal substrate having an upper side and an opposing tissue-facing side, having a longitudinal axis and a pressure sensitive adhesive disposed on the tissue-facing side; at least one hollow microtubular compartment containing a flowable medical agent, said hollow microtubular compartment positioned to intersect the longitudinal axis and embedded into the substrate or positioned on the substrate.

A surgical incision drape, comprises a flexible substantially flat areal substrate having an upper side and an opposing tissue-facing side, having a longitudinal axis and a pressure sensitive adhesive disposed on the tissue-facing side; at least one hollow microtubular compartment containing a flowable medical agent, said hollow microtubular compartment positioned to intersect the longitudinal axis and embedded into the substrate or positioned on the substrate.

A surgical incision drape, comprises a flexible substantially flat areal substrate having an upper side and an opposing tissue-facing side, having a longitudinal axis and a pressure sensitive adhesive disposed on the tissue-facing side; at least one hollow microtubular compartment containing a flowable medical agent, said hollow microtubular compartment positioned to intersect the longitudinal axis and embedded into the substrate or positioned on the substrate.