A medical system includes a head having an end arranged to face a reference plane and a multistage slide mechanism coupled with the head. The multistage slide mechanism includes a coarse-float mechanism configured to enable movement of the head relative to the reference plane, and a fine-float mechanism configured to limit a force applied through the head to an initial force, and to reduce the force applied through the head to a reduced force less than the initial force in response to a presence of a first triggering event. The first triggering event may correspond to a valid coupling between a cone attachment of the head and a patient interface coupled to an anatomical site at the reference plane.

A medical system includes a head having an end arranged to face a reference plane and a multistage slide mechanism coupled with the head. The multistage slide mechanism includes a coarse-float mechanism configured to enable movement of the head relative to the reference plane, and to prevent movement of the head toward the reference plane while allowing movement of the head away from the reference plane. A one-way brake associated with the coarse-float mechanism is configured to transition between a locked state and an unlocked state in response to a presence of or an absence of a first triggering event. In the locked state, the one-way brake prevents movement of the head toward the reference plane and simultaneously allows movement of the head away from the reference plane. In the unlocked state, the one-way brake allows movement of the head toward the reference plane and movement of the head away from the reference plane.

Implementations relate to a counterbalance mechanism including a force transformation mechanism that provides a drive ratio. In some implementations, a counterbalance apparatus includes a spring, a first tension element, a second tension element, a force transformation mechanism coupled to the spring by the first tension element and coupled to the second tension element, and a plurality of counterbalance pulleys coupled to the second tension element. At least one of the counterbalance pulleys is coupled to a load that is moveable with reference to a mechanical ground, and a force provided by the spring is modified in magnitude by the force transformation mechanism and is applied to the load via the second tension element. The force transformation mechanism includes a plurality of elements and the modification of the force is based on a drive ratio of the elements of the force transformation mechanism.

A balancing device for a rotary apparatus including a rotary body which is configured to pivot or swivel about at least one rotary shaft is provided. The balancing device includes a magnet assembly and a torque adjusting mechanism. The magnet assembly includes a combination of two or more magnets, and the torque adjusting mechanism is configured to adjust a torque generated by the combination of the two or more magnets. The balancing device generates an output torque in the form of a cosine curve or sine curve which optimally matches with an unbalancing torque of the rotary body. The balancing device has a small size and is invulnerability to fatigue failure.

The invention relates to a retaining device for an instrument, comprising at least one joint having at least two parts that can be moved relative to each other and at least one drive unit associated with the joint. The drive unit is designed to move the joint by driving at least one of the parts of the joint that can be moved relative to each other. The retaining device also comprises a securing device, which has a locking mechanism associated with the joint and a release unit that can be activated, wherein the locking mechanism interacts with the release unit in such a way that the locking mechanism holds the joint in a locked position as long as the release unit is not activated. The securing device is designed to permit a motion of the joint out of the particular locked position within a specified range of motion even if the release unit is not activated. The invention further relates to a corresponding securing device for a retaining device and to an operating method for said securing device.

A robot arm apparatus is provided and includes: an arm unit made up of a plurality of links joined to each other by one or a plurality of a joint unit; and a driving control unit that drives the arm unit by controlling driving of the joint unit. If a malfunction is detected in at least one of the joint unit, the driving control unit controls the driving of the joint unit in a state in which a certain restriction is imposed on motion of the arm unit, and drives the arm unit to avoid the malfunction.

A method for controlling a robotic arm in a robotic surgical system includes defining a reference plane at a predetermined reference location for a robotic arm, where the robotic arm includes a plurality of joints, and driving at least one of the plurality of joints to guide the robotic arm through a series of predetermined poses substantially constrained within the reference plane.

Implementations relate to breakage detection of a tension element for a counterbalance mechanism. In some implementations, a tension element breakage detection mechanism includes a tension element, a moveable detection element contacting the tension element, and an actuator. The moveable detection element is biased by the tension element toward a first configuration in a range of motion of the moveable detection element. The moveable detection element is biased toward a second configuration in the range of motion of the moveable detection element by a force generated by the actuator on the moveable detection element. The breakage detection mechanism includes a sensor of a change of the moveable detection element from the first configuration to the second configuration, the change being in response to breakage of the tension element.

A surgical lighting system includes a central shaft, a surgical light head, an extension arm, a load balancing arm, and a yoke assembly. The extension arm is pivotably mounted to the central shaft. The load balancing arm is pivotably mounted to the extension arm. The yoke assembly supports the light head for multi-axis movement relative to the load balancing arm. The surgical light head includes a plurality of light emitting elements that are arranged to emit light downward to a region of interest and an optical signal generating component configured to capture data associated with the region of interest and generate an optical signal based on the captured data. Optical fiber cables and rotatable joints transmit the optical signal associated with the captured data from the surgical light head to one or more of the yoke assembly, the load balancing arm, the extension arm, and the central shaft.

A medical support arm apparatus including: an arm unit including a plurality of links joined to each other by one or a plurality of a joint unit; and a driving control unit that drives the arm unit by controlling driving of the joint unit. If a malfunction is detected in at least one of the joint unit, the driving control unit controls the driving of the joint unit in a state in which a certain restriction is imposed on motion of the arm unit, and drives the arm unit to avoid the malfunction.