A surgical system (200) includes a surgical instrument (260) that is sensitive to backlash that would adversely affect the transmission of controlled torque and position to the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument (260) is coupled to motors in a surgical instrument manipulator assembly (240) via a mechanical interface. The combination of the mechanical interface and surgical instrument manipulator assembly (240) have low backlash, e.g., less than 0.7 degrees. The backlash is controlled in the surgical instrument manipulator assembly (240). From the drive output disk (545) in the surgical instrument manipulator assembly to the driven disk (964) of the surgical instrument, the mechanical interface has zero backlash for torque levels used in surgical procedures.

A relative translation assembly operable with a drive mechanism. The relative translation assembly can have a fixed support member, a translatable member supported by the fixed support member, and a translation guide portion to facilitate translation of the translatable member relative to the fixed support member. The translation guide portion can have a fixed translation member and a movable translation member. The movable translation member can be configured to maintain preload on the fixed and movable translation members and accommodate thermal expansion. The drive mechanism can be configured to cause translation of the translatable member relative to the fixed support member.

A mechatronic device, such as a rod-style linear actuator, is disclosed having a shock absorber. In embodiments, the device includes a threaded screw that, when rotated, is also forced to move linearly. A drive nut assembly is disposed about the screw and includes a planetary roller assembly with planetary rollers with threading that engage the threaded screw. The shock absorber is disposed linearly adjacent to the planetary roller assembly and is configured to absorb and/or dissipate a static shock load transmitted through the device so as to protect the screw. The shock absorber may be a polymeric cylindrical member disposed about the screw and contacting the planetary roller assembly via springs.

A screw actuator having a screw shaft and a nut arrangement is described herein, the nut arrangement comprising: a primary nut; a first secondary nut having a first thread; a second secondary nut having a second thread; and a first attachment means. The first nut, first secondary nut, and second secondary nut are connected to the first attachment means with a first, initial, axial spacing between the first and second secondary nuts. The first secondary nut is mounted to the first attachment means via bearings that allow the first secondary nut to rotate relative to the first attachment. The first secondary nut is connected to the second secondary nut via a screw thread connection having a pitch lower than a pitch of a screw thread of the screw actuator shaft.

An attachment assembly for connecting an actuator to a frame, a method for manufacturing this attachment assembly and a method for reducing backlash in an attachment assembly. The attachment assembly comprises: an outer yoke having a first end and an opposite second end and defining an internal cavity at said second end. The outer yoke has an aperture provided at its second end connected to the cavity; and an inner yoke located within the cavity. A tie bar having a ball shaped end extends through said aperture such that the ball shaped end is positioned within the cavity and cannot pass through the aperture. A spring is provided at said first end of said outer yoke that is configured to bias the inner yoke in the direction of the aperture. The attachment also includes shearable means for holding the inner yoke.

A spindle drive (10), with a spindle (20) which is rotatable about a rotation axis (24) at least indirectly by a drive motor (12), the spindle (20) having a thread-like spindle turn (22) on which a spindle nut (26) is arranged movably in the longitudinal direction of the rotation axis (24), and with a worm gear (15; 15a) which is arranged in a gear housing (14), is drivable by the drive motor (12) and is connected to the spindle (20) for conjoint rotation therewith.

A surgical system (200) includes a surgical instrument (260) that is sensitive to backlash that would adversely affect the transmission of controlled torque and position to the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument (260) is coupled to motors in a surgical instrument manipulator assembly (240) via a mechanical interface. The combination of the mechanical interface and surgical instrument manipulator assembly (240) have low backlash, e.g., less than 0.7 degrees. The backlash is controlled in the surgical instrument manipulator assembly (240). From the drive output disk (545) in the surgical instrument manipulator assembly to the driven disk (964) of the surgical instrument, the mechanical interface has zero backlash for torque levels used in surgical procedures.

A good-orientation, low-drift micro-movement subassembly for angle adjustment as a precise driving screw for angle adjustment, comprising a slotted knurling handle, a turnbuckle and a central cylindrical shaft. The invention is precise for linear displacement, good orientation, low-drift, stable and reliable adjustment, which can be used for a variety of precision-oriented, small drift, precision micro-angle adjustment of the drive screw.

An anti-backlash device for preventing backlash derived from a moving load on a screw used in converting rotary motion into linear motion, the anti-backlash device comprising: a cylindrical pressure actuator integrally formed with a helical thread and axially mounted on the screw; a cradle integrally formed with a helical thread and internal cradle threads, the cradle being mounted exterior to and in mechanical contact with both the cylindrical pressure actuator and the screw, and a preloading means comprising a wave spring and a retainer mounted in the cradle.

A surgical system includes a surgical instrument that is sensitive to backlash that would adversely affect the transmission of controlled torque and position to the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument is coupled to motors in a surgical instrument manipulator assembly via a mechanical interface. The combination of the mechanical interface and surgical instrument manipulator assembly have low backlash, e.g., less than 0.7 degrees. The backlash is controlled in the surgical instrument manipulator assembly. From the drive output disk in the surgical instrument manipulator assembly to the driven disk of the surgical instrument, the mechanical interface has zero backlash for torque levels used in surgical procedures.