A surgical tool configured to selectively connect to a drive unit includes an elongate shaft, an end effector, an adapter, and first, second, third, and fourth cables. The end effector includes a first and second jaws. The cables extend through the elongate shaft with a distal portion of the first and fourth cables secured to a first side of the first and second jaws, respectively, and a distal portion of the second and third cables secured to a second side of the first and second jaws, respectively. The adapter is configured to selectively connect to the drive unit and includes a differential drive mechanism configured to manipulate proximal portions of the cables which manipulate the end effector in pitch, yaw, and jaw DOFs. Each of the cables are biased proximally and configured to maintain the end effector in a desired pose when the tool is disconnected from the drive unit.

The invention involves a system and method for controlling the movements of a multi-axis robot to perform a surgery at least on the spinal area of a human in vivo. The system includes controls and software coding to cause the robot to move in desired patterns to complete the surgery, which may include bone, disc and tissue removal, and may also include insertion of hardware for fusing adjacent bony structures.

Medical systems and methods for making and using medical systems are disclosed. Example medical systems may include an atherectomy system configured to engage and remove plaque from walls in vessels of a vascular system. The atherectomy system may include a drive shaft, a rotational tip coupled to an end of the drive shaft, a motor coupled to the drive shaft to rotate the rotational tip, and a controller configured to control a motor state of the motor. The controller may adjust a range of possible load outputs from the motor and/or a maximum load output from the motor to account for external loads acting on the drive shaft and/or rotational tip rotated by the motor and facilitate passing an occlusion in a vasculature of a patient.

A method of controlling an end effector of a surgical robot includes receiving a desired pose, generating motor torques, transmitting the motor torques, generating null torques, generating desired torques, and transmitting the desired torques to an IDU such that the IDU moves the end effector to the desired pose. A primary controller receives the desired pose of the end effector in three DOF. The primary controller generates the motor torques in response to receiving the desired pose. The primary controller transmits the motor torques which are received in a secondary controller. The secondary controller generates null torques to maintain tension in cables of a differential drive mechanism of the IDU. The desired torques are generated for each motor of the IDU to include a sum of the motor torques and the null torques.

A measuring instrument configured to measure a bone and a plate to determine the size of an attachment clamp, including: a medial clamp configured to engage a medial portion of the bone; a medial gauge connected to the medial clamp, the medial gauge including: a key along a portion of the medial gauge adjacent the medial clamp; a gauge indicator configured to indicate the size of attachment clamp; and a threaded portion; a lateral clamp configured to engage a plate on the bone, where the lateral clamp has a hollow portion with a channel, wherein the gauge indicator is positioned in the hollow portion and wherein the channel is configured to engage the key of the gauge indicator to prevent the lateral clamp from rotating about the gauge indicator; and a tightening knob threaded onto the thread portion of the of the medial gauge, wherein one end of the tightening knob indicates on the gauge indicator the size of the attachment clamp.

For control of a surgical instrument in a surgical robotic system, multiple actuators establish a static pretension by actuating in opposition to each other in torque control. The static pretension reduces or removes the compliance and elasticity, reducing the backlash width. To drive the tool, the actuators are then moved in cooperation with each other in position mode control so that the movement maintains the static pretension while providing precise control.

A stapling end effector includes an anvil assembly having a distal end and defining a plurality of staple forming pockets, and a cartridge assembly pivotal relative to the anvil assembly such that the end effector is movable between open and clamped positions. The anvil assembly supports a plurality of staples corresponding to the plurality of staple forming pockets. The surgical stapling instrument further includes a sensing tip disposed on a distal end of the end effector. The sensing tip is formed of a flexible material and includes at least one sensor for measuring at least one mechanical property. The mechanical property may include force, pressure or torque.

Surgical stapling instruments include mechanisms for identifying and/or deactivating stapler cartridge for use with the instruments. The stapling instrument includes a drive member for actuating a staple cartridge and a locking member movable from a disabled position permitting distal translation of the drive member through a staple firing stroke, to a locking position inhibiting distal translation of the drive member through the staple firing stroke. The staple cartridge may include a switch for maintaining the locking member in the disabled position. The switch may be further configured to operate as a reload detection mechanism for determining the type of reload present in the surgical stapling instrument.

Methods and system for characterizing ligament properties using elastography are disclosed. An ultrasound system capable of performing shear wave elasticity imaging and/or supersonic shear imaging may retrieve one or more images from a proposed surgical site. The one or more images may be provided to a surgical planning system that identifies one or more properties of ligaments proximate to the surgical site. Musculoskeletal simulations may be performed using the identified properties to preoperatively identify a surgical plan. Preoperative identification of a surgical plan may enable a surgeon to select from more fine-tuning options for a joint replacement than conventional systems.

Methods and systems of placing a medical fastener at a predetermined depth in a bone are described. A surgical tool can include an attachment assembly configured to interchangeably engage a medical fastener and a cutting element or bone removal tool and a drive assembly coupled to the attachment assembly. The attachment assembly can be configured to automatically release the medical fastener in response to the drive assembly reaching its end or distal-most position to place the medical fastener at a predetermined depth within the bone.