A surgical instrument includes a shaft assembly, an end effector, a firing system, and a firing lockout assembly. The end effector is operatively coupled with the shaft assembly. The end effector includes first and second jaws. The first jaw includes an anvil. The second jaw is configured to removably receive an unspent staple cartridge. The firing system extends through at least a portion of the shaft assembly and the end effector. The firing lockout assembly is selectively coupled with the firing system. The firing lockout assembly is disposed proximal to the end effector. The firing lockout assembly is configured to allow actuation of the firing system in an unlocked configuration in response to the unspent staple cartridge being coupled with the second jaw; and inhibit actuation of the firing system in a locked configuration in response to the unspent staple cartridge being absent from the second jaw.

A tracking apparatus for tracking a bone of a patient limb is provided. The tracking apparatus includes a body configured to couple to the patient limb. The body includes first and second arms each including an exterior and opposing interior surface and opposing sides connecting the exterior and interior surfaces. The tracking apparatus also includes a wing portion extending from one of the sides of the first or second arm, the wing portion sharing the interior surface of the first or second arm. The tracking apparatus also includes one or more ultrasonic sensors coupled to the interior surface of the body and the interior surface of wing portion, the one or more ultrasonic sensor being configured to transmit ultrasonic waves to and receive ultrasonic waves from the bone. The tracking apparatus also includes one or more trackable elements coupled to the body and the wing portion.

A method of operating a robotically controlled surgical instrument that includes an end effector, a driving assembly, and a lockout, the method includes inhibiting actuation of the driving assembly when the lockout is in a locked configuration in response to an unspent staple cartridge being absent from a first jaw of the end effector. The method also includes inserting the unspent staple cartridge into the first jaw of the end effector to switch the lockout to an unlocked configuration. The method also includes actuating the driving assembly to pivot the first jaw, which includes the staple cartridge, toward a second jaw of the end effector to at least one of staple or cut tissue with the end effector when the lockout is in the unlocked configuration.

A method of operating a robotically controlled surgical instrument that includes an end effector, a driving assembly, and a lockout, the method includes inhibiting actuation of the driving assembly when the lockout is in a locked configuration in response to an unspent staple cartridge being absent from a first jaw of the end effector. The method also includes inserting the unspent staple cartridge into the first jaw of the end effector to switch the lockout to an unlocked configuration. The method also includes actuating the driving assembly to pivot the first jaw, which includes the staple cartridge, toward a second jaw of the end effector to at least one of staple or cut tissue with the end effector when the lockout is in the unlocked configuration.

A robotically driven interventional device includes an elongate, flexible body, having a proximal end and a distal end; a hub on the proximal end; at least one rotatable roller on a first surface of the hub; and at least one magnet on the first surface of the hub.

A robotically driven interventional device includes an elongate, flexible body, having a proximal end and a distal end; a hub on the proximal end; at least one rotatable roller on a first surface of the hub; and at least one magnet on the first surface of the hub.

Disclosed is a system to engage one or more tools. In the system, a drive shaft and collet may be assembled to engage and disengage, selectively, a plurality of tools. A guide may be used with the system to select various features of a procedure, such as depth and position.

Apparatus and methods for providing a robotic arm cart for transporting, delivering, and securing robotic arms to a surgical table having a tabletop on which a patient can be disposed are described herein. In some embodiments described herein an arm cart can contain multiple robotic arms. A robotic arm can be selected and moved from a storage position within the arm cart to a deployment position in which at least a portion of that robotic arm protrudes from the arm cart. A robotic arm in a deployment position can be coupled to a surgical table and decoupled from the arm cart.

Apparatus and methods for providing a robotic arm cart for transporting, delivering, and securing robotic arms to a surgical table having a tabletop on which a patient can be disposed are described herein. In some embodiments described herein an arm cart can contain multiple robotic arms. A robotic arm can be selected and moved from a storage position within the arm cart to a deployment position in which at least a portion of that robotic arm protrudes from the arm cart. A robotic arm in a deployment position can be coupled to a surgical table and decoupled from the arm cart.

A manipulator system includes a manipulator configured for guiding an instrument. The system furthermore includes a controller configured to actuate the manipulator such that the instrument is pressed with a pressing force against a human body. A force reduction input device is provided separately from the manipulator and is operable by an operator to reduce the pressing force.