An instrument driver comprises opposing rotatable gripping pads. Each of the gripping pads includes an outer circular rim and a center hub. The pads are configured for applying a gripping force to an elongated member. The instrument driver further comprises shafts affixed to the center hubs, and a driver assembly configured for rotating at least one of the shafts, thereby causing the pads to rotate in opposite directions to linearly translate the gripped member. Each of the pads further includes a framework for partially collapsing in response to the gripping force, such that portions of the rims flatten to contact each other. Each rim has a concave gripping surface in order to facilitate vertical centering of the member between the pads. Each of the pads further includes a pair of upper and lower sprockets for interlacing with each other to prevent the elongated member from slipping out between the pads.

A motion feedthrough for a surgical drape, the motion feedthrough comprising a drive transfer element comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being releasably engageable with a portion of a robot arm and the second portion being releasably engageable with a portion of an instrument, the drive transfer element being movable relative to a bulk portion of the drape so as to transfer drive between the robot arm and the instrument.

Medical instruments having a translatable spool are disclosed. In one aspect, a medical instrument configured for use with a robotic system includes an instrument base configured to couple to a robotic drive mechanism of the robotic system and an elongate shaft coupled to the instrument base. The elongate shaft has a distal end. The medical instrument also includes a pull wire fixedly coupled to the distal end of the elongate shaft, the pull wire being configured to actuate the elongate shaft, and a rotatable spool in the instrument base. The rotatable spool is configured to direct the pull wire to the elongate shaft at an angle. The rotatable spool is configured to translate in coordination with actuation of the elongate shaft to control the angle of the pull wire relative to the elongate shaft.

A motion feedthrough for a surgical drape, the motion feedthrough comprising a drive transfer element comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being releasably engageable with a portion of a robot arm and the second portion being releasably engageable with a portion of an instrument, the drive transfer element being movable relative to a bulk portion of the drape so as to transfer drive between the robot arm and the instrument.

A computer-assisted teleoperated system includes a pre-load assembly in an instrument manipulator that is under the control of a controller. The controller can automatically cause the preload assembly to engage and disengage a preload. A surgical apparatus includes an instrument manipulator assembly and a sterile adapter assembly. The sterile adapter assembly is mounted in the distal face of the instrument manipulator assembly. When the preload assembly configures the instrument manipulator assembly to apply a preload force on the sterile adapter assembly, the sterile adapter assembly is removable from the distal face of the instrument manipulator. The sterile adapter assembly includes a mechanical sterile adapter assembly removal lockout and a mechanical instrument removal lockout.

A computer-assisted teleoperated system includes a pre-load assembly in an instrument manipulator that is under the control of a controller. The controller can automatically cause the preload assembly to engage and disengage a preload. A surgical apparatus includes an instrument manipulator assembly and a sterile adapter assembly. The sterile adapter assembly is mounted in the distal face of the instrument manipulator assembly. When the preload assembly configures the instrument manipulator assembly to apply a preload force on the sterile adapter assembly, the sterile adapter assembly is removable from the distal face of the instrument manipulator. The sterile adapter assembly includes a mechanical sterile adapter assembly removal lockout and a mechanical instrument removal lockout.

Apparatus and methods are described for performing a procedure using a robotic unit. A sterile drape is placed around a drape plate, such that the sterile drape forms an interface between a non-sterile zone and a sterile zone, such that the tool mount is disposed within the sterile zone, and one or more robotic arms and a tool motor are disposed within the non-sterile zone. The tool is driven to roll with respect to the end effector via at least one gear mechanism disposed within the sterile zone, and a motion-transmission portion configured to transmit motion from the tool motor to the at least one gear mechanism, while maintaining a seal between the sterile zone and the non-sterile zone. Other applications are also described.

Apparatus and methods are described for performing a procedure using a robotic unit. A sterile drape is placed around a drape plate, such that the sterile drape forms an interface between a non-sterile zone and a sterile zone, such that the tool mount is disposed within the sterile zone, and one or more robotic arms and a tool motor are disposed within the non-sterile zone. The tool is driven to roll with respect to the end effector via at least one gear mechanism disposed within the sterile zone, and a motion-transmission portion configured to transmit motion from the tool motor to the at least one gear mechanism, while maintaining a seal between the sterile zone and the non-sterile zone. Other applications are also described.

Featured is a drape for an imaging system base slidably supporting a gimbal and gantry. The preferred drape includes a sheet configured to extend from a first end of the base, between the gimbal and the gantry, and to a second end of the base, one or more sleeves associated with the sheet, and one or more stretchable members (e.g., elastic cords) slidably disposed in said one or more sleeves and stretchable from the first end of the base to the second end of the base.

Featured is a drape for an imaging system base slidably supporting a gimbal and gantry. The preferred drape includes a sheet configured to extend from a first end of the base, between the gimbal and the gantry, and to a second end of the base, one or more sleeves associated with the sheet, and one or more stretchable members (e.g., elastic cords) slidably disposed in said one or more sleeves and stretchable from the first end of the base to the second end of the base.