Abstract:
Mechanisms, assemblies, systems, tools, and methods incorporating the use of an offset drive shaft within an independently rotating member are provided. An example mechanism includes a base and a main shaft mounted to rotate relative to the base, a first drive shaft mounted inside the main shaft, and a first drive feature engaged with the first drive shaft. The main shaft includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a main shaft rotational axis defined therebetween. The first drive shaft is offset from the main shaft rotational axis. A first drive feature rotational axis is defined for the first drive feature and is fixed relative to the base as the main shaft rotates. The first drive feature rotates the first drive shaft.
Abstract:
Methods of articulating and actuating an end effector of a surgical tool include equal rate rotation of an input shaft of the end effector via a drive shaft. A method includes supporting an end effector base of the end effector by an elongate shaft of the surgical tool via a wrist assembly of the surgical tool. Orientation of the end effector base relative to the elongate shaft is controlled via four tension members. An input shaft of a shaft driven mechanism of the end effector is rotated around an input shaft axis by rotating a drive shaft of the surgical tool around a drive shaft axis. A rate of rotation of the drive shaft and a rate of rotation of the input shaft are equal when the end effector base is pivoted relative to the elongate shaft.
Abstract:
A surgical instrument having a jaw lock includes first jaw and second jaws that are moveable from an open position to a closed position. At least one of the jaws includes a jaw slot having a jaw closing portion and a jaw locking portion. A pin positioned within the jaw slot is advanced by a blade. The blade includes a cutting edge and a notch defining a first edge configured to advance the pin to move the jaws to, and secure the jaws in, the closed position.
Abstract:
A system and method of variable velocity control of an instrument by a computer-assisted device includes a computer-assisted device that includes an actuator and one or more processors. To perform an operation with an instrument coupled to the computer-assisted device, the one or more processors are configured to set a velocity set point of the actuator to an initial velocity, monitor force or torque applied by the actuator to actuate the instrument, when the applied force or torque is above a first force or torque limit, determine whether a total duration of a set of pauses occurring during the operation of the instrument is below a maximum pause threshold, and in response to determining that the total duration is below the maximum pause threshold, pause the operation of the instrument.
Abstract:
A method for attaching a surgical instrument to an instrument carriage includes engaging an instrument sterile adapter with an instrument carriage using a first latch mechanism of the instrument sterile adapter; and engaging a surgical instrument with the instrument sterile adapter using a second latch mechanism of the instrument sterile adapter. In an engaged state of the second latch mechanism with surgical instrument the first latch mechanism is not disengageable from the instrument carriage. The first latch mechanism and the second latch mechanism are coupled to a frame portion of the instrument sterile adapter via a connecting member.
Abstract:
Minimally invasive surgical methods employ an offset drive shaft to actuate an end effector. A minimally invasive surgical method includes introducing an end effector to an internal surgical site. The end effector includes an end effector base that is coupled to the instrument shaft via a wrist. An end effector articulation mechanism is operated to reorient the end effector base relative to the instrument shaft. A surgical task is performed by operating a motor to rotate an offset drive shaft relative to the instrument shaft to actuate the end effector.
Abstract:
Gas-tight seal assemblies for use during minimally invasive surgery include various aspects. A wiper seal includes a sealing portion and a surrounding flex portion. Upper and lower faces of the sealing portions are angled with reference to an inserted instrument, the upper face's angle being more acute with reference to the instrument's shaft than the lower face's angle. The flex portion is corrugated, support ribs are in one or more corrugation grooves, and the support ribs allow the groove to easily collapse but resist the groove widening. The support ribs also prevent the sealing portion from inverting. An instrument insertion guide is positioned over the sealing portion and moves laterally with the sealing portion. A latch piece removably secures the seal assembly to a cannula. An anti-inversion piece prevents the wiper seal from inverting when an instrument is withdrawn. An assembly may include various combinations of the seal assembly, a cannula, a surgical instrument, an obturator, an endoscope, and a teleoperated medical device. The seal assembly may rotate within a cannula. The seal assembly may be used during manual or teleoperated surgery.
Abstract:
Gas-tight seal assemblies for us during minimally invasive surgery include various aspects. A wiper seal includes a sealing portion and a surrounding flex portion. Upper and lower faces of the sealing portions are angled with reference to an inserted instrument, the upper face's angle being more acute with reference to the instrument's shaft than the lower face's angle. The flex portion is corrugated, support ribs are in one or more corrugation grooves, and the support ribs allow the groove to easily collapse but resist the groove widening. The support ribs also prevent the sealing portion from inverting. An instrument insertion guide is positioned over the sealing portion and moves laterally with the sealing portion. A latch piece removably secures the seal assembly to a cannula. An anti-inversion piece prevents the wiper seal from inverting when an instrument is withdrawn. An assembly may include various combinations of the seal assembly, a cannula, a surgical instrument, an obturator, an endoscope, and a teleoperated medical device. The seal assembly may rotate within a cannula. The seal assembly may be used during manual or teleoperated surgery.
Abstract:
Surgical tools having a two degree-of-freedom wrist, wrist articulation by linked tension members, mechanisms for transmitting torque through an angle, and minimally invasive surgical tools incorporating these features are disclosed. An elongate intermediate wrist member is pivotally coupled with a distal end of an instrument shaft so as to rotate about a first axis transverse to the shaft, and an end effector body is pivotally coupled with the intermediate member so as to rotate about a second axis that is transverse to the first axis. Linked tension members interact with attachment features to articulate the wrist. A torque-transmitting mechanism includes a coupling member, coupling pins, a drive shaft, and a driven shaft. The drive shaft is coupled with the driven shaft so as to control the relative orientations of the drive shaft, the coupling member, and the driven shaft.
Abstract:
An instrument sterile adapter (310) couples a surgical instrument (120) and an instrument carriage (130). The instrument sterile adapter (310) includes an instrument plate (430) that provides a first surface to receive the surgical instrument (120) and a latch plate (400) joined to the instrument plate (430). The latch plate (400) includes a second surface to receive the instrument carriage (130) and latch structures. Each latch structure has a carriage latch arm (410) that extends away from the second surface of the latch plate (400) and an instrument latch arm (405) joined to the carriage latch arm (410). The instrument latch arm (405) extends through the instrument plate (430) and away from the first surface of the instrument plate (430). A connecting member (425) flexibly connects the carriage latch arm (410) and the instrument latch arm (405) to a remainder of the latch plate (400). The connecting member (425) may be perpendicular to the latch arms (405). The latch arms (405) may engage fixed locking surfaces in the instrument carriage (130) and the surgical instrument (120).