Abstract:
A catheter system comprises an elongate flexible catheter and a support structure mounted on the catheter. The support structure comprises a first alignment feature and a second alignment feature. The system further comprises a first sensor component mated with the first alignment feature and a second sensor component mated with the second alignment feature. The first sensor component is fixed relative to the second sensor component in at least one degree of freedom at the support structure by the first alignment feature.
Abstract:
What is described is a minimally invasive surgical instrument comprising an elongate flexible body, a plurality of conduits, a plurality of tendons, and a steerable tube. The elongate flexible body includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. Each conduit includes a lumen and extends through the elongate flexible body from the proximal portion into the distal portion. The tendons extend from the proximal portion to the distal portion of the elongate flexible body, and each tendon is actuatable to bend the steerable tube. The steerable tube is coupled to the distal portion of the elongate flexible body, and the steerable tube includes an inner surface, an outer surface, a wall having a thickness extending between the inner surface and the outer surface, and a plurality of channels in the wall configured to receive the tendons.
Abstract:
An anatomical probe system comprises an elongated flexible body and an operational component extending within a channel of the flexible body. The system also comprises a support member at a distal end of the elongated flexible body. The support member includes a fluid director adapted to direct a fluid from the channel toward the operational component. The fluid may be automatically directed towards the operational component in response to detecting a material obstruction of an image.
Abstract:
A method for operating a medical system comprises inserting a cannula through a body wall of a patient to a target depth, adjusting an adjustable connecting mechanism to a target setting to position an instrument holder at a target position relative to a robotic manipulator arm, and coupling the instrument holder to the cannula. The adjustable connecting mechanism comprises a plurality of depth position settings to adjust a position of the instrument holder relative to the robotic manipulator arm based on the target depth. The target setting corresponds to the target depth, and a remote center distance between the robotic manipulator arm and a remote center of motion is maintained as the adjustable connecting mechanism moves the instrument holder to the target position relative to the robotic manipulator arm. The cannula pivots about the remote center of motion.
Abstract:
A surgical manipulator linkage assembly may comprise a linkage arm that includes a first pulley and a second pulley. Each of the first pulley and the second pulley comprise a first drive track and a second drive track. The first drive track and the second drive track are substantially co-planar, and the first drive track extends at least partially around the second drive track. The linkage arm also includes a first drive member section extending between the first drive tracks of the first pulley and the second pulley. The linkage arm also includes a second drive member section extending between the second drive tracks of the first pulley and the second pulley. The first drive member section is wound around the first pulley in a first tensile direction and the second drive member section is wound around the first pulley in a opposite second tensile direction.
Abstract:
A minimally invasive medical instrument comprises an elongate flexible body comprising a proximal portion, a distal portion, a transition portion between the proximal portion and the distal portion, and an inner sheath extending at least within the proximal portion. The inner sheath comprises a plurality of conduits extending through a wall of the inner sheath. A distal end of each conduit terminates at the transition portion. The flexible body further comprises a steerable tube extending within the distal portion. The steerable tube comprises a plurality of grooves in a wall of the steerable tube. The medical instrument further comprises at least one tendon extending from the proximal portion into the distal portion of the flexible body. In the proximal portion, the tendon extends through at least one conduit of the plurality of conduits. In the distal portion, the tendon extends within at least one groove of the plurality of grooves.
Abstract:
An axial support structure for a flexible elongate device may comprise a plurality of rigid links coupled by pin joints. Each of the plurality of rigid links may comprise a shaft, a pair of male joint connectors, and a pair of female joint connectors. Each male joint connector may comprise a male tab including an inner surface coplanar with an inner surface of the shaft and extending axially from a first end of the shaft. Each of the male joint connectors may include a pin extending radially. Each female joint connector may comprise a female tab having an outer surface coplanar with an outer surface of the shaft and extending axially from a second end of the shaft. The pair of female joint connectors may be rotated by 90 degrees relative to the pair of male joint connectors. Each female tab may define an aperture.
Abstract:
A catheter system comprises an elongate flexible catheter and a support structure mounted on the catheter. The support structure comprises a first alignment feature and a second alignment feature. The first alignment feature is configured to mate with a first sensor component and the second alignment feature configured to mate with a second sensor component. When the system further comprises a first sensor component mated with the first alignment feature and a second sensor component mated with the second alignment feature, the first sensor component is fixed relative to the second sensor component in at least one degree of freedom at the support structure by the first and second alignment features.
Abstract:
A surgical device comprises a tube including a proximal segment and a distal segment and a plurality of force transmission elements coupled to the tube. The force transmission elements are actuatable to alter the distal segment of the tube between a flexible state and a stiffened state. The device also comprises a plurality of routing members. Each routing member is coupled to a wall of the tube. The routing members are configured to receive and route the force transmission elements along a length of the tube while permitting the length of the tube to flex and compress. The device also comprises a decoupling structure that generates a reduced force transmitted to the proximal segment when an applied force is applied to the distal segment by the force transmission elements.
Abstract:
An anatomical probe system comprises an elongated flexible body and an operational component extending within a channel of the flexible body. The system also comprises a support member at a distal end of the elongated flexible body. The support member includes a fluid director adapted to direct a fluid from the channel toward the operational component. The fluid may be automatically directed towards the operational component in response to detecting a material obstruction of an image.