Abstract:
Techniques for controlling grasping include a manipulator configured to be releasably coupled to an instrument, the instrument having an end effector comprising a first jaw and a second jaw; a drive system configured to apply a force or torque to the instrument to cause the end effector to grasp a material between the first jaw and the second jaw; and a processor. The processor is configured to monitor a force or torque applied by the drive system to cause the end effector to grasp the material and in response to a determination that the applied force or torque is below a lower limit of an acceptable range of force or torque, reverse a direction of the applied force or torque.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for operating an end effector include an end effector for grasping a material, a drive system coupled to the end effector, a user interface, and a processor. The processor is configured to actuate the drive system to clamp the material using the end effector and in response to detecting successful clamping of the material, display a timer on the user interface. The timer provides an indication of when conditions will be safe to proceed with stapling of the material clamped by the end effector.
Abstract:
A method for determining a shape of a bendable instrument can include placing the bendable instrument in a neutral position; moving a first control element a first amount until slack is removed from the first control element; moving a second control element a second amount until slack is removed from the second control element; sensing a position of the first control element after moving the first control element the first amount, the sensed position of the first control element being defined as a first control element calibration position; sensing a position of the second control element after moving the second control element the second amount, the sensed position of the second control element being defined as a second control element calibration position. The method can further include bending the instrument by moving one or both of the first control element and the second control element from the respective first control element calibration position and the second control element calibration position; and determining a resulting shape of the bendable instrument based on a distance one or both of the first control element and the second control element respectively moved from the first control element calibration position and second control element calibration.
Abstract:
Techniques for torque compensation include a system include actuating means coupled to a clamping means and processing means. The processing means is configured to acquire an initial torque limit for the clamping means; adjust the initial torque limit based on an angle of a wrist of the clamping means to obtain an adjusted torque limit; and drive, subject to the adjusted torque limit, the actuating means to cause the clamping means to clamp a material.
Abstract:
In some embodiments, torque compensation in a clamping instrument includes control electronics obtaining an initial torque limit for the clamping instrument, adjusting the initial torque limit based on a temperature of a motor assembly used to operate the clamping instrument, and clamping the clamping instrument according to the adjusted torque limit. The adjusted torque limit corresponds to a maximum torque that may be applied by the clamping instrument to perform the clamping. In some embodiments, torque compensation in a stapling instrument includes control electronics obtaining an initial torque limit for the stapling instrument, adjusting the initial torque limit based on a number of times the stapling instrument has been fired, and firing the stapling instrument according to the adjusted torque limit. The adjusted torque limit corresponds to a maximum torque that may be applied by the stapling instrument to perform the firing.
Abstract:
A method of controlling a surgical instrument comprising an end effector may comprise detecting a first signal indicating that an end effector component of a surgical instrument is positioned between a first position and a second position; and automatically controlling operation of the end effector component when a second signal is not detected within a predetermined delayed response time period after detecting the first signal, wherein the second signal indicates that the end effector component is in one of the first position or the second position.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for controlling staple firing include a manipulator, a drive system, and a processor. The manipulator is configured to be releasably coupled to an instrument. The instrument has an end effector comprising a first jaw and a second jaw. The drive system is configured to apply a force or torque to the instrument to cause staple firing to occur using the end effector. The processor is configured to monitor a force or torque applied by the drive system to cause staple firing to occur and in response to determining that the applied force or torque is outside of an acceptable range of force or torque, maintain application of clamping by the first jaw and the second jaw while suspending application of the force or torque that causes the staple firing to occur.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for operating an end effector include an end effector for grasping a material, a drive system coupled to the end effector, and a processor. The processor is configured to use the drive system to grasp a material using the end effector, determine a grasping separation parameter of the end effector, determine, based on the determined grasping separation parameter, a prediction of success or failure in configuring the end effector for firing a staple through the material, and based on the determined grasping separation parameter, output an indicator of whether it is safe to proceed with stapling of the material grasped by the end effector.
Abstract:
Systems and methods are provided for detecting failure in clamping of a material and/or firing of a staple into a clamped material and indicating such failure to a user on a user interface. The system and methods are particularly suited for use with end effectors having closing and/or firing mechanisms coupled to an actuator. By monitoring a driving parameter of an actuator that effects the clamping and/or firing, the systems and methods provide an indication of failure in response to the monitored drive parameter. In some embodiments, an indication of failure is output when the monitored drive parameter is outside an acceptable range of desired driving parameters during clamping and/or firing. The disclosed systems and methods are particularly beneficial when used for minimally invasive surgery.