Bilateral teleoperation: An historical survey

A surgical instrument for enhancing robotic surgery generally includes an elongate shaft with an ultrasound probe, an end effector at the distal end of the shaft, and a base at the proximal end of the shaft. The end effector includes an ultrasound probe tip and the surgical instrument is generally configured for convenient positioning of the probe tip within a surgical site by a robotic surgical system. Ultrasound energy delivered by the probe tip may be used to cut, cauterize, or achieve various other desired effects on tissue at a surgical site. In various embodiments, the end effector also includes a gripper, for gripping tissue in cooperation with the ultrasound probe tip. The base is generally configured to removably couple the surgical instrument to a robotic surgical system and to transmit forces from the surgical system to the end effector, through the elongate shaft. A method for enhancing robotic surgery generally includes coupling the surgical instrument to a robotic surgical system, positioning the probe tip in contact with tissue at a surgical site, and delivering ultrasound energy to the tissue.

Robotic surgical tool with ultrasound cauterizing and cutting instrument

Robotic surgical tools, systems, and methods for preparing for and performing robotic surgery include a memory mounted on the tool. The memory can perform a number of functions when the tool is loaded on the tool manipulator: first, the memory can provide a signal verifying that the tool is compatible with that particular robotic system. Secondly, the tool memory may identify the tool-type to the robotic system so that the robotic system can reconfigure its programming. Thirdly, the memory of the tool may indicate tool-specific information, including measured calibration offsets indicating misalignment of the tool drive system, tool life data, or the like. This information may be stored in a read only memory (ROM), or in a nonvolatile memory which can be written to only a single time. The invention further provides improved engagement structures for coupling robotic surgical tools with manipulator structures.

Mechanical actuator interface system for robotic surgical tools

Robotic surgical tools, systems, and methods for preparing for, and performing robotic surgery include a memory (126) mounted on the tool (54). The memory (126) can perform a number of functions when the tool (54) is loaded on the tool manipulator (58). First, the memory can provide a signal verifying that the tool (54) is compatible with that particular robotic system. Secondly, the tool memory (126) may identify the tool-type to the robotic system so that the robotic system can reconfigure its programming. Thirdly, the memory (126) of the tool (54) may indicate tool specific information, including measured calibration offsets indicating misalignment of the tool drive system, tool life data, or the like. This information may be stored in a read only memory (ROM), or in a nonvolatile memory which can be written to only a single time. The invention further provides improved engagement structures for coupling robotic surgical tools with manipulator structures.

Surgical robotic tools, data architecture, and use

The invention provides robotic surgical systems which allow selectable independent repositioning of an input handle of a master controller and/or a surgical end effector without corresponding movement of the other. In some embodiments, independent repositioning is limited to translational degrees of freedom. In other embodiments, the system provides an input device adjacent a manipulator supporting the surgical instrument so that an assistant can reposition the instrument at the patient's side.

Repositioning and reorientation of master/slave relationship in minimally invasive telesurgery

This paper presents the Black Falcon, an eight degree-of-freedom teleoperator slave with a dextrous wrist for minimally invasive surgery (MIS). We show how teleoperation can address several key problems in MIS by increasing dexterity and degrees of freedom, by giving the surgeon some force feedback to feel instrument-tissue interactions and by eliminating geometric discrepancies between actual and observed tool motions. We discuss relevant design constraints, summarize the mechanism design and give data showing the quality of force reflection achieved. We demonstrate suturing along arbitrarily oriented suture lines in animal tissue, a task essentially impossible using current instruments.

The Black Falcon: a teleoperated surgical instrument for minimally invasive surgery

A method is presented to generate motions for a class of multilimb robotic systems enabling them to apply large static forces over large ranges of motion without saturating actuator effort limits, system-environment friction constraints, kinematic joint limits, or geometric workspace obstacles. The approach, termed the force-workspace (FW) approach, maps these constraints into the system C-space to form constraint obstacles using a recursive subdivision process. To generate motions along which actuator efforts can be specified without violating system constraints, paths are planned that avoid these constraint obstacles. The method permits the shape of the paths to be controlled using any configuration-dependent performance criterion. The FW approach was applied to a proposed three-limb planar climbing robot whose task is to climb upwards between two vertical walls by pushing outwards to generate frictional support. >

Motion planning of mobile multi-limb robotic systems subject to force and friction constraints

http://asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/IDETC-CIE/proceedings-pdf/doi/10.1115/DETC1992-0262/6670142/581_1_detc1992-0262.pdf

Design and Motion Planning of Multi-Limb Robotic Systems: The Force-Workspace Approach

Multi-limb robots able to apply large forces over large ranges of motion are needed for many tasks. These tasks may strain a system's actuation capabilities and its ability to maintain secure contact with its environment. The Force-Workspace Approach is presented and used to plan a system's activities without violating actuation limits or frictional constraints with their tasks and environments. The technique is applied to the example of a robotic climbing machine.

Planning motions of robotic systems subject to force and friction constraints with an application to a robotic climber

A robotic apparatus has eight actuators (M0-M7) and a linkage (LINK 0 - LINK 5) that actuates an end effector. Three serial macro freedoms have large ranges of motion and inertias. Four serial micro freedoms have small ranges of motion and inertias. Translation of the end effector in any direction is actuated by at least one micro joint and at least one macro joint. The apparatus can be part of a master and slave combination, providing force feedback without any explicit force sensors. The slave is controlled with an Inverse Jacobian controller, and the master with a Jacobian Transpose controller. A slave having more degrees-of freedom (DOFs) than the master can be controlled. A removable effector unit actuates its DOFs with cables. Beating heart surgery can be accomplished by commanding the slave to move with a beating heart, and cancelling out any such motion in the motions perceived by the master.

Akhil J. Madhani

Papers

The Black Falcon: a teleoperated surgical instrument for minimally invasive surgery

Motion planning of mobile multi-limb robotic systems subject to force and friction constraints

Design and Motion Planning of Multi-Limb Robotic Systems: The Force-Workspace Approach

Planning motions of robotic systems subject to force and friction constraints with an application to a robotic climber

Surgical robotic apparatus