BACKGROUND

Robotic surgical systems used in minimally invasive medical procedures include a console or cart supporting a robot arm and a surgical instrument having an end effector that may include, for example, forceps, a stapler, or a grasping tool. The robot arm provides mechanical power to the surgical instrument for its operation and movement. Each robot arm may include an instrument drive unit that is operatively connected to the surgical instrument.

Prior to or during use of the robotic system, surgical instruments are selected and connected to the instrument drive units of each robot arm. For proper installation to be completed, certain connecting features of the surgical instrument must be matingly engaged to corresponding connecting features of the instrument drive unit. Once these features are matingly engaged, the instrument drive unit can drive the actuation of the surgical instrument. However, connection and removal of surgical instruments to instrument drive units can be difficult.

Accordingly, new robotic devices, systems, and methods that are reliable and that enable easy and efficient attachment and removal of surgical instruments would be desirable.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure describes robotic devices, systems, and methods that demonstrate a practical approach to meeting the performance requirements and overcoming the usability challenges associated with instrument attachment and removal. In general, the present disclosure describes robotic surgical systems that include an instrument drive unit and a surgical instrument support coupled to the instrument drive unit. The surgical instrument includes an end effector controllable to perform surgery in response to telemanipulation of actuators in the instrument drive unit.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a surgical system for selective connection to a robotic arm. The surgical system includes an instrument drive unit and a surgical instrument detachably coupled to the instrument drive unit. The instrument drive unit includes a first actuator, a linkage member having opposing first and second portions, and a drive member operatively coupled to the second portion of the linkage member. The first portion of the linkage member is operatively coupled to the first actuator such that actuation of the first actuator moves the first portion in a first direction and the second portion in a second direction opposite of the first direction. The surgical instrument includes a driven member operatively associated with the drive member of the instrument drive unit and an end effector operatively coupled with the driven member, wherein translation of the driven member effects a first function of the end effector.

In an embodiment, the linkage member may be pivotally supported about a pivot disposed between the first and second portions.

In another embodiment, the instrument drive unit may include a first elongate member having a first sleeve translatably mounted on the first elongate member. The first sleeve may be operatively associated with the first portion of the linkage member, such that rotation of the first elongate member pivots the linkage member about the pivot. In addition, the first sleeve may be threadably mounted on the first elongate member.

In another embodiment, the first sleeve may have a first camming pin and the first portion of the linkage member may define a first slot configured to slidably receive the first camming pin of the first sleeve, whereby translation of the first sleeve causes relative movement of the first camming pin within the first slot. Further, the first elongate member may include a pulley operatively coupled to the first actuator, wherein actuation of the first actuator causes rotation of the first elongate member.

In yet another embodiment, the instrument drive unit may further include a second elongate member having a second sleeve translatably mounted on the second elongate member. The second sleeve may be operatively associated with the second portion of the linkage member. In particular, the second sleeve may have a second camming pin, and the second portion of the linkage member may define a second slot configured to slidably receive the second camming pin of the second sleeve, whereby translation of the second sleeve causes relative movement of the second pin within the second slot.

In yet another embodiment, the surgical instrument may further include a first cable having a first end coupled to the driven member of the surgical instrument and a second end operatively associated with the end effector.

In an embodiment, the first actuator of the instrument drive unit may be controlled by telemanipulation.

In still another embodiment, the instrument drive unit may further include a second actuator and a rotatable member operatively coupled with the second actuator, and the surgical instrument may further include a gear member configured to operatively engage the rotatable member of the instrument drive unit and the end effector for concomitant rotation with the end effector.

In an embodiment, the first and second actuators may be independently actuatable.

In another embodiment, the instrument drive unit may be offset from a longitudinal axis defined by the robotic arm.

In yet another embodiment, the surgical instrument may include an elongate member extending distally from the driven assembly. The elongate member may support the end effector at a distal end of the elongate member.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a robotic surgical assembly including a robotic arm having a mount, an instrument drive unit mounted on the mount of the robotic arm, and a surgical instrument detachably coupled to the instrument drive unit. The instrument drive unit includes a plurality of actuators, a plurality of linkage members, and a plurality of drive members. Each linkage member has opposing first and second portions. The first portion is operatively coupled to respective one of the plurality of actuators such that actuation of the respective one of the plurality of actuators moves the first portion in a first direction and the second portion in a second direction opposite of the first direction. Each one of the plurality of drive members is operatively coupled to the second portion of respective one of the plurality of linkage members. The surgical instrument includes a plurality of driven members and an end effector operatively coupled with the plurality of driven members. Each of the plurality of driven members is operatively associated with respective one of the plurality of drive members of the instrument drive unit, wherein translation of at least one of the plurality of driven members effects a first function of the end effector.

