CURVED CANNULA

[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 61/245,171 (filed Sep. 23, 2009) (disclosing “Curved Cannula”), which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] 1. Field of Invention

[0003] Inventive aspects pertain to minimally invasive surgery, more particularly to minimally invasive robotic surgical systems, and still more particularly to minimally invasive robotic surgical systems that work through a single entry point into the patient's body.

[0004] 2. Art

[0005] Benefits of minimally invasive surgery are well known, and they include less patient trauma, less blood loss, and faster recovery times when compared to traditional, open incision surgery. In addition, the use of robotic surgical systems (e.g., teleoperated robotic systems that provide telepresence), such as the da Vinci® Surgical System manufactured by Intuitive Surgical, Inc. of Sunnyvale, Calif. is known. Such robotic surgical systems may allow a surgeon to operate with intuitive control and increased precision when compared to manual minimally invasive surgeries.

[0006] To further reduce patient trauma and to retain the benefits of robotic surgical systems, surgeons have begun to carry out a surgical procedure to investigate or treat a patient's condition through a single incision through the skin. In some instances, such “single port access” surgeries have been performed with manual instruments or with existing surgical robotic systems. What is desired, therefore, are improved equipment and methods that enable surgeons to more effectively perform single port access surgeries, as compared with the use of existing equipment and methods. It is also desired to be able to easily modify existing robotic surgical systems that are typically used for multiple incision (multi-port) surgeries to perform such single port access surgeries.

[0007] In one aspect, a surgical system includes a robotic manipulator, a curved cannula, and an instrument with a passively flexible shaft that extends through the curved cannula. The robotic manipulator moves the curved cannula around a remote center of motion that is placed at an opening into a patient's body (e.g., an incision, a natural orifice) so that the curved cannula provides a triangulation angle for the surgical instrument at the surgical site. In one implementation, an endoscope and two such curved cannulas with distal ends oriented towards a surgical site from different angles are used so that effective instrument triangulation is achieved, which allows the surgeon to effectively work at and view the surgical site.

[0008] In another aspect, the curved cannula includes a straight section and an adjacent curved section. A robotic manipulator mounting bracket is coupled to the straight section. A second straight section may be coupled to the opposite end of the curved section to facilitate alignment of a passively flexible surgical instrument that extends out of the cannula's distal end towards a surgical site.

[0009] In another aspect, a surgical instrument includes a passively flexible shaft and a surgical end effector coupled to the distal end of the shaft. The flexible shaft extends through a curved cannula, and a distal section of the flexible shaft extends cantilevered beyond a distal end of the curved cannula. The distal section of the flexible shaft is sufficiently stiff to provide effective surgical action at the surgical site, yet it is sufficiently flexible to allow it to be inserted and withdrawn through the curved cannula. In some aspects, the stiffness of the distal section of the instrument shaft is larger than the stiffness of the section of the shaft that remains in the curved section of the cannula during a surgical procedure.

[0010] In another aspect, a surgical port feature is a single body that includes channels between its top and bottom surfaces. The channels are angled in opposite directions to hold the straight sections of the curved cannulas at a desired angle. The body is sufficiently flexible to allow the curved cannulas to move around remote centers of motion that are generally located within the channels. In some aspects the port feature also includes a channel for an endoscope cannula and/or one or more auxiliary channels. The channels may include various seals.

[0011] In another aspect, a second port feature that includes an upper funnel portion and a lower tongue is disclosed. Channels for surgical instruments, such as the curved cannulas, are defined in a waist section that joins the funnel portion and the tongue. In one aspect, this second port feature is used for surgeries that require instruments to enter the patient's body at a relatively small (acute) angle, because the port feature helps prevent unnecessary stress between the instruments and the patient's body and vice versa.

[0012] In another aspect, cannula mounting fixtures are disclosed. These fixtures support the cannulas for insertion and for docking to their associated robotic manipulators. In one aspect, a fixture includes arms that hold an endoscope cannula and a curved instrument cannula. In another aspect, a fixture is configured as a cap that holds distal ends of an endoscope and a curved cannula. The cap is pointed to facilitate insertion into the opening into the patient.

[0013] In another aspect, a control system for a robotic surgical system with a curved cannula is disclosed. The control system uses kinematic data associated with the curved cannula. To provide an intuitive control experience for the surgeon, the control system commands a robotic manipulator to move the curved cannula and its instrument in response to the surgeon's inputs at a master manipulator as if the instrument were positioned along a straight axis that extends from the distal end of the curved cannula, generally tangent to the distal end of the cannula's curved section.

[0051] This description and the accompanying drawings that illustrate inventive aspects and embodiments should not be taken as limiting—the claims define the protected invention. Various mechanical, compositional, structural, electrical, and operational changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this description and the claims. In some instances, well-known circuits, structures, and techniques have not been shown or described in detail in order not to obscure the invention. Like numbers in two or more figures represent the same or similar elements.

[0052] Further, this description's terminology is not intended to limit the invention. For example, spatially relative terms—such as “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper”, “proximal”, “distal”, and the like—may be used to describe one element's or feature's relationship to another element or feature as illustrated in the figures. These spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different positions (i.e., locations) and orientations (i.e., rotational placements) of a device in use or operation in addition to the position and orientation shown in the figures. For example, if a device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be “above” or “over” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompass both positions and orientations of above and below. A device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Likewise, descriptions of movement along and around various axes includes various special device positions and orientations. In addition, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context indicates otherwise. And, the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, and the like specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups. Components described as coupled may be electrically or mechanically directly coupled, or they may be indirectly coupled via one or more intermediate components.

[0053] Elements described in detail with reference to one embodiment may, whenever practical, be included in other embodiments in which they are not specifically shown or described. For example, if an element is described in detail with reference to one embodiment and is not described with reference to a second embodiment, the element may nevertheless be claimed as included in the second embodiment.

[0054] The term “flexible” in association with a mechanical structure or component should be broadly construed. In essence, the term means the structure or component can be repeatedly bent and restored to an original shape without harm. Many “rigid” objects have a slight inherent resilient “bendiness” due to material properties, although such objects are not considered “flexible” as the term is used herein. A flexible mechanical structure may have infinite degrees of freedom (DOF's). Examples of such structures include closed, bendable tubes (made from, e.g., NITINOL, polymer, soft rubber, and the like), helical coil springs, etc. that can be bent into various simple and compound curves, often without significant cross-sectional deformation. Other flexible mechanical structures may approximate such an infinite-DOF piece by using a series of closely spaced components that are similar to “vertebrae” in a snake-like arrangement. In such a vertebral arrangement, each component is a short link in a kinematic chain, and movable mechanical constraints (e.g., pin hinge, cup and ball, live hinge, and the like) between each link may allow one (e.g., pitch) or two (e.g., pitch and yaw) DOF's of relative movement between the links. A short, flexible structure may serve as, and be modeled as, a single mechanical constraint (joint) that provides one or more DOF's between two links in a kinematic chain, even though the flexible structure itself may be a kinematic chain made of several coupled links. Knowledgeable persons will understand that a component's flexibility may be expressed in terms of its stiffness.

[0055] In this description, a flexible mechanical structure or component may be either actively or passively flexible. An actively flexible piece may be bent by using forces inherently associated with the piece itself. For example, one or more tendons may be routed lengthwise along the piece and offset from the piece's longitudinal axis, so that tension on the one or more tendons causes the piece to bend. Other ways of actively bending an actively flexible piece include, without limitation, the use of pneumatic or hydraulic power, gears, electroactive polymer, and the like. A passively flexible piece is bent by using a force external to the piece. An example of a passively flexible piece with inherent stiffness is a plastic rod or a resilient rubber tube. An actively flexible piece, when not actuated by its inherently associated forces, may be passively flexible. A single component may be made of one or more actively and passively flexible portions in series.

[0056] Aspects of the invention are described primarily in terms of an implementation using a da Vinci® Surgical System (specifically, a Model IS3000, marketed as the da Vinci® Si™ HD™ Surgical System), manufactured by Intuitive Surgical, Inc. of Sunnyvale, Calif. Knowledgeable persons will understand, however, that inventive aspects disclosed herein may be embodied and implemented in various ways, including robotic and non-robotic embodiments and implementations. Implementations on da Vinci® Surgical Systems (e.g., the Model IS3000; the Model IS2000, marketed as the da Vinci® S™ HD™ Surgical System) are merely exemplary and is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the inventive aspects disclosed herein.

[0057] FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C are front elevation views of three main components of a teleoperated robotic surgical system for minimally invasive surgery. These three components are interconnected so as to allow a surgeon, with the assistance of a surgical team, perform diagnostic and corrective surgical procedures on a patient.

[0058] FIG. 1A is a front elevation view of the patient side cart component 100 of the da Vinci® Surgical System. The patient side cart includes a base 102 that rests on the floor, a support tower 104 that is mounted on the base 102, and several arms that support surgical tools (which include a stereoscopic endoscope). As shown in FIG. 1A, arms 106a,106b are instrument arms that support and move the surgical instruments used to manipulate tissue, and arm 108 is a camera arm that supports and moves the endoscope. FIG. 1A also shows an optional third instrument arm 106c that is supported on the back side of support tower 104, and that can be positioned to either the left or right side of the patient side cart as necessary to conduct a surgical procedure. FIG. 1A further shows interchangeable surgical instruments 110a,110b,110c mounted on the instrument arms 106a,106b,106c, and it shows endoscope 112 mounted on the camera arm 108. The arms are discussed in more detail below. Knowledgeable persons will appreciate that the arms that support the instruments and the camera may also be supported by a base platform (fixed or moveable) mounted to a ceiling or wall, or in some instances to another piece of equipment in the operating room (e.g., the operating table). Likewise, they will appreciate that two or more separate bases may be used (e.g., one base supporting each arm).

[0059] FIG. 1B is a front elevation view of a surgeon's console 120 component of the da Vinci® Surgical System. The surgeon's console is equipped with left and right multiple DOF master tool manipulators (MTM's) 122a,122b, which are kinematic chains that are used to control the surgical tools (which include the endoscope and various cannulas). The surgeon grasps a pincher assembly 124a,124b on each MTM 122, typically with the thumb and forefinger, and can move the pincher assembly to various positions and orientations. When a tool control mode is selected, each MTM 122 is coupled to control a corresponding instrument arm 106 for the patient side cart 100. For example, left MTM 122a may be coupled to control instrument arm 106b and instrument 110a, and right MTM 122b may be coupled to control instrument arm 106b and instrument 110b. If the third instrument arm 106c is used during a surgical procedure and is positioned on the left side, then left MTM 122a can be switched between controlling arm 106a and instrument 110a to controlling arm 106c and instrument 110c. Likewise, if the third instrument arm 106c is used during a surgical procedure and is positioned on the right side, then right MTM 122a can be switched between controlling arm 106b and instrument 110b to controlling arm 106c and instrument 110c. In some instances, control assignments between MTM's 122a,122b and arm 106a/instrument 110a combination and arm 106b/instrument 110b combination may also be exchanged. This may be done, for example, if the endoscope is rolled 180 degrees, so that the instrument moving in the endoscope's field of view appears to be on the same side as the MTM the surgeon is moving. The pincher assembly is typically used to operate a jawed surgical end effector (e.g., scissors, grasping retractor, needle driver, and the like) at the distal end of an instrument 110.

[0060] Surgeon's console 120 also includes a stereoscopic image display system 126. Left side and right side images captured by the stereoscopic endoscope 112 are output on corresponding left and right displays, which the surgeon perceives as a three-dimensional image on display system 126. In an advantageous configuration, the MTM's 122 are positioned below display system 126 so that the images of the surgical tools shown in the display appear to be co-located with the surgeon's hands below the display. This feature allows the surgeon to intuitively control the various surgical tools in the three-dimensional display as if watching the hands directly. Accordingly, the MTM servo control of the associated instrument arm and instrument is based on the endoscopic image reference frame.

[0061] The endoscopic image reference frame is also used if the MTM's are switched to a camera control mode. In the da Vinci® Surgical System, if the camera control mode is selected, the surgeon may move the distal end of the endoscope by moving one or both of the MTM's together (portions of the two MTM's may be servomechanically coupled so that the two MTM portions appear to move together as a unit). The surgeon may then intuitively move (e.g., pan, tilt, zoom) the displayed stereoscopic image by moving the MTM's as if holding the image in the hands.

[0062] The surgeon's console 120 is typically located in the same operating room as the patient side cart 100, although it is positioned so that the surgeon operating the console is outside the sterile field. One or more assistants typically assist the surgeon by working within the surgical field (e.g., to change tools on the patient side cart, to perform manual retraction, etc.). Accordingly, the surgeon operates remote from the sterile field, and so the console may be located in a separate room or building from the operating room. In some implementations, two consoles 120 (either co-located or remote from one another) may be networked together so that two surgeons can view and control tools at the surgical site.

[0063] FIG. 1C is a front elevation view of a vision cart component 140 of the da Vinci® Surgical System. The vision cart 140 houses the surgical system's central electronic data processing unit 142 and vision equipment 144. The central electronic data processing unit includes much of the data processing used to operate the surgical system. In various other implementations, however, the electronic data processing may be distributed in the surgeon console and patient side cart. The vision equipment includes camera control units for the left and right image capture functions of the stereoscopic endoscope 112. The vision equipment also includes illumination equipment (e.g., Xenon lamp) that provides illumination for imaging the surgical site. As shown in FIG. 1C, the vision cart includes an optional 24-inch touch screen monitor 146, which may be mounted elsewhere, such as on the patient side cart 100. The vision cart 140 further includes space 148 for optional auxiliary surgical equipment, such as electrosurgical units and insufflators. The patient side cart and the surgeon's console are coupled via optical fiber communications links to the vision cart so that the three components together act as a single teleoperated minimally invasive surgical system that provides an intuitive telepresence for the surgeon. And, as mentioned above, a second surgeon's console may be included so that a second surgeon can, e.g., proctor the first surgeon's work.

[0064] FIG. 2A is a side elevation view of an illustrative instrument arm 106. Sterile drapes and associated mechanisms that are normally used during surgery are omitted for clarity. The arm is made of a series of links and joints that couple the links together. The arm is divided into two portions. The first portion is the “set-up” portion 202, in which unpowered joints couple the links. The second portion is powered, robotic manipulator portion 204 (patient side manipulator; “PSM”) that supports and moves the surgical instrument. During use, the set-up portion 202 is moved to place the manipulator portion 204 in the proper position to carry out the desired surgical task. The set-up portion joints are then locked (e.g., with brake mechanisms) to prevent this portion of the arm from moving.

[0065] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the PSM 204 with an illustrative instrument 110 mounted. The PSM 204 includes a yaw servo actuator 206, a pitch servo actuator 208, and an insertion and withdrawal (“I/O”) actuator 210. An illustrative surgical instrument 110 is shown mounted at an instrument mounting carriage 212. An illustrative straight cannula 214 is shown mounted to cannula mount 216. Shaft 218 of instrument 110 extends through cannula 214. PSM 204 is mechanically constrained so that it moves instrument 110 around a stationary remote center of motion 220 located along the instrument shaft. Yaw actuator 206 provides yaw motion 222 around remote center 220, pitch actuator 208 provides pitch motion 224 around remote center 220, and I/O actuator 210 provides insertion and withdrawal motion 226 through remote center 220. The set up portion 202 is typically positioned to place remote center of motion 220 at the incision in the patient's body wall during surgery and to allow for sufficient yaw and pitch motion to be available to carry out the intended surgical task. Knowledgeable persons will understand that motion around a remote center of motion may also be constrained solely by the use of software, rather than by a physical constraint defined by a mechanical assembly.

[0066] Matching force transmission disks in mounting carriage 212 and instrument force transmission assembly 230 couple actuation forces from actuators 232 in PSM 204 to move various parts of instrument 110 in order to position, orient, and operate instrument end effector 234. Such actuation forces may typically roll instrument shaft 218 (thus providing another DOF through the remote center), operate a wrist 236 that provides yaw and pitch DOF's, and operate a movable piece or grasping jaws of various end effectors (e.g., scissors, graspers, electrocautery hooks, retractors, etc.).

[0067] FIG. 2C is a side elevation view of a portion of a camera arm 108 with an illustrative camera 112 mounted. Similar to the instrument arm 106, the camera arm 108 includes a set-up portion 240 and a manipulator portion 242 (endoscopic camera manipulator; “ECM”). ECM 242 is configured similarly to PSM 204 and includes a yaw motion actuator 244, a pitch motion actuator 246, and an I/O motion actuator 248. Endoscope 112 is mounted on carriage assembly 250 and endoscope cannula 252 is mounted on camera cannula mount 254. ECM 242 moves endoscope 112 around and through remote center of motion 256.

[0068] During a typical surgical procedure with the robotic surgical system described with reference to FIGS. 1A-2C, at least two incisions are made into the patient's body (usually with the use of a trocar to place the associated cannula). One incision is for the endoscope camera instrument, and the other incisions are for the necessary surgical instruments. Such incisions are sometimes referred to as “ports”, a term which may also mean a piece of equipment that is used within such an incision, as described in detail below. In some surgical procedures, several instrument and/or camera ports are necessary in order to provide the needed access and imaging for a surgical site. Although the incisions are relatively small in comparison to larger incisions used for traditional open surgery, there is the need and desire to further reduce the number of incisions to further reduce patient trauma and for improved cosmesis.

[0069] Single port surgery is a technique in which all instruments used for minimally invasive surgery are passed through a single incision in the patient's body wall, or in some instances through a single natural orifice. Such methods may be referred to by various terms, such as Single Port Access (SPA), Laparo Endoscopic Single-site Surgery (LESS), Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery (SILS), One Port Umbilical Surgery (OPUS), Single Port Incisionless Conventional Equipment-utilizing Surgery (SPICES), or Natural Orifice TransUmbilical Surgery (NOTUS). The use of a single port may done using either manual instruments or a robotic surgical system, such as the one described above. A difficulty arises with such a technique, however, because the single port constrains the angle at which a surgical instrument can access the surgical site. Two instruments, for example, are positioned nearly side-by-side, and so it is difficult to achieve advantageous triangulation angles at the surgical site. Further, since the instruments and endoscope enter via the same incision, straight instrument shafts tend to obscure a large part of the endoscope's field of view. And in addition, if a robotic surgical system is used, then the multiple manipulators may interfere with one another, due to both their size and their motions, which also limits the amount of end effector movement available to the surgeon.

[0070] FIG. 3 illustrates the difficulty of using a multi-arm robotic surgical system for single port surgery. FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of multiple cannulas and associated instruments inserted through a body wall so as to reach a surgical site 300. As depicted in FIG. 3, a camera cannula 302 extends through a camera incision 304, a first instrument cannula 306 extends through a first instrument incision 308, and a second instrument cannula 310 extends through a second instrument incision 312. It can be seen that if each of these cannulas 302,306,310 were to extend through the same (slightly enlarged) port 304, due to the requirement that each move around a remote center of motion and also due to the bulk and movement of the manipulators described above that hold the cannulas at mounting fittings 302a,306a,310a, then very little movement of the instrument end effectors is possible, and the cannulas and instrument shafts can obscure the surgical site in the endoscope's field of view.

[0071] For single port surgery using manual instruments, an attempt has been made to use rigid, curved instrument shafts to improve triangulation. Such curved shafts typically have a compound “S” bend that inside the body allows them to curve away from the incision and then back to the surgical site, and outside the body to curve away from the incision to provide clearance for the instrument handles and the surgeon's hands. These curved instruments appear to be even more difficult to use than straight shaft manual instruments, because the curved shafts further limit a surgeon's ability to precisely move the instruments end effector either by moving the shaft or by using a manually operated wrist mechanism. Suturing, for example, appears to be extremely difficult with such rigid curved shaft instruments. In addition, the surgeon's ability to insert and withdraw such curved shaft instruments directly between the incision and the surgical site is limited because of their shape. And, due to their shape, rolling a rigid curved instrument may cause a portion of the instrument shaft to contact, and possibly damage, tissue without the surgeon's knowledge.

[0072] For single port surgery using robotic surgical systems, methods are proposed to provide increased controllable degrees of freedom to surgical instruments. For example, the use of telerobotically controlled “snake-like” instruments and associated controllable guide tubes has been proposed as a way to access a surgical site though a single incision. Similarly, the use of instruments with a miniature mechanical parallel motion mechanism has been proposed. See e.g., U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. US 2008/0065105 A1 (filed Jun. 13, 2007)(describing a minimally invasive surgical system). While such instruments may ultimately be effective, they are often mechanically complex. And, due to their increased DOF actuation requirements, such instruments may not be compatible with existing robotic surgical systems.

[0073] FIG. 4A is a schematic view of a portion of a patient side robotic manipulator that supports and moves a combination of a curved cannula and a passively flexible surgical instrument. As depicted in FIG. 4A, a telerobotically operated surgical instrument 402a includes a force transmission mechanism 404a, a passively flexible shaft 406a, and an end effector 408a. Instrument 402a is mounted on an instrument carriage assembly 212a of a PSM 204a (previously described components are schematically depicted for clarity). Interface discs 414a couple actuation forces from servo actuators in PSM 204a to move instrument 402a components. End effector 408a illustratively operates with a single DOF (e.g., closing jaws). A wrist to provide one or more end effector DOF's (e.g., pitch, yaw; see e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,817,974 (filed Jun. 28, 2002) (disclosing surgical tool having positively positionable tendon-actuated multi-disk wrist joint), which is incorporated herein by reference) is optional and is not shown. Many instrument implementations do not include such a wrist. Omitting the wrist simplifies the number of actuation force interfaces between PSM 204a and instrument 402a, and the omission also reduces the number of force transmission elements (and hence, instrument complexity and dimensions) that would be necessary between the proximal force transmission mechanism 404a and the distally actuated piece.

[0074] FIG. 4A further shows a curved cannula 416a, which has a proximal end 418a, a distal end 420a, and a central channel 422a that extends between proximal end 418a and distal end 420a. Curved cannula 416a is, in one implementation, a rigid, single piece cannula. As depicted in FIG. 4A, proximal end 418a of curved cannula 416a is mounted on PSM 204a′s cannula mount 216a. During use, instrument 402a′s flexible shaft 406a extends through curved cannula 416a′s central channel 422a so that a distal portion of flexible shaft 406a and end effector 408a extend beyond cannula 416a′s distal end 420a in order to reach surgical site 424. As described above, PSM 204a′s mechanical constraints (or, alternately, preprogrammed software constraints in the control system for PSM 204a) cause instrument 402a and curved cannula 416a to move in pitch and yaw around remote center of motion 426 located along cannula 416a, which is typically placed at an incision in the patient's body wall. PSM 204a′s I/O actuation, provided by carriage 212a, inserts and withdraws instrument 402a through cannula 416a to move end effector 408a in and out. Details of instrument 402a, cannula 416a, and the control of these two components is described below.

[0075] FIG. 4B is a schematic view that shows a second patient side robotic manipulator that supports and moves a second curved cannula and passively flexible surgical instrument combination, added to the FIG. 4A view. Components of the second PSM 204b, instrument 402b, and curved cannula 416b are substantially similar to, and function in a substantially similar manner to, those described in FIG. 4A. Curved cannula 416b, however, curves in a direction opposite to the direction in which curved cannula 416a curves. FIG. 4B thus illustrates that two curved cannulas and associated instruments, curving in opposite directions, are positioned to extend through a single incision 428 in the patient's body wall 430 to reach surgical site 424. Each curved cannula initially angles away from a straight line between the incision and the surgical site and then curves back towards the line to direct the extended instruments to the surgical site. By operating PSM's 204a and 204b in pitch in yaw, the distal ends 420a,420b of the curved cannulas move accordingly, and therefore instrument end effectors 404a and 404b are moved with reference to the surgical site (and consequently, with reference to the endoscope's field of view). It can be seen that although the remote centers of motion for the two curved cannula and flexible instrument combinations are not identical, they are sufficiently close enough (proximate) to one another so that they can both be positioned at the single incision 428.

[0076] FIG. 4C is a schematic view that shows an endoscopic camera manipulator that supports an endoscope, added to the FIG. 4B view. Some previously used reference numbers are omitted for clarity. As shown in FIG. 4C, ECM 242 holds endoscope 112 such that it extends through single incision 428, along with the two curved cannula and flexible instrument combinations. Endoscope 112 extends through a conventional cannula 252 supported by cannula mount 254. In some implementations, cannula 252 provides insufflation to a body cavity. ECM 242 is positioned to place the endoscope 112's remote center of motion at incision 428. As above, it can be seen that the remote centers of motion for the two curved cannula and instrument combinations and the endoscope 112 are not identical, and they may be positioned sufficiently close to allow all to extend through the single incision 428 without the incision being made unduly large. In an example implementation, the three remote centers may be positioned on approximately a straight line, as illustrated in FIG. 4C. In other implementations, such as ones described below, the remote centers are not linearly aligned, yet are grouped sufficiently close.

[0077] FIG. 4C also schematically illustrates that the PSM's 204a,204b and the ECM 242 may be positioned so that each has a significantly improved volume in which to move in pitch and yaw without interfering with each other. That is, if straight-shaft instruments are used, then the PSM's must in general remain in positions near one another to keep the shafts in a near parallel relation for effective work through a single incision. But with the curved cannulas, however, the PSM's can be placed farther from one another, and so each PSM can in general move within a relatively larger volume than with the straight-shaft instruments. In addition, FIG. 4C illustrates how the curved cannulas 416 provide an improved triangulation for the surgical instruments, so that the surgical site 426 is relatively unobstructed in endoscope 112's field of view 430.

[0078] FIG. 4C further illustrates that a port feature 432 may be placed in incision 428. Cannulas 416a, 416b, and 252 each extend through port feature 432. Such a port feature may have various configurations, as described in detail below.

[0079] FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of an illustrative flexible instrument 500 used with a curved cannula. Instrument 500 includes a proximal end force transmission mechanism 502, a distal end surgical end effector 504, and a shaft 506 that couples force transmission mechanism 502 and end effector 504. In some implementations, shaft 506 is passively flexible and includes three sections—a proximal section 506a, a distal section 506c, and a middle section 506b that is between proximal and distal sections 506a,506c. In some implementations, the sections 506a,506b,506c may be each characterized by their different stiffnesses. Section 506a is the portion of shaft 506 that extends from force transmission mechanism 502 towards the curved cannula through which the other sections of shaft 506 extend. Consequently, section 506a is relatively stiff in comparison to the other sections 506b,506c. In some implementations, section 506a may be effectively rigid. Section 506b is relatively more flexible than the other two sections 506a,506c. The majority of section 506b is within the curved cannula during a surgical procedure, and so section 506b is made relatively flexible to reduce friction with the inner wall of the curved cannula, yet it is not made so flexible so that it buckles during insertion under manual or servocontrolled operation. Section 506c is relatively more stiff than section 506b, because section 506c extends from the distal end of the curved cannula. Accordingly, section 506c is made flexible enough so that it may be inserted through the bend of the curved cannula, yet it is made rigid enough to provide adequate cantilever support for end effector 504. In some implementations, however, shaft sections 506a-506c each have the same physical structure—each being composed of the same material(s), and the material(s) chosen to have a bending stiffness acceptable for each section—so the sections thus have the same stiffness. For instruments that require an end effector roll DOF via shaft roll, all three sections 506a-506c are torsionally rigid enough to transmit roll motion from the proximal end if the instrument to distal surgical end effector 504. An example is described in reference to FIG. 9, below. In one implementation, shaft 506 is about 43 cm long.

[0080] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of an implementation of force transmission mechanism 502. As shown in FIG. 6, the force transmission mechanism of a surgical instrument used in a da Vinci® Surgical System has been modified to eliminate the mechanisms used to control a wrist mechanism on the instrument and to control the jaw of an end effector (or other moveable part) using only a single interface disk. Thus in one illustrative implementation, one interface disk 602a rolls shaft 506 so as to provide a roll DOF for end effector 504, and a second interface disk 602b operates end effector 504's jaw mechanism. In one implementation, a bulkhead in transmission mechanism 502 supports coil tubes that run through the instrument shaft, as described in detail below. Force transmission mechanism 502 may be coupled to PSM 204 without any mechanical modifications required to the PSM.

[0081] FIG. 6 also shows that implementations of force transmission mechanism 502 may include electrically conductive interface pins 604 and an electronic data memory 606 that is electrically coupled to interface pins 604. Parameters relevant to instrument 500 and its operation (e.g., number of times the instrument has been used, Denavit-Hartenberg parameters for control (described below), etc.) may be stored in memory 606 and accessed by the robotic surgical system during operation to properly use the instrument (see e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,331,181 (filed Oct. 15, 1999) (disclosing surgical robotic tools, data architecture, and use), which is incorporated herein by reference). In one implementation, kinematic data specific to the curved cannula through which the instrument extends may also be stored in memory 606, so that if the system detects that a curved cannula is mounted (see e.g., FIG. 10 and associated text below), the system may access and use the stored cannula data. If more than one curved cannula kinematic configuration (e.g., different lengths, bend radii, bend angles, etc.) is used, then data specific to each allowable configuration may be stored in the associated instrument's memory, and the system may access and use data for the specific cannula configuration that is mounted. In addition, in some instances if the robotic surgical system senses that a flexible instrument has been coupled to a manipulator that holds a straight, rather than curved, cannula, then the system may declare this situation to be an illegal state and prevent operation.

[0082] FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic side view of an illustrative implementation of a distal portion of surgical instrument 500. As shown in FIG. 7, a proximal clevis 702 is coupled (e.g., laser welded, soldered, etc.) to a sleeve 704, which in one instance is formed of stainless steel. Sleeve 704 is coupled (e.g., crimped, glued, etc.) in turn to the distal end of shaft 506. Other known coupling methods may be used. Proximal clevis 702 is illustrative of components of many surgical instrument end effectors that may be used, including needle drivers, bullet nose dissectors, curved scissors, Maryland dissectors, clip appliers, cautery hooks, etc.

[0083] FIG. 8 is a cutaway perspective view that shows an illustrative structure of a portion of instrument shaft 506. Two tension elements 802a,802b extend through a distal portion of shaft 506 and are coupled to operate the end effector (shown diagrammatically; e.g., a 5 mm class surgical end effector used in da Vinci® Surgical System instruments). Tension elements 802a,802b may be separate, or they may be parts of the same element that, for example, wraps around a pulley in the end effector. In one implementation, tension elements 802a,802b are 0.018-inch tungsten wire. As shown in FIG. 8, proximal ends of tension elements 802a,802b are coupled (e.g., crimped, etc.) to distal ends of second tension elements 804a,804b that further extend proximally through most of shaft 506. In one implementation, tension elements 804a,804b are 0.032-inch stainless steel hypotubes. At the proximal end (not shown) tension elements 804a,804b are coupled to transmission mechanism 502 using wires coupled in a similar manner.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 8, tension elements 804a,804b extend through support tubes 806a,806b respectively, which guide tension elements 804a,804b and keep them from buckling or kinking within shaft 506. In one implementation, support tubes 806a,806b are stainless steel (e.g., 304V (vacuum melt that reduces friction)) coil tubes (0.035-inch inner diameter; 0.065-inch outer diameter), and other materials and structures may be used. To reduce friction as each tension element slides inside its support tube, a friction reducing sheath 808a,808b is placed between the tension element and the inner wall of the support tube. In one implementation, sheaths 808a,808b are polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and other materials may be used. Both support tubes 806a,806b are placed within a single inner shaft tube 810. In one implementation, a flat-spiral stainless steel wire is used for inner shaft tube 810 to provide torsional stiffness during roll. An outer shaft tube 812 (e.g., braided stainless steel mesh or other material suitable to protect the shaft components) surrounds inner shaft tube 810. An elastomer skin 814 (e.g., Pellothane®, or other suitable material) surrounds the outer shaft tube 812. Skin 814 protects the inner components of shaft 506 from direct contamination by, e.g., body fluids during surgery, and the skin facilitates shaft 506 sliding within the curved cannula. In some implementations shaft 506 is approximately 5.5 mm (0.220 inches) outer diameter.

[0085] In one example implementation, the support tube and tension element assemblies may be dip coated in PTFE to provide a “sheath” that reduces friction. The space between the coils is filled in by the dip coating material to form a tube. In another example implementation, wire is pre-coated before the coil is wound, and the coil is then baked to re-melt the coating and form the solid tube. The ends of the tube may be sealed around the tension elements to prevent contamination (e.g., body fluids) from entering between the tension element and the coil tube.

[0086] Shaft 506 may include additional components. As shown in FIG. 8, for example, in some implementations one or more stiffening rods 816 run through various portions of shaft 506. The number, size, and composition of rods 816 may be varied to provide the various stiffnesses of portions 506a-506c, as described above. For example, in some implementations rods 816 are stainless steel. In addition, some implementations one or more additional rods 818 of another material may run through one or more portions of shaft 506. For example, FIG. 8 shows a second rod of polyaryletheretherketone (PEEK) that in one implementation runs through distal section 506c to provide stiffness in addition to the stiffness from rods 516. In addition, one or more supplemental tubes to provide, e.g., suction and/or irrigation may be included in shaft 506, either in addition to or in place of the stiffening rods. And, additional tension elements may be included to operate, e.g., an optional multi-DOF wrist mechanism at the distal end of the instrument shaft.

[0087] FIG. 9 is a cutaway perspective view that shows a second illustrative structure of a portion of instrument shaft 506. Tension elements 902a, 902b, 904a, and 904b are similar to tension elements 802a, 802b, 804a, and 804d described above. The tension elements are each routed through individual channels in multi-channel support tube 906. In one implementation, tube 906 is a fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) extrusion with multiple channels 908, and other materials may be used. FEP provides a low-friction surface against which the tension elements slide. One or more stiffening rods (not shown) similar to those disclosed above in FIG. 8 and associated text may be routed through various other channels 908 in support tube 906 to provide desired stiffnesses for each of the instrument shaft sections 506a-506c. A seven-channel tube 906 is shown in FIG. 9, and a stiffening rod or other element may be inserted into the center channel. Additional cables, e.g., to operate an optional multi-DOF wrist mechanism at the distal end of shaft 506, may be routed through other channels in tube 906. Alternatively, other functions, such as suction and/or irrigation, may be provided through the channels.

[0088] FIG. 9 further shows a shaft body tube 910 (e.g., extruded PEEK or other suitable material) surrounding support tube 908 to provide axial and torsional stiffness to shaft 506. An outer skin or coating 912 surrounds body tube 910 to reduce friction as shaft 506 slides inside the curved cannula and to protect the shaft components. In one implementation, skin 912 is a 0.005-inch layer of FEP that is heat shrunk around support tube 910, and other suitable materials may be used. In one implementation of the structure shown in FIG. 9, the shaft 506 outer diameter is approximately 5.5 mm (0.220 inches), with a single extrusion PEEK body tube having an outer diameter of approximately 5.0 mm and an inner diameter of about 3.5 mm. PEEK is used because its stiffness (modulus of elasticity, or Young's modulus) is low enough to allow bending with low enough radial force to limit friction inside the curved cannula so that instrument I/O is not affected in a meaningful way, but its modulus of elasticity is high enough to provide good cantilever beam stiffness for the shaft distal portion 506c that extends beyond the distal end of the curved cannula, to resist buckling of any portion of the shaft between the transmission mechanism and the proximal end of the cannula, and to transmit roll motion and torque along the length of the instrument shaft with adequate stiffness and precision.

[0089] Primarily due to friction, as the bend radius of a curved cannula decreases, instrument shaft stiffness must also decrease. If an isotropic material is used for the instrument shaft, such as is illustrated in association with FIG. 9, then the stiffness of the shaft portion that extends from the cannula's distal end is also reduced. At some point, either the stiffness of the shaft's extended distal end or the stiffness of the shaft portion between the transmission mechanism and the cannula may become unacceptably low. Therefore, a range of stiffnesses may be defined for an isotropic material shaft of fixed dimensions, depending on a cannula's bend radius and inner diameter.

[0090] FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic view of an illustrative curved cannula 416. As shown in FIG. 10, cannula 416 includes a mounting section 1002 and cannula body section 1004. The mounting section 1002 is configured to be mounted on a robotic system manipulator (e.g., PSM 204). In some implementations, one or more features 1006 are placed on the mounting section 1002 to be sensed by sensors 1008 in the manipulator's cannula mount. The presence of a feature 1006 as sensed by the sensors 1008 may indicate, e.g., that the cannula is properly mounted and the type of cannula (e.g., straight or curved, cannula length, curve radius, etc.). In one implementation the features 1006 are raised annular metal rings and the corresponding sensors 1008 are Hall effect sensors.

[0091] Mounting section 1002 may also include a mechanical key feature 1009 that mates with a corresponding feature on the manipulator to ensure that the cannula is mounted with the proper orientation with reference to the manipulator's insertion axis. In this way, for example, “left” and “right” curving cannulas may be made. In addition, to distinguishing left versus right curve orientation, the keyed feature may be used to ensure that the cannula is rolled at the proper angle in the manipulator mount so that instruments approach the surgical site at a desired angle. Knowledgeable persons will understand that many various mechanical key features may be used (e.g., mating pins/holes, tabs/grooves, balls/detents, and the like). FIG. 10A illustrates one example key feature. As shown in FIG. 10A, key feature 1030 is attached (e.g., welded) to the side of a mounting bracket 1032 for a curved cannula. Key feature 1030 includes a recess 1034 that receives a portion of a robotic manipulator's cannula mounting bracket and two vertical alignment pins 1036a and 1036b. Alignment pins 1036a and 1036b mate with corresponding alignment holes in the manipulator's mounting bracket to ensure the cannula's proper roll orientation with reference to the manipulator.

[0092] FIGS. 11A and 11B are diagrammatic views of the distal ends 1102a and 1102b of two curved cannulas as a surgeon might see them in the surgeon's console's 3-D display 1104, which outputs images captured in the endoscope's field of view. In the display, the curved cannulas extend away from the endoscope to enable the instruments 1106a and 1106b to reach tissue 1108 at the surgical site. The cannulas may be mounted on the manipulators at various roll angles, or the manipulators may be oriented during surgery, so that the instruments approach the surgical site at various angles. Accordingly, the cannula roll orientations may described in several ways. For example, the cannula roll angles may be described in relation to each other. FIG. 11A shows that in one implementation the cannulas may be oriented with their distal curves lying approximately in a single common plane, so that the instruments extend from directly opposite angles towards the surgical site. FIG. 11B shows that in one implementation the cannulas may be oriented with their distal curves lying in planes that are angled with reference to each other, e.g., approximately 60 degrees as shown, so that the instruments extend from offset angles towards the surgical site. Many cannula curve plane relation angles are possible (e.g., 120, 90, 45, 30, or zero degrees). Another way to express the cannula roll orientation is to define it as the angle between the plane that includes the cannula's curve and a plane of motion for one of the manipulator's degrees of freedom (e.g., pitch). For example, a cannula may be mounted so that its curve lies in a plane that is angled at 30 degrees to the manipulator's pitch DOF. Accordingly, one illustrative way to obtain the position of the instrument cannulas as shown in FIG. 11B is to position the two PSM's facing one another with their pitch motion planes approximately parallel (the planes will be slightly offset so that the two cannulas do not intersect at their centers of motion). Then, each curved cannula is oriented at approximately 30 degrees with reference its corresponding PSM's pitch motion plane.

[0093] Referring again to FIG. 10, cannula body section 1004 is in some implementations divided into a proximal section 1004a, a middle section 1004b, and a distal section 1004c. Proximal section 1004a is straight, and its length is made sufficient to provide adequate movement clearance for the supporting PSM. Middle section 1004b is curved to provide the necessary instrument triangulation to the surgical site from a manipulator position that provides sufficient range of motion to complete the surgical task without significant collisions. In one implementation, middle section 1004b is curved 60 degrees with a 5-inch bend radius. Other curve angles and bend radii may be used for particular surgical procedures. For example, one cannula length, curve angle, and bend radius may be best suited for reaching from a particular incision point (e.g., at the umbilicus) towards one particular anatomical structure (e.g., the gall bladder) while another cannula length, bend angle, and/or bend radius may be best suited for reaching from the particular incision point towards a second particular anatomical structure (e.g., the appendix). And, in some implementations two cannulas each having different lengths and/or bend radii may be used.

[0094] The relatively tight clearance between the curved section's inner wall and the flexible instrument that slides inside requires that the curved section's cross-section be circular or near-circular shape throughout its length. In some implementations the curved cannula is made of 304 stainless steel (work hardened), and the curved section 1004b is bent using, e.g., a bending fixture or a computer numerical controlled (CNC) tube bender. For a 5.5 mm (0.220-inch) outer diameter instrument, in some implementations the curved cannula's inner diameter is made to be approximately 0.239 inches, which provides an acceptable tolerance for inner diameter manufacturing variations that will still provide good sliding performance for the instrument shaft.

[0095] Distal section 1004c is a short, straight section of the cannula body. Referring to FIG. 12A, it can be seen that due to the small space (shown exaggerated for emphasis) between the instrument shaft outer diameter and the cannula inner diameter, and due to the instrument shaft's resiliency (although passively flexible, it may retain a tendency towards becoming straight), the distal section 1202 of the instrument shaft contacts the outer lip of the cannula's distal end. Consequently, if the curved cannula ends at curved section 1004b, the distal section 1202 of the instrument extends out of the cannula at a relatively larger angle (again, shown exaggerated) with reference to the cannula's extended centerline 1204. In addition, the angle between the instrument shaft and the outer lip causes increased friction (e.g., scraping) during instrument withdrawal. As shown in FIG. 12B, however, adding distal section 1004c to the cannula lessens the angle between the distal section 1202 and the cannula's extended centerline 1204 and also lessens the friction between the outer lip and the instrument shaft.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 12C, in some implementations, a sleeve 1206 is inserted into the distal end of distal section 1004c. Sleeve 1206 necks down the curved cannula's inner diameter at the distal end, and so further assists extending the distal section 1202 of the instrument shaft near the cannula's extended centerline 1204. In some implementations sleeve 1206's outer lip is rounded, and sleeve 1206's inner diameter is relatively close to the instrument shaft's outer diameter. This helps reduce possible tissue damage by preventing tissue from being pinched between the instrument shaft and the cannula during instrument withdrawal. In some implementations sleeve 1206 is made of 304 stainless steel and is approximately 0.5 inches long with an inner diameter of approximately 0.225 inches. Sleeve 1206 may also be made of a friction reducing material, such as PTFE. In an alternate implementation, rather than using a separate sleeve 1206, the distal end of the curved cannula may be swaged to reduce the cannula's inner diameter so as to produce a similar effect.

[0097] FIG. 13 is a schematic view that illustrates an alternate implementation of a curved cannula and flexible instrument combination. Instead of a simple C-shaped bend as described above, curved cannula 1302 has a compound S-shaped bend (either planar or volumetric). In one illustrative implementation, each bend has about a 3-inch bend radius. Distal bend section 1304 provides triangulation for the surgical instrument, and proximal bend 1306 provides clearance for, e.g., PSM 204b (alternatively, in a manual implementation, for the surgical instrument handles and the surgeon's hands). As depicted, passively flexible shaft 404b of robotically controlled surgical instrument 402b extends through curved cannula 1302 and beyond the cannula's distal end 1308. A second curved cannula and flexible instrument combination is omitted from the drawing for clarity. The use of S-shaped curved cannulas is similar to the use of C-shaped curved cannulas as disclosed herein. For an S-shaped cannula, however, in a reference frame defined for the endoscope's field of view, the manipulator that controls the instrument is positioned on the same side of the surgical site as the corresponding end effector. Since the multiple bends in the S-shaped cannula cause contact between the instrument shaft and the cannula wall at more points along the length of the cannula than the C-shaped cannula, with similar normal forces at each point, the I/O and roll friction between the instrument and the cannula is relatively higher with an S-shaped cannula.

[0098] FIG. 14A is a diagrammatic plan view of an illustrative implementation of a port feature 1402 that may be used with curved cannula and instrument combinations, and with an endoscope and one or more other instruments, as described herein. FIG. 14B is a top perspective view of the implementation shown in FIG. 14A. Port feature 1402 is inserted into a single incision in a patient's body wall. As shown in FIG. 14A, port feature 1402 is a single body that has five channels that extend between a top surface 1404 and a bottom surface 1406. A first channel 1408 serves as an endoscope channel and is sized to accommodate an endoscope cannula. In alternative implementations, channel 1408 may be sized to accommodate an endoscope without a cannula. As shown in FIG. 14A, endoscope channel 1404 is offset from port feature 1402's central axis 1410. If a surgical procedure requires insufflation, it may be provided via well known features on the endoscope cannula.

[0099] FIG. 14A shows two more channels 1412a and 1412b that serve as instrument channels and that are each sized to accommodate a curved cannula as described herein. Channels 1412a,1412b extend through port feature 1402 at opposite angles to accommodate the positioning of the curved cannulas. Thus, in some implementations channels 1412a,1412b extend across a plane that divides the port feature into left and right sides in an orientation shown in FIG. 14A. As shown in FIG. 14A, the instrument channels 1412a and 1412b are also offset from central axis 1410. During use, the remote centers of motion for the endoscope and instrument cannulas will be generally at middle vertical positions within their respective channels. By horizontally offsetting the endoscope channel 1408 and the instrument channels 1412a,1412b from the central axis 1410, a center point of this group of remote centers can be positioned approximately in the center of the port feature (i.e., in the center of the incision). Placing the remote centers close together minimizes patient trauma during surgery (e.g., due to tissue stretching during cannula motion). And, the port feature keeps the cannulas close to one another but resists the tendency for tissue to force the cannulas towards one another, thus preventing the cannulas from interfering with one another. Various channel angles may be used in various implementations in order to accommodate the particular configurations of the curved cannulas being used or to facilitate the required curved cannula placement for a particular surgical procedure.

[0100] FIG. 14A also shows two illustrative optional auxiliary channels 1414 and 1416 that extend vertically through port feature 1402 (the number of auxiliary channels may vary). The first auxiliary channel 1414's diameter is relatively larger than the second auxiliary channel 1416′ diameter (various sized diameters may be used for each auxiliary channel). First auxiliary channel 1414 may be used to insert another surgical instrument (manual or robotic, such as a retractor or a suction instrument; with or without a cannula) through port feature 1402. As shown in FIG. 14A, endoscope channel 1408, instrument channels 1412a,1412b, and first auxiliary channel 1414 each include a seal (described below), and second auxiliary channel 1416 does not. And so, second auxiliary channel 1416 may likewise be used to insert another surgical instrument, or it may be used for another purpose better served by not having a seal in the channel, such as to provide a channel for a flexible suction or irrigation tube (or other non-rigid instrument), or to provide a channel for insufflation or evacuation (insufflation may be done using typical features on the endoscope cannula or other cannula).

[0101] FIG. 14A shows that in some implementations, a port orientation feature 1418 may be positioned on top surface 1404. During use, the surgeon inserts port feature 1402 into the incision and then orients the port feature so that orientation indicator 1418 is generally in the direction of the surgical site. Thus the port feature is oriented to provide the necessary positions for the endoscope and curved cannulas in order to carry out the surgical procedure. Orientation feature 1418 may made in various ways, such as molded into or printed on top surface 1404. Likewise, FIG. 14A shows that in some implementations instrument port identification features 1420a and 1420b (the circled numerals “1” and “2” are shown) may be each positioned near one of the two instrument ports to identify the instrument channel. A similar identification feature may be placed on cannulas intended to be used on “left” or “right” sides, so that medical personnel may easily place a curved cannula in its proper port channel by matching the cannula and port channel identifications.

[0102] In some implementation port feature 1402 is made of a single piece of injection molded silicone having a durometer value of about 15 Shore A. Other configurations of port feature 1402 may be used, including multi-part port features with secondary cannulas that can accommodate, e.g., both the endoscope and curved cannulas as described herein.

[0103] Referring to FIG. 14B, in some instances the top surface 1404 and the bottom surface 1406 (not shown) are made concave. FIG. 14B also shows that in some instances port feature 1402 is waisted. The waist 1422 provides a top flange 1424 and a bottom flange 1426 that help hold port feature 1402 in position within the incision. Since port feature 1402 may be made of a soft, resilient material, the flanges 1424,1426 formed by waist 1422 and the concave top and bottom surfaces are easily deformed to allow the surgeon to insert the port feature into the incision, and then the flanges return to their original shape to hold the port feature in place.

[0104] FIG. 15A is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view taken at cut line A-A in FIG. 14, and it illustrates how channel 1408b passes from the top to the bottom surfaces at an angle from one side to the other through port feature 1402. Channel 1408a is similarly routed in the opposite direction. The vertical position at which the two channels cross (in the FIG. 15A orientation, channel 1412a (not shown) is closer to the viewer, crossing the port feature from upper right to lower left) is approximately the vertical location of the respective cannula remote centers of motion when properly inserted. As mentioned above, in some implementations a seal may be placed in one or more of the channels through port feature 1402, and FIG. 15A shows an example of such a seal illustratively positioned at the vertical location of the cannula remote center of motion.

[0105] FIG. 15B is a detailed view of an example implementation of a seal 1502 within instrument channel 1412b. As shown in FIG. 15B, seal 1502 includes an integrally molded solid ring 1504 that extends from channel 1412b′s inner wall 1506 inwards towards channel 1412b′s longitudinal centerline. A small opening 1508 remains in the center of ring 1504 to allow the ring to stretch open around an inserted object, yet the opening is generally small enough to prevent any significant fluid passage (e.g., insufflation gas escape). Thus the seals allow for insufflation (e.g., though an auxiliary channel in the port feature) before any instruments (e.g., cannulas) are inserted. The seals also improve the seal between the port feature and the cannulas when the port feature is flexed, and the channel shapes are consequently distorted, by cannula movement during surgery.

[0106] Knowledgeable persons will understand that various other ways to implement an effective seal may be used. For example, in another seal implementation, an integrally molded resilient membrane fully blocks the channel, and the membrane is pierced the first time an object is inserted though the channel. The membrane then forms a seal with the object. In yet other implementations, a seal that is a separate piece may be inserted into the channel. For instance, an annular detent may be molded in channel wall 1506, and then a seal may be positioned and held in the detent.

[0107] FIG. 15C is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view taken at cut line B-B in FIG. 14A. Cut line B-B is taken through endoscope channel 1408's centerline, and so cut line B-B does not include the auxiliary channel 1414 or 1416 centerlines. FIG. 15C illustrates that in some implementations endoscope channel 1408 includes a seal 1508, and auxiliary channel 1414 includes a seal 1510, but auxiliary channel 1416 has no seal. FIG. 15C further illustrates that seals 1508 and 1510 are similar to seal 1502, although various seals may be used as described above.

[0108] FIG. 15D is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view taken at cut line A-A in FIG. 14, and it illustrates that in some implementations there is an electrically conductive silicone layer 1512 that extends horizontally across the middle of the port feature (e.g., at waist 1422, as shown). The conductive layer 1512 is shown spaced midway between the port feature's top and bottom surfaces, and so it incorporates seals as described above. In other implementations the electrically conductive layer may be at another vertical position that does not incorporate the seals, or two or more electrically conductive layers may be used. In some implementations, the interior of the channels are necked down at the conductive layer but not necessarily configured as seals, so as to provide the necessary electrical contact between the conductive layer and the instrument. In one implementation, conductive layer 1512 is integrally molded with upper portion 1514 and lower portion 1516 of the port feature. The electrically conductive silicone may have a higher durometer value than the upper and lower portions due to the necessary additives, but since it is located at approximately the level of the cannula centers of motion, the higher stiffness does not significantly affect cannula movement as compared to a similar port feature without the electrically conductive layer. This electrically conductive layer forms an electrically conductive path between the patient's body wall, which is in contact with the port feature's outer surface, and the cannula and/or instrument that passes through the channel. This electrically conductive path provides a path to electrical ground during electrocautery.

[0109] As described above, in some cases port feature 1402 may be inserted through the entire body wall. In other cases, however, a single incision may not be made through the entire body wall. For example, a single incision may include a single percutaneous incision made at the umbilicus (e.g., in a Z shape) and multiple incisions in the underlying fascia. Accordingly, in some cases the port feature may be eliminated, and while each of the endoscope cannula and curved cannulas extend through the single percutaneous incision, the cannulas each pass through, and may be supported by, separate incisions in the fascia. FIG. 16A is a diagrammatic view that illustrates portions of endoscope cannula 1602, and left and right curved cannulas 1604a and 1604b passing though a single skin incision 1606, and then each through separate fascia incisions 1608. In some instances, operating room personnel may desire additional support for the cannulas in such a single percutaneous/multiple facial incision (e.g., while docking the inserted cannulas to their associated robotic manipulators). In such instances, a port configured similar to top portion 1514 (FIG. 15D) or to a combined top portion 1514 and conductive layer 1512 may be used.

[0110] FIG. 16B is a diagrammatic perspective cross-sectional view of another port feature that may be used with a single skin incision/multiple fascia incisions procedure. Port feature 1620 is similar in configuration to port feature 1402, and features described above (e.g., orientation and port indicators, seals where applicable, soft resilient material, etc.) may apply to port feature 1620 as well. Port feature 1620 has a body with a generally cylindrical shape that includes a top surface 1622, a bottom surface 1624, and a narrowed sidewall waist 1626 between the top and bottom surfaces. Consequently, a top flange 1628 and a bottom flange 1630 are formed between the sidewalls and the top and bottom surfaces. During use, the skin is held in the waist 1626 between the upper and lower flanges, and the bottom surface 1624 and bottom flange 1630 rest on the fascia layer underlying the skin.

[0111] FIG. 16B further shows four illustrative ports that extend between the port feature's top and bottom surfaces. Channel 1632 is an endoscope channel, and channel 1634 is an auxiliary channel, similar to such channels described above with reference to port feature 1402. Likewise, channels 1636a and 1636b are angled instrument channels that are similar to such channels described above, channel 1636b angling from top right towards bottom left as shown, and channel 1636a angling from top left towards bottom right (hidden from view). Unlike port feature 1402's instrument channels, however, the centerlines of port feature 1620's instrument channels 1636a and 1636b do not extend across the port feature's vertical midline. Instead, the angled instrument channels stop at port feature 1620's midline, so that the remote centers of motion of the cannulas and instruments are positioned at the underlying fascia incisions (an illustrative center of motion position 1638 is illustrated). Thus it can be seen that the instrument channels' exit locations on the port feature's bottom surface may be varied so as to place the centers of motion at a desired location with reference to a patient's tissue.

[0112] For some surgical procedures, the straight line between a single incision and a surgical site (e.g., between the umbilicus and the gall bladder) begins to approach being at an acute angle relative to the patient's coronal (frontal) plane. Consequently, the cannulas enter the single incision at a relatively small (acute) angle with reference to the skin surface, and the body wall twists and exerts a torsion on the cannulas/instruments or on the port. FIG. 17A is a diagrammatic top view, and FIG. 17B is a diagrammatic side view, of yet another port feature 1702 that may be used to guide and support two or more cannulas entering through a single incision. As shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, port feature 1702 includes an upper funnel section 1704, a lower front tongue 1706, and a lower back tongue 1708. In some implementations, the funnel section and tongues are a single piece. Port feature 1702 may be formed of for example, relatively stiff molded plastic such as PEEK, polyetherimide (e.g., Ultem® products), polyethylene, polypropylene, and the like, so that port feature 1702 generally holds its shape during use. When positioned in an incision 1710, the lower tongues 1706,1708 are inside the body, and the funnel section 1704 remains outside the body. As shown in the figures, in some implementations funnel section 1704 is shaped as an oblique circular or elliptical cone, which reduces interference with equipment positioned over the funnel section when the port feature is twisted in the incision as described below. It can be seen that once in position, the distal end 1712 of funnel section 1704 may be pressed towards the skin surface. This action causes the waist section 1714 between the upper funnel portion and the lower tongues to twist in the incision, which effectively reorients the incision, and so it provides a more resistance free path to the surgical site. The front tongue prevents port feature 1702 from coming out of the incision during this twisting. In addition, pushing down on distal end 1712 of the funnel section raises the distal end 1716 of the front tongue. In some implementations, the front tongue may be sized and shaped to retract tissue as the distal end of the tongue is raised. The back tongue 1708 also helps keep port feature 1702 in the incision.

[0113] Port feature 1702 also includes at least two access channels to accommodate endoscope and instrument cannulas. As illustrated in FIG. 17A, in some implementations four example channels are within waist portion 1714. An endoscope cannula channel 1720 is placed in the middle of waist portion 1714, and three instrument cannula channels 1722 are positioned around endoscope cannula channel 1720. In some implementations the channels are formed in the same single piece as the funnel section and the tongues. In other implementations, the channels are formed in a cylindrical piece 1723 that is mounted to rotate as indicated by arrows 1723a in waist section 1714. In some implementations, instrument cannula channels 1722 are each formed in a ball joint 1724, which is positioned in waist section 1714 (e.g., directly, or in the cylindrical piece). The remote centers of motion of the cannulas are positioned in the ball joints, which then allow the cannulas to easily pivot within port feature 1702. In other implementations, the channels are configured to receive a ball that is affixed (e.g. press fit) to a cannula at the remote center of motion, and the cannula ball then pivots in the channel as a ball joint. In some implementations, the top and bottom surfaces of the waist section (e.g., the top and bottom surfaces of the cylindrical piece) may be beveled to allow for increased range of motion of the cannula moving in the ball joint. In some implementations, the endoscope cannula channel 1720 does not include a ball joint. In some implementations, an endoscope and/or instruments with rigid shafts may be routed through their respective channels without cannulas.

[0114] FIG. 18A is a diagrammatic top view, and FIG. 18B is a diagrammatic side view, of still another port feature 1802 that may be used to guide and support two or more cannulas entering through a single incision. Port feature 1802's basic configuration is similar to that of port feature 1702—e.g., the funnel section, front tongue, and channels are generally similar. In port feature 1802, however, back tongue 1804 may be rotated from a position aligned with front tongue 1806, as indicated by alternate position 1808, to a position opposite the front tongue, as shown in FIG. 18B. Therefore, back tongue 1804 may be made relatively longer than back tongue 1708 (FIG. 17B), and port feature 1802 can still be inserted into a single small incision. Back tongue 1804 is aligned with front tongue 1806 when port feature 1802 is positioned in the incision, and then it is rotated to the back position when the port feature is in place. In one implementation, back tongue 1804 is coupled to the rotating cylinder that contains the channels, as described above, and a tab 1810, located inside the funnel section, on the cylinder piece is rotated as indicated by the arrows from its alternate insertion position 1812 towards the front to position the back tongue for surgical use.

[0115] Aspects of the port features as described herein are not confined to use with one or more curved cannulas, and such port features may be used, for example, with straight instrument cannulas, rigid instrument shafts (with or without cannulas), and for both robotic and manual surgery.

[0116] In multi-port minimally invasive surgery, the endoscope is typically the first surgical instrument to be inserted. Once inserted, the endoscope can be positioned to view other cannula and instrument insertions so that an instrument does not inadvertently contact and damage tissue. With a single incision, however, once an endoscope is inserted, the other cannulas and instruments are inserted at least initially outside the endoscope's field of view. And, for curved cannulas, it is difficult to ensure that a cannula tip will be moved directly into the endoscope's field of view without contacting other tissue. In addition, keeping the cannulas properly positioned and oriented as the robotic manipulators are adjusted and then coupled (docked) to the cannulas may require considerable manual dexterity involving more than one person. Therefore, ways of safely and easily inserting multiple instruments through a single incision are needed. During some surgical procedures, port features such as those described above may provide adequate ways of safely inserting multiple instruments. During other surgical procedures, or due to surgeon preference, other ways to safely insert multiple instruments may be used.

[0117] FIG. 19A is a perspective view of an example of a cannula insertion fixture 1902. As shown in FIG. 19A, insertion fixture 1902 is capable of guiding an endoscope cannula and two curved instrument cannulas into a single incision. Other implementations may guide more or fewer cannulas. Insertion fixture 1902 includes a base 1904, an endoscope cannula support arm 1906, and two instrument cannula support arms 1908a and 1908b. As shown in FIG. 19A, endoscope cannula support arm 1906 is rigidly mounted on base 1904, although in other implementations it may be pivotally mounted. The distal end of endoscope cannula support arm 1906 is curved downwards toward the plane of the base and contains an endoscope cannula support slot 1910. Detents 1912 in support slot 1910 allow the endoscope cannula to be positioned and held at various angles.

[0118] FIG. 19A also shows that one instrument cannula support arm 1908a is pivotally mounted on base 1904 at hinge 1914a. An instrument cannula mount 1916a is at the distal end of cannula support arm 1908a and holds an illustrative instrument cannula (e.g., a curved cannula as described above). Cannula mount 1916a may include one or more mechanical key features to ensure that the cannula is held at a desired roll orientation, as described above. FIG. 19A shows the position of support arm 1908a with its associated cannula in an inserted position.

[0119] FIG. 19A further shows that another instrument cannula support arm 1908b is pivotally mounted on base 1904 at hinge 1914b, on a side opposite from support arm 1908a. Support arm 1908b includes an instrument cannula mount 1916b that is similar to cannula mount 1916a. FIG. 19A shows the position of support arm 1908b with its associated cannula before the cannula is inserted though the incision. The cannulas are held by the cannula mounts 1916a,1916b such that the axes of rotation for the hinges 1914a,1914b are at approximately the axes of curvature for the curved cannulas. Thus, as the support arms rotate at the hinges, the curved cannulas travel through approximately the same small area, which is aligned with a single incision or other entry port into the body. Referring to FIG. 19B, it can be seen that support arm 1908b has been moved to insert its associated cannula, which travels in an arc through the incision. In addition, the hinges 1914a,1914b may be oriented such that the two cannulas travel through slightly different areas in the incision in order to establish a desired clearance and arrangement among the various cannulas in the incision.

[0120] An illustrative use of the cannula insertion fixture is with the single percutaneous/multi-fascial incision, such as one described above. The surgeon first makes the single percutaneous incision. Next, the surgeon inserts a dissecting (e.g., sharp) obturator into an endoscope cannula and couples the endoscope cannula to the insertion fixture at a desired angle. At this time the surgeon may insert an endoscope through the endoscope cannula to observe further insertions, either mounting the endoscope cannula and endoscope to a robotic manipulator or temporarily supporting the endoscope by hand. The surgeon then many move the cannulas along their arc of insertion until they contact the body wall. Using a dissecting obturator, the surgeon may then insert each cannula through the fascia. The surgeon may then optionally remove the dissecting obturators from the cannulas and either leave the cannulas empty or insert blunt obturators. Then, the surgeon may continue to move the instrument cannulas to their fully inserted positions, with their distal ends positioned to appear in the endoscope's field of view. Once the cannulas are inserted, the robotic manipulators may be moved into position, and the instrument cannulas may then be mounted (docked) to their robotic manipulators. The insertion fixture is then removed, and flexible shaft instruments are inserted through the cannulas towards the surgical site under endoscopic vision. This illustrative insertion procedure is an example of many possible variations for using the insertion fixture to insert and support any number of cannulas through various incisions and body openings.

[0121] In some cases, an implementation of an insertion fixture may be used to support the cannulas while one or more manually operated instruments are inserted through the cannula(s) and used at the surgical site.

[0122] In some alternate implementations the insertion fixture may be simplified to only provide a way of holding the cannulas in a fixed position during docking to their associated manipulators. For example, this may be accomplished by first inserting the cannulas, then applying the fixture to the camera cannula, and then attaching the fixture to the curved cannulas. Once the inserted cannulas are coupled to the fixture, the patient side robot and its manipulators are moved to appropriate positions with reference to the patient. Then, while the fixture holds the camera cannula and the curved cannulas in place, each cannula is docked to its associated manipulator. Generally, the camera cannula is docked first.

[0123] FIG. 19C is a diagrammatic perspective view of a cannula stabilizing fixture 1930. Fixture 1930 includes a base 1932, two cannula holders 1934a and 1934b. Arm 1936a couples cannula holder 1934a to base 1932, and arm 1936b couples cannula holder 1934b to base 1932. Base 1932 is configured to receive an endoscope cannula in an opening 1938, and two integral spring clips 1940a and 1940b on either side of opening 1938 securely hold the base on the endoscope cannula. Each cannula holder 1934a,1934b is configured to hold an instrument cannula by receiving a key feature similar to the key feature described above with reference to FIG. 10A. Holes in the cannula holders receive pins 1036 as shown in FIG. 10A. Arms 1936a,1936b are in one illustrative implementation heavy aluminum wire covered by silicone tubing, and so the arms may be positioned as desired. Each arm supports its associated cannula holder and instrument cannula so that the instrument cannulas are held stationary with reference to the endoscope cannula when all are positioned within a single skin incision. Knowledgeable persons will understand that many variations of this fixture are possible to hold the various cannulas effectively as a single unit in position during insertion and during docking to a robotic manipulator.

[0124] FIGS. 20A-20D are diagrammatic views that illustrate another way of inserting cannulas into a single incision. FIG. 20A shows for example an endoscope cannula 2002 and two curved cannulas 2004a and 2004b. In some instances, an endoscope 2006 may be inserted in endoscope cannula 2002. The distal ends of the cannulas, and if applicable the imaging end of an endoscope, are grouped together inside a cap 2008. In some implementations the cap 2008 may be a right circular cone made of a material sufficiently rigid to function as an obturator to penetrate a body wall. In some implementations, a surgeon first makes an incision, and then cap 2008 with the cannulas grouped behind it is inserted through the incision. In some instances the cap may be made of a transparent material that allows the endoscope to image the insertion path in front of the cap. In some implementations, cap 2008 may be grouped together with a port feature 2010, such as one described above or other suitable port feature. Thus in some instances the port feature may function as one or more of the cannulas for the endoscope and/or instruments. (As shown, port feature 2010 also illustrates that insufflation via an insufflation channel 2012 in any port feature may be provided in some implementations, although as described above insufflation may be provided in other ways, such as via one of the cannulas.) A tether 2014 is attached to cap 2008, and the tether extends to outside the body.

[0125] FIG. 20B shows that the distal ends of the cannulas (or instruments, as applicable) remain grouped in cap 2008 as it is inserted farther into the patient. As port feature 2010 remains secure in body wall 2016, the cannulas (or instruments, as applicable) slide through it in order to stay within cap 2008. In some instances the cap is moved farther inwards by pressing on one or more of the cannulas (or instruments, as applicable). For example, the endoscope cannula and/or cannula may be mounted on a robotic camera manipulator, and the manipulator may be used to insert the cap farther inwards.

[0126] FIG. 20C shows that once the distal ends of the cannulas (or instruments, as applicable) have reached a desired depth, the cannulas may be coupled to their associated robotic manipulators (e.g., cannula 2004a to manipulator 2018a and cannula 2004b to manipulator 2018b). A surgical instrument may then be inserted through one of the instrument cannulas (e.g., surgical instrument 2020b through cannula 2004b, as shown) and mounted to an associated manipulator (e.g., manipulator 2018b). The surgical instrument may then be used to remove the cap from the distal ends of the cannulas (or other instruments, as applicable). FIG. 20D shows that the cap 2008 may be placed away from the surgical site inside the patient during a surgical procedure using the endoscope and both robotically controlled instruments 2020a and 2020b. Cap 2008 may optionally incorporate a specimen bag 2022 for specimen retrieval at the end of the procedure. This specimen bag may optionally incorporate a draw string to close the bag, and the specimen bag draw string may optionally be integral with the cap tether 2014. After surgery is complete and the instruments, cannulas, and port feature are removed, the cap 2008 (and optional bag) may be removed by pulling on tether 2014.

[0127] Control of minimally invasive surgical robotic systems is known (see e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,859,934 (filed Jan. 14, 1997)(disclosing method and apparatus for transforming coordinate systems in a telemanipulation system), 6,223,100 (filed Mar. 25, 1998) (disclosing apparatus and method for performing computer enhanced surgery with articulated instrument), 7,087,049 (filed Jan. 15, 2002)(disclosing repositioning and reorientation of master/slave relationship in minimally invasive telesurgery), and 7,155,315 (filed Dec. 12, 2005)(disclosing camera referenced control in a minimally invasive surgical apparatus), and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2006/0178559 (filed Dec. 27, 2005) (disclosing multi-user medical robotic system for collaboration or training in minimally invasive surgical procedures), all of which are incorporated by reference). Control systems to operate a surgical robotic system may be modified as described herein for use with curved cannulas and passively flexible surgical instruments. In one illustrative implementation, the control system of a da Vinci® Surgical System is so modified.

[0128] FIG. 21 is a diagrammatic view of a curved cannula 2102, which has a proximal end 2104 that is mounted to a robotic manipulator, a distal end 2106, and a curved section (e.g., 60 degree bend) between the proximal and distal ends. A longitudinal centerline axis 2110 is defined between the proximal and distal ends of curved cannula 2102. In addition, an insertion and withdrawal axis 2112 is defined to include a centerline that extends along longitudinal axis 2110 in a straight line from the distal end of the curved cannula. Since the distal section (506c, FIG. 5) of the passively flexible instrument shaft is relatively stiff, it moves approximately along insertion and withdrawal axis 2112 as it extends out of the distal end of the curved cannula. Therefore the control system is configured to assume that the flexible shaft acts as a straight, rigid shaft having insertion and withdrawal axis 2112. That is, the instrument's I/O axis is taken to be the extended straight longitudinal centerline from the distal end of the curved cannula, and the system determines a virtual location of the instrument tip to be along the I/O axis 2112. This instrument I/O movement at the cannula's distal end is illustrated by double-headed arrow 2114. To prevent excess lateral movement in the section of the flexible shaft that extends beyond the cannula's distal end, in one implementation the extension distance is regulated by the control system software and may depend, e.g., on the stiffness of the flexible shaft's distal section for the particular instrument being used. And in one implementation, the control system will not allow the master manipulator to move the cannula or instrument until the instrument tip extends beyond the cannula's distal end.

[0129] The control system is also modified to incorporate kinematic constraints associated with the curved cannula. The motion of the instrument tip extending out of the cannula is described as if produced by a virtual serial kinematic chain of frames of reference, uniquely described by a set of Denavit-Hartenberg parameters. For example, boundary conditions at the cannula's distal end 2106 are defined as the tip position, tip orientation, and the length along the curved section. Such boundary conditions are used to define the appropriate Denavit-Hartenberg parameters. As illustrated in FIG. 21, a reference frame may be defined having an origin at a location along longitudinal axis 2110 (e.g., at the cannula's remote center of motion 2116, as shown). One axis 2118 of such a reference frame may be defined to intersect the extended I/O axis 2112 at a point 2120. A minimum distance can be determined between the reference frame's origin and the cannula's distal end 2106. Various different cannula configurations (e.g., length, bend angle, rotation when mounted on the manipulator, etc.) will have various associated kinematic constraints. For instrument I/O, however, the actual path length along the curved section is used instead of the minimum distance between the remote center of motion and the instrument's distal tip. Skilled persons will understand that various methods may be used to describe the kinematic constraints. For example, an alternate way of solving the problem is to incorporate the homogenous transformation that describes the geometry of the curved cannula into the serial kinematics chain explicitly.

[0130] Further modifications to the control system allow the surgeon to receive haptic feedback at the master manipulators (e.g., 122a,122b as shown in FIG. 1B). In various robotic surgical systems, the surgeon experiences a haptic force from servomotors in the master manipulators. For example, if the system senses (e.g., triggered by an encoder) that a slave side joint limit is reached or almost reached, then the surgeon experiences a force in the master that tends to keep the surgeon from moving the master manipulator in the slave side joint limit direction. As another example, if the system senses that an external force is applied to the instrument at the surgical site (e.g., by sensing excess motor current being used as the system attempts to maintain the instrument in its commanded position), then the surgeon may experience a force in the master manipulator that indicates a direction and magnitude of the external force acting on the slave side.

[0131] Haptic feedback in the master manipulators is used in one implementation of a control system used to provide the surgeon an intuitive control experience while using curved cannulas. For flexible instruments that do not have a wrist, the control system provides haptic forces at the master manipulators to prevent the surgeon from moving the multi-DOF master manipulator with a wrist motion. That is, master manipulator servomotors attempt to keep the master manipulator orientation stationary in pitch and yaw orientations as the surgeon changes the master manipulator position. This feature is similar to a feature used in current robotic surgical systems for instruments with straight, rigid shafts and no wrist. The system senses the instrument type (e.g., wristed, non-wristed) and applies the haptic feedback accordingly.

[0132] Haptic feedback is also used in one implementation to provide the surgeon a sense of an external force applied to various points in the instrument kinematic chain. Haptic feed back is provided to the surgeon for any sensed external force applied to the manipulator (e.g., as might occur if the manipulator collides with another manipulator) or to the straight proximal portion of the curved cannula. Since the cannula is curved, however, the system cannot provide proper haptic feedback for an external force applied to the cannula's curved section (e.g., by colliding with another curved cannula, either inside or outside the endoscope's field of view), because the system cannot determine the direction and magnitude of the applied force. In order to minimize such non-intuitive haptic feedback for this illustrative implementation, cannula collision is minimized by properly positioning the robotic manipulators and their associated cannulas, e.g., initially with the use of a fixture and/or during surgery with the use of a port feature, as described above. Similarly, the haptic feedback the system provides to the surgeon that is caused by external force applied to the portion of the instrument that extends from the cannula's distal end will not be accurate (unless experienced directly along the I/O axis). In practice, though, such forces on the distal ends of the instrument are low compared to the amount of friction and compliance in the instrument/transmission, and so any generated haptic feedback is negligible.

[0133] In other implementations, however, force sensors may be used to provide the surgeon an accurate experience of an external force applied to either the cannula's curved section or the instrument's extended distal end. For example, force sensors that use optical fiber strain sensing are known (see e.g., U.S. Patent Application Pubs. No. US 2007/0151390 A1 (filed Sep. 29, 2006) (disclosing force torque sensing for surgical instruments), US 2007/0151391 A1 (filed Oct. 26, 2006)(disclosing modular force sensor), US 2008/0065111 A1 (filed Sep. 29, 2007)(disclosing force sensing for surgical instruments), US 2009/0157092 A1 (filed Dec. 18, 2007) (disclosing ribbed force sensor), and US 2009/0192522 A1 (filed Mar. 30, 2009) (disclosing force sensor temperature compensation), all of which are incorporated herein by reference). FIG. 22 is a diagrammatic view of a curved cannula and the distal portion of a flexible instrument, and it shows that in one illustrative implementation, one or more force sensing optical fibers 2202a,2202b may be positioned (e.g., four fibers equally spaced around the outside) on curved cannula 2204 (strain sensing interrogation and strain determination components for the optical fibers are omitted for clarity). Similarly, the distal section 2206 of the flexible instrument may incorporate (e.g., routed internally) one or more strain sensing optical fibers 2208 that sense bend at a location on, or the shape of the distal section, and the amount of displacement and the location with reference to the cannula's distal end may be used to determine the external force on the extended instrument.

[0134] FIG. 23 is a diagrammatic view of a control system architecture 2300 for a teleoperated robotic surgical system with telepresence. As shown in FIG. 23,

[0135] f_b=human forces

[0136] x_b=master position

[0137] e_m,s encoder values (master, slave)

[0138] i_m,s=motor currents (master, slave)=

[0139] θ_m,x=joint positions (master, slave)

[0140] τ_m,s=joint torques (master, slave)

[0141] f_m,s=Cartesian forces (master, slave)

[0142] x_m,s=Cartesian positions (master, slave)

[0143] f_e=environmental forces

[0144] x_e=slave position

In one implementation, control system modifications as described above are done in the “Slave Kinematics” portion 2302 of control system architecture 2300. Additional details describing control system architecture 2300 are found, e.g., in the references cited above. Control system 2300 data processing may be implemented in electronic data processing unit 142 (FIG. 1C), or it may be distributed in various processing units throughout the surgical system.

[0145] Referring to FIGS. 11A and 11B, together with FIG. 1B and FIG. 4C, it can be seen that in many implementations, the instrument end effector actuated by the “left” robotic manipulator appears in the right side of the endoscope's field of view, and the instrument end effector actuated by the “right” robotic manipulator appears in the left side of the endoscope's field of view. Accordingly, to preserve intuitive control of the end effectors as viewed by a surgeon at the surgeon's console display, the right master manipulator controls the “left” robotic manipulator, and the left master manipulator controls the “right” robotic manipulator. This configuration is opposite the configuration typically used with straight surgical instruments, in which the robotic manipulator and its associated instrument are both positioned on the same side with reference to a vertical division of the endoscope's field of view. During use with curved cannulas, the robotic manipulator and its associated instrument are positioned on opposite sides of the endoscope reference frame. This would not apply, however, to the use of certain compound curve cannulas, such as is illustrated by FIG. 13 and associated text.

[0146] Thus various implementations of the control system allow the surgeon to experience intuitive control of the instrument end effectors and the resulting telepresence even without the use of an instrument wrist that provides pitch and yaw movements. Movement of a master manipulator (e.g., 122a, FIG. 1B) results in a corresponding movement of either the distal end of the associated curved cannula (for pitch and yaw movements at the surgical site) or the instrument end effector (for I/O, roll, and grip (or other end effector DOF's)). Accordingly, a surgeon's hand motion at a master control can be reasonably well approximated with a corresponding slave movement at the surgical site without the use of a separate wrist mechanism in the instrument. The instrument tips move in response to master manipulator position changes, not master manipulator orientation changes. The control system does not interpret such surgeon wrist-motion orientation changes.

[0147] In some implementations, the control system of a surgical robotic system may be configured to automatically switch between the use of straight cannulas with associated straight shaft instruments, and the use of curved cannulas with associated flexible shaft instruments. For example, the system may sense that both a curved cannula and a flexible shaft instrument are mounted on a manipulator, as described above with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 10, and so switch to a control mode associated with the curved cannula and the flexible instrument. If however, the system senses a straight cannula and flexible instrument mounted on the manipulator, then this sensing may trigger an illegal state, and the system will not operate.

[0148] In some implementations for surgical robotic systems with multiple robotic manipulators, the control software can allow the surgeon to use a mix of curved cannulas of various different shapes, flexible shaft instruments of various different lengths, together with straight cannulas and rigid straight-shaft instruments. The tip motion of all such instruments will appear alike, and so the surgeon will experience intuitive control because of the automatic handling of the cannula kinematic constraints as described above.

[0149] In one aspect, a surgical system comprises: a robotic manipulator; a rigid cannula, wherein the cannula comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and a curved section between the proximal and distal ends, wherein the proximal end of the cannula is mounted to the robotic manipulator, and wherein the robotic manipulator is configured to move the cannula around a remote center of motion in at least a pitch or a yaw degree of freedom; and a surgical instrument comprising a flexible shaft and an end effector coupled to a distal end of the flexible shaft, wherein a first portion of the flexible shaft extends through the curved section of the cannula, and wherein a second portion of the flexible shaft extends beyond the distal end of the cannula.

[0150] In another aspect, a surgical system comprises: a first robotic manipulator, a first curved cannula coupled to the first robotic manipulator, and a first surgical instrument comprising a flexible shaft that extends through the first curved cannula, wherein the first robotic manipulator is configured to move the first cannula around a first center of motion; a second robotic manipulator, a second curved cannula coupled to the second robotic manipulator, and a second surgical instrument comprising a flexible shaft that extends through the second curved cannula, wherein the second robotic manipulator is configured to move the second cannula around a second center of motion; wherein the first and second centers of motion are positioned proximate to one another; and wherein distal ends of the first and second curved cannulas are oriented to direct the distal ends of the first and second surgical instruments towards a surgical site.

[0151] In another aspect, a cannula comprises: a rigid tube having a proximal straight section and a curved section adjacent the proximal straight section; and a robotic manipulator mount coupled to the proximal end of the tube.

[0152] In another aspect, a surgical instrument comprises: a passively flexible shaft comprising a middle section and a distal section; and a surgical end effector coupled to the distal section of the flexible shaft; wherein a stiffness of the distal section of the passively flexible shaft is larger than a stiffness of the middle section of the passively flexible shaft.

[0153] In another aspect, a surgical port feature comprises: a port feature body comprising a top surface and a bottom surface; a first surgical instrument channel that extends in a first direction across a vertical midsection of the port feature body from the top surface to the bottom surface; and a second surgical instrument channel that extends in a second direction, opposite the first direction, across the vertical midsection of the port feature body from the top surface to the bottom surface.

[0154] In another aspect, a surgical port feature comprises: a funnel portion; a tongue; a waist portion between the funnel portion and the tongue; and at least two surgical instrument channels defined in the waist section.

[0155] In another aspect, a cannula mounting fixture comprises: a first arm comprising an endoscope cannula mounting bracket; and a second arm comprising a surgical instrument cannula mounting bracket; wherein the endoscope cannula mounting bracket and the surgical instrument mounting bracket are each oriented to hold a cannula at the same opening into a patient's body.

[0156] In another aspect, a cannula mounting fixture comprises: a pointed cap comprising an interior; wherein the interior of the cap is configured to removably hold a distal end of an endoscope and a distal end of a surgical instrument cannula.

[0157] In another aspect, a robotic surgical system comprises: a master manipulator; a robotic slave manipulator; a curved cannula coupled to the robotic slave manipulator; a passively flexible instrument shaft that extends past a distal end of the curved cannula; and a control system; wherein a straight line instrument insertion and withdrawal axis is defined extending from a longitudinal center axis of the curved cannula at a distal end of the curved cannula; and wherein in response to a movement of the master manipulator, the control system commands the robotic manipulator to move the distal end of the curved cannula around a remote center of motion as if the instrument were positioned straight along the instrument insertion and withdrawal axis.