Mako Surgical Corporation

Ezra Johnson

Victor Soto

Hyosig Kang

Peter L Ebbitt

Xiao Hui Gao

Oscar Williams

Kana Nishimura

David Gene Bowling

Jonathan Mark Morgan

Larry Hazbun

Nicholas Joseph LaBarbera

William Daniel Weinlandt

A tracker for a navigation system. A tracker body defines an opening, and a lens is positionable to seal the opening. A plug is configured to be coupled to the tracker body to secure the lens. A tracking element may be disposed between the lens and the plug so as to be visible through the lens. The tracking element may be disposed within a sealed enclosure defined by the lens and the plug. The plug may define a counterbore in fluid communication with the opening, and the plug may be at least partially disposed within the counterbore. The plug may further define a groove, and the tracker may include a sealing element disposed within the groove. The plug may include a shoulder configured to in sealing engagement with the tracker body. Methods of assembling the tracker for use with the navigation system are also disclosed.

Tracker for a navigation system

A surgical system includes a surgical robot with an end effector that supports a drive assembly, a manual interface, and a trigger assembly. A cutting tool is attached to the drive assembly and rotatable about a cutting axis. A method includes positioning, with the surgical robot, the cutting tool relative to a surgical site to align the cutting axis with a predetermined trajectory. A user engages the trigger assembly for rotating the cutting tool about the cutting axis with the drive assembly and advancing the cutting tool along the predetermined trajectory at the surgical site to a first depth. A user applies force to the manual interface for rotating the cutting tool about the cutting axis and advancing the cutting tool along the predetermined trajectory to a second depth greater than the first depth.

End effectors and methods for driving tools guided by surgical robotic systems

A robotic manipulator includes an arm including at least one joint driven by a transmission comprising an output, an isolation mechanism coupled to the output of the transmission, and a force/torque sensor coupled to the isolation mechanism. The force/torque sensor includes a body, which includes a stationary part and a movable part coupled to and being movable relative to the stationary part. The force/torque sensor also includes one or more sensing elements configured to sense forces and torques applied to the movable part. The isolation mechanism is configured to deform in response to forces induced by the transmission to mechanically isolate the force/torque sensor from forces induced by the transmission.

Robotic manipulator comprising isolation mechanism for force/torque sensor

End effectors for driving tools at surgical sites along trajectories maintained by surgical robots. A tool has interface and working ends. An end effector has a mount to attach to the surgical robot, and an actuator configured to generate torque. A drive assembly with a geartrain translates rotation from the actuator into rotation of a drive conduit supported about an axis. A rotational lock operatively attached to the drive conduit releasably secures the tool for concurrent rotation about the axis, and an axial lock releasably secures the tool for concurrent translation with the drive conduit along the trajectory maintained by the surgical robot. The axial lock is operable between a release configuration where relative movement between the drive assembly and the tool is permitted along the axis, and a lock configuration where relative movement between the drive assembly and the tool is restricted along the axis.

Growing community of inventors

Reeds Spring, MO, United States of America

Ezra Johnson