How Robotic Surgical Tools Adjust Themselves During Operations
This patent describes how a robot performing surgery can automatically correct its movements if the actual tool position doesn't match what it was told to do, like slowing down or changing its path.
Original patent title: “Techniques for modifying tool operation in a surgical robotic system based on comparing actual and commanded states of the tool relative to a surgical site”
This patent describes how a robot performing surgery can automatically correct its movements if the actual tool position doesn't match what it was told to do, like slowing down or changing its path. Granted in 2026.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes a surgical system where a robot arm, called a manipulator, moves a surgical tool. The system's controllers constantly compare where the tool is supposed to be (its commanded state) with where it actually is (its actual state) at many tiny moments in time. If the controllers detect any difference or 'deviation' between the planned and actual positions, they automatically change how the tool operates. This modification can involve adjusting the tool's speed (feed rate) or altering the planned path (tool path) to maintain precision. For example, if a robotic scalpel starts to drift slightly off its intended cutting line, the system might automatically slow the scalpel down or subtly shift its path to get back on track.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover surgical robotic systems that only detect deviations without automatically modifying the tool's feed rate or tool path.
- Does not cover systems where a human operator is solely responsible for manually correcting tool deviations without automated intervention.
- Does not cover systems that modify other tool parameters, such as orientation, force, or temperature, if those are not considered part of the 'feed rate' or 'tool path'.
- Does not cover systems that predict potential deviations before they occur, focusing instead on reacting to detected differences.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The clever bit is the system's ability to automatically and immediately modify the surgical tool's feed rate or tool path in response to any detected difference between its planned and actual movements. This real-time, adaptive control enhances precision and safety during robotic procedures.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Da Vinci Surgical System
Stryker Mako System
Medtronic Hugo RAS system
Other robot-assisted surgery platforms
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Robotic surgery requires extremely high precision to ensure patient safety and effective treatment. This patent aims to enhance that precision by providing an automated way to correct errors in real-time. By dynamically adjusting tool movement, the technology could reduce the risk of surgical complications and enable more complex, delicate procedures to be performed robotically with greater confidence.
Filed
May 6, 2025
Granted
September 15, 2026
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Major players in surgical robotics, such as Intuitive Surgical, Stryker, and Medtronic, are continuously developing technologies to enhance the precision and safety of their systems. These companies are likely exploring or implementing similar real-time adaptive control mechanisms to improve surgical outcomes and expand the capabilities of robot-assisted surgery.
Market impact
This type of technology could significantly raise the bar for precision and safety in robot-assisted surgery. By providing automated error correction, it could enable surgeons to undertake more complex procedures with reduced risk, potentially expanding the market for robotic surgical systems. It could also become a key feature that differentiates advanced surgical robots from less sophisticated ones, driving innovation in the field.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes a surgical system where a robot arm, called a manipulator, moves a surgical tool. The system's controllers constantly compare where the tool is supposed to be (its commanded state) with where it actually is (its actual state) at many tiny moments in time. If the controllers detect any difference or 'deviation' between the planned and actual positions, they automatically change how the tool operates. This modification can involve adjusting the tool's speed (feed rate) or altering the planned path (tool path) to maintain precision. For example, if a robotic scalpel starts to drift slightly off its intended cutting line, the system might automatically slow the scalpel down or subtly shift its path to get back on track.
The clever bit
The clever bit is the system's ability to automatically and immediately modify the surgical tool's feed rate or tool path in response to any detected difference between its planned and actual movements. This real-time, adaptive control enhances precision and safety during robotic procedures.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover surgical robotic systems that only detect deviations without automatically modifying the tool's feed rate or tool path.
- Does not cover systems where a human operator is solely responsible for manually correcting tool deviations without automated intervention.
- Does not cover systems that modify other tool parameters, such as orientation, force, or temperature, if those are not considered part of the 'feed rate' or 'tool path'.
- Does not cover systems that predict potential deviations before they occur, focusing instead on reacting to detected differences.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$26K – $84K
Midpoint $53K · 18.6 yr remaining · industry ×2.2
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
Concepts involved
Cite this patent
(2026). How Robotic Surgical Tools Adjust Themselves During Operations (U.S. Patent No. 12,733,998). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12733998/techniques-for-modifying-tool-operation-in-a-surgical-robotic-system-based-on
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How Robotic Surgical Tools Adjust Themselves During Operations cover?
This patent describes how a robot performing surgery can automatically correct its movements if the actual tool position doesn't match what it was told to do, like slowing down or changing its path.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
Robotic surgery requires extremely high precision to ensure patient safety and effective treatment. This patent aims to enhance that precision by providing an automated way to correct errors in real-time. By dynamically adjusting tool movement, the technology could reduce the risk of surgical complications and enable more complex, delicate procedures to be performed robotically with greater confidence.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover surgical robotic systems that only detect deviations without automatically modifying the tool's feed rate or tool path.
Patent monitoring