{
  "patent_number": "US 12733998",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "How Robotic Surgical Tools Adjust Themselves During Operations",
  "original_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",
  "summary": "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.",
  "what_it_does": "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.",
  "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."
  ],
  "filed": "2025-05-06",
  "granted": "2026-09-15",
  "expires": null,
  "status": "active",
  "holder": null,
  "holder_url": null,
  "inventors": [],
  "times_cited": 0,
  "tags": [
    "robotics",
    "medical_devices",
    "software",
    "healthcare",
    "control_systems"
  ],
  "abstract": "A surgical system and method of operating the same. A manipulator supports and facilitates movement of a surgical tool along a tool path relative to a surgical site. Controller(s) determine commanded states and actual states of the surgical tool relative to the tool path for a plurality of time steps. The controller(s) detect at least one deviation between the commanded states and the actual states of the surgical tool for at least one of the plurality of time steps. The controller(s) respond to the deviation by modification of one or both of: a feed rate of the surgical tool; and the tool path.",
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12733998/techniques-for-modifying-tool-operation-in-a-surgical-robotic-system-based-on",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12733998/techniques-for-modifying-tool-operation-in-a-surgical-robotic-system-based-on/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US12733998",
  "relatedPatents": []
}