System and method for variable velocity instrument

1. A computer-assisted device comprising:

an actuator; and;

one or more processors;

wherein to perform an operation with an instrument coupled to the computer-assisted device, the one or more processors are configured to:

set a velocity set point of the actuator to an initial velocity;

monitor force or torque applied by the actuator to actuate the instrument;

when the applied force or torque is above a first force or torque limit, determine whether a total duration of a set of pauses occurring during the operation of the instrument is below a maximum pause threshold; and

in response to determining that the total duration is below the maximum pause threshold, pause the operation of the instrument.

2. The computer-assisted device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause an operation of the actuator where the applied force or torque is allowed to exceed an upper limit on force or torque in response to determining that the total duration is not below the maximum pause threshold.

3. The computer-assisted device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to reset the total duration when a reciprocating element actuated by the actuator travels a respective distance.

4. The computer-assisted device of claim 1 , wherein the maximum pause threshold is set according to one or more of a type of the operation, a type of tissue being manipulated by the operation, and a type of the instrument.

5. The computer-assisted device of claim 1 , wherein the pause of the operation lasts for a predetermined period of time or until the applied force or torque falls below a second force or torque limit that is lower than the first force or torque limit.

6. The computer-assisted device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to enforce a hold off period after the pause of the operation ends where an additional pause in the operation is not permitted.

7. The computer-assisted device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause an operation of the actuator where the applied force or torque is allowed to exceed an upper limit on force or torque in response to determining that a count of pauses included in the set of pauses occurring during the operation of the instrument is above a predetermined number of pauses.

8. The computer-assisted device of claim 7 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to reset the count of pauses when a reciprocating element actuated by the actuator travels a respective distance.

9. The computer-assisted device of claim 1 , wherein to pause further movement of the actuator, the one or more processors are configured to set the velocity set point to zero.

10. The computer-assisted device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:

adjust a parameter of the operation; and

continue actuation of the actuator according to the adjusted parameter when causing the operation of the actuator to be performed.

11. The computer-assisted device of claim 10 , wherein:

the parameter is the first force or torque limit;

the first force or torque limit is increased; and

the first force or torque limit is prevented from exceeding a maximum force or torque limit for an end effector of the instrument.

12. A method of operating an instrument for use with a computer-assisted device comprising one or more processors, the method comprising:

setting, by the one or more processors, a velocity set point of an actuator to an initial velocity;

measuring, by the one or more processors, a force or torque applied by the actuator to actuate an instrument;

when the applied force or torque is above a first force or torque limit, determining, by the one or more processors, whether a total duration of a set of pauses occurring during the operation of the instrument is below a maximum pause threshold; and

in response to determining that the total duration is below the maximum pause threshold, pausing, by the one or more processors, further movement of the actuator.

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising causing, by the one or more processors, an operation of the actuator where the applied force or torque is allowed to exceed an upper limit on force or torque in response to determining that the total duration is not below the maximum pause threshold.

14. The method of claim 12 , further comprising resetting, by the one or more processors, the total duration when a reciprocating element actuated by the actuator travels a respective distance.

15. The method of claim 12 , further comprising causing, by the one or more processors, an operation of the actuator where the applied force or torque is allowed to exceed an upper limit on force or torque in response to determining that a count of pauses included in the set of pauses occurring during the operation of the instrument is above a predetermined number of pauses.

16. The method of claim 12 , wherein pausing of the further movement of the actuator comprises setting the velocity set point to zero.

17. A non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising a plurality of machine-readable instructions which when executed by one or more processors associated with a computer-assisted device are adapted to cause the one or more processors to perform a method comprising:

setting a velocity set point of an actuator to an initial velocity;

measuring a force or torque applied by the actuator to actuate an instrument;

when the applied force or torque is above a first force or torque limit, determining, by the one or more processors, whether a total duration of a set of pauses occurring during operation of the instrument is below a maximum pause threshold; and

in response to determining that the total duration is below the maximum pause threshold, pausing, by the one or more processors, further movement of the actuator.

18. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the method further comprises causing an operation of the actuator where the applied force or torque is allowed to exceed an upper limit on force or torque in response to determining that the total duration is not below the maximum pause threshold.

19. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the method further comprises resetting the total duration when a reciprocating element actuated by the actuator travels a respective distance.

20. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein pausing of the further movement of the actuator comprises setting the velocity set point to zero.