Indicator for tool state and communication in multi-arm robotic telesurgery

A medical system comprising:

• a first indicator associated with a first manipulator coupleable to a first tool;
• a second indicator associated with a second manipulator coupleable to a second tool;
• and
• means for activating one of the first indicator and the second indicator to output a first identifiable signal;
• wherein on the condition that the first indicator is activated to output the first identifiable signal, the first identifiable signal indicates at least one of a first state and a first action, the first state being a state of one of the first tool and the first manipulator, and the first action being an action to be taken regarding one of the first tool and the first manipulator;
• and
• wherein on the condition that the second indicator is activated to output the first identifiable signal, the first identifiable signal indicates at least one of a second state and a second action, the second state being a state of one of the second tool and the second manipulator, and the second action being an action to be taken regarding one of the second tool and the second manipulator.