Abstract: Surgical instruments include a first drive assembly having a first drive gear and a lockout mechanism positioned for releasable engagement with the first drive assembly to inhibit rotation of the first drive gear. The lockout mechanism includes a pawl and an actuator means for moving the pawl from a first position in engagement with the first drive gear to a second position spaced from the first drive gear.

Abstract: A colpotomy system includes a surgical instrument and a uterine manipulator. The surgical instrument has a shaft assembly. The shaft assembly includes an end effector supported on a distal end portion of the shaft assembly. The end effector includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The uterine manipulator extends distally to a head supporting a knife that is positioned to cooperate with the first and second jaw members of the end effector.

Abstract: An end effector assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument is provided. The electrosurgical instrument includes a handle having a shaft that extends therefrom, an end effector disposed at a distal end of the shaft, at least one electrode operably coupled to the end effector and adapted to couple to a source of electrosurgical energy, a chromium nitride coating covering at least a portion of the electrode, and a hexamethyldisiloxane plasma coating covering at least a portion of the chromium nitride coating.

Abstract: A controller for an electrosurgical generator includes an RF inverter, a signal processor, a software compensator, a hardware compensator, and an RF inverter controller. The RF inverter generates an electrosurgical waveform and the signal processor outputs a measured value of at least one of a voltage, a current, or power of the electrosurgical waveform. The software compensator generates a desired value for at least one of the voltage, the current, or the power of the electrosurgical waveform, and the hardware compensator generates a phase shift based on the measured value and the desired value. The RF inverter controller generates a pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal based on the phase shift to control the RF inverter.

Abstract: A transvaginal occluder includes an elongated housing having proximal and distal portions and an internal cavity defined therebetween configured for selective receipt of a surgical instrument therethrough. The elongated housing includes a first material having a first durometer extending between the proximal and distal portions and defining the internal cavity, the first material including one or more recesses defined therein along the internal cavity. The elongated housing also includes a second material having a second, lower durometer and that extends between the proximal and distal portions, the second material encapsulating a portion of the first material and configured to engage vaginal tissue. The elongated housing also includes a third material having a third, lowest durometer disposed within the one or more recesses that is configured to engage a shaft of the surgical instrument in a fluid tight manner.

Abstract: A surgical stapling system includes a surgical stapling apparatus and a buttress loading unit. The surgical stapling apparatus includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member configured to fasten tissue grasped between the first and second jaw members. The buttress loading unit includes a loader and a clip supported in the loader. The loader and the clip support a release strap and a buttress. The clip is configured to selectively attach the release strap and the buttress to the first jaw member when the loader is positioned on the first jaw member.

Abstract: A surgical robotic system includes a surgical robotic arm having an instrument and an instrument drive unit configured to actuate the instrument. The system also includes a storage device and a controller configured to store a save point on the storage device, the save point including configuration data pertaining to at least one of the surgical robotic arm, the instrument drive unit, or the instrument. The controller is further configured to detect an error resulting in a reboot of at least one of the surgical robotic arm, the instrument drive unit, or the instrument. The controller is additionally configured to access the configuration data of the save point after the reboot of at least one of the surgical robotic arm, the instrument drive unit, or the instrument.

Abstract: Systems and methods for model-driven system integration on a ventilator comprise a modeled exhalation flow. Ventilator flow sensors contain components that are easily damaged or impacted and have high rates of failure. Knowledge failure frequency and type may help determine when to replace, clean, or calibrate a flow sensor. A modeled exhalation flow may be trained for a ventilator. Additionally, the modeled exhalation flow may be compared to a flow sensor flow to determine a specific failure. Additionally or alternatively, the modeled exhalation flow may supplement, weight, or replace a faulty flow sensor measurement. These systems and methods may assist in identifying an inaccurate flow sensor measurement and/or providing a more accurate modeled flow estimate, thus increasing accuracy in patient-ventilator interactions.

Abstract: A surgical end effector includes an ultrasonic blade and a jaw member. The blade is adapted to receive ultrasonic and electrosurgical energy and defines a distal face. The jaw member is movable relative to the blade from a spaced-apart to an approximated position for clamping tissue and includes a structural body having a body portion and a distal cap portion. The distal cap portion defines an electrode that receives electrosurgical energy. The jaw member further includes a jaw liner engaged within the body portion and extending therefrom towards the blade such that, in the approximated position, the jaw liner contacts the blade to define a gap distance between the electrode and the distal face to facilitate bipolar electrosurgical tissue treatment upon conduction of bipolar energy between the electrode and the distal face and through tissue in contact therewith.

Abstract: Retrieval of material from vessel lumens can be improved by electrically enhancing attachment of the material to the removal device. The removal device can have a core assembly that includes a hypotube coupled to a first electrical terminal and a pushwire coupled to a second electrical terminal, the pushwire extending through the hypotube lumen. An insulating layer separates the hypotube and the pushwire, and an interventional element is coupled to a distal end of the pushwire. The interventional element can be disposed adjacent to a thrombus. An electrical signal is delivered to the interventional element to promote adhesion of the thrombus to the interventional element. The electrical signal can optionally be a periodic waveform, and the total energy delivered can be between 0.75-24,000 mJ and the peak current delivered via the electrical signal can be between 0.5-5 mA.

Abstract: A system of treating atelectasis is provided that includes a tracheal tube positioned within an airway of a ventilated patient and an acoustic sensor coupled to the tracheal tube. The system also includes a monitor communicatively coupled to the acoustic sensor. The monitor includes a processor configured to receive a baseline signal from the acoustic sensor. The processor is configured to provide control instructions to adjust a pressure of a gas mixture delivered to the airway through the tracheal tube. The processor is also configured to receive an updated signal from the acoustic sensor after the adjustment and identify a change in airway openness of lungs of the ventilated patient caused by the adjustment of the pressure. Further, identifying the change is based on the baseline signal and the updated signal.

Abstract: A catheter includes a shaft portion defining a non-circular transverse cross-section. The shaft portion includes an exterior sidewall and an interior sidewall defining two or more asymmetrical working channels.

Abstract: Vascular expandable devices and associated methods are disclosed herein. An expandable vascular device can include a generally tubular sidewall formed of a plurality of braided strands. The device can have a compressed state for delivery in which the device has a compressed state diameter of 0.027 inches or less. The device can have an expanded state in which the device has an expanded state diameter. A full expansion distance of the device corresponds to a longitudinal unconstrained distance at which the distal end of the expandable device attains the expanded state diameter. The full expansion distance can be 20 mm or less.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly includes a channel and a removable assembly in releasable engagement with the channel. The removable assembly includes a cartridge body and a support plate. The cartridge body includes an engagement structure disposed adjacent a proximal end thereof. The support plate is configured to mechanically engage the cartridge body and includes an engagement structure disposed adjacent a proximal end thereof. The engagement structure of the cartridge body is configured for longitudinal alignment with the engagement structure of the support plate. The engagement structures of the cartridge body and the engagement structure of the support plate are configured to mechanically engage the engagement structure of the channel when the removable assembly is engaged with the channel.

Abstract: An electromechanical surgical system having an instrument housing for connecting with a shaft assembly, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The end effector is an articulating end effector and the system includes a cable tensioning system for tensioning the articulation cables. The system includes a clutch mechanism for preventing slippage of a drive cable. The electromechanical system includes a staple cartridge that includes a knife that is movable between a raised position and a lowered position.

Abstract: An anvil buttress loading system includes an anvil assembly, an anvil buttress loading tool, and an anvil buttress. The anvil buttress is retainable on each of the anvil buttress loading tool and the anvil buttress, and is transferrable from the anvil buttress loading tool to the anvil assembly.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided and includes a housing having a shaft. An end effector assembly is operatively connected to a distal end of the shaft and has a pair of first and second jaw members that are movable relative to one another. A drive assembly operably couples to a handle assembly associated with the housing and is configured to impart movement of a respective jaw member when the handle assembly is actuated. A spring component operably associated with each of the jaw members is configured to provide a sealing force at the jaw members.

Abstract: A surgical system includes at least one input coupler configured to receive an input, an end effector assembly, and an actuation assembly operably coupled between the at least one input coupler and the end effector assembly such that, in response receipt of the input by the at least one input coupler, the end effector assembly is manipulated. The system further includes a storage device storing setting information and adjustment information. The setting information enables determination of a first input to the at least one input coupler to achieve a desired manipulation of the end effector assembly. The adjustment information enables adjustment of the setting information for determination of a second input, different from the first input, to the at least one input coupler to achieve the desired manipulation of the end effector assembly.

Abstract: An end effector of a surgical tool may include a housing, a jaw support shaft, jaw members, and cam pulleys. The jaw support shaft is mounted to the housing and defines a pivot axis. The jaw members are supported on the jaw support shaft and are pivotable about the pivot axis. Each of the jaw members defines a support shaft slot therethrough and includes a pulley pin and a jaw pin. Each of the jaw members defines a jaw pin slot positioned to receive an opposing one of the jaw pins of the jaw members. The cam pulleys are coupled to the jaw support shaft and the jaw members. The cam pulleys are rotatable about the pivot axis to pivot the jaw members about the jaw support shaft.

Abstract: In some examples, a medical aspiration system includes a vacuum source; a vacuum tube coupled to the vacuum source; a vent tube; and a device configured to convert a constant suction force from the vacuum source into a periodic suction force, the device including a housing configured to receive a portion of the vacuum tube and a portion of the vent tube; a first plunger; a second plunger; and a rotatable cam configured to cause the first plunger to periodically compress the vacuum tube and to cause the second plunger to periodically compress the vent tube.