Abstract: Various connection detection assemblies for a robotic surgical assembly are disclosed. The robotic surgical assembly can include a carriage, a carriage housing releasably connectable to the carriage, a motor housing configured to house a motor pack for driving the surgical instrument, wherein the motor housing is releasable connectable to the carriage housing, and an interface module configured to releasably secure the robotic surgical assembly to the surgical instrument. The robotic surgical assembly can also include a series of interconnections defined by mating portions of the carriage, the carriage housing, the motor housing, and the interface module. A control circuit configured to detect a fully engaged configuration of the mating portions based on the interconnections.

Abstract: Various cooling systems are disclosed for a robotic surgical system that comprises a robotic arm and an end effector movable by the robotic arm. A cooling assembly can comprise a first enclosure within a sterile environment and a second enclosure external to the sterile environment. The first enclosure can be fluidically isolated from the sterile environment. The first enclosure can comprises or house a motor configured to actuate the end effector in the sterile environment. The first enclosure and the second enclosure can be thermally and fluidically coupled to transfer thermal energy from the motor housed within the first enclosure.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include various ultrasonic surgical instruments. At least one disclosed surgical instrument includes a waveguide including a blade and a transducer base plate. The transducer base plate may be coupled to the waveguide to define a tapered joint at an interface between the waveguide and the transducer base plate. The transducer base plate may include first and second sides defining corresponding first and second flat faces configured to receive first and second piezoelectric elements. The first and second piezoelectric elements are configured to operate in a D31 mode.

Abstract: A retainer for use with a staple cartridge that is configured for use with a stapling device is disclosed. The retainer comprises a retainer body that is configured to be removably coupled to the staple cartridge to form a cartridge assembly. The retainer further comprises an authentication key that is oriented in a first configuration to defeat a lockout in the surgical stapling device when the cartridge assembly is seated in the surgical stapling device. The authentication key is movable to a second configuration after the cartridge assembly is removed from the stapling device such that the authentication key is unable to return to the first configuration.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector, a motor for opening and closing the jaws, a sensor configured to detect a tissue compression parameter associated with a tissue between the jaws, and a control circuit. The control circuit is configured to determine a value of the tissue compression parameter via the sensor as the jaws transition from the open configuration to the closed configuration, cause the motor to increase a time to transition the jaws to the closed configuration according to whether the value of the tissue compression parameter is above a first threshold, and provide feedback according to whether the value of the tissue compression parameter is below a second threshold.

Abstract: A method of compressing tissue during a surgical procedure is disclosed. The method comprises obtaining a surgical instrument comprising an end effector, wherein the end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw, establishing a communication pathway between the surgical instrument and a surgical hub, and inserting the surgical instrument into a surgical site. The method further comprises compressing tissue between the first jaw and the second jaw, determining a location of the compressed tissue with respect to at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw, communicating the determined location of the compressed tissue to the surgical hub, and displaying the determined location of the compressed tissue on a visual feedback device.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided in which movement of a tool is controlled based on sensed parameters. In one embodiment, an electromechanical tool is provided having an instrument shaft and an end effector formed thereon. The electromechanical tool is configured to be mounted on an electromechanical arm, and the electromechanical tool is configured to move with or relative to the electromechanical arm and perform surgical functions. A controller is operatively coupled to the electromechanical arm and the electromechanical tool and is configured to retard advancement of the electromechanical tool toward a tissue surface based on a sensed amount of displacement of a tissue surface, a strain on the tissue of the patient, the temperature of the electromechanical tool, or the like.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for robotic surgery, and in particular for controlling various motions of a tool based on visual indicators. In general, a surgical tool can include an elongate shaft and an end effector coupled to a distal end of the elongate shaft and including first and second jaws. The tool can have at least one visual indicator disposed thereon and configured to indicate a size, position, or speed of movement of the tool or components of the tool.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided in which movement of a tool is controlled based on sensed parameters. In one embodiment, an electromechanical tool is provided having an instrument shaft and an end effector formed thereon. The electromechanical tool is configured to be mounted on an electromechanical arm, and the electromechanical tool is configured to move with or relative to the electromechanical arm and perform surgical functions. A controller is operatively coupled to the electromechanical arm and the electromechanical tool and is configured to retard advancement of the electromechanical tool toward a tissue surface based on a sensed amount of displacement of a tissue surface, a strain on the tissue of the patient, the temperature of the electromechanical tool, or the like.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for robotic surgery, and in particular for controlling various motions of a tool based on visual indicators. In general, a surgical tool can include an elongate shaft and an end effector coupled to a distal end of the elongate shaft and including first and second jaws. The tool can have at least one visual indicator disposed thereon and configured to indicate a size, position, or speed of movement of the tool or components of the tool.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided in which movement of a tool is controlled based on sensed parameters. In one embodiment, an electromechanical tool is provided having an instrument shaft and an end effector formed thereon. The electromechanical tool is configured to be mounted on an electromechanical arm, and the electromechanical tool is configured to move with or relative to the electromechanical arm and perform surgical functions. A controller is operatively coupled to the electromechanical arm and the electromechanical tool and is configured to retard advancement of the electromechanical tool toward a tissue surface based on a sensed amount of displacement of a tissue surface, a strain on the tissue of the patient, the temperature of the electromechanical tool, or the like.

Abstract: A staple cartridge assembly including staples is disclosed herein. The staples comprise features which improve the biocompatibility and/or bioabsorption of the staples. The staples are comprised of a magnesium alloy, for example. The magnesium alloy can also include zinc. In certain instances, a bioabsorbable polymer is coated on part of, but not all of, the staple. Portions of the staple that are not coated by the bioabsorbable polymer will be absorbed at a first rate while portions of the staple that are coated by the bioabsorbable polymer will be absorbed at a slower rate. In various instances, the tips of the magnesium staples are coated with magnesium nitride and/or any other suitable material which can increase the hardness of the staples. In certain instances, the staples are coated in silver. In some instances, the staples include one or more apertures defined therein.

Abstract: Various exemplary surgical adjuncts with medicants affected by activator materials are provided. In general, an adjunct is provided with at least one medicant that is configured to be activated by an activator material. The adjunct can be delivered to a tissue of a patient, where the adjunct can be implanted. Various activator materials can be configured to activate the at least one medicant retained by the adjunct, the activation causing any one or more of a variety of actions. For example, the at least one medicant can be activated so as to yield at least one of a signal and/or an effect on the adjunct.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument includes an end effector that has a first jaw; a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw between an open configuration and a closed configuration to grasp tissue between the first jaw and the second jaw; an anvil; and a staple cartridge with staples deployable into the tissue and deformable by the anvil. The surgical stapling instrument further includes a control circuit configured to: determine tissue impedances at predetermined zones; detect an irregularity in tissue distribution within the end effector based on the tissue impedances; and adjust a closure parameter of the end effector in accordance with the irregularity.

Abstract: A method of compressing tissue during a surgical procedure is disclosed. The method comprises obtaining a surgical instrument comprising an end effector, wherein the end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw, establishing a communication pathway between the surgical instrument and a surgical hub, and inserting the surgical instrument into a surgical site. The method further comprises compressing tissue between the first jaw and the second jaw, determining a location of the compressed tissue with respect to at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw, communicating the determined location of the compressed tissue to the surgical hub, and displaying the determined location of the compressed tissue on a visual feedback device.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector having a first jaw, a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw to grasp tissue therebetween, an anvil, a staple cartridge comprising staples deployable into the tissue, wherein the staples are deformable by the anvil, and a sensor configured to provide a sensor signal according to a physiological parameter of the tissue. The surgical instrument further includes a control circuit coupled to the sensor, wherein the control circuit is configured to receive the sensor signal, and assess proximity of the sensor to cancerous tissue based on the sensor signal.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector, a motor for opening and closing the jaws, a sensor configured to detect a tissue compression parameter associated with a tissue between the jaws, and a control circuit. The control circuit is configured to determine a value of the tissue compression parameter via the sensor as the jaws transition from the open configuration to the closed configuration, cause the motor to increase a time to transition the jaws to the closed configuration according to whether the value of the tissue compression parameter is above a first threshold, and provide feedback according to whether the value of the tissue compression parameter is below a second threshold.

Abstract: In general, systems, methods, and devices for modeling air leaks in lungs are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the systems, methods, and devices provide a model to allow for simulation of negative and positive pressure ventilation modes in vitro, which may allow for evaluation and investigation of pathologies and interventions. In addition to ventilation functions the model includes submersion of the lung sample in fluid inside a chamber and cycling the fluid through a collection system to collect air leaked from the lung. The model can allow for quantification and visual observation of air leaks in real time.

Abstract: Various exemplary composite adjunct materials for delivering medicants are provided. In general, the adjunct material can be configured to be delivered to tissue by deployment of staples from a cartridge body of a surgical stapler. The adjunct material includes a conformable region and a distinct reinforcing region that form the composite structure. An effective amount of at least one medicant can be disposed within and releasable from at least one of the conformable region and the reinforcing region and can provide a desired effect on tissue in-growth in a predetermined manner.

Abstract: Adjunct material to promote tissue growth is provided. In general, an implantable adjunct can be configured to be applied to tissue by a surgical stapler in conjunction with staples. The adjunct can have one or more medicants releasably retained therein that are effective to provide a desired effect on tissue in-growth in a predetermined manner. One or more characteristics associated with the adjunct can be altered between various implementations to promote organized tissue remodeling in a desired manner during wound healing, such as by encouraging tissue growth to be in a certain direction and/or by discouraging tissue growth in a certain area and/or on a certain structure.