Abstract: Provided is a system and medical device that includes self diagnosing control switches. The control switch may be slidable within a slot in order to control activation of some function of the medical device. Due to natural wear and tear of movement of a control switch, the distances along the sliding slot that correspond to how much energy is used for the function may need to be adjusted over time in order to reflect the changing physical attributes of the actuator mechanism. The self diagnosing control switches of the present disclosures may be configured to automatically adjust for these thresholds using, for example, Hall effect sensors and magnets. In addition, in some cases, the self diagnosing control switches may be capable of indicating external influences on the controls, as well as predict a time until replacement is needed.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for contextually controlling a surgical device is disclosed. The method includes receiving, by a computer system, perioperative data from the surgical device, the perioperative data associated with a surgical procedure; receiving, by the computer system, images from a scope, the images visualizing the surgical device during the surgical procedure; determining, by the computer system, an attribute of the surgical device from the images; determining, by the computer system, procedural context data based at least on the perioperative data and the attribute of the surgical device; and controlling, by the computer system, the surgical device according to the procedural context data.

Abstract: A method of operating a surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes an electronic system comprising an electric motor coupled to the end effector; a motor controller coupled to the motor; a parameter threshold detection module configured to monitor multiple parameter thresholds; a sensing module configured to sense tissue compression; a processor coupled to the parameter threshold detection module and the motor controller; and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory stores executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to monitor multiple levels of action thresholds and monitor speed of the motor and increment a drive unit of the motor, sense tissue compression, and provide rate and control feedback to the user of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed comprising an end effector including a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein the first jaw is rotatable relative to the second jaw, and a closure system configured to close the first jaw during a closure stroke. The surgical instrument further comprises an articulation joint rotatably connecting the end effector to the shaft, an articulation system configured to articulate the end effector relative to the shaft, and a firing system operably engaged with the electric motor, wherein the firing member is configured to move through the end effector during a firing stroke. The surgical instrument further comprises a first rotatable member configured to selectively synchronize the motion of the firing system with the motion of the articulation system and a second rotatable member operably engageable with the articulation system, wherein the closure system is configured to stop the rotation of the second rotatable member.

Abstract: A surgical instrument has a staple cartridge housing a plurality of staples and an anvil configured to capture tissue therebetween. The surgical instrument also has a firing assembly configured to deploy the plurality of staples into the captured tissue during a firing sequence, and a handle that includes an electric motor operably coupled to the firing assembly, wherein the electric motor is configured to motivate the firing assembly to deploy the plurality of staples into the captured tissue during the firing sequence, and a power pack. The power pack includes rechargeable battery cells configured to power the electric motor, at least one battery-cell health indicator, and an electronic control circuit configured to assess whether a subset of rechargeable battery cells is damaged during the firing sequence based on at least one measurement performed by the at least one battery-cell health indicator.

Abstract: Surgical hub systems are disclosed. A surgical hub system comprises a surgical hub configured to communicably couple to a modular device comprising a sensor configured to detect data associated with the modular device and a device processor. The surgical hub comprises a hub processor, a hub memory coupled to the hub processor. The surgical hub system also comprises a distributed control system executable at least in part by each of the device processor and the hub processor. The distributed control system is configured to: receive the data detected by the sensor; determine control adjustments for the modular device according to the data; and control the modular device according to the control adjustments. When in a first mode, the distributed control system is executed by both the hub processor and the device processor. In a second mode, the distributed control system is executed solely by the device processor.

Abstract: A method of adjusting velocity in a motorized surgical instrument is provided. The surgical instrument comprises a displacement member configured to translate within the surgical instrument over a plurality of predefined zones, a motor coupled to the displacement member to translate the displacement member, a control circuit coupled to the motor, a position sensor coupled to the control circuit, the position sensor configured to measure the position of the displacement member and a timer circuit coupled to the control circuit, the timer circuit configured to measure elapsed time. The method includes setting a directed velocity of the displacement member; determining an actual velocity of the displacement member; determining an error between the directed velocity of the displacement member and the actual velocity of the displacement member; and controlling the actual velocity of the displacement member based on the magnitude of the error.

Abstract: A surgical hub for use with a surgical system in a surgical procedure performed in an operating room is disclosed. The surgical hub comprises a control circuit configured to generate a first image of a surgical site from a real-time imaging source, receive a second image of the surgical site from a non-real-time image source, align the first image and the second image, generate a representation of the surgical site based on the first image and the second image as aligned, display the representation on a display screen, receive a first user selection to overlay hidden structures on the representation, receive a second user selection to manipulate the representation, and adjust the representation based on the second user selection.

Abstract: A fastener cartridge can include, one, a cartridge body comprising a deck and a plurality of fastener cavities and, two, a plurality of fasteners positioned in the fastener cavities. The cartridge body can further comprise extensions extending from the deck having different sizes and/or configurations. The extensions can control the flow of tissue relative to the deck and/or support the fasteners as they are ejected from the fastener cavities.

Abstract: A surgical access device includes a cannula and a housing coupled to the cannula. A cannula lumen and a housing interior communicate to define a working channel that extends along a central axis of the device between proximal and distal device ends. A needle entrance port is arranged on a side portion of the housing and opens to the working channel. A needle exit port is arranged distally of the needle entrance port on a side portion of the cannula, and communicates with the needle entrance port to define a suture path extending through the surgical access device at an oblique angle relative to the central axis. The needle ports are configured to guide a suture passer device distally through the surgical access device and first and second tissues of different thicknesses, while maintaining the same tissue bite distance in each of the first and second tissues.

Abstract: A method of operating a surgical stapling device comprising a lockout for preventing the surgical stapling device from operating. The method comprises contacting a first authentication key protruding from a surgical staple cartridge in actuation contact with the lockout in the surgical stapling device to move the lockout into an intermediate position, contacting a second authentication key protruding from the surgical stapling cartridge distal to the first authentication key into other actuation contact with the lockout in the surgical stapling device to move the lockout from the intermediate position into an unlocked position, and operating the surgical stapling device.

Abstract: A method for generating and updating a three-dimensional representation of a surgical site based on imaging data from an imaging system is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of generating a first image of the surgical site based on structured electromagnetic radiation emitted from the imaging system, receiving a second image of the surgical site, aligning the first image and the second image, generating a three-dimensional representation of the surgical site based on the first image and the second image as aligned, displaying the three-dimensional representation on a display screen, receiving a user selection to manipulate the three-dimensional representation, and updating the three-dimensional representation as displayed on the display screen from a first state to a second state according to the received user selection.

Abstract: An interactive control unit is disclosed. The interactive control unit includes an interactive touchscreen display, an interface configured to couple the control unit to a surgical hub, a processor, and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to receive input commands from the interactive touchscreen display located inside a sterile field and transmit the input commands to the surgical hub to control devices coupled to the surgical hub located outside the sterile field.

Abstract: A surgical instrument including a surgical end effector and a threaded rotary input shaft. An actuator member is in operable engagement with the surgical end effector and is in selective threaded engagement with the threaded rotary input shaft such that when the actuator member is in an engaged configuration, rotation of said threaded rotary input shaft causes the actuator member to move axially to impart an actuation motion to the surgical end effector and when the actuator member is in a disengaged configuration, rotation of the threaded rotary input shaft will not be imparted to the actuator member. A switch may be employed for selectively moving the actuator between the engaged and disengaged configurations. A locking system may be employed for preventing axial movement of the actuator member when the actuator member is in the disengaged configuration.

Abstract: A fastener cartridge can include, one, a cartridge body comprising a deck and a plurality of fastener cavities and, two, a plurality of fasteners positioned in the fastener cavities. The cartridge body can further comprise extensions extending from the deck having different sizes and/or configurations. The extensions can control the flow of tissue relative to the deck and/or support the fasteners as they are ejected from the fastener cavities.

Abstract: A staple cartridge for use with a surgical instrument that includes a cartridge body, a longitudinal row of first staple cavities, a longitudinal row of second staple cavities, a third staple cavity, a first staple driver and a second staple driver. The cartridge body has a longitudinal slot that defines a longitudinal axis. The first and second longitudinal rows of staple cavities are obliquely-oriented relative to the longitudinal axis and a third staple cavity is positioned substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The staple cavities positioned in the first and second rows are configured to receive staples. The first and second staple drivers include staple supports and ramps. The first ramp of the first staple driver is positioned beneath at least one first staple support and the second ramp is laterally offset relative to the second staple support.

Abstract: A method for authenticating the compatibility of a staple cartridge with a surgical instrument is disclosed. The method can comprise inserting a staple cartridge into a surgical instrument, receiving a first signal from a first RFID tag on a first component of the staple cartridge with an RFID reader system, receiving a second signal from a second RFID tag on a second component of the staple cartridge with the RFID reader system, comparing the first signal and the second signal to stored data for a compatible staple cartridge, and locking a staple firing system of the surgical instrument if the first signal and the second signal do not match the stored data for a compatible staple cartridge.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is configured to compensate for battery pack and drivetrain failures. One method includes generating a firing sequence, determining whether a subset of rechargeable battery cells is damaged during the firing sequence, and stepping-up an output voltage of the battery pack to complete the firing sequence in response to a determination that a subset of the rechargeable battery cells is damaged. Another method includes generating a mechanical output to motivate a drivetrain to transmit a motion to a jaw assembly of the surgical instrument, activating a safe mode in response to an acute failure of the drivetrain, and activating a bailout mode in response to a catastrophic failure of the drivetrain. Another method includes driving a drivetrain, sensing and recording vibration information from the drivetrain, generating an output signal based on the vibration information, and determining a status of the surgical instrument based on the output signal.

Abstract: Surgical methods involving cutting and sealing tissue include affixing a first adjunct material to tissue at a treatment site, such as by stapling the adjunct to tissue. A second adjunct material is applied to at least a portion of the first adjunct material such that the second adjunct material interacts with the first adjunct material to form a seal in an area of the tissue covered by at least one of the first and the second adjunct material. The resulting tissue sealing structure, which includes a combination of the two adjuncts, is believed to be superior to the sealing properties of either adjunct alone.

Abstract: A replaceable staple cartridge is disclosed which is seatable in a jaw of a surgical stapling instrument. If the staple cartridge is not fully seated in the jaw, the closure of the surgical stapling instrument will fully seat the staple cartridge.