Abstract: A method of testing a jaw force of an ultrasonic surgical instrument includes securing a blade of an end effector of the ultrasonic surgical instrument, clamping a jaw member of the end effector against the blade such that a sensor is received within a notch of the jaw member of the end effector, and measuring the jaw force of the end effector using the sensor.

Abstract: An surgical enclosure includes electronics including at least one visual indicator and at least a first casing component enclosing the electronics therein. The first casing component is formed from a substantially transparent material and includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is treated to define a first finish that reduces transparency of the first portion. The second portion defines a greater transparency relative to the first portion to enable visualization of the at least one visual indicator therethrough.

Abstract: An enclosure configured to hermetically seal electronics of a surgical instrument therein includes a first casing component defining a first weld deck about a perimeter thereof, a second casing component defining a second weld deck about a perimeter thereof, and an energy director extending from the first weld deck and configured to facilitate ultrasonic welding of the first and second weld decks of the first and second casing components, respectively, with one another to establish a weld seam hermetically sealing the first and second casing components. The first weld deck lies in multiple planes.

Abstract: An articulation assembly for a robotic surgical instrument includes a plurality of rotatable but longitudinally fixed lead screws extending between first and second base plates, a collar threaded about each lead screws and configured to translate therealong in response to rotation of the corresponding lead screw, an articulation cable coupled to each collar and defining or having a threaded shaft, and a threaded nipple threaded about each of the threaded shafts. Each threaded nipple is engaged with one of the collars to thereby engage each of the articulation cables with a corresponding one of the collars such that longitudinal translation of the corresponding collar pushes or pulls the corresponding articulation cable. Each threaded nipple is configured for further threading or unthreading about the corresponding threaded shaft to vary a pre-tension on the corresponding articulation cable.

Abstract: A method of testing a jaw force of an ultrasonic surgical instrument includes securing a blade of an end effector of the ultrasonic surgical instrument, clamping a jaw member of the end effector against the blade such that a sensor is received within a notch of the jaw member of the end effector, and measuring the jaw force of the end effector using the sensor.

Abstract: An enclosure configured to hermetically seal electronics of a surgical instrument therein includes a first casing component defining a first weld deck about a perimeter thereof, a second casing component defining a second weld deck about a perimeter thereof, and an energy director extending from the first weld deck and configured to facilitate ultrasonic welding of the first and second weld decks of the first and second casing components, respectively, with one another to establish a weld seam hermetically sealing the first and second casing components. The first weld deck lies in multiple planes.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, first, second, and third actuators operably coupled to the housing, an at least partially semi-rigid shaft extending distally from the housing, an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end of the shaft, and first, second, and third bars extending through the shaft in non-coaxial arrangement. The first bar is operably coupled between the first actuator and the end effector assembly such that actuation thereof effects manipulation of the end effector assembly. The second bar is operably coupled between the second actuator and a first deployable component such that actuation thereof effects deployment of the first deployable component relative to the end effector assembly. The third bar is operably coupled between the third actuator and a second deployable component such that actuation thereof effects deployment of the second deployable component relative to the end effector assembly.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, first, second, and third actuators operably coupled to the housing, an at least partially semi-rigid shaft extending distally from the housing, an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end of the shaft, and first, second, and third bars extending through the shaft in non-coaxial arrangement. The first bar is operably coupled between the first actuator and the end effector assembly such that actuation thereof effects manipulation of the end effector assembly. The second bar is operably coupled between the second actuator and a first deployable component such that actuation thereof effects deployment of the first deployable component relative to the end effector assembly. The third bar is operably coupled between the third actuator and a second deployable component such that actuation thereof effects deployment of the second deployable component relative to the end effector assembly.