Abstract: An electrocautery surgical device comprising a battery source and radio-frequency signal generating circuitry electrically coupled to the battery source and operable to deliver power.

Abstract: A switch comprising an interior cavity and a switching element movably disposed within the interior cavity to define a first position and a second position, the second position being different from the first position. A biasing element imparts a biasing force to the switching element to place the switching element in either the first or the second position until an external force imparted to the switching element exceeds the biasing force, thereby causing the switching element to move to the other one of the first or the second position. A biasing force-adjusting element is cooperatively engaged with the biasing element, wherein a magnitude of the biasing force is adjustable using the biasing force-adjusting element. An electrically-conductive contact, coupled to the switching element, defines a first switching state when the switching element is in the first position and a second switching state when the switching element is in the second position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector, an actuator coupled to the end effector and actuating it, a handle coupled to the end effector and having an electric motor disposed therein actuating the actuator when supplied with power, and a post-termination braking circuit including a power supply switch at the handle. The switch has a break-before-make configuration, a power-supplying state in which power is supplied to the motor, and a power-removed state in which power is not supplied to the motor. The braking circuit short-circuits power to the motor when the switch is in the power-removed state. A method for post-termination braking of the motor utilizes the permanent magnetic field to counteract inertia-induced over-stroke of the motor, drive train, and/or actuation assembly after powered operation by short-circuiting the still-spinning motor to create an electrically generated magnetic field in opposition to the permanent magnetic field upon ceasing supply of power.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprised of an end effector having two opposing tissue-compression surfaces, wherein at least one of the tissue-compressing surfaces is movable with respect to the other of the tissue-compressing surfaces, and a handle connected to the end effector. The handle comprises a power source, an electric motor supplied with power from the power source, and a closure assembly comprising a drive part that is selectively moved by the motor along a drive-part axis and is operatively connected to the end effector such that, when the motor is supplied with power, the drive part advances the movable tissue-compressing surface towards the opposing tissue-compressing surface at a differential rate of speed dependent upon a position of the drive part along the drive-part axis.

Abstract: A substantially U-shaped staple has a bridge, legs, and an internally disposed compression device with a bias portion having a compression surface movably disposed between the legs and a compression resistor connected to the bridge and to the compression surface and is formed to resist movement of the compression surface towards the bridge with a force.

Abstract: A hand-held, electrically powered and controlled surgical stapler/cutter includes a handle shaped to fit in one hand of a user and a surgical end effector connected to the handle. The handle contains therein a selectively actuated, self-contained electric power supply having at least one battery cell, at least part of an anvil control assembly, and at least part of an electrically-powered stapler/cutter control assembly electrically connected to the power supply. The surgical end effector is operatively connected to each of the anvil control assembly and the stapler/cutter control assembly. The stapler/cutter control assembly staples and cuts tissue disposed at the surgical end effector when powered by the power supply.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument includes a handle having a stapler-closing device. A surgical stapling end effector is connected to the handle and has a pair of opposing stapling surfaces. At least one of the stapling surfaces is operable to move with respect to the other of the stapling surfaces upon actuation of the stapler-closing device to apply a compressive force to tissue therebetween. At least one variable member is operable to receive the compressive force applied to the tissue and to exhibit at least one of mechanical and electrical change associated with the received compressive force. The change influences a surgical procedure on the compressed tissue.

Abstract: Electrically operated surgical instrument, comprising a handle having a power supply; a drive assembly having an electrical motor, a controller electrically connected to the power supply and motor, and a drive part selectively moved by the motor between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position; and a control assembly operably connected to the motor to control a rotation of the motor; an end effector having a tissue-cutting assembly comprising: a blade connected to the drive part to move between opposing compression surfaces over the course of a blade stroke to cut tissue compressed between the compression surfaces, the blade stroke being comprised of the drive part advancing the blade towards the tissue to an extended position and retreating proximally to a retracted position, the control assembly being operable to selectively cause the motor to automatically retreat the drive part to place the blade in the retracted position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a surgical end effector having a receiving portion for removably receiving therein an interchangeable part. The receiving portion has a communication connection. A handle connected to the end effector actuates the end effector. The handle has a controller electrically connected to the communication connection for authenticating the interchangeable part when placed at the end effector. An interchangeable part is removably connected to the receiving portion and has an encryption device electrically removably connected to the communication connection when placed at the receiving portion. The encryption device authenticates the interchangeable part when queried by the electric controller.

Abstract: A switch comprising a switching element, a hollow body defining an interior cavity in which the switching element is movably disposed along a longitudinal device axis to define a first and second positions along the longitudinal device axis, the second position being different from the first position, a biasing element imparting an adjustable biasing force to the switching element to place the switching element in one of the first position and the second position until an external force imparted to the switching element along the longitudinal device axis exceeds the biasing force thereby causing the switching element to move to the other one of the first position and the second position, and an electrically-conductive contact coupled to the switching element and defining a first switching state when the switching element is in the first position and a second switching state when the switching element is in the second position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing and separating solids from liquid that may include passing a fluid containing particulate solids through a cavitation device that mixes and efficiently heats the fluid, together with a dry or partially dissolved flocculant, or a coagulant, a surfactant, a filter aid, or any combination thereof, and then to a solids separating device. Cavitation can be generated by passing the fluid through a constricted area between a moving cylindrical rotor containing cavities.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus can include a handle portion and at least one rotatable drive shaft. The handle portion can have an actuation mechanism with a motor. The rotatable drive shaft can have a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The proximal end portion of the rotatable drive shaft can be coupled to the motor, and the distal end portion of the rotatable drive shaft can be configured to be releasably coupled to a prosthetic heart valve. The actuation mechanism can be configured to control and monitor expansion of the prosthetic heart valve and to control and monitor torque of the motor.

Abstract: Electrically operated surgical instrument, comprising a handle having a power supply; a drive assembly having an electrical motor, a controller electrically connected to the power supply and motor, and a drive part selectively moved by the motor between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position; and a control assembly operably connected to the motor to control a rotation of the motor; an end effector having a tissue-cutting assembly comprising: a blade connected to the drive part to move between opposing compression surfaces over the course of a blade stroke to cut tissue compressed between the compression surfaces, the blade stroke being comprised of the drive part advancing the blade towards the tissue to an extended position and retreating proximally to a retracted position, the control assembly being operable to selectively cause the motor to automatically retreat the drive part to place the blade in the retracted position.

Abstract: A disposable ultrasonic surgical handle includes a disposable handle body defining a battery-holding compartment shaped to receive a battery therein and operable to couple a proximal end of an ultrasonic waveguide to an ultrasonic transducer therethrough. The body has a transducer dock exposed to the environment and interchangeably housing the transducer and a waveguide attachment dock shaped to align and attach the proximal end of the waveguide to the transducer and hold them at the body when the respectively docked at the transducer and attachment docks. A disposable driving-wave generation circuit in the handle body electrically contacts the battery and the transducer when the battery and the transducer are disposed respectively in the battery-holding compartment and the transducer dock. The circuit generates an output waveform sufficient to cause ultrasonic movement along the waveguide by exciting the transducer when the transducer is coupled to the waveguide.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a surgical end effector having a receiving portion for removably receiving therein an interchangeable part. The receiving portion has a communication connection. A handle connected to the end effector actuates the end effector. The handle has a controller electrically connected to the communication connection for authenticating the interchangeable part when placed at the end effector. An interchangeable part is removably connected to the receiving portion and has an encryption device electrically removably connected to the communication connection when placed at the receiving portion. The encryption device authenticates the interchangeable part when queried by the electric controller.

Abstract: Electrical surgical device comprising a handle shaped to be held within one hand, the handle having a self-contained power source, at least part of an end effector control assembly connected to the power source, a switch connected to the power source and operable to selectively power the end effector control assembly with the power source, and an articulation control device, wherein both the switch and the articulation control device are operated with the one hand holding the handle; an articulating connection operated by the articulation control device; and a surgical end effector connected to the handle by the articulating connection such that articulation of the surgical end effector is controlled by operation of the articulation control device and operatively connected to the end effector control assembly such that, upon operation of the end effector control assembly, the surgical end effector is operable to carry out at least one surgical procedure.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a surgical end effector, operable to effect a surgical procedure when actuated, and an actuation assembly operable to actuate said surgical end effector. The actuation assembly comprises a part operable to move between a starting position and an actuated position in which the part actuates the surgical end effector, an electrically-powered motor, a transmission mechanically connecting the motor to the part and being operable to selectively displace the part to the starting position, the actuated position, and at least one point between the starting position and the actuated position when the motor is operated, and a manual release mechanically coupled to the transmission to selectively interrupt the transmission and, during interruption, displace the part towards the starting position independent of operation of the motor.

Abstract: A switch comprising a switching element, a hollow body defining an interior cavity in which the switching element is movably disposed along a longitudinal device axis to define a first and second positions along the longitudinal device axis, the second position being different from the first position, a biasing element imparting an adjustable biasing force to the switching element to place the switching element in one of the first position and the second position until an external force imparted to the switching element along the longitudinal device axis exceeds the biasing force thereby causing the switching element to move to the other one of the first position and the second position, and an electrically-conductive contact coupled to the switching element and defining a first switching state when the switching element is in the first position and a second switching state when the switching element is in the second position.

Abstract: Sealable and repositionable implant devices are provided with features that increase the ability of implants such as endovascular grafts and valves to be precisely deployed or re-deployed, with better in situ accommodation to the local anatomy of the targeted recipient anatomic site, and/or with the ability for post-deployment adjustment to accommodate anatomic changes that might compromise the efficacy of the implant. A surgical implant includes an implant body and a selectively adjustable assembly attached to the implant body, the assembly having adjustable elements and being operable to cause a configuration change in a portion of the implant body and, thereby, permit implantation of the implant body within an anatomic orifice to effect a seal therein under normal physiological conditions.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector, an actuator coupled to the end effector and actuating it, a handle coupled to the end effector and having an electric motor disposed therein actuating the actuator when supplied with power, and a post-termination braking circuit including a power supply switch at the handle. The switch has a break-before-make configuration, a power-supplying state in which power is supplied to the motor, and a power-removed state in which power is not supplied to the motor. The braking circuit short-circuits power to the motor when the switch is in the power-removed state. A method for post-termination braking of the motor utilizes the permanent magnetic field to counteract inertia-induced over-stroke of the motor, drive train, and/or actuation assembly after powered operation by short-circuiting the still-spinning motor to create an electrically generated magnetic field in opposition to the permanent magnetic field upon ceasing supply of power.