Abstract: An apparatus configured for use with an end effector of a surgical instrument, comprising: (a) a housing, wherein the housing includes a first housing portion defining a first gap, wherein the first gap is configured to receive a jaw of the end effector; and (b) a lubricant application member positioned within the first gap, wherein the lubricant application member is configured to be loaded with a lubricant for applying the lubricant to a tissue clamping surface of the jaw when the jaw is received within the first gap.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an external body, a floor attached to the external body, an applicator pad, and a cover. The external body defines an internal cavity and extends between a bottom and top end. The applicator pad extends from the floor into the internal cavity defined by the external body. The applicator pad has an absorbent material that can absorb an electro-lubricant. The applicator pad is dimensioned to be grasped by a pair of jaws of a surgical instrument. The cover is associated with the top end of the external body and partially defines the internal cavity of the external body. The cover allows the pair of jaws to enter the internal cavity via the cover to grasp the applicator pad.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a body, an ultrasonic transducer rotatably supported within the body and having a threaded distal end, a shaft extending from the body, a waveguide extending through the shaft and having a threaded proximal end configured to threadedly engage the threaded distal end to define a threaded coupling, and an end effector at a distal end of the shaft. An integrated torque wrench mechanism is arranged within the body and includes a first torque wrench member rotationally coupled with a proximal end of the transducer, and a second torque wrench member arranged proximally of the first torque wrench member. The torque wrench members are configured to selectively couple together and frictionally engage one another to facilitate application of a predetermined maximum torque to the threaded coupling. The torque wrench members are configured to automatically decouple upon application of the predetermined maximum torque to the threaded coupling.

Abstract: An end effector of an electrosurgical device may include a discharge port, an aspiration port, two electrodes, and a diverter formed from a porous material. The diverter includes a matrix having voids to receive fluid from the discharge port. A releasable diverter assembly may include an assembly body configured to receive a pair of electrodes and a diverter composed of a porous material. A shaft assembly of an electrosurgical device may include two electrodes and two fluid cannulae. Each cannula may be disposed proximate to a surface of each of the electrodes. An end effector of an electrosurgical device may include a fluid discharge port, two electrodes, and a diverter disposed therebetween. A proximal edge of the diverter may form a secant line with respect to the end of the discharge port so that fluid emitted by the discharge port is disposed on a surface of the diverter.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft assembly and an end effector. The shaft assembly includes an outer sheath, at least one irrigation conduit, and at least one suction conduit. The end effector includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a web. The electrodes extend distally relative to a distal end of the outer sheath. The electrodes are operable to apply bipolar RF energy to tissue. The web extends laterally between the first and second electrodes. The web is positioned distal to the distal end of the outer sheath.

Abstract: An end effector of an electrosurgical device may include a discharge port, an aspiration port, two electrodes, and a diverter formed from a porous material. The diverter includes a matrix having voids to receive fluid from the discharge port. A releasable diverter assembly may include an assembly body configured to receive a pair of electrodes and a diverter composed of a porous material. A shaft assembly of an electrosurgical device may include two electrodes and two fluid cannulae. Each cannula may be disposed proximate to a surface of each of the electrodes. An end effector of an electrosurgical device may include a fluid discharge port, two electrodes, and a diverter disposed therebetween. A proximal edge of the diverter may form a secant line with respect to the end of the discharge port so that fluid emitted by the discharge port is disposed on a surface of the diverter.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft assembly and an end effector. The shaft assembly includes an outer sheath, at least one irrigation conduit, and at least one suction conduit. The end effector includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a web. The electrodes extend distally relative to a distal end of the outer sheath. The electrodes are operable to apply bipolar RF energy to tissue. The web extends laterally between the first and second electrodes. The web is positioned distal to the distal end of the outer sheath.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a body, an ultrasonic transducer rotatably supported within the body and having a threaded distal end, a shaft extending from the body, a waveguide extending through the shaft and having a threaded proximal end configured to threadedly engage the threaded distal end to define a threaded coupling, and an end effector at a distal end of the shaft. An integrated torque wrench mechanism is arranged within the body and includes a first torque wrench member rotationally coupled with a proximal end of the transducer, and a second torque wrench member arranged proximally of the first torque wrench member. The torque wrench members are configured to selectively couple together and frictionally engage one another to facilitate application of a predetermined maximum torque to the threaded coupling. The torque wrench members are configured to automatically decouple upon application of the predetermined maximum torque to the threaded coupling.

Abstract: Various ultrasonic instruments are disclosed. The ultrasonic instruments include an ultrasonic waveguide acoustically coupled to an ultrasonic transducer. Several techniques for acoustically coupling the ultrasonic transducer to the ultrasonic waveguide are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ultrasonic surgical instrument comprising a transducer base plate, first and second piezoelectric elements positioned on opposite faces of the transducer base plate. The transducer base plate is coupled to a waveguide. The waveguide is electrically coupled to the first and second piezoelectric elements by a conductive adhesive. The first and second piezoelectric elements are electrically coupled to an ultrasonic signal generator through an electrode. A thermal conductor conducts thermal energy away from the first and second piezoelectric elements. Also disclosed is a method of fabricating such an ultrasonic surgical instrument.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a body, an ultrasonic transducer rotatably supported within the body and having a threaded distal end, a shaft extending from the body, a waveguide extending through the shaft and having a threaded proximal end configured to threadedly engage the threaded distal end to define a threaded coupling, and an end effector at a distal end of the shaft. An integrated torque wrench mechanism is arranged within the body and includes a first torque wrench member rotationally coupled with a proximal end of the transducer, and a second torque wrench member arranged proximally of the first torque wrench member. The torque wrench members are configured to selectively couple together and frictionally engage one another to facilitate application of a predetermined maximum torque to the threaded coupling. The torque wrench members are configured to automatically decouple upon application of the predetermined maximum torque to the threaded coupling.

Abstract: An energy module is disclosed. The energy module includes a housing, a control circuit positioned within the housing, a port defined within the housing, and an interface circuit positioned within the housing. The control circuit is configured to communicate with a data storage device. The port is configured to engage an electrical connector of an instrument. The port includes a sensor configured to detect the engagement of the electrical connector, detect the engagement of the electrical connector, send a detection signal to the control circuit, and supply electrical power from the energy module to the instrument. The interface circuit is coupled to the port and the control circuit and is configured to establish communication between the port and the control circuit.

Abstract: A generator is disclosed to generate a drive signal to a surgical device. The generator includes an ultrasonic generator module to generate a first drive signal to drive an ultrasonic device, an electrosurgery/radio frequency (RF) generator module to generate a second drive signal to drive an electrosurgical device, and a foot switch coupled to each of the ultrasonic generator module and the electrosurgery/RF generator module. The foot switch is configured to operate in a first mode when the ultrasonic device is coupled to the ultrasonic generator module and the foot switch is configured to operate in a second mode when the electrosurgical device is coupled to the electrosurgery/RF generator module. The generator further includes a user interface to provide feedback in accordance with the operation of any one of the ultrasonic device and the electrosurgical device in accordance with a predetermined algorithm.

Abstract: An end effector of an electrosurgical device may include a discharge port, an aspiration port, two electrodes, and a diverter formed from a porous material. The diverter includes a matrix having voids to receive fluid from the discharge port. A releasable diverter assembly may include an assembly body configured to receive a pair of electrodes and a diverter composed of a porous material. A shaft assembly of an electrosurgical device may include two electrodes and two fluid cannulae. Each cannula may be disposed proximate to a surface of each of the electrodes. An end effector of an electrosurgical device may include a fluid discharge port, two electrodes, and a diverter disposed therebetween. A proximal edge of the diverter may form a secant line with respect to the end of the discharge port so that fluid emitted by the discharge port is disposed on a surface of the diverter.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft assembly and an end effector. The shaft assembly includes an outer sheath, at least one irrigation conduit, and at least one suction conduit. The end effector includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a web. The electrodes extend distally relative to a distal end of the outer sheath. The electrodes are operable to apply bipolar RF energy to tissue. The web extends laterally between the first and second electrodes. The web is positioned distal to the distal end of the outer sheath.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft, an ultrasonic transducer, a waveguide, and an end effector coupled to a distal end of the shaft. A rotation knob is rotatably coupled to the body and is configured to rotate the shaft, the waveguide, and the end effector together relative to the body. A torque transfer structure is positioned radially outwardly of and in direct contact with the waveguide at an acoustic node thereof. The torque transfer structure is rotationally fixed relative to the waveguide and is configured to rotationally couple the waveguide with the shaft and the rotation knob. The waveguide includes a first axial constraining feature defining a distally facing surface, and the torque transfer structure includes a second axial constraining feature defining a proximally facing surface configured to abut the distally facing surface to constrain the waveguide axially relative to the torque transfer structure and the body.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a body, an ultrasonic transducer rotatably supported within the body and having a threaded distal end, a shaft extending from the body, a waveguide extending through the shaft and having a threaded proximal end configured to threadedly engage the threaded distal end to define a threaded coupling, and an end effector at a distal end of the shaft. An integrated torque wrench mechanism is arranged within the body and includes a first torque wrench member rotationally coupled with a proximal end of the transducer, and a second torque wrench member arranged proximally of the first torque wrench member. The torque wrench members are configured to selectively couple together and frictionally engage one another to facilitate application of a predetermined maximum torque to the threaded coupling. The torque wrench members are configured to automatically decouple upon application of the predetermined maximum torque to the threaded coupling.

Abstract: Various ultrasonic instruments are disclosed. The ultrasonic instruments include an ultrasonic waveguide acoustically coupled to an ultrasonic transducer. Several techniques for acoustically coupling the ultrasonic transducer to the ultrasonic waveguide are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ultrasonic surgical instrument comprising a transducer base plate, first and second piezoelectric elements positioned on opposite faces of the transducer base plate. The transducer base plate is coupled to a waveguide. The waveguide is electrically coupled to the first and second piezoelectric elements by a conductive adhesive. The first and second piezoelectric elements are electrically coupled to an ultrasonic signal generator through an electrode. A thermal conductor conducts thermal energy away from the first and second piezoelectric elements. Also disclosed is a method of fabricating such an ultrasonic surgical instrument.

Abstract: A surgical generator for providing a drive signal to a surgical device may have a receptacle assembly having a receptacle body, a flange and a central protruding portion. The outer periphery of the central protruding portion may have at least one curved section and at least one linear section. Additionally, a surgical instrument may comprise an electrical connector assembly having a flange. The flange may comprise at least one curved section and at least one linear section. In some embodiments, A surgical instrument system may comprise a surgical generator, a surgical instrument comprising a connector assembly, and an adapter assembly operatively coupled to the receptacle assembly and the connector assembly.