Abstract: Stapler cartridges and surgical apparatus that include a stapler cartridge can include a knife that retracts into the stapler cartridge after cutting stapled tissue to prevent an operator being cut by the knife during replacement of the used stapler cartridge with a new stapler cartridge. A stapler cartridge includes a staple pushing shuttle, a knife member slidably coupled with the staple pushing shuttle, and a cartridge body. The staple pushing shuttle is slidably coupled to the cartridge body. The cartridge body includes a guide track engaged by the knife member and configured so that a cutting blade of the knife member protrudes from the cartridge body during a first portion of a distal movement of the staple pushing shuttle and the cutting blade is retracted into the cartridge body during a second portion of the distal movement of the staple pushing shuttle.

Abstract: A robotic surgical assembly includes a drive assembly and a shaft assembly. The drive assembly is detachably mountable to a surgical robot and includes roll, pitch, and clamp/fire inputs configured to drivingly couple with respective outputs of the surgical robot. The shaft assembly is mounted to the drive assembly and configured to detachably couple with a stapler reload assembly that includes a reload roll shaft, a reload pitch shaft, and a reload clamp/fire shaft. The shaft assembly includes a roll shaft, a pitch shaft, and a clamp/fire shaft. The roll shaft is drivingly coupled with the roll input and configured to detachably couple to the reload roll shaft. The pitch shaft is drivingly coupled with the pitch input and configured to detachably couple to the reload pitch shaft. The clamp/fire shaft is drivingly coupled with the clamp/fire input and configured to detachably couple to the reload clamp/fire shaft.

Abstract: A device to regulate tension of an actuation element for actuating movement of a surgical instrument includes an elastically deformable body configured to be coupled to the actuation element. The deformable body is configured to elastically deform in response to a state of slack occurring in the actuation element. As slack occurs in the actuation element, the deformable body is configured to divert a path of the actuation element to accommodate the slack so the path of the actuation element differs from an axis the actuation element follows prior to the actuation element developing slack. A force transmission mechanism for a teleoperated surgical instrument includes a chassis, an actuation input mechanism, an actuation element, and a tension regulator coupled to the actuation element to compensate for slack of the actuation element.

Abstract: An electrically energized medical instrument uses one or more drive cables to both actuate mechanical components of a wrist mechanism or an effector and to electrically energize the effector. Electrical isolation can be achieved using an insulating main tube through which drive cables extend from a backend mechanism to the effector, an insulating end cover that leaves only the desired portions of the effector exposed, and one or more seals to prevent electrically conductive liquid from entering the main tube. Component count and cost may be further reduced using a pair of pulleys that are shared by four drive cables.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a dynamic preload tension feature for a tensioning element that actuates a distal end component of a surgical instrument. The surgical instrument includes a chassis at a proximal end of the surgical instrument, drive components mounted in the chassis, a distal end component at a distal end of the surgical instrument, a flexible tensioning element coupled between a first of the drive components and the distal end component, and a dynamic preload tensioner mounted in the chassis and coupled to a second of the drive components. The flexible tensioning element extends along a path. The dynamic preload tensioner is configured to be driven by the second of the drive components to be moved relative to the chassis and is positioned to change the path of the flexible tensioning element as the dynamic preload tensioner moves relative to the chassis.

Abstract: A surgical stapler for applying a suture to tissue includes a first jaw and a second jaw configured to receive a cartridge. An actuation mechanism translates a drive member distally through the first and second jaws to apply staples to tissue such that a suture, in combination with the staples, forms a purse string when the stapler activated. The cartridge includes a first upper portion and a second lower portion.

Abstract: A device to regulate tension of an actuation element for actuating movement of a surgical instrument includes an elastically deformable body configured to be coupled to the actuation element. The deformable body is configured to elastically deform in response to a state of slack occurring in the actuation element. As slack occurs in the actuation element, the deformable body is configured to divert a path of the actuation element to accommodate the slack so the path of the actuation element differs from an axis the actuation element follows prior to the actuation element developing slack. A force transmission mechanism for a teleoperated surgical instrument includes a chassis, an actuation input mechanism, an actuation element, and a tension regulator coupled to the actuation element to compensate for slack of the actuation element.

Abstract: Surgical tools that include a mechanisms for transmitting torque through an angle are disclosed. A surgical tool includes an instrument shaft, a drive shaft, an end effector, a driven shaft, and a coupling member. The instrument shaft is elongated along an instrument shaft axis. The drive shaft is mounted to the instrument shaft for rotation about a drive shaft axis. The end effector is coupled with the instrument shaft so that an orientation of the end effector can be varied relative to the instrument shaft. The driven shaft is coupled with the end effector to articulate a feature of the end effector via rotation of the driven shaft relative to the end effector. The coupling member couples the drive shaft with the driven shaft so that a rate of rotation of the drive shaft and a rate of rotation of the driven shaft about a driven shaft axis are equal.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a dynamic preload tension feature for a tensioning element that actuates a distal end component of a surgical instrument. The surgical instrument includes a chassis at a proximal end of the surgical instrument, drive components mounted in the chassis, a distal end component at a distal end of the surgical instrument, a flexible tensioning element coupled between a first of the drive components and the distal end component, and a dynamic preload tensioner mounted in the chassis and coupled to a second of the drive components. The flexible tensioning element extends along a path. The dynamic preload tensioner is configured to be driven by the second of the drive components to be moved relative to the chassis and is positioned to change the path of the flexible tensioning element as the dynamic preload tensioner moves relative to the chassis.

Abstract: Stapler cartridges and surgical apparatus that include a stapler cartridge can include a knife that retracts into the stapler cartridge after cutting stapled tissue to prevent an operator being cut by the knife during replacement of the used stapler cartridge with a new stapler cartridge. A stapler cartridge includes a staple pushing shuttle, a knife member slidably coupled with the staple pushing shuttle, and a cartridge body. The staple pushing shuttle is slidably coupled to the cartridge body. The cartridge body includes a guide track engaged by the knife member and configured so that a cutting blade of the knife member protrudes from the cartridge body during a first portion of a distal movement of the staple pushing shuttle and the cutting blade is retracted into the cartridge body during a second portion of the distal movement of the staple pushing shuttle.

Abstract: Sealing assemblies and methods are disclosed for sealing a surgical instrument having an internal drive shaft subject to lateral displacement. A sealing assembly includes a rigid portion shaped to interface with an instrument shaft of the surgical instrument. A laterally oriented slot is open at a radially perimeter location and configured to receive an o-ring seal via the perimeter location. Apertures are disposed on opposing sides of the slot and open to the slot. The apertures are configured to receive the drive shaft there through and are larger than the drive shaft to accommodate lateral displacement of the drive shaft. The slot includes opposing internal sides spaced to interface with opposed axial surfaces of the o-ring seal. The seal inhibits axial transmission of an insufflated gas and/or bodily fluids while accommodating lateral displacement of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for modifying user datasets to support statistical resemblance is described. To support modifying user datasets to support statistical resemblance, an application may generate a first profile from a first corpus that includes first user data, generate a set of modified profiles from a second profile from a second corpus including second user data, wherein the first profile and the set of modified profiles includes respective sets of first and second attributes corresponding to one or both of text or metadata associated with the respective first and second user data, determine a mathematical distance between the first profile and each modified profile of the set of modified profiles based at least in part on a comparison between the first set of attributes and the second set of attributes, and finally, select a modified profile having a smallest determined mathematical distance.

Abstract: Surgical tools having a two degree-of-freedom wrist, wrist articulation by linked tension members, mechanisms for transmitting torque through an angle, and minimally invasive surgical tools incorporating these features are disclosed. An elongate intermediate wrist member is pivotally coupled with a distal end of an instrument shaft so as to rotate about a first axis transverse to the shaft, and an end effector body is pivotally coupled with the intermediate member so as to rotate about a second axis that is transverse to the first axis. Linked tension members interact with attachment features to articulate the wrist. A torque-transmitting mechanism includes a coupling member, coupling pins, a drive shaft, and a driven shaft. The drive shaft is coupled with the driven shaft so as to control the relative orientations of the drive shaft, the coupling member, and the driven shaft.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for distributed hyperparameter tuning and load balancing are described. A device (e.g., an application server) may generate a first set of combinations of hyperparameter values associated with training a mathematical model. The mathematical model may include a machine learning model, an optimization model, or any combination. The device may identify a subset of combinations from the first set of combinations that are associated with a computational runtime that exceeds a first threshold and may distribute the subset of combinations across a set of machines. The device may then test each of the first set of combinations in a parallel processing operation to generate a first set of validation error values and may test a second set of combinations of hyperparameter values using an objective function that is based on the first set of validation error values.

Abstract: A communications system may utilize the machine learning model in association with the finite state machine to determine whether a new message (e.g., email) corresponds to a state transition for the message thread. As such, the model may be trained on a corpus of message thread data, and may be configured to identify one of a plurality of message thread states of the finite state machine in accordance with the training. As various messages are exchanged between various users, the thread state of the corresponding message thread may be updated using the finite state machine and the machine learning model. The updates to the thread state may trigger various automated actions as well as indications to one or more users of the system.

Abstract: A medical device can include a housing, a first seal structure, and a seal expander. The first seal structure can have a proximal end and a distal end, and a side wall surrounding and defining an interior chamber. A seal wall can be connected to the side wall and include an expandable opening. A seal expander can be coupled to the housing, and can be at least partially in the interior chamber of the first seal structure. The seal expander can include an expandable neck portion and a seal interface portion, the seal interface portion being near an intersection of the side wall and the seal wall.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a surgical instrument, such as a tissue sealing instrument, having a staple cartridge with a staple pusher and a staple; and a drive member configured to translate distally through the instrument. The drive member includes a lateral projection configured to engage the staple pusher and drive the staple into tissue. The lateral projection of the drive member has a height substantially less than the height of the staple cartridge, thereby requiring less clearance as it translates through the staple cartridge. In addition, the lateral projection has a smaller footprint than conventional drive members resulting in a more compact distal tip on the staple cartridge, which allows for a more compact and maneuverable surgical instrument.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices supporting global message threads are described. A thread server may receive a communication message associated with a first set of user identifiers (e.g., the author and recipients of the message) and may extract a thread identifier from the message. The thread identifier may associate the message with one or more additional messages (e.g., from the same thread of messages), where the one or more additional messages may be associated with different user identifiers. The thread server may upsert the received communication message to a stored set of messages associated with a root indicating the thread identifier. If the thread server receives a query indicating the thread identifier from a user, the thread server may retrieve all of the messages associated with the thread identifier from persistent memory based on the query, including messages that are not associated with the user identifier for the querying user.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for analyzing communication messages (e.g., emails) and selecting corresponding actions are described. In some database systems, a user may receive multiple messages at a user device. To efficiently determine responses to these messages, the user device may send the messages to a backend server for analysis. The server may perform natural language processing (NLP) to classify the message with one or more binary classifications and may extract metadata from each message. Based on the classifications and the metadata, the server may determine one or more actions the user device may perform to respond to each message. The server may send instructions to the user device indicating the suggested actions, and the user device may display these actions as options to a user. Additionally, the user device may use the classifications and metadata to automatically generate one or more communication templates in response to the message.

Abstract: A medical device drive system including a lever body having portions defining a lever body cavity, a nut housing in the lever body cavity, and a first nut at least partially in the first nut cavity. The first nut is slideable in the first nut cavity between an engaged position in which the lead screw interface is engaged with the engagement portion of the lead screw, and a disengaged position in which the lead screw interface is not engaged with the engagement portion of the lead screw. The lead screw interface of the first nut is selectively engageable with the engagement portion of the lead screw by sliding the lever body and pin relative to the first nut housing.