Abstract: A surgical instrument. The surgical instrument includes an elongated channel configured to support a staple cartridge, an anvil pivotably connected to the elongated channel, a knife mechanically coupled to the staple cartridge, an electric motor and a control circuit electrically connected to the electric motor. The control circuit is configured to change a firing motion of the surgical instrument based on a combination of events.

Abstract: Fluorescence, hyperspectral, and/or laser scanning imaging in a light deficient environment. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an image sensor for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The system includes a controller configured to synchronize timing of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation during a blanking period of the image sensor. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises one or more of: electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 513 nm to about 545 nm; electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 565 nm to about 585 nm; electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 900 nm to about 1000 nm; an excitation wavelength of electromagnetic radiation that causes a reagent to fluoresce; or a laser scanning pattern.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a shaft, a sensing array and a fluid detection circuit. The sensing array is positioned within the shaft. The fluid detection circuit is electrically coupled to the sensing array, and is configured to determine when a fluid originating from an environment external to the shaft is present within the shaft.

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: Pulsed hyperspectral, fluorescence, and laser mapping imaging without input clock or data transmission clock is disclosed. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an image sensor comprising a pixel array for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The system includes a plurality of bidirectional data pads and a controller in communication with the image sensor. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises one or more of: electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 513 nm to about 545 nm, from about 565 nm to about 585 nm, from about 900 nm to about 1000 nm, an excitation wavelength of electromagnetic radiation that causes a reagent to fluoresce, or a laser mapping pattern.

Abstract: A method of delivering power to a load coupled to an energy module includes determining a power to be produced in a load, generating a signal, and selecting a first or second power amplifier circuit based on the power to be produced in the load. The power rating of the amplifier circuits is different. Another method includes generating a digital waveform having a predetermined wave shape and frequency, converting the digital waveform to an analog waveform, selecting a first power amplifier circuit or a second power amplifier circuit based on a predetermined power output to be produced by the first or second power amplifier circuit into a load coupled to an energy output port of the energy module, coupling the analog waveform to the selected first or second power amplifier circuit, and producing the predetermined power output into the load.

Abstract: A surgical stapler having an end effector, a firing drive electric motor, and a control circuit is disclosed. The firing drive electric motor is configured to actuate a staple firing stroke of the end effector. The control circuit can be configured to provide a pulse width modulated (PWM) electrical signal to the firing drive electric motor and adjust a duty cycle of the PWM electrical signal based at least in part on a speed of the staple firing stroke. The control circuit can further be configured to provide a pulse width modulated (PWM) electrical signal to the firing drive electric motor, adjust a duty cycle of the PWM electrical signal based at least in part on a target speed of a staple firing stroke, and lower the target speed in response to the duty cycle exceeding a safety threshold value.

Abstract: Methods for providing and using a surgical instrument system are disclosed.

Abstract: A return pad of an electrosurgical system is disclosed. The return pad includes a plurality of conductive members and a plurality of sensing devices. The conductive members are configured to receive radio frequency current applied to a patient. The sensing devices are configured to detect at least one of the following: a nerve control signal applied to the patient; and a movement of an anatomical feature of the patient resulting from application of the nerve control signal.

Abstract: A surgical stapler is presented which includes an end effector, a firing drive electric motor, and a control circuit. The motor is configured to translate a firing bar to deploy staples from the end effector during a staple firing stroke. The control circuit is configured to provide a pulse width modulated (PWM) electrical signal to the firing drive electric motor, compare an actual velocity of the firing bar to a directed velocity, and adjust a duty cycle of the PWM electrical signal based at least in part on the comparison. The control circuit can adjust the duty cycle based on one or more of a short term error (S), cumulative error (C), change error (R), a number of overshoots (N) calculated based on the comparison of the actual velocity to the directed velocity.

Abstract: A method of replacing blades of an end effector of a surgical tool includes moving the end effector distally from an assembled state, where the end effector is rotatably mounted to a clevis, to an extended state, where an axle is dislodged from open-ended slots defined in opposing arms of the clevis. The end effector includes opposing first and second blades mounted to first and second blade holders rotatably mounted to the axle. The blade holders are separable from the blades in opposing lateral directions, and a new blade set comprising new blades and a new axle are then mountable to the holders, and the end effector is moved proximally and back to the assembled state by receiving the new axle within the open-ended slots.

Abstract: Surgical instruments with articulation joints that include a proximal joint member that has a proximal face that defines an arcuate proximal apex and a distal joint member that has a distal face that defines an arcuate distal apex. A first link and a second link are coupled to the proximal joint member and the distal joint member such that they cross each other and the arcuate distal apex confronts the arcuate proximal apex.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a transducer configured to produce vibrations at a predetermined frequency. An ultrasonic end effector extends along a longitudinal axis and is coupled to the transducer. The ultrasonic end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade and a clamping mechanism. A controller receives a feedback signal from the ultrasonic end effector and the feedback signal is measured by the controller. A lumen is adapted to couple to a pump. The controller is configured to control fluid flow through the lumen based on the feedback signal, and the lumen is located within the ultrasonic end effector.

Abstract: Stapling assemblies for use with a surgical stapler are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a stapling assembly can include a cartridge and a knitted adjunct that is configured to be releasably retained on the cartridge. The adjunct can include at least one knitted layer formed of first fibers and at least one core layer formed of second fibers that are interconnected with the first fibers to form a plurality of interconnections, in which one of the plurality of interconnections differs from at least another one of the plurality of interconnections to provide a variable compression strength.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handle assembly, a power source coupled with the handle assembly, and a control circuit coupled with the handle assembly and the power source. The handle assembly, the power source, and the control circuit are configured to drive an end effector of a shaft assembly coupled with the handle assembly to perform an operation on tissue. The control circuit is configured to receive life deduction event data. The control circuit is configured to determine an end of life for the power source based on the life deduction event data.

Abstract: An adapter for a robotic surgical tool autowasher system includes a frame matable with a drive housing of the robotic surgical tool, a shoulder defined on the frame and at least partially circumscribing a basin defined in the frame, and one or more fluid apertures defined in the basin and extending through the frame from a top surface to a bottom surface. One or more alignment features protrude from the frame and are arranged to align with and extend into a corresponding one or more apertures defined in a bottom of the drive housing. At least one of the one or more alignment features only partially plugs an associated aperture of the corresponding one or more apertures.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of beads each defining a first opening and a second opening, a linking assembly, and a 3D printed magnetic element housed within a first bead of the plurality of beads. The linking assembly extends through the first opening and the second opening of each bead such that the beads and the linking assembly may be arranged in an annular arrangement to form a loop around an anatomical structure in a patient. The loop moves between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration and is magnetically biased toward the contracted configuration. The 3D printed magnetic element is housed within a first bead of the plurality of beads. The 3D printed magnetic element include a composite of magnetic granules combined to generate a magnetic field. The magnetic field is generated by the 3D printed element and is configured to contribute toward the magnetic bias.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument includes a shaft assembly and an end effector. The end effector includes a first jaw having an anvil, and a second jaw. The instrument also includes a stapling assembly supported by the second jaw and including a plurality of staples, a staple actuator, and a driver assembly. The driver assembly includes a laterally-opposed pair of distal drivers that receive respective staples, a proximal driver that receives a respective staple, and a cam surface. The staple actuator is configured to engage the cam surface during distal translation of the staple actuator to drive the respective staples into contact with the anvil. The staple actuator and the cam surface are configured such that, when the respective staples contact the anvil, the engagement between the staple actuator and the cam surface is centered at a location along the cam surface distal of a centroid of the first driver assembly.

Abstract: A surgical visualization system may include particle trend analysis. The surgical visualization system may include a field programmable gate array (FPGA) that is configured to transform sensor information of backscattered laser light into real-time information of particle movement (e.g., blood cells) in a portion of a surgical field. The system may communicate the real-time information to a processor that is remote to the FPGA for aggregation and analysis. The surgical visualization system may display both a metric representing a present state of moving particles and an aggregated state of the moving particles. The system may display both the rate of particle movement and the acceleration for use by the surgeon.

Abstract: A surgical device and method of processing includes a cable and a first adapter. The adapter includes a body, an electrical contact connected to the cable, and an engagement assembly. The engagement assembly includes a latch coupling or a communication coupling. The latch coupling is movable between a locked and an unlocked position and includes a catch member. The communication coupling is configured to be resiliently biased into engagement between the electrical contact and an instrument or generator.