Abstract: A surgical instrument including a flex circuit comprising a sensor system.

Abstract: A generator comprising an interface and a control circuit is disclosed. The interface is to electrically couple to an ultrasonic surgical instrument comprising a switch. The switch is configurable between a first switch state and a second switch state. The control circuit is to provide a continuous drive signal to the ultrasonic surgical instrument based on the switch being in the first switch state. The control circuit is to provide a pulsed drive signal to the ultrasonic surgical instrument based on the switch being in the second switch state.

Abstract: A surgical system comprising a surgical instrument and a plurality of power sources is disclosed. The surgical instrument comprises an end effector and a motor to drive a firing motion at the end effector. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw, the second jaw moveable relative to the first jaw from an open position toward a closed position to capture tissue therebetween. The plurality of power sources comprises a first power source removably couplable with the surgical instrument and a second power source removably couplable with the surgical instrument independent of the first power source. The second power source is to maintain power to the motor in absence of the first power source.

Abstract: A surgical access device assembly. The assembly includes a cannula having a working channel and a helical tissue engagement feature disposed along an outer surface of the cannula and configured to stabilize the cannula relative to a body cavity wall of a patient. The assembly also includes a depth limiter movably coupled with the cannula. The depth limiter includes a body portion extending about a central axis of the depth limiter and including a protrusion extending radially inwardly relative to the central axis. The body portion is movable angularly relative to the cannula between a fine adjustment configuration and a coarse adjustment configuration. In the fine adjustment configuration the protrusion is configured to selectively threadably engage the helical tissue engagement feature. In the coarse adjustment configuration the protrusion is configured to selectively threadably disengage the helical tissue engagement feature such that the depth limiter is translatable axially along the cannula.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a tissue thickness compensator can comprise a compressible extracellular matrix and a bioabsorbable material dispersed within the extracellular matrix, wherein the bioapsorption of the bioabsorbable material is configured to leave behind channels in the extracellular matrix. The tissue thickness compensator can also comprise generation means for generating the ingrowth of tissue into the channels. In at least one embodiment, the tissue thickness compensator can comprise dissolvable wicking members which, when dissolved, can leave behind channels in the tissue thickness compensator. In certain embodiments, the tissue thickness compensator can comprise at least one rupturable capsule.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a shaft, an ultrasonic transducer, a waveguide acoustically coupled with the ultrasonic transducer and extending distally through the shaft, and an end effector arranged at a distal end of the shaft. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade acoustically coupled with the waveguide, a clamp arm movable relative to the ultrasonic blade for clamping tissue, and an RF electrode operable to seal tissue with RF energy. The ultrasonic transducer is operable to drive the waveguide and the ultrasonic blade with ultrasonic energy. The surgical instrument further includes an ultrasonic electrical circuit operable to energize the ultrasonic transducer, and an RF electrical circuit operable to deliver RF energy to the RF electrode. A return path of the ultrasonic electrical circuit and a return path of the RF electrical circuit pass through a shared electrically conductive element.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of beads a linking assembly joining the beads together. The beads and the linking assembly are arranged in an annular arrangement and sized to form a loop around an anatomical structure in a patient. The loop may move between a contracted and expanded configuration. The loop is magnetically biased toward the contracted configuration by a magnetic bias of the beads. Each bead includes a housing having a first piece and a second piece that together define a magnetic chamber. A magnetic is within the magnetic chamber. A weld joins the first piece and the second piece while hermetically sealing the magnet chamber. The first piece of the housing includes a mounting feature integrated with a surface of the first piece. The mounting feature mates with a fixture to constrain the first piece of the housing as the weld is formed.

Abstract: A method of setting a jaw gap for the end effector of a surgical instrument includes moving opposing upper and lower jaws of the end effector toward a closed position, wherein the upper jaw includes a first component part matable with a second component part at a mated interface. The method further includes placing a shim having a predetermined thickness between at least a portion of the upper and lower jaws such that the shim engages the lower jaw. The upper and lower jaws are progressively closed until the second component part of the upper jaw engages the shim to define the jaw gap between the lower jaw and the second component part of the upper jaw. The first and second component parts are then joined at the mated interface while the lower jaw and the second component part of the upper jaw are engaged with the shim.

Abstract: A surgical system comprises a control circuit, a surgical instrument and a user interface is disclosed. The end effector assembly may comprise a sensor configured to detect a parameter associated with a function of the end effector, and transmit the detected parameter to the control circuit. Further, the control circuit may be configured to analyze the detected parameter based on a system-defined constraint and prevent at least one function of the surgical instrument based on a result of the analysis. The user interface may be configured to provide a current status regarding at least one prevented function of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A surgical stapling anvil is disclosed comprising an anvil body including a tissue-facing surface, a plurality of staple forming pockets, and a longitudinal slot. The longitudinal slot comprises a first portion configured to receive a cutting edge of a firing member therethrough and a second portion configured to receive an anvil-camming portion of the firing member therethrough. The anvil further comprises an anvil cap welded to the anvil body, wherein the anvil cap comprises a welded portion and a non-welded portion, wherein the non-welded portion comprises a non-welded width, and wherein the non-welded width is less than or equal to about 105% of the width of the second portion.

Abstract: A surgical system for use in a surgical procedure is disclosed. The surgical system includes a surgical instrument including an end effector configured to treat tissue at a surgical field during the surgical procedure, a surgical visualization system configured to track the surgical instrument in the surgical field, and a control circuit configured to derive a first data set from the surgical visualization system indicative of a visual aspect of the surgical instrument relative to the surgical field, derive a second data set from the surgical instrument indicative of a functional aspect of the surgical instrument, and correlate the first data set with the second data set.

Abstract: A motor-driven surgical instrument that may comprise (i) a moveable drive member that is driven in a first direction when the electric motor operates in a first direction and that is driven in a second direction when the electric motor operates in a second direction. Movement of the drive member causes movement of the moveable component of the end effector, and (ii) a motor control circuit connected to the motor for controlling the motor. The motor control circuit may comprise a switching circuit that, upon actuation, reverses the direction of the motor from the first direction to the second direction. The switching circuit may be actuatable separately through each of: (i) actuation of a moveable actuator of the switching circuit through movement of the drive member at least in the first direction; and (ii) manual actuation by a user of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: Systems and subsystems for cutting and stapling tissue are disclosed. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to systems, devices, and subsystems for attachments for robotic surgeries. The surgical instrument is a robotic attachment that includes a closure subsystem for a surgical instrument comprising a first closure input puck engageable with a first closure robotic output, a cam gear rotatably engaged with the first closure input puck, and a yoke pin coupled to a closure tube and movable from a first position to a second position in response to a rotation of the cam gear. Movement of the yoke pin from the first position to the second position translates the closure tube distally onto an anvil ramp of an anvil.

Abstract: Systems and subsystems for cutting and stapling tissue are disclosed. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to systems, devices, and subsystems for attachments for robotic surgeries. The surgical instrument includes a transection subsystem comprising a rotatable shaft having a lumen, a firing rod extending at least partially through the lumen, a firing rack coupled to a proximal end of the firing rod, the firing rod being rotationally independent of the firing rack, and a firing gear engaged with the firing rack. Rotation of the firing gear moves the firing rack and the firing rod axially.

Abstract: An end effector for a surgical tool includes a jaw including a shank and a contact plate forming part of the shank, an electrical conductor including an insulation sheath and a supply conductor coupled to the contact plate to supply electrical energy to the jaw, and a jaw holder comprising a molded component overmolded onto portions of the shank, the contact plate, and the electrical conductor in a single shot. The molded component encapsulates and electrically insulates the contact plate and an exposed portion of the supply conductor.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, devices, and subsystems for robotic surgeries. The surgical instrument is a robotic attachment that includes an articulation subsystem comprising a rotatable shaft, a distal channel retainer coupled to an end effector that is pivotable about an articulation pivot point, an articulation bushing slidable between a proximal position and a distal position, an articulation rod extending distally from the articulation bushing and coupled at a distal end to the distal channel retainer; and a rack movable with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rotatable shaft. Movement of the rack with respect to the longitudinal axis imparts an axial force onto the articulation bushing moving the articulation bushing between the proximal position and the distal position. Movement of the articulation bushing between the distal position and the proximal position actuates the articulation rod causing the distal channel retainer to pivot about the articulation pivot point.

Abstract: Systems and subsystems for cutting and stapling tissue are disclosed. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to systems, devices, and subsystems for attachments for robotic surgeries. The disclosed technology includes a housing for a surgical instrument configured to engage with a robotic arm. The housing comprises a first opening positioned to be engaged with at least a portion of a robotic arm, a second opening positioned proximate a rod extending from within the housing; and a fluid management system positioned within the housing proximate one of the first opening or the second opening, the fluid management system being configured to hold or divert fluid within the housing.

Abstract: A surgical tool includes a drive housing, a drive input rotatably mounted to a bottom of the drive housing, a capstan assembly arranged within the drive housing and operatively coupled to the drive input such that rotation of the drive input correspondingly actuates the capstan assembly, a longitudinally driven gear engageable with the drive gear, a drive rod coupled to the longitudinally driven gear and extending from the drive housing to an end effector of the surgical instrument and at least one biasing member mounted to the drive housing and operatively coupled to at least one of the capstan assembly and the longitudinally driven gear. The biasing member biases the longitudinally driven gear toward a proximal position with a constant force.

Abstract: An end effector for a surgical tool includes a jaw including a shank and a contact plate forming part of the shank, and a jaw holder secured to the jaw and providing a first molded component defining a cavity and a cable passage that communicates with the contact plate, a cable clip received within the cavity, and a second molded component overmolded onto the first molded component and at least a portion of the cable clip, and filling the cavity. An electrical conductor extends through the cable passage and includes an insulation sheath and a supply conductor electrically coupled to the contact plate to supply electrical energy to the jaw. The cable clip covers an exposed portion of the insulation sheath within the cavity, and the second molded component encapsulates and electrically insulates the contact plate and an exposed portion of the supply conductor.