Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes an end effector assembly having jaw members with tissue-contacting surfaces movable relative to one another between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. One or more light elements are operably associated with one or both jaw members and oriented to project light onto tissue. A generator couples to the tissue-contacting surfaces and supplies electrosurgical energy thereto for treating tissue grasped therebetween. The generator additionally couples to the light element(s) and one or more sensors configured to receive sensed data therefrom. The generator includes a controller configured to: control the supply of energy to tissue; predict thermal spread beyond the jaw members; and modify the light projected onto tissue from the light element when it is determined that the predicted thermal spread is above a threshold thermal spread.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument includes an elongated shaft, an end effector, a drive shaft, and a switch assembly. The end effector is coupled to a distal end portion of the elongated shaft and includes opposing first and second jaw members. The end effector is configured to move between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The drive shaft is operably coupled to the end effector to move the end effector between the open and closed configurations. The switch assembly includes a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact. The first electrical contact is coupled to the drive shaft and configured to move with the drive shaft. The first electrical contact is configured to engage the second electrical contact in response to a movement of the drive shaft to determine a first angle between the first and second jaw members.

Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a tool assembly that has a cartridge assembly, an anvil assembly, and a dissector tip. The dissector tip is moveable between a first configuration aligned with a longitudinal axis of the tool assembly and a second configuration defining an acute angle with the longitudinal axis of the tool assembly.

Abstract: A patient monitoring sensor having a communication interface, through which the patient monitoring sensor can communicate with a monitor is provided. The patient monitoring sensor includes a light-emitting diode (LED) communicatively coupled to the communication interface and a detector, communicatively coupled to the communication interface, capable of detecting light. The patient monitoring sensor includes a layer of material is provided over protruding components on the patient-side of the sensor to reduce the contact pressure of such protruding components.

Abstract: A powered handle assembly includes a motor assembly, a rack, a spur gear, and a manual retract mechanism. The spur gear is movable from a position engaged with the motor assembly and the rack to a positioned disengaged from the motor assembly and engaged with the rack to facilitate manual retraction of the rack.

Abstract: A surgical system includes an end effector, a handle assembly that operates the end effector, and an adapter assembly that connects the end effector to the handle assembly. The adapter assembly includes an adapter housing, an outer tube, at least one gear assembly, and a worm gear assembly. The adapter housing has a proximal end portion connected to a distal end portion of the handle assembly. The outer tube extends distally from the adapter housing and supports the end effector on a distal end portion of the outer tube. The worm gear assembly is engaged with the at least one gear assembly and rotatable with the at least one gear assembly in the adapter housing to operate the end effector.

Abstract: A storage assembly for a surgical robotic arm includes a stand, legs configured to be coupled to a bottom end portion of the stand, and a handle slidably coupled to the stand. The stand is configured to receive and support a surgical robotic arm therein when in vertical and horizontal positions.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for use with a robotic surgical system includes a knife blade configured to cut tissue and a knife tube coupled to the knife blade and configured to translate to move the knife blade for cutting tissue. The surgical instrument also includes a gearbox assembly coupleable to a robotic surgical system and configured to translate the knife tube to move the knife blade for cutting tissue and a knife blade lock operably coupled to the gearbox assembly. The knife blade lock is movable from a locked position wherein the knife blade lock prevents translation of the knife tube to an unlocked position in response to coupling of the gearbox assembly to the robotic surgical system wherein the knife tube is permitted to translate to move the knife blade for cutting tissue.

Abstract: An end effector assembly of a tissue resecting device and a tissue resecting device including the end effector assembly and a handpiece assembly. The end effector assembly including a proximal hub housing, an inner drive core at least partially disposed within the proximal hub housing, a cutting member extending distally from the proximal hub housing and engaged with the inner drive core such that rotation of the inner drive core rotates the cutting member, and a lock and release mechanism operably coupled between the inner drive core and the proximal hub housing. The lock and release mechanism is transitionable between a locked condition rotationally fixing the inner drive core and the proximal hub housing relative to one another thereby rotationally locking the cutting member, and a release condition enabling relative rotation between the inner drive core and the proximal hub housing thereby enabling rotation of the cutting member.

Abstract: A method for guiding suction of an obstruction may comprise emitting sound waves from a sound generator into a tube, detecting returning acoustic reflections with at least one sound receiver, analyzing, using a processor, timings and amplitudes of the returning acoustic reflections to determine a location and size of an obstruction within the tube and a location of a tip of a suction catheter, and guiding the suction catheter to the obstruction.

Abstract: A buttress attachment assembly includes a buttress and a buttress loader. The buttress includes a buttress body and buttress wings secured to the buttress body. The buttress body defines first openings. The buttress wings define second openings. The buttress loader includes first tabs that are receivable through the first openings of the buttress body and second tabs that are receivable through the second openings defined in the buttress wings. The first and second tabs support the buttress on the buttress loader.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector configured to clamp tissue, a motor configured to actuate the end effector, and a controller in communication with the motor and configured to determine a stress and strain of the tissue, identify a tissue type of the tissue based on the determined stress and strain of the tissue, and set an operational parameter of the surgical instrument based on the identified tissue type of the tissue.

Abstract: The technology relates to acoustic reflectometry systems and methods. An example system includes an acoustic sensor that includes a generator that emits acoustic pulses; and a sensor that detects the emitted acoustic pulses and reflections thereof. The system further includes a monitor, in communication with the acoustic sensor. The monitor performs operations including: receive patient data for a current patient receiving ventilation; provide the patient data as input to a trained clinical model; receive, as output from the trained clinical model, a clinically relevant threshold for an acoustically measurable parameter; process the detected incident and reflected waves to determine a value of the acoustically measurable parameter; compare the value of the acoustically measurable parameter to the clinically relevant threshold; and based on the comparison, generate a notification.

Abstract: An EM device is provided that includes an antenna assembly for radiating at least one electromagnetic field for electromagnetic navigation. The EM device also includes a moving arrangement coupled to the antenna assembly and configured to either move the antenna assembly toward and away from a CT scan plane or move a patient toward and away from the antenna assembly. An operating system is provided that includes a CT scanner defining a CT scan plane, and a patient table housing an antenna assembly and a moving arrangement. A method is provided that includes engaging a moving arrangement to move a patient, activating the CT scanner, and activating the antenna of an electromagnetic navigation system.

Abstract: A hysteroscopy system includes a scope having an internal channel, a sheath removably coupled to the scope, and an outflow channel. The sheath has a distal flange extending internally towards an outer surface of the scope. The outflow channel is formed between an inner surface of the sheath and an outer surface of the scope. The distal flange forms a distal end of the outflow channel and is generally located between the scope and the sheath.

Abstract: System and methods for non-contact monitoring in vehicles are described. The systems and methods may use depth sensing cameras as part of the non-contact monitoring system. In some embodiments, depth data from at least one depth sensing device that has a field of view of at least part of the interior of the vehicle is received, wherein the depth data represents depth information as a function of position across the field of view. The depth data is then processed to obtain further information related to the occupant within the vehicle.

Abstract: An articulation assembly for a surgical instrument, surgical instrument including the same, and robotic surgical system including a surgical robot and the surgical instrument including the articulation assembly. The articulation assembly includes proximal gear assemblies arranged in diagonally-opposed pairs and distal gear assemblies coupled to the respective proximal gear assemblies and likewise arranged in diagonally-opposed pairs. Each distal gear assembly defines an opposite configuration as its diagonally-opposed distal gear assembly. First and second coupling gears couple the diagonally-opposed pairs of proximal gear assemblies such that an input to one of the proximal gear assemblies of a diagonally-opposed pair provides opposite outputs of the corresponding distal gear assemblies.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes endoluminal shafts including a tubular body, a finger extending therefrom and an ultrasound transducer, and navigation systems associated therewith.