Abstract: An electrosurgical device comprises an end effector, a cutting member, and en electromechanical driver. The end effector comprises a pair of jaws that clamp tissue. The jaws include electrodes that deliver RF energy to clamped tissue. The cutting member cuts tissue clamped between the jaws. The electromechanical driver drives the cutting member. A control module commands the electromechanical driver, and regulates the delivery of RF energy to the electrodes, based on a combination of user input and feedback signals from the electrodes and from the electromechanical driver. The device may provide tactile feedback to the user through the user input feature, based on a load encountered by the cutting member. The device may alert the user when the exterior of end effector makes incidental contact with tissue, to avoid inadvertently burning the tissue. The device may include a removable battery pack to power the electromechanical driver and the electrodes.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a module for compiling a plurality of operational parameters of the surgical system during a plurality of treatment cycles performed by the surgical system. The module includes a processor and a memory unit, the processor configured to store in the memory unit values of the plurality of operational parameters associated with each of the plurality of treatment cycles, wherein the processor is configured to identify a subset of the stored values of the plurality of operational parameters temporally proximate to an intervening event.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for controlling movement of a working end of a surgical device. In one embodiment, methods and devices are provided for moving an end effector on a distal end of a surgical fastening device. Movement can include rotational movement of the end effector about an axis of the shaft, articulation of the end effector relative to the shaft, and actuation of an end effector, e.g., closing, firing, and/or cutting. In other embodiments, a single cable actuator is provided and is movable between a first position, in which it is effective to rotate an end effector without actuating (i.e., closing and firing) the end effector, and a second position, in which it is effective to actuate the end effector without rotating the end effector. In other aspects, methods and devices are provided for moving a flexible neck formed on a distal end of an accessory channel for use with an endoscope.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating on tissue includes an end effector assembly, a body, and a shaft. The shaft extends from the body to the end effector assembly. The body is operable to communicate with the end effector assembly via the shaft. The end effector assembly includes a pair of pivoting jaws and a firing beam. The firing beam is operable to advance distally through slots in the jaws to close the jaws. One of the jaws comprises a plurality of segments that are movable relative to each other. The segments may be joined by living hinges, pivoting hinges, or sliding features. One of the jaws may be formed by a combination of a distally projecting tongue of the shaft and two members that are secured above and below the tongue, respectively. An end effector jaw may also include a resiliently biased electrode cartridge.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument can comprise a handle, a shaft, and an end effector, wherein the end effector can be rotatably coupled to the shaft by an articulation joint. The instrument can further comprise a drive member and the articulation joint can comprise flexible support members which can be configured to support the drive member. The instrument can further comprise supply wires electrically coupled to electrodes in the end effector and a wire tensioning device configured to prevent the supply wires from accumulating slack within the articulation joint. The drive member can comprise a plurality of flexible layers wherein some of the layers can be comprised of an electrically insulative material and other layers can be comprised of an electrically conductive material which is in electrical communication with a cutting member in the end effector and/or electrodes positioned within the end effector.

Abstract: An electrosurgical working end and method for sealing and transecting tissue. An exemplary working end provides curved jaw members that are positioned on opposing sides of the targeted anatomic structure. The working end carries a slidable extension member having flange portions with inner surfaces that slide over the jaw members to clamp tissue therebetween. The working end carries an independent slidable cutting member that is flexible to follow the curved axis of the jaws. The electrosurgical surfaces of the jaws include partially-resistive bodies for carrying a current or load which modulates ohmic heating in the engaged tissue to prevent charring and desiccation of tissue to create a high strength thermal seal.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to electrosurgical systems for providing an electrosurgical signal to a patient. A control circuit may, for a first application period, apply the electrosurgical signal to first and second electrodes according to a first mode. In the first mode, the control circuit may limit the electrosurgical signal to a first maximum power when the impedance between the first and second electrodes exceeds a first mode threshold. The control circuit may also, for a second application period after the first application period, apply the electrosurgical signal according to a second mode. In the second mode, the control circuit may limit the electrosurgical signal to a second mode maximum power when the impedance between the first and second electrodes exceeds a second mode threshold. The second maximum power may be greater than the first maximum power.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a surgical instrument control circuit. The control circuit includes a primary processor, a safety processor in signal communication with the primary processor, and a segmented circuit. The segmented circuit includes a plurality of circuit segments in signal communication with the primary processor. The plurality of circuit segments includes a power segment. The safety processor is configured to transition the primary processor and at least one of the plurality of circuit segments from an active mode to a sleep mode and from the sleep mode to the active mode.

Abstract: A method for updating a component of a modular surgical instrument. The method can comprise comparing control modules and/or control systems of various modular components of a surgical system. For example, if corresponding control modules are different, at least one of the control modules can be updated and/or overwritten. If corresponding control modules have different effective dates, the outdated control module can be updated and/or overwritten, for example.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical instrument is disclosed. In one embodiment, the surgical instrument comprises a handle assembly. The handle assembly comprises a closure trigger, a push plate, a clamp plate, and a firing plate. Actuation of the closure trigger rotates the push plate. Rotation of the push plate to a first rotation rotates the clamp plate and rotation between the first rotation and a second rotation rotates the firing plate. A shaft assembly is coupled to the handle assembly. An end effector is coupled to the shaft assembly. The end effector comprises a jaw assembly. The jaw assembly defines a longitudinal slot. Rotation of the clamp plate pivotally moves a first jaw member from an open position to a closed position relative to a second jaw member. A cutting member is deployable within the longitudinal slot.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for controlling a surgical instrument. The method includes connecting a power assembly to a control circuit, wherein the power assembly is configured to provide a source voltage, energizing, by the power assembly, a voltage boost convertor circuit configured to provide a set voltage greater than the source voltage, and energizing, by the voltage boost convertor, one or more voltage converters configured to provide one or more operating voltages to one or more circuit components.

Abstract: A surgical instrument can comprise a handle, a movable input, and an analog sensor configured to detect the position of the movable input, wherein the analog sensor is configured to produce an analog signal comprising analog data. The surgical instrument can further comprise a microcontroller comprising an input channel, wherein the analog sensor is in signal communication with the input channel, wherein the microcontroller is configured to compare the analog data to a reference value, and wherein the microcontroller is configured to produce a digital signal in response to the comparison.

Abstract: Various electrical and slip ring connector arrangements configured to facilitate the passage of electrical current and signals between two components that are rotatable relative to each other such as an interchangeable surgical shaft assembly that includes portions that are rotatable relative to fixed mounting portions.

Abstract: A surgical instrument can comprise a handle, a shaft assembly, a first sensor configured to detect a condition of the surgical instrument, and a second sensor configured to detect the condition of the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument can further comprise a processor, wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are in signal communication with the processor, wherein the processor receives a first signal from the first sensor, wherein the processor receives a second signal from the second sensor, wherein the processor is configured to utilize the first signal and the second signal to determine the condition, and wherein the processor is configured to communicate instructions to the surgical instrument in view of the condition.

Abstract: In various instances, the surgical instrument can include a data storage protocol and/or at least one security feature. The surgical instrument can include a locking circuit, for example. In various instances, the surgical instrument can include sensors and/or magnets for detecting various characteristics of the surgical instrument, surgical operation, and/or surgical site. The surgical instrument can require a temporary access code for operating and/or can be selected for connection to an external display. A surgical system can include a first modular component, a second modular component, and a feedback system. The feedback system can include an engagement sensor, which can detect the engagement and/or degree of engagement of the first modular component and the second modular component.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a surgical instrument including a handle assembly and an interchangeable shaft assembly. The shaft assembly includes an elongate shaft, and an end effector extending distally from the elongate shaft. The handle assembly includes a motor configured to effectuate at least one motion in the end effector while said handle assembly is coupled to the shaft assembly. A power assembly is separably couplable to the handle assembly. The power assembly includes a power source configured to power the motor and a power management controller in communication with the power source. The power management controller is configured to receive an input signal corresponding to at least one power requirement of the shaft assembly. The power management controller is configured to modulate power output of the power source to the motor to conform the power output with the at least one power requirement of the shaft assembly.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a power assembly including a housing configured to couple to a surgical instrument. The housing includes at least two electrical contacts. A power source is coupled to the at least two electrical contacts. The power source is configured to provide power to the surgical instrument and a usage cycle circuit is configured to monitor one or more conditions of the power assembly and maintain a usage cycle count.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a surgical instrument control circuit. The control circuit includes a primary processor, a safety processor in signal communication with the primary processor, and a segmented circuit comprising a plurality of circuit segments in signal communication with the primary processor. The plurality of circuit segments comprising a storage verification segment configured to indicate when a surgical instrument has been properly stored and sterilized.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for use by an operator in a surgical procedure includes an elongate shaft, an end effector extending from the elongate shaft, and a control system. The end effector is articulatable relative to the elongate shaft between a home state position and an articulated position. The control system includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor to store program instructions. The processor can alert the operator when the end effector reaches the home state position from the articulated position.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a surgical instrument including an end effector, a drive member movable to effectuate a motion in said end effector, a motor operable to move the drive member to effectuate the motion in the end effector and a bailout assembly operable to perform a mechanical bailout of the surgical instrument in response to a bailout error. The bailout assembly includes a bailout door, a bailout handle accessible through the bailout door. The bailout handle is operable to move the drive member to effectuate a bailout motion in the end effector. A controller includes a memory and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to detect the bailout error. The processor is programmed to stop the motor in response to the detection of the bailout error.