Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector, an actuator coupled to the end effector and actuating it, a handle coupled to the end effector and having an electric motor disposed therein actuating the actuator when supplied with power, and a post-termination braking circuit including a power supply switch at the handle. The switch has a break-before-make configuration, a power-supplying state in which power is supplied to the motor, and a power-removed state in which power is not supplied to the motor. The braking circuit short-circuits power to the motor when the switch is in the power-removed state. A method for post-termination braking of the motor utilizes the permanent magnetic field to counteract inertia-induced over-stroke of the motor, drive train, and/or actuation assembly after powered operation by short-circuiting the still-spinning motor to create an electrically generated magnetic field in opposition to the permanent magnetic field upon ceasing supply of power.

Abstract: A staple cartridge comprising a cartridge body is disclosed. The cartridge body may comprise a deck and a plurality of staple cavities. The cartridge body further comprises a plurality of staples removably positioned within the staple cavities, wherein each staple is movable between an unfired position and a fired position. Each staple comprises a base, a first leg extending from the base, and a second leg extending from the base, wherein the first leg and the second leg define a plane. The base comprises an offset portion which is offset with respect to the plane when the staple is in the unfired position.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument that has a waveguide that protrudes distally from the handpiece and a surgical tool that is configured to be coupled to the waveguide. The waveguide may have a distal end that is sized to be inserted into a cavity in a proximal end of the surgical tool and then selectively expanded to retain the distal end within the cavity to couple the surgical tool to the waveguide.

Abstract: A powered surgical instrument for cutting and fastening tissue comprises an end effector having first and second jaw members that move relatively between open and closed positions. A control circuit comprises a relay, a firing switch having first and second firing switch positions, and a clamp device that can take first and second states. The clamp device takes a second state when the jaw members are in the closed position such that the clamp device activates the relay. Upon activation of the relay, the firing switch is connected to provide power from a power supply to drive a drive system of the instrument when the firing switch is in a second firing switch position.

Abstract: A switch comprising a switching element, a hollow body defining an interior cavity in which the switching element is movably disposed along a longitudinal device axis to define a first and second positions along the longitudinal device axis, the second position being different from the first position, a biasing element imparting an adjustable biasing force to the switching element to place the switching element in one of the first position and the second position until an external force imparted to the switching element along the longitudinal device axis exceeds the biasing force thereby causing the switching element to move to the other one of the first position and the second position, and an electrically-conductive contact coupled to the switching element and defining a first switching state when the switching element is in the first position and a second switching state when the switching element is in the second position.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for performing various procedures using interchangeable end effectors. In general, the methods and devices allow a surgeon to remotely and selectively attach various interchangeable surgical end effectors to a shaft located within a patient's body, thus allowing the surgeon to perform various procedures without the need to remove the shaft from the patient's body. In an exemplary embodiment, multiple end effectors can be introduced into a body cavity. The end effectors can be disassociated or separate from one another such that they float within the body cavity. A distal end of a shaft can be positioned within the body cavity and it can be used to selectively engage one of the end effectors. In particular, the device can be configured to allow each end effector to be remotely attached and detached from the distal end of the shaft.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for activating brown adipose tissue (BAT). Generally, the methods and devices can activate BAT to increase thermogenesis, e.g., increase heat production in the patient, which over time can lead to weight loss. In one embodiment, a medical device is provided that activates BAT by electrically stimulating nerves that activate the BAT and/or electrically stimulating brown adipocytes directly, thereby increasing thermogenesis in the BAT and inducing weight loss through energy expenditure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a surgical stapler comprising: a support base; a trigger; a handle; a retaining pin operatively connected to and extending distally from a support base, the support base being operable in the surgical stapler to cause the stapler to position staples near tissue; and a unit lockout rotatable about a pivot fixed to the handle. The unit lockout comprises an upper end near and under at least one blocking plate in the stapler; and another end facing the trigger to prevent it from firing when the upper end is blocked from upward movement by the at least one blocking plate. Whereas the upper end of the unit lockout is moved relative to the at least one blocking plate so that the upper end of unit lockout is no longer under the at least one blocking plate to permit the unit lockout to rotate about the pivot.

Abstract: An apparatus for regulating the functioning of a patient's organ or duct. The apparatus includes an elongated member having first end and second ends. A fastener is disposed on the first end of the elongated member. The fastener is configured to engage the second end of the elongated member so that the elongated member forms a ring around the organ or duct. A tension element is slidably disposed within the elongated member. A drive element is associated with and engaging the tension element for causing the tension element to control the tension applied by the elongated member against a patient's body organ or duct. An antenna/controller pod is releasably coupled to the elongated member for control of the drive element.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for activating brown adipose tissue with targeted substance delivery. Generally, the methods and devices can activate BAT to increase thermogenesis, e.g., increase heat production in the patient, which over time can lead to weight loss and/or improved metabolic function. In one embodiment, a chemical configured to stimulate nerves that activate the BAT and/or to stimulate brown adipocytes directly can be delivered to a patient, thereby increasing thermogenesis in the BAT and inducing weight loss and/or improved metabolic function through energy expenditure. The chemical can be delivered to the patient locally and/or systemically to stimulate the nerves and/or the brown adipocytes.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical instrument is disclosed comprising a firing member, an anvil shaft assembly operably supported within an elongated shaft, and an anvil removably attachable to a distal connection portion of an anvil shaft assembly. The instrument further comprises a tissue acquisition shaft rotatably supported within the elongated shaft, tissue acquisition members pivotally attached to a distal end portion of the tissue acquisition shaft and being selectively pivotable between a retracted position to deployed positions, and at least one tissue acquisition pin corresponding to each one of the tissue acquisition members, each tissue acquisition pin radially protruding outward from the distal end portion of the tissue acquisition shaft to impale tissue drawn in towards the tissue acquisition shaft by the tissue acquisition members when the tissue acquisition members are moved from the deployed positions to the retracted position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument, such as an electrical ablation device, including a first elongate body having an insert and a second elongate body having an electrically insulative sheath that defines a bore. A mating element mates the elongate bodies when at least a portion of the insert is received within the bore. The second elongate body is configured to receive electrical energy from the first elongate body and transmit the electrical energy to an electrode. In certain embodiments, the electrical ablation device may include first and second elongate bodies. The first includes an electrically conductive insert configured to electrically couple to an energy source and apply the electrical energy to tissue, and the second includes an electrically insulative sheath defining a bore configured to receive the insert therethrough and move proximally or distally relative to the insert.

Abstract: A hand-held, electrically powered and controlled surgical stapler/cutter includes a handle shaped to fit in one hand of a user and a surgical end effector connected to the handle. The handle contains therein a selectively actuated, self-contained electric power supply having at least one battery cell, at least part of an anvil control assembly, and at least part of an electrically-powered stapler/cutter control assembly electrically connected to the power supply. The surgical end effector is operatively connected to each of the anvil control assembly and the stapler/cutter control assembly. The stapler/cutter control assembly staples and cuts tissue disposed at the surgical end effector when powered by the power supply.

Abstract: A device for guiding electrodes relative to a tissue treatment region. The device can comprise a body have a plurality of passages therethrough. Each passage can axially restrain an electrode positioned therein. When each electrode is axially restrained in a passage, the distal ends of the electrodes can be spaced a predetermined distance apart. Further, the electrodes can be held in a parallel or substantially parallel alignment when axially retained in the passages. The predetermined distance between the electrodes can correspond to a treatment distance in a tissue treatment region and the distal ends of the electrodes can be operably structured to conduct current therebetween when at least one of electrodes is energized by an energy source.

Abstract: A method for suture lacing includes providing a suture with a needle attached thereto, inserting the needle and suture into an organ through a passageway, throwing a single stitch through a first tissue member, throwing a single stitch through an opposed and spaced apart second tissue member, repeating the preceding step at least once, bringing the first and second tissue members in contact by tensioning the suture, whereby suture drag is minimized during the tensioning and even tissue compression substantially achieved, and securing the suture.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for allowing multiple surgical instruments to be inserted into sealing elements of a single surgical access device. The sealing elements can be movable along predefined pathways within the device to allow surgical instruments inserted through the sealing elements to be moved laterally, rotationally, angularly, and vertically relative to a central longitudinal axis of the device for ease of manipulation within a patient's body while maintaining insufflation.

Abstract: Electrical surgical device comprising a handle shaped to be held within one hand, the handle having a self-contained power source, at least part of an end effector control assembly connected to the power source, a switch connected to the power source and operable to selectively power the end effector control assembly with the power source, and an articulation control device, wherein both the switch and the articulation control device are operated with the one hand holding the handle; an articulating connection operated by the articulation control device; and a surgical end effector connected to the handle by the articulating connection such that articulation of the surgical end effector is controlled by operation of the articulation control device and operatively connected to the end effector control assembly such that, upon operation of the end effector control assembly, the surgical end effector is operable to carry out at least one surgical procedure.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a surgical end effector having an actuation assembly operable to effect a surgical procedure when actuated, a part of the actuation assembly being movable between a first position and second position, and a handle connected to the end effector for actuating the actuation assembly, the handle having a power supply disposed within the handle, a motor disposed within the handle and electrically powered by the power supply, a transmission connecting the motor to the moving part and operational to displace the moving part anywhere between the first and second positions when the motor is operated, and a manual release mechanism that selectively interrupts the transmission and, during interruption, displaces the moving part towards the first position independent of operation of the motor.

Abstract: A modular end effector delivers a therapeutic agent onto tissue that has been severed and/or stapled. The end effector is removably attached to a device. The device applies force to a piston of the end effector. The force causes a distal movement of a piston along a wall disposed within the end effector. The piston engages with agents stored on opposite sides of the wall, moving the agents distally to a mixture space. The agents are mixed in the mixture space and expelled through a tip. Staples may be embedded in or disposed below a foam block, which is disposed within a staple cartridge. Via an endoscopic stapling device, coated staples are driven through tissue while interacting with another agent on the device or the cartridge. The interaction forms a tissue restoring material that is applied onto the tissue.

Abstract: A medical device is described having a handle, a shaft coupled to the handle, an end effector coupled to the shaft and an ultrasonic transducer coupled to the end effector for delivering ultrasonic energy to tissue or a vessel to be treated. A drive circuit is provided for generating a drive signal that is applied to the ultrasonic transducer. In one embodiment, the drive circuit includes a resonant circuit and a controller that varies the period of the drive signal passed through the resonant circuit in order to control the power supplied to the ultrasonic transducer.