Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for performing minimally invasive surgical procedures. In one embodiment, a surgical device is provided that includes an elongate shaft having a distal portion configured to be movable between a first configuration in which the distal portion of the shaft is substantially straight or linear and a second configuration in which the distal portion of the shaft is bent at a compound angle. The shaft's distal portion can be configured to be articulated in a wide range of compound angles and can be configured to be selectively locked in a fixed position anywhere within that range.

Abstract: A surgical suturing device comprises a cartridge having a needle and suture. An elongate shaft has a proximal end and a distal end. An actuator is connected to the proximal end of the elongate shaft. A pair of jaws is connected to the distal end of the elongate shaft. The jaws have a closed position adapted to receive and retain the cartridge, and wherein the jaws are latched in the closed position. The jaws also have a partially opened position adapted to release the cartridge wherein the jaws are biased by a spring from the first opened position towards the closed position. The jaws also have and a fully opened position spaced apart further than the partially opened position, wherein spring does not bias the jaws towards the closed position.

Abstract: A method for applying and maintaining compression with a staple includes piercing a material with deformable ends of staple legs. The legs enter the material until the material applies a pre-set compressive force within a pre-defined compression range to a compression device disposed at least partly between the legs. The compression device has a compression resistor connected to a compression surface. The compression surface is movably disposed with respect to the bridge. Movement of the compression surface towards the bridge is resisted with a force imparted by the compression resistor. The legs are deformed to maintain at least some of the compressive force between the material and the compression device. Forces greater than the pre-set force are absorbed with the compression resistor. The pre-set compressive force to the material is maintained within the pre-defined compression range throughout a state change of the material.

Abstract: Surgical devices and methods are described herein that provide improved motor control and feedback, thereby combining advantages of manually-operated and powered surgical devices. In one embodiment, a surgical device includes a proximal handle portion that includes a motor, a distal end effector coupled to the handle portion, and a cutting element configured to cut tissue engaged by the end effector, wherein the motor is configured to supply power that moves the cutting element. The device also includes a motor control mechanism configured to cause the amount of the power to dynamically change in response to a manual user input when the cutting element is moving.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for performing minimally invasive surgical procedures. In one embodiment, a surgical device is provided that include an elongate shaft having a distal portion configured to be movable between a first configuration in which the distal portion of the shaft is substantially straight or linear and a second configuration in which the distal portion of the shaft is articulated at a compound angle. The shaft's distal portion can include two articulation joints to facilitate formation of the compound angle.

Abstract: A circular stapler apparatus and method for stapling tissue include a shaft assembly and an anvil. The anvil is configured to proximally retract toward the shaft assembly, which at least severs or staples tissue based on a single rotary input. The shaft assembly includes a plurality of joint segments, and each joint segment includes a resilient member. The plurality of joint segments are configured to pivot relative to one another in a first, uncompressed position and are configured to lock against one another to prevent pivoting in a second, compressed position. A first plurality of joint segments defines a proximal portion that is attached to a first cable or shaft. A second plurality of joint segments defines a distal portion that is selectively lockable independent of the proximal portion and that is attached to a second cable or shaft.

Abstract: An end effector for use with a surgical instrument is disclosed. The end effector comprises a first jaw, a second jaw, wherein the first jaw is movable relative to the second jaw to transition the end effector between an open configuration and an approximated configuration to clamp tissue between the first jaw and the second jaw, and a camming assembly. The camming assembly comprises a first camming member comprising a first distal camming portion, a first proximal camming portion, and a first flexible portion extending between the first distal camming portion and the first proximal camming portion. The camming assembly further comprises a second camming member and a connector at least partially disposed between the first camming member and the second camming member, wherein the camming assembly is movable relative to the end effector to transition the end effector to the approximated configuration.

Abstract: Biomarkers are collected and used to determine biological propensities of a patient, to determine the efficacy of medical devices, to select and administer therapeutic agents, to select medical devices, to make adjustments to medical devices, and/or to adjust surgical techniques. An apparatus includes a port to draw a biological fluid (e.g., a mist) from a surgical site. The apparatus includes a sensor having a cantilevered beam. The beam includes substances selected to attract certain biomarkers as the fluid is communicated across the beam. The same apparatus or another apparatus is used to administer a therapeutic agent based at least in part on collected biomarker data. The therapeutic agent delivery apparatus may include a device that is also used to create a wound at a surgical site. For instance, a harmonic surgical instrument may be used to both collect biomarkers and administer a therapeutic agent (e.g., gene therapy using sonoporation).

Abstract: A duodenal sleeve assembly comprises a sleeve, an expandable sealing member, a tether, and an expandable anchor. The sleeve is secured to the sealing member. The tether couples the anchor with the sealing member. A deployment instrument comprises a shaft assembly, a first retention member, and a second retention member. The first retention member selectively secures the sealing member to the shaft assembly. The second retention member selectively secures the anchor to the shaft assembly. When the first retention member is released, the sealing member expands outwardly to seal the proximal end of the sleeve against the mucosa of the patient's duodenum. When the second retention member is released, the anchor expands outwardly within the stomach to anchor the sleeve assembly relative to the stomach. The tether traverses the pylorus. The sleeve isolates chyme from enzymes in the duodenum; and the mucosa of the duodenum from nutrients in the chyme.

Abstract: A suture needle driving instrument comprises a shaft assembly, an end effector, and a grasping actuation assembly. The end effector is located at the distal end of the shaft assembly and includes a pair of grasping arms. Each grasping arm comprises a respective pair of jaws. Each pair of jaws is operable to cooperate to grasp and release a suture needle. The grasping actuation assembly is operable to drive one jaw of each pair in one direction while simultaneously driving the other jaw of the pair in an opposite direction, to selectively grasp or release the suture needle. The shaft assembly includes two pairs of parallel concentric shafts, which form part of the actuation assembly. Each shaft pair is operable to drive a respective internal drive shaft having separate threaded regions with opposing pitch. The instrument may be used through a trocar during minimally invasive surgery.

Abstract: A surgical device comprises an elongate shaft comprising an outer tube and an inner rod positioned in the outer tube, the outer tube and inner rod each comprising a distal end and a proximal end. An actuator is operably connected to the proximal ends of the outer tube and the inner rod. An end effector is adapted for in vivo attachment to and detachment from the distal ends of the outer tube and the inner rod, the end effector comprising a collet for locking engagement with the distal end of the inner rod. The end effector may further comprise a second collet for locking engagement with the outer tube. The surgical device may further comprise a loader comprising a collet for locking the end effector in the loader.

Abstract: A surgical instrument system is disclosed. The surgical instrument system comprises an end effector movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration when a closing motion is applied to the end effector, a firing member configured to perform a staple firing stroke when a firing motion is applied to the firing member, and a handle comprising a closure actuator operable to generate the closing motion and a firing actuator. The surgical instrument system further comprises a motor configured to generate the firing motion, wherein the firing actuator is operable to operate the motor, a lockout configured to prevent the firing member from performing the staple firing stroke prior to the operation of the closure actuator, and a battery positioned in the handle.

Abstract: An apparatus is operable to clamp, cut, and staple tissue. The apparatus includes a stapling head assembly, a shaft assembly coupled to the stapling head assembly, and an actuator handle assembly coupled to the shaft assembly. The stapling head assembly is operable to clamp tissue, cut tissue, and staple tissue in response to rotation imparted by a single rotary drive shaft extending through the shaft assembly. The actuator handle assembly includes a motor positioned within a motor housing, a rotation knob, and a selection assembly. The rotation knob is coupled to a proximal end of the motor housing. The rotation knob is configured to translate between a proximal position and a distal position. The selection assembly is operable to select between motorized operation of the apparatus or manual operation of the apparatus, based on the longitudinal position of the rotation knob.

Abstract: A surgical device. The surgical device may comprise a transducer, an end effector, a generator and a control circuit. The transducer may be configured to provide vibrations. The end effector may be coupled to the transducer and may extend from the transducer along the longitudinal axis. The generator may provide an electrical signal to the transducer. Also, the control circuit may modify a current amplitude of the electrical signal in response to a change in a vibration frequency of the end effector. Accordingly to various embodiments, the control circuit may detect a first contribution to a vibration frequency of the end effector, the first contribution originating from tissue in contact with the end effector. Also, according to various embodiments, the control circuit may indicate a change in a vibration frequency of the end effector.

Abstract: A surgical instrument system can comprise a surgical instrument and an end effector, wherein the end effector can comprise a distal end, a proximal connection portion configured to attach the end effector to the surgical instrument, a first jaw, and a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw, wherein the second jaw is movable between an open orientation, a partially-closed orientation, and a closed orientation. The end effector can further comprise at least one sensor configured to detect the orientation of the second jaw and an array of indicators configured to simulate the orientation of the second jaw.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for operating on tissue. The apparatus includes an end effector having an upper jaw and lower jaw. The upper and lower jaws each include an electrode surface. The apparatus also includes a tissue tacking cartridge coupled to one of either the upper jaw or the lower jaw. The tissue tacking cartridge includes at least one fastener positioned outside of the electrode surfaces. The fastener is operable to be deployed from the tissue tacking cartridge. A tack loading cartridge may also be operable to load the end effector with at least one fastener.

Abstract: A method for encrypted authentication of interchangeable parts of a surgical instrument includes providing a surgical end effector at a distal end of a handle of the surgical instrument and electrically connecting an authentication controller within the handle to a receiving portion of the end effector. An interchangeable part is removably placed at the receiving portion. The interchangeable part is authenticated with the authentication controller when the interchangeable part is seated in the end effector.

Abstract: A surgical instrument. The surgical instrument may comprise a transducer and an end effector. The transducer may be configured to provide vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency and may comprise a piezoelectric stack positioned along the longitudinal axis. The transducer also may comprise a first metallic end mass positioned along the longitudinal axis adjacent a first end of the piezoelectric stack and a second metallic end mass positioned along the longitudinal axis adjacent a second end of the piezoelectric stack. The length of the transducer may be greater than or equal to of one wavelength and less than ½ of one wavelength. The end effector may be coupled to the transducer and may extend along the longitudinal axis. The length of the transducer and the end effector may be a multiple of ½ of one wavelength.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ultrasonic surgical clamping instruments and, more particularly, to a curved clamp arm for use with ultrasonic surgical instruments that have an ultrasonically actuated blade that, in one case, is ultrasonically actuated to have motion in substantially a single plane. The curved clamp arm opens and closes with respect to the blade and also has a plane of curvature that is parallel to the plane of motion of the blade when the clamp arm is in the closed position, and not parallel to the plane of motion of the blade when the clamp arm is in the open position.