Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument that includes a handle assembly including at least one user input feature; an ultrasonic transducer supported by the handle assembly, a shaft assembly configured to removably couple with the handle assembly, and a mechanical lockout assembly. The shaft assembly includes a distal end portion. The shaft assembly further includes an end effector extending distally from the distal end portion, and an ultrasonic waveguide configured to be acoustically coupled with the ultrasonic transducer. The mechanical lockout assembly is configured to move between at least an unlocked configuration and a locked configuration. In the locked configuration, the handle assembly and the shaft assembly are only partially coupled together physically preventing the user from activating the instrument using the user input feature.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a handle assembly that includes a handle housing. The handle housing comprises two asymmetric portions, a first portion configured to support mechanical and electrical components of the surgical instrument and a second portion comprising a removable cover.

Abstract: An end effector for use with a surgical instrument is disclosed. The end effector comprises a first jaw, a second jaw moveable relative to the first jaw between an open position and a closed position, a staple cartridge, a wedge sled, and a coupling member. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body, a channel pan, and a cartridge channel. The cartridge body comprises staples, staple drivers, and a cartridge body slot. The channel pan comprises a channel pan slot and a proximal cutout section. The wedge sled is configured to engage the staple drivers and eject the staples from the cartridge body. The coupling member is configured to translate within the cartridge body slot and the channel pan slot. The coupling member is configured to move the second jaw toward the closed position. The coupling member comprises a laterally projecting portion configured to pass through the proximal cutout section.

Abstract: Provided is an antimicrobial composition comprised of at least one degradation product of oxidized cellulose (OC), such as oxidized regenerate cellulose (ORC), and minocycline, methods of preparation thereof and uses thereof.

Abstract: Fluorescence imaging with reduced fixed pattern noise is disclosed. A method includes actuating an emitter to emit a plurality of pulses of electromagnetic radiation and sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation resulting from the plurality of pulses of electromagnetic radiation with a pixel array of an image sensor. The method includes reducing fixed pattern noise in an exposure frame by subtracting a reference frame from the exposure frame. The method is such that at least a portion of the plurality of pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 770 nm to about 790 nm.

Abstract: Hyperspectral, fluorescence, and laser mapping imaging with a minimal area image sensor are disclosed. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an image sensor comprising a pixel array for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation, wherein the pixel array comprises active pixels and optical black pixels. The system includes a black clamp circuit providing offset control for data generated by the pixel array. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises one or more of: electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 513 nm to about 545 nm; electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 565 nm to about 585 nm; electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 900 nm to about 1000 nm; an excitation wavelength of electromagnetic radiation that causes a reagent to fluoresce; or a laser mapping pattern.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for robotic surgery, and in particular for controlling various motions of a tool based on visual indicators. In general, a surgical tool can include an elongate shaft and an end effector coupled to a distal end of the elongate shaft and including first and second jaws. The tool can have at least one visual indicator disposed thereon and configured to indicate a size, position, or speed of movement of the tool or components of the tool.

Abstract: Various systems and methods of controlling a surgical instrument are disclosed. The surgical instrument can include a motor and a control circuit coupled to the motor. The motor can be coupled to a clamping member, which is configured to transition an end effector between an open position and a closed position, cut tissue, and/or eject staples from a staple cartridge in the end effector. The control circuit can be programmed to cause the motor to drive a clamping member at a first rate in a first zone between the first position and the second position and cause the motor to drive the clamping member at a second rate in a second zone between the first position and the second position; wherein the first rate is less than the second rate.

Abstract: Devices and methods are used to modify a metabolic pathway of a digestive system by creating a pathway within the intestinal tract through an anastomosis between a proximal location within the intestinal tract and a distal location within the intestinal tract. In some examples, the small intestine has a first initial length and the created pathway defines a second length of the intestinal tract that is approximately ten to seventy percent of the first initial length of the small intestine.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus, system, and method for managing radio frequency (RF) and ultrasonic signals output by a generator that includes a surgical instrument comprising an RF energy output and an ultrasonic energy output and a circuit configured to receive a combined RF and ultrasonic signal from the generator, where the circuit may be configured to filter frequency content of the combined signal and is configured to provide a first filtered signal to the RF energy output and a second filtered signal to the ultrasonic energy output or the circuit may be configured to switch between outputs of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A surgical clip applier includes a drive housing, an elongate shaft extending distally from the drive housing, and an end effector arranged at a distal end of the shaft. The end effector includes first and second jaw members, a cam slidably engageable with the first and second jaw members, and an actuation cable extending from the drive housing and operatively coupled to the cam. An articulation joint interposes the end effector and the shaft and includes a distal clevis coupled to the end effector, a proximal clevis coupled to a distal end of the shaft, and a spacer interposing the distal and proximal clevises. Longitudinal movement of the actuation cable moves the cam distally to collapse the first and jaw members.

Abstract: The present invention is directed methods of making absorbable poly(p-dioxanone) pellets by melt polymerization of p-dioxanone conducted in a single reactor with a temperature regulator by charging a melt reactor with a mixture of p-dioxanone (PDO) monomer, initiator, catalyst, and optionally a dye; melt polymerizing the mixture in the melt reactor with sufficient agitation of the mixture to allow complete mixing of the monomer and for sufficient time to form a PDO polymer product having an unreacted PDO monomer content of at least 65 mole percent; placing the PDO polymer product under a vacuum to remove at least portion of unreacted PDO; discharging the PDO polymer product from the melt reactor directly into an in-line, underwater pelletizer to produce undried PDO pellets, collecting the undried PDO pellets, and storing the collected PDO pellets in the freezer or a vacuum chamber prior to drying.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a housing, an elongate shaft, a stapling attachment, a motor-driven system, and a control system is disclosed. The stapling attachment comprises a first jaw, a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw from an open position toward a closed position to capture patient tissue, and a staple cartridge comprising staples. The motor-driven system comprises a drive member configured to eject the staples from the staple cartridge during a firing stroke. The drive member comprises a first portion configured to engage the first jaw and a second portion configured to engage the second jaw during the firing stroke. The control system is configured to prevent the drive member from performing the firing stroke when a thickness of tissue captured exceeds a threshold thickness and prevent the drive member from performing the firing stroke when a current draw of the motor-driven system exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: Various trocars and trocar supports are provided for allowing an insufflation port on the trocar to be coupled through the trocar support to an insufflation fluid. In one embodiment, the trocar includes a housing, a cannula extending through the housing, and an insufflation port projecting from the housing. A trocar support is provided having an opening that receives the insufflation port on the housing such that the insufflation port is unobtrusive during use and can be connected and disconnected rapidly.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, an ultrasonic blade, a clamp arm assembly, and a detent assembly. The clamp arm assembly includes a clamp arm pivotably coupled with the body at a pivot assembly. The clamp arm is operable to compress tissue against the ultrasonic blade. The detent assembly is configured to provide tactile resistance to pivotal movement of the clamp arm relative to the body beyond a predefined pivot angle. The detent assembly is configured to permit pivotal movement of the clamp arm relative to the body beyond a predefined pivot angle upon application of a force sufficient to overcome the tactile resistance.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems for preparing and delivering fibrin sealant to a surface and methods of use thereof. In one embodiment, the system comprises: a. a quantity of a liquid mixture disposed within a container, the mixture comprising: I. fibrin or II. fibrinogen and Factor II; and b. a resin bed disposed within a vessel, the vessel capable of being in fluid communication with the container, wherein when in fluid communication, passage of the mixture through the vessel results in modification of the concentration of small molecules inhibitor(s) and/or inducer(s) within the mixture, favoring fibrin clot formation.

Abstract: A surgical stapling assembly configured to be attached to and detached from a powered surgical interface is disclosed. The surgical stapling assembly comprises an attachment interface, a first closure member, a second closure member, a firing member actuatable independently of the first and second closure members, a shaft, and an end effector. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw between an open position, a fully-closed position defining a first gap height, and a collapsed position defining a second gap height. The first closure member is configured to move the second jaw into the fully-closed position and the second closure member is configured to move the second jaw into the collapsed position. The firing member comprises a first flange configured to engage the first jaw and a second flange configured to engage said second jaw.

Abstract: Various exemplary surgical adjuncts with medicants affected by activator materials are provided. In general, an adjunct is provided with at least one medicant that is configured to be activated by an activator material. The adjunct can be delivered to a tissue of a patient, where the adjunct can be implanted. Various activator materials can be configured to activate the at least one medicant retained by the adjunct, the activation causing any one or more of a variety of actions. For example, the at least one medicant can be activated so as to yield at least one of a signal and/or an effect on the adjunct.

Abstract: A surgical tool configured to be interchangeably attached to a first controller interface and a second controller interface that is different from the first controller interface is disclosed.