Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body assembly, a waveguide, a transducer, and a coupling assembly. In some versions the coupling assembly translates the transducer to couple the transducer to the waveguide. For instance, a gear having arcuate troughs may engage pins on the transducer and/or waveguide to mate the transducer to waveguide. A pawl may selectively engage and prevent rotation of the gear. Alternatively, lever arms may cam the transducer into the waveguide. The lever arms may selectively couple to a casing to prevent decoupling of the transducer and waveguide. In another configuration, a locking tab can be slid and locked into a slot to couple the transducer and waveguide. Further still, levers with self-locking pins may engage and couple the transducer to the waveguide. In another version, a rotatable body portion may engage a tab on the transducer to rotate and couple the transducer to the waveguide.

Abstract: Surgical stapling systems and methods for stapling tissue during a surgical procedure are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a control system is provided for controlling at least one motor coupled to a drive system on a surgical stapling device for driving one or more drive assemblies. The control system can be configured to communicate with the drive system of the stapling tool and to control and modify movement of one or more drive assemblies based on certain feedback.

Abstract: An end effector is disclosed. The end effector includes a first jaw member. The first jaw member comprises a first electrode. The first jaw member defines a first aperture at a distal end. The end effector includes a second jaw member. The second jaw member comprises a second electrode. The second jaw member defines a second aperture at a distal end. The second jaw member is operatively coupled to the first jaw member. The first and second apertures are configured to define a single aperture when the first and second jaw members are in a closed position. The first and second electrodes are configured to deliver energy.

Abstract: A method of controlling motor velocity in a surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a displacement member, a motor coupled to the displacement member, a control circuit coupled to the motor, a position sensor coupled to the control circuit, and a timer coupled to the control circuit. The method includes receiving a first position of a displacement member from a position sensor, starting a timer, advancing the displacement member to a second position by setting a motor velocity to a first velocity, receiving the second position from the position sensor, stopping the timer when the displacement member reaches the second position, receiving elapsed time from the timer, wherein the elapsed time is the time taken by the displacement to move from the first position to the second position, and controlling, by the control circuit, velocity of the motor based on the elapsed time.

Abstract: A surgical incision drape, comprises a flexible substantially flat areal substrate having an upper side and an opposing tissue-facing side, having a longitudinal axis and a pressure sensitive adhesive disposed on the tissue-facing side; at least one hollow microtubular compartment containing a flowable medical agent, said hollow microtubular compartment positioned to intersect the longitudinal axis and embedded into the substrate or positioned on the substrate.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical shears includes an ultrasonic surgical blade, a clamping arm operable to open and close toward the blade, and a tissue pad attached to the clamping arm. A method for sealing a blood vessel of a patient includes obtaining an ultrasonic surgical shears and positioning the blood vessel between the blade and the tissue pad. The clamping arm is operated to exert an average coaptation pressure between and including 120 psi and 210 psi. The blade is ultrasonically vibrated to transect and seal the blood vessel.

Abstract: A stapling instrument for use with a surgical robot is disclosed. The stapling instrument comprises an interface including a plurality of rotary members, a shaft rotatable about a longitudinal axis by a first rotary member, an end effector rotatably connected to the shaft about an articulation joint, an articulation cable, a coupling member, and a firing cable. The end effector comprises a first jaw, a second jaw, and a staple cartridge comprising staples. The articulation cable operably connects to a second rotary member and is operable to pull the articulation cable and articulate the end effector. The coupling member is movable through a first stroke to move the second jaw toward the first jaw and movable through a second stroke to fire the staples. The firing cable operably connects to a third rotary member and is operable to drive the coupling member through the first stroke and the second stroke.

Abstract: A novel two-step process for batch coating surgical needles with cross-linked silicone coatings is disclosed. The surgical needles are cured using a two-step process. The coatings on the needles are partially cured in the first step and mechanically separated. The coatings on the needles are then fully cured in the second step.

Abstract: A surgical instrument system that includes a housing and a rotatable drive shaft, a motor operably coupled to the drive shaft, and a plurality of replaceable end effectors that can be connected to the housing. Each replaceable end effector includes a drive screw that is turned a fixed number of revolutions by the motor-driven rotatable drive shaft when the end effector is connected to the housing. Each end effector further comprises a firing member operably coupled with the drive screw of the end effector. The drive screw is configured to displace the firing member over a firing length as a result of the fixed number of revolutions. In certain embodiments, each replaceable end effector can include a drive screw with a thread pitch set to the firing length divided by the fixed number of revolutions.

Abstract: A handle assembly includes two arms and a latching lever. An end effector includes two jaws. A firing assembly includes an actuating beam, a proximal body, and two levers. The actuating beam is slidable relative to the handle assembly and the end effector. The proximal body is coupled to the actuating beam and is housed within either the first arm or the second arm. The first lever is configured to move between a first laterally extending position and a first non-obtrusive position. The first lever is configured to drive the actuating beam and the proximal body relative to the handle assembly in the first laterally extending position. The second lever is configured to move between a second laterally extending position and a second non-obtrusive position. The second lever is configured to drive the actuating beam and the proximal body relative to the handle assembly in the second laterally extending position.

Abstract: Offset illumination using multiple emitters in a fluorescence imaging system is described. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an image sensor comprising a pixel array for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The emitter comprises a first emitter and a second emitter for emitting different wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 770 nm to about 795 nm and/or from about 795 nm to about 815 nm.

Abstract: Offset illumination using multiple emitters in a fluorescence imaging system is described. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an image sensor comprising a pixel array for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The emitter comprises a first emitter and a second emitter for emitting different wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 795 nm to about 815 nm.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for laser mapping and color imaging with increased dynamic range 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 a plurality of pixels each configurable as a short exposure pixel or a long exposure pixel. The system includes a controller comprising a processor in electrical communication with the image sensor and the emitter. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises a laser mapping pattern.

Abstract: Laser mapping imaging and videostroboscopy is described. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an image sensor comprising a pixel array for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The system includes a controller configured to cause the emitter to emit the pulses of electromagnetic radiation at a strobing frequency determined based on a vibration frequency of vocal cords of a user. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises a laser mapping pattern.

Abstract: Pulsed hyperspectral, fluorescence, and laser mapping imaging without input clock or data transmission clock is 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. The system includes a plurality of bidirectional data pads and a controller in communication with the image sensor. 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, from about 565 nm to about 585 nm, 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: Pulsed laser mapping imaging without input clock or data transmission clock is 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. The system includes a plurality of bidirectional data pads and a controller in communication with the image sensor. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises a laser mapping pattern.

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 to generate a plurality of exposure frames. The method includes applying edge enhancement to edges within an exposure frame of the plurality of exposure frames. The method is such that at least a portion of the plurality of pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises one or more of electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 795 nm to about 815 nm.

Abstract: Minimizing image sensor input/output pads in a pulsed laser mapping imaging system is 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. The system includes a plurality of bidirectional pads comprising an output state for issuing data and an input state for receiving data. The system includes a controller configured to synchronize timing of the emitter and the image sensor. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises a laser mapping pattern.