Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include various ultrasonic surgical instruments. At least one disclosed surgical instrument includes a waveguide including a blade and a transducer base plate. The transducer base plate may be coupled to the waveguide to define a tapered joint at an interface between the waveguide and the transducer base plate. The transducer base plate may include first and second sides defining corresponding first and second flat faces configured to receive first and second piezoelectric elements. The first and second piezoelectric elements are configured to operate in a D31 mode.

Abstract: A surgical stapling anvil for use with a surgical instrument is disclosed. The anvil comprises an anvil body comprising a tissue-facing surface and a longitudinal cavity. The longitudinal cavity comprises a first cavity portion configured to receive at least a portion of a cutting edge of a firing member of the surgical instrument therethrough, a second cavity portion configured to receive an anvil-engaging portion of the firing member therethrough, and a third cavity portion comprising a first angular surface which flares outward relative to the second cavity portion. The anvil further comprises an anvil cap comprising a first section positioned within a portion of the second cavity portion and a second section positioned within the third cavity portion, wherein the second section comprises a second angular surface corresponding to the first angular surface, and wherein the first angular surface and the second angular surface are welded together.

Abstract: A surgical instrument assembly can comprise a handle including an electric motor, a shaft assembly including a drive member, and a magnet configured to generate a magnetic field. The surgical instrument assembly further comprises, one, a rotatable output shaft operably coupled with the electric motor and the drive member and, two, a wire coil wound around the output shaft which is positioned in the magnetic field. The wire coil is rotated within the magnetic field when the output shaft is rotated about a longitudinal axis which induces a current in the wire coil. The surgical instrument assembly further comprises a strain gauge mounted to the output shaft configured to detect strain created within the output shaft and, in addition, a circuit mounted to the output shaft, wherein the circuit and/or the strain gauge is powered by the current induced in the wire coil.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed comprising a shaft and an end effector rotatably connected to the shaft about an articulation joint. The surgical instrument comprises a plurality of rotation joints which can be simultaneously operated to maintain the alignment of a portion of the surgical instrument relative to the patient tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating on tissue comprises a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, and an end effector. The acoustic waveguide extends along the shaft and is configured to transmit ultrasonic vibration. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide. The clamp arm is pivotable toward the ultrasonic blade. The end effector defines a first longitudinal region and a second longitudinal region. The end effector is configured to clamp tissue between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade in the first longitudinal region. The end effector is configured to sever tissue with the ultrasonic blade in the second longitudinal region.

Abstract: Disclosed is an infinitely adjustable depth stop for a laparascopic instrument having a shaft, the depth stop including a first component having a first annular space adapted to allow the shaft to be fitted therethrough. The first annular space has a reducible diameter and an interference surface against which the shaft may be fitted. Upon reduction of the reducible diameter, the interference surface frictionally engages the shaft to arrest relative movement of the depth stop along the shaft. The frictional engagement may be along a curve, a spiral curve, or an area. Means are also provided to reopen the reducible diameter to release the depth stop.

Abstract: Surgical systems and methods are provided for controlling actuation and movement of various surgical devices.

Abstract: An adjunct loading system is provided that can include at least one adjunct material configured to be transferred from an adjunct loading member to first and second jaws of an end effector. The loading system can also include a supporting member configured to releasably retain the adjunct material. The loading system can further include an adhesive depot having an adhesive configured to transition from a non-flowable state to a flowable state upon application of heat when the adjunct material is released from the adjunct loading member and transferred to the jaw to retain the adjunct material on the jaw. The adjunct material is released from the adjunct loading member when load is applied thereto. The adhesive depot can be in the form of an adhesive feature formed on a polymer attachment layer or in the form of reservoirs in the supporting member.

Abstract: Surgical devices and methods are provided that utilize an end effector biased to a closed position when an actuator of the device is biased in an uncompressed configuration. End effectors according to the present disclosure can include first and second jaws that can be moved from the biased closed position to an open position by compressing the actuator from the uncompressed configuration and towards a compressed configuration. Various force assemblies and related components are provided that allow the device to achieve two end effector actuation profiles: (1) moving from a closed position and to an open position; and (2) moving from a closed position, to an open position, and back to the closed position. Various structures and methods for operating such devices during a surgical procedure are also provided.

Abstract: A surgical device comprising a first clamping member, a second clamping member, an electric motor, and a control system is disclosed. The electric motor is configured to drive at least one of the first clamping member and the second clamping member toward a predetermined tissue gap between the first clamping member and the second clamping member to clamp the tissue of a patient. The control system is configured to monitor a parameter of the electric motor. The parameter is indicative of a clamping force exerted to the tissue by the first clamping member and the second clamping member. The control system is further configured to control the electric motor based on the parameter to limit the clamping force to a predetermined maximum limit.

Abstract: Various forms are directed to systems and methods for dissection and coagulation of tissue. A surgical instrument includes an end effector configured to dissect and seal tissue at a distal end thereof, and a generator that is electrically coupled to the surgical instrument and that is configured to deliver energy to the end effector. The surgical instrument includes an end effector configured to interact with a tissue at a distal end thereof, a generator electrically coupled to the surgical instrument and configured to deliver radio frequency (RF) energy and ultrasonic energy to the end effector to allow the end effector to interact with the tissue. The energy delivered to the end effector switches between RF energy and ultrasonic energy based on a determination of various factors such as tissue impedance.

Abstract: A surgical stapling system comprising a motorized system configured to generate a low torque rotary motion during a first operating mode and a high torque rotary motion during a second operating mode, a control system configured to switch between the first and second operating modes, an end effector, a drive member, and a rotatable member operably coupled with the motorized system and in operable engagement with the drive member is disclosed. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw between an open position and a clamped position. The high torque rotary motion from the motorized system moves the drive member to drive the second iaw toward the clamped position. An opposite rotary motion from the motorized system moves the drive member in an opposite direction to release the second jaw and allow the second jaw to move toward the open position.

Abstract: A device that is inserted through the abdominal wall and into the digestive tract of a human is disclosed. The device may be placed through a method such as percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). The device includes a gastrostomy style structure that provides fluid communication with the external environment of the patient with the internal contents of the stomach. The device is produced with a series of slotted collection channels that preferentially, when connected to a source of negative relative pressure, directs a significant volume of the high calorie fluidic components of the chyme out of the digestive tract, preventing exposure to the absorptive tissues of the digestive tract when simple sugars and carbohydrates are consumed.

Abstract: Various systems and methods of controlling a surgical instrument to provide alerts according to the operational state of the instrument and the velocity of a displacement member are disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a displacement member movable between a first position and a second position and a sensor configured to detect a position of the displacement member and provide a signal indicative thereof. The surgical instrument is configured to determine a velocity of the displacement member and, upon the velocity being equal to zero, provide an alert according to the operational state of the instrument and the relative position of the displacement member in its stroke. The alert can include an image that is displayed on the display of the instrument.

Abstract: A surgical stapler can comprise an anvil comprising a staple pocket formed in a tissue contacting surface. The staple pocket can comprise a midline or centerline, a first forming cup, and a second forming cup. The first forming cup can comprise a first interior sidewall comprising a first vertical portion which is substantially perpendicular to the tissue contacting surface. The second forming cup can comprise a second interior sidewall comprising a second vertical portion which is substantially perpendicular to the tissue contacting surface. The first vertical portion and the second vertical portion can extend through the centerline, wherein the first interior sidewall and the second interior sidewall can comprise a trap for deforming a first staple leg of a staple to a first side of the centerline and for deforming a second staple leg of the staple to a second side of the centerline.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to agents and devices for promoting hemostasis and tissue sealing and, more particularly, to hemostatic pads comprising bioabsorbable scaffolds that can deliver lyophilized hemostasis promoting proteins, such as fibrinogen and thrombin, to a wound site or injured organ or tissue.

Abstract: A method for operating a surgical instrument is disclosed.

Abstract: An end effector for a surgical clip applier includes a body having, a clip revolver rotatably coupled within a bore of the body and containing one or more surgical clips, a torsion member constrained between the body and the clip revolver to exert rotational force on the clip revolver, and a clip advancer that is slidingly coupled within an inner bore of the clip revolver. The inner bore of the clip revolver includes a plurality of grooves in which the clip advancer may translate. The clip advancer aligns with a distal-most surgical clip as it travels within a first of the grooves. The torsion member rotates the clip revolver as the clip advancer travels distally from the first groove so that the clip advancer travels into a second groove of the grooves, such that the clip advancer is in alignment with a second distal-most surgical clip.