Abstract: An end effector of an electrosurgical device may include a discharge port in communication with a first fluid path, an aspiration port in communication with a second fluid path, a first and second electrode, and a diverter in mechanical communication with the two electrodes. The diverter may receive, on its surface, a fluid emitted by the discharge port, and maintain a contact of the fluid with the first and second electrodes. The diverter may be further configured to prevent an aspiration, by the aspiration port, of the fluid on its surface. An electrosurgical device may include a source port in communication with a first fluid path, an evacuation port in communication with a second fluid path, a first and second electrode, and a housing. The device may include a shaft extending distally from the housing and the end effector as described above.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for use during a surgical procedure includes an instrument body, an ultrasonic transducer assembly extending along a longitudinal axis, a power cord, and a transducer slip joint. The ultrasonic transducer assembly is rotatably mounted within the instrument body about the longitudinal axis and defines a first outer profile. The power cord projects from the instrument body to provide electrical power to the ultrasonic transducer assembly for operating an acoustic waveguide. The transducer slip joint is positioned between the power cord and the ultrasonic transducer assembly and electrically and mechanically connects the power cord to the ultrasonic transducer assembly. The ultrasonic transducer assembly selectively rotates relative to the power cord for inhibiting the power cord from winding upon rotation of the ultrasonic transducer assembly. The transducer slip joint also defines a second outer profile that fits within the first outer profile of the ultrasonic transducer assembly.

Abstract: A staple cartridge is disclosed including a cartridge body including a longitudinal slot. A plurality of staple cavities are arranged in a plurality of rows. The plurality of rows includes a first row, a second row, and a third row positioned on a first side of the longitudinal slot. The first row includes a first staple obliquely-oriented relative to the longitudinal slot and is configured to rotate a first amount when stapled into tissue. The second row includes a second staple obliquely-oriented relative to the longitudinal slot and is configured to rotate a second amount when stapled into tissue. The third row includes a third staple obliquely-oriented relative to said longitudinal slot and is configured to rotate a third amount when stapled into tissue. The third amount is different than the first amount.

Abstract: A method of generating electrical signal waveforms. A generator includes a digital processing circuit, a memory circuit in communication with the digital processing circuit defining a lookup table, a digital synthesis circuit in communication with the digital processing circuit and the memory circuit, and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuit. The method includes generating a first and second digital electrical signal waveforms, combining the first and second waveforms to form a combined waveform, modifying the combined waveform to form a modified waveform The peak amplitude of the modified waveform does not exceed a predetermined amplitude value. The method includes generating a second waveform that is a function of the first waveform. The method includes modifying a frequency of the first waveform to form a frequency modified first waveform and combining the frequency modified first and second waveforms to form a combined waveform.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, an end effector, a trocar, and an anvil. The anvil head includes an annular surface defining a plurality of staple forming pockets. The plurality of staple forming pockets are configured to deform the plurality of staples when the anvil is in the staple forming position. The shank extends proximally from the annular stapling head. The shank and the anvil head cooperatively define a bore dimensioned to receive a portion of the trocar. The shank defines a lateral opening. The latch member is pivotally coupled with the shank via a living hinge. The latch member comprises a latch shelf configured to selectively couple the anvil with trocar when the trocar is inserted into the bore.

Abstract: Surgical systems can include evacuation systems for evacuating smoke, fluid, and/or particulates from a surgical site. A surgical evacuation system can be intelligent and may include one or more sensors for detecting one or more properties of the surgical system, evacuation system, surgical procedure, surgical site, and/or patient tissue, for example. Communication among devices in the surgical system may include a surgical evacuation system acquiring a value of a parameter and transmitting the value of the parameter to a cloud computing network or a surgical hub. The cloud computing network or surgical hub may process the value of the parameter, determine an impact of the value of the parameter on the surgical evacuation system or a modular device, and send an instruction to adjust operation to the surgical evacuation system or the modular device. The surgical evacuation system or the modular device will adjust operation based on the instruction.

Abstract: A trocar assembly includes a trocar housing that defines a working chamber, and a cannula having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a lumen that extends between the proximal and distal ends. The cannula is coupled to the trocar housing at the proximal end to facilitate communication between the lumen and the working chamber. A radial biasing device is arranged at or near the distal end of the cannula and includes an annular body coupled to the cannula and a compliant stabilizing member transitionable between a relaxed position and an extended position when acted upon by a surgical tool introduced into the lumen and passing through the compliant stabilizing member.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a control circuit for a radio frequency drive of an electrosurgical device is disclosed comprising a voltage data input configured to receive voltage data, a current data input configured to receive current data, and a switching signal output configured to source a switching signal. The control circuit is configured to adjust a frequency of the switching signal based on the voltage data and the current data. The radio frequency drive comprising a transformer comprising a first tap, a second tap, a third tap, a first portion of a primary coil, a second portion of the primary coil, and a secondary coil. Two of the first, second, and third taps are selected to drive the primary coil between the two selected taps.

Abstract: A laparoscopic stapler for stapling tissue is proved. The laparoscopic stapler comprises a flippable anvil assembly and a flippable staple housing assembly which can be moved with respect to the flippable anvil assembly, wherein the anvil assembly and the staple housing assembly are respectively configured to be operable in a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein in the first configuration, the anvil assembly and the staple housing assembly both have a low profile so that the anvil assembly and the staple housing assembly can be delivered separately through a 12 mm trocar, and in the second configuration, the anvil assembly and the staple housing assembly has a high profile for performing tissue stapling.

Abstract: A stapling system comprising an end effector, a staple cartridge, a rigid shaft, an articulation joint, an articulation system, a clamping member, and a firing system comprising a sled movable within the staple cartridge to eject staples from the staple cartridge during a staple firing stroke, an electric motor, and a firing actuator is disclosed. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw rotatable relative to the first jaw between an unclamped position and a clamped position. The clamping member is configured to rotate the second iaw into the clamped position. The stapling system further comprises a system responsive to the clamping of the second iaw which enables the staple firing stroke to be performed after the second jaw has been rotated into the clamped position, and a system configured to maintain an orientation of the end effector about the articulation joint during the staple firing stroke.

Abstract: An end effector for use with a surgical instrument. The end effector includes first and second jaws that are pivotally interconnected and moved between open and closed positions by a firing member. One or both of the jaws are configured with jaw stiffener features that are adapted to permit a user to monitor movement of the firing member during use.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a shaft assembly and an articulation control assembly. The shaft assembly includes an articulation section that is configured to deflect a distal end portion from the longitudinal axis. The articulation control assembly includes an articulation control member and a transmission assembly. The articulation control member is rotatably mounted relative to the shaft assembly. The transmission assembly is operatively connected between the articulation control member and the articulation section of the shaft assembly. The transmission assembly is configured to transmit selective manipulation of the articulation control member to the articulation section and selectively actuate the articulation section.

Abstract: A shaft assembly for a surgical instrument that includes a movable drive member. In at least one form, the surgical instrument includes a spine assembly that is couplable to the surgical instrument and has a surgical end effector coupled thereto by an articulation joint. The shaft assembly in one form includes a proximal firing member and an intermediate firing member that is coupled to a distal firing member. The distal firing member is configured for selective travel through the surgical end effector. At least one articulation driver is coupled to the surgical end effector to apply articulation motions thereto. A clutch assembly interfaces with the primary and intermediate firing members and the articulation driver such that when in an articulation orientation, movement of the drive member results in movement of the articulation driver and when in a firing orientation, movement of the drive member results in movement of the intermediate and distal firing members.

Abstract: A surgical instrument can include an anvil and, in addition, a staple cartridge support configured to support a staple cartridge. In various embodiments, the jaw can be moved toward the staple cartridge to deform staples contained within the staple cartridge. The anvil can be configured to be translated and/or rotated as the anvil is moved toward the staple cartridge. In certain embodiments, the anvil can be configured to float and adjust such that the anvil is moved downwardly in a level manner.

Abstract: A surgical tool for use with a surgical instrument including a handle assembly and an elongated body defining a longitudinal axis and a drive system is disclosed. The surgical tool comprises a carrier removably couplable to the elongated body, an anvil movably supported for selective movement relative to the carrier in response to drive motions from the drive system, a tissue thickness measuring member movably supported in the carrier and configured to move toward and away from an underside of the anvil in a direction that is transverse to the longitudinal axis, and a sensor arrangement supported between the tissue thickness measuring member and the carrier. The sensor arrangement is configured to interface with an indicator member to provide an indication of a thickness of tissue clamped between the anvil and the tissue thickness measuring member at a location that is proximal to the anvil when in use.

Abstract: Surgical access devices are provided having jaw assemblies that maintain a uniform spacing between the jaws and are electrically isolated from each other in a closed configuration. The devices provided for generally include one or more electrically insulative stops associated with a tissue engaging surface of one of the jaws, with the stops being configured to engage the tissue engaging surface of the opposed jaw. The stops set a uniform spacing between the jaws in the closed configuration, and provide electrical isolation. The stops can be disposed in intermediate, proximal, and/or distal portions of the jaw(s), and can be disposed at multiple locations of the jaw(s). The stops can come in many different forms and can be associated with jaws using a variety of techniques. Further, other embodiments, as well as methods for clamping tissue by providing a uniform gap between jaws during each closure stroke, are also provided.