Abstract: The present disclosure provides a coating applicator operable to apply a coating of a therapeutic agent upon an object comprising an openable and sealable device compartment, a therapeutic agent positioned in communication with the device compartment, an atomizer operable to atomize the therapeutic agent, and a source of vacuum in communication with the device compartment. The coating applicator may further comprise a drier, and the drier may comprise an arrangement to operate the source of vacuum for a time sufficient to promote drying of applied therapeutic agent. Deposition of the atomized therapeutic agent may be promoted by contacting the atomized therapeutic agent while the object is in a chilled condition and by contacting the object with atomized therapeutic agent while the atomized therapeutic agent is in a heated condition. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a coating apparatus and method for applying a coating of a therapeutic agent, comprising an openable and sealable device compartment, a therapeutic agent positioned in communication with the device compartment, a thermal source for vaporizing the therapeutic agent, and a vacuum source in fluid communication with the device compartment.

Abstract: Methods and therapeutics are provided for treating metabolic disorders by increasing activation of brown adipose tissue. Generally, the methods and therapeutics can increase activation of brown adipose tissue to increase energy expenditure and induce weight loss. In one embodiment, a method for increasing activation of brown adipose tissue includes modifying brown adipocytes to express a gene that activates brown adipocytes, such as uncoupling protein 1. In another embodiment, a method for increasing brown adipose tissue activation includes increasing the number of brown adipocytes. This can be accomplished by inducing proliferation of adipocytes in vivo or expanding adipocytes ex vivo, transplanting adipocytes into brown adipose tissue depots or elsewhere and inducing differentiation of adipocyte progenitor cells, such as MSCs, adipocyte progenitor cells, pre-adipocytes and adipocyte precursor cells.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a body assembly, a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, an articulation section, an end effector, and an articulation drive assembly. The shaft extends distally from the body assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. The acoustic waveguide comprises a flexible portion. The articulation section is coupled with the shaft. A portion of the articulation section encompasses the flexible portion of the waveguide. The articulation section comprises a plurality of body portions aligned along the longitudinal axis and a flexible locking member. The flexible locking member is operable to secure the body portions in relation to each other and in relation to the shaft. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the waveguide. The articulation drive assembly is operable to drive articulation of the articulation section to thereby deflect the end effector from the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A surgical clip applier and methods for applying surgical clips to a vessel, duct, shunt, etc., during a surgical procedure are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical clip applier is provided having a housing with a trigger movably coupled thereto and an elongate shaft extending therefrom with opposed jaws formed on a distal end thereof. The trigger is adapted to advance a clip to position the clip between the jaws, and to move the jaws from an open position to a closed position to crimp the clip positioned therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a handle assembly, an end effector, a firing assembly, and a lockout assembly. The handle assembly includes first and second arms and a latching lever. The end effector includes first and second jaws and a staple cartridge. The firing assembly is configured to actuate from a pre-fired proximal position toward a distal position in order to staple and sever tissue captured between the first jaw and the second jaw. The lockout assembly is configured to prevent distal translation of the firing assembly in a locked configuration and allow distal translation of the firing assembly in an unlocked configuration. The latching lever is configured to actuate the lockout assembly from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration in response to the latching lever pivoting the second jaw from a partially closed configuration to a fully closed configuration while the firing assembly is in the pre-fired proximal position.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body assembly, a modular shaft assembly, and a coupling detection assembly. The body assembly includes a control circuit, a battery pack operable to power the control circuit, and a first electrical contact assembly. The modular shaft assembly includes a second electrical contact assembly that is configured to operatively engage the first electrical contact assembly when the modular shaft assembly selectively couples with the body assembly. A detection trigger member is configured to activate a detection activation member such that the detection activation member communicates a first detection signal to the control circuit when the modular shaft assembly selectively couples with the body assembly. The control circuit is configured to verify operative engagement between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact in response to the control circuit receiving the first detection signal.

Abstract: A staple cartridge comprising a cartridge body, a plurality of staples, and an absorbable adjunct releasably secured to the cartridge body is disclosed. A plurality of staple cavities are defined in the cartridge body and the plurality of staples are removably positioned in the staple cavities. The absorbable adjunct comprises a first zone comprising a tissue-supporting surface, a second zone comprising a cartridge body contacting surface, and an intermediate zone position between the first zone and the second zone. The first zone comprises a first compressibility and the second zone comprises a second compressibility that is less than the first compressibility. The intermediate zone comprises a third compressibility greater than the first compressibility.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed comprising a cartridge jaw and a series of windows in the cartridge jaw configured to permit a clinician to observe the firing progress of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: Various exemplary systems, devices, and methods for robotic bi-polar instruments are provided. In general, a surgical tool can include an elongate shaft, an end effector, a wrist that couples the end effector to the shaft at a distal end of the shaft, and a tool housing coupled to a proximal end of the shaft that is configured to control the operation various features associated with the end effector and to operatively couple to a robotic surgical system.

Abstract: An anvil for a surgical end effector is disclosed. The anvil can have a staple-forming surface having a plurality of pockets defined therein. The pockets can be nested. A first pocket can include a proximal cup, a distal cup, and a pocket axis can extend between the proximal cup and the distal cup. The pocket can be asymmetric relative to the pocket axis. A central axis can transect the pocket between the proximal cup and the distal cup. The pocket can also be asymmetric relative to the central axis. The pockets can be obliquely oriented relative to a longitudinal axis of the anvil.

Abstract: An applicator instrument having a reconfigurable handle for dispensing surgical fasteners includes a housing having a proximal end and a distal end, an elongated shaft extending from the housing, a handle coupled with the proximal end of the housing, and a trigger coupled with the handle. The applicator instrument has a firing system including an energy storing assembly that is disposed within the housing, and a gear train disposed within the handle and coupled with the trigger. The trigger is squeezed for commencing a firing cycle and storing energy in the energy storing assembly. The applicator instrument includes a handle reconfiguration actuator having a first position for locking the handle in place relative to the housing and a second position for enabling the handle to rotate relative to the housing between a pistol configuration and an in-line configuration.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a plurality of voice sensors located in a surgical environment and configured to detect sound and generate a first plurality of signals. The surgical system also includes a position indicator, in proximity to a designated user, configured to indicate a first position of the designated user and generate a second signal representative of the first position. The surgical system further includes a processor configured to receive the first plurality of signals and the second signal and determine, based on the first plurality of signals, a second position. The processor is also configured to compare the detected sound with registered voice command of the designated user stored in a memory to verify the designated user's credentials, and send a command signal to a surgical instrument to carry out an operation related to the voice command based on at least one of the verification of the designated user's credentials, the first position and the second position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transparent, absorbent device for the dressing of wounds and insertion sites of percutaneous and drug delivery devices. The device provides 360 degree or complete circumferential protection of a wound or insertion site of a percutaneous or drug delivery device and comprises a hydrogel center and at least one absorbent material. The hydrogel center can optionally comprise a bioactive agent(s).

Abstract: A surgical instrument with separate closure and firing systems for applying closure and firing motions. In one form, the surgical instrument includes a hollow closure member and a firing member. The hollow closure member is configured to move axially between an unactuated position and closure positions. The firing member is supported for axial travel between a starting position in the hollow closure member and an ending position in the surgical end effector. The closure system is configured to apply closure actuation motions to the hollow closure member. The firing system is configured to apply a firing motion to the firing member in order to move the firing member from the starting position to the ending position.

Abstract: A method of adjusting a switch of a device, which comprises using a biasing force-adjusting element, adjusting a magnitude of a biasing force imparted to a switching element of the switch by a biasing element disposed about the switching element, wherein the switching element is movably disposed within an interior cavity of a hollow body of the switch and the biasing force places the switching element in one of a first position and a second position. The first position corresponds to a first electrical state and the second position corresponds to a second electrical state.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device comprises a body, an end effector, a cutting member, and a shaft. The end effector includes a pair of jaws that are operable to deliver RF energy to tissue that is clamped between the jaws. The cutting member is operable to sever tissue that is clamped between the jaws. The shaft extends between the body and the end effector. The shaft includes an articulation section that is operable to selectively position the end effector at non-parallel positions relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. Some versions include a rotation section that is distal to the articulation section. The rotation section is operable to rotate the end effector relative to the articulation section.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector, a shaft assembly, and a torque wrench integrally connected with the shaft assembly. The shaft assembly has an acoustic waveguide extending therethrough and the end effector projects distally from the shaft assembly. The acoustic waveguide has a proximal end portion configured to rotatably couple with an ultrasonic transducer assembly. The torque wrench is configured to transmit torque applied to the acoustic waveguide up to a predetermined torque. A portion of the torque wrench is configured to deflect upon receipt of torque greater than the predetermined torque. Accordingly, the portion of the torque wrench slips relative to the acoustic waveguide for limiting coupling of the acoustic waveguide to the ultrasonic transducer assembly to the predetermined torque.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm assembly. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with an acoustic waveguide of the shaft assembly. The clamp arm assembly is pivotable toward and away from the ultrasonic blade. The clamp arm assembly includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The first and second electrodes are operable to cooperate to apply bipolar RF energy to tissue.