Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a fluid cooled ultrasonic surgical instrument and related systems and methods of use therefor. In some embodiments, the disclosed ultrasonic surgical instrument is adapted for used within an insufflated cavity or pneumoperitoneum of a patient. The instrument includes a housing having an elongate shaft, a waveguide disposed at a distal end of the shaft, a coolant inlet port defined in an outer surface of the housing, and a coolant pump disposed within the housing and configured to move coolant from the coolant inlet port to the waveguide. During use, insufflation gas from within the pneumoperitoneum is drawn into the instrument shaft by the coolant pump, and blown over the waveguide to provide cooling. The delivery of ultrasonic energy and activation of the pump may be controlled by a processor in response to user input and waveguide temperature.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical apparatus and method, the apparatus including a signal generator outputting a drive signal having a frequency, an oscillating structure, receiving the drive signal and oscillating at the frequency of the drive signal, and a bridge circuit, detecting the mechanical motion of the oscillating structure and outputting a signal representative of the mechanical motion. The ultrasonic surgical apparatus also includes a microcontroller receiving the signal output by the bridge circuit, the microcontroller determining an instantaneous frequency at which the oscillating structure is oscillating based on the received signal, and determining a frequency adjustment necessary to maintain the oscillating structure oscillating at its resonance frequency, the microcontroller further determining the quality (Q value) of the signal received from the bridge circuit and determining material type contacting the oscillating structure.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a shaft extending distally from the housing, an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end of the shaft and configured to supply energy to tissue to treat tissue, a knife slidably disposed within the shaft and movable relative to the end effector assembly between a retracted position and an extended position, and a trigger operably coupled to the housing. The trigger is selectively activatable from a neutral position to a laterally pivoted position to supply energy to the end effector assembly and is selectively actuatable from a distal position to a proximally pivoted position to deploy the knife from the retracted position to the extended position. In the laterally pivoted position of the trigger, actuation of the trigger is inhibited. In the proximally pivoted position of the trigger, activation of the trigger is inhibited.

Abstract: A surgical instrument end effector assembly includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The second jaw member includes an ultrasonic blade body and first and second electrodes disposed on either side of the ultrasonic blade body and extending longitudinally along a majority of a length of the ultrasonic blade body. The ultrasonic blade body is adapted to receive ultrasonic energy from an ultrasonic waveguide. The first and second electrodes taper in width proximally to distally and are adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy. The first jaw member is movable relative to the second jaw member between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween.

Abstract: A forceps includes a handle, a shaft having a proximal end coupled to the handle, and an end effector assembly coupled to a distal end of the shaft. The forceps includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member for grasping tissue therebetween. One or both of the first and second jaw members may include one or more needles extending therefrom. The one or more needles are in fluid communication with a fluid conduit extending along one or both of the first and second jaw members. The fluid conduit couples to a source of contrast agent to enable selective delivery of the contrast agent through the one or more needles.

Abstract: An endoscopic instrument is provided and includes a housing including an elongated shaft assembly extending distally therefrom. The elongated shaft assembly includes inner and outer shaft members. The inner and outer shaft members are removably coupled to the housing and the outer shaft member is movable with respect to the inner shaft member. An end effector is operably supported at the distal end of the outer shaft member and includes a pair of jaw members configured for treating tissue. A bushing operably couples to the inner and outer shaft members of the shaft assembly and selectively and releasably couples to the housing. The bushing includes one or more mechanical interfaces configured to engage one or more slots defined through the inner shaft member and one or more slots defined through the outer shaft member to release the inner and outer shaft members from the housing.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument is provided. The ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a housing having an elongated shaft extending therefrom. The shaft has a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. The jaw member is movable between an open configuration and a clamping configuration and includes a tissue contacting surface thereon. A cutting blade extends from a distal end of the shaft and operably couples to the housing and adjacent the jaw member to treat tissue. At least one sensor is configured to sense at least one operational parameter of the ultrasonic surgical instrument. At least one controller in operable communication with the at least one sensor is configured to terminate delivery of ultrasonic energy to the cutting blade when the at least one sensor senses the at least one operational parameter.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical apparatus and method, the apparatus including a signal generator outputting a drive signal having a frequency, an oscillating structure, receiving the drive signal and oscillating at the frequency of the drive signal, and a bridge circuit, detecting the mechanical motion of the oscillating structure and outputting a signal representative of the mechanical motion. The ultrasonic surgical apparatus also includes a microcontroller receiving the signal output by the bridge circuit, the microcontroller determining an instantaneous frequency at which the oscillating structure is oscillating based on the received signal, and determining a frequency adjustment necessary to maintain the oscillating structure oscillating at its resonance frequency, the microcontroller further determining the quality (Q value) of the signal received from the bridge circuit and determining material type contacting the oscillating structure.

Abstract: A forceps includes a handle, a shaft having a proximal end coupled to the handle, and an end effector assembly coupled to a distal end of the shaft. The forceps includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member for grasping tissue therebetween. One or both of the first and second jaw members may include one or more needles extending therefrom. The one or more needles are in fluid communication with a fluid conduit extending along one or both of the first and second jaw members. The fluid conduit couples to a source of contrast agent to enable selective delivery of the contrast agent through the one or more needles.

Abstract: An endoscopic instrument is provided and includes a housing including an elongated shaft assembly extending distally therefrom. The elongated shaft assembly includes inner and outer shaft members. The inner and outer shaft members are removably coupled to the housing and the outer shaft member is movable with respect to the inner shaft member. An end effector is operably supported at the distal end of the outer shaft member and includes a pair of jaw members configured for treating tissue. A bushing operably couples to the inner and outer shaft members of the shaft assembly and selectively and releasably couples to the housing. The bushing includes one or more mechanical interfaces configured to engage one or more slots defined through the inner shaft member and one or more slots defined through the outer shaft member to release the inner and outer shaft members from the housing.

Abstract: A method for coupling a body conduit to tissue includes engaging an implant about an outer surface of a catheter. The implant receives a bioactive agent having tissue growth properties. The method involves inserting the catheter through the body conduit and into a tissue opening across a resected area, positioning the implant in the resected area, inflating a balloon to anchor the catheter within the tissue opening such that the implant bridges the body conduit and the tissue opening across the resected area, and maintaining the catheter and the implant in vivo to enable the bioactive agent to secure the implant in the resected area to permanently bridge the body conduit and the tissue opening.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical apparatus and method, the apparatus including a signal generator outputting a drive signal having a frequency, an oscillating structure, receiving the drive signal and oscillating at the frequency of the drive signal, and a bridge circuit, detecting the mechanical motion of the oscillating structure and outputting a signal representative of the mechanical motion. The ultrasonic surgical apparatus also includes a microcontroller receiving the signal output by the bridge circuit, the microcontroller determining an instantaneous frequency at which the oscillating structure is oscillating based on the received signal, and determining a frequency adjustment necessary to maintain the oscillating structure oscillating at its resonance frequency, the microcontroller further determining the quality (Q value) of the signal received from the bridge circuit and determining material type contacting the oscillating structure.

Abstract: A method of treating bowel diseases includes introducing a fluid into a portion of a patient's colon and applying energy thereto from an external energy source such that the fluid and the energy cooperate to treat tissue of the portion of the patient's colon in contact with the fluid. Another method of treating inflammatory bowel diseases includes sealing a portion of a patient's colon, introducing an electrically-conductive fluid thereto, and energizing an electrode disposed therein to treat tissue of the portion of the patient's colon in contact with the electrically-conductive fluid. Another method of treating inflammatory bowel diseases includes sealing a portion of a patient's colon and introducing a heated fluid at a temperature equal to or above 60° C. to treat tissue of the portion of the patient's colon in contact with the heated fluid.

Abstract: A surgical device includes a handle assembly, an elongated portion, an end effector, a visualization device, and a constant horizon mechanism. The elongated portion extends distally from the handle assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. The end effector is rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the handle assembly. The visualization device defines a visualization axis. A first portion of the visualization device extends through the elongated portion, and a second portion of the visualization device is disposed at least partially within the handle assembly. The visualization device is rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to the handle assembly. The constant horizon mechanism is disposed in operative engagement with the visualization device and is configured to prevent the visualization device from rotating about the visualization axis when the visualization device rotates about the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument is provided, including a handpiece, a lever operably coupled to the handpiece and movable between first, second, and third positions, a shaft assembly extending distally from the handpiece, and an ultrasonic waveguide extending through the shaft assembly and defining a fixed jaw member at a distal end portion thereof. An outlet at the distal end of the fixed jaw member provides irrigation of fluid. The waveguide functions as an aspirator well as a transector/dissector of tissue. A movable jaw member is disposed towards a distal end portion of the shaft assembly and is operably coupled to the lever such that movement of the lever between the first, second, and third positions moves the movable jaw member relative to the fixed jaw member between a retracted position, an extended open position, and an extended closed position.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument is provided, including a handpiece, a lever operably coupled to the handpiece and movable between first, second, and third positions, a shaft assembly extending distally from the handpiece, and an ultrasonic waveguide extending through the shaft assembly and defining a fixed jaw member at a distal end portion thereof. An outlet at the distal end of the fixed jaw member provides irrigation of fluid. The waveguide functions as an aspirator well as a transector/dissector of tissue. A movable jaw member is disposed towards a distal end portion of the shaft assembly and is operably coupled to the lever such that movement of the lever between the first, second, and third positions moves the movable jaw member relative to the fixed jaw member between a retracted position, an extended open position, and an extended closed position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument end effector assembly includes a first jaw member defining an insulative tissue-contacting surface and first and second electrically-conductive tissue-contacting surfaces, and a second jaw member positioned including an ultrasonic blade body and defining at least one electrically-conductive tissue-contacting surface. The first jaw member is movable relative to the second jaw member between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position to grasp tissue therebetween. The second jaw member is movable relative to the first jaw member between a first configuration, to facilitate transmission of ultrasonic energy to tissue grasped between the first and second jaw members, and a second configuration, to facilitate conduction of electrosurgical energy through tissue grasped between the first and second jaw members.

Abstract: A surgical instrument end effector assembly includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The second jaw member includes an ultrasonic blade body and first and second electrodes disposed on either side of the ultrasonic blade body and extending longitudinally along a majority of a length of the ultrasonic blade body. The ultrasonic blade body is adapted to receive ultrasonic energy from an ultrasonic waveguide. The first and second electrodes taper in width proximally to distally and are adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy. The first jaw member is movable relative to the second jaw member between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a transducer assembly having a distal engagement member and configured to supply ultrasonic energy. A waveguide defines a longitudinal axis and has a proximal engagement member configured to threadingly engage the distal engagement member. The waveguide is configured to transmit the ultrasonic energy therealong to a distal end thereof for treating tissue. A torque member is coupled to the transducer assembly and is disposed about the longitudinal axis. The torque member is selectively rotatable about the longitudinal axis and relative to the waveguide to threadingly engage the transducer assembly and the waveguide to one another. The torque member includes a plurality of fingers pivotably coupled thereto and movable between a closed position and an open position. In the open position, each finger extends substantially perpendicularly from the longitudinal axis to define a moment arm that facilitates the engagement of the transducer assembly and the waveguide.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical system includes an ultrasonic generator configured to output a drive signal, an ultrasonic transducer configured to receive the drive signal and output mechanical motion, a waveguide configured to transmit the mechanical motion to a blade disposed at a distal end portion thereof, a sensor, and a controller. The blade is configured to oscillate in response to receipt of the mechanical motion and defines a displacement when oscillating. The sensor is configured to sense a property indicative of tension on tissue and the controller is configured to adjust the drive signal to thereby adjust the displacement based upon the sensed property. A method of treating tissue includes applying a drive signal to an ultrasonic transducer to oscillate an ultrasonic blade, sensing a property indicative of a tension on the tissue, and adjusting the drive signal based upon the sensed property to thereby adjust the displacement of the blade.