Abstract: Apparatus and method to permit selective cutting and coagulation required in fine and delicate surgical procedures. The apparatus includes two body members having proximal ends and distal ends with jaw members located adjacent the body member's distal ends. The body members are joined at a pivot located adjacent to the first and second jaw members joining the first and second body members where the body members' rotation about the pivot defines a plane of rotation. The scissors are adapted for selective application of energy to at least one jaw member by a switch located in the plane of rotation.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises an instrument body, an end effector, and a control module. The end effector is in communication with the handle assembly. The end effector is operable for use in a surgical procedure. The control module is in communication with the end effector. The end effector with the control module is able to deliver surgical energy as well as nerve excitation energy to a surgical site. A surgeon may detect stimulation of nervous tissue by visually observing the tissue twitch, and may adjust surgical technique accordingly. A sensor may be used to detect excitation of nervous tissue based on excitation caused by the nerve excitation energy.

Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument includes a body and a shaft assembly extending distally from the body. The shaft assembly includes an acoustic waveguide. The instrument further includes an end effector including an ultrasonic blade. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide. The instrument further includes a sensor configured to sense at least one characteristic of the shaft assembly and/or the end effector. The end effector is configured to be activated at varying power levels based on the at least one characteristic sensed by the sensor.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a first power source and a second power source. The first power source is configured to deliver power to a surgical instrument at a first rate of discharge. The second power source is configured to deliver power to the first power source at a second rate of discharge. The first power source and the second power source are positioned within the surgical instrument. The first power source and the second power source are further configured to communicate with a control module. The control module may rely on power from the first power source to drive an end effector of the surgical instrument. The end effector may comprise a harmonic/ultrasonic blade, RF electrosurgical electrodes, powered cutting/stapling features, and/or various other types of components.

Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument comprises an ultrasonic transducer, an acoustic waveguide, and an ultrasonic blade. The blade includes a pair of obliquely extending edges. The obliquely extending edges diverge away from the longitudinal axis of the waveguide and away from each other along respective paths extending distally in relation to the waveguide. A distal portion of the blade is wider than a proximal portion of the blade along a plane. The blade further includes a curved distal edge and several laterally presented surfaces. The laterally presented surfaces may provide combinations of concave and convex curvatures. The laterally presented surfaces may be angled and/or curved along one or more orthogonal planes associated with the longitudinal axis of the waveguide.

Abstract: Apparatus and method to permit selective cutting and coagulation required in fine and delicate surgical procedures. The apparatus includes two body members having proximal ends and distal ends with jaw members located adjacent the body member's distal ends. The body members are joined at a pivot located adjacent to the first and second jaw members joining the first and second body members where the body members' rotation about the pivot defines a plane of rotation. The scissors are adapted for selective application of energy to at least one jaw member by a switch located in the plane of rotation.

Abstract: A bone cutting surgical instrument includes features to mitigate heat generation during use. Excessive heat can be detrimental to bone health as well as to the instrument itself. In one example a liquid dispensing feature provides a flow of cooling liquid to an ultrasonic blade via a lumen in a waveguide of the instrument. In another example, the blade has a serrated edge with a plurality of teeth arranged in a pattern to provide dimension and space during cutting actions. In another example, the blade has an oversize distal portion that creates an oversize slot when cutting to avoid excessive contact between the cut bone and proximal portions of the blade. In another example the blade includes an irrigation slot and also a micro slot in a distal end of the blade that connects with the irrigation slot.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are operable to track usage of a surgical instrument and modify the performance of the surgical instrument based on the prior usage of the surgical instrument. Some surgical instruments are designed to have a limited service life beginning at their first use, or a limit to their overall usage in order to ensure safe use of the sensitive instruments. However, a lack of ability to track usage characteristics when the instrument is separated from an external power supply allows for user abuse and avoidance of such safety mechanisms. Adding a battery or capacitor to the instrument may allow for an ability to track usage when the instrument is separated from an external power supply. Implementing special user prompts, device use ratios, and device use half-life upon powering down of an instrument may additionally be used to prevent circumvention of safety features.

Abstract: A system includes a medical device and a charging device. A sterile barrier may be interposed between the medical device and the charging device. The medical device includes an integral power source and an active element. The charging device is configured to charge the integral power source. The charging device may charge the integral power source through direct contact between features of the charging device and features the medical device. The charging device may alternatively charge the integral power source wirelessly, such as through inductive coupling. The medical device may include conductive prongs that are retained by the charging device. The charging device may physically couple with the medical device via magnets. The medical device and the charging device may be provided together in a sterile package as a kit. The kit may also include a reclamation bag to facilitate reclamation of electrical components.

Abstract: A method for coagulating and dissecting tissue. The method includes measuring a tissue property and delivering multiple energy modalities to the tissue based on the tissue property. The energy modalities being delivered from a generator either alone or in combination.

Abstract: A system includes a medical device and a charging device. A sterile barrier may be interposed between the medical device and the charging device. The medical device includes an integral power source and an active element. The charging device is configured to charge the integral power source. The charging device may charge the integral power source through direct contact between features of the charging device and features the medical device. The charging device may alternatively charge the integral power source wirelessly, such as through inductive coupling. The medical device may include conductive prongs that are retained by the charging device. The charging device may physically couple with the medical device via magnets. The medical device and the charging device may be provided together in a sterile package as a kit. The kit may also include a reclamation bag to facilitate reclamation of electrical components.

Abstract: A bone cutting surgical instrument includes features to mitigate heat generation during use. Excessive heat can be detrimental to bone health as well as to the instrument itself. In one example a liquid dispensing feature provides a flow of cooling liquid to an ultrasonic blade via a lumen in a waveguide of the instrument. In another example, the blade has a serrated edge with a plurality of teeth arranged in a pattern to provide dimension and space during cutting actions. In another example, the blade has an oversize distal portion that creates an oversize slot when cutting to avoid excessive contact between the cut bone and proximal portions of the blade. In another example the blade includes an irrigation slot and also a micro slot in a distal end of the blade that connects with the irrigation slot.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body assembly, an acoustic waveguide, an ultrasonic blade, a liquid dispensing feature, and a control module. The liquid dispensing feature is positioned distally relative to the body assembly. The liquid dispensing feature is positioned adjacent to the ultrasonic blade. The liquid dispensing feature is configured to deliver a flow of cooling liquid to the ultrasonic blade. The control module is operable to regulate fluid flow through the liquid dispensing feature.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are operable to track usage of a surgical instrument and modify the performance of the surgical instrument based on the prior usage of the surgical instrument. Some surgical instruments are designed to have a limited service life beginning at their first use, or a limit to their overall usage in order to ensure safe use of the sensitive instruments. However, a lack of ability to track usage characteristics when the instrument is separated from an external power supply allows for user abuse and avoidance of such safety mechanisms. Adding a battery or capacitor to the instrument may allow for an ability to track usage when the instrument is separated from an external power supply. Implementing special user prompts, device use ratios, and device use half-life upon powering down of an instrument may additionally be used to prevent circumvention of safety features.

Abstract: A surgical device. The surgical device may comprise a transducer, an end effector, a generator and a control circuit. The transducer may be configured to provide vibrations. The end effector may be coupled to the transducer and may extend from the transducer along the longitudinal axis. The generator may provide an electrical signal to the transducer. Also, the control circuit may modify a current amplitude of the electrical signal in response to a change in a vibration frequency of the end effector. Accordingly to various embodiments, the control circuit may detect a first contribution to a vibration frequency of the end effector, the first contribution originating from tissue in contact with the end effector. Also, according to various embodiments, the control circuit may indicate a change in a vibration frequency of the end effector.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body assembly, an acoustic waveguide, an ultrasonic blade, a liquid dispensing feature, and a control module. The liquid dispensing feature is positioned distally relative to the body assembly. The liquid dispensing feature is positioned adjacent to the ultrasonic blade. The liquid dispensing feature is configured to deliver a flow of cooling liquid to the ultrasonic blade. The control module is operable to regulate fluid flow through the liquid dispensing feature.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a shaft assembly, an ultrasonic blade, and a cleaning device. The shaft assembly includes a first tube and an acoustic waveguide. The first tube has a first inner diameter and a distal end. The waveguide has a first outer diameter. The waveguide extends within the first tube. The first outer diameter of the acoustic waveguide and the first inner diameter of the first tube together define a gap. The ultrasonic blade extends distally from the distal end of the first tube. The acoustic waveguide is configured to communicate ultrasonic energy to the ultrasonic blade. The cleaning device is configured to actuate within the gap to thereby clean at least a portion of the shaft assembly and/or at least a portion of the ultrasonic blade.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument is disclosed including a transducer, an ultrasonic blade operably coupled to the transducer, and a control circuit. The control circuit is configured to provide a drive signal to the transducer to cause the transducer to transmit ultrasonic vibrations to the ultrasonic blade, detect a change in a vibration frequency of the ultrasonic blade based at least in part on a change in a frequency of the drive signal, wherein the change in the vibration frequency of the ultrasonic blade corresponds to a tissue condition of tissue treated with the ultrasonic blade, and modify the drive signal in response to the tissue condition.

Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument for use during a surgical procedure includes a body, a shaft assembly, an ultrasonic blade, and an actuation assembly. The body is configured to receive an ultrasonic transducer for selectively generating a first or a second predetermined oscillation. The shaft assembly projects from the body and includes an acoustic waveguide connected to the ultrasonic blade. The actuation assembly includes an activator ring and an activation mechanism. The activator ring is selectively movable along the body such that the activator ring is accessible to be gripped by an operator around an entirety of an outer circumferential surface of the activator ring. The activation mechanism is connected to the activator ring such that the activation mechanism selectively moves along the body in conjunction with the activator ring. At least a portion of the activation mechanism is configured to selectively direct the ultrasonic transducer to oscillate the ultrasonic blade.

Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument includes a body and a shaft assembly extending distally from the body. The shaft assembly includes an acoustic waveguide. The instrument further includes an end effector including an ultrasonic blade. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide. The instrument further includes a sensor configured to sense at least one characteristic of the shaft assembly and/or the end effector. The end effector is configured to be activated at varying power levels based on the at least one characteristic sensed by the sensor.