Abstract: A surgical tool that includes a drive housing, an elongate shaft that extends from the drive housing, and an end effector arranged at a distal end of the elongate shaft and including a jaw secured to a jaw holder, the jaw providing a contact plate and the jaw holder defining a cable passage. A wrist couples the end effector to the elongate shaft and includes a distal clevis having an axle that rotatably mounts the jaw holder to the distal clevis. An electrical conductor extends from the drive housing, through the wrist and the cable passage, and terminates at the contact plate to supply electrical energy to the jaw.

Abstract: A sleeve extractor includes a cylindrical body having a distal end and a proximal end, one or more longitudinally-extending fingers defined in the body, and a tab provided on an end of each finger and receivable within a notch defined in a shaft adapter or a shaft of a surgical tool, the notch being located proximal to a proximal end of a sleeve. The sleeve is removed by locating the tab of each finger in a corresponding notch and retracting the body and the sleeve distally relative to the shaft adapter or the shaft.

Abstract: A surgical tool that includes a drive housing, an elongate shaft that extends from the drive housing, and an end effector arranged at a distal end of the elongate shaft and having a jaw and a jaw holder that secures the jaw. A wrist couples the end effector to the elongate shaft and includes a distal clevis having an axle that rotatably mounts the jaw holder to the distal clevis. An electrical conductor extends from the drive housing and supplies electrical energy to the jaw via a supply conductor. At least one of the jaw holder and the axle is made of a non-conductive material that insulates the distal clevis from the electrical energy provided to the jaw.

Abstract: Methods and devices for allowing articulation of an end effector on a surgical instrument are provided. In one embodiment, a surgical device can include a flexible neck portion having an end effector coupled to a distal end thereof. The flexible neck portion is configured to bend to as to allow the end effector to articulate. The flexible neck portion can include a monolithic flexible outer shell defining an inner lumen extending therethrough. At least one flexible divider can be disposed within the inner lumen such that it separates the outer shell into elongate pathways configured to receive articulation members extending through the shaft assembly and the flexible neck and coupled to the end effector to cause articulating movement thereof.

Abstract: Methods and devices for allowing articulation of an end effector on a surgical instrument are provided. In one embodiment, a surgical device can include a flexible neck portion having an end effector coupled to a distal end thereof. The flexible neck portion is configured to bend to as to allow the end effector to articulate. The flexible neck portion can include a monolithic flexible outer shell defining an inner lumen extending therethrough. At least one flexible divider can be disposed within the inner lumen such that it separates the outer shell into elongate pathways configured to receive articulation members extending through the shaft assembly and the flexible neck and coupled to the end effector to cause articulating movement thereof.

Abstract: Electrosurgical instruments with passive articulation and thermal insulation are described herein. Such instruments can provide the advantages associated with passive articulation while protecting tissue and other structures from unintentional thermal damage when an end effector is pressed thereagainst to effect articulation while at an elevated temperature due to use. In one embodiment, such an instrument can include a distal end effector with jaws to clamp tissue, a proximal actuating portion, an energy delivery surface that contacts grasped tissue, and a passive articulating portion disposed between the end effector and the actuating portion. The articulating portion can be configured to selectively permit movement of the end effector relative to the actuating portion in response to external forces acting on the end effector. Further, an outward-facing surface of at least one of the first and second jaws can be covered in a thermally insulating material.

Abstract: Surgical instruments having articulating and rotating end effectors utilizing a flexible coaxial drive are described herein. In one embodiment, a surgical instrument is provided that includes a shaft and an end effector coupled to a distal end of the shaft by an articulation joint such that the end effector can articulate relative to a longitudinal axis of the shaft and can rotate about a longitudinal axis of the end effector. The instrument can further include an actuating cable coaxially disposed within a lumen of the shaft and extending through the articulation joint to the end effector. The actuating cable can be configured to bend and rotate through the articulation joint. Further, rotation of the actuating cable can be configured to control a first function of the end effector and translation of the actuating cable can be configured to control a second function of the end effector.

Abstract: Surgical instruments having articulating portions or joints are described herein. In one embodiment, a surgical instrument can include a distal end effector, a proximal actuating portion, and an articulating portion disposed between the end effector and the actuating portion. The articulating portion can include an inner component formed of a first material and an outer component formed of a second material, wherein a modulus of elasticity of the first material is higher than a modulus of elasticity of the second material. Such an instrument can be less complex and less expensive than known articulation mechanisms while providing similar capabilities.

Abstract: Methods and devices for allowing articulation of an end effector on a surgical instrument are provided. In one embodiment, a surgical device can include a flexible neck portion having an end effector coupled to a distal end thereof. The flexible neck portion is configured to bend to as to allow the end effector to articulate. The flexible neck portion can include a monolithic flexible outer shell defining an inner lumen extending therethrough. At least one flexible divider can be disposed within the inner lumen such that it separates the outer shell into elongate pathways configured to receive articulation members extending through the shaft assembly and the flexible neck and coupled to the end effector to cause articulating movement thereof.

Abstract: A surgical tool that includes a drive housing, an elongate shaft that extends from the drive housing, and an end effector arranged at a distal end of the elongate shaft and having a jaw and a jaw holder that secures the jaw. A wrist couples the end effector to the elongate shaft and includes a distal clevis having an axle that rotatably mounts the jaw holder to the distal clevis. An electrical conductor extends from the drive housing and supplies electrical energy to the jaw via a supply conductor. At least one of the jaw holder and the axle is made of a non-conductive material that insulates the distal clevis from the electrical energy provided to the jaw.

Abstract: Methods and devices for allowing articulation of an end effector on a surgical instrument are provided. In one embodiment, a surgical device can include a flexible neck portion having an end effector coupled to a distal end thereof. The flexible neck portion is configured to bend to as to allow the end effector to articulate. The flexible neck portion can include a monolithic flexible outer shell defining an inner lumen extending therethrough. At least one flexible divider can be disposed within the inner lumen such that it separates the outer shell into elongate pathways configured to receive articulation members extending through the shaft assembly and the flexible neck and coupled to the end effector to cause articulating movement thereof.

Abstract: Surgical instruments having articulating and rotating end effectors utilizing a flexible coaxial drive are described herein. In one embodiment, a surgical instrument is provided that includes a shaft and an end effector coupled to a distal end of the shaft by an articulation joint such that the end effector can articulate relative to a longitudinal axis of the shaft and can rotate about a longitudinal axis of the end effector. The instrument can further include an actuating cable coaxially disposed within a lumen of the shaft and extending through the articulation joint to the end effector. The actuating cable can be configured to bend and rotate through the articulation joint. Further, rotation of the actuating cable can be configured to control a first function of the end effector and translation of the actuating cable can be configured to control a second function of the end effector.

Abstract: Electrosurgical instruments with passive articulation and thermal insulation are described herein. Such instruments can provide the advantages associated with passive articulation while protecting tissue and other structures from unintentional thermal damage when an end effector is pressed thereagainst to effect articulation while at an elevated temperature due to use. In one embodiment, such an instrument can include a distal end effector with jaws to clamp tissue, a proximal actuating portion, an energy delivery surface that contacts grasped tissue, and a passive articulating portion disposed between the end effector and the actuating portion. The articulating portion can be configured to selectively permit movement of the end effector relative to the actuating portion in response to external forces acting on the end effector. Further, an outward-facing surface of at least one of the first and second jaws can be covered in a thermally insulating material.

Abstract: Surgical instruments having articulating portions or joints are described herein. In one embodiment, a surgical instrument can include a distal end effector, a proximal actuating portion, and an articulating portion disposed between the end effector and the actuating portion. The articulating portion can include an inner component formed of a first material and an outer component formed of a second material, wherein a modulus of elasticity of the first material is higher than a modulus of elasticity of the second material. Such an instrument can be less complex and less expensive than known articulation mechanisms while providing similar capabilities.

Abstract: Methods and devices for allowing articulation of an end effector on a surgical instrument are provided. In one embodiment, a surgical device can include a flexible neck portion having an end effector coupled to a distal end thereof. The flexible neck portion is configured to bend to as to allow the end effector to articulate. The flexible neck portion can include a monolithic flexible outer shell defining an inner lumen extending therethrough. At least one flexible divider can be disposed within the inner lumen such that it separates the outer shell into elongate pathways configured to receive articulation members extending through the shaft assembly and the flexible neck and coupled to the end effector to cause articulating movement thereof.

Abstract: A set of horn switch assemblies are mounted on a base plate of a vehicle steering wheel and linked by two continuous electrical conductors that are electrically bridged to activate a horn. Each switch assembly includes an insulator base affixed to the base plate and a deflectable metal blade disposed atop the insulator base substantially parallel to the base plate. The metal blade is anchored to the insulator base at one end and deflectable toward the base plate at the other end. One electrical conductor is secured to the insulator base below and in contact with the anchored end of the metal blade, while the other electrical conductor is secured to the insulator base below and out of contact with the deflectable end of the metal blade. A driver air bag assembly deflects the metal blades to electrically bridge the two electrical conductors for activating the horn.

Abstract: A steering wheel, comprising: an inner core; a cushion member disposed about the inner core; a first decorative trim member disposed over the cushion member, the first decorative trim member comprising a flexible layer; and a second decorative trim member disposed over the first decorative trim member, the second decorative trim member being more rigid than the first decorative trim member wherein a portion of the first decorative trim member is abraded to remove a portion of an exterior surface of the first decorative trim member to provide a roughened area for receiving an adhesive for securing the second decorative trim member to the first decorative trim member.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching an inflatable cushion or vehicle trim portion to a vehicle. The apparatus comprising: a first means for engaging a portion of the inflatable cushion; a second means for engaging a portion of the vehicle, the second means being coupled to the first means, wherein the second means terminates in an engagement end, the engagement end being configured to slidably engage an opening in the vehicle.

Abstract: A method an apparatus for providing a horn switch assembly for securing an inflatable cushion to a steering wheel armature, the horn switch assembly comprising: a backing plate defining a receiving area, the receiving area being configured to receive at least a portion of the inflatable cushion, the receiving area being defined by a peripheral wall of the backing plate; a plurality of mounting members depending outwardly and away from the peripheral wall, the plurality of mounting members providing a mounting surface, wherein the mounting surface of the plurality of mounting members is configured to receive a mounting mechanism therein, wherein each of the plurality of mounting members further comprises a contact point secured thereto; a plurality of isolation mechanisms each being configured to be secured to the steering wheel armature, wherein at least one of the plurality of isolation mechanisms comprises a guide pin and a locking pin for guiding and movably securing one of the mounting mechanisms thereto

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a steering wheel arrangement for motor vehicles having a steering wheel, an airbag module held at the steering wheel and movable in the direction of the axis of the steering wheel, and an electrical contact system arranged between the steering wheel and the airbag module for the actuation of an electrical functional unit, in particular of a vehicle horn by a relative movement between the steering wheel and the air-bag module taking place in the direction of the steering wheel axis, where-in the contact system includes elongate extended electrical conductors which are attached to mutually confronting sides of the steering wheel and of the airbag module or only to the steering wheel or to the airbag module and extend in such a way that conductors spaced apart in the direction of the steering wheel axis cross at at least one contact position.