Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument includes a body, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body. The shaft assembly includes an acoustic waveguide configured to acoustically couple with an ultrasonic transducer. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade, a clamp arm and a clamp pad. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the waveguide. The clamp arm is pivotally coupled with the shaft assembly. The clamp pad is configured to removably couple with the clamp arm while the clamp arm is pivotally coupled to the shaft assembly.

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 an oscillation at a first or a second predetermined power level. The shaft assembly projects from the body and includes an acoustic waveguide connected to the ultrasonic blade. The actuation assembly includes a selector collar generally surrounding the body and a plurality of activation buttons disposed radially about the body proximate to the selector collar. The selector collar is selectively movable along the body between a first position and a second position for selecting between the first and second predetermined power levels. The plurality of activation buttons are configured to direct the ultrasonic blade to oscillate with the selected first or second predetermined power levels.

Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument includes a body, an actuation assembly, a shaft assembly, an ultrasonic blade, and a mechanical lockout. The body is configured to receive an ultrasonic transducer. The actuation assembly includes an activation lever that is configured to move from a first activation position toward the longitudinal axis to a second activation position. The activation lever is oriented obliquely relative the longitudinal axis in the second activation position. The shaft assembly includes an acoustic waveguide. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide. The activation lever is operable to trigger ultrasonic activation of the ultrasonic blade by moving to the second activation position. The mechanical lockout is operable to selectively restrict movement of the first activation lever to the second activation position.

Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument includes a body, an actuation assembly, a shaft assembly, an ultrasonic blade, and a movable member. The body is configured to receive an ultrasonic transducer. The actuation assembly includes a first activation member and a second activation member. The first activation member is operable to trigger activation of the ultrasonic blade in a first power mode. The second activation member is operable to trigger activation of the ultrasonic blade in a second power mode. The movable member is configured to move between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the movable member is configured to permit access to the first activation member and prevent access to the second activation member. In the second position, the movable member is configured to permit access to the second activation member and prevent access to the first activation member.

Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument includes a body, an actuation assembly, a shaft assembly, and an ultrasonic blade. The body defines a longitudinal axis and is configured to receive an ultrasonic transducer. The actuation assembly includes at least one annular activation member and at least one circuit. The at least one annular activation member extends angularly about the body along a 360 degree angular range. The at least one annular activation member is configured to move laterally relative to the longitudinal axis of the body. The at least one circuit corresponds to the at least one annular activation member. The shaft assembly includes an acoustic waveguide. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide. The at least one activation circuit is configured to activate the ultrasonic blade in response to lateral movement of the activation member relative to the longitudinal axis of the body.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating on tissue includes a body, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body and includes an acoustic waveguide. The waveguide is configured to acoustically couple with an ultrasonic transducer. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade, a clamp arm, and a clamp pad. The blade is in acoustic communication with the waveguide. The clamp arm is configured to pivot about a first pivot point toward and away from the ultrasonic blade and includes a coupling feature. The clamp pad is selectively attachable to the blade to acoustically isolate the clamp arm from the ultrasonic blade. The coupling feature of the clamp arm is configured to provide a snap fit between the clamp pad and the clamp arm and thereby permit manipulation of the clamp pad for removal of the clamp pad from the clamp arm.

Abstract: Various forms are directed to systems and methods for dissection and coagulation of tissue. A surgical instrument includes an end effector configured to dissect and seal tissue at a distal end thereof, and a selector switch having a plurality of surgical modes. A generator is electrically coupled to the surgical instrument and is configured to deliver energy to the end effector. Each surgical mode of the selector switch corresponds to an algorithm for controlling the power delivered from the generator to the end effector, and each algorithm corresponding to the plurality of surgical modes is configured to allow a user to control the power output level of the generator.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are presented for a surgical instrument for cutting and sealing tissue with a mode selection assembly. The mode selection assembly allows for a user to safely activate or disable a cutting functionality and a sealing functionality through use of electrosurgical energy. In some embodiments, the mode selection assembly allows for a more automated application of the electrosurgical energy and the cutting functionality when applied to a surgical site. The mode selection assembly may also include a knob configured to switch between the aforementioned settings. Various control mechanisms are also disclosed to lock and unlock the cutting element, such as a motorized locking mechanism, a solenoid locking mechanism, a mechanical mechanism and use of a nitinol wire. The inclusion of the mode selection assembly allows for a user to more safely utilize the surgical instrument by intentionally disabling functionality that may otherwise be inadvertently activated.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a body assembly, a shaft, an end effector, a rotation input feature, and a locking feature. The shaft extends distally from the body assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. The end effector is positioned at the distal end of the shaft. The rotation input feature comprises a proximal end and a distal end. The rotation input feature is configured to rotate one or both of the shaft assembly or the end effector about the longitudinal axis. The locking feature is configured to transition between a locked state and an unlocked state. The locking feature is configured to prevent rotation of the one or both of the shaft assembly when the locking feature is in the locked state. The locking feature is configured to permit rotation of the one or both of the shaft assembly when the locking feature is in the unlocked state.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a body, an ultrasonic transducer, a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, an articulation section, an end effector, and a rigidizing member. The ultrasonic transducer is operable to convert electrical power into ultrasonic vibrations. The shaft couples the end effector and the body together. The acoustic waveguide is coupled with the transducer. The articulation section is operable to flex to thereby deflect the end effector from a longitudinal axis defined by the shaft. The rigidizing member is operable to selectively rigidize the articulation section and thereby prevent deflection of the end effector by preventing flexibility of the articulation section. Such rigidization includes removing any “play” or other small movement that might otherwise be provided by the articulation section due to manufacturing tolerances and/or looseness between parts.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a body assembly, a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, an articulation section, an end effector, an articulation drive assembly, and a locking feature. The shaft extends distally from the body assembly. The waveguide comprises a flexible portion. The articulation drive assembly is operable to drive articulation of the articulation section to thereby deflect the end effector from the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The articulation drive assembly comprises an actuator. The actuator is movable relative to the body assembly to drive articulation of the articulation section. The locking feature is in communication with the actuator. The locking feature is movable between an unlocked state and a locked state. The locking feature is configured to permit movement of the actuator relative to the body assembly in the unlocked state. The locking feature is configured to prevent movement of the actuator relative to the body assembly in the locked state.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a body, an ultrasonic transducer, a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, an articulation section, an end effector, and an articulation lock assembly. The ultrasonic transducer is operable to convert electrical power into ultrasonic vibrations. The shaft couples the end effector and the body together. The acoustic waveguide is coupled with the transducer and includes a flexible portion. The articulation section is coupled with the shaft and encompasses the flexible portion of the waveguide. The articulation section comprises a first member and a second member. The second member is longitudinally translatable relative to the first member. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the ultrasonic transducer. The articulation lock comprises a tensioning feature, which is configured to selectively apply tension to at least one of the first member and the second member of the articulation section to thereby increase rigidity in the articulation section.

Abstract: A surgical instrument that includes an end effector and a trigger that is actuatable between a first position and a second position. An actuation drive is movable between an unactuated position and an actuated position in response to actuation of the trigger. A toggle assembly is transitionable between a folded configuration and an expanded configuration, wherein the toggle assembly is configured to motivate the actuation drive to effectuate a movement in the end effector in the folded configuration. The toggle assembly being configured to bypass the actuation drive when in the expanded configuration. A resetting member is operable to return the toggle assembly to the folded configuration.

Abstract: A suture needle driving instrument comprises a shaft, an end effector, and a handle assembly. The end effector is located at the distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of grasping arms having a respective pair of jaws driven by a respective drive shaft. Each pair of jaws is operable to cooperate to grasp and release a suture needle. The handle assembly includes a control assembly that is operable to rotate the drive shafts to transfer the suture needle between the grasping arms. In some versions, the control assembly may include an actuatable rack. The rack may include one or more control features that selectively rotate the drive shafts as the rack is actuated. The rack may further include cam surfaces to selectively restrict the motion of the drive shafts as the rack is actuated. In some versions the rack may actuate vertically.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a body, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The end effector comprises a clamp arm and an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with an ultrasonic transducer via an acoustic waveguide that extends through the shaft assembly. The clamp arm is configured to pivot about a first pivot point toward and away from the ultrasonic blade along a first angular path from a first position to a second position to thereby provide a tissue sealing mode of operation. The clamp arm is further configured to pivot about a second pivot point toward and away from the ultrasonic blade along second angular path from the second position to a third position to thereby provide a tissue cutting and sealing mode of operation. The second pivot point is proximal to the first pivot point.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading suture needles into a surgical instrument comprises a body, a first movable member, an engagement feature, and a needle. The body has a channel configured to receive a surgical instrument. The engagement feature is configured to open a cover of a surgical instrument upon insertion of a surgical instrument into the channel of the body. The first movable member is configured to deliver the suture needle to a surgical instrument after a surgical instrument has been inserted into the channel and the cover has been opened. The apparatus may further comprise a second movable member configured to facilitate delivery of the needle to a surgical instrument in conjunction with the first movable member.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a body, a user input feature, a shaft assembly, an end effector, and a blade cooling system. The end effector comprises a clamp arm and an ultrasonic blade that may be coupled with an ultrasonic transducer. The clamp arm is configured to pivot toward and away from the ultrasonic blade. The cooling system is operable to deliver liquid coolant to the ultrasonic blade to thereby cool the ultrasonic blade. The user input feature is operable to both actuate the clamp arm and actuate the cooling system.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes an inner tube, an outer tube, an ultrasonic blade, and a clamp member pivotably moveable relative to the ultrasonic blade. The ultrasonic blade is acoustically coupled to an ultrasonic transducer. The clamp member pivotably movable relative to the ultrasonic blade between an open configuration and an approximated configuration with respect to the ultrasonic blade, wherein the clamp member is pivotably coupled to the inner tube, wherein the clamp member is pivotably coupled to the outer tube, and wherein movement of the outer tube relative to the inner tube between the first position and the second position transitions the clamp member between the open configuration and the approximate configuration.

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: 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.