Abstract: An apparatus comprises a body, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body. The end effector is located at a distal end of the shaft assembly. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade, a clamp arm, and a sleeve. The ultrasonic blade is configured to vibrate at an ultrasonic frequency. The clamp arm is configured to move toward the ultrasonic blade. The sleeve extends along at least part of the length of an outer portion of the ultrasonic blade or the clamp arm. The sleeve is configured to prevent tissue from contacting a portion of the ultrasonic blade or clamp arm covered by the sleeve.

Abstract: A surgical instrument system includes an end effector, a generator, and a controller. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade and at least one electrode surface. The generator provides power to the end effector. The end effector applies ultrasonic energy to tissue via the blade or RF energy to tissue via the at least one electrode surface. The controller is configured to select between one or both of ultrasonic energy or RF energy, and thereby control the generator to provide the selected one or both of ultrasonic energy or RF energy at the end effector, based on a sensed operating condition of the end effector. The controller may select between ultrasonic energy and RF energy based on whether a clamp arm is in an open position relative to the blade, based on which button is being activated, and based on whether tissue is sensed at the end effector.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a body, an ultrasonic transducer, a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, an articulation section, an end effector, and an articulation drive 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. The articulation section includes a collar that is located distal to a nodal portion of the waveguide and is operable to deflect the end effector away from the longitudinal axis. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the ultrasonic transducer. The articulation drive assembly is operable to drive articulation of the articulation section. The articulation drive assembly comprises at least one translating articulation driver coupled with the collar. The ultrasonic blade is operable to deliver ultrasonic vibrations to tissue even when the articulation section is in an articulated state.

Abstract: An energy-based surgical instrument is configured to permit selective cutting, coagulation, and fine dissection required in fine and delicate surgical procedures. The scissors grip instrument provides for tube-in-tube construction so the device is useful for both open and minimally invasive procedures. The assembly includes a clamping mechanism, including a clamp arm and/or housing which are specifically configured to create a desired level of tissue clamping forces.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices and related medical devices for treating patients susceptible to respiratory illnesses, including respiratory distress syndrome and sleep apnea. The device and methods employ force gauged CPAP nasal interface devices for these purposes.

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: An energy-based surgical instrument is configured to permit selective cutting, coagulation, and fine dissection required in fine and delicate surgical procedures. The scissors grip instrument provides for tube-in-tube construction so the device is useful for both open and minimally invasive procedures. The assembly includes a clamping mechanism, including a clamp arm and/or housing which are specifically configured to create a desired level of tissue clamping forces.