Abstract: A surgical tool configured to receive rotary inputs from a robotic surgical system. The surgical tool comprises a distal end effector comprising jaws for clamping tissue therebetween, an intermediate shaft portion coupled to the distal end effector, and a proximal housing coupled to the intermediate shaft portion. The proximal housing comprises an arrangement of rotary drives comprising a first rotary drive. The first rotary drive comprises an input shaft configured to receive a rotary input from the robotic surgical system, a transition nut slidably positioned on the input shaft, and an output gear. The first rotary drive further comprises a high-speed gear configured to selectively drive the output gear, a high-torque gear configured to selectively drive the output gear, and a spring arrangement configured to bias the transition nut along the input shaft from a high-speed operating state to a high-torque operating state upon obtaining a threshold torque.

Abstract: A surgical stapling assembly is disclosed that comprises a retainer that is configured to be removably mounted to a staple cartridge that is configured to be operably seated in a stapling device. The retainer comprises an authentication key that is configured to defeat a first firing member lockout provided the stapling device. The stapling device further comprises a second lockout that is configured to prevent the firing member of the device from advancing through a staple firing stroke when a spent staple cartridge is seated in said stapling device.

Abstract: A retainer for use with a staple cartridge that is configured for use with a surgical stapling device is disclosed. The retainer comprises a retainer body that is configured to be received on the staple cartridge. A plurality of retention features protrude from the retainer body for releasable engagement with the staple cartridge to form a cartridge assembly. The retainer further comprises an authentication key that is configured to defeat a lockout in the surgical stapling device when the cartridge assembly is seated therein. At least one of the retention features is configured to be removed from the retainer body after the retainer has been removed from the staple cartridge.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed herein. The surgical instrument includes a handheld device and an adapter assembly. The handheld device includes a first drive assembly and a power source. The adapter assembly includes an outer housing that defines an internal cavity configured to accommodate a handheld device. The adapter assembly is configured to establish a sterile barrier around the handheld device. The surgical instrument includes an energy management system configured to extract energy dissipated by the handheld device from the internal cavity without disrupting the sterile barrier. In some aspects, the surgical instrument further includes a plurality of interchangeable end effectors and the adapter assembly includes a drive interface assembly.

Abstract: An ultrasonic device may include an electromechanical ultrasonic system defined by a predetermined resonant frequency, the electromechanical ultrasonic system including an ultrasonic transducer coupled to an ultrasonic blade. A method of controlling energy delivered to the ultrasonic device may include determining an impedance of the ultrasonic transducer during a transection process, analyzing the impedance of the ultrasonic transducer, profiling the ultrasonic blade based on the impedance, and adjusting a power delivered to the transducer during the transection process based on the profile of the blade. The method may further include pulsing, the power delivered to the ultrasonic transducer, determining changes in tissue characteristics of tissue located in an end effector, wherein the changes in tissue characteristics is determined between pulses, and adjusting power delivered to the ultrasonic transducer based on the tissue changes throughout the transection.

Abstract: A retainer system for use with staple cartridges configured for use with a surgical stapling device is disclosed. The retainer comprises a retainer body that is configured to be attached to the staple cartridge by retention features. The system includes a tool that moves the retention features between a first state wherein the retention features prevent the retainer from being attached to the staple cartridge to a second state where the retainer may be coupled to the staple cartridge by the retention features.

Abstract: Various exemplary methods and devices for auto return of articulated end effectors are provided. In general, a surgical device can include an end effector configured to articulate. The device can include an actuator configured to be actuated to move the end effector from an articulated position to an unarticulated position. In at least some embodiments, the actuator can also be configured to be actuated to move the end effector from the unarticulated position to the articulated position. In at least some embodiments, the device can include the actuator and include another actuator configured to rotate the end effector about a longitudinal axis of an elongate shaft having the end effector at a distal end thereof. In at least some embodiments, the device can include the actuator and include another actuator configured to articulate the end effector from the unarticulated position to the articulated position.

Abstract: A stapling system that comprises a retainer for use with staple cartridges that are configured for use with multiple surgical stapling devices that comprise different lockout arrangements is disclosed. The retainer is configured to be releasably attached to a staple cartridge to form a cartridge assembly. The retainer comprises an authentication key that is configured to defeat a lockout arrangement in any one of the surgical stapling devices in which the cartridge assembly is seated.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument is disclosed including an end effector, a shaft assembly, and a link. The end effector includes a first jaw rotatable relative to a second jaw between an open position and a closed position. The shaft assembly includes an outer tube, a jaw tube disposed within the outer tube, an actuation band operably coupled to the jaw tube. The jaw tube is configured to move within the outer tube between a proximal end and a distal end. The link includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the link is pivotably coupled to the actuation band. The second end of the link is pivotably coupled to the first jaw. The jaw tube is configured to rotate the first jaw towards the closed position based on movement of the jaw tube towards the proximal end.

Abstract: A method for operating a surgical stapling device that includes a lockout for preventing the surgical stapling device from operating is disclosed. The method includes installing a retainer on a staple cartridge to form a cartridge assembly. The method includes seating the cartridge assembly in the surgical stapling device to bring an authentication key on the retainer into actuation contact with the lockout to move the lockout out of a locked position to an unlocked position. The method further includes removing the retainer from the staple cartridge while retaining the lockout in the unlocked position.

Abstract: A retainer for use with a staple cartridge that is configured for use with a stapling device is disclosed. The retainer comprises a retainer body that is configured to be removably coupled to the staple cartridge to form a cartridge assembly. The retainer further comprises an authentication key that is oriented in a first configuration to defeat a lockout in the surgical stapling device when the cartridge assembly is seated in the surgical stapling device. The authentication key is movable to a second configuration after the cartridge assembly is removed from the stapling device such that the authentication key is unable to return to the first configuration.

Abstract: A surgical stapling assembly is disclosed that comprises a retainer that is configured to be removably mounted to a staple cartridge that is configured to be operably seated in a stapling device. The retainer comprises an authentication key that is configured to defeat a first jaw lockout of the stapling device that is configured to prevent the jaws of the stapling device from closing. The stapling device further comprises a second lockout that is configured to prevent a firing member of the stapling device from advancing through a staple firing stroke when a spent staple cartridge is seated in one of the jaws.

Abstract: A method for operating a surgical stapling device that includes a lockout for preventing the surgical stapling device from operating is disclosed. The method includes installing a retainer on a staple cartridge to form a cartridge assembly. The method includes seating the cartridge assembly in the surgical stapling device to bring an authentication key on the retainer into actuation contact with the lockout to move the lockout out of a locked position to an unlocked position. The method further includes removing the retainer from the staple cartridge while retaining the lockout in the unlocked position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector, a handle assembly, and a knife drive assembly. The end effector includes a first jaw, a second jaw, a knife, and an electrode assembly. The handle assembly includes a housing, and an arm. The arm may pivot the second jaw between the open position and the closed position. The knife drive assembly includes an input assembly, and output assembly coupled with the knife, and a compound pulley assembly. The compound pulley assembly includes a pair of pulley wheels each having an input track, an output track, an input cable, and an output cable. The input assembly can drive the input cable a first proximal distance in order to rotate the pair of pulley wheels in a first angular direction, thereby driving the output cable a first distal direction to actuate the knife from the pre-fired position toward the fired position.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus includes a body, an ultrasonic transducer, a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, an articulation section, an end effector, and a restricting 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 restricting member is operable to restrict lateral deflection of the end effector. The restricting member is further operable to cooperate with a translating member to rigidize the articulation section when the end effector is aligned with the longitudinal axis. 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: A staple cartridge configured for use with a surgical stapling device is disclosed. The stapling device includes a lockout for prevent operation of the device. The staple cartridge includes a first cam surface configured to move the lockout from a locked position to an intermediate position when the staple cartridge is initially inserted into the device. The staple cartridge further includes a second cam surface configured to move the lockout from the intermediate position to an unlocked position when the staple cartridge is operably seated in the device. The first cam surface is proximal to the second cam surface and may be vertically displaced therefrom.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument configured for use with a staple cartridge that contains a plurality of staples configured to be ejected therefrom by a camming assembly supported therein. The surgical stapling instrument includes a first jaw that is configured to removably support the surgical staple cartridge therein. A second jaw is movable relative to the first jaw between an open position and a closed position. A cartridge verification member is configured to block distal advancement of the camming assembly from the unfired position unless the cartridge verification member detects a verification feature on the staple cartridge.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector, a handle assembly, and an electrode activation assembly. The end effector includes a first jaw, a second jaw, a knife, and an electrode assembly. The handle assembly includes a housing, and an arm. The arm can pivot the second jaw between the open position and the closed position. The arm can pivot relative to the housing between a first position, a second position, and a third position. The electrode activation assembly includes an activation button associated with the handle assembly, a resilient body, and a detent associated with either the housing or the arm. The activation button can activate the electrode assembly in response to the arm pivoting to the third position. The resilient body includes a first cam feature. The detent can engage the first cam feature as the arm pivots between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A robotic surgical system comprising a surgical instrument comprising an end effector comprising (i) a blade, (ii) a first jaw member including a first electrode, and (iii) a second jaw member including a second electrode. The robotic surgical system may also comprise a motor and a control circuit configured to: (i) produce control signals comprising a first control signal and a second control signal, (ii) deliver an electrosurgical energy signal to the first electrode and the second electrode via the first control signal, (iii) deliver a drive signal to the motor via the second control signal (iv) receive at least one feedback signal, (v) determine a rate of change based on a first feedback signal of the at least one feedback signal, and (vi) maintain the rate of change at a predetermined rate or within a predetermined range.