Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for controlling cooperative surgical instruments are provided. Various aspects of the present disclosure provide for coordinated operation of surgical instruments accessing various surgical sites from different or shared surgical approaches to achieve a common or cooperative surgical purpose. For example, various methods, devices, and systems disclosed herein can enable the coordinated treatment of tissue by disparate minimally invasive surgical systems that approach the tissue from varying anatomical spaces and must operate differently, but in concert with, one another to effect a desired surgical treatment.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for controlling cooperative surgical instruments with variable surgical site access trajectories are provided. Various aspects of the present disclosure provide for coordinated operation of surgical instruments accessing a common surgical site from different approach and/or separate body cavities to achieve a common surgical purpose. For example, various methods, devices, and systems disclosed herein can enable the coordinated treatment of tissue by disparate minimally invasive surgical systems that approach the tissue from varying anatomical spaces and must operate differently, but in concert with one another, to effect a desired surgical treatment.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector, a shaft assembly, a drive, and an activating mechanism. The end effector includes first and second jaws. At least one of the first and second jaws is pivotable relative to the other of the first and second jaws between open and closed positions. The shaft assembly extends proximally from the end effector. The drive is operatively connected to a portion of at least one of the end effector or the shaft assembly. The activating mechanism includes an actuation body operatively connected to the drive. The portion is configured to perform a first actuation profile in response to the actuation body moving along a first predetermined path or perform a second actuation profile in response to the actuation body moving along a second predetermined path. Selection of the first predetermined path is configured to prevent the actuation body from accessing the second predetermined path.

Abstract: An interactive and dynamic surgical simulation system may be used in the context of a computer-implemented interactive surgical system. An operating-room-based surgical data system may aggregate surgical activity data that is indicative of a performance of a live surgical procedure. The surgical simulation device may receive the surgical activity data from the operating-room-based surgical data system. And the surgical simulation device may simulate a surgical task based on surgical activity data. The surgical activity data may be structured by a procedure plan data structure. The procedure plan data structure may be common to the operating-room-based surgical data system and the surgical simulation device. The procedure plan data structure may be configured to covey information indicative of equipment, technique, and surgical steps in a structured format such that the equipment, technique, and surgical steps of the live surgical procedure are reflected in the simulated surgical procedure.

Abstract: A surgical visualization system for use with a robotic surgical system that includes a surgical tool movable with respect to a tissue of a patient in response to an instrument motion control signal is disclosed. The surgical visualization system includes a camera and a control circuit coupled to the camera. The control circuit is configured to determine a distance between the surgical tool and the tissue and adjust a magnification of the camera based on the distance between the surgical tool and the tissue.

Abstract: In general, devices, systems, and methods for fiducial identification and tracking are provided.

Abstract: A surgical instrument. The surgical instrument includes an elongated channel configured to support a staple cartridge, an anvil pivotably connected to the elongated channel, a knife mechanically coupled to the staple cartridge, an electric motor and a control circuit electrically connected to the electric motor. The control circuit is configured to change a firing motion of the surgical instrument based on a combination of events.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for controlling cooperative surgical instruments are provided. Various aspects of the present disclosure provide for coordinated operation of surgical instruments accessing various surgical sites from different or shared surgical approaches to achieve a common or cooperative surgical purpose. For example, various methods, devices, and systems disclosed herein can enable the coordinated treatment of tissue by disparate minimally invasive surgical systems that approach the tissue from varying anatomical spaces and must operate differently, but in concert with, one another to effect a desired surgical treatment.

Abstract: A surgical tool includes a drive housing having opposing first and second ends and a drive input rotatably mounted to the drive housing at the first end, a carriage mounted entirely within the drive housing and movable between the first and second ends via actuation of the drive input, an instrument driver matable with the drive housing at the first end, a drive output matable with the drive input such that rotation of the drive output rotates the drive input and translates the carriage within the drive housing, a shaft coupled to and extending distally from the carriage and penetrating the first end and the instrument driver, and a fin connected to the carriage and accessible by a user at an exterior of the drive housing, the fin being manually translatable along the exterior of the drive housing between the first and second ends to thereby translate the carriage.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an emitter assembly for visualizing a surgical site is disclosed. The emitter assembly is configured to emit a pulse pattern of electromagnetic radiation at the surgical site. The electromagnetic radiation pattern can include infrared radiation, visible light, or combinations thereof in either structured or non-structured formats. Further, a receiver assembly is configured to receive the electromagnetic radiation reflected from the surgical site. The control circuit can be configured to control the sequence or pattern in which the electromagnetic radiation is pulsed according to a preset sequence or according to feedback from the surgical site.

Abstract: A tissue thickness compensator may generally comprise a first layer comprising a first biocompatible material sealingly enclosed in a water impermeable material and a second layer comprising a second biocompatible material comprising at least one encapsulation, wherein the first biocompatible material expands when contacted with a fluid. The tissue thickness compensator may comprise a haemostatic agent, an anti-inflammatory agent, an antibiotic agent, anti-microbial agent, an anti-adhesion agent, an anti-coagulant agent, a medicament, and/or pharmaceutically active agent. The encapsulation may comprise a biodegradable material to degrade in vivo and/or in situ. The tissue thickness compensator may comprise a hydrogel. The reaction product may comprise a fluid-swellable composition. Articles of manufacture comprising the tissue thickness compensator and methods of making and using the tissue thickness compensator are also described.

Abstract: A robotic surgical system includes a control console configured to generate a set of actuation instructions. A robotic arm is in communication with the control console and is configured to actuate an instrument based on the set of actuation instructions. The control console is configured to calculate an external zone of operation for the robotic arm based on patient tracking data, the patient tracking data indicating a position of at least one external anatomical structure of the patient. The control console is further configured to calculate an instrument zone of operation for at least a portion of the instrument based on anatomical data received by the control console or instrument data received by the control console.

Abstract: A system includes a control console, a laparoscopic instrument, and a uterine manipulator. The laparoscopic instrument includes a first proximity sensor element. The uterine manipulator includes a base and a shaft extending distally from the base. The shaft includes a distal end dimensioned to be inserted into the uterus of a patient and a second proximity sensor element located at the distal end. The proximity sensor elements are configured to cooperatively generate a distance signal indicating a distance between the proximity sensor elements. The control console is configured to receive the distance signal from either the first proximity sensor element or the second proximity sensor element and calculate a corresponding distance between the proximity sensor elements. The control console is configured to compare the corresponding distance with a threshold distance and generate an alert signal when the corresponding distance is smaller than the threshold distance.

Abstract: A buttress is applied to an end effector of a surgical stapler. The buttress is loaded on a platform of a buttress applier cartridge. The end effector is closed upon the platform. An adhesive layer of the buttress secures the buttress to the end effector. The buttress is thus adhered to the end effector when the end effector is opened. The end effector is then actuated on tissue of a patient, thereby stapling the buttress to the tissue.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical stapling instrument can include a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, wherein the shaft defines an axis, and a disposable loading unit which is assembled to the shaft in a direction which is transverse to the shaft axis. Such a connection between the disposable loading unit and the shaft can prevent, or at least inhibit, the disposable loading unit from being unintentionally displaced proximally and/or distally relative to the shaft of the surgical instrument. The surgical stapling instrument and/or disposable loading unit can further include a threaded collar and/or detent assembly configured to hold the disposable loading unit in place. In various embodiments, a disposable loading unit can include a lockout feature which can prevent, or at least inhibit, an expended disposable loading unit from being reassembled to the elongated body of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A surgical visualization system is disclosed. The surgical visualization system is configured to identify one or more structure(s) and/or determine one or more distances with respect to obscuring tissue and/or the identified structure(s). The surgical visualization system can facilitate avoidance of the identified structure(s) by a surgical device. The surgical visualization system can comprise a first emitter configured to emit a plurality of tissue-penetrating light waves and a second emitter configured to emit structured light onto the surface of tissue. The surgical visualization system can also include an image sensor configured to detect reflected visible light, tissue-penetrating light, and/or structured light. The surgical visualization system can convey information to one or more clinicians regarding the position of one or more hidden identified structures and/or provide one or more proximity indicators.

Abstract: A surgical visualization system is disclosed. The surgical visualization system is configured to identify one or more structure(s) and/or determine one or more distances with respect to obscuring tissue and/or the identified structure(s). The surgical visualization system can facilitate avoidance of the identified structure(s) by a surgical device. The surgical visualization system can comprise a first emitter configured to emit a plurality of tissue-penetrating light waves and a second emitter configured to emit structured light onto the surface of tissue. The surgical visualization system can also include an image sensor configured to detect reflected visible light, tissue-penetrating light, and/or structured light. The surgical visualization system can convey information to one or more clinicians regarding the position of one or more hidden identified structures and/or provide one or more proximity indicators.

Abstract: A method of manually operating a robotic surgical tool includes positioning the robotic surgical tool adjacent a patient, the robotic surgical tool including a drive housing having opposing first and second ends, a spline extending between the first and second ends, a carriage arranged within the drive housing and movable between the first and second ends, and a manual actuation mechanism arranged at the first or second end and including a frame, a spline coupling rotatably mounted to the frame to receive an end of the spline, and a ring gear rotatable about the frame and engageable with a pinion gear operatively coupled to the spline coupling. The method further including grasping the robotic surgical tool and manually rotating the ring gear, and driving the ring gear against the pinion gear and thereby rotating the spline to manually actuate a function of the robotic surgical tool.

Abstract: A method of applying a buttress to a surgical stapler end effector comprises positioning a buttress assembly between an anvil and a staple cartridge of the end effector. The buttress assembly comprises a buttress body and an adhesive material. The adhesive material faces either an underside of the anvil or a deck of the staple cartridge. The anvil is in an open position relative to the staple cartridge during the act of positioning the buttress assembly between the anvil and the staple cartridge. The method further comprises moving the anvil toward the staple cartridge then moving the anvil back to the open position. The buttress assembly is adhered to the underside of the anvil or the deck of the staple cartridge via the adhesive material with the anvil moved back to the open position. The adhesive material comprises a bioabsorbable polymer.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for controlling cooperative surgical instruments with variable surgical site access trajectories are provided. Various aspects of the present disclosure provide for coordinated operation of surgical instruments accessing a common surgical site from different approach and/or separate body cavities to achieve a common surgical purpose. For example, various methods, devices, and systems disclosed herein can enable the coordinated treatment of tissue by disparate minimally invasive surgical systems that approach the tissue from varying anatomical spaces and must operate differently, but in concert with one another, to effect a desired surgical treatment.