Abstract: An inventory system configured for detecting and counting potentially retained surgical items within a body of a patient includes an RFID tag configured to transmit a return signal at a frequency when energized, a signal generator configured to generate an energizing signal for the RFID tag, an antenna operably coupled to the signal generator, the antenna configured to receive a return signal transmitted by the RFID tag, an imaging device configured to capture an image, a processor, and a memory. The memory includes instructions stored thereon, which when executed by the processor cause the system to energize the RFID tag, receive the return signal from the antenna, receive the image of the area including the portion of the body of the patient from the imaging device, and determine a spatial location of the RFID tag.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device vision system, comprising at least one of one or more fiber-optic cables and/or digital image sensor positioned to capture a corresponding one or more views of the surgical site in proximity to a distal tip portion of an electrosurgical device, and a processor configured to utilize multiple images captured by the vision system to construct a composite image with at least one of an improved resolution, clarity, dynamic range, and/or size.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument includes a pair of jaws, an endoscope configured to capture image data of a surgical site including the electrosurgical instrument, and an energy generator coupled to the electrosurgical instrument. The energy generator is configured to generate an energy output to the electrosurgical instrument. The system also includes an endoscope controller which includes a processor and a memory. The memory includes instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by the processor, cause the energy-based surgical system to access the captured image, determine a thickness of tissue grasped by the pair of jaws based on the image, and control the energy output of the energy generator based on the determined thickness.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device vision system, comprising at least one of one or more fiber-optic cables and/or digital image sensor positioned to capture a corresponding one or more views of the surgical site in proximity to a distal tip portion of an electrosurgical device, and a processor configured to utilize multiple images captured by the vision system to construct a composite image with at least one of an improved resolution, clarity, dynamic range, and/or size.

Abstract: Systems and method for digital control of a power management circuit are disclosed. In one aspect, a power management circuit may take analog samples of output voltages and currents. These analog samples are converted to digital signals and provided as feedback signals to a digital control and stabilization circuit. The digital control circuit then generates a digital signal that controls a pulse width control circuit, which in turn, controls a switching array of a direct current-to-direct current (DC-DC) converter. The digital control and stabilization circuit may receive or calculate calibration values associated with elements from which the output measurements are taken so as to compensate for process, voltage, temperature and/or other environmental fluctuations in the power management circuit, thereby reducing a need to overdesign the power management circuit and improving settling time and efficiency.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a cordless surgical instrument configured to obtain information regarding preparation of the cordless surgical instrument for use and/or information regarding at least one replaceable component of the cordless surgical instrument. The surgical system further includes a communication hub configured to wirelessly connect to the cordless surgical instrument to receive the information therefrom. The communication hub is configured to instruct. based at least on the information. a connected device to provide an output relating to the preparation of the cordless surgical instrument for use or the replacement of the at least one replaceable component.

Abstract: A power amplifier with analog predistortion is disclosed. In one aspect, a signal in the transmission chain is sampled to determine if a phase distortion (delay or advancement) is present. Information about the sampled signal is provided to a control circuit, which uses an analog predistortion circuit to inject a correction signal into the transmission chain so as to offset or compensate for the phase distortion. In an exemplary aspect, the analog predistortion circuit may use a variable capacitor to generate the correction signal that is injected. This detection and adjustment may be done in the front end of the transmission chain so as to avoid reliance on a baseband processor. Use of such analog predistortion helps maintain desired linear operation over the large bandwidths of emerging wireless communication standards.

Abstract: A power amplifier with analog predistortion is disclosed. In one aspect, a signal in the transmission chain is sampled to determine if an amplitude distortion (expansion or compression) is present. Information about the sampled signal is provided to a control circuit, which uses an analog predistortion circuit to inject a correction signal into the transmission chain so as to offset or compensate for the amplitude distortion. In an exemplary aspect, the analog predistortion circuit adjusts a bias signal provided to the power amplifier. This detection and adjustment may be done in the front end of the transmission chain so as to avoid reliance on a baseband processor. Use of such analog predistortion helps maintain desired linear operation over the large bandwidths of emerging wireless communication standards.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for controlling delivery of electrosurgical energy to a vessel to seal the vessel, includes collecting data from an electrosurgical system including an instrument and energy source while the instrument is delivering electrosurgical energy from the energy source to a vessel, predicting by using a machine learning algorithm a burst pressure probability of the vessel based on the data, and determining if the vessel is adequately sealed based on the prediction. The data includes an electrical parameter associated with the delivery of the electrosurgical energy.

Abstract: A surgical robotic system includes an instrument having a shaft defining a longitudinal axis and an end effector pivotable relative to the shaft at a yaw angle, the end effector including a pair of jaws pivotable at a pitch angle and openable to a jaw angle. The system also includes a first imaging device configured to obtain a first image of the end effector along a first axis; a second imaging device configured to obtain a second image of the end effector along a second axis; and a third imaging device configured to obtain a third image of the end effector along a third axis, wherein each of the first, second, and third axes are transverse relative to each other.

Abstract: A switching circuit for power management circuits and front-end modules (FEMs) is disclosed. In one aspect, a switching circuit is made from N-type field effect transistors (NFETs) that couple directly to charge pumps associated with converters in the power management circuits. The charge pumps provide a desired gate bias for the NFETs to allow for low loss across the source drain of the NFET. By providing such an NFET-based switching circuit, different FEMs may be coupled to different converters across a wide voltage range. NFETs are smaller than comparable P-type FETs (PFETs) and require less control circuitry. Accordingly, space and cost may be reduced while still providing desired performance across a desired voltage range.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a direct current-to-direct current (DC-DC) converter with programmable compensation are disclosed. In one aspect, a power management chip having a DC-DC converter measures process, voltage, and temperature (PVT) variations and provides a dynamic compensation circuit (e.g., using programmable digital-to-analog converters (DACs)) to offset such PVT variations. Further, changes in frequency may be detected, and additional compensation values provided. Providing compensation in this manner allows the DC-DC converter's performance to be more efficient, resulting in better performance and power savings.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for controlling delivery of electrosurgical energy to a vessel to seal the vessel, includes collecting data from an electrosurgical system including an instrument and energy source while the instrument is delivering electrosurgical energy from the energy source to a vessel, predicting by using a machine learning algorithm a burst pressure probability of the vessel based on the data, and determining if the vessel is adequately sealed based on the prediction. The data includes an electrical parameter associated with the delivery of the electrosurgical energy.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument includes a pair of jaws, an endoscope configured to capture image data of a surgical site including the electrosurgical instrument, and an energy generator coupled to the electrosurgical instrument. The energy generator is configured to generate an energy output to the electrosurgical instrument. The system also includes an endoscope controller which includes a processor and a memory. The memory includes instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by the processor, cause the energy-based surgical system to access the captured image, determine a thickness of tissue grasped by the pair of jaws based on the image, and control the energy output of the energy generator based on the determined thickness.

Abstract: End-of-arm tools to be coupled to a robotic arm and configured to handle structural lumber objects are disclosed as are methods of use for such. The end-of-arm tools comprise opposing jaws to grip the lumber objects. The opposing jaws are coupled to a rigid frame via a four-bar linkage providing mechanical advantage and over-center functionality. An actuated extractor extends between the opposing jaws to engage the lumber object upon release. Assemblies of multiple end-of-arm tools coupled together are also disclosed.

Abstract: An energy-based surgical system includes at least one electrosurgical instrument and an endoscope configured to capture video data of a surgical site including the at least one energy instrument. The system also includes an endoscope controller configured to process the video data to determine contextual data pertaining to one of the surgical site or the at least one energy instrument. The system further includes an energy generator coupled to the at least one energy instrument, the energy generator configured to output energy to the at least one energy instrument and to control energy based on the contextual data.

Abstract: A reductant insertion system for an after treatment system configured to decompose constituents of an exhaust gas, includes: a dry reductant tank configured to contain a dry reductant; a reductant delivery line configured to operatively couple the dry reductant tank to the after treatment system for delivery of the dry reductant to the after treatment system; and a pressurized gas source configured to communicate the dry reductant to the after treatment system through the reductant delivery line using pressurized gas.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing (20), a syringe carriage (40), a movable handle (25), a shaft (30), a needle sheath (50), and a needle (60). The syringe carriage is operably coupled to the housing and configured to couple to a syringe. The movable handle is movable relative to the housing and operably coupled to the syringe carriage to distally advance the syringe carriage. The shaft extends distally from the housing and defines a lumen. The needle sheath extends through the lumen of the shaft, defines a lumen, and is movable relative to the shaft between an extended condition and a retracted condition. The needle extends through the lumen of the needle sheath and is configured to operably couple to a syringe coupled to the syringe carriage.

Abstract: End-of-arm tools to be coupled to a robotic arm and configured to handle structural lumber objects are disclosed as are methods of use for such. The end-of-arm tools comprise opposing jaws to grip the lumber objects. The opposing jaws are coupled to a rigid frame via a four-bar linkage providing mechanical advantage and over-center functionality. An actuated extractor extends between the opposing jaws to engage the lumber object upon release. Assemblies of multiple end-of-arm tools coupled together are also disclosed.

Abstract: An inventory system configured for detecting and counting potentially retained surgical items within a body of a patient includes an RFID tag configured to transmit a return signal at a frequency when energized, a signal generator configured to generate an energizing signal for the RFID tag, an antenna operably coupled to the signal generator, the antenna configured to receive a return signal transmitted by the RFID tag, an imaging device configured to capture an image, a processor, and a memory. The memory includes instructions stored thereon, which when executed by the processor cause the system to energize the RFID tag, receive the return signal from the antenna, receive the image of the area including the portion of the body of the patient from the imaging device, and determine a spatial location of the RFID tag.