Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument includes an end effector assembly including first and second jaw members. At least one of the first or second jaw members is movable about a pivot relative to the other from a spaced-apart position to an approximated position to grasp tissue between first and second opposed surfaces of the first and second jaw members, respectively. The electrosurgical instrument further includes an interface configured to provide a feedback related to a size of tissue grasped by the first and second jaw members. At least one of the first or second jaw members includes a touch sensor configured to sense a touch span where the tissue touches the at least one of the first or second opposed surfaces. The end effector assembly further includes an angle sensor configured to sense an angle ? about the pivot between the first and second opposed surfaces.

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 forceps is provided and includes a housing having a shaft. An end effector assembly operatively connects to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of first and second jaw members. One or both of the first and second jaw members is movable relative to the other jaw member from a clamping position to an open position. A resilient member operably couples to at least one of the first and second jaw members. The resilient member is configured to bias the first and second jaw members in the clamping position and provide a closure force on tissue disposed therebetween.

Abstract: A combination patient return pad and surgical smoke evacuator includes a return electrode configured to attach to a surface and a suction tube for drawing surgical smoke from a surgical site.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument includes an end effector assembly including first and second jaw members. At least one of the first or second jaw members is movable about a pivot relative to the other from a spaced-apart position to an approximated position to grasp tissue between first and second opposed surfaces of the first and second jaw members, respectively. The electrosurgical instrument further includes an interface configured to provide a feedback related to a size of tissue grasped by the first and second jaw members. At least one of the first or second jaw members includes a touch sensor configured to sense a touch span where the tissue touches the at least one of the first or second opposed surfaces. The end effector assembly further includes an angle sensor configured to sense an angle ? about the pivot between the first and second opposed surfaces.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, energizable member, first activation switch, cable assembly, and second activation switch. The housing is operatively associated with the energizable member. The first activation switch is coupled to the energizable member and is selectively transitionable from an open condition to a closed condition. The cable assembly is coupled to the housing at a first end and includes a plug at a second, opposite end, the plug housing a second activation switch selectively transitionable from an open condition to a closed condition. The plug is adapted to connect to the source of electrosurgical energy, wherein transitioning of the first activation switch from the open condition to the closed condition transitions the second activation switch from the open condition to the closed condition such that the second activation switch communicates with the source of electrosurgical energy to initiate the supply of energy to the energizable member.

Abstract: A forceps is provided and includes a housing having a shaft. An end effector assembly operatively connects to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of first and second jaw members. One or both of the first and second jaw members is movable relative to the other jaw member from a clamping position to an open position. A resilient member operably couples to at least one of the first and second jaw members. The resilient member is configured to bias the first and second jaw members in the clamping position and provide a closure force on tissue disposed therebetween.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes an end effector assembly, a display, and a controller. The end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members each defining a tissue-treating surface. At least one of the first or second jaw members is movable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue between the tissue-treating surfaces thereof. At least one of the first or second jaw members includes a sensor. The controller is configured to receive sensor data from the sensor, generate a tissue indication based upon the sensor data, and output the tissue indication to the display. The display is configured to display the tissue indication. The tissue indication indicates a location along the first jaw member at which tissue is grasped between the tissue-treating surfaces of the first and second jaw members.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing having a shaft extending distally from the housing and an end effector disposed at a distal end of the shaft with first and second jaw members. The jaw members are moveable relative to one another from a first, open configuration spaced relative to one another, to a second, closed configuration. The first jaw member includes a sealing plate having proximal and distal segments each adapted to connect to an energy source via a single, wired connection and the second jaw member includes a sealing plate adapted to connect to the energy source. A resistor is disposed in circuit and is electrically coupled to the energy source. The resistor is configured to regulate the flow of energy to the proximal segment of the first jaw member via the single wired connection upon activation and until the jaw members reach the second configuration.

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 system includes an end effector assembly, a display, and a controller. The end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members each defining a tissue-treating surface. At least one of the first or second jaw members is movable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue between the tissue-treating surfaces thereof. At least one of the first or second jaw members includes a sensor. The controller is configured to receive sensor data from the sensor, generate a tissue indication based upon the sensor data, and output the tissue indication to the display. The display is configured to display the tissue indication. The tissue indication indicates a location along the first jaw member at which tissue is grasped between the tissue-treating surfaces of the first and second jaw members.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from its distal end. Each jaw member is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween. A knife channel is configured to reciprocate a cutting mechanism therealong. An actuator selectively advances the cutting mechanism. A switch is disposed on the first shaft and is configured to be depressed between a first position and at least one subsequent position upon biasing engagement with a mechanical interface disposed on the second shaft. The first position of the switch relays information to the user corresponding to a desired pressure on tissue and the at least one subsequent position is configured to activate the source of electrosurgical energy to supply electrosurgical energy to the jaw members.

Abstract: An end effector assembly for an electrosurgical instrument includes a pair of opposing jaw members each including a jaw housing supporting an electrically conductive tissue engaging surface thereon. The jaw members are movable relative to one another to grasp tissue therebetween. A thermal cutting element is operatively associated with the electrically conductive tissue engaging surface of one jaw member and is independently activatable relative to the electrically conductive tissue engaging surfaces. The thermal cutting element is selectively moveable in a first direction relative to the electrically conductive tissue engaging surface along a transverse axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis defined through the jaw member and is selectively moveable in a second direction along the longitudinal axis to extend relative to a distal end of the jaw member.

Abstract: A method includes providing a graphical representation of a surgical site, grasping the tissue of the patient with first and second jaw members of an end effector including a location sensor, illuminating optical light into the grasped tissue at the first jaw member, receiving the optical light that has passed through the grasped tissue, at the second jaw member, processing the received light to identify a vessel, which is encompassed within the grasped tissue, receiving location information of the end effector from the location sensor, synchronizing a location of the identified vessel within the graphical representation based on the location information, and displaying the identified vessel at the synchronized location in the graphical representation.

Abstract: An end effector assembly for an electrosurgical instrument includes a pair of opposing jaw members each having a jaw housing supporting an electrically conductive tissue engaging surface thereon. The tissue engaging surfaces are disposed in opposition relative to one another and one or both of the jaw members are movable relative to one another to grasp tissue therebetween. First, second and third thermal cutting elements are disposed on one or both of the tissue engaging surfaces. Each thermal cutting element is independently activatable (or activatable in pairs) relative to the tissue engaging surfaces and each thermal cutting element connects to an electrosurgical energy source. The first thermal cutting element is exposed along the length of the tissue engaging surface, the second thermal cutting element surrounds the distal tip of the jaw member and the third thermal cutting element is disposed on the back of the jaw housing.

Abstract: An end effector assembly for an electrosurgical instrument includes a pair of opposing jaw members each having a jaw housing supporting an electrically conductive tissue engaging surface thereon. The electrically conductive tissue engaging surfaces are disposed in opposition relative to one another. The jaw members are movable relative to one another to grasp tissue therebetween and are connect to an electrosurgical energy source. A thermal cutting element is disposed in one of the electrically conductive tissue engaging surfaces and is independently activatable relative to the electrically conductive tissue engaging surfaces. The thermal cutting element is exposed along the length of the electrically conductive tissue engaging surface and includes an exposed distal end extending through a distal end of the jaw housing. The thermal cutting element includes a scallop defined proximal to the exposed distal end thereof configured to facilitate tissue scoring upon movement and activation thereof.

Abstract: A system includes a surgical instrument configured to perform a laparoscopic surgical operation, a location sensor configured to identify a spatial relationship between an anatomical structure and the surgical instrument, and a processor configured to receive a graphical representation of a patient, determine proximity of the distal end portion of the surgical instrument with the anatomical structure of the patient based on the spatial relationship, and generate a warning based on the determination of proximity.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from its distal end. Each jaw member is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween. A knife channel is configured to reciprocate a cutting mechanism therealong. An actuator selectively advances the cutting mechanism. A switch is disposed on the first shaft and is configured to be depressed between a first position and at least one subsequent position upon biasing engagement with a mechanical interface disposed on the second shaft. The first position of the switch relays information to the user corresponding to a desired pressure on tissue and the at least one subsequent position is configured to activate the source of electrosurgical energy to supply electrosurgical energy to the jaw members.

Abstract: An end effector assembly for an electrosurgical instrument includes a pair of opposing jaw members each having a jaw housing supporting an electrically conductive tissue engaging surface thereon disposed in opposition relative to one another. The electrically conductive tissue engaging surfaces are adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source. A thermal cutting element is disposed the electrically conductive tissue engaging surface and is independently activatable relative to the electrically conductive tissue engaging surfaces and is adapted to connect to the electrosurgical energy source. The thermal cutting element is exposed along the length of the electrically conductive tissue engaging surface and includes an exposed distal end extending through a distal end of the jaw housing. The exposed distal end of the thermal cutting element is configured to facilitate tissue dissection upon activation thereof.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument including an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members and at least first and second thermal cutting elements. Each of the first and second jaw members includes an electrically conductive tissue contacting surface. At least one of the first or second jaw members is movable relative to the other from a spaced apart position to an approximated position to grasp tissue between the tissue contacting surfaces. The first and second jaw members are adapted to connect to a source of energy for electrosurgically treating tissue grasped between the tissue contacting surfaces. Each of the first and second thermal cutting elements is disposed on or within one of the first or second jaw members and adapted to connect to a source of energy for thermally treating tissue.