Abstract: A method implemented by a surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes first and second jaws and a flexible circuit including multiple sensors to optimize performance of a radio frequency (RF) device. The flexible circuit includes at least one therapeutic electrode couplable to a source of RF energy, at least two sensing electrodes, and at least one insulative layer. The insulative layer is positioned between the at least one therapeutic electrode and the at least two sensing electrodes. The method includes contacting tissue positioned between the first and second jaws of the surgical instrument with the at least one therapeutic electrode and at the least two sensing electrodes; sensing signals from the at least two sensing electrodes; and controlling RF energy delivered to the at least one therapeutic electrode based on the sensed signals.

Abstract: A surgical instrument assembly comprising a shaft, an actuator positioned within the shaft, an articulation joint, an attachment interface positioned distal to the articulation joint and an end effector removably attachable to and detachable from said articulation joint by the attachment interface is disclosed. The end effector is configured to be articulated relative to the shaft. The end effector comprises a first jaw, a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw, and a firing member configured to move the second jaw relative to the first jaw when the end effector is attached to the attachment interface and control motions are applied to the firing member by the actuator. When the end effector is attached to the articulation joint, the actuator is movable between an engaged position in which the actuator and the firing member are operably engaged and a disengaged position.

Abstract: A surgical cutting and fastening instrument comprises an end effector that has a shaft coupled thereto that is coupled to a robotic system. A tool mounting portion includes an electric, DC motor connected to a drive train in the shaft for powering the drive train. A power pack that comprises at least one charge-accumulating device connected to the DC motor for powering the DC motor is provided.

Abstract: A motorized surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a displacement member, a motor coupled to the displacement member, a control circuit coupled to the motor, a position sensor coupled to the control circuit, and a timer circuit coupled to the control circuit. The timer circuit is configured to measure elapsed time and to to receive, from the position sensor, a position of the displacement member in a current zone during a set time interval, measure displacement of the displacement member at a set time at the end of the set time interval, wherein the measured displacement is defined as the distance traveled by the displacement member during the set time interval at a set command velocity for the current zone, and set a command velocity of the displacement member for a subsequent zone based on the measured displacement of the displacement member within the current zone.

Abstract: A motor-driven surgical cutting and fastening instrument that comprises an end effector, an electric motor, and a motor control circuit. The motor control circuit is for monitoring a parameter of the electric motor that is indicative of movement of a moveable member of the end effector, and for adjustably controlling the electric motor based on the monitored parameter to thereby adjustably control movement of the moveable member of the end effector during forward rotation of the electric motor.

Abstract: A method of operating a medical device comprises electrically connecting a power device to the medical device. The method further comprises sensing at least one characteristic of the medical device with the power device. The method further comprises adjusting or maintaining one or more characteristics of an electrical connection feature of the power device according to the at least one observed characteristic such that the electrical connection feature of the power device is operationally compatible with an electrical connection feature of the medical device. The method further comprises operating the power device according to an operational profile associated with the medical device.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are presented for a surgical instrument having one or more sensors at or a near an end effector and configured to aide in the detection of tissues and other materials and structures at a surgical site. The detections may then be used to aide in the placement of the end effector and to confirm which objects to operate on, or alternatively, to avoid. Examples of sensors include laser sensors used to employ Doppler shift principles to detect movement of objects at the surgical site, such as blood cells; resistance sensors to detect the presence of metal; monochromatic light sources that allow for different levels of absorption from different types of substances present at the surgical site, and near infrared spectrometers with small form factors.

Abstract: A method for producing a surgical instrument is disclosed. The method comprises obtaining a handle, wherein the handle comprises a distal end comprising a shaft interface surface and a first set of magnetic elements. The method further comprises obtaining a shaft, wherein the shaft comprises a proximal end comprising a handle interface surface, a second set of magnetic elements, and a third set of magnetic elements. The method further comprises attaching the shaft to the handle, wherein the shaft interface surface is configured to engage the shaft at the handle interface surface, wherein an attractive magnetic force is configured to pull the handle towards the shaft when the first set of magnetic elements interact with the second magnetic elements, and wherein a repulsive magnetic force is configured to repel the handle from the shaft when the first set of magnetic elements interacts with the third set of magnetic elements.

Abstract: A return pad of an electrosurgical system is disclosed. The return pad includes a plurality of conductive members and a plurality of sensing devices. The conductive members are configured to receive radio frequency current applied to a patient. The sensing devices are configured to detect at least one of the following: a nerve control signal applied to the patient; and a movement of an anatomical feature of the patient resulting from application of the nerve control signal.

Abstract: Surgical instruments and system and methods for using surgical instruments are disclosed. A surgical instrument comprises an end effector comprising an ultrasonic blade and clamp arm, an ultrasonic transducer, and a control circuit. The ultrasonic transducer ultrasonically oscillates the ultrasonic blade in response to a drive signal from a generator. The end effector receives electrosurgical energy to weld tissue. The control circuit determines a resonant frequency measure indicative of a thermally induced change in resonant frequency and a electrical continuity measure; calculates a weld focal point based on the determined measures, controls closure of the clamp arm to vary a pressure applied by the clamp arm to provide a threshold control pressure to the tissue loaded into the end effector, and maintains a gap between the ultrasonic blade and clamp arm at a point proximal to the proximal end of the tissue. Pressure is varied based on corresponding weld focal point.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a housing, a shaft, a loading unit, a firing member configured to perform a firing stroke, a motor, a battery, a firing trigger, a control system, an electronic lockout, and a firing trigger lockout is disclosed. The electronic lockout is configured to prevent the firing member from performing the firing stroke when the loadinq unit is not attached to the shaft. The electronic lockout is further configured to prevent the firing member from performing the firing stroke when the loading unit is attached to the shaft and the loading unit has been at least partially fired. The firing trigger lockout is in a locked position when the loading unit is not attached to the elongate shaft. The firing trigger lockout is in the locked position when the loading unit is attached to the elongate shaft and the loading unit has been at least partially fired.

Abstract: A method for adjusting the operation of a surgical suturing instrument using machine learning in a surgical suite is disclosed. The method comprises gathering data during surgical procedures, wherein the surgical procedures include the use of a surgical suturing instrument comprising a suturing needle configured to be mechanically advanced through a suturing stroke, analyzing the gathered data to determine an appropriate operational adjustment of the surgical suturing instrument, and adjusting the operation of the surgical suturing instrument to improve the operation of the surgical suturing instrument.

Abstract: A method is disclosed. The method includes delivering staples from a surgical staple cartridge of a surgical instrument to a first tissue during a first procedure; removing the surgical staple cartridge from the surgical instrument; and delivering radio-frequency energy from a radio-frequency cartridge of the surgical instrument to a second tissue during a second procedure.

Abstract: A surgical stapler. The surgical stapler includes a drive system, an electric motor, a battery and a control system. The electric motor is mechanically coupled to the drive system. The battery is electrically couplable to the electric motor. The control system is electrically connected to the electric motor and includes an H-bridge circuit, an electrically resistive element and an electrically inductive element. The H-bridge circuit includes a high side and a low side. The low side of the H-bridge circuit includes first and second switching devices. The electrically resistive element is electrically connected in series with the first switching device. The electrically inductive element is electrically connected to the electrically resistive element. The control system is configured to control a force applied to the drive system based on a current downstream of the electrically resistive element.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are presented for a medical instrument configured to adjust the power level for sealing procedures to account for changes in tissue impedance levels over time. In some aspects, a medical instrument may be configured to apply power according to a power algorithm to seal tissue by applying a gradually lower amount of power over to time as the tissue impedance level begins to rise out of the “bathtub region,” which is the time period during energy application where the tissue impedance is low enough for electrosurgical energy to be effective for sealing tissue. In some aspects, the power is then cut once the tissue impedance level exceeds the “bathtub region.” By gradually reducing the power, a balance is achieved between still applying an effective level of power for sealing and prolonging the time in which the tissue impedance remains in the “bathtub region.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surgical instrument comprising an end effector with independently activatable segmented electrodes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of detecting a short circuit in the jaws of an end effector of a surgical instrument. The method includes applying a sub-therapeutic electrical signal to an electrode located in the jaws of the end effector. The sub-therapeutic electrical signal comprises a sequence of exploratory waveforms comprising pulsed current and voltage waveforms. The method includes detecting a shorted electrode when a measured electrical parameter in the jaws of the end effector is less than a predetermined value and modifying electrical current applied to the shorted electrode by the RF generator.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surgical instrument comprising an end effector with energy sensitive resistance elements.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surgical staple for a combination energy stapler surgical instrument. The staple includes a crown defining a base, first and second deformable legs extending from the each end of the base and an electrically insulative material disposed on at least a portion of the base.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of operating an electrosurgical instrument including an end effector with segmented electrodes.