Abstract: An apparatus for operating on tissue comprises a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, and an end effector. The acoustic waveguide extends along the shaft and is configured to transmit ultrasonic vibration. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide. The clamp arm is pivotable toward the ultrasonic blade. The end effector defines a first longitudinal region and a second longitudinal region. The end effector is configured to clamp tissue between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade in the first longitudinal region. The end effector is configured to sever tissue with the ultrasonic blade in the second longitudinal region.

Abstract: A medical device includes an end effector configured to apply bipolar energy to target tissue along a working portion thereof and a fluid control system to control the flow of a fluid produced when the end effector applies the bipolar energy to heat the target tissue. The fluid control system includes a fluid path element defining a fluid path, a distal fluid port configured to intake the fluid adjacent to the working portion of an end effector for transport through the fluid path, and a proximal fluid port configured to intake the fluid transported through the fluid path and to exhaust the transported fluid.

Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument comprises an ultrasonic transducer, an acoustic waveguide, and an ultrasonic blade. The blade includes a pair of obliquely extending edges. The obliquely extending edges diverge away from the longitudinal axis of the waveguide and away from each other along respective paths extending distally in relation to the waveguide. A distal portion of the blade is wider than a proximal portion of the blade along a plane. The blade further includes a curved distal edge and several laterally presented surfaces. The laterally presented surfaces may provide combinations of concave and convex curvatures. The laterally presented surfaces may be angled and/or curved along one or more orthogonal planes associated with the longitudinal axis of the waveguide.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body assembly, an acoustic waveguide, an ultrasonic blade, and a liquid dispensing feature. The ultrasonic blade is positioned distally relative to the body assembly. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide. The liquid dispensing feature is positioned distally relative to the body assembly. The liquid dispensing feature is positioned adjacent to the ultrasonic blade. The liquid dispensing feature is configured to deliver a flow of cooling liquid to the ultrasonic blade.

Abstract: A bone cutting surgical instrument includes features to mitigate heat generation during use. Excessive heat can be detrimental to bone health as well as to the instrument itself. In one example a liquid dispensing feature provides a flow of cooling liquid to an ultrasonic blade via a lumen in a waveguide of the instrument. In another example, the blade has a serrated edge with a plurality of teeth arranged in a pattern to provide dimension and space during cutting actions. In another example, the blade has an oversize distal portion that creates an oversize slot when cutting to avoid excessive contact between the cut bone and proximal portions of the blade. In another example the blade includes an irrigation slot and also a micro slot in a distal end of the blade that connects with the irrigation slot.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a surgical instrument comprising, a shaft, and an end effector. The shaft may be coupled to the handle and may extend distally along a longitudinal axis. The end effector may be positioned at a distal end of the shaft and may comprise first and second jaw members and a reciprocating member. The first and second jaw members may define first and second longitudinal slots. One or both of the jaw members may be pivotable relative to the other about a pivot point. The reciprocating member may be translatable distally and proximally parallel to the longitudinal axis and through the first and second longitudinal slots. A distal portion of the reciprocating member may define a blade. The instrument may comprise an overtube translatable distally to exert a force on a portions of the first and second jaw members tending to close the first and second jaw members.

Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument comprises an ultrasonic transducer, an acoustic waveguide, and an ultrasonic blade. The acoustic waveguide comprises a bore extending through the waveguide, an anchor pin, and an acoustic isolator. The anchor pin is insertable through the bore and is operable to longitudinally anchor the acoustic waveguide relative to the ultrasonic instrument. The acoustic isolator is radially disposed about the acoustic waveguide and is operable to acoustically isolate the acoustic waveguide from the ultrasonic instrument. The acoustic isolator comprises an opening extending through the isolator. The opening is configured to receive the anchor pin. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide such that the ultrasonic transducer is operable to drive the ultrasonic blade to vibrate ultrasonically via the acoustic waveguide.

Abstract: An end effector of a surgical instrument may generally comprise a blade, and a clamp arm assembly comprising a clamp arm movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the blade, and at least one camming member rotationally attached to the clamp arm, wherein the at least one camming member is configured to rotate relative to the blade as the clamp arm moves from the open position to the closed position.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical instrument is provided that may comprise an end effector for performing a surgical procedure on tissue, for example. The end effector may comprise at least one energy delivery surface and heat dissipation means for dissipating heat from at least a portion of the end effector. For example, in at least one embodiment, the end effector may comprise a first jaw, a second jaw, and a cutting member. The cutting member may comprise a cutting surface and a body, which may define a cavity and at least one opening communicating with the cavity. A fluid may be moved through the cavity to and/or from the opening(s). Additionally, in at least one embodiment, a surgical instrument's end effector may comprise a first jaw, a second jaw, a cutting member, and at least one heat pipe. Various other heat dissipation means are also disclosed.

Abstract: Various forms are directed to a method for operating an ultrasonic surgical instrument. The ultrasonic surgical instrument may be activated by generating a drive signal provided to the ultrasonic drive system to drive the end effector. A plurality of input variables may be applied to a multi-variable model to generate a multi-variable model output, where the multi-variable model output corresponds to an effect of the ultrasonic instrument on tissue. The plurality of input variables may comprise at least one variable describing the drive signal and at least one variable describing a property of the ultrasonic surgical instrument. When the multi-variable model output reaches a threshold value, feedback may be generated indicating a corresponding state of at least one of the ultrasonic surgical instrument and tissue acted upon by the ultrasonic surgical instrument.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical blade includes a body having a proximal end, a distal end, and an outer surface. The distal end is movable relative to a longitudinal axis in accordance with ultrasonic vibrations applied to the proximal end. At least a portion of the outer surface of the body comprises a lubricious coating adhered thereto. The lubricious coating has a coefficient of friction that is less than the coefficient of friction of the outer surface of the body.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical blade includes a body having a proximal end, a distal end, and an outer surface. The distal end is movable relative to a longitudinal axis in accordance with ultrasonic vibrations applied to the proximal end. At least a portion of the outer surface of the body comprises a lubricious coating adhered thereto. The lubricious coating has a coefficient of friction that is less than the coefficient of friction of the outer surface of the body.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical blade includes a body having a proximal end, a distal end, and an outer surface. The distal end is movable relative to a longitudinal axis in accordance with ultrasonic vibrations applied to the proximal end. At least a portion of the outer surface of the body comprises a lubricious coating adhered thereto. The lubricious coating has a coefficient of friction that is less than the coefficient of friction of the outer surface of the body.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft assembly and an end effector. The shaft assembly includes a first coupling member and a second coupling member. The first coupling member and the second coupling member are configured to flex toward each other from a first position to a second position. The first coupling member and the second coupling member define a pivot axis in the first position. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. The clamp arm is configured to couple or decouple with the shaft assembly when the first coupling member and the second coupling member are in the second position. The clamp arm is configured to pivot toward and away the ultrasonic blade about the pivot axis when the first coupling member and the second coupling member are in the first position.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical blade includes a body having a proximal end, a distal end, and an outer surface. The distal end is movable relative to a longitudinal axis in accordance with ultrasonic vibrations applied to the proximal end. At least a portion of the outer surface of the body comprises a lubricious coating adhered thereto. The lubricious coating has a coefficient of friction that is less than the coefficient of friction of the outer surface of the body.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical blade includes a body having a proximal end, a distal end, and an outer surface. The distal end is movable relative to a longitudinal axis in accordance with ultrasonic vibrations applied to the proximal end. At least a portion of the outer surface of the body comprises a lubricious coating adhered thereto. The lubricious coating has a coefficient of friction that is less than the coefficient of friction of the outer surface of the body.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a power supply, a connector, and a surgical instrument having a body assembly, a transmission assembly, a transducer, and a connection assembly. The connection assembly is configured to selectively electrically couple electrodes on the transducer with wires of the connector. The connection assembly may be operable in response to actuation of a trigger. Various connection assemblies include an extensible member that extends to contact an electrode, a rotatable member that rotates a contact into contact with an electrode, a solenoid that extends contacts coupled to each end of the solenoid into the electrodes, or a solenoid that translates a frame having contacts towards the electrodes. Alternatively, the surgical instrument may include a connection assembly having a slip ring and a weighted cable end. Still further, the connection assembly may include contacts on a coupleable member that may be decoupled from contacts on the transducer.

Abstract: An end effector includes a first jaw and a second jaw, the first jaw movable relative to the second jaw to transition the end effector between an open configuration and an approximated configuration to clamp tissue therebetween. The end effector may also include a camming assembly movable along a curved path. The camming assembly includes a first camming member which includes a first distal camming portion, a first proximal camming portion, and a first flexible portion extending between the first distal camming portion and the first proximal camming portion. The camming assembly includes a second camming member and a connector at least partially disposed between the first camming member and the second camming member, wherein the camming assembly is movable relative to the end effector to exert a camming force against the first jaw and the second jaw to transition the end effector to the approximated configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating on tissue comprises a body, a lever, an end effector, and a tissue severing assembly. The end effector has a pair of jaws configured to open and close on tissue. The end effector is also capable of delivering RF energy to the tissue. The lever is configured to drive the pair of jaws. The tissue severing assembly comprises a trigger having at least one elongate member, at least one gear, and a firing beam. The trigger may also comprise a button operable to activate the RF energy. The firing beam is operable to sever tissue captured between the jaws. The at least one elongate member, at least one gear, and firing beam are associated such that longitudinal movement of the trigger in a first direction causes longitudinal movement of the firing beam in a second direction.