Abstract: Surgical instruments, methods, and software are presented herein that are configured to actuate an end effector to grasp between the pair of jaws, compress tissue during a tissue relaxation time period in which grasped tissue relaxes between the pair of jaws, monitor a motor parameter of the motor during at least a portion of the tissue relaxation time period, extract a mathematical feature of the motor parameter during at least a portion of the tissue relaxation time period, and determine a treatment modality based at least in part on the mathematical feature.

Abstract: A surgical instrument and method of compressing tissue includes an end effector and a shaft assembly. The end effector has a jaw and a clamp arm movable between open and closed positions. The shafts assembly includes a clamp actuator having a proximal actuator portion, a distal actuator portion, and a force limiter. The force limiter is longitudinally connected between the proximal and distal actuator portions and configured to transfer movement from the proximal actuator portion to the distal actuator portion up to transferring a predetermined force therethrough. At least a portion of the force limiter is configured to deflect upon exceeding the predetermined force such that the proximal actuator portion is configured to longitudinally move relative to the distal actuator portion and thereby limit a clamping force between the jaw and the clamp arm.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft, an end effector, and a lockout assembly. The end effector includes a cartridge jaw, an anvil jaw, a knife and a distal retainer. The lockout assembly includes a sensor and a lockout. The lockout is vertically constrained. The sensor is associated with a first pivot and a second pivot. The first pivot is grounded with respect to a channel. The second pivot is a moving pivot. The lockout assembly includes an unlocked and locked position. The second pivot is positioned above the first pivot when the lockout assembly is in the unlocked position with the lockout providing no interference with respect to actuation of the knife. The first pivot and the second pivot are positioned at substantially the same height when the lockout assembly is in the locked position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument designed to operate with a robotic platform is disclosed. The surgical instrument assembly includes a shaft, an end effector, a knife firing subsystem to actuate functions of the end effector, an articulation subsystem that is actuatable to articulate the end effector, an articulation joint about which the end effector articulates, a roll subsystem to roll the shaft, and a housing that couples to the robotic platform. A maypole tube is further provided, around which one or more articulation cables can wrap when the end effector is rotated.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body (700), a shaft (600A), an end effector (200), and a lockout assembly (1100). The end effector includes a cartridge jaw (202), an anvil jaw (204), a knife (206) and a distal retainer (1110). The lockout assembly includes a sensor (1120) and a lockout (1140). The lockout is vertically constrained. The sensor is associated with a first pivot (1124) and a second pivot. The first pivot is grounded with respect to a channel (1114). The second pivot is a moving pivot. The lockout assembly includes an unlocked and locked position. The second pivot is positioned above the first pivot when the lockout assembly is in the unlocked position with the lockout providing no interference with respect to actuation of the knife. The first pivot and the second pivot are positioned at substantially the same height when the lockout assembly is in the locked position.

Abstract: Surgical instruments, robotic surgery systems, software for the same, and associated methods are disclosed in which instrument data is collected during a clamping time period in which tissue is clamped between opposing jaws. During the clamping time period, the instrument data includes a predictive portion in which the instrument data decays exponentially and therefore can be characterized by a mathematical feature such as a time constant, initial force or torque, elapsed decay time, etc. End time for the clamping time period, operational parameters for the instrument following the clamping time period, tissue characteristics, operational parameters for the instrument in successive clamping attempts, end effector articulation, and other instrument functions can be set/controlled based at least in part on the mathematical feature. In some examples, the instrument data includes a motor parameter which includes motor torque, clamping force, and/or motor speed.

Abstract: Surgical instruments, methods, and software are presented herein that are configured to actuate an end effector to grasp between the pair of jaws, compress tissue during a tissue relaxation time period in which grasped tissue relaxes between the pair of jaws, monitor a motor parameter of the motor during at least a portion of the tissue relaxation time period, extract a mathematical feature of the motor parameter during at least a portion of the tissue relaxation time period, and determine a treatment modality based at least in part on the mathematical feature.

Abstract: A surgical instrument designed to operate with a robotic platform is disclosed. The surgical instrument assembly includes a shaft, an end effector, a knife firing subsystem to actuate functions of the end effector, an articulation subsystem that is actuatable to articulate the end effector, an articulation joint about which the end effector articulates, a roll subsystem to roll the shaft, and a housing that couples to the robotic platform. The articulation subsystem includes an articulation joint that has a plurality of concentric discs and a center beam assembly. A distal end of the center beam assembly couples the plurality of concentric discs to the end effector. The proximal end of the center beam assembly couples the plurality of concentric discs to the shaft.

Abstract: A surgical instrument designed to operate with a robotic platform is disclosed. The surgical instrument assembly includes a shaft, an end effector, a knife firing subsystem to actuate functions of the end effector, an articulation subsystem that is actuatable to articulate the end effector, an articulation joint about which the end effector articulates, a roll subsystem to roll the shaft, and a housing that couples to the robotic platform. The roll subsystem can include a shaft assembly and a shaft roll puck assembly. The shaft assembly includes a rotatable outer shaft and an inner shaft. The shaft roll puck assembly engages the housing and includes a shaft roll puck and first and second screw gears. Rotation of the shaft roll puck rotates the first screw gear, which rotates the second screw gear, which rotates the rotatable outer shaft.

Abstract: A surgical instrument designed to operate with a robotic platform is disclosed. The surgical instrument assembly includes a shaft, an end effector, a knife firing subsystem to actuate functions of the end effector, an articulation subsystem that is actuatable to articulate the end effector, an articulation joint about which the end effector articulates, a roll subsystem to roll the shaft, and a housing that couples to the robotic platform. A maypole tube is further provided, around which one or more articulation cables can wrap when the end effector is rotated.

Abstract: A surgical instrument designed to operate with a robotic platform is disclosed. The surgical instrument assembly includes a shaft, an end effector, a knife firing subsystem to actuate functions of the end effector, an articulation subsystem that is actuatable to articulate the end effector, an articulation joint about which the end effector articulates, a roll subsystem to roll the shaft, and a housing that couples to the robotic platform.

Abstract: A surgical instrument designed to operate with a robotic platform is disclosed. The surgical instrument assembly includes a shaft, an end effector, a knife firing subsystem to actuate functions of the end effector, an articulation subsystem that is actuatable to articulate the end effector, an articulation joint about which the end effector articulates, a roll subsystem to roll the shaft, and a housing that couples to the robotic platform. The end effector includes a jaw. The end effector includes an anvil coupled to the jaw and movable between an open position, a grasping position, and a clamping position. The end effector includes a knife slidably coupled to the anvil to move the anvil between the open position, the grasping position, and the clamping position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument and method of compressing tissue includes an end effector and a shaft assembly. The end effector has a jaw and a clamp arm movable between open and closed positions. The shafts assembly includes a clamp actuator having a proximal actuator portion, a distal actuator portion, and a force limiter. The force limiter is longitudinally connected between the proximal and distal actuator portions and configured to transfer movement from the proximal actuator portion to the distal actuator portion up to transferring a predetermined force therethrough. At least a portion of the force limiter is configured to deflect upon exceeding the predetermined force such that the proximal actuator portion is configured to longitudinally move relative to the distal actuator portion and thereby limit a clamping force between the jaw and the clamp arm.

Abstract: A spray monitoring device analyzes images obtained from a beam passing through a spray pattern applying a spray to a substrate, and identifies discontinuities in the image as indicative of a discontinuity in a spray pattern. The spray pattern is produced by a plurality of nozzles spaced apart across the substrate for applying a suitable coating thereto. The beam is produced by a laser, that preferably has a collimator for distributing the beam intensity. The beam is imaged by a camera that provides a constant image to a computers where the scattering of beam light by the spray pattern is processed by image processing software and optionally provided to a user interface for analysis. Discontinuities detected by the user or software indicate faulty spray nozzles and may trigger remedial action.

Abstract: A spray monitoring device analyzes images obtained from a beam passing through a spray pattern applying a spray to a substrate, and identifies discontinuities in the image as indicative of a discontinuity in a spray pattern. The spray pattern is produced by a plurality of nozzles spaced apart across the substrate for applying a suitable coating thereto. The beam is produced by a laser, that preferably has a collimator for distributing the beam intensity. The beam is imaged by a camera that provides a constant image to a computers where the scattering of beam light by the spray pattern is processed by image processing software and optionally provided to a user interface for analysis. Discontinuities detected by the user or software indicate faulty spray nozzles and may trigger remedial action.

Abstract: A spray monitoring device analyzes images obtained from a beam passing through a spray pattern applying a spray to a substrate, and identifies discontinuities in the image as indicative of a discontinuity in a spray pattern. The spray pattern is produced by a plurality of nozzles spaced apart across the substrate for applying a suitable coating thereto. The beam is produced by a laser, that preferably has a collimator for distributing the beam intensity. The beam is imaged by a camera that provides a constant image to a computers where the scattering of beam light by the spray pattern is processed by image processing software and optionally provided to a user interface for analysis. Discontinuities detected by the user or software indicate faulty spray nozzles and may trigger remedial action.

Abstract: A torque transducer assembly includes a first shell having a threaded neck and a distal end. A second shell is also provided. A sensor module includes a first frame member, a second frame member, and a sensor. The first frame member is attached to the first shell and the second frame member is attached to the second shell such that the first and second shells are coupled to one another. A method of manufacturing a torque transducer assembly is also provided. A packaging system including a torque transducer assembly is additionally provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an inventive non-elastomeric thermoplastic cap assembly that may be secured on an end of a generally cylindrical body at room temperatures. The cap is a deformable tubular sheath having an interior surface, an exterior surface, a first open end for receiving the end of the cylindrical body, and a second end which is at least partially closed to inhibit passage of the cylindrical body through the second end. The sheath has a gripping region adjacent the first open end to engage the exterior surface of the cylindrical body. The gripping region may include at least one ridge on the interior surface of the tubular sheath. The sheath also has a transition region adjacent the second end of the sheath, which helps the sheath provide a controlled and predictable amount of retention force over a wide range of component tolerances.