Abstract: A surgical end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members configured to grasp tissue. At least one of the jaw members defines a channel. A cutting element reciprocates through the channel to cut grasped tissue. The cutting element may include a first bevel defined along a first portion of a distal edge on a first side surface of the cutting element and a second bevel defined along a second portion of the distal edge on a second side surface of the cutting element. The first and second portions of the distal edge are sharpened to facilitate cutting tissue upon distal advancement of the cutting element. Alternatively or additionally, the cutting element may include a proximal body and a distal fin defining a height greater than a height of the proximal body and including a thinned portion defining a depression within a first side surface thereof.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for use with a robotic surgical system includes a shaft extending distally from a housing and first and second jaw members disposed at a distal end of the shaft. The surgical instrument also includes a knife blade configured to cut tissue and a drive input configured to receive a rotational input from a robotic surgical system to drive rotation of an input shaft and translate the knife blade. The surgical instrument also includes a knife blade lock configured to move between a locked position to prevent rotation of the drive input, and an unlocked position such that the drive input is permitted to rotate in response to receiving the rotational input to drive rotation of the input shaft. The surgical instrument also includes a spring configured to bias the knife blade lock into the locked position.

Abstract: A jaw member of an electrosurgical instrument includes a U-shaped structural frame defining a cavity therein and extending therealong configured to receive at least a portion of an insulative spacer therein such that the insulative spacer extends distally therefrom. The insulative spacer includes a tapered fin at a distal end thereof. A tissue treating plate is disposed on the face of the insulative spacer, the tissue treating plate is adapted to connect to a source of energy to treat tissue therewith. The tapered fin is configured to extend to and support a distal end of the tissue treating plate.

Abstract: An endoscopic forceps includes an elongate shaft defining an instrument axis. An end effector includes first and second jaw members each supporting an opposed sealing surface for clamping tissue. At least one of the jaw members is movable relative to the instrument axis such that the jaw members are movable between a first spaced-apart configuration and a second closed configuration for grasping tissue. A cutting instrument includes a reciprocating blade translatable relative to the sealing surfaces to sever tissue clamped between the jaw members. The reciprocating blade contacts an undersurface of at least one of the jaw members when the jaw members are in the second configuration to define a gap distance between the sealing surfaces. A handle adjacent the proximal end of the elongate shaft is operable to induce motion in the jaw members, and an actuator is operable to selectively translate the reciprocating blade.

Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having a stop and a plurality of overmold teeth within at least one jaw member. One (or both) of the jaw members is moveable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. One (or both) of the jaw members includes a stop molded within an insulative housing, and an insulator plate with the overmold teeth formed from plastic. The overmold teeth extend through openings within a sealing plate and protrude past the tissue sealing surface of the sealing plate. The stop primarily controls the gap distance between opposing jaw members by bearing most of an applied load and the overmold teeth assist in controlling the gap distance by bearing the remaining applied load.

Abstract: A robotic system includes an electrosurgical instrument having an instrument housing having a shaft with an end effector assembly and first and second jaw members attached thereto movable to grasp tissue. An input is operably coupled to the instrument housing and is configured to move the jaw members. A handle is remotely disposed relative to the instrument housing and is configured to communicate with the input for controlling the jaw members, the handle having a lever configured to cooperate with the input to control the jaw members relative to movement of the lever. The lever moves between a homing position and a first position correlating to the jaw members closing with a pressure therebetween in the range of about 0.1 kg/cm2 to about 2 kg/cm2. The lever further movable to a seal position correlating to the jaw members closing about tissue with a pressure between about 3 kg/cm2 to about 16 kg/cm2 for sealing.

Abstract: A robotic system includes an electrosurgical instrument having an instrument housing with a shaft and first and second jaw members attached thereto movable to grasp tissue. An input is coupled to a jaw drive rod and is configured to move the jaw members. A strain gauge is coupled to the jaw drive rod and is configured to measure an amount of strain thereon and communicate the amount of strain to a robotic controller. A handle is remotely disposed relative to the instrument housing and is configured to communicate with the input for controlling the jaw members. The handle includes a housing having components therein and a lever operably associated therewith such that movement of the lever relative to the housing correlates to movement of the jaw members. The components are configured to operably regulate the resistance of the lever in response to the amount of strain from the strain gauge.

Abstract: A robotic system includes an electrosurgical instrument having an instrument housing having a shaft with an end effector assembly and first and second jaw members attached thereto movable to grasp tissue. An input is configured to move the jaw members and is configured to operably couple to a torque sensor that measures the torque of the input during rotation thereof. A handle is remotely disposed relative to the instrument housing and is configured to communicate with the input for controlling the movement of the jaw members. A housing having a lever operably coupled thereto, houses components therein configured to operably connect to the input such that movement of the lever correlates to movement of the jaw members. The components are configured to regulate the resistance of the lever in response to the feedback from the torque sensor.

Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having a stop and a plurality of overmold teeth within at least one jaw member. One (or both) of the jaw members is moveable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. One (or both) of the jaw members includes a stop molded within an insulative housing, and an insulator plate with the overmold teeth formed from plastic. The overmold teeth extend through openings within a sealing plate and protrude past the tissue sealing surface of the sealing plate. The stop primarily controls the gap distance between opposing jaw members by bearing most of an applied load and the overmold teeth assist in controlling the gap distance by bearing the remaining applied load.

Abstract: A robotic surgical instrument includes a housing having a shaft extending therefrom configured to receive a first end effector including jaw members moveable between a fully open position wherein the jaw members are spaced a maximum distance relative to one another and a closed position wherein a closure pressure between the jaw members is within a predetermined range. A drive rod actuates the first end effector upon translation thereof. The housing includes a spring compression assembly having proximal and distal hubs with the compression spring disposed therebetween. A jaw drive input rotates a drive gear to translate the distal hub relative to the proximal hub to compress the compression spring and actuate the end effector. Once the jaw members are fully open, the jaw drive input rotates a preset number of degrees to compress the compression spring and approximate the jaw members to a closure pressure within the predetermined range.

Abstract: A robotic surgical instrument includes a housing having a shaft extending therefrom configured to receive a first end effector including jaw members moveable between a fully open position wherein the jaw members are spaced a maximum distance relative to one another and a closed position wherein a closure pressure between the jaw members is within a predetermined range. A drive rod actuates the first end effector upon translation thereof. The housing includes a spring compression assembly having proximal and distal hubs with the compression spring disposed therebetween. A jaw drive input rotates a drive gear to translate the distal hub relative to the proximal hub to compress the compression spring and actuate the end effector. Once the jaw members are fully open, the jaw drive input rotates a preset number of degrees to compress the compression spring and approximate the jaw members to a closure pressure within the predetermined range.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing having a shaft extending distally therefrom, an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end of the shaft, a handle assembly coupled to the housing for manipulating the end effector assembly, a deployable assembly, at least one actuator for deploying and retracting the deployable assembly, and a closure member. The closure member is keyed to the actuator(s) and operably positioned relative to the movable handle of the handle assembly such that, upon rotation of the actuator(s) relative to the housing from an un-actuated position to an actuated position, the closure member is urged into contact with the movable handle to urge the movable handle from an initial position to a compressed position, thereby moving the end effector assembly to an approximated position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing having a shaft extending distally therefrom, an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end of the shaft, a handle assembly coupled to the housing for manipulating the end effector assembly, a deployable assembly, at least one actuator for deploying and retracting the deployable assembly, and a closure member. The closure member is keyed to the actuator(s) and operably positioned relative to the movable handle of the handle assembly such that, upon rotation of the actuator(s) relative to the housing from an un-actuated position to an actuated position, the closure member is urged into contact with the movable handle to urge the movable handle from an initial position to a compressed position, thereby moving the end effector assembly to an approximated position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft including an articulating segment. A jaw assembly extends from a distal segment of the elongated shaft. A first jaw member can be actuated between a closed configuration and an open configuration. An articulation cable assembly includes a first articulation cable including a first extending portion, a second extending portion spaced apart from the first extending portion, and a loop portion connecting distal ends of the first and second extending portions of the first articulation cable. A first ferrule is positioned about the loop portion of the first articulation cable. A second articulation cable includes a first extending portion, a second extending portion spaced apart from the first extending portion, and a loop portion connecting distal ends of the first and second extending portions of the second articulation cable. A second ferrule is positioned about the loop portion of the second articulation cable.

Abstract: A surgical end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members configured to grasp tissue. Each of the first and second jaw members includes a proximal flange portion and a distal body portion. The proximal flange portions are pivotably coupled to one another to move the distal body portions between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position.

Abstract: A surgical end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members configured to grasp tissue. Each of the first and second jaw members includes a proximal flange portion and a distal body portion. The proximal flange portions are pivotably coupled to one another to move the distal body portions between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft including an articulating segment. A jaw assembly extends from a distal segment of the elongated shaft. A first jaw member can be actuated between a closed configuration and an open configuration. An articulation cable assembly includes a first articulation cable including a first extending portion, a second extending portion spaced apart from the first extending portion, and a loop portion connecting distal ends of the first and second extending portions of the first articulation cable. A first ferrule is positioned about the loop portion of the first articulation cable. A second articulation cable includes a first extending portion, a second extending portion spaced apart from the first extending portion, and a loop portion connecting distal ends of the first and second extending portions of the second articulation cable. A second ferrule is positioned about the loop portion of the second articulation cable.

Abstract: An end effector assembly includes a clevis having first and second spaced-apart arms, a ceiling, a floor, pivot and cam pins extending between the arms, and first and second jaw members. Each jaw member includes a proximal portion and a distal body extending distally from the clevis. The proximal portion of the first jaw member includes a first flag disposed between the first and second arms of the clevis, operably coupled to both the pivot pin and the cam pin, extending vertically at least partially through openings defined within the ceiling and floor. The proximal portion of the second jaw member includes second and third flags disposed between the first and second arms of the clevis in spaced-apart relative to one another and between the ceiling and the floor. The second and third flags are fixedly engaged to the clevis.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, an articulating shaft, and an end effector assembly extending from the articulating shaft. Tensioning a first articulation cable and slackening a second articulation cable articulates the end effector assembly in a first direction and the opposite articulates the end effector assembly in a second, opposite direction. An articulation mechanism includes first and second capstans including proximal end portions of the first and second articulation cables at least partially wound thereabout. The first capstan is configured to rotate in a first direction to wind up the proximal end portion of the first articulation cable to tension the first articulation cable and in a second direction to unwind the proximal end portion of the first articulation cable to slacken the first articulation cable. The second capstan acts in an opposite manner to tension and slacken the second articulation cable.

Abstract: A surgical end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members configured to grasp tissue. At least one of the jaw members defines a channel. A cutting element reciprocates through the channel to cut grasped tissue. The cutting element may include a first bevel defined along a first portion of a distal edge on a first side surface of the cutting element and a second bevel defined along a second portion of the distal edge on a second side surface of the cutting element. The first and second portions of the distal edge are sharpened to facilitate cutting tissue upon distal advancement of the cutting element. Alternatively or additionally, the cutting element may include a proximal body and a distal fin defining a height greater than a height of the proximal body and including a thinned portion defining a depression within a first side surface thereof.