Abstract: A robotic surgical instrument includes a housing and a shaft extending distally from the housing and including proximal and distal segments and an articulating portion interconnecting the segments. An end effector assembly is coupled to the distal segment and a plurality of actuation components extends through at least a portion of the shaft to enable selective actuation of the end effector assembly. A seal configuration is operably associated with a proximal body portion of a proximal link of the articulating portion of the shaft to establish seals against an interior annular surface of the shaft, about each actuation component of the plurality of actuation components, and within a distal end portion of the proximal segment of the shaft to inhibit fluid communication proximally into the proximal segment of the shaft.

Abstract: A method of determining the distal throw of a knife blade of a robotic surgical instrument includes selectively engaging an end effector onto a housing of a robotic surgical instrument homing a knife blade. The method further includes initiating an end stop detection algorithm including: actuating a knife drive coupler to advance the knife blade distally through a knife channel defined within the end effector; calculating the running torque average of the knife drive coupler as the knife blade translates through the knife channel; determining a spike above the running torque average within a predetermined threshold and recording the position of the knife blade as a maximum distal throw of the knife blade; retracting the knife blade to determine an offset position from the maximum distal throw of the knife blade; and recording the offset position of the knife blade for subsequent usage.

Abstract: A robotic surgical instrument includes a housing, a shaft assembly extending distally from the housing, and an end effector assembly. The shaft assembly has a proximal segment coupled to the housing, a clevis supporting the end effector assembly, and at least one articulating link pivotably coupled to and interconnecting the proximal segment and the clevis such that the end effector assembly is configured to articulate relative to the proximal segment via the at least one articulating link in at least two directions.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of object enhancement in endoscopy images includes capturing an image of an object within a surgical operative site via an imaging device, determining a size of the object based on the captured image of the object, displaying the captured image of the object, and displaying on the displayed captured image of the object a representation of the determined size of the object.

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 tissue removal system includes an electrosurgical generator including an active electrode port and a return electrode port, an active electrode device configured to connect to the active electrode port, and a return tissue guard configured to connect to the return electrode port. Another tissue removal system includes an electrosurgical generator including an active electrode port and a return electrode port, an active electrode device configured to connect to the active electrode port, and a return specimen bag configured to connect to the return electrode port.

Abstract: A robotic surgical instrument includes a housing, a shaft assembly extending distally from the housing, and an end effector assembly. The shaft assembly has a proximal segment coupled to the housing, a clevis supporting the end effector assembly, and an articulating link pivotably coupled to and interconnecting the proximal segment and the clevis such that the end effector assembly is configured to articulate relative to the proximal segment via the articulating link in at least two directions.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of object enhancement in endoscopy images includes capturing an image of an object within a surgical operative site via an imaging device, determining a size of the object based on the captured image of the object, displaying the captured image of the object, and displaying on the displayed captured image of the object a representation of the determined size of the object.

Abstract: An articulating electrosurgical instrument includes a housing having an elongated shaft extending therefrom and a wrist assembly operably supported to a distal end of the elongated shaft and configured to support an end effector assembly at distal end thereof. The wrist assembly includes a proximal link operably coupled to the distal end of the elongated shaft, a distal link operably coupled to the end effector assembly, and a central link operably coupled between the proximal link and the distal link. A transition lumen is configured to be received within the distal link, central link and proximal link. The transition lumen includes a helical passageway defined therein configured to guide a blade rod therethrough for operable engagement with a blade disposed within the end effector assembly.

Abstract: An end effector assembly of a robotic surgical instrument includes a clevis, first and second jaw members supported by the clevis, and a cam bar configured to move the first and second jaw members between an open state and a closed state.

Abstract: An end effector assembly of a surgical instrument includes a clevis defining a longitudinal axis and including first and second arms spaced-apart relative to one another and first and second jaw members supported by the clevis. At least one of the jaw members is movable relative to the other and the clevis between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue between the jaw members. The clevis includes first and second locating features on outwardly-facings sides of the first and second spaced-apart arms, respectively. The first and second locating features are configured to facilitate engagement and alignment of the end effector assembly within a test fixture.

Abstract: A surgical end effector assembly includes a clevis, first and second jaw members, and first and second lead wires. The clevis defines first and second arms spaced-apart relative to one another and extending from a proximal body and a finger extending from the proximal body at least partially between the arms. The finger defines a mouth at a free distal end thereof and a channel in communication with the mouth. The jaw members include proximal flange portions at least partially disposed between the arms, distal body portions extending distally from the clevis, and electrically conductive tissue contacting surfaces. At least one jaw member is movable to grasp tissue. The lead wires are connected to the tissue contacting surfaces and extend proximally from the distal body portions of the first and second jaw members through the mouth and into the channel of the finger of the clevis.

Abstract: A jaw member of a surgical instrument includes a structural frame, an insulative spacer supported on the structural frame, an electrically conductive tissue contacting plate supported on the insulative spacer, and a lead wire. The spacer defines a pocket at an upper portion thereof and includes a channel extending from the pocket, through the spacer, to a bottom portion of the spacer. The channel defines a substantially U-shaped configuration having first and second radiused corners at the bottom portion of the spacer. The lead wire is attached to an underside of the plate at an attachment point within the pocket and extends distally from the attachment point into the channel, through the channel, over the first and second radiused corners, and proximally from the jaw member. The lead wire is adapted to connect to a source of energy to energize the plate for treating tissue.

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 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.