Abstract: An instrument sterile adapter (310) couples a surgical instrument (120) and an instrument carriage (130). The instrument sterile adapter (310) includes an instrument plate (430) that provides a first surface to receive the surgical instrument (120) and a latch plate (400) joined to the instrument plate (430). The latch plate (400) includes a second surface to receive the instrument carriage (130) and latch structures. Each latch structure has a carriage latch arm (410) that extends away from the second surface of the latch plate (400) and an instrument latch arm (405) joined to the carriage latch arm (410). The instrument latch arm (405) extends through the instrument plate (430) and away from the first surface of the instrument plate (430). A connecting member (425) flexibly connects the carriage latch arm (410) and the instrument latch arm (405) to a remainder of the latch plate (400). The connecting member (425) may be perpendicular to the latch arms (405).

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a cable guide, a first cable, and a second cable. The housing is coupled to a shaft of a medical instrument. The cable guide is coupled to the housing, and defines a shaft opening into a passageway defined by the shaft. A first guide groove and a second guide groove are defined by the cable guide, with each of the first guide groove and the second guide groove being splayed outward from the shaft opening. The first cable is routed within the first guide groove and through the shaft opening, and is configured to slide within the first guide groove. The second cable is routed within the second guide groove and through the shaft opening, and is configured to slide within the second guide groove.

Abstract: An instrument sterile adapter (310) couples a surgical instrument (120) and an instrument carriage (130). The instrument sterile adapter (310) includes an instrument plate (430) that provides a first surface to receive the surgical instrument (120) and a latch plate (400) joined to the instrument plate (430). The latch plate (400) includes a second surface to receive the instrument carriage (130) and latch structures. Each latch structure has a carriage latch arm (410) that extends away from the second surface of the latch plate (400) and an instrument latch arm (405) joined to the carriage latch arm (410). The instrument latch arm (405) extends through the instrument plate (430) and away from the first surface of the instrument plate (430). A connecting member (425) flexibly connects the carriage latch arm (410) and the instrument latch arm (405) to a remainder of the latch plate (400). The connecting member (425) may be perpendicular to the latch arms (405).

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a cable guide, a first cable, and a second cable. The housing is coupled to a shaft of a medical instrument. The cable guide is coupled to the housing, and defines a shaft opening into a passageway defined by the shaft. A first guide groove and a second guide groove are defined by the cable guide, with each of the first guide groove and the second guide groove being splayed outward from the shaft opening. The first cable is routed within the first guide groove and through the shaft opening, and is configured to slide within the first guide groove. The second cable is routed within the second guide groove and through the shaft opening, and is configured to slide within the second guide groove.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a cable guide, a first cable, and a second cable. The housing is coupled to a shaft of a medical instrument. The cable guide is coupled to the housing, and defines a shaft opening into a passageway defined by the shaft. A first guide groove and a second guide groove are defined by the cable guide, with each of the first guide groove and the second guide groove being splayed outward from the shaft opening. The first cable is routed within the first guide groove and through the shaft opening, and is configured to slide within the first guide groove. The second cable is routed within the second guide groove and through the shaft opening, and is configured to slide within the second guide groove.

Abstract: A suction/irrigation medical device valve system comprises a first valve plunger configured for insertion into a first valve plunger channel. The first valve plunger has a first latch member disposed at a distal end with a first sealing member and a first valve opening disposed proximally from the first latch member. The system also comprises a second valve plunger configured for insertion into a second valve plunger channel. The second valve plunger includes a second valve opening that is longer than the first valve opening. The system also comprises a valve body having the first and second valve plunger channels. The first and second valve plunger channels are configured to receive the first and second valve plungers, respectively.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus includes a cannula and a surgical instrument. The cannula includes a curved longitudinal axis along at least a portion of its length. The surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, and an end effector coupled to the distal end of the elongated shaft. At least a portion of the end effector is configured to contact an inner surface of the cannula during insertion of the surgical instrument into the curved cannula. A threshold galling stress between the portion of the end effector and an inner surface of the curved cannula is at least 10,000 pounds per square inch.

Abstract: A force transmission mechanism for a teleoperated surgical instrument may include a gear, a push/pull drive element, and a connection element. The push/pull drive element may be configured to transmit force to actuate an end effector of the surgical instrument and to rotate with a shaft of the surgical instrument when the shaft is rotated by the force transmission mechanism. The connection element may operatively couple the gear and the push/pull drive element. The connection element may be configured to convert rotational movement of the gear to a substantially linear movement of the push/pull drive element. The connection element may be configured to rotate with the push/pull drive element and relative to the gear.

Abstract: An instrument sterile adapter (310) couples a surgical instrument (120) and an instrument carriage (130). The instrument sterile adapter (310) includes an instrument plate (430) that provides a first surface to receive the surgical instrument (120) and a latch plate (400) joined to the instrument plate (430). The latch plate (400) includes a second surface to receive the instrument carriage (130) and latch structures. Each latch structure has a carriage latch arm (410) that extends away from the second surface of the latch plate (400) and an instrument latch arm (405) joined to the carriage latch arm (410). The instrument latch arm (405) extends through the instrument plate (430) and away from the first surface of the instrument plate (430). A connecting member (425) flexibly connects the carriage latch arm (410) and the instrument latch arm (405) to a remainder of the latch plate (400). The connecting member (425) may be perpendicular to the latch arms (405).

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods and devices that employ microfluidic technology to generate molecular melt curves. In particular, the devices and methods in accordance with the invention are useful in providing for the analysis of PCR amplification products.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods and devices that employ microfluidic technology to generate molecular melt curves. In particular, the devices and methods in accordance with the invention are useful in providing for the analysis of PCR amplification products.

Abstract: A force transmission mechanism for a teleoperated surgical instrument may include a gear, a push/pull drive element, and a connection element. The push/pull drive element may be configured to transmit force to actuate an end effector of the surgical instrument and to rotate with a shaft of the surgical instrument when the shaft is rotated by the force transmission mechanism. The connection element may operatively couple the gear and the push/pull drive element. The connection element may be configured to convert rotational movement of the gear to a substantially linear movement of the push/pull drive element. The connection element may be configured to rotate with the push/pull drive element and relative to the gear.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus includes a cannula and a surgical instrument. The cannula includes a curved longitudinal axis along at least a portion of its length. The surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, and an end effector coupled to the distal end of the elongated shaft. At least a portion of the end effector is configured to contact an inner surface of the cannula during insertion of the surgical instrument into the curved cannula. A threshold galling stress between the portion of the end effector and an inner surface of the curved cannula is at least 10,000 pounds per square inch.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods and devices that employ microfluidic technology to generate molecular melt curves. In particular, the devices and methods in accordance with the invention are useful in providing for the analysis of PCR amplification products.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for containing and processing samples on the surface of supports. Biopolymer features are attached to the surfaces of the supports. A device in accordance with the invention comprises a housing and a support confined by the housing. The housing comprises a well having walls and at least one wall extending from the edge of the well. The height of the walls of the well is at least great enough, and the design of the at least one wall is such, that liquid contained in the well is not drawn out of the well to any substantial degree by surface tension or small movements or small mechanical vibrations. In one embodiment, the at least one wall is designed such that corners thereof are curved or are distant from the edge of the well to substantially eliminate wicking of liquid from the well. Also disclosed are methods for mixing materials on the surface of a support. A sample is incubated with the surface of the support of the aforementioned device.