Abstract: Disclosed are ultrasonic and electrosurgical devices. The disclosed embodiments include a surgical instrument comprising a waveguide, and end effector and an electrical switch. The waveguide may comprise a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is configured to couple to an ultrasonic transducer and one output of a radio frequency (RF) generator. The end effector may comprise an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm coupled. The ultrasonic blade may be mechanically coupled to the distal end of the waveguide and electrically coupled to the waveguide. The clamp arm may comprise a movable jaw member electrically coupled to another output of the RF generator such that an electrical current can pass through the movable jaw member and the ultrasonic blade through tissue located between the movable jaw member and the ultrasonic blade.

Abstract: Disclosed are ultrasonic and electrosurgical devices. The disclosed embodiments include a surgical instrument comprising a waveguide, and end effector and an electrical switch. The waveguide may comprise a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is configured to couple to an ultrasonic transducer and one output of a radio frequency (RF) generator. The end effector may comprise an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm coupled. The ultrasonic blade may be mechanically coupled to the distal end of the waveguide and electrically coupled to the waveguide. The clamp arm may comprise a movable jaw member electrically coupled to another output of the RF generator such that an electrical current can pass through the movable jaw member and the ultrasonic blade through tissue located between the movable jaw member and the ultrasonic blade.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a waveguide, an end effector, and an electrical switch is disclosed. The waveguide comprises a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is configured to couple to an ultrasonic transducer and one output of a radio frequency (RF) generator. The end effector may comprise an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. The ultrasonic blade is mechanically coupled to the distal end of the waveguide and electrically coupled to the waveguide. The clamp arm comprises a movable jaw member electrically coupled to another output of the RF generator. The electrical switch is operable to cause the surgical instrument to deliver electrical current from the RF generator to the movable jaw member for a first period, and to cause the surgical instrument to deliver ultrasonic energy to the ultrasonic blade for a second period.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is presented that may include a handle assembly, a shaft assembly, an end effector and an articulation joint coupled to the shaft assembly and the end effector. The surgical instrument also may include an articulation control mechanism configured to: control movement of the articulation joint between a first and second maximum articulation angle; determine that the articulation joint has articulated to the first maximum articulation angle; provide a first indication that the articulation joint has articulated to the first maximum articulation angle; determine that the articulation joint has articulated to the second maximum articulation angle; and provide a second indication that the articulation joint has articulated to the second maximum articulation angle.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is presented that may include a handle assembly, a shaft assembly, an end effector and an articulation joint coupled to the shaft assembly and the end effector. The surgical instrument also may include an articulation control mechanism configured to: control movement of the articulation joint between a first and second maximum articulation angle; determine that the articulation joint has articulated to the first maximum articulation angle; provide a first indication that the articulation joint has articulated to the first maximum articulation angle; determine that the articulation joint has articulated to the second maximum articulation angle; and provide a second indication that the articulation joint has articulated to the second maximum articulation angle.

Abstract: Disclosed are ultrasonic and electrosurgical devices. The disclosed embodiments include a surgical instrument comprising a waveguide and an end effector. The waveguide may comprise a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is coupled to an ultrasonic transducer. The end effector may be coupled to the distal end of the waveguide. The end effector may comprise an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm operatively coupled thereto. The blade may comprise one or more coated sections that are coated with a thermally and electrically insulative material and one or more exposed sections that are not coated with the thermally and electrically insulative material.

Abstract: Disclosed are ultrasonic and electrosurgical devices. The disclosed embodiments include a surgical instrument comprising an ultrasonic waveguide including a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end may be configured to couple to an ultrasonic transducer. The surgical instrument may comprise a first tube, and end effector, and an impedance mechanism. The first tube may define a lumen, wherein the waveguide is located within the lumen. The end effector may be coupled to the distal end of the waveguide. The end effector may comprise an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. The clamp arm is movable from a clamped position to a non-clamped position. The impedance mechanism may be configured to operatively couple to the end effector to prevent materials from accumulating within the lumen during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: Disclosed are ultrasonic and electrosurgical devices. The disclosed embodiments include a surgical instrument comprising a waveguide, and end effector and an electrical switch. The waveguide may comprise a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is configured to couple to an ultrasonic transducer and one output of a radio frequency (RF) generator. The end effector may comprise an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm coupled. The ultrasonic blade may be mechanically coupled to the distal end of the waveguide and electrically coupled to the waveguide. The clamp arm may comprise a movable jaw member electrically coupled to another output of the RF generator such that an electrical current can pass through the movable jaw member and the ultrasonic blade through tissue located between the movable jaw member and the ultrasonic blade.

Abstract: Disclosed are ultrasonic and electrosurgical devices. The disclosed embodiments include a surgical instrument comprising an ultrasonic waveguide. The ultrasonic waveguide may comprise a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is configured to couple to an ultrasonic transducer. The surgical instrument may further comprise a rotation knob, a rotation shroud, and a rotation stop mechanism. The rotation knob may be configured to couple to an ultrasonic transducer to rotate the ultrasonic transducer. The rotation shroud may be configured to rotate the ultrasonic waveguide. The rotation stop mechanism may be coupled to the rotation shroud to limit rotation of the rotation knob beyond a predetermined rotary distance.

Abstract: Disclosed are ultrasonic and electrosurgical devices. The disclosed embodiments include a surgical instrument comprising an ultrasonic waveguide. The ultrasonic waveguide may comprise a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is configured to couple to an ultrasonic transducer. The surgical instrument may further comprise a tube, and end effector, and a shaft assembly. The tube may define a lumen, wherein the waveguide is located within the lumen. The end effector may be coupled to the distal end of the waveguide and comprise an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm comprising a movable jaw member. The shaft assembly may be configured to counteract deflection of the blade.

Abstract: Disclosed are ultrasonic and electrosurgical devices. The disclosed embodiments include ultrasonic blades comprising various grasping features, devices configured to prevent ingress of surgical matter, e.g., fluid and tissue, in the space between an ultrasonic blade and an inner or outer tube distal of the distal seal, alternate closure mechanisms for ultrasonic devices, ultrasonic transducer rotation limiters to limit the rotation of an ultrasonic transducer, ultrasonic transducer rotation systems to provide unlimited continuous rotation of an ultrasonic device, integrated ultrasonic instrument electrically connected to provide RF spot coagulation with an ultrasonic (RF) generator, and coated ultrasonic/RF blades.