Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument may include at least one drive system that is configured to generate control motions upon actuation thereof. At least one drive system defines an actuation axis. The surgical instrument may further include at least one interchangeable shaft assembly that is configured to be removably coupled to the at least one drive system in a direction that is substantially transverse to the actuation axis and transmit the control motions from the at least one drive system to a surgical end effector operably coupled thereto. A lockout assembly may interface with the at least one drive system for preventing actuation of the drive system unless the at least one interchangeable shaft assembly has been operably coupled to the at least one drive system.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a housing. A pair of tissue manipulating jaws extend distally from the housing. The jaws have an opened position and a closed position. A driver is slideably positioned in the housing and operatively connected to the jaws. The driver has a tissue piercing end projecting proximally from the housing. A percutaneous instrument comprises inner and outer coaxial shafts each having a proximal end and a distal end. An actuator is connected to the proximal ends of the coaxial shafts. Mating features on the distal ends of the coaxial shafts are adapted to engage the driver and housing. A loader comprises an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. An actuator is attached to the proximal end of the loader elongate shaft. A tube on the distal end of the loader shaft is adapted to releasably hold the end effector.

Abstract: Devices and methods for detecting meal intake are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, one or more sensors can be used to detect or monitor physiological parameters of a user (e.g., heart rate, body movements, temperature, pH, impedance, gastric stretch, sound emissions, and the like). The outputs of the sensors can be received by a computer system configured to analyze the sensor data and make a determination as to whether meal intake has occurred or is presently occurring. The computer system's determination can be used to trigger, modulate, or otherwise control one or more therapeutic devices. Other types of devices can also be controlled using this determination, such as monitoring or logging devices.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating on tissue comprises a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, and an end effector. The acoustic waveguide extends along the shaft and is configured to transmit ultrasonic vibration. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide. The clamp arm is pivotable toward the ultrasonic blade. The end effector defines a first longitudinal region and a second longitudinal region. The end effector is configured to clamp tissue between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade in the first longitudinal region. The end effector is configured to sever tissue with the ultrasonic blade in the second longitudinal region.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises an end effector, a shaft, and a handpiece. The end effector is operable to manipulate tissue. The shaft is in communication with the end effector. The shaft includes a firing beam operable to actuate a portion of the end effector. The handpiece comprises a pivoting trigger that is operable to distally advance a firing beam driver to advance the firing beam. The handpiece also comprises an activation button and lockout assembly. The lockout assembly is movable between a locked and unlocked state. In the locked state, the lockout assembly blocks a portion of the firing beam driver from advancing. In the unlocked state, the lockout assembly allows the firing beam driver to advance. The activation button switches is operable to unlock the lockout assembly.

Abstract: A surgical needle for use in a circular needle applier comprises a leading end, a trailing end, and an arced body between the leading and trailing ends. The body has a medial face and a lateral face. A plurality of steps on the body are adapted to be engaged by a circular needle applier. The steps are formed by plastically deforming the body without removing material. A length of suture is connected to the trailing end.

Abstract: A surgical suturing device comprises an arced needle track. An arced needle is positioned in the needle track, the needle having a leading end, a trailing end, a medial face, and a lateral face. A length of suture is connected to the needle. An arced carrier track is spaced from the needle track. A reciprocating needle driver has a carrier positioned in the carrier track and a driver positioned in the needle track and is operative to engage and move the needle in the needle track. A transmission is operative to reciprocate the carrier in the carrier track.

Abstract: A surgical suturing system comprises a reusable shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end has a receiver and a rotary drive. A reusable actuator is connected to the proximal end of the shaft. A disposable cartridge is adapted to be attached to and detached from the receiver. The cartridge comprises an arced track, an arced needle positioned in the track having a leading end and a trailing end, a length of suture connected to the trailing end, a reciprocating needle driver operative to engage and move the needle in the arced circular track, and a transmission operatively connected to the needle driver having a rotary input adapted to couple to the rotary drive. The reusable shaft and actuator may be autoclavable.

Abstract: A surgical suturing device comprises a needle having a leading end, a trailing end, and an arced body between the leading and trailing ends. A length of suture is connected to the needle. A needle driver is adapted to engage and rotate the needle in a circular path in a first rotational direction. A pawl is adapted to engage the trailing end of the needle to prevent the needle from rotating in a second rotational direction opposite of the first rotational direction.

Abstract: A surgical suturing device has an elongate shaft has a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis between the proximal and distal ends. An actuator is connected to the proximal end of the elongate shaft. A circular needle applier is on the distal end of the elongate shaft. The circular needle applier has an arced needle and a needle driver operatively connected to the actuator to rotate the arced needle in a circular path. A joint is positioned between the proximal and distal ends of the elongate shaft. The joint is operatively connected to the actuator to selectively articulate the shaft. A bearing is on the shaft positioned distally of the joint. The bearing is operatively connected to the actuator to selectively rotate the circular needle applier about the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A surgical needle for use in a circular needle applier comprises a distal leading end, a proximal trailing end, and an arced body between the leading and trailing ends. The body has a medial face and a lateral face. A first step on the body is adapted to be engaged by a circular needle applier. The first step is positioned distally from the leading end. A longitudinal flat extends proximally from the first step. The flat defines a generally D-shaped cross sectional shape in the body. A second step on the body is adapted to be engaged by a circular needle applier. The second step is positioned about 180 degrees from the first step. A length of suture is connected to the trailing end.

Abstract: Packaging for a surgical needle comprises a cartridge having a surgical needle and a needle driver operative to engage and move the needle relative the cartridge. The packaging has a bobbin, and a length of suture connected to the needle and wound around the bobbin. The packaging may further comprise an outer shell enclosing the cartridge, bobbin, and suture. The outer shell may comprise a sheet of material folded over the cartridge and bobbin. The packaging may further comprise a platform resiliently holding the cartridge. The bobbin may be a rotating spool. The cartridge may comprise a pair of arms defining a generally U-shaped distal end, and the packaging may have a block interposed between the arms. The packaging may further comprise a housing and a top sheet enclosing the enclosing the cartridge, bobbin, and suture.

Abstract: A surgical suturing device comprises an arced needle track, an arced needle positioned in the needle track, and a length of suture connected to needle. A reciprocating needle driver is operative to engage and move the needle in the needle track. A rotary input rotates about an axis. A link has a proximal end connected to the rotary input and a distal end connected to the needle driver. Rotation of the rotary input in a first angular direction translates the needle driver in a second angular direction opposite of the first angular direction.

Abstract: A surgical suturing device comprises a needle having a leading end, a trailing end, an arced body between the leading and trailing ends, and two steps located at antipodal positions on the body. A length of suture is connected to the needle. A needle driver reciprocates at least 180 degrees between a driven position and a returned position. The needle driver is adapted to engage the needle steps to rotate the needle in a circular path in first rotational direction. A pawl is positioned adjacent the driven position of the needle driver. The pawl is adapted to engage the needle steps to prevent the needle from rotating in a second rotational direction opposite of the first rotational direction.

Abstract: A staple cartridge, or fastener cartridge, for a surgical stapler, or fastening instrument, wherein the staple cartridge includes a distally-located cutting blade arranged to cut a distal end portion of a layer, such as a tissue thickness compensator and/or a buttress material, for example, attached to the staple cartridge. The distally-located cutting blade can extend out of a distal cavity of the staple cartridge. The distally-located cutting blade can move in a direction that is perpendicular to a staple deck of the staple cartridge. The distally-located cutting blade can also move in any suitable direction relative to the staple deck.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a body, an ultrasonic transducer, a shaft, and an end effector. The ultrasonic transducer is operable to convert electrical power into ultrasonic vibrations. The shaft couples the end effector and the body together. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic blade includes a recess region having a plurality of recesses. The recess region is tapered such that the cross-sectional area of the recess region decreases along the length of the recess region. The ultrasonic blade is also curved such that a central longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic blade extends along a curved path. A reference circuit is used to account for voltage drops of unknown values during operation of the surgical apparatus.

Abstract: A clip applier adapted for use with a surgical robot is disclosed. The clip applier comprises a shaft having clips stored therein and jaws adapted for receiving a clip from the shaft. The shaft is in mechanical communication with a robotic mounting portion. The robotic mounting portion contains a gear drive assembly for rotating the shaft, feeding clips into the jaws and forming clips in the jaws.

Abstract: Various forms are directed to systems and methods for driving an end effector coupled to an ultrasonic drive system of a surgical instrument. A generator may generate at least one electrical signal. The at least one electrical signal may be monitored against a first set of logic conditions. When an ultrasonic impedance of the surgical instrument exceeds a threshold impedance, a resonant frequency of the at least one electrical signal may be stored as a baseline frequency. A first response of the generator may be triggered upon the occurrence of either the first set of logic conditions being met or the resonant frequency of the at least one electrical signal differing from the baseline frequency by a baseline deviation threshold.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector having a proximal end segment, a distal end segment, and an insert segment. The proximal end segment and the distal end segment are composed of a first material. The insert segment is composed of a second material. The insert segment is located between the proximal end segment and the distal end segment along the longitudinal axis of the end effector. The insert segment functions to bridge or fill the nodal energy gap. A surgical instrument includes a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis as a predetermined frequency. An ultrasonic blade extends along the longitudinal axis coupled to the transducer. An insert segment or a pad is positioned adjacent to the blade such that it engages the blade when the surgical instrument is in a closed position and generates heat filling the nodal energy gap.

Abstract: A surgical instrument. The surgical instrument may comprise a transducer and an end effector. The transducer may be configured to provide vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency and may comprise a piezoelectric stack positioned along the longitudinal axis. The transducer also may comprise a first metallic end mass positioned along the longitudinal axis adjacent a first end of the piezoelectric stack and a second metallic end mass positioned along the longitudinal axis adjacent a second end of the piezoelectric stack. The length of the transducer may be greater than or equal to of one wavelength and less than ½ of one wavelength. The end effector may be coupled to the transducer and may extend along the longitudinal axis. The length of the transducer and the end effector may be a multiple of ½ of one wavelength.