Abstract: An end effector assembly for an optical surgical instrument includes a jaw member and a plurality of optical elements positioned within a cavity of the jaw member. The jaw member has a tissue contacting surface. The jaw member has a proximal portion that is configured to secure a fiber optic cable thereto such that a distal end of the fiber optical cable extends into the cavity. The plurality of optical elements are arranged in a staircase-like manner that rises towards the tissue contacting surface as the plurality of optical elements extends distally within the cavity. The plurality of optical elements is configured to direct a beam of light exiting the fiber optic cable towards the tissue contacting surface.

Abstract: A surgical device includes an elongated shaft having an end-effector assembly at a distal end thereof. The end-effector assembly includes movable first, second and third jaw members. The first and second jaw members controllably movable from a first position, wherein the first and second jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to the third jaw member disposed therebetween, to a second position, wherein the first, second and third jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween.

Abstract: A method of cutting tissue includes providing a surgical instrument including an end-effector assembly including first and second jaw members controllably movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to a third jaw member disposed therebetween to at least one second position closer to the third jaw member wherein the first, second and third jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. Each of the first and second jaw members includes an electrically-conductive sealing plate. A cutting member is disposed on a portion of the upper surface of the third jaw member. The method also includes positioning the first, second and third jaw members about tissue, applying energy to the electrically-conductive sealing plates so that energy passes between the electrically-conductive sealing plates and through tissue to effect a tissue seal, and activating the cutting member to cut through tissue overlying the upper surface of the third jaw member.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a fluid cooled ultrasonic surgical instrument and related systems and methods of use therefor. In some embodiments, the disclosed ultrasonic surgical instrument is adapted for used within an insufflated cavity or pneumoperitoneum of a patient. The instrument includes a housing having an elongate shaft, a waveguide disposed at a distal end of the shaft, a coolant inlet port defined in an outer surface of the housing, and a coolant pump disposed within the housing and configured to move coolant from the coolant inlet port to the waveguide. During use, insufflation gas from within the pneumoperitoneum is drawn into the instrument shaft by the coolant pump, and blown over the waveguide to provide cooling. The delivery of ultrasonic energy and activation of the pump may be controlled by a processor in response to user input and waveguide temperature.

Abstract: A surgical device includes an elongated shaft having an end-effector assembly at a distal end thereof. The end-effector assembly includes first, second and third jaw members. The first and second jaw members controllably movable from a first position, wherein the first and second jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to the third jaw member disposed therebetween, to a second position, wherein the first, second and third jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The surgical device also includes a knife operatively coupled to the elongated shaft. A channel defined along a length of an upper surface of the third jaw member is configured to slideably receive a portion of the knife therein.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handle movable between first and second positions for transitioning an end effector assembly between states and to a third position for returning the handle. A latch arm coupled to the handle includes one or more engagement members. A latch block defines a guide track having a latching path configured to guide the engagement member(s) therealong, an engagement portion configured to engage the engagement member(s) to latch the handle in the second position, and a return path configured to guide the engagement member(s) therealong. A first step interdisposed between the latching path and engagement portion guides the engagement member(s) into engagement with the engagement portion and inhibits the engagement member(s) from returning along the latching path. A second step interdisposed between the engagement portion and the return path guides the engagement member(s) along the return path and inhibits the engagement member(s) from re-engaging the engagement portion.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a shaft extending distally from the housing, an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end of the shaft and configured to supply energy to tissue to treat tissue, a knife slidably disposed within the shaft and movable relative to the end effector assembly between a retracted position and an extended position, and a trigger operably coupled to the housing. The trigger is selectively activatable from a neutral position to a laterally pivoted position to supply energy to the end effector assembly and is selectively actuatable from a distal position to a proximally pivoted position to deploy the knife from the retracted position to the extended position. In the laterally pivoted position of the trigger, actuation of the trigger is inhibited. In the proximally pivoted position of the trigger, activation of the trigger is inhibited.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, an end effector assembly, and a shaft. The end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members each defining a curved configuration. At least one of the jaw members is movable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position. The shaft includes a proximal portion coupled with and extending distally from the housing and a distal portion extending distally from the proximal portion and having the end effector assembly coupled thereto at the distal end thereof. The proximal portion defines a circular cross-sectional configuration to facilitate formation of a fluid-tight seal thereabout. The distal portion defines a rectangular cross-sectional configuration configured to facilitate insertion through a cannula.

Abstract: A battery autoclaving system is provided including a battery pack having a housing, a battery cell disposed within the housing, and an isolation region disposed between the housing and the battery cell. The isolation region may be formed at least partially from at least one of a thermal insulating material, a phase change material or any combination thereof. The system may include a temperature sensor adapted to sense at least one of a temperature of the battery cell temperature of the isolation region. The system may include and an autoclave configured to receive a temperature indication from the temperature sensor and to inhibit autoclaving when the temperature indication exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector assembly having jaw members movable between spaced-apart, first approximated, and second approximated positions. A knife is selectively movable relative to the end effector assembly between a retracted position, a first extended position, and a second extended position. A trigger is selectively actuatable between a un-actuated position, a first actuated position, and a second actuated position for moving the knife between its respective positions. A control member prevents movement of the trigger when the jaw members are disposed in the spaced-apart position, permits movement of the trigger to the first actuated position but prevents movement beyond the first actuated position when the jaw members are disposed in the first approximated position, and permits movement of the trigger to the second actuated position but prevents movement beyond the second actuated position when the jaw members are disposed in the second approximated position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a shaft defining an axis, an end effector coupled to a distal portion thereof, a fixed handle coupled to a proximal portion thereof, a drive bar, a movable handle, and a linkage. The drive bar is disposed within the shaft and operably coupled to the end effector. The movable handle is movable relative to the fixed handle between open and closed positions and is coupled to the drive bar via a first pin on the axis. The linkage includes a first end portion coupled to the movable handle via a second pin and a second end portion coupled to the shaft via a third pin on the axis. In the closed position of the movable handle, the second pin is disposed in a near-over-center position relative to the axis to reduce a force necessary to maintain the movable handle in the closed position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector assembly having jaw members movable between spaced-apart, first approximated, and second approximated positions. A knife is selectively movable relative to the end effector assembly between a retracted position, a first extended position, and a second extended position. A trigger is selectively actuatable between a un-actuated position, a first actuated position, and a second actuated position for moving the knife between its respective positions. A control member prevents movement of the trigger when the jaw members are disposed in the spaced-apart position, permits movement of the trigger to the first actuated position but prevents movement beyond the first actuated position when the jaw members are disposed in the first approximated position, and permits movement of the trigger to the second actuated position but prevents movement beyond the second actuated position when the jaw members are disposed in the second approximated position.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument including a blade that treats tissue and a fluid control system to cool the blade by pumping cooling fluid through the blade. The blade defines a blade lumen in fluid contact with an inflow and return conduit of the fluid control system. The inflow conduit defines an open distal end positioned within the blade lumen adjacent the distal end of the blade lumen and the return conduit defines an open distal end positioned within the blade lumen adjacent the proximal end of the blade lumen. The fluid control system may further include a fluid reservoir holding the cooling fluid and an inflow pump. The inflow pump is configured to deliver the fluid from the fluid reservoir, through the inflow conduit and the blade lumen, and into return conduit.

Abstract: A surgical system includes an ultrasonic surgical instrument and a cooling module. The instrument includes a waveguide defining a blade and having a lumen, an inflow conduit disposed in communication with the lumen and configured to supply fluid to the lumen, and a return conduit disposed in communication with the lumen and configured to receive fluid from the lumen. The cooling module includes a pump assembly operably coupled to the inflow and return conduits and configured to pump fluid through the inflow conduit, into the lumen, and back through the return conduit for cooling the blade. The cooling module also includes at least one sensor configured to sense a property of the fluid pumped into the inflow conduit and/or a property of the fluid returned from the return conduit, and a controller configured to control the pump assembly according to the sensed property(s).

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a waveguide defining a blade at a distal end thereof and a lumen extending through a portion of the blade. The blade is configured to receive ultrasonic energy for treating tissue. The instrument further includes first and second conduits each defining a proximal end and a distal end. The second conduit is coaxially disposed about the first conduit. The distal ends of the first and second conduits extend into the lumen. The distal end of the first conduit extends further distally into the lumen than the distal end of the second conduit.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument including a blade that treats tissue and a fluid control system to cool the blade by pumping cooling fluid through the blade. The blade defines a blade lumen in fluid contact with an inflow and return conduit of the fluid control system. The inflow conduit defines an open distal end positioned within the blade lumen adjacent the distal end of the blade lumen and the return conduit defines an open distal end positioned within the blade lumen adjacent the proximal end of the blade lumen. The fluid control system may further include a fluid reservoir holding the cooling fluid and an inflow pump. The inflow pump is configured to deliver the fluid from the fluid reservoir, through the inflow conduit and the blade lumen, and into return conduit.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a cooling system having a blade conduit disposed within the blade and a cooling fluid. The cooling fluid configured to absorb heat from the blade as the cooling fluid flows through the blade conduit. A surgical system having an ultrasonic surgical instrument and a cooling system is also disclosed. The cooling system can include a fluid control system that automatically pumps a cooling fluid through a blade conduit disposed within the blade of the surgical instrument based on feedback received from sensors.

Abstract: A method of treating tissue includes ultrasonically treating tissue by oscillating a blade of an ultrasonic surgical instrument in contact with tissue and activating a fluid control system to pump cooling fluid through a blade conduit of the blade to cool the blade.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a cooling system having a blade conduit disposed within the blade and a cooling fluid. The cooling fluid configured to absorb heat from the blade as the cooling fluid flows through the blade conduit. A surgical system having an ultrasonic surgical instrument and a cooling system is also disclosed. The cooling system can include a fluid control system that automatically pumps a cooling fluid through a blade conduit disposed within the blade of the surgical instrument based on feedback received from sensors.

Abstract: A vein harvesting device. The vein harvesting device includes a retractor and a drive shaft. The retractor includes an elongated portion defining a longitudinal axis, and supports a first engagement structure including a plurality of first tines. The drive shaft includes an elongated portion, and is movable along the longitudinal axis with respect to the retractor such that the elongated portion of the drive shaft contacts the first engagement structure causing the plurality of first tines to move about the longitudinal axis from a first position to a second position.