Abstract: A surgical instrument including a shaft including a distal portion and an articulatable portion is disclosed. The articulatable portion, positioned proximal to the distal portion, includes a plurality of joint members. A first articulation cable extends through each first channel of each of the plurality of joint members and a second articulation cable extends through each second channel of each of the plurality of joint members to the distal portion. The first and second articulation cables are transitionable between: (i) an unlocked state, where the first and second articulation cables are free to translate distally and proximally and the plurality of joint members are slidable relative to one another to pivot the distal portion away from a longitudinal axis, and (ii) a locked state, where translation of the first and second articulation cables is locked, causing a position of the distal portion relative to the longitudinal axis to be locked.

Abstract: Ultrasonic surgical instruments having angularly and/or linearly off-set blades are described. The angularly and/or linearly off-set blades may facilitate increased surgical site access, visibility, and manipulability.

Abstract: A surgical tool and control system therefor is provided. The surgical tool can include an instrument mount configured to engage with a robotic manipulator assembly, which can include a gear assembly configured to be actuated by the robotic manipulator assembly. The surgical tool can include an end effector coupled to the gear assembly, which is configured to be actuated by the gear assembly. The surgical tool can include a lockout configured to transition between a first state in which the lockout is physically engaged with the gear assembly to prevent a movement thereof and a second state in which the lockout is disengaged from the gear assembly. The surgical tool can include a control circuit configured to determine whether the end effector is in an energized state or a de-energized state and in the energized state, cause the lockout to transition between the first state and the second state.

Abstract: Various example embodiments described herein are directed to articulating surgical instruments for treating tissue comprising an end effector and a shaft extending proximally from the end effector along a longitudinal axis. In certain embodiments, the shaft comprises a plurality of transverse spacer members as well as first and second rotatable members extending through at least a portion of the plurality of transverse spacer members. The first and second rotatable members may both be biased away from the longitudinal axis such that their respective directions of bias vary with rotation of the first rotatable member. When the respective directions of bias of the first and second rotatable members oppose one another, the shaft may be substantially straight. When the respective directions of bias of the first and second rotatable members are aligned with one another, the shaft may articulate away from the longitudinal axis in the direction of the alignment.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are presented for a single surgical instrument configured for grasping tissue, performing sealing procedures using electrosurgical or ultrasonic energy, suctioning fluid, and providing irrigation. An end effector of the surgical instrument may include multiple members arranged in various configurations to collectively perform the aforementioned functions. The suction and irrigation elements may comprise one or more fluid paths configured to deliver fluid to or evacuate fluid from a surgical field. In this way, a user, such as a clinician or surgeon, may rely on a single surgical instrument to perform these tasks typical in surgery while having an extra hand available and so as to not need to divert his or her concentration away from the surgical site in order to access multiple devices. Further, the timing for performing each of the functions may be made quicker, due to not needing to switch using multiple devices.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a rotatable electrical coupling assembly having a first part and a second part that electrically couple and rotate relative to each other. The second part is carried by and rotates with a tube collar coupled to a transducer. A portion of the transducer is inserted through an aperture of the second part, but does not contact the second part. The first part of the assembly may electrically couple to the second part via pogo pins, brush contacts, or ball bearings. Alternatively, the first part may comprise conductive channels formed in the casing. The second part may comprise a rotatable drum with a conductive trace. In some versions, one or more components may comprise MID components. In another version, the rotatable electrical coupling assembly comprises a rotatable PC board and brush contact. Further still, a circuit board may be provided with the transducer inside a transducer casing.

Abstract: Surgical systems and methods are provided for controlling actuation and movement of various surgical 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: Ultrasonic surgical instruments having angularly and/or linearly off-set blades are described. The angularly and/or linearly off-set blades may facilitate increased surgical site access, visibility, and manipulability.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus includes a body assembly, a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, an articulation section, an end effector, and a rigidizing member. The shaft extends distally from the body assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. The acoustic waveguide includes a flexible portion. The articulation section is coupled with the shaft. A portion of the articulation section encompasses the flexible portion of the waveguide. The articulation section includes a first member and a second member. The second member is longitudinally translatable relative to the first member. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the waveguide. The rigidizing member is configured to selectively engage at least a portion of the articulation section to thereby selectively provide rigidity to the articulation section.

Abstract: Various ultrasonic instruments are disclosed. The ultrasonic instruments include an ultrasonic waveguide acoustically coupled to an ultrasonic transducer. Several techniques for acoustically coupling the ultrasonic transducer to the ultrasonic waveguide are disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis. The surgical instrument further comprises an ultrasonic blade extending along the longitudinal axis. The ultrasonic blade is coupled to the transducer and comprises a body and a treatment region. The body comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and a bottom surface. The distal end of the body is movable relative to the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer. The treatment region extends from the proximal end to the distal end. The surgical instrument further comprises a protective sheath disposed adjacent to the bottom surface of the ultrasonic blade.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating on tissue comprises an end effector, a shaft assembly, and an interface assembly. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade. The shaft assembly includes an articulation section operable to deflect the end effector away from the longitudinal axis. The interface assembly is operable to drive the end effector. The interface assembly comprises a base and a plurality of drive shafts. The base is configured to couple with a dock of a robotic control system. The drive shafts are oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft assembly. A first drive shaft may be operable to rotate the shaft assembly relative to the base. A second drive shaft may be operable to drive the articulation section. A third drive shaft may be operable to drive a clamping arm to pivot toward the ultrasonic blade.

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 ultrasonic surgical system has an ultrasonic unit including an instrument operatively connected to an ultrasonic generator, wherein the instrument has an ultrasonic end effector on the distal end of a shaft. The system further includes a positioning unit including a movable arm adapted for releasably holding the instrument, whereby an operator may direct the positioning unit to position the end effector at a surgical site inside a body cavity of a patient for performing a plurality of surgical tasks. The system further includes a control unit operatively connected to the ultrasonic and positioning units, wherein the control unit is programmable with a surgical subroutine for performing the surgical tasks. The system further includes a user interface operatively connected to the control unit for initiating an operative cycle of the surgical subroutine such that the surgical tasks are automatically performed during the operative cycle.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a body assembly and a shaft extending distally therefrom. The shaft defines a longitudinal axis. The apparatus further comprises an acoustic waveguide and an articulation section coupled with the shaft. A portion of the articulation section encompasses a flexible portion of the waveguide. The articulation section further comprises first member and a second member that is longitudinally translatable relative to the first member. The apparatus further comprises an end effector including an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the waveguide. A distal portion the ultrasonic blade is disposed in a first direction away from the longitudinal axis at a bend angle. The end effector also includes a clamp arm that is coupled with the first member and the second member, and an articulation drive assembly operable to drive articulation of the articulation section to thereby deflect the end effector from the longitudinal axis in the first direction.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft, and an end effector. The shaft extends distally from the body. The end effector is located at a distal end of the shaft. The end effector includes an active feature configured to operate on tissue. The body includes a drive feature operable to drive the active feature of the end effector. The body is operable to selectively couple with a variety of power sources such that the drive feature may receive electrical power form a battery or from a corded power source, based on a user's preference. The body may include a handpiece that has a socket configured to receive a battery or cable adapter. The body may removably receive various kinds of shaft assemblies to provide various operating modalities. The shaft assemblies may include user interface features.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to end effectors. An end effector includes an outer shaft extending along a longitudinal axis and an inner shaft partially located within the outer shaft. The end effector may include an ultrasonic blade. The inner shaft may include biased and unbiased portions. The inner shaft and outer shaft may be translatable relative to one another. At one translatable position, the biased portion of the inner shaft may be located within the outer shaft and the unbiased portion may be substantially straight along the longitudinal axis. At another translatable position, the biased portion of the inner shaft may be located outside of and distally positioned from the outer shaft such that the biased portion of the inner shaft is bent away from the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A robotic surgical system comprising a surgical instrument comprising an end effector comprising (i) a blade, (ii) a first jaw member including a first electrode, and (iii) a second jaw member including a second electrode. The robotic surgical system may also comprise a motor and a control circuit configured to: (i) produce control signals comprising a first control signal and a second control signal, (ii) deliver an electrosurgical energy signal to the first electrode and the second electrode via the first control signal, (iii) deliver a drive signal to the motor via the second control signal (iv) receive at least one feedback signal, (v) determine a rate of change based on a first feedback signal of the at least one feedback signal, and (vi) maintain the rate of change at a predetermined rate or within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A method for coagulating and dissecting tissue. The method includes measuring a tissue property and delivering multiple energy modalities to the tissue based on the tissue property. The energy modalities being delivered from a generator either alone or in combination.