Abstract: An apparatus comprises a base and at least one indicator in communication with the base. The base comprises a housing and at least one slot. The at least one slot is shaped to receive a reusable component from a surgical instrument. The at least one indicator is in communication with the at least one slot. The base is configured to detect at least one characteristic related to the reusable component when the reusable component is placed into the at least one slot. Wherein the at least one indicator is configured to provide a signal to the user regarding the at least one characteristic.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a handle assembly, a first transmission assembly, and a second transmission assembly. The first transmission assembly is in selective communication with the handle assembly and is operable to deliver energy to a surgical site. The second transmission assembly is in selective communication with the handle assembly and is operable to deliver energy to a surgical site. The first transmission assembly and the second transmission assembly are operable in different modalities, such as ultrasonic and RF electrosurgical modalities, using the same handle assembly.

Abstract: A generator is disclosed to generate a drive signal to a surgical device. The generator includes an ultrasonic generator module to generate a first drive signal to drive an ultrasonic device, an electrosurgery/radio frequency (RF) generator module to generate a second drive signal to drive an electrosurgical device, and a foot switch coupled to each of the ultrasonic generator module and the electrosurgery/RF generator module. The foot switch is configured to operate in a first mode when the ultrasonic device is coupled to the ultrasonic generator module and the foot switch is configured to operate in a second mode when the electrosurgical device is coupled to the electrosurgery/RF generator module. The generator further includes a user interface to provide feedback in accordance with the operation of any one of the ultrasonic device and the electrosurgical device in accordance with a predetermined algorithm.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for supplying energy to tissue can comprise a jaw member comprising an electrode, wherein the electrode is configured to supply energy from a power source to captured tissue. The surgical instrument comprises a tissue-cutting element to transect the captured tissue. The rate of distal translation of the tissue-cutting element during the operational stroke may be regulated by a linear actuator, for example.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for supplying energy to tissue can comprise a jaw member comprising an electrode, wherein the electrode is configured to supply energy from a power source to captured tissue. A control unit is configured to regulate the amount of energy delivered to the tissue through the monitoring of the current flowing through the tissue and the rate of change of the current flowing through the tissue. Through the monitoring of the current, the impedance of the tissue and the rate of change of impedance of the tissue may be determined to monitor the state of the captured tissue and reduce excess tissue heating.

Abstract: An end-effector assembly is configured to be attached to a surgical instrument. The end-effector assembly comprises a first jaw comprising an electrode, a second jaw comprising a rivet cavity, and a rivet. At least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is movable relative to the other jaw. At least a portion of the rivet is removably positioned within the rivet cavity. The rivet comprises a tissue-engaging portion, an elongate portion extending from the tissue-engaging portion, and a meltable portion. The end-effector assembly comprises a driver configured to move the rivet between a first position in which the rivet is stored at least partially within the rivet cavity and a second position in which the rivet is at least partially deployed from the rivet cavity. The meltable portion of the rivet is positioned against or adjacent to the electrode when the rivet is in the second position.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument can comprise a handle, a shaft, and an end effector, wherein the end effector can be rotatably coupled to the shaft by an articulation joint. The instrument can further comprise a drive member and the articulation joint can comprise flexible support members which can be configured to support the drive member. The instrument can further comprise supply wires electrically coupled to electrodes in the end effector and a wire tensioning device configured to prevent the supply wires from accumulating slack within the articulation joint. The drive member can comprise a plurality of flexible layers wherein some of the layers can be comprised of an electrically insulative material and other layers can be comprised of an electrically conductive material which is in electrical communication with a cutting member in the end effector and/or electrodes positioned within the end effector.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a surgical instrument comprising, a shaft, and an end effector. The shaft may be coupled to the handle and may extend distally along a longitudinal axis. The end effector may be positioned at a distal end of the shaft and may comprise first and second jaw members and a reciprocating member. The first and second jaw members may define first and second longitudinal slots. One or both of the jaw members may be pivotable relative to the other about a pivot point. The reciprocating member may be translatable distally and proximally parallel to the longitudinal axis and through the first and second longitudinal slots. A distal portion of the reciprocating member may define a blade. The instrument may comprise an overtube translatable distally to exert a force on a portions of the first and second jaw members tending to close the first and second jaw members.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a surgical instrument comprising a handle, a shaft coupled to the handle and extending along a longitudinal axis, an end effector, and a cable. The end effector may comprise a first jaw member, a second jaw member and a reciprocating member. The cable may extend distally from the handle through the shaft to a first pulley of the first jaw member. From the first pulley, the cable may extend proximally to the reciprocating member, such that proximally directed motion of the cable exerts a distally directed force on the reciprocating member.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided that can comprise and end effector including two jaws and a cutting member configured to move between the jaws. In at least one embodiment, one or both of the jaws may be flexible, such that a jaw is configured to flex when gripping tissue. Further, at least one of the jaws may include a thin cross-sectional area such that the jaw flexes when gripping tissue. Additionally, in at least one embodiment, one or more compression elements may extend from the cutting member and may be configured to cause the jaws to close when the cutting member is advanced. The compression elements may comprise a roller and/or a low-friction material. Moreover, in at least one embodiment, one or both of the jaws may be precurved, away from the cutting member's longitudinal axis. Accordingly, in various embodiments, the overall force required to advance the cutting member and/or close the jaws may be reduced.

Abstract: A biopsy device and method are provided for obtaining a tissue sample, such as a breast tissue biopsy sample. The biopsy device includes a disposable probe assembly with an outer cannula having a distal piercing tip, a cutter lumen, and a cutter tube that rotates and translates past a side aperture in the outer cannula to sever a tissue sample. The biopsy device also includes a reusable hand piece with an integral motor and power source to make a convenient, untethered control for use with ultrasonic imaging. External vacuum holes along the outer cannula (probe) that communicate with a vacuum and cutter lumen withdraw bodily fluids while a hemostatic disk-shaped ring pad around the probe applies compression to an external hole in the skin and absorbs fluids.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, methods for controlling electrical power provided to tissue via a surgical device may comprise providing a drive signal. A power of the drive signal may be proportional to a power provided to the tissue via the surgical device. The methods may also comprise periodically receiving indications of an impedance of the tissue and applying a first composite power curve to the tissue, wherein applying the first composite power curve to the tissue comprises. Applying the first composite power curve to the tissue may comprise modulating a first predetermined number of first composite power curve pulses on the drive signal; and for each of the first composite power curve pulses, determining a pulse power and a pulse width according to a first function of the impedance of the tissue The methods may also comprise applying a second composite power curve to the tissue.

Abstract: A biopsy device and method are provided for obtaining a tissue sample, such as a breast tissue biopsy sample. The biopsy device includes a disposable probe assembly with an outer cannula having a distal piercing tip, a cutter lumen, and a cutter tube that rotates and translates past a side aperture in the outer cannula to sever a tissue sample. The biopsy device also includes a reusable hand piece with an integral motor and power source to make a convenient, untethered control for use with ultrasonic imaging. The reusable hand piece incorporates a probe oscillation mode to assist when inserting the distal piercing tip into tissue. External vacuum holes along the outer cannula (probe) that communicate with a vacuum and cutter lumen withdraw bodily fluids while a hemostatic disk-shaped ring pad around the probe applies compression to an external hole in the skin and absorbs fluids.

Abstract: A biopsy device and method are provided for obtaining a tissue sample, such as a breast tissue biopsy sample. The biopsy device includes a disposable probe assembly with an outer cannula having a distal piercing tip, a cutter lumen, and a cutter tube that rotates and translates past a side aperture in the outer cannula to sever a tissue sample. The biopsy device also includes a reusable handpiece with an integral motor and power source to make a convenient, untethered control for use with ultrasonic imaging. The reusable handpiece incorporates a probe oscillation mode to assist when inserting the distal piercing tip into tissue. The motor also actuates an attached sample revolver drum assembly in coordination with movement of the cutter tube to provide sequentially stored tissue samples in a sample storage bandolier that is rotated about a revolver cylindrical drum.

Abstract: A biopsy system includes a first external device, a second external device and a control module interface. The control module interface is in electrical communication with both the first and second external devices, and the control module interface is in mechanical communication with the second external device. The control module interface is configured to be positioned remotely from at least one of the first and second external devices. The control module interface comprises a motor, operational electronics, a shaft connector assembly, an electrical connector and a cabinet configured to house the motor and operational electronics. The motor is in mechanical communication with the second external device via a mechanical cable. The operational electronics are configured to permit control of the motor and a motorized component of the second external device. In some embodiments, the mechanical cable comprises a flexible shaft cable, such as a speedometer cable.

Abstract: A biopsy device comprises a probe body, a cannula extending distally from the probe body, a cutter moveable relative to the cannula to sever tissue, and a tissue sample holder coupled with the probe body. The tissue sample holder comprises a rotatable member and at least one removable member secured about the exterior of the rotatable member. The at least one removable member defines a plurality of tissue sample compartments. Each tissue sample compartment is configured to receive one or more tissue samples captured by the cutter. In some versions, the at least one removable member comprises a belt and a plurality of vials.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a body portion, a tip, at least one blade, and a cutter. The cannula defines at least one lumen. The cannula has a transverse aperture configured to receive tissue. The tip is located at the distal end of the cannula, and may include at least two concave surfaces. The blade extends longitudinally from the tip. A second blade may also extend longitudinally from the tip. Blades may be axially staggered relative to the cannula. Blades may also have lengths that differ from one another. In addition, a blade may have a pointed distal end, or may have a curved distal edge. The configuration of the blade and tip may provide reduced force to penetrate tissue. The blade and tip may produce a cut length that is greater than or equal to the length of the outer perimeter of the cannula.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a cutter defining a cutter lumen and a tissue sample holder for collecting tissue samples. In one example, the tissue sample holder includes a rotatable manifold, and has a plurality of chambers that are each configured to separately hold tissue samples. A tissue sample holder rotation mechanism is operable to rotate the manifold to successively index each of the chambers with the cutter lumen. A sensing system is configured to sense the rotational position of the manifold. A controller in communication with both the sensing system and the rotation mechanism is operable to control the rotation mechanism based at least in part on the position of the manifold as sensed by the sensing system. The sensing system may include a sensor in a fixed position and a rotating encoder wheel on a shaft that is used to rotate the manifold.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a cutter defining a cutter lumen and a tissue sample holder for collecting tissue samples. In one example, the tissue sample holder includes a rotatable manifold, and has a plurality of chambers that are each configured to separately hold tissue samples. A tissue sample holder rotation mechanism is operable to rotate the manifold to successively align each of the chambers with the cutter lumen. A controller in communication with the rotation mechanism is configured to rotate the manifold to a presentation position to present a collected tissue sample within a chamber to a user (e.g., at an angular position approximately 90 degrees from the cutter lumen). The controller is further configured to rotate the manifold align the next, empty chamber with the cutter lumen in response to a user input instructing the biopsy device to obtain another tissue sample.

Abstract: A biopsy system having a lateral tissue access port includes an energy based tissue penetration system that can advantageously penetrate hard tumors, improve hemostasis, and provide greater tissue access. The energy based tissue penetration system has a vibrational member removeably disposed within the biopsy system, and a distal tip of the vibrational member extending from the biopsy system for tissue penetration. A sleeve is located between the vibrational member and the lateral access port to prevent tissue contact with the vibrational member through the lateral access port.