Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a shaft assembly comprising a shaft and an end effector coupled to a distal end of the shaft; a handle assembly coupled to a proximal end of the shaft; a battery assembly coupled to the handle assembly; a radio frequency (RF) energy output powered by the battery assembly and configured to apply RF energy to a tissue; an ultrasonic energy output powered by the battery assembly and configured to apply ultrasonic energy to the tissue; and a controller configured to, based at least in part on a measured tissue characteristic, start application of RF energy by the RF energy output or application of ultrasonic energy by the ultrasonic energy output at a first time.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a shaft assembly comprising a shaft and an end effector coupled to a distal end of the shaft; a handle assembly coupled to a proximal end of the shaft; a battery assembly coupled to the handle assembly; a radio frequency (RF) energy output powered by the battery assembly and configured to apply RF energy to a tissue; an ultrasonic energy output powered by the battery assembly and configured to apply ultrasonic energy to the tissue; and a controller configured to, based at least in part on a measured tissue characteristic, start application of RF energy by the RF energy output or application of ultrasonic energy by the ultrasonic energy output at a first time.

Abstract: Various forms are directed to systems and methods for dissection and coagulation of tissue. A method for detecting a short circuit in a surgical system configured to apply radio frequency energy and ultrasonic energy to a target surgical site that includes delivering radio frequency (RF) energy to an electrode of a surgical instrument, transitioning from delivering the RF energy to delivering ultrasonic energy to an ultrasonic blade of the surgical instrument, delivering an exploratory ultrasonic pulse to the ultrasonic blade, measuring an ultrasonic property of tissue engaged by the surgical instrument, wherein the ultrasonic property is associated with the exploratory ultrasonic pulse, determining whether the measured ultrasonic property is consistent with a behavior of low impedance tissue, and delivering ultrasonic energy to the ultrasonic blade to cut the tissue upon determining that the measured ultrasonic property is consistent with ultrasonic energy being applied to low impedance tissue.

Abstract: An end-effector including a clamp arm and an ultrasonic blade configured to acoustically couple to an ultrasonic transducer and to electrically couple to a pole of an electrical generator. The clamp arm includes a clamp jaw and an electrically conductive polymer clamp arm pad. The clamp arm may include electrically non-conductive layers and electrically conductive layers arranged in a sandwich like configuration to electrically couple to an opposite pole of the electrical generator. The clamp arm may include a composite clamp arm pad attached to the clamp jaw, the composite clamp arm pad includes electrically non-conductive layers and electrically conductive layers to couple to an opposite pole of the electrical generator. The clamp arm may include a carrier attached to the clamp jaw and a clamp arm pad including an electrically non-conductive pad and an electrically conductive pad to couple to an opposite pole of the electrical generator.

Abstract: An end-effector configured to grasp tissue is disclosed herein. The end-effector includes an ultrasonic blade configured to transfer ultrasonic energy to the tissue and a clamp arm. The clamp arm includes a clamp arm pad including an electrically conductive material and an electrically non-conductive material. The clamp arm pad is configured as an electrode of a radiofrequency energy circuit, wherein the electrode is configured to transfer radiofrequency energy through the tissue to a return electrode of the radiofrequency energy circuit, and wherein the electrically non-conductive material is configured to reduce the possibility of an electrical short between the electrically conductive material and the ultrasonic blade as the clamp arm pad degrades throughout the usable life of the end effector.

Abstract: An end-effector and a surgical instrument including the end-effector are disclosed. The end-effector includes a clamp arm and an ultrasonic blade configured to acoustically couple to an ultrasonic transducer and to electrically couple to a pole of an electrical generator. The clamp arm includes a clamp jaw, a cantilever electrode configured to electrically couple to an opposite pole of the electrical generator and an electrically non-conductive clamp arm pad including a plurality of teeth. The surgical instrument includes a control circuit to detect a distal conductive element contact with the ultrasonic blade and adjust power applied to the ultrasonic blade based on detection of the contact.

Abstract: An end-effector is disclosed. The end-effector includes a clamp arm and an ultrasonic blade configured to acoustically couple to an ultrasonic transducer and electrically couple to a pole of an electrical generator. The clamp arm includes a clamp jaw and an electrode configured to electrically couple to an opposite pole of the electrical generator. In one configuration, the electrode is segmented. In another configuration, the ultrasonic blade includes electrically insulative material deposited on selected areas to prevent electrical shorting in the event of the ultrasonic blade contacts the electrode. In another configuration, the clamp arm, the ultrasonic blade, or both include selectively coated components.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surgical instrument with an end-effector adapted and configured to deliver a plurality of energy modalities to tissue at a distal end thereof. The energy modalities may be applied simultaneously, independently, or sequentially. A generator is electrically coupled to the surgical instrument and is configured to supply a plurality of energy modalities to the end-effector. In one aspect, the generator is configured to supply electrosurgical energy (e.g., monopolar or bipolar radio frequency (RF) energy) and ultrasonic energy to the end-effector to allow the end-effector to interact with the tissue. The energy modalities may be supplied to the end-effector by a single generator or multiple generators.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a shaft assembly comprising a shaft and an end effector coupled to a distal end of the shaft; a handle assembly coupled to a proximal end of the shaft; a battery assembly coupled to the handle assembly; a radio frequency (RF) energy output powered by the battery assembly and configured to apply RF energy to a tissue; an ultrasonic energy output powered by the battery assembly and configured to apply ultrasonic energy to the tissue; and a controller configured to, based at least in part on a measured tissue characteristic, start application of RF energy by the RF energy output or application of ultrasonic energy by the ultrasonic energy output at a first time.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a temperature sensor and a control unit that is operable to deactivate an end effector of the surgical instrument. In some versions the temperature sensor detects the temperature of a transducer, while in others the temperature sensor detects the temperature of the end effector. The surgical instrument may also include a trigger and a trigger position sensor. A force sensor or a position sensor may be included to determine the force and/or position of the transmission assembly. The end effector may also include a force sensor or a micro coil. A surgical instrument having a sensor may be included in a surgical system that includes a control unit and a remote controller. In some instances the remote controller may have one or more force-feedback components. In addition, a device interface and a surgeon interface may be included to remotely adjust the settings of the control unit.

Abstract: Various surgical devices and methods are provided for monitoring and regulating tissue compression and cutting to improve tissue effect. In general, these devices include a handle portion, an elongate shaft, and an effector disposed at a distal end of the shaft and configured to engage tissue. In one embodiment, one or more sensors can be positioned at various locations on the device and can determine a force applied to tissue engaged by the end effector. When the force exceeds a threshold, a notification signal can be issued to a user. In another embodiment, a sensor can determine an amount of current moving between jaws of the end effector and a controller can slow a speed of the cutting element when the sensed current exceeds a threshold amount.

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: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, an articulation section, an end effector, an articulation connector, and an articulation drive assembly. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body. The end effector is connected to the articulation section such that the end effector is configured to deflect relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft assembly. The articulation connector is configured to translate relative to the shaft assembly to deflect the end effector relative to the longitudinal axis. The articulation drive assembly is configured to translate the articulation connector relative to the shaft assembly. The articulation drive assembly includes a rotatable housing and a first lead screw assembly. The first lead screw assembly includes a first half and a second half. The first lead screw assembly is slidably coupled with the shaft assembly and is configured to translate in response to rotation of the rotatable housing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of controlling a modular battery powered handheld surgical instrument. The surgical instrument including a battery, a user input sensor, a controller, a radio frequency (RF) drive circuit, an ultrasonic transducer, ultrasonic transducer drive circuit, and an end effector. The end effector including an electrode electrically coupled to RF drive circuit, an ultrasonic blade acoustically coupled to the ultrasonic transducer, and a sensor to measure tissue parameters. The method includes applying an RF current drive signal to the electrode by the RF drive circuit; applying an ultrasonic drive signal to the ultrasonic transducer by the ultrasonic transducer drive circuit to acoustically excite the ultrasonic blade; controlling intensity, wave shape, and/or frequency of the RF current drive signal and the ultrasonic drive signal on a sensed measure of a tissue or user parameter.

Abstract: A surgical control system is disclosed including a controller, a feedback device operably coupled to the controller, and a user interface operably coupled to the controller. The user interface is configured to provide an input to the controller. The controller is configured to provide a control signal to a robotic surgical system to control a function of the robotic surgical system, receive a feedback signal from the robotic surgical system, and provide the feedback signal to the feedback device. The feedback device is configured to provide feedback associated with the robotic surgical system to a user in response to the feedback signal.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device may include a front portion releasably attached to a reusable handle. The reusable handle may include a single motor configured to actuate a tissue knife mechanism and an articulation mechanism in the front portion. The reusable handle may include a controller configured to sense a position of a knife advancement control in the front portion and actuate the tissue knife via the motor when the knife advancement control is at a predetermined position. The controller may receive data from the front portion indicating that the front portion includes an articulation joint. If the front portion includes an articulation joint, the controller may actuate, via the motor, an articulation mechanism to adjust an angle of the articulation joint when an articulation control in the front portion is at a predetermined position. The reusable handle may be used with a front portion having or lacking an articulation joint.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a shaft assembly comprising a shaft and an end effector coupled to a distal end of the shaft; a handle assembly coupled to a proximal end of the shaft; a battery assembly coupled to the handle assembly; a radio frequency (RF) energy output powered by the battery assembly and configured to apply RF energy to a tissue; an ultrasonic energy output powered by the battery assembly and configured to apply ultrasonic energy to the tissue; and a controller configured to, based at least in part on a measured tissue characteristic, start application of RF energy by the RF energy output or application of ultrasonic energy by the ultrasonic energy output at a first time.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a detector that includes an array of pixels configured to detect light reflected by a surgical device and generate a first signal. The first signal includes a first dataset representative of a visible image of the surgical device. The surgical system also includes a processor configured to receive the first signal and a second signal representative of one or more operating parameters of the surgical device. The processor is also configured to generate a modified image of the surgical device that includes information related to one or more operating parameters.

Abstract: A surgical instrument including a handle assembly and an end effector, including a first jaw pivotably coupled to a second jaw, is disclosed. The handle assembly may comprise a jaw position sensor comprising a switch, a closure trigger, and a clamp spring actuatable by the closure trigger. The closure trigger may be configured to: rotate between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position corresponds to the first and second jaws in an open position and the second position corresponds to the first and second jaws in a closed position, and activate the switch of the jaw position sensor at a predetermined rotated position. The clamp spring may be configured to: cause the first and second jaws to transition between the open position and the closed position, and apply a force to the first and second jaws.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, an articulation section, an end effector, an articulation connector, and an articulation drive assembly. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body. The end effector is connected to the articulation section such that the end effector is configured to deflect relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft assembly. The articulation connector is configured to translate relative to the shaft assembly to deflect the end effector relative to the longitudinal axis. The articulation drive assembly is configured to translate the articulation connector relative to the shaft assembly. The articulation drive assembly includes a rotatable housing and a first lead screw assembly. The first lead screw assembly includes a first half and a second half. The first lead screw assembly is slidably coupled with the shaft assembly and is configured to translate in response to rotation of the rotatable housing.