Abstract: A method of reclaiming portions of a surgical kit having a surgical instrument includes disassembling the surgical instrument and determining a disposal methodology of the surgical kit. Furthermore, reclaiming further includes verifying reuse capacity of a portion of the surgical instrument and determining a waste stream for the portion of the surgical instrument. The method also includes disassembling the portion of the surgical instrument from a remainder of the surgical instrument at a predetermined region of the surgical instrument to thereby reclaim the portion of the surgical instrument according to the waste stream.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a surgical instrument that includes a tissue contacting surface operable to apply ultrasonic energy or RF energy to tissue. The method includes applying a hydrophobic coating that includes silicone to a base surface of the tissue contacting surface to form an applied coating layer having a coating application thickness. The method also includes removing portions of the applied coating layer with a laser to form a plurality of removed portions of coating. A removal depth of each removed portion of the plurality of removed portions can each be from 50% to 100% of the coating application thickness such that from 10% to 50% of the applied coating layer is removed from the base surface.

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: An electrosurgical device comprises a body, an end effector, a cutting member, and a shaft. The end effector includes a pair of jaws that are operable to deliver RF energy to tissue that is clamped between the jaws. The cutting member is operable to sever tissue that is clamped between the jaws. The shaft extends between the body and the end effector. The shaft includes an articulation section that is operable to selectively position the end effector at non-parallel positions relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. Some versions include a rotation section that is distal to the articulation section. The rotation section is operable to rotate the end effector relative to the articulation section.

Abstract: Various embodiments of surgical robot control systems are disclosed. In one example embodiment, the surgical robot control system comprises a housing. A controller is located within the housing and is coupled to a socket. The socket receives a handheld surgical user interface therein to control a surgical instrument. The surgical instrument is connected to the surgical robot and comprises an end effector and a mechanical interface to manipulate the end effector. The mechanical interface is coupled to the controller. At least one sensor is coupled to the controller and the socket to convert movement of the handheld surgical user interface into electrical signals corresponding to the movement of the surgical instrument. At least one feedback device is coupled to the controller to provide feedback to a user. The feedback is associated with a predetermined function of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: Various embodiments of surgical robot control systems are disclosed. In one example embodiment, the surgical robot control system comprises a housing. A controller is located within the housing and is coupled to a socket. The socket receives a handheld surgical user interface therein to control a surgical instrument. The surgical instrument is connected to the surgical robot and comprises an end effector and a mechanical interface to manipulate the end effector. The mechanical interface is coupled to the controller. At least one sensor is coupled to the controller and the socket to convert movement of the handheld surgical user interface into electrical signals corresponding to the movement of the surgical instrument. At least one feedback device is coupled to the controller to provide feedback to a user. The feedback is associated with a predetermined function of the surgical instrument.

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 aspects of a generator, ultrasonic device, and method for estimating a state of an end effector of an ultrasonic device are disclosed. The ultrasonic device includes an electromechanical ultrasonic system defined by a predetermined resonant frequency, including an ultrasonic transducer coupled to an ultrasonic blade. A control circuit measures a complex impedance of an ultrasonic transducer, wherein the complex impedance is defined as Zg(t)=Vg(t)/Ig(t). The control circuit receives a complex impedance measurement data point and compares the complex impedance measurement data point to a data point in a reference complex impedance characteristic pattern. The control circuit then classifies the complex impedance measurement data point based on a result of the comparison analysis and assigns a state or condition of the end effector based on the result of the comparison analysis.

Abstract: An apparatus including a body, a shaft assembly extending distally from the body, and an end effector configured to grasp and transmit RF energy to the tissue. The end effector includes a first jaw having a first tissue grasping feature and a second jaw. The second jaw is pivotably coupled to the first jaw between an open position, a partially closed position, and a closed position. The second jaw includes a proximal taper having a proximal electrode surface, a distal taper including a distal electrode surface, and a juncture between the proximal and distal electrode surface. The juncture is spaced further from the first tissue grasping feature compared to the proximal and distal end while the second jaw is in the partially closed position. The proximal and distal electrode surface deform to define a gap with the first tissue grasping feature while in the closed position.

Abstract: Various embodiments of surgical robot control systems are disclosed. In one example embodiment, the surgical robot control system comprises a housing. A controller is located within the housing and is coupled to a socket. The socket receives a handheld surgical user interface therein to control a surgical instrument. The surgical instrument is connected to the surgical robot and comprises an end effector and a mechanical interface to manipulate the end effector. The mechanical interface is coupled to the controller. At least one sensor is coupled to the controller and the socket to convert movement of the handheld surgical user interface into electrical signals corresponding to the movement of the surgical instrument. At least one feedback device is coupled to the controller to provide feedback to a user. The feedback is associated with a predetermined function of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: Various exemplary devices, systems, and methods for multi-layer anti-stick coatings for surgical tools are provided. In general, a method of manufacturing a surgical tool includes forming, using plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition with hexamethyldisiloxane as a precursor material, a first coating on a conductive tissue treating surface of the end effector and a second jaw component of the end effector, the first coating comprising a first material, wherein the first material is a first silicone material, and applying a second coating on top of the first coating on the first jaw component and the second jaw component, the second coating comprising a second material, wherein the coatings are effective to prevent tissue sticking to the jaws during an electrosurgical sealing procedure.

Abstract: Various exemplary devices, systems, and methods for anti-stick coatings for surgical tools are provided. In general, a method of manufacturing a surgical tool includes forming, using plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition with hexamethyldisiloxane as a precursor material, a coating on a conductive tissue treating surface of an end effector, the coating comprising a silicone material, wherein the coatings are effective to prevent tissue sticking to the jaws during an electrosurgical procedure.

Abstract: Various aspects of a generator, ultrasonic device, and method for estimating a state of an end effector of an ultrasonic device are disclosed. The ultrasonic device includes an electromechanical ultrasonic system defined by a predetermined resonant frequency, including an ultrasonic transducer coupled to an ultrasonic blade. A control circuit measures a complex impedance of an ultrasonic transducer, wherein the complex impedance is defined as Zg(t)=Vg(t)/Ig(t). The control circuit receives a complex impedance measurement data point and compares the complex impedance measurement data point to a data point in a reference complex impedance characteristic pattern. The control circuit then classifies the complex impedance measurement data point based on a result of the comparison analysis and assigns a state or condition of the end effector based on the result of the comparison analysis.

Abstract: Various aspects of a generator, ultrasonic device, and method for estimating a state of an end effector of an ultrasonic device are disclosed. The ultrasonic device includes an electromechanical ultrasonic system defined by a predetermined resonant frequency, including an ultrasonic transducer coupled to an ultrasonic blade. A control circuit measures a complex impedance of an ultrasonic transducer, wherein the complex impedance is defined as Z g ( t ) = V g ( t ) I g ( t ) . The control circuit receives a complex impedance measurement data point and compares the complex impedance measurement data point to a data point in a reference complex impedance characteristic pattern. The control circuit then classifies the complex impedance measurement data point based on a result of the comparison analysis and assigns a state or condition of the end effector based on the result of the comparison analysis.

Abstract: An apparatus including a body, a shaft assembly extending distally from the body, and an end effector configured to grasp and transmit RF energy to the tissue. The end effector includes a first jaw having a first tissue grasping feature and a second jaw. The second jaw is pivotably coupled to the first jaw between an open position, a partially closed position, and a closed position. The second jaw includes a proximal taper having a proximal electrode surface, a distal taper including a distal electrode surface, and a juncture between the proximal and distal electrode surface. The juncture is spaced further from the first tissue grasping feature compared to the proximal and distal end while the second jaw is in the partially closed position. The proximal and distal electrode surface deform to define a gap with the first tissue grasping feature while in the closed position.

Abstract: A method of reclaiming portions of a surgical kit having a surgical instrument includes disassembling the surgical instrument and determining a disposal methodology of the surgical kit. Furthermore, reclaiming further includes verifying reuse capacity of a portion of the surgical instrument and determining a waste stream for the portion of the surgical instrument. The method also includes disassembling the portion of the surgical instrument from a remainder of the surgical instrument at a predetermined region of the surgical instrument to thereby reclaim the portion of the surgical instrument according to the waste stream.

Abstract: A method of determining a recovery capacity of at least one feature of a surgical instrument includes establishing communication with the surgical instrument; assisting operation of the surgical instrument during a procedure; obtaining data related to the surgical instrument; evaluating the data obtained related to the surgical instrument to determine a digital assessment of the impact on performance of the at least one features of the surgical instrument; and determining, based on the digital assessment, a capacity of recovery for the at least one feature of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: An apparatus including a body, a shaft assembly extending distally from the body, and an end effector configured to grasp and transmit RF energy to the tissue. The end effector includes a first jaw having a first tissue grasping feature and a second jaw. The second jaw is pivotably coupled to the first jaw between an open position, a partially closed position, and a closed position. The second jaw includes a proximal taper having a proximal electrode surface, a distal taper including a distal electrode surface, and a juncture between the proximal and distal electrode surface. The juncture is spaced further from the first tissue grasping feature compared to the proximal and distal end while the second jaw is in the partially closed position. The proximal and distal electrode surface deform to define a gap with the first tissue grasping feature while in the closed position.

Abstract: A method for controlling an operation of an ultrasonic blade of an ultrasonic electromechanical system is disclosed. The method includes providing an ultrasonic electromechanical system comprising an ultrasonic transducer coupled to an ultrasonic blade via an ultrasonic waveguide; applying, by an energy source, a power level to the ultrasonic transducer; determining, by a control circuit coupled to a memory, a mechanical property of the ultrasonic electromechanical system; comparing, by the control circuit, the mechanical property with a reference mechanical property stored in the memory; and adjusting, by the control circuit, the power level applied to the ultrasonic transducer based on the comparison of the mechanical property with the reference mechanical property.

Abstract: Various aspects of a generator, ultrasonic device, and method for estimating a state of an end effector of an ultrasonic device are disclsoed. The ultrasonic device includes an electromechanical ultrasonic system defined by a predetermined resonant frequency, including an ultrasonic transducer coupled to an ultrasonic blade. A control circuit measures a complex impedance of an ultrasonic transducer, wherein the complex impedance is defined as Z g ( t ) = V g t I g t . The control circuit receivs a complex impedance measurement data point and compares the complex impedance measurement data point to a data point in a reference complex impedance characteristic pattern. The control circuit then classifies the complex impedance measurement data point based on a result of the comparison analysis and assigns a state or condition of the end effector based on the result of the comparison analysis.