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: Methods and devices for using surgical devices with articulating end effectors are provided. Surgical devices with articulating end effectors can provide rotary driven pivoting of the end effector. In some embodiments, the device can include a handle, a first and a second tube extending from the handle, the second tube disposed within the first tube, and an end effector that includes a pair of distal jaws configured to move in response to rotation of the first tube about a longitudinal axis thereof and rotation of the second tube about a longitudinal axis thereof. The jaws can move in two different ways depending on whether the first and second tubes are rotating in a same direction as one another or in different ways than each other. The jaws can open/close and articulate using the same mechanical mechanism. The device can be powered, or the device can be non-powered.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a body, an ultrasonic transducer assembly, a shaft assembly, and a coupling assembly. The shaft assembly comprises an acoustic waveguide that is operable to selectively couple with the ultrasonic transducer assembly. The coupling assembly is operable to selectively transition between a first mode and a second mode. The acoustic waveguide is configured to rotate with the transducer assembly relative to the body when the coupling assembly is in the first mode. The acoustic waveguide is configured to rotate relative to the transducer assembly and relative to the body when the coupling assembly is in the second mode. The coupling assembly is further configured to prevent the transducer assembly from rotating relative to the body when the coupling assembly is in the second mode. The shaft assembly and the end effector are also together configured to transition between an operational mode and a cleaning mode.

Abstract: Modular surgical instruments are disclosed. In various embodiments, a modular surgical instrument t is disclosed for use with a plurality of interchangeable surgical tool heads that are configured to perform different surgical actions. The instrument is configured to apply a plurality of different rotary drive motions and axial drive motions depending upon the type of surgical tool head attached thereto.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes an actuation system, a drive system, and a tool head. The drive system is coupled to the actuation system and includes a rotatable shaft which defines a longitudinal axis. The tool head is coupled to the drive system and includes an annular cartridge and a pliable bunchable ring. The annular cartridge includes a plurality of staples. The pliable bunchable ring surrounds the annular cartridge. The surgical instrument is configured to drive the staples through the pliable bunchable ring substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument can include an end effector, a shaft, and a handle. The handle can include a trigger assembly.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes an actuation system, a drive system, and a tool head. The drive system is coupled to the actuation system and includes a rotatable shaft which defines a longitudinal axis. The tool head is coupled to the drive system and includes an annular cartridge and a pliable bunchable ring. The annular cartridge includes a plurality of staples. The pliable bunchable ring surrounds the annular cartridge. The surgical instrument is configured to drive the staples through the pliable bunchable ring substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A tissue retrieval device includes a tubular member, an expandable member, and a tissue retrieval bag. The introducer tube is sized to be inserted into a patient through a trocar. The bag may be selectively opened by the expandable member within the patient. The bag may receive a tissue specimen and be withdrawn from the patient. The bag may be manipulated for packing within the tubular member in a variety of ways. Manipulation of the bag may include folding the bag about axes that are perpendicular to or parallel to the tubular member; rolling the bag about axes that are perpendicular to or parallel to the tubular member; or wrapping the bag about the expandable member, wrapping the bag about a rod, or twisting the bag at a position distal to the expandable member. The tubular member may comprise an environmentally responsive capsule.

Abstract: Bowel retractor devices. In various forms, the bowel retractor devices are configurable from a collapsed position wherein the retractor may be inserted through a trocar cannula or other opening in a patient's body to a second expanded position wherein at least a portion of the patient's bowel may be advantageously supported in a desired position.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical instrument is provided that may comprise an end effector for performing a surgical procedure on tissue, for example. The end effector may comprise at least one energy delivery surface and heat dissipation means for dissipating heat from at least a portion of the end effector. For example, in at least one embodiment, the end effector may comprise a first jaw, a second jaw, and a cutting member. The cutting member may comprise a cutting surface and a body, which may define a cavity and at least one opening communicating with the cavity. A fluid may be moved through the cavity to and/or from the opening(s). Additionally, in at least one embodiment, a surgical instrument's end effector may comprise a first jaw, a second jaw, a cutting member, and at least one heat pipe. Various other heat dissipation means are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for providing access through tissue to a surgical site. In one embodiment, a surgical access device can include a hollow tubular member and a modular seal member. The modular seal member can be configured to radially span a lumen of the tubular member and can be removably and replaceably matable to a portion of the tubular member. The access device can also include a plurality of access ports, each of which can be configured to mate with the modular seal member at a respective desired location.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for allowing multiple surgical instruments to be inserted into sealing elements of a single surgical access device. The sealing elements can be movable along predefined pathways within the device to allow surgical instruments inserted through the sealing elements to be moved laterally, rotationally, angularly, and vertically relative to a central longitudinal axis of the device for ease of manipulation within a patient's body while maintaining insufflation.

Abstract: A nested trigger assembly for a surgical instrument may generally comprise a first trigger and a second trigger, wherein the first trigger and the second trigger are movable together on a first stroke of the nested trigger assembly, wherein the second trigger is configured to be biased away from the first trigger after the first stroke and before a second stroke, and wherein the second trigger is configured to be moved toward to the first trigger during the second stroke. A surgical instrument may generally comprise a shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end, a handle extending from the proximal end, wherein the handle comprises a gripping portion, and a nested trigger assembly extending from the handle. The nested trigger assemble may comprise one of a separable trigger assembly and a divisible trigger assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a body, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body. The end effector is located at a distal end of the shaft assembly. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade, a clamp arm, and a sleeve. The ultrasonic blade is configured to vibrate at an ultrasonic frequency. The clamp arm is configured to move toward the ultrasonic blade. The sleeve extends along at least part of the length of an outer portion of the ultrasonic blade or the clamp arm. The sleeve is configured to prevent tissue from contacting a portion of the ultrasonic blade or clamp arm covered by the sleeve.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a grip, and a strip assembly. The strip assembly releasably couples the grip with the body. The grip is movable from a first position to a second position. The grip is coupled with the body in the first position and detached from at least a portion of the body in the second position. At least a portion of the strip assembly detaches from at least a portion of the grip, the body, or another portion of the strip assembly when the grip is in the second position.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical instrument for operation in an aqueous environment is provided. In at least one embodiment, the surgical instrument may include a hollow sheath and a blade disposed at least partially within the sheath. Coupled to the blade may be at least one ultrasonic transducer, which, in turn, may be coupled to a drive system. The drive system may be configured to deliver gross axial motions to the blade such that the blade translates with respect to the hollow sheath when the drive system is activated. Accordingly, tissue may be cut by the blade with gross axial movement of the blade and/or ultrasonic vibrational motion provided by the ultrasonic transducer(s). In alternative embodiments, the blade may be rotated axially instead of translated with respect to the hollow sheath.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a body and a shaft assembly. The body includes an energy source such as an ultrasonic transducer. The shaft assembly comprises an end effector and a transmission member such as an acoustic waveguide. The end effector may include a harmonic blade and a pivoting clamp member. One or both of the body or the shaft assembly includes a pivot feature. The pivot feature is operable to secure the shaft assembly to the body. The pivot feature may include a bar defining a pivot axis about which the shaft assembly pivots to secure the shaft assembly to the body. The pivot axis may be perpendicular to a longitudinal axis defined by the shaft assembly. The pivot feature may also include a pivoting cover configured to cover a recess in the body in which a proximal portion of the shaft assembly is received.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical instrument is provided that may comprise an end effector for performing a surgical procedure on tissue, for example. The end effector may comprise at least one energy delivery surface and heat dissipation means for dissipating heat from at least a portion of the end effector. For example, in at least one embodiment, the end effector may comprise a first jaw, a second jaw, and a cutting member. The cutting member may comprise a cutting surface and a body, which may define a cavity and at least one opening communicating with the cavity. A fluid may be moved through the cavity to and/or from the opening(s). Additionally, in at least one embodiment, a surgical instrument's end effector may comprise a first jaw, a second jaw, a cutting member, and at least one heat pipe. Various other heat dissipation means are also disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical instrument may include a reusable body assembly, a reusable transducer and blade assembly, and a disposable end effector. The transducer and blade assembly may be latched into the body assembly. One version may include an electrical connector on the latch member to electrically couple the body assembly to the transducer. The end effector may include an outer sheath portion coupleable to an outer sheath of the body assembly via a bayonet connection and a clamp arm pivotably coupled to the outer sheath portion. In some versions, an inner tubular member of the body assembly may also couple to an inner tube portion via a bayonet connection. The inner tubular member may include a key to align with a slot on the transducer and blade assembly to align the clamp arm with the blade. The end effector may alternatively couple via threading or ratcheting teeth having a slip feature.

Abstract: A tissue retrieval device includes a tubular member, an expandable member, and a tissue retrieval bag. The introducer tube is sized to be inserted into a patient through a trocar. The bag may be selectively opened by the expandable member within the patient. The bag may receive a tissue specimen and be withdrawn from the patient. The bag may be manipulated for packing within the tubular member in a variety of ways. Manipulation of the bag may include folding the bag about axes that are perpendicular to or parallel to the tubular member; rolling the bag about axes that are perpendicular to or parallel to the tubular member; or wrapping the bag about the expandable member, wrapping the bag about a rod, or twisting the bag at a position distal to the expandable member. The tubular member may comprise an environmentally responsive capsule.