Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided and includes a housing having a shaft. An end effector assembly is operatively connected to a distal end of the shaft and has a pair of first and second jaw members that are movable relative to one another. A drive assembly operably couples to a handle assembly associated with the housing and is configured to impart movement of a respective jaw member when the handle assembly is actuated. A spring component operably associated with each of the jaw members is configured to provide a sealing force at the jaw members.

Abstract: A thermal cutting element of an electrosurgical instrument includes a base substrate defining a first side and a second side, at least one insulating layer disposed on at least the first side of the base substrate, and a heater circuit trace disposed on the at least one insulating layer. The thermal cutting element has an operating temperature of at least about 350° C. Temperature Coefficient of Resistance (TCR) of at least about 50 ppm/° C. An electrosurgical instrument and electrosurgical system including the thermal cutting element are also provided.

Abstract: A tissue removal system includes an electrosurgical generator including an active electrode port and a return electrode port, an active electrode device configured to connect to the active electrode port, and a return tissue guard configured to connect to the return electrode port. Another tissue removal system includes an electrosurgical generator including an active electrode port and a return electrode port, an active electrode device configured to connect to the active electrode port, and a return specimen bag configured to connect to the return electrode port.

Abstract: A device for endometrial ablation includes a selectively expandable bladder configured for insertion through a cervical canal of a patient and into a patient's cervix. The selectively expandable bladder defines an interior volume for receiving a thermally conductive medium which, when introduced into the interior volume, expands the selectively expandable bladder against the uterine tissue of the cervix. One or more insulative substrates is operably disposed within the interior volume and supports a thermal assembly on the one or more insulative substrates. The thermal assembly couples to an energy source and is configured to conduct thermal energy to a thermally conductive substrate upon activation of the thermal assembly, which, in turn, heats the thermally conductive medium in contact with the thermally conductive substrate to treat the uterine tissue of a patient.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, a shaft extending distally from the housing, an end effector disposed at a distal end of the shaft, an actuator operably coupled to the housing, an actuation assembly, and a sensor module. The actuation assembly extends through the housing and the shaft and includes a distal end operably coupled to the end effector or a component associated therewith, a proximal end operably coupled to the actuator, and a spring. Actuation of the actuator manipulates the end effector or deploys the component relative thereto. The sensor module is disposed within the housing and configured to sense a property of the spring indicative of an amount the spring has been compressed. The sensor module is further configured, based upon the sensed property, to determine a condition of the end effector or the relative position of the component.

Abstract: An end effector assembly for an electrosurgical instrument includes a pair of opposing jaw members each including a jaw housing supporting an electrically conductive tissue engaging surface thereon. The jaw members are movable relative to one another to grasp tissue therebetween. A thermal cutting element is operatively associated with the electrically conductive tissue engaging surface of one jaw member and is independently activatable relative to the electrically conductive tissue engaging surfaces. The thermal cutting element is selectively moveable in a first direction relative to the electrically conductive tissue engaging surface along a transverse axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis defined through the jaw member and is selectively moveable in a second direction along the longitudinal axis to extend relative to a distal end of the jaw member.

Abstract: An end effector assembly for an electrosurgical instrument includes a pair of opposing jaw members each having a jaw housing supporting an electrically conductive tissue engaging surface thereon. The electrically conductive tissue engaging surfaces are disposed in opposition relative to one another. The jaw members are movable relative to one another to grasp tissue therebetween and are connect to an electrosurgical energy source. A thermal cutting element is disposed in one of the electrically conductive tissue engaging surfaces and is independently activatable relative to the electrically conductive tissue engaging surfaces. The thermal cutting element is exposed along the length of the electrically conductive tissue engaging surface and includes an exposed distal end extending through a distal end of the jaw housing. The thermal cutting element includes a scallop defined proximal to the exposed distal end thereof configured to facilitate tissue scoring upon movement and activation thereof.

Abstract: An end effector assembly for an electrosurgical instrument includes a pair of opposing jaw members each having a jaw housing supporting an electrically conductive tissue engaging surface thereon. The tissue engaging surfaces are disposed in opposition relative to one another and one or both of the jaw members are movable relative to one another to grasp tissue therebetween. First, second and third thermal cutting elements are disposed on one or both of the tissue engaging surfaces. Each thermal cutting element is independently activatable (or activatable in pairs) relative to the tissue engaging surfaces and each thermal cutting element connects to an electrosurgical energy source. The first thermal cutting element is exposed along the length of the tissue engaging surface, the second thermal cutting element surrounds the distal tip of the jaw member and the third thermal cutting element is disposed on the back of the jaw housing.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, a shaft extending therefrom, an end effector assembly supported by the shaft, a movable handle, and a drive assembly. The drive assembly includes a translatable drive member for actuating the end effector assembly, and a torsion spring including first and second legs. The first leg is configured to translate through the housing in response to movement of the movable handle relative to the housing. The second leg is configured to translate through the housing in cooperation with the first leg to move the drive member longitudinally when a force acting on the drive member is less than a threshold force, and to remain in fixed position, thereby tensioning the torsion spring and retaining the drive member in fixed position when the force acting on the drive member is equal to or exceeds the threshold force.

Abstract: A jaw member for an end effector assembly of a vessel sealing instrument includes a seal plate assembly having first and second seal plates joined atop one another, the second seal plate defining a channel extending from a proximal to a distal end thereof. A thermal cutter assembly includes a substrate disposed within the channel which extends from the proximal to the distal end of the second seal plate. An insulator is disposed atop the substrate and is configured to extend therealong. A resistive element is disposed atop the insulator and is configured to generate heat upon activation thereof. An encapsulant is configured to electrically insulate the resistive element and thermally conduct heat from the resistive element, such that, upon activation thereof, tissue disposed within the end effector assembly is cut along the resistive element.

Abstract: A surgical system for detecting perfusion includes at least one surgical camera and a computing device. The at least one surgical camera is configured to obtain image data of tissue at a surgical site including first image data and second image data that is temporally-spaced relative to the first image data. The computing device is configured to receive the image data from the at least one surgical camera and includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions configured to cause the computing device to detect differences between the first and second image data, determine a level of perfusion in the tissue based on the detected differences between the first and second image data, and provide an output indicative of the determined level of perfusion in the tissue.

Abstract: An end effector assembly for an electrosurgical instrument includes a pair of opposing jaw members each having a jaw housing supporting an electrically conductive tissue engaging surface thereon disposed in opposition relative to one another. The electrically conductive tissue engaging surfaces are adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source. A thermal cutting element is disposed the electrically conductive tissue engaging surface and is independently activatable relative to the electrically conductive tissue engaging surfaces and is adapted to connect to the electrosurgical energy source. The thermal cutting element is exposed along the length of the electrically conductive tissue engaging surface and includes an exposed distal end extending through a distal end of the jaw housing. The exposed distal end of the thermal cutting element is configured to facilitate tissue dissection upon activation thereof.

Abstract: A jaw member for a surgical instrument includes a jaw housing and a first electrically conductive material deposited atop the jaw housing. An electrical wire is operably associated with the jaw housing and includes an exposed, electrically conductive tip. The exposed, electrically conductive tip is disposed atop the first electrically conductive material. A second electrically conductive material is deposited atop the exposed, electrically conductive tip to secure the exposed, electrically conductive tip in electrical contact with the first electrically conductive material.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument end effector has first and second jaw members each including an electrically conductive tissue-contacting surface. The first and second jaw members are configured to grasp and electrosurgically treat tissue between the tissue-contacting surfaces. A thermal cutting element includes a body portion extending along the tissue-contacting surface of the second jaw member and a distal probe portion extending distally therefrom. The distal probe portion extends distally beyond a distal-most extent of the second jaw member, has a free end distally-spaced from this distal-most extent, and is exposed about the entire outer periphery thereof between the distal-most extent the free end. The body portion of the thermal cutting element is energizable for thermally treating tissue grasped between the tissue-contacting surfaces, while the distal probe portion of the thermal cutting element is energizable for thermally treating tissue positioned distally of the first and second jaw members.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument including an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members and at least first and second thermal cutting elements. Each of the first and second jaw members includes an electrically conductive tissue contacting surface. At least one of the first or second jaw members is movable relative to the other from a spaced apart position to an approximated position to grasp tissue between the tissue contacting surfaces. The first and second jaw members are adapted to connect to a source of energy for electrosurgically treating tissue grasped between the tissue contacting surfaces. Each of the first and second thermal cutting elements is disposed on or within one of the first or second jaw members and adapted to connect to a source of energy for thermally treating tissue.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, a shaft extending therefrom, an end effector assembly supported by the shaft, a movable handle, and a drive assembly. The drive assembly includes a translatable drive member for actuating the end effector assembly, and a torsion spring including first and second legs. The first leg is configured to translate through the housing in response to movement of the movable handle relative to the housing. The second leg is configured to translate through the housing in cooperation with the first leg to move the drive member longitudinally when a force acting on the drive member is less than a threshold force, and to remain in fixed position, thereby tensioning the torsion spring and retaining the drive member in fixed position when the force acting on the drive member is equal to or exceeds the threshold force.

Abstract: A positioning device is provided for delivering or guiding a surgical device into a lumen of a body vessel to a position adjacent target tissue. The device includes a housing, an elongate sleeve, and a source of pressurized fluid. The sleeve has a first end coupled to a delivery side of the housing, a second end positioned on a return side of the housing, and an inverted distal portion positioned between the first and second ends. One second end of the sleeve can be furled about a support member supported on the housing. A distal portion of the sleeve defines a cavity that communicates with a pressure chamber within the housing. When pressurized fluid is directed into the pressure chamber, the pressurized fluid flows into the cavity of the distal portion of the sleeve to advance the sleeve away from the housing.

Abstract: A thermal element configured for thermally treating tissue includes a substrate, an insulating layer disposed on the substrate, and a resistive trace circuit disposed on the insulating layer and including first and second ends adapted to connect to a source of energy for energizing the resistive trace circuit, thereby heating the thermal element. The resistive trace circuit: includes at least first and second sections defining different configurations and disposed between the first and second ends; is configured to maintain a temperature variation of no greater than about 25° C. along at least a majority of a length of the thermal element; and/or is configured to define a temperature gradient profile that varies at least about 50° C. along a length of the thermal element at a target operating temperature thereof.

Abstract: A colpotomy system includes an energy source and a uterine manipulator that is electrically coupled to the energy source. The uterine manipulator supports a colpotomy cup and extends to a conductive distal tip portion. The colpotomy cup includes a conductive surface. One or both of the conductive distal tip portion and the conductive surface of the colpotomy cup are configured to return monopolar energy to the energy source.

Abstract: A surgical forceps including a housing having a movable handle coupled thereto and movable between an initial position and a compressed position is disclosed. A drive bar is operably coupled to the movable handle such that movement of the movable handle between the initial and compressed positions effects longitudinal translation of the drive bar. The drive bar further includes a coupling member disposed at a distal end thereof. An end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members movable between spaced-apart and approximated positions. Each jaw member defines a cam slot. A cam pin is slidably disposed within the cam slot of each of the jaw members. The coupling member is configured to releasably engage the cam pin such that movement of the movable handle between the initial position and the compressed position effects movement of the jaw members between the spaced-apart position and the approximated position.