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 surgical instrument includes a housing that supports an elongated shaft. A selectively movable drive rod extends through the elongated shaft and carries a cam pin in a longitudinal direction. An end effector for surgically treating tissue is supported by the elongated shaft and includes upper and lower jaw members pivotally coupled to one another about a pivot axis. The upper jaw member includes a first pair of laterally spaced flanges, and the lower jaw member includes a second pair of laterally spaced flanges defining a camming slot for engaging the cam pin. The flanges are arranged in an offset configuration where one flange of the upper jaw member is positioned on a laterally exterior side of a corresponding flange of the lower jaw member, and the other flange of the upper jaw member is positioned on a laterally interior side of the other flange of the lower jaw member.

Abstract: An enhanced haptic feedback system for medical diagnostics includes a laparoscope configured to be inserted into a body cavity to view tissue and obtain an image of the viewed tissue. An imaging device is configured to acquire physiological data about tissue, process the acquired physiological data, and output the processed data to a graphical user haptic interface (GUHI) capable of generating tangible sensations utilizing one or more haptic interfaces. The GUHI is configured to combine the image received from the laparoscope and the processed physiological data received from the imaging device to provide tangible sensations on both a front screen of the GUHI and a rear screen of the GUHI allowing a surgeon the sensation of feeling for abnormal tissue conditions between the surgeon's hands.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an ultrasonic transducer supported by a housing and an elongated assembly extending distally therefrom. The elongated assembly includes a jaw and a waveguide coupled to the transducer and defining a blade having upper and lower tissue-contacting surface and first and second lateral surfaces disposed therebetween that are coated with a material. The jaw is pivotable relative to the blade and includes a structural base having a backspan and first and second uprights extending from the backspan. The jaw further includes a jaw liner supported within the structural base and positioned to oppose the upper tissue-contacting surface with the first and second uprights disposed on either side of the blade. In an ultrasonic mode, ultrasonic energy produced by the transducer is transmitted along the waveguide to the blade. In an electrosurgical mode, electrosurgical energy is conducted between the blade and the first and second uprights.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, a shaft extending from the housing, an end effector assembly extending from the shaft and configured to rotate and/or articulate relative to the housing, a motor disposed within the housing and operably coupled to the end effector assembly to rotate and/or articulate of the end effector assembly relative to the housing, and a sensing assembly configured to sense movement of the housing relative to a reference position and to drive the motor to rotate and/or articulate of the end effector assembly relative to the housing based upon the sensed movement. The sensing assembly is configured to operate in each of a standard mode, wherein movement of the housing effects rotation and/or articulation of the end effector assembly in a similar direction, and a reversed mode, wherein movement of the housing effects rotation and/or articulation of the end effector assembly in an opposite direction.

Abstract: A vessel sealing instrument includes a housing having a shaft extending from a distal end thereof including an end effector assembly having opposing first and second jaw members operably coupled thereto. The jaw members movable between open and closed positions for clamping tissue with a closure pressure. The jaw members are adapted to connect to a generator for providing energy thereto. An anti-backdrive mechanism is operably associated with the end effector assembly, the anti-backdrive mechanism including first and second mesh-like electrodes disposed in opposing relation on respective first and second jaw members and including openings defined therein.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing having a first handle and an elongated shaft extending therefrom. An end effector is disposed at a distal end of the elongated shaft and includes first and second jaw members, the first jaw member including a staple cartridge configured to house a series of staples therein. A second handle is operably coupled to the housing and is selectively moveable relative to the first handle to actuate the first and second jaw members between an open position and a closed position for grasping tissue. A first switch is activatable to supply energy to one of the jaw members. A stapler mode switch is actuatable between an unactuated position wherein movement of the second handle moves the jaws to the second position and an actuated position wherein movement of the second handle moves the jaws to the second position and drives the staples through tissue.

Abstract: A surgical forceps includes a housing having a movable handle coupled thereto and movable between an initial position and a compressed position. 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.

Abstract: A forceps includes a drive assembly and an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members movable between a spaced-apart position, a first approximated position, and a second approximated position. The drive assembly includes a drive housing and a drive bar. The proximal end of the drive bar is coupled to the drive housing, while the distal end of the drive bar is coupled to at least one of the jaw members. The drive housing and the drive bar are selectively movable in conjunction with one another between a first position and a second position to move the jaw members between the spaced-apart position and the first approximated position. The drive assembly is selectively activatable to move the drive bar independent of the drive housing from the second position to a third position to move the jaw members from the first approximated position to the second approximated position.

Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having a stop and a plurality of overmold teeth within at least one jaw member. One (or both) of the jaw members is moveable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. One (or both) of the jaw members includes a stop molded within an insulative housing, and an insulator plate with the overmold teeth formed from plastic. The overmold teeth extend through openings within a sealing plate and protrude past the tissue sealing surface of the sealing plate. The stop primarily controls the gap distance between opposing jaw members by bearing most of an applied load and the overmold teeth assist in controlling the gap distance by bearing the remaining applied load.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, a shaft extending from the housing, an end effector assembly extending from the shaft and configured to rotate and/or articulate relative to the housing, a motor disposed within the housing and operably coupled to the end effector assembly to rotate and/or articulate of the end effector assembly relative to the housing, and a sensing assembly configured to sense movement of the housing relative to a reference position and to drive the motor to rotate and/or articulate of the end effector assembly relative to the housing based upon the sensed movement. The sensing assembly is configured to operate in each of a standard mode, wherein movement of the housing effects rotation and/or articulation of the end effector assembly in a similar direction, and a reversed mode, wherein movement of the housing effects rotation and/or articulation of the end effector assembly in an opposite direction.

Abstract: An electrosurgical smoke evacuation pencil includes a handle housing having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the handle housing defining a first lumen therethrough. The electrosurgical pencil also includes a nozzle disposed within the first lumen and defining a second lumen, the nozzle being movable relative to and within the handle housing and extending proximally past the proximal end portion of the handle housing. The electrosurgical pencil may further include a swivel connector coupled to the distal end portion of the handle housing, the swivel connector configured to couple to a suction source. The electrosurgical pencil includes a hub assembly securedly disposed within the second lumen, the hub assembly including a conductive tube configured to couple to a source of electrosurgical energy, and an electrode slidably disposed within the conductive tube, the electrode being movable relative to and within the conductive tube.

Abstract: A vessel sealing instrument includes a housing having a shaft extending from a distal end thereof having an end effector assembly including a pair of opposing first and second jaw members operably coupled thereto. A drive assembly is disposed within the housing and is configured to move the jaw members upon actuation thereof between an open position and a closed position for clamping tissue with a closure pressure within the range of about 3 kg/cm2 to about 16 kg/cm2. An anti-backdrive assembly is operably disposed within the housing and includes a drive wedge. A solenoid controller is operably coupled to the drive wedge and is configured to selectively move the drive wedge into the drive assembly upon activation thereof to increase the closure pressure between the jaw members in response to tissue expansion during sealing.

Abstract: A vessel sealing instrument includes a housing having a shaft extending from a distal end thereof, the distal end including an end effector assembly having a pair of opposing jaw members operably coupled thereto. One or both of the jaw members is moveable between open and closed positions for clamping tissue with a closure pressure. One or both of the jaw members connects to a generator that provides energy thereto in accordance with a sealing algorithm upon activation thereof. An anti-backdrive mechanism is coupled to the end effector assembly and includes a drive shaft coupled at one end to a solenoid and another end that engages one of the jaw members upon extension thereof to provide additional closure pressure between the jaw members. The drive shaft is extendible by the solenoid to extend the drive shaft in response to tissue expansion during sealing based on the sealing algorithm.

Abstract: A vessel sealing instrument includes a housing having a shaft extending from a distal end thereof including an end effector assembly having opposing first and second jaw members operably coupled thereto. One of the jaw members moveable between open and closed positions for clamping tissue with a closure pressure within the range of about 3 kg/cm2 to about 16 kg/cm2. The jaw members are adapted to connect to a generator for providing energy thereto in accordance with a sealing algorithm. An anti-backdrive mechanism is associated with the end effector assembly and includes: a drive shaft coupled to a controller and a screw on opposite ends, the screw configured to engage one of the jaw members upon extension thereof to provide additional closure pressure therebetween. The drive shaft is rotatable by the controller to extend the screw in response to tissue expansion during sealing based on the sealing algorithm.

Abstract: A surgical system includes at least one audio sensor configured to sense audio during a surgical procedure and to output audio data based on the sensed audio. The surgical system further includes a computing device operably coupled to the at least one audio sensor and configured to receive the output audio data from the at least one audio sensor. The computing device includes a processor and memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine at least one of a cause or a location of a sound based at least on the output audio data and to output an indication of the at least one of the cause or location of the sound.

Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members movable between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. A knife assembly having a cutting blade disposed at a distal end thereof is also provided. The knife assembly is translatable relative to the end effector assembly between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the cutting blade extends between the jaw members to cut tissue grasped therebetween. The knife assembly includes a proximal component and a first distal component that includes the cutting blade. The proximal and first distal components are removably coupled to one another to facilitate replacement of the first distal component. Methods of preparing such forceps for reuse are also provided.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing having an elongated shaft extending distally therefrom and configured to support an end effector assembly at a distal end thereof. The end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members each having a tissue sealing plate disposed thereon and adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source for delivery thereto upon activation thereof. A sensor is disposed on one (or both) of the tissue sealing plates and is configured to communicate data relating to tissue disposed between the first and second jaw members to the electrosurgical energy source for correlation to a resonance frequency of the tissue. The resonance frequency of the tissue, in turn, is used to adjust one or more parameters associated with the delivery of electrosurgical energy to the tissue upon activation thereof.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device includes jaw members, a thermal cutting element coupled to one of the jaw members. When the jaw members are in an approximated position, power is delivered to the thermal cutting element to maintain the temperature of the thermal cutting element at an operating temperature for cutting sealed tissue grasped between the jaw members. When the jaw members are in the spaced apart position, power is delivered to the thermal cutting element to maintain the temperature of the thermal cutting element at a standby setpoint temperature. In response to a determination of contact between tissue and the thermal cutting element when the jaw members are in the spaced apart position, power is delivered to the thermal cutting element to increase the temperature of the thermal cutting element from the standby setpoint temperature to a cutting setpoint temperature for dissecting tissue.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes jaw members having a cutting element extending therebetween and a generator configured to: provide minimal power to the cutting element to maintain a pre-dissection temperature thereof; sense a change in resistance of the cutting element and ramp up power to a dissection temperature; regulate the temperature of the cutting element by regulating power; and terminate power to the cutting element to allow the cutting element to cool to the pre-dissection temperature before providing power back to the cutting element.