Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing having an elongated body extending distally therefrom. The elongated body defines a first articulating portion and a second articulating portion. The elongated body defines a lumen therein. An end effector is supported at a distal end portion of the elongated body. A flexible waveguide extends through the lumen of the elongated body. A proximal end portion of the flexible waveguide connects to an ultrasonic transducer. A distal end portion of the flexible waveguide is connected with the end effector. the flexible waveguide defines a first articulating portion having a narrower thickness than a thickness of other portions of the flexible waveguide and a second articulating portion having a narrower thickness than a thickness of other portions of the flexible waveguide.

Abstract: A surgical system includes an ultrasonic blade operably coupled to an ultrasonic transducer, a jaw member pivotable relative to the blade for clamping tissue between the blade and the jaw member, and at least one controller. A portion of the jaw member is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy at a first potential and another portion of the jaw member or the blade is adapted to connect to the source of electrosurgical energy at a second potential to conduct electrosurgical energy therebetween and through the clamped tissue. The blade is configured to transmit ultrasonic energy to the tissue clamped between the blade and the jaw member. The at least one controller is configured to monitor a resonant frequency associated with the ultrasonic energy and to monitor an impedance of the clamped tissue associated with the electrosurgical energy and to determine whether an adverse condition exists based thereon.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a processor and a surgical instrument having an end effector assembly. The end effector assembly includes an ultrasonic blade operably coupled to an ultrasonic transducer for receiving ultrasonic energy produced by the ultrasonic transducer, and a jaw member pivotable relative to the ultrasonic blade between an open position and a closed position for clamping tissue between the ultrasonic blade and the jaw member. The end effector assembly is configured to be activated in an ultrasonic state, in a bipolar state, and in a monopolar state. The processor is configured to determine a use profile of the surgical instrument upon activation of the surgical instrument and, based on the determined use profile, to initiate at least one of the ultrasonic state, the bipolar state, or the monopolar state.

Abstract: A surgical end effector includes an ultrasonic blade and a jaw member. The blade is adapted to receive ultrasonic and electrosurgical energy and defines a distal face. The jaw member is movable relative to the blade from a spaced-apart to an approximated position for clamping tissue and includes a structural body having a body portion and a distal cap portion. The distal cap portion defines an electrode that receives electrosurgical energy. The jaw member further includes a jaw liner engaged within the body portion and extending therefrom towards the blade such that, in the approximated position, the jaw liner contacts the blade to define a gap distance between the electrode and the distal face to facilitate bipolar electrosurgical tissue treatment upon conduction of bipolar energy between the electrode and the distal face and through tissue in contact therewith.

Abstract: An articulating surgical instrument includes a housing, a shaft extending distally from the housing, an end effector assembly, and an articulating component interconnecting the shaft and end effector assembly. The articulating component includes a proximal disk connected to the shaft, a distal disk connected to the end effector assembly, an intermediate disk, a first flexible interconnect connecting the proximal and intermediate disks, and a second flexible interconnect connecting the intermediate and distal disks. The first flexible interconnect defines a single plane of bending to enable articulation of the end effector assembly relative to the shaft within a first plane. The second flexible interconnect defines a single plane of bending substantially perpendicular to the single plane of bending of the first flexible interconnect to enable articulation of the end effector assembly relative to the shaft within a second plane substantially perpendicular to the first plane.

Abstract: An end effector assembly of a surgical instrument includes an ultrasonic blade adapted to receive ultrasonic energy from a source of ultrasonic energy to vibrate the ultrasonic blade. A jaw member is movable relative to the ultrasonic blade from a spaced-apart position to an approximated position for clamping tissue. A jaw liner is engaged with the jaw member such that the jaw liner contacts the ultrasonic blade when the jaw member is in the approximated position. The ultrasonic blade is adapted to receive electrosurgical energy from a source of electrosurgical energy. The ultrasonic blade defines a distal tip. The distal tip of the ultrasonic blade is configured to direct electrosurgical energy.

Abstract: An end effector assembly of a surgical instrument includes an ultrasonic blade. A jaw member is movable relative to the ultrasonic blade from a spaced-apart position to an approximated position. The jaw member includes a structural body. The structural body defines a first side facing the ultrasonic blade and a second side facing away from the ultrasonic blade. A jaw liner is engaged with the first side of the structural body such that the jaw liner contacts the ultrasonic blade when the jaw member is in the approximated position. An electrode is engaged with the second side of the structural body. The electrode is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy. The electrode defines a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the electrode is in contact with the structural body and the second portion of the electrode tapers to a pointed edge.

Abstract: An articulating surgical instrument includes a housing, a shaft extending distally from the housing, an end effector assembly, and an articulating component interconnecting the shaft and end effector assembly. The articulating component includes a proximal disk connected to the shaft, a distal disk connected to the end effector assembly, an intermediate disk, a first flexible interconnect connecting the proximal and intermediate disks, and a second flexible interconnect connecting the intermediate and distal disks. The first flexible interconnect defines a single plane of bending to enable articulation of the end effector assembly relative to the shaft within a first plane. The second flexible interconnect defines a single plane of bending substantially perpendicular to the single plane of bending of the first flexible interconnect to enable articulation of the end effector assembly relative to the shaft within a second plane substantially perpendicular to the first plane.

Abstract: A surgical end effector includes an ultrasonic blade and a jaw member. The blade is adapted to receive ultrasonic and electrosurgical energy and defines a distal face. The jaw member is movable relative to the blade from a spaced-apart to an approximated position for clamping tissue and includes a structural body having a body portion and a distal cap portion. The distal cap portion defines an electrode that receives electrosurgical energy. The jaw member further includes a jaw liner engaged within the body portion and extending therefrom towards the blade such that, in the approximated position, the jaw liner contacts the blade to define a gap distance between the electrode and the distal face to facilitate bipolar electrosurgical tissue treatment upon conduction of bipolar energy between the electrode and the distal face and through tissue in contact therewith.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of object enhancement in endoscopy images includes capturing an image of an object within a surgical operative site via an imaging device, determining a size of the object based on the captured image of the object, displaying the captured image of the object, and displaying on the displayed captured image of the object a representation of the determined size of the object.

Abstract: A method of treating tissue includes clamping tissue between an ultrasonic blade and a jaw member and simultaneously: transmitting ultrasonic energy to the ultrasonic blade to vibrate the ultrasonic blade at a first blade velocity thereby heating the clamped tissue; and supplying electrosurgical energy, at a constant voltage, to the jaw member and the ultrasonic blade at different potentials such that the electrosurgical energy is conducted therebetween and through the clamped tissue to heat the clamped tissue. An impedance of the clamped tissue is monitored and the simultaneous transmission of ultrasonic energy and supply of electrosurgical energy is terminated and/or a notification is output once the clamped tissue is sealed, as indicated by the impedance of the clamped tissue being equal to or greater than a threshold impedance. Surgical instruments and end effectors thereof for treating tissue in this manner are also provided.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer and generator (TAG) assembly of a surgical instrument includes generator components and transducer components. The generator components are disposed within a first cavity cooperatively defined by a body portion and a cover. The generator components are covered in a thermally insulative material. The transducer components are disposed within a second cavity cooperatively defined by a proximal housing and a spinner housing.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing having an elongated body extending distally therefrom. The elongated body defines a first articulating portion and a second articulating portion. The elongated body defines a lumen therein. An end effector is supported at a distal end portion of the elongated body. A flexible waveguide extends through the lumen of the elongated body. A proximal end portion of the flexible waveguide connects to an ultrasonic transducer. A distal end portion of the flexible waveguide is connected with the end effector. the flexible waveguide defines a first articulating portion having a narrower thickness than a thickness of other portions of the flexible waveguide and a second articulating portion having a narrower thickness than a thickness of other portions of the flexible waveguide.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of object enhancement in endoscopy images includes capturing an image of an object within a surgical operative site via an imaging device, determining a size of the object based on the captured image of the object, displaying the captured image of the object, and displaying on the displayed captured image of the object a representation of the determined size of the object.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing having an elongated body extending distally therefrom. The elongated body defines a first articulating portion and a second articulating portion. The elongated body defines a lumen therein. An end effector is supported at a distal end portion of the elongated body. A flexible waveguide extends through the lumen of the elongated body. A proximal end portion of the flexible waveguide connects to an ultrasonic transducer. A distal end portion of the flexible waveguide is connected with the end effector. the flexible waveguide defines a first articulating portion having a narrower thickness than a thickness of other portions of the flexible waveguide and a second articulating portion having a narrower thickness than a thickness of other portions of the flexible waveguide.

Abstract: An ultrasonic end effector includes a substantially cylindrical blade and a jaw including a structural body and a jaw liner. The jaw is movable from an open to a clamping position, wherein the blade-facing surface of the jaw liner opposes the blade with the first and second blade-facing surfaces of the structural body disposed on either side of the jaw liner and the blade. The blade defines a first longitudinal axis and a first radius, the first and second blade-facing surfaces of the structural body cooperate to define a second radius centered on a second longitudinal axis, and the blade-facing surface of the jaw liner defines a third radius centered on a third longitudinal axis. The first radius and the second radius of curvature are different from one another.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a housing, an elongated shaft extending distally from the housing, an end effector extending distally from the elongated shaft, and a transducer assembly disposed at least partially within the elongated shaft. The end effector includes a jaw and an ultrasonic blade. The jaw is configured to pivot relative to the ultrasonic blade from an open position to a clamping position for clamping tissue therebetween. The transducer assembly is distally-spaced from the housing and includes proximal and distal transducers interconnected by a connector. The ultrasonic blade is connected to the distal transducer such that ultrasonic energy produced by the proximal transducer is transmitted along the connector and the distal transducer to the ultrasonic blade and such that ultrasonic energy produced by the distal transducer is transmitted to the ultrasonic blade.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a fluid source, an ultrasonic transducer, an ultrasonic waveguide coupled to and extending distally from the ultrasonic transducer, and an ultrasonic blade disposed at a distal end of the ultrasonic waveguide and configured to receive ultrasonic energy produced by the ultrasonic transducer and transmitted along the ultrasonic waveguide to vibrate the ultrasonic blade for treating tissue therewith. The ultrasonic blade is configured to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy for conducting electrosurgical energy to tissue to treat tissue. The ultrasonic blade defines a lumen extending at least partially therethrough to at least one opening. The lumen is configured for fluid communication with a fluid source to enable the delivery of fluid from the fluid source through the lumen and out the at least one opening into a surgical site to facilitate electrosurgical tissue treatment.

Abstract: An articulating surgical end effector includes an expandable pivot defined at a distal end of an ultrasonic waveguide, a socket at least partially receiving the expandable pivot within an interior volume thereof, and a blade extending distally from the socket. The socket is configured to articulate about the expandable pivot in any direction, and the expandable pivot and socket together are configured to enable ultrasonic energy transmission through the ultrasonic waveguide to the blade in any articulated position of the socket relative to the expandable pivot.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a transducer configured to produce a first mode of ultrasonic energy and a waveguide coupled to the transducer. The waveguide includes a proximal body portion coupled to and extending distally from the transducer. The proximal body portion is configured to receive the first mode of ultrasonic energy from the transducer for transmission therealong. The waveguide further includes a distal body portion, a blade extending distally from the distal body portion, and an articulation portion interconnecting the proximal and distal body portions. The articulation portion is configured to enable articulation of the distal body portion relative to the proximal body portion, to receive the first mode of ultrasonic energy from the proximal body portion, convert the first mode of ultrasonic energy into a second mode of ultrasonic energy, and transmit the second mode of ultrasonic energy along the distal body portion to the blade.