Abstract: A surgical instrument and a drive mechanism, the drive mechanism includes a motor, a planetary gear train, and a bidirectional ratchet mechanism; the input sun gear of the planetary gear train engages the output shaft of the motor; an output carrier of the planetary gear train engages an executing mechanism of the surgical instrument through a transmission mechanism; the bidirectional ratchet mechanism includes a ratchet, a bidirectional pawl assembly, and a stop; the ratchet is in rigid connection with an annular gear of the planetary gear train; the bidirectional pawl assembly includes a bidirectional pawl; the stop selectively drives a first end or a second end of the bidirectional pawl to lock the ratchet, so as to lock corresponding rotation of the ratchet when the motor drives the planetary gear train, and unlock corresponding rotation of the ratchet when the transmission mechanism drives the planetary gear train.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical device including an elongate waveguide having a longitudinal axis and a distal end, and a blade extending away from the distal end of the waveguide, the blade including a curved portion that has at least five faces extending lengthwise along at least a portion of the length of the blade. Each of the faces has a width that extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the waveguide and a length that extends orthogonal to the width. Each of the faces is flat across its width and is either flat along its entire length or includes one or more curved segments along its length, with each of the curved segments of an individual face being curved in the same direction. A method of fabricating an ultrasonic surgical device is also provided.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical device including an elongate waveguide having a longitudinal axis an a distal end, and a blade extending away from the distal end of the waveguide, the blade including a curved portion that includes first and second opposed faces extending lengthwise along at least a portion of the length of the blade. Each of the first and second faces has a width that extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the waveguide and a length that extends orthogonal to the width. A pair of hook portions are located on opposite sides of the blade. A method of fabricating an ultrasonic surgical device is also provided.

Abstract: A modular signal interface system for providing electrical communication with a surgical instrument when the surgical instrument is inserted into a cannula of a trocar. The system includes a signal interface adapter and an instrument connector. The signal interface adapter is provided on, or adapted to be mounted on a trocar, and includes central aperture extending therethrough and a proximal face having a plurality of conductive contacts. The instrument connector is provided on or adapted to be mounted on a shaft of a surgical instrument, and includes a central aperture extending therethrough and a distal face having a plurality of conductive contacts. The signal interface adapter and the instrument connector are adapted for mating engagement such that, when matingly engaged, their central apertures are axially aligned and predetermined ones of the plurality of contacts of the signal interface adapter are in conductive contact with predetermined ones of the plurality of contacts of the instrument connector.

Abstract: It is disclosed an actuation mechanism for performing an action, where the actuation mechanism comprises: a first movable trigger assembly having a first trigger; a second movable trigger assembly have a second trigger, where the first trigger is movable independently with respect to the second trigger during a portion of movement of the first trigger and/or the second trigger; and a driving member in engagement with the first trigger assembly and the second trigger assembly, respectively, wherein, the first trigger assembly and the second trigger assembly are applied different mechanical advantages.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for assembling members, at least one of which is provided with a polymer member, comprising steps of: deforming at least one portion of the polymer member; putting the deformed portion of the polymer member into a second member; heating the deformed portion for engaging the portion with the second member. Through the steps described above, the portion of the polymer member may be in interference-fit engagement with the second member, based on which, adhesive is no longer necessary for improving reliabilities of engagement therebetween.

Abstract: A surgical instrument and a drive mechanism, the drive mechanism includes a motor, a planetary gear train, and a bidirectional ratchet mechanism; the input sun gear of the planetary gear train engages the output shaft of the motor; an output carrier of the planetary gear train engages an executing mechanism of the surgical instrument through a transmission mechanism; the bidirectional ratchet mechanism includes a ratchet, a bidirectional pawl assembly, and a stop; the ratchet is in rigid connection with an annular gear of the planetary gear train; the bidirectional pawl assembly includes a bidirectional pawl; the stop selectively drives a first end or a second end of the bidirectional pawl to lock the ratchet, so as to lock corresponding rotation of the ratchet when the motor drives the planetary gear train, and unlock corresponding rotation of the ratchet when the transmission mechanism drives the planetary gear train.

Abstract: A screening compactor for wastewater applications is provided. The screening compactor includes a drive unit and a shaft rotatably coupled to the drive unit. The screening compactor further includes a brush coupled to the shaft and configured to rotatably filter debris. The screening compactor additionally includes an adjustable brush screen filter disposed about the brush. The adjustable brush screen filter includes a plurality of openings disposed on a lower portion of the adjustable brush screen, and at least one slot disposed on an upper portion of the adjustable brush screen filter. The at least one slot is configured to fasten the adjustable brush screen filter to the screening compactor.

Abstract: Devices providing ultrasonic clamped cutting using asymmetrical motion include a housing and ultrasonic waveguide. A longitudinal axis extends through the center of mass of the ultrasonic waveguide. An actuating assembly provides opposable movement of a clamp arm with respect to the cutting blade, the movement defining a vertical plane having a vertical axis orthogonal to both the longitudinal axis and a horizontal axis. An end-effector coupled to the ultrasonic waveguide includes a cutting blade that cuts using ultrasonic motion. The blade's center of mass may be offset from the longitudinal axis, providing motion of the blade in both the longitudinal and vertical axes concurrently. Excursion of the cutting blade in the direction of the horizontal axis that may be limited to less than 92%, and in the direction of the vertical axis of more than 8%, of an excursion of the cutting blade in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A balanced ultrasonic surgical instrument according to the present invention includes an ultrasonic transmission rod which is connected to a blade or end effector by a balance portion, which includes first and second balance asymmetries designed to compensate for the imbalances induced by the blade.

Abstract: Ultrasonic devices having transducer assembly including a stack of alternating electrodes and piezoelectric elements. A mounting device having a first and second end is adapted to receive ultrasonic vibration from the stack and transmit it from the first to the second end. A bolt including a head and shaft is configured to threadedly engaged the mounting device. The transducer assembly includes a deformable pressure element having a central opening that permits insertion of the shaft therethrough, and has a convex side facing the bolt head and a concave side facing the stack in a non-deformed state, but, in a deformed state, applies compression forces to the stack based on the deformation. The deformable pressure element may alternately include a surface area, in its deformed state, substantially equivalent to the surface area of a piezoelectric element and/or a first and second beveled surface defining the concave side.

Abstract: Methods and devices that provide reduced transverse motion in a curved ultrasonic blade and/or ultrasonic surgical instrument with functional asymmetries. An ultrasonic blade in accordance with embodiments of the present invention includes a curved functional portion of an ultrasonic blade, wherein the center of mass of the curved functional portion lies on the mid-line of a waveguide delivering ultrasonic energy to the blade. Balancing in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, using placement of the center of mass of the curved portion of the blade appropriately, provides blade balance in a proximal portion of the blade, without reduction of mass and inherent stress increase proximal to the end-effector.

Abstract: Ultrasonic devices having transducer assembly including a stack of alternating electrodes and piezoelectric elements. A mounting device having a first and second end is adapted to receive ultrasonic vibration from the stack and transmit it from the first to the second end. A bolt including a head and shaft is configured to threadedly engaged the mounting device. The transducer assembly includes a deformable pressure element having a central opening that permits insertion of the shaft therethrough, and has a convex side facing the bolt head and a concave side facing the stack in a non-deformed state, but, in a deformed state, applies compression forces to the stack based on the deformation. The deformable pressure element may alternately include a surface area, in its deformed state, substantially equivalent to the surface area of a piezoelectric element and/or a first and second beveled surface defining the concave side.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and devices that provide balancing of an ultrasonic blade using terminal end balance features. An ultrasonic blade in accordance with embodiments of the present invention includes a terminal end non-functional balance feature in the functional portion of an asymmetric ultrasonic blade. Balancing in accordance with the present invention, using terminal end non-functional balance features, provides blade balance in a proximal portion of the blade, without the need for machining and alteration of blade shape in the functional portion of the blade, and without the reduction of mass and inherent stress increase proximal to the end-effector.

Abstract: The present invention relates, generally, to ultrasonic medical devices and, more particularly, to ultrasonic surgical devices having improved cutting and cauterizing capabilities. In one embodiment, an ultrasonic waveguide (400) includes an amplifier that is convex and tapered in shape.

Abstract: Devices providing ultrasonic clamped cutting using asymmetrical motion include a housing and ultrasonic waveguide. A longitudinal axis extends through the center of mass of the ultrasonic waveguide. An actuating assembly provides opposable movement of a clamp arm with respect to the cutting blade, the movement defining a vertical plane having a vertical axis orthogonal to both the longitudinal axis and a horizontal axis. An end-effector coupled to the ultrasonic waveguide includes a cutting blade that cuts using ultrasonic motion. The blade's center of mass may be offset from the longitudinal axis, providing motion of the blade in both the longitudinal and vertical axes concurrently. Excursion of the cutting blade in the direction of the horizontal axis that may be limited to less than 92%, and in the direction of the vertical axis of more than 8%, of an excursion of the cutting blade in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a condition-indicating ultrasonic surgical device and method of making the same in which an ultrasonic surgical instrument (10) has at least a portion of which has an outer surface which includes a color layer formed by anodizing or chemical processing. The color layer has a predetermined thickness wherein the thickness, and thereby the color, of the layer is affected by damage to the instrument to provide an indication that would otherwise be imperceptible by visual inspection.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical blade includes an ultrasonic-surgical-blade body having a longitudinal axis, a distal tip, a proximal end adapted for longitudinal ultrasonic vibrational excitation, a most-distal longitudinal vibration node, a treatment portion extending from the distal tip toward the most-distal longitudinal vibration node, and a functional asymmetry. The functional asymmetry is asymmetric about the longitudinal axis and translates longitudinal ultrasonic vibrational movement of the proximal end into a combination of a longitudinal ultrasonic vibration and a transverse ultrasonic vibration in at least some of the treatment portion of the ultrasonic-surgical-blade body. An amplitude of the transverse ultrasonic vibration at the distal tip is less than substantially ten percent of a maximum amplitude of the transverse ultrasonic vibration of the treatment portion of the ultrasonic-surgical-blade body.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided an applier for a surgical device and method that gives the surgeon improved control when applying the device. The applier includes an enclosure to constrain the device, a cover on the end of the enclosure, a restraining element to prevent proximal movement of the device while the enclosure moves proximally, and a force element connecting the cover to the enclosure. The force element causes the cover and enclosure to retract proximally as one unit, but has enough flexibility to allow the cover to lift off of the enclosure when a second force larger than that generated by the force element is placed on the cover to urge it distally. The force element places a force at a distal end of the surgical device as the applier ejects the surgical device.

Abstract: An anastomotic ring device for forming a hollow rivet (ring) attachment between tissue lumens facilitates laparoscopic or endoscopic implantation by including features that facilitate assembly, specifically by forming from constituent arcuate members or petals that join with one another at a circular midpoint. Automated assembly is thereby facilitated with each longitudinal half including a “crown” of these arcuate members arranged in a cylindrical pattern with equally spaced curved points and overlapping ends. Molded arcuate members with integral hinges further enhance assembly and provide other advantages, especially when implanted with an applier capable of actuating the anastomotic ring device.