Abstract: An end-effector is disclosed. The end-effector includes a clamp arm and an ultrasonic blade configured to acoustically couple to an ultrasonic transducer and to electrically couple to a pole of an electrical generator. The clamp arm includes a clamp jaw, a plurality of variable longitudinal support elements, and a cantilever electrode configured to electrically couple to an opposite pole of the electrical generator, the cantilever electrode fixed to the clamp jaw at a proximal end and free to deflect at a distal end. The cantilever electrode is supported by the variable longitudinal support elements. The variable longitudinal support elements apply a variable force on the cantilever electrode from the proximal end to the distal end.

Abstract: An end-effector configured to grasp tissue is disclosed herein. The end-effector includes an ultrasonic blade configured to transfer ultrasonic energy to the tissue and a clamp arm. The clamp arm includes a clamp arm pad including an electrically conductive material and an electrically non-conductive material. The clamp arm pad is configured as an electrode of a radiofrequency energy circuit, wherein the electrode is configured to transfer radiofrequency energy through the tissue to a return electrode of the radiofrequency energy circuit, and wherein the electrically non-conductive material is configured to reduce the possibility of an electrical short between the electrically conductive material and the ultrasonic blade as the clamp arm pad degrades throughout the usable life of the end effector.

Abstract: An end-effector is disclosed. The end-effector includes a clamp arm and an ultrasonic blade configured to acoustically couple to an ultrasonic transducer and electrically couple to a pole of an electrical generator. The clamp arm includes a clamp jaw and an electrode configured to electrically couple to an opposite pole of the electrical generator. In one configuration, the electrode is segmented. In another configuration, the ultrasonic blade includes electrically insulative material deposited on selected areas to prevent electrical shorting in the event of the ultrasonic blade contacts the electrode. In another configuration, the clamp arm, the ultrasonic blade, or both include selectively coated components.

Abstract: A method for performing an electrosurgical procedure using an electrosurgical instrument including an end effector is disclosed. The method comprises applying a bipolar energy to a target tissue grasped by the end effector in a tissue-feathering segment, applying an energy blend of the bipolar energy and a monopolar energy to the target tissue in a tissue-warming segment and a tissue-sealing segment following the tissue-warming segment, and discontinuing the bipolar energy but continuing to apply the monopolar energy to the target tissue in a tissue-cutting segment following the tissue-sealing segment.

Abstract: An end-effector is disclosed. The end-effector includes a clamp arm and an ultrasonic blade configured to acoustically couple to an ultrasonic transducer and electrically couple to a pole of an electrical generator. The clamp arm includes a clamp jaw, a clamp arm pad, and a cantilever electrode that is free to deflect. The cantilever electrode is configured to electrically couple to an opposite pole of the electrical generator. Also disclosed are configurations where the clamp arm includes a peripheral cantilever electrode and a clamp arm pad extending beyond the electrode, a floating cantilever electrode and a resilient clamp arm pad, an interlocked cantilever electrode plate and a clamp arm pad configured to receive the plate, a laterally deflectable cantilever electrode and a clamp arm pad extending beyond the electrode, and a flexible cantilever electrode and a clamp arm pad extending beyond the electrode.

Abstract: A surgical instrument that includes first and second jaws that are movably coupled together to move between an open and a closed position. The first jaw includes a first proximal end, a first distal tip, and a first jaw midpoint between the first proximal end and the first distal tip. The second jaw includes a second proximal end and a second distal tip. The first jaw includes a first alignment feature that is distal to the first jaw midpoint and is configured to engage a corresponding portion of the second jaw when the first and second jaws are moved to the closed position to align the first distal tip with the second distal tip.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising an end effector including a proximal end, a distal end, a first jaw, and a second jaw is disclosed. The first jaw comprises a first electrode. The second jaw comprises a second electrode and a monopolar electrode centrally disposed down a length of the end effector. The first electrode and the second electrode cooperate to deliver bipolar energy to the tissue in a bipolar cycle. The monopolar electrode comprises a wedge shape that graduates in width along the length of the end effector. The monopolar electrode is electrically isolated from the first and second electrodes. The monopolar electrode is configured to employ monopolar energy to cut the tissue in a monopolar cycle.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument comprising an end effector is disclosed. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw comprises a first electrode. The end effector is movable from an open configuration to a closed configuration to grasp tissue. The second jaw comprises a second electrode configured to deliver a first monopolar energy to the tissue, a third electrode, and a conductive circuit selectively transitionable between a connected configuration with the third electrode and a disconnected configuration with the third electrode. In the connected configuration, the third electrode is configured to cooperate with the first electrode to deliver bipolar energy to the tissue. The conductive circuit defines a return path for the bipolar energy. In the disconnected configuration, the first electrode is configured to deliver a second monopolar energy to the tissue.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surgical instrument with an end-effector adapted and configured to deliver a plurality of energy modalities to tissue at a distal end thereof. The energy modalities may be applied simultaneously, independently, or sequentially. A generator is electrically coupled to the surgical instrument and is configured to supply a plurality of energy modalities to the end-effector. In one aspect, the generator is configured to supply electrosurgical energy (e.g., monopolar or bipolar radio frequency (RF) energy) and ultrasonic energy to the end-effector to allow the end-effector to interact with the tissue. The energy modalities may be supplied to the end-effector by a single generator or multiple generators.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surgical instrument having a housing, an end-effector, and a user interface. The end-effector includes a clamp arm and an ultrasonic blade configured to couple to an ultrasonic transducer and to a pole of an electrical generator. The clamp arm includes a clamp jaw pivotally movable about a pivot point, an electrode defining a surface configured to contact tissue and apply electrical energy to the tissue in contact therewith and configured to couple to an opposite pole of the electrical generator. The user interface includes a first activation button switch to activate a first energy source and a second button switch to select an energy mode for the activation button switch.

Abstract: A surgical system for use in a surgical procedure is disclosed. The surgical system includes a modular device, at least one data source, and a surgical hub configured to communicably couple to the at least one data source and the modular device. The surgical hub comprises a control circuit configured to receive data from the at least one data source. The data is determinative of a progress status the surgical procedure. The control circuit is further configured to adjust a response to a sensed parameter based on the progress status.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a controller configured to control application of RF or ultrasonic energy at a low level when displacement or intensity of a button is above a first threshold but below a second threshold higher than the first threshold, and control application of RF or ultrasonic energy at a high level when the displacement or intensity exceeds the second threshold. In another aspect, a surgical instrument comprises a first sensor configured to measure a tissue characteristic at a first location, a second sensor configured to measure the tissue characteristic at a second location, and a controller configured to, based at least in part on the measured tissue characteristic at the first location and the second location, control application of RF or ultrasonic energy.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a shaft assembly comprising a shaft and an end effector coupled to a distal end of the shaft; a handle assembly coupled to a proximal end of the shaft; a battery assembly coupled to the handle assembly; a radio frequency (RF) energy output powered by the battery assembly and configured to apply RF energy to a tissue; an ultrasonic energy output powered by the battery assembly and configured to apply ultrasonic energy to the tissue; and a controller configured to, based at least in part on a measured tissue characteristic, start application of RF energy by the RF energy output or application of ultrasonic energy by the ultrasonic energy output at a first time.

Abstract: Ultrasonic surgical instruments having angularly and/or linearly off-set blades are described. The angularly and/or linearly off-set blades may facilitate increased surgical site access, visibility, and manipulability.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of controlling a modular battery powered handheld surgical instrument. The surgical instrument including a battery, a user input sensor, a controller, a radio frequency (RF) drive circuit, an ultrasonic transducer, ultrasonic transducer drive circuit, and an end effector. The end effector including an electrode electrically coupled to RF drive circuit, an ultrasonic blade acoustically coupled to the ultrasonic transducer, and a sensor to measure tissue parameters. The method includes applying an RF current drive signal to the electrode by the RF drive circuit; applying an ultrasonic drive signal to the ultrasonic transducer by the ultrasonic transducer drive circuit to acoustically excite the ultrasonic blade; controlling intensity, wave shape, and/or frequency of the RF current drive signal and the ultrasonic drive signal on a sensed measure of a tissue or user parameter.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical stapling instrument can include a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, wherein the shaft defines an axis, and a disposable loading unit which is assembled to the shaft in a direction which is transverse to the shaft axis. Such a connection between the disposable loading unit and the shaft can prevent, or at least inhibit, the disposable loading unit from being unintentionally displaced proximally and/or distally relative to the shaft of the surgical instrument. The surgical stapling instrument and/or disposable loading unit can further include a threaded collar and/or detent assembly configured to hold the disposable loading unit in place. In various embodiments, a disposable loading unit can include a lockout feature which can prevent, or at least inhibit, an expended disposable loading unit from being reassembled to the elongated body of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are presented for a single surgical instrument configured for grasping tissue, performing sealing procedures using electrosurgical or ultrasonic energy, suctioning fluid, and providing irrigation. An end effector of the surgical instrument may include multiple members arranged in various configurations to collectively perform the aforementioned functions. The suction and irrigation elements may comprise one or more fluid paths configured to deliver fluid to or evacuate fluid from a surgical field. In this way, a user, such as a clinician or surgeon, may rely on a single surgical instrument to perform these tasks typical in surgery while having an extra hand available and so as to not need to divert his or her concentration away from the surgical site in order to access multiple devices. Further, the timing for performing each of the functions may be made quicker, due to not needing to switch using multiple devices.

Abstract: Various ultrasonic instruments are disclosed. The ultrasonic instruments include structures configured to indicate the cutting length of the instruments, detect when grasped tissue has extended beyond the cutting length of the instrument, and prevent tissue from extending beyond the cutting length. Several techniques for each types of structures are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a first jaw, a second jaw, a first handle, and a second handle. The second jaw is pivotally coupled with the first jaw. The first jaw and the second jaw are configured to grasp tissue. The jaws provide offset electrode surfaces that are operable to deliver bipolar RF energy to tissue grasped between the jaws. The apparatus is further operable to sever tissue. A lockout feature selectively prevents tissue severing, based on an energization state of the jaws.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a surgical instrument that includes an end effector having a first jaw, a second jaw that is movable relative to the first jaw, and at least one electrode in the first jaw. The surgical instrument also includes a control circuit configured to provide electrosurgical energy to the at least one electrode and a electrical conductor electrically connected between the end effector and the control circuit. The control circuit includes a shaft control segment and an electrosurgical energy control segment. The shaft control segment is configured to provide a control signal for operating the end effector to the end effector through the electrical conductor. The electrosurgical energy control segment is configured to provide the electrosurgical energy to the at least one electrode through the electrical conductor.