Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a first actuation assembly coupled to a first component and movable from a first position to a second position to actuate the first component. A biasing member coupled to the first actuation assembly is configured to bias the first actuation assembly towards the first position. A second actuation assembly is coupled to a second component and is selectively actuatable to actuate the second component. The second actuation assembly is coupled to the first actuation assembly such that actuation of the second actuation assembly effects movement of the first actuating assembly from the first position towards the second position. A linkage assembly is configured to reduce the bias applied to the first actuation assembly when the second actuation assembly effects movement of the first actuation assembly.

Abstract: An endoscopic instrument is provided and includes a housing including an elongated shaft assembly extending distally therefrom. The elongated shaft assembly includes inner and outer shaft members. The inner and outer shaft members are removably coupled to the housing and the outer shaft member is movable with respect to the inner shaft member. An end effector is operably supported at the distal end of the outer shaft member and includes a pair of jaw members configured for treating tissue. A bushing operably couples to the inner and outer shaft members of the shaft assembly and selectively and releasably couples to the housing. The bushing includes one or more mechanical interfaces configured to engage one or more slots defined through the inner shaft member and one or more slots defined through the outer shaft member to release the inner and outer shaft members from the housing.

Abstract: An endoscopic instrument is provided and includes a housing including an elongated shaft assembly extending distally therefrom. The elongated shaft assembly includes inner and outer shaft members. The inner and outer shaft members are removably coupled to the housing and the outer shaft member is movable with respect to the inner shaft member. An end effector is operably supported at the distal end of the outer shaft member and includes a pair of jaw members configured for treating tissue. A bushing operably couples to the inner and outer shaft members of the shaft assembly and selectively and releasably couples to the housing. The bushing includes one or more mechanical interfaces configured to engage one or more slots defined through the inner shaft member and one or more slots defined through the outer shaft member to release the inner and outer shaft members from the housing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surgical navigation system for tracking an instrument relative to a patient. The system can track a portion of the patient, an instrument, and/or both relative to image data, a coordinate system, an atlas, a morphed atlas, or combinations thereof. The system can include a tracking device on the instrument to provide six degree of freedom information regarding the location of the instrument.

Abstract: A sphincter assist device includes a plurality of interconnected and adjacent links which define a ring. Each link includes a body section and a latch cam. The body section includes a first set of side beams and a first set of snap arms. The latch cam includes a post extending from the body section and a cam disposed at an end portion of the post. The cam is engagable with the first set of snap arms of an adjacent link. Translation of the cam displaces the first set of snap arms and the first set of side beams to transition the sphincter assist device between open and closed configurations. The first set of snap arms, in combination with the first set of side beams, exert a positive non-linear force profile on the cam, thus defining a non-linear force profile of the sphincter assist device between the open and closed configurations.

Abstract: A surgical forceps including an end effector assembly has first and second jaw members. At least one of the first or second jaw members has a jaw frame defining a channel therein, an insulative member disposed within the channel of the jaw frame, and an electrically-conductive plate having a tissue contacting surface and at least one folded side portion. The insulative member includes a top portion having a tissue facing surface. The tissue contacting surface of the electrically-conductive plate is disposed on the tissue facing surface of the insulative member. The at least one folded side portion of the electrically-conductive plate is folded over the top portion of the insulative member such that the electrically-conductive plate conforms to a shape of the top portion of the insulative member.

Abstract: A surgical instrument including housing having a shaft extending distally therefrom, an outer sleeve disposed about the shaft and selectively translatable relative to the shaft, a first drive shaft disposed within the shaft and translatable relative to the shaft independently of the outer sleeve, a second drive shaft disposed within the first drive shaft and coupled to the outer sleeve to translate in conjunction with the outer sleeve, and a rotatable nose wheel. The rotatable nose wheel is mounted about a distal end of the housing and is rotatably coupled to each of the outer sleeve, the shaft, the first drive shaft, and the second drive shaft such that rotation of the rotatable nose wheel effects corresponding rotation of the outer sleeve, the shaft, the first drive shaft, and the second drive shaft in conjunction with one another and relative to the housing.

Abstract: A surgical instrument including housing having a shaft extending distally therefrom, an outer sleeve disposed about the shaft and selectively translatable relative to the shaft, a first drive shaft disposed within the shaft and translatable relative to the shaft independently of the outer sleeve, a second drive shaft disposed within the first drive shaft and coupled to the outer sleeve to translate in conjunction with the outer sleeve, and a rotatable nose wheel. The rotatable nose wheel is mounted about a distal end of the housing and is rotatably coupled to each of the outer sleeve, the shaft, the first drive shaft, and the second drive shaft such that rotation of the rotatable nose wheel effects corresponding rotation of the outer sleeve, the shaft, the first drive shaft, and the second drive shaft in conjunction with one another and relative to the housing.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a first actuation assembly coupled to a first component and movable from a first position to a second position to actuate the first component. A biasing member coupled to the first actuation assembly is configured to bias the first actuation assembly towards the first position. A second actuation assembly is coupled to a second component and is selectively actuatable to actuate the second component. The second actuation assembly is coupled to the first actuation assembly such that actuation of the second actuation assembly effects movement of the first actuating assembly from the first position towards the second position. A linkage assembly is configured to reduce the bias applied to the first actuation assembly when the second actuation assembly effects movement of the first actuation assembly.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, an elongated shaft extending distally from the housing, an end effector assembly, and a trigger assembly. The trigger assembly is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the housing and is configured to longitudinally translate a drive member. The trigger assembly includes a trigger, a gear assembly, a spool, a slider, and a flexible drive member. The trigger is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the gear assembly. The flexible drive member is configured to engage the gear assembly, the spool, and the slider. Movement of the trigger with respect to the housing results in movement of the flexible drive member with respect to the housing and longitudinal movement of the slider with respect to the housing.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a first actuation assembly coupled to a first component and movable from a first position to a second position to actuate the first component. A biasing member coupled to the first actuation assembly is configured to bias the first actuation assembly towards the first position. A second actuation assembly is coupled to a second component and is selectively actuatable to actuate the second component. The second actuation assembly is coupled to the first actuation assembly such that actuation of the second actuation assembly effects movement of the first actuating assembly from the first position towards the second position. A linkage assembly is configured to reduce the bias applied to the first actuation assembly when the second actuation assembly effects movement of the first actuation assembly.

Abstract: An endoscopic instrument is provided and includes a housing including an elongated shaft assembly extending distally therefrom. The elongated shaft assembly includes inner and outer shaft members. The inner and outer shaft members are removably coupled to the housing and the outer shaft member is movable with respect to the inner shaft member. An end effector is operably supported at the distal end of the outer shaft member and includes a pair of jaw members configured for treating tissue. A bushing operably couples to the inner and outer shaft members of the shaft assembly and selectively and releasably couples to the housing. The bushing includes one or more mechanical interfaces configured to engage one or more slots defined through the inner shaft member and one or more slots defined through the outer shaft member to release the inner and outer shaft members from the housing.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument is provided. The ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a housing having an elongated shaft extending therefrom. The shaft has a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. The jaw member is movable between an open configuration and a clamping configuration and includes a tissue contacting surface thereon. A cutting blade extends from a distal end of the shaft and operably couples to the housing and adjacent the jaw member to treat tissue. At least one sensor is configured to sense at least one operational parameter of the ultrasonic surgical instrument. At least one controller in operable communication with the at least one sensor is configured to terminate delivery of ultrasonic energy to the cutting blade when the at least one sensor senses the at least one operational parameter.

Abstract: A sphincter assist device includes a plurality of interconnected and adjacent links which define a ring. Each link includes a body section and a latch cam. The body section includes a first set of side beams and a first set of snap arms. The latch cam includes a post extending from the body section and a cam disposed at an end portion of the post. The cam is engagable with the first set of snap arms of an adjacent link. Translation of the cam displaces the first set of snap arms and the first set of side beams to transition the sphincter assist device between open and closed configurations. The first set of snap arms, in combination with the first set of side beams, exert a positive non-linear force profile on the cam, thus defining a non-linear force profile of the sphincter assist device between the open and closed configurations.

Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly including first and second jaw members. One or both of the jaw members is movable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. One or both of the jaw members is configured to conduct energy between the jaw members and through tissue grasped therebetween to treat tissue. An insulative tubular member is movable relative to the end effector assembly between a retracted position, wherein the insulative tubular member is positioned proximally of the end effector assembly, and an extended position, wherein the insulative tubular member is disposed about the end effector assembly. A monopolar member is configured to apply energy to tissue to treat tissue when the insulative tubular member is disposed in the extended position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector assembly having jaw members movable between spaced-apart, first approximated, and second approximated positions. A knife is selectively movable relative to the end effector assembly between a retracted position, a first extended position, and a second extended position. A trigger is selectively actuatable between a un-actuated position, a first actuated position, and a second actuated position for moving the knife between its respective positions. A control member prevents movement of the trigger when the jaw members are disposed in the spaced-apart position, permits movement of the trigger to the first actuated position but prevents movement beyond the first actuated position when the jaw members are disposed in the first approximated position, and permits movement of the trigger to the second actuated position but prevents movement beyond the second actuated position when the jaw members are disposed in the second approximated position.

Abstract: An endoscopic instrument is provided and includes a housing including an elongated shaft assembly extending distally therefrom. The elongated shaft assembly includes inner and outer shaft members. The inner and outer shaft members are removably coupled to the housing and the outer shaft member is movable with respect to the inner shaft member. An end effector is operably supported at the distal end of the outer shaft member and includes a pair of jaw members configured for treating tissue. A bushing operably couples to the inner and outer shaft members of the shaft assembly and selectively and releasably couples to the housing. The bushing includes one or more mechanical interfaces configured to engage one or more slots defined through the inner shaft member and one or more slots defined through the outer shaft member to release the inner and outer shaft members from the housing.

Abstract: A sphincter assist device includes a plurality of interconnected and adjacent links which define a ring. Each link includes a body section and a latch cam. The body section includes a first set of side beams and a first set of snap arms. The latch cam includes a post extending from the body section and a cam disposed at an end portion of the post. The cam is engagable with the first set of snap arms of an adjacent link. Translation of the cam displaces the first set of snap arms and the first set of side beams to transition the sphincter assist device between open and closed configurations. The first set of snap arms, in combination with the first set of side beams, exert a positive non-linear force profile on the cam, thus defining a non-linear force profile of the sphincter assist device between the open and closed configurations.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing, a handle, an elongated shaft, an end effector assembly, a drive assembly, a support, a roller, and an extension depending from the handle. The end effector assembly includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member. At least one of the jaw members is movable with respect to the other jaw member. The drive assembly includes a drive bar extending at least partially through the elongated shaft such that longitudinal translation of the drive bar causes movement of the jaw members. The extension includes a proximal surface and a channel defined therein. The proximal surface is configured to contact a portion of the drive assembly such that movement of the handle with respect to the housing causes longitudinal translation of the drive bar. The channel is positioned for mechanical engagement by the roller.

Abstract: A method of forming a jaw member of an end effector includes providing a metal support base; engaging a plurality of ceramic stops to the metal support base; and coupling an insulative plate and a sealing plate to the metal support base by aligning the plurality of ceramic stops through a plurality of openings defined in the insulative plate and a plurality of openings defined in the sealing plate.