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 apparatus comprises a body, an ultrasonic transducer, a shaft, and an end effector. The ultrasonic transducer is operable to convert electrical power into ultrasonic vibrations. The shaft couples the end effector and the body together. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic blade includes a recess region having a plurality of recesses. The recess region is tapered such that the cross-sectional area of the recess region decreases along the length of the recess region. The ultrasonic blade is also curved such that a central longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic blade extends along a curved path. A reference circuit is used to account for voltage drops of unknown values during operation of the surgical apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an end effector, a shaft assembly, a closure jaw assembly, and an adjustment assembly. The end effector includes a first jaw and a second jaw capable to actuate between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The jaw closure assembly includes an elongated jaw closure member, a coupling body attached to the elongated jaw closure member, a yoke housing capable to actuate the coupling body and the elongated jaw closure member to thereby close the second jaw, and an engagement spring capable to bias the coupling body and the elongated jaw closure member into operative engagement with the yoke housing. The adjustment assembly is capable to adjust a spring length of the engagement spring to ensure the coupling body and the elongated jaw closure member remain in operative engagement with the yoke housing.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a surgical instrument that includes an energized feature operable to apply ultrasonic energy or RF energy to tissue. The method includes forming at least one of a microscopic surface pattern or a nanoscopic surface roughness into a base surface of the energized feature to produce at least one recessed portion. The method also includes applying a hydrophobic coating that includes at least one of silicone, titanium nitride, chromium nitride, or titanium aluminum nitride to at least the recessed portion of the energized feature after forming at least one of the microscopic surface pattern or the nanoscopic surface roughness.

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: 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: An end effector includes a grasping portion that includes a first jaw member having a first electrode, a second jaw member having a second electrode, a first electrically conductive member located either on the first jaw member or the second jaw member, and a gap setting portion having a second electrically conductive member located at the distal end of either the first jaw member or the second jaw member. The electrically insulative member is sized and configured to engage tissue and the second electrically conductive member sized and configured to define a minimum distance between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handle assembly and an end effector. The handle assembly includes a trigger, a push plate coupled to the trigger, wherein actuation of the trigger rotates the push plate, a clamp plate operably coupled to the push plate, wherein actuation of the trigger to a first rotation rotates the clamp plate, and a firing plate operably coupled to the push plate, wherein actuation of the trigger between the first rotation and a second rotation rotates the firing plate. The end effector includes a jaw assembly which includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member, wherein rotation of the clamp plate transitions the jaw assembly between an open configuration and an approximated configuration by moving at least one of the first jaw member and the second jaw member relative to the other one of the first jaw member and the second jaw member.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a body, an ultrasonic transducer, a shaft, and an end effector. The ultrasonic transducer is operable to convert electrical power into ultrasonic vibrations. The shaft couples the end effector and the body together. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic blade includes a recess region having a plurality of recesses. The recess region is tapered such that the cross-sectional area of the recess region decreases along the length of the recess region. The ultrasonic blade is also curved such that a central longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic blade extends along a curved path. A reference circuit is used to account for voltage drops of unknown values during operation of the surgical apparatus.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a body, an ultrasonic transducer, a shaft, and an end effector. The ultrasonic transducer is operable to convert electrical power into ultrasonic vibrations. The shaft couples the end effector and the body together. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic blade includes a recess region having a plurality of recesses. The recess region is tapered such that the cross-sectional area of the recess region decreases along the length of the recess region. The ultrasonic blade is also curved such that a central longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic blade extends along a curved path. A reference circuit is used to account for voltage drops of unknown values during operation of the surgical apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a body, a shaft, an end effector and a sensor. The shaft extends distally from the body. The end effector is configured to receive energy from an energy source. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw. The second jaw is pivotable relative to the first jaw to transition the end effector from an open configuration to a closed configuration. In the closed configuration, the first jaw and second jaw define a closure gap. The sensor is operable to detect when the end effector is in the closed configuration. The sensor is also in communication with the energy source, such that the sensor is operable to communicate a signal to the energy source when the sensor detects the end effector in the closed configuration.

Abstract: A medical device includes an end effector configured to apply bipolar energy to target tissue along a working portion thereof and a fluid control system to control the flow of a fluid produced when the end effector applies the bipolar energy to heat the target tissue. The fluid control system includes a fluid path element defining a fluid path, a distal fluid port configured to intake the fluid adjacent to the working portion of an end effector for transport through the fluid path, and a proximal fluid port configured to intake the fluid transported through the fluid path and to exhaust the transported fluid.

Abstract: An end effector includes a grasping portion that includes a first jaw member having a first electrode, a second jaw member having a second electrode, a first electrically conductive member located either on the first jaw member or the second jaw member, and a gap setting portion having a second electrically conductive member located at the distal end of either the first jaw member or the second jaw member. The electrically insulative member is sized and configured to engage tissue and the second electrically conductive member sized and configured to define a minimum distance between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a body, a shaft, an end effector and a sensor. The shaft extends distally from the body. The end effector is configured to receive energy from an energy source. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw. The second jaw is pivotable relative to the first jaw to transition the end effector from an open configuration to a closed configuration. In the closed configuration, the first jaw and second jaw define a closure gap. The sensor is operable to detect when the end effector is in the closed configuration. The sensor is also in communication with the energy source, such that the sensor is operable to communicate a signal to the energy source when the sensor detects the end effector in the closed configuration.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handle assembly and an end effector. The handle assembly includes a trigger, a push plate coupled to the trigger, wherein actuation of the trigger rotates the push plate, a clamp plate operably coupled to the push plate, wherein actuation of the trigger to a first rotation rotates the clamp plate, and a firing plate operably coupled to the push plate, wherein actuation of the trigger between the first rotation and a second rotation rotates the firing plate. The end effector includes a jaw assembly which includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member, wherein rotation of the clamp plate transitions the jaw assembly between an open configuration and an approximated configuration by moving at least one of the first jaw member and the second jaw member relative to the other one of the first jaw member and the second jaw member.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical instrument is disclosed. In one embodiment, the surgical instrument comprises a handle assembly. The handle assembly comprises a closure trigger, a push plate, a clamp plate, and a firing plate. Actuation of the closure trigger rotates the push plate. Rotation of the push plate to a first rotation rotates the clamp plate and rotation between the first rotation and a second rotation rotates the firing plate. A shaft assembly is coupled to the handle assembly. An end effector is coupled to the shaft assembly. The end effector comprises a jaw assembly. The jaw assembly defines a longitudinal slot. Rotation of the clamp plate pivotally moves a first jaw member from an open position to a closed position relative to a second jaw member. A cutting member is deployable within the longitudinal slot.

Abstract: A medical device includes an end effector configured to apply bipolar energy to target tissue along a working portion thereof and a fluid control system to control the flow of a fluid produced when the end effector applies the bipolar energy to heat the target tissue. The fluid control system includes a fluid path element defining a fluid path, a distal fluid port configured to intake the fluid adjacent to the working portion of an end effector for transport through the fluid path, and a proximal fluid port configured to intake the fluid transported through the fluid path and to exhaust the transported fluid.