Abstract: An end effector assembly for an electrosurgical instrument includes a pair of opposing jaw members each having a jaw housing supporting an electrically conductive tissue engaging surface thereon. The electrically conductive tissue engaging surfaces are disposed in opposition relative to one another. The jaw members are movable relative to one another to grasp tissue therebetween and are connect to an electrosurgical energy source. A thermal cutting element is disposed in one of the electrically conductive tissue engaging surfaces and is independently activatable relative to the electrically conductive tissue engaging surfaces. The thermal cutting element is exposed along the length of the electrically conductive tissue engaging surface and includes an exposed distal end extending through a distal end of the jaw housing. The thermal cutting element includes a scallop defined proximal to the exposed distal end thereof configured to facilitate tissue scoring upon movement and activation thereof.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument end effector has first and second jaw members each including an electrically conductive tissue-contacting surface. The first and second jaw members are configured to grasp and electrosurgically treat tissue between the tissue-contacting surfaces. A thermal cutting element includes a body portion extending along the tissue-contacting surface of the second jaw member and a distal probe portion extending distally therefrom. The distal probe portion extends distally beyond a distal-most extent of the second jaw member, has a free end distally-spaced from this distal-most extent, and is exposed about the entire outer periphery thereof between the distal-most extent the free end. The body portion of the thermal cutting element is energizable for thermally treating tissue grasped between the tissue-contacting surfaces, while the distal probe portion of the thermal cutting element is energizable for thermally treating tissue positioned distally of the first and second jaw members.

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: An end effector assembly of an ultrasonic surgical instrument includes an ultrasonic blade configured to mechanically couple to an ultrasonic transducer configured to transmit ultrasonic vibration energy to the ultrasonic blade and a jaw member movable relative to the ultrasonic blade from a spaced-apart position to an approximated position for clamping tissue therebetween. The jaw member includes a structural body and a jaw liner engaged with the structural body. The jaw liner defines a tissue contacting surface positioned to oppose the ultrasonic blade in the approximated position, and includes a wear indicator disposed within the jaw liner and configured to provide an alert indicating that the jaw liner is worn beyond a pre-determined threshold.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument includes a housing having a handle and an elongated shaft extending therefrom supporting an end effector assembly. The end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members each having a jaw housing and an electrically conductive tissue engaging surface. The first jaw member includes a U-shaped proximal flange that defines a cuff having sides configured to support a pivot and also that define cradles for securing a pivot bar. The second jaw member defines a U-shaped cuff for receiving the proximal flange the first jaw member. The cuff includes sides that define cradles for supporting the pivot thereon through the range of motion between first and second jaw members.

Abstract: A surgical system includes an elongated assembly and an articulation joint defined in the elongated assembly. The elongated assembly articulates about the articulation joint. The articulation joint defines a central axis and a distal side portion. An offsetting member extends from the distal side portion of the articulation joint. An end effector is supported by the offsetting member. The end effector includes a blade and a jaw member movable relative to the blade between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for clamping tissue. The offsetting member offsets the end effector with respect to the central axis of the articulation joint. An actuation cable extends through the central axis of the articulation joint. The actuation cable is operably coupled to the jaw member to pivot the jaw member with respect to the blade between the spaced-apart position and the approximated position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an elongated body portion including an inner tube and an outer tube, wherein the inner tube is configured to move longitudinally with respect to the outer tube; a jaw drive arm having a proximal end portion fixed to the inner tube and a distal end portion supporting a first pivot, wherein the first pivot is entirely disposed on a first side of the plane; and a jaw member including a proximal flange portion and a distal body portion, the proximal flange portion pivotably coupled to the outer tube about a second pivot and engaged to the first pivot such that pivoting of the proximal flange portion about the second pivot rotates the first pivot about the second pivot, the distal body portion extending distally from the proximal flange portion, wherein the distal body portion is disposed entirely on the first side of the plane.

Abstract: An end effector assembly of an ultrasonic surgical instrument includes an ultrasonic blade configured to mechanically couple to an ultrasonic transducer configured to transmit ultrasonic vibration energy to the ultrasonic blade and a jaw member movable relative to the ultrasonic blade from a spaced-apart position to an approximated position for clamping tissue therebetween. The jaw member includes a structural body and a jaw liner engaged with the structural body. The jaw liner defines a tissue contacting surface positioned to oppose the ultrasonic blade in the approximated position, and includes a wear indicator disposed within the jaw liner and configured to provide an alert indicating that the jaw liner is worn beyond a pre-determined threshold.

Abstract: A jaw member for a surgical instrument includes an insulative spacer configured to retain a thermal cutter assembly therein. A jaw support is configured to encapsulate the insulative spacer and securely engage the same. An overmold is configured to encapsulate and secure the insulative spacer and jaw support. The insulative spacer is made from a material having a high temperature resistance and low thermal conductivity to reduce heat transfer to the overmold during activation of the thermal cutter assembly.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an elongated body operably connected to a jaw member and a blade. The elongated body includes an inner tube and an outer tube configured to move laterally with respect to one another. A drive arm has a first end engaged to the outer tube and a second end pivotably coupled to the jaw member configured to move laterally in tandem with the outer tube such that motion of the outer tube in a first direction pulls the jaw member away from the blade, and motion of the outer tube in a second direction pushes the jaw member towards the blade. The drive arm includes a semi-rigid material configured to flex when compressed, such that flexion of the drive arm can offload excess force exerted by the outer tube on the jaw member.

Abstract: A thermal cutting assembly for a jaw member includes a substrate having a cutting edge disposed along an upper surface thereof. An insulator is disposed along the sides of the substrate and extends therealong. A first and second resistive elements connect to an energy source and are disposed in thermal communication on either side of the substrate atop the insulator. The distal end of each resistive element is exposed from the insulator and electrically connects to the substrate. The substrate forms a conductive bridge between the distal ends of the first and second resistive elements.

Abstract: A surgical system includes an elongated assembly and an articulation joint defined in the elongated assembly. The elongated assembly articulates about the articulation joint. The articulation joint defines a central axis and a distal side portion. An offsetting member extends from the distal side portion of the articulation joint. An end effector is supported by the offsetting member. The end effector includes a blade and a jaw member movable relative to the blade between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for clamping tissue. The offsetting member offsets the end effector with respect to the central axis of the articulation joint. An actuation cable extends through the central axis of the articulation joint. The actuation cable is operably coupled to the jaw member to pivot the jaw member with respect to the blade between the spaced-apart position and the approximated position.

Abstract: A jaw member of an electrosurgical instrument includes an insulative spacer including a face and defining first and second elongated recesses on either side of the face, first and second cleats disposed at least partially within the first and second elongated recesses, respectively, a structural frame, and a tissue treating plate. The structural frame is configured to receive at least a portion of the insulative spacer therein such that first and second elongated sides of the structural frame at least partially overlap the first and second cleats, respectively. The first and second elongated sides are engaged with the first and second cleats, respectively, to thereby secure the insulative spacer relative to the structural frame with the face exposed. The tissue treating plate is disposed on the face of the insulative spacer and is adapted to connect to a source of energy to treat tissue therewith.

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: An end effector assembly of an ultrasonic surgical instrument includes an ultrasonic blade configured to mechanically couple to an ultrasonic transducer configured to transmit ultrasonic vibration energy to the ultrasonic blade and a jaw member movable relative to the ultrasonic blade from a spaced-apart position to an approximated position for clamping tissue therebetween. The jaw member includes a structural body and a jaw liner engaged with the structural body. The jaw liner defines a tissue contacting surface positioned to oppose the ultrasonic blade in the approximated position, and includes a wear indicator disposed within the jaw liner and configured to provide an alert indicating that the jaw liner is worn beyond a pre-determined threshold.

Abstract: A jaw member, end effector assembly including the jaw member and an ultrasonic blade, and an ultrasonic surgical instrument including the end effector assembly are provided. The jaw member includes a structural body and a jaw liner. The structural body includes a pair of proximal flanges and an elongated distal portion extending distally from the proximal flanges. The elongated distal portion includes spaced-apart side rails defining an elongated opening therebetween and interconnected at distal ends thereof via a distal cap. The jaw liner is engaged within the elongated opening and includes a base and first and second arms extending from the base. Each arm defines an inwardly-angled tissue contacting surface. The jaw liner defines a jaw liner compliance feature extending longitudinally therealong between the inwardly-angled tissue-contacting surfaces of the first and second arms to facilitate outward deflection of the first and second arms relative to one another.

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: An end effector assembly for an electrosurgical instrument includes a pair of opposing jaw members each including a jaw housing supporting an electrically conductive tissue engaging surface thereon. The jaw members are movable relative to one another to grasp tissue therebetween. A thermal cutting element is operatively associated with the electrically conductive tissue engaging surface of one jaw member and is independently activatable relative to the electrically conductive tissue engaging surfaces. The thermal cutting element is selectively moveable in a first direction relative to the electrically conductive tissue engaging surface along a transverse axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis defined through the jaw member and is selectively moveable in a second direction along the longitudinal axis to extend relative to a distal end of the jaw member.

Abstract: An end effector assembly for an electrosurgical instrument includes a pair of opposing jaw members each having a jaw housing supporting an electrically conductive tissue engaging surface thereon. The tissue engaging surfaces are disposed in opposition relative to one another and one or both of the jaw members are movable relative to one another to grasp tissue therebetween. First, second and third thermal cutting elements are disposed on one or both of the tissue engaging surfaces. Each thermal cutting element is independently activatable (or activatable in pairs) relative to the tissue engaging surfaces and each thermal cutting element connects to an electrosurgical energy source. The first thermal cutting element is exposed along the length of the tissue engaging surface, the second thermal cutting element surrounds the distal tip of the jaw member and the third thermal cutting element is disposed on the back of the jaw housing.

Abstract: An end effector assembly for an electrosurgical instrument includes a pair of opposing jaw members each having a jaw housing supporting an electrically conductive tissue engaging surface thereon. The electrically conductive tissue engaging surfaces are disposed in opposition relative to one another. The jaw members are movable relative to one another to grasp tissue therebetween and are connect to an electrosurgical energy source. A thermal cutting element is disposed in one of the electrically conductive tissue engaging surfaces and is independently activatable relative to the electrically conductive tissue engaging surfaces. The thermal cutting element is exposed along the length of the electrically conductive tissue engaging surface and includes an exposed distal end extending through a distal end of the jaw housing. The thermal cutting element includes a scallop defined proximal to the exposed distal end thereof configured to facilitate tissue scoring upon movement and activation thereof.