Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed herein. The surgical instrument can include an end effector that includes jaws configured to transition between an opened condition and a closed condition, a plurality of electrodes positioned within the jaws of the end effector, a control circuit, and a memory configured to store an algorithm configured to cause the control circuit to determine an impedance signal based on signals received from the plurality of electrodes, detect a media positioned between the jaws of the end effector based on the determined impedance signal, determine a position of the detected media based on the received signals, and generate an alert associated with the detected media and the determined position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed herein. The surgical instrument can include an end effector that includes jaws configured to transition between an opened condition and a closed condition, a plurality of electrodes positioned within the jaws of the end effector, a control circuit, and a memory configured to store an algorithm configured to cause the control circuit to determine an impedance signal based on signals received from the plurality of electrodes, detect a media positioned between the jaws of the end effector based on the determined impedance signal, determine a position of the detected media based on the received signals, and generate an alert associated with the detected media and the determined position.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector, and a shield member. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body. The end effector is located at a distal end of the shaft assembly. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. The ultrasonic blade is configured to vibrate at an ultrasonic frequency. The clamp arm is movable toward the ultrasonic blade to compress tissue against the ultrasonic blade. The shield member is selectively movable from a first position to a second position in response to movement of the clamp arm toward the ultrasonic blade. The shield member is configured cover at least a first portion of the ultrasonic blade in the first position. The shield member is configured to uncover the first portion of the ultrasonic blade in the second position.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector, and a shield member. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body. The end effector is located at a distal end of the shaft assembly. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. The ultrasonic blade is configured to vibrate at an ultrasonic frequency. The clamp arm is movable toward the ultrasonic blade to compress tissue against the ultrasonic blade. The shield member is selectively movable from a first position to a second position in response to movement of the clamp arm toward the ultrasonic blade. The shield member is configured cover at least a first portion of the ultrasonic blade in the first position. The shield member is configured to uncover the first portion of the ultrasonic blade in the second position.

Abstract: Described herein include various embodiments of a tool assembly for performing endoscopic surgery that can be used manually and/or with a robotic surgical system. The tool assembly can include a shaft assembly that extends from a housing of the tool assembly. A distal end of the shaft can include an end effector that includes a clamp arm pivotally coupled to a blade for cutting and/or sealing tissue. Pivoting of the clamp arm between the open and closed configurations can be caused by movement of a yoke that is slidably disposed within the housing of the tool assembly. For example, the yoke can be caused to move by one or more outputs (e.g., a manual output, a rotary output, and/or a linear mechanical output). Furthermore, some tool assembly embodiments can include a biasing system that biases the yoke such that the clamp arm is in the open configuration. In some embodiments, the tool assembly can be configured for tissue spread dissection using the clamp arm and blade.

Abstract: A system includes a medical device and a charging device. A sterile barrier may be interposed between the medical device and the charging device. The medical device includes an integral power source and an active element. The charging device is configured to charge the integral power source. The charging device may charge the integral power source through direct contact between features of the charging device and features the medical device. The charging device may alternatively charge the integral power source wirelessly, such as through inductive coupling. The medical device may include conductive prongs that are retained by the charging device. The charging device may physically couple with the medical device via magnets. The medical device and the charging device may be provided together in a sterile package as a kit. The kit may also include a reclamation bag to facilitate reclamation of electrical components.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed herein. The surgical instrument can include an end effector that includes jaws configured to transition between an opened condition and a closed condition, a plurality of electrodes positioned within the jaws of the end effector, a control circuit, and a memory configured to store an algorithm configured to cause the control circuit to determine an impedance signal based on signals received from the plurality of electrodes, detect a media positioned between the jaws of the end effector based on the determined impedance signal, determine a position of the detected media based on the received signals, and generate an alert associated with the detected media and the determined position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed herein. The surgical instrument can include an end effector comprising a first jaw and a second jaw, a plurality of electrodes positioned within the jaws of the end effector, a flexible circuit comprising a conductive track configured for multiplexed transmission of a plurality of signals to and from the end effector, a control circuit communicably coupled to the plurality of electrodes via the flexible conductor, and a memory configured to store an algorithm configured to cause the control circuit to: receive signals from the plurality of electrodes; determine an impedance based on the signals received from the plurality of electrodes; detect a media positioned between the jaws of the end effector based on the impedance; determine a position of the detected media along the longitudinal axis based on the received signals; and generate an alert associated with the detected media and the determined position.

Abstract: Disclosed are ultrasonic and electrosurgical devices. The disclosed embodiments include a surgical instrument comprising a waveguide, and end effector and an electrical switch. The waveguide may comprise a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is configured to couple to an ultrasonic transducer and one output of a radio frequency (RF) generator. The end effector may comprise an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm coupled. The ultrasonic blade may be mechanically coupled to the distal end of the waveguide and electrically coupled to the waveguide. The clamp arm may comprise a movable jaw member electrically coupled to another output of the RF generator such that an electrical current can pass through the movable jaw member and the ultrasonic blade through tissue located between the movable jaw member and the ultrasonic blade.

Abstract: Various exemplary systems, devices, and methods for robotic bi-polar instruments are provided. In general, a surgical tool can include an elongate shaft, an end effector, a wrist that couples the end effector to the shaft at a distal end of the shaft, and a tool housing coupled to a proximal end of the shaft that is configured to control the operation various features associated with the end effector and to operatively couple to a robotic surgical system.

Abstract: Disclosed are ultrasonic and electrosurgical devices. The disclosed embodiments include a surgical instrument comprising a waveguide, and end effector and an electrical switch. The waveguide may comprise a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is configured to couple to an ultrasonic transducer and one output of a radio frequency (RF) generator. The end effector may comprise an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm coupled. The ultrasonic blade may be mechanically coupled to the distal end of the waveguide and electrically coupled to the waveguide. The clamp arm may comprise a movable jaw member electrically coupled to another output of the RF generator such that an electrical current can pass through the movable jaw member and the ultrasonic blade through tissue located between the movable jaw member and the ultrasonic blade.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a waveguide, an end effector, and an electrical switch is disclosed. The waveguide comprises a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is configured to couple to an ultrasonic transducer and one output of a radio frequency (RF) generator. The end effector may comprise an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. The ultrasonic blade is mechanically coupled to the distal end of the waveguide and electrically coupled to the waveguide. The clamp arm comprises a movable jaw member electrically coupled to another output of the RF generator. The electrical switch is operable to cause the surgical instrument to deliver electrical current from the RF generator to the movable jaw member for a first period, and to cause the surgical instrument to deliver ultrasonic energy to the ultrasonic blade for a second period.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for treating metabolic disorders by modulating bile acid levels. Generally, the methods and compositions can modulate bile acid levels, such as serum bile acid levels, to treat a metabolic disorder. In one embodiment, a method of modulating a bile acid level includes measuring a bile acid level and delivering a composition effective to modulate the bile acid level. A method for modulating a bile acid profile includes comparing a bile acid profile to a target profile and delivering a bile acid cocktail to increase bile acid levels. In another embodiment, a pharmaceutical composition for increasing bile acid levels includes a bile acid cocktail effective to increase bile acid levels. The composition is further useful as part of an implantable system.

Abstract: Surgical systems and methods are provided for controlling actuation and movement of various surgical devices.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector, and a shield member. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body. The end effector is located at a distal end of the shaft assembly. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. The ultrasonic blade is configured to vibrate at an ultrasonic frequency. The clamp arm is movable toward the ultrasonic blade to compress tissue against the ultrasonic blade. The shield member is selectively movable from a first position to a second position in response to movement of the clamp arm toward the ultrasonic blade. The shield member is configured cover at least a first portion of the ultrasonic blade in the first position. The shield member is configured to uncover the first portion of the ultrasonic blade in the second position.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for forming and securing a tissue plication. More particularly, the devices and methods of the present invention can be used to create multiple tissue folds on an anterior and posterior wall of a stomach cavity to reduce the volume thereof In one aspect, a method of gastric volume reduction is disclosed that includes advancing a tissue acquisition and fixation device endoscopically into a stomach, manipulating the device to form a first fold of tissue on an interior surface of an anterior wall of the stomach, and manipulating the device to form a second fold of tissue on an anterior surface of a posterior wall of the stomach, where the second fold is not attached to the first fold.

Abstract: Various exemplary systems, devices, and methods for robotic bi-polar instruments are provided. In general, a surgical tool can include an elongate shaft, an end effector, a wrist that couples the end effector to the shaft at a distal end of the shaft, and a tool housing coupled to a proximal end of the shaft that is configured to control the operation various features associated with the end effector and to operatively couple to a robotic surgical system.

Abstract: Various exemplary systems, devices, and methods for articulating electrosurgical tools are provided. In general, a surgical tool can be configured to articulate in two planes by selectively pivoting at first and second joints of the surgical tool. The surgical tool can include a plurality of cables configured to facilitate the articulation. Each of the cables can be configured to flex or bend at the first and second joints and can be configured to be selectively actuated to cause the pivoting at the first and second joints. The surgical tool can be configured to releasably couple to a robotic surgical system configured to control a variety of movements and actions associated with the surgical tool, such as the pivoting at the first and second joints.

Abstract: A system includes a medical device and a charging device. A sterile barrier may be interposed between the medical device and the charging device. The medical device includes an integral power source and an active element. The charging device is configured to charge the integral power source. The charging device may charge the integral power source through direct contact between features of the charging device and features the medical device. The charging device may alternatively charge the integral power source wirelessly, such as through inductive coupling. The medical device may include conductive prongs that are retained by the charging device. The charging device may physically couple with the medical device via magnets. The medical device and the charging device may be provided together in a sterile package as a kit. The kit may also include a reclamation bag to facilitate reclamation of electrical components.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector, and a shield member. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body. The end effector is located at a distal end of the shaft assembly. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. The ultrasonic blade is configured to vibrate at an ultrasonic frequency. The clamp arm is movable toward the ultrasonic blade to compress tissue against the ultrasonic blade. The shield member is selectively movable from a first position to a second position in response to movement of the clamp arm toward the ultrasonic blade. The shield member is configured cover at least a first portion of the ultrasonic blade in the first position. The shield member is configured to uncover the first portion of the ultrasonic blade in the second position.