Abstract: Biomarkers are collected and used to determine biological propensities of a patient, to determine the efficacy of medical devices, to select and administer therapeutic agents, to select medical devices, to make adjustments to medical devices, and/or to adjust surgical techniques. An apparatus includes a port to draw a biological fluid (e.g., a mist) from a surgical site. The apparatus includes a sensor having a cantilevered beam. The beam includes substances selected to attract certain biomarkers as the fluid is communicated across the beam. The same apparatus or another apparatus is used to administer a therapeutic agent based at least in part on collected biomarker data. The therapeutic agent delivery apparatus may include a device that is also used to create a wound at a surgical site. For instance, a harmonic surgical instrument may be used to both collect biomarkers and administer a therapeutic agent (e.g., gene therapy using sonoporation).

Abstract: A surgical device. The surgical device may comprise a transducer configured to provide vibrations along a longitudinal axis and an end effector coupled to the transducer and extending from the transducer along the longitudinal axis. The surgical device also may comprise a lower jaw extending parallel to the end effector. The lower jaw may comprise a clamp face extending toward the longitudinal axis. Also, the lower jaw may be slidable relative to the end effector to bring the clamp face toward a distal end of the end effector.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises an electrically power surgical instrument having a handle assembly. The apparatus also comprises a communication device positioned within the handle assembly. The communication device is operable to communicate with at least a portion of the electrically powered surgical instrument. The apparatus further comprises an external device in wireless communication with the communication device. The external device is operable to receive information from the communication device and the external device is operable to provide an output viewable to the user.

Abstract: A surgical device. The surgical device may comprise a transducer, an end effector, a generator and a control circuit. The transducer may be configured to provide vibrations. The end effector may be coupled to the transducer and may extend from the transducer along the longitudinal axis. The generator may provide an electrical signal to the transducer. Also, the control circuit may modify a current amplitude of the electrical signal in response to a change in a vibration frequency of the end effector. Accordingly to various embodiments, the control circuit may detect a first contribution to a vibration frequency of the end effector, the first contribution originating from tissue in contact with the end effector. Also, according to various embodiments, the control circuit may indicate a change in a vibration frequency of the end effector.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft, a cartridge receiving assembly, and a suture cartridge. The body has an actuator. The cartridge receiving assembly includes a pair of jaws. The suture cartridge includes a cartridge body, a needle, and a needle cover. The needle cover is releasably connected to the cartridge body such that the needle cover surrounds at least a portion of the needle. The needle cover is releasably connected to the body by at least one of a securement or a distal extension. The securement is located between the needle cover and the cartridge body to releasably connect the needle cover to the cartridge body. The distal extension projects from at least one of the first jaw or the second jaw and is configured to engage the needle cover thereby holding the needle cover to the cartridge body in the closed position.

Abstract: A fastener cartridge can comprise a cartridge body including a plurality of cavities arranged in longitudinal rows. Some of the cavities can have fasteners removably stored therein. Other cavities can have deployable tissue engaging members stored therein which are movable from an undeployed position to a deployed position to engage tissue. In some instances, the fastener cartridge can include at least one longitudinal row of cavities which each include a deployable tissue engaging member. Such rows of cavities can comprise the outer-most rows of cavities in the fastener cartridge.

Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument includes a housing, an ultrasonic transducer support by the housing, and an integrated usage indicator. The housing is configured to removably connect to a shaft assembly. The ultrasonic transducer is configured to be acoustically connected to a waveguide and operated a predetermined number of use cycles. The integrated usage indicator is operatively connected to the housing and includes a used state indicator. The used state indicator is configured to indicate to a clinician in a used state when the ultrasonic transducer has been operated at least the predetermined number of use cycles for limiting usage of the ultrasonic transducer to the predetermined number of use cycles.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical blade includes a body having a proximal end, a distal end, and an outer surface. The distal end is movable relative to a longitudinal axis in accordance with ultrasonic vibrations applied to the proximal end. At least a portion of the outer surface of the body comprises a lubricious coating adhered thereto. The lubricious coating has a coefficient of friction that is less than the coefficient of friction of the outer surface of the body.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector, and a control module. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body and includes an acoustic waveguide. The waveguide is configured to acoustically couple with an ultrasonic transducer. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade, a clamp arm, an electrode, and a sensor. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the waveguide. The clamp arm is operable to compress tissue against the ultrasonic blade. The electrode is operable to apply radiofrequency (RF) electrosurgical energy to tissue. The sensor is operable to sense a condition of tissue contacted by the end effector. The control module is operable to control delivery of ultrasonic power and RF electrosurgical energy through the end effector based on data from the sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating on tissue includes a body assembly, a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, and an end effector. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade, a clamp arm, and a blade guard. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the waveguide. The clamp arm is configured to pivot toward and away from the ultrasonic blade. The clamp arm has a first tine. The blade guard extends from the shaft. The blade guard has a longitudinally extending arm defining a concave pathway and a second tine located distal to the longitudinally extending arm. The ultrasonic blade is partially housed within the concave pathway. The first tine and the second tine are configured to grasp tissue when the clamp arm pivots toward the ultrasonic blade.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a shaft assembly; a handle assembly; a battery assembly; a first driver configured to drive movement of at least a first component of the surgical instrument; a second driver configured to drive movement of at least a second component of the surgical instrument; a motor powered by the battery assembly and configured to selectively actuate the first driver or the second driver using an output of the motor; and a controller for the motor, configured to: perform a first limiting operation to the output of the motor when the motor actuates the first driver and a first limiting condition is met, and perform a second limiting operation to the output of the motor when the motor actuates the second driver and a second limiting condition is met.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises an electrically power surgical instrument having a handle assembly. The apparatus also comprises a communication device positioned within the handle assembly. The communication device is operable to communicate with at least a portion of the electrically powered surgical instrument. The apparatus further comprises an external device in wireless communication with the communication device. The external device is operable to receive information from the communication device and the external device is operable to provide an output viewable to the user.

Abstract: A tissue pad is disclosed including a first component and a second component. The first component includes a first material and a first tissue engaging surface and the second component includes a second material and a second tissue engaging surface. The first component has proximal and distal ends and the second component has proximal and distal ends. The first and second components are separable. At least a portion of a distal end of the first tissue engaging surface is positioned distal relative to the second tissue engaging surface. The first material is different from the second material. The first material has a greater lubricity than the second material. The second material has a greater resistance to heat than the first material.

Abstract: A robotic surgical system including a control system that controls the movement of a robotic arm is described. The robotic arm can be coupled to a tool assembly that includes an end effector positioned at a distal end of a shaft. The control system can assist with controlling the movement of the end effector and any tooling (e.g., cutting tool, boring tool, jaws, etc.) associated with the end effector, such as for either cutting through tissue or controlling a tension in the tissue. The tool assembly can include one or more sensors that measure a variety of forces or velocities associated with either the robotic arm or end effector. The control system can collect and monitor such sensed forces and velocities to determine and control one or more appropriate movement parameters associated with the robotic arm thereby controlling the cutting of tissue and preventing unwanted cutting of tissue. Furthermore, movement parameters associated with more than one robotic arm can be controlled by the control system.

Abstract: A surgical device is disclosed including a surgical instrument and an outer sheath surrounding the surgical instrument. The surgical instruments includes an end effector including a first jaw member and a second jaw member. At least one of the first jaw member or the second jaw member is pivotable toward the other to grasp tissue. The outer sheath is slidable relative to the surgical instrument along a longitudinal axis between a first position, wherein the first jaw member and the second jaw member are positioned within the outer sheath proximal to a distal portion of the outer sheath, and a second positon, wherein the first iaw member and the second iaw member are positioned outside the outer sheath distal to the distal portion of the outer sheath. The distal portion of the outer sheath is configured to clamp tissue.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed including a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency and an ultrasonic blade extending along the longitudinal axis coupled to the transducer. The ultrasonic blade includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end is movable along the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer. The surgical instrument further includes a protective sheath including a proximal end and a distal end and disposed adjacent to the body. The protective sheath further includes a pad positioned toward the distal end of the protective sheath and located between the body and the distal end of the protective sheath.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical device is disclosed including a surgical tool including a proximal transducer mounting portion defining a surface, a distal end effector end, and a waveguide disposed therebetween, the waveguide extending along a longitudinal axis. The ultrasonic surgical device further includes a transducer is in mechanical communication with the surface of the transducer mounting portion. The transducer is configured to operate in a D31 mode with respect to the longitudinal axis of the waveguide.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft assembly, a stapling head assembly, an anvil, an anvil adjustment assembly, a trigger, and a lockout assembly. The stapling head assembly is operable to drive an annular array of staples. The anvil is configured to couple with the stapling head assembly. The anvil adjustment assembly includes a translating member, which translates relative to the body to thereby adjust the longitudinal position of the anvil relative to the stapling head assembly. The trigger is operable to actuate the stapling head assembly. The lockout assembly includes an electrically powered braking feature. A method of operating the surgical instrument includes providing the lockout assembly in a first state to permit translation of the translating member. The translating member is then translated. The lockout assembly is then transitioned to a second state to prevent further translation of the translating member.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector, and a control module. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body and includes an acoustic waveguide. The waveguide is configured to acoustically couple with an ultrasonic transducer. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade, a clamp arm, an electrode, and a sensor. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the waveguide. The clamp arm is operable to compress tissue against the ultrasonic blade. The electrode is operable to apply radiofrequency (RF) electrosurgical energy to tissue. The sensor is operable to sense a condition of tissue contacted by the end effector. The control module is operable to control delivery of ultrasonic power and RF electrosurgical energy through the end effector based on data from the sensor.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical blade includes a body having a proximal end, a distal end, and an outer surface. The distal end is movable relative to a longitudinal axis in accordance with ultrasonic vibrations applied to the proximal end. At least a portion of the outer surface of the body comprises a lubricious coating adhered thereto. The lubricious coating has a coefficient of friction that is less than the coefficient of friction of the outer surface of the body.