Abstract: An end effector includes a first jaw rotatably coupled to a second jaw at a jaw axle, a central pulley rotatably mounted to the jaw axle, and a pivot link rotatably coupled to the first jaw at a pivot axle. A jaw cable is looped around the central pulley and operatively coupled to the pivot link such that linear movement of the jaw cable correspondingly causes the first jaw to rotate relative to the second jaw on the jaw axle and between open and closed positions.

Abstract: An articulable wrist for an end effector includes a distal linkage provided at a distal end of the articulable wrist, a proximal linkage provided at a proximal end of the articulable wrist, and a central channel cooperatively defined by the distal and proximal linkages and extending between the distal and proximal ends. A flexible member is arranged within the central channel and has a first end operatively coupled to the distal linkage and a second end axially movable relative to the proximal linkage. One or more conduits are defined in the flexible member to receive one or more central actuation members extending through the flexible member.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method of manufacturing a flexible circuit electrode assembly and an apparatus manufactured by said method. According to the method, an electrically conductive sheet is laminated to an electrically insulative sheet. An electrode is formed on the electrically conductive sheet. An electrically insulative layer is formed on a tissue contacting surface of the electrode. The individual electrodes are separated from the laminated electrically insulative sheet and the electrically conductive sheet. In another method, a flexible circuit is vacuum formed to create a desired profile. The vacuum formed flexible circuit is trimmed. The trimmed vacuum formed flexible circuit is attached to a jaw member of a clamp jaw assembly.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to electrosurgical systems for providing an electrosurgical signal to a patient. A control circuit may, for a first application period, apply the electrosurgical signal to first and second electrodes according to a first mode. In the first mode, the control circuit may limit the electrosurgical signal to a first maximum power when the impedance between the first and second electrodes exceeds a first mode threshold. The control circuit may also, for a second application period after the first application period, apply the electrosurgical signal according to a second mode. In the second mode, the control circuit may limit the electrosurgical signal to a second mode maximum power when the impedance between the first and second electrodes exceeds a second mode threshold. The second maximum power may be greater than the first maximum power.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method of manufacturing a flexible circuit electrode assembly and an apparatus manufactured by said method. According to the method, an electrically conductive sheet is laminated to an electrically insulative sheet. An electrode is formed on the electrically conductive sheet. An electrically insulative layer is formed on a tissue contacting surface of the electrode. The individual electrodes are separated from the laminated electrically insulative sheet and the electrically conductive sheet. In another method, a flexible circuit is vacuum formed to create a desired profile. The vacuum formed flexible circuit is trimmed. The trimmed vacuum formed flexible circuit is attached to a jaw member of a clamp jaw assembly.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are presented for a medical instrument configured to adjust the power level for sealing procedures to account for changes in tissue impedance levels over time. In some aspects, a medical instrument may be configured to apply power according to a power algorithm to seal tissue by applying a gradually lower amount of power over to time as the tissue impedance level begins to rise out of the “bathtub region,” which is the time period during energy application where the tissue impedance is low enough for electrosurgical energy to be effective for sealing tissue. In some aspects, the power is then cut once the tissue impedance level exceeds the “bathtub region.” By gradually reducing the power, a balance is achieved between still applying an effective level of power for sealing and prolonging the time in which the tissue impedance remains in the “bathtub region.

Abstract: A generator is disclosed to generate a drive signal to a surgical device. The generator includes an ultrasonic generator module to generate a first drive signal to drive an ultrasonic device, an electrosurgery/radio frequency (RF) generator module to generate a second drive signal to drive an electrosurgical device, and a foot switch coupled to each of the ultrasonic generator module and the electrosurgery/RF generator module. The foot switch is configured to operate in a first mode when the ultrasonic device is coupled to the ultrasonic generator module and the foot switch is configured to operate in a second mode when the electrosurgical device is coupled to the electrosurgery/RF generator module. The generator further includes a user interface to provide feedback in accordance with the operation of any one of the ultrasonic device and the electrosurgical device in accordance with a predetermined algorithm.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are presented for a medical instrument configured to adjust the power level for sealing procedures to account for changes in tissue impedance levels over time. In some aspects, a medical instrument may be configured to apply power according to a power algorithm to seal tissue by applying a gradually lower amount of power over time as the tissue impedance level begins to rise out of the “bathtub region,” which is the time period during energy application where the tissue impedance is low enough for electrosurgical energy to be effective for sealing tissue. In some aspects, the power is then cut once the tissue impedance level exceeds the “bathtub region.” By gradually reducing the power, a balance is achieved between still applying an effective level of power for sealing and prolonging the time in which the tissue impedance remains in the “bathtub region.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to methods for providing an electrosurgical signal to a patient using an electrosurgical system. A method may, for a first application period, apply the electrosurgical signal to first and second electrodes according to a first mode. In the first mode, the electrosurgical signal is limited to a first maximum power when the impedance between the first and second electrodes exceeds a first mode threshold. The method may also, for a second application period after the first application period, apply the electrosurgical signal according to a second mode. In the second mode, the electrosurgical signal is limited to a second mode maximum power when the impedance between the first and second electrodes exceeds a second mode threshold. The second maximum power may be greater than the first maximum power.

Abstract: An end effector of an electrosurgical device may include a discharge port, an aspiration port, two electrodes, and a diverter formed from a porous material. The diverter includes a matrix having voids to receive fluid from the discharge port. A releasable diverter assembly may include an assembly body configured to receive a pair of electrodes and a diverter composed of a porous material. A shaft assembly of an electrosurgical device may include two electrodes and two fluid cannulae. Each cannula may be disposed proximate to a surface of each of the electrodes. An end effector of an electrosurgical device may include a fluid discharge port, two electrodes, and a diverter disposed therebetween. A proximal edge of the diverter may form a secant line with respect to the end of the discharge port so that fluid emitted by the discharge port is disposed on a surface of the diverter.

Abstract: Various exemplary methods, systems, and devices for controlling electrosurgical tools are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a shaft assembly and an end effector. The shaft assembly includes an outer sheath, at least one irrigation conduit, and at least one suction conduit. The end effector includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a web. The electrodes extend distally relative to a distal end of the outer sheath. The electrodes are operable to apply bipolar RF energy to tissue. The web extends laterally between the first and second electrodes. The web is positioned distal to the distal end of the outer sheath.

Abstract: Various exemplary methods, systems, and devices for controlling electrosurgical tools are provided.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to systems and methods for providing a drive signal to a surgical device for treating tissue. A surgical generator may deliver the drive signal according to a first composite load curve. The surgical generator may receive a first tissue measurement indicating a property of the tissue at a first time during the delivery of the drive signal, receive a second tissue measurement indicating the property of the tissue at a second time during the delivery of the drive signal after the first time, and based on the first and second tissue measurements, determine a difference in the property of the tissue between the first time and the second time. When the difference in the property of the tissue exceeds a difference threshold, the generator may deliver the drive signal according to a second composite load curve that is more aggressive than the first composite load curve.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a surgical instrument that includes an end effector having a first jaw, a second jaw that is movable relative to the first jaw, and at least one electrode in the first jaw. The surgical instrument also includes a control circuit configured to provide electrosurgical energy to the at least one electrode and a electrical conductor electrically connected between the end effector and the control circuit. The control circuit includes a shaft control segment and an electrosurgical energy control segment. The shaft control segment is configured to provide a control signal for operating the end effector to the end effector through the electrical conductor. The electrosurgical energy control segment is configured to provide the electrosurgical energy to the at least one electrode through the electrical conductor.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and modular surgical system that allows for a user of modular surgical instruments to manipulate an end effector directly from the instrumentation contained in the handle assembly. A nozzle assembly that is detachable from a handle assembly may include an onboard circuitry board that allows for the RF generator to attach directly to the nozzle assembly and supply RF energy to the end effector, while also interfacing with a microprocessor of the handle assembly. In some aspects, the unique circuitry of the nozzle assembly also allows for shaft rotation while still supplying proper energy and functionality to the end effector.

Abstract: A control circuit for a surgical instrument includes a shaft control segment, a first electrical conductor configured to conduct a first electrical signal between the shaft control segment and a releasable surgical instrument cartridge, an electrosurgical energy control segment, a second electrical conductor configured to conduct a second electrical signal between the electrosurgical energy control segment and the releasable surgical instrument cartridge, and a connector electrically coupled to the electrosurgical energy control segment and configured to receive electrosurgical generator energy from an electrosurgical generator. The electrosurgical energy control segment is configured to detect a connection of the electrosurgical generator to the connector and to electrically isolate the shaft control segment from the electrosurgical generator energy when the electrosurgical energy control segment detects the connection of the electrosurgical generator to the connector.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a circuit configured to deliver RF energy to a cartridge disposed in an end effector configured to receive the cartridge, a closure mechanism configured to transition the end effector between an open position and a closed position, a display, and a control circuit operably coupled to the display. The control circuit configured to determine an amount of RF energy delivered to a tissue through the cartridge, display the amount of RF energy on the display, determine a position of the closure mechanism, and display the position of the closure mechanism on the display.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device is disclosed. The electrosurgical device includes a cartridge configured to be disposed within an elongate channel of an end effector. The cartridge includes an electrode having a plurality of electrode portions disposed along a longitudinal axis of the cartridge. The electrode is configured to electrically couple to a generator. Each electrode portion of the plurality of electrode portions is configured to deliver an amount of energy to a tissue placed proximate thereto. An amount of energy delivered by a first electrode portion of the plurality of electrode portions differs from an amount of energy delivered by a second electrode portion of the plurality of electrode portions.

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.