Abstract: Devices and methods are described herein for providing enhanced power to a surgical device from a secondary power supply that operates in parallel to a primary power supply that provides power for therapeutic functions of the device. The secondary power supply can provide additional power for the therapeutic functions of the device, and/or it can provide power for non-therapeutic functions of the device such as sensors, displays, motors, etc. Subsystems powered by the primary power supply can be wholly isolated from subsystems powered by the secondary power supply, thus helping to prevent faults in one subsystem from affecting the other and providing secondary power without the need to modify the subsystems powered by the primary power supply. According to any of the systems described herein, additional power can thus be supplied to the device without affecting the structure and/or function of existing subsystems configured to supply primary power.

Abstract: Data is collected from vehicle sensors to generate a virtual map of objects proximate to the vehicle. Based on the virtual map, an in-vehicle computer determines a traffic condition in front of and behind a host vehicle. The in-vehicle computer determines collision avoidance maneuvers. The computer instructs vehicle control units to implement the collision avoidance maneuvers. The computer may additionally or alternatively communicate the collision avoidance maneuvers to a driver via an interface. In the case of unavoidable collisions, the computer determines and initiates damage mitigation actions.

Abstract: A motor vehicle comprises an HVAC system including a climate control circuit coupled to onboard sensors, a human-machine interface, and climate actuators. The actuators are responsive to respective command parameters generated by the control circuit in response to the sensors and the human-machine interface. A wireless communication system transmits vehicle HVAC data to and receives crowd data from a remote server. The control circuit initiates a request for crowd data via the communication system to the remote server, wherein the request includes peer parameters for identifying a vehicle environment. The control circuit receives a response via the communication system from the remote server. The response comprises crowd data and at least one weight indicating a confidence level associated with the crowd data. The control circuit generates at least one command parameter using a set of fuzzy rules responsive to the crowd data and the weight from the response.

Abstract: An end effector for operating on tissue comprises a first jaw, a second jaw, a firing beam, and a support band. The first jaw is movable toward the second jaw to capture tissue. The first jaw has a first slot and the second jaw has a second slot. The firing beam and the support band are coupled together and are positioned to translate through the first and second slots of the jaws. The firing beam presents a sharp distal edge for severing tissue captured between the jaws. The support band presents a curved distal end. The sharp distal edge of the firing beam is partially covered and partially exposed by the curved distal end of the support band.

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: 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: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, inhibiting operation of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle based on a proximity of the vehicle to a fueling location.

Abstract: Surgical instruments and methods for applying variable compression to tissue are described herein and can have particular utility when cutting and sealing tissue. In one embodiment, a surgical instrument end effector is described that includes first and second jaw members movable relative to one another between an open position and a closed position to clamp tissue therebetween. The end effector can include a compression member configured to translate along the end effector to move the first and second jaw members and apply a variable compression force to the tissue. The variable compression force can have different profiles along the length of the end effector, including, for example, a continuously increasing profile or a profile that alternates between different values. The provided variable compression can reduce the force required to actuate the surgical instrument and increase the quality of a tissue seal formed thereby.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a module for compiling a plurality of operational parameters of the surgical system during a plurality of treatment cycles performed by the surgical system. The module includes a processor and a memory unit, the processor configured to store in the memory unit values of the plurality of operational parameters associated with each of the plurality of treatment cycles, wherein the processor is configured to identify a subset of the stored values of the plurality of operational parameters temporally proximate to an intervening event.

Abstract: Methods and devices for controlling motorized surgical devices are provided. In general, the methods and devices can allow a surgical device to grasp and cut tissue. In some embodiments, the device can include at least one sensor and a motor, and an output of the motor can be configured to be adjusted based at least in part on an output from the at least one sensor. The output of the motor can be configured to provide power for translation of a cutting element along an end effector of the device. Adjusting the motor's output can cause the cutting element to translate through the end effector at different speeds, thereby allowing the cutting element to cut through tissue being grasped by the end effector at different speeds.

Abstract: Methods and devices for controlling motorized surgical devices are provided. In general, the methods and devices can allow a surgical device to grasp and cut tissue. In some embodiments, the device can include at least one sensor and a motor, and an output of the motor can be configured to be adjusted based at least in part on an output from the at least one sensor. The output of the motor can be configured to provide power for translation of a cutting element along an end effector of the device. Adjusting the motor's output can cause the cutting element to translate through the end effector at different speeds, thereby allowing the cutting element to cut through tissue being grasped by the end effector at different speeds.

Abstract: Methods and devices for controlling motorized surgical devices are provided. In general, the methods and devices can allow a surgical device to grasp and cut tissue. In some embodiments, the device can include at least one sensor and a motor, and an output of the motor can be configured to be adjusted based at least in part on an output from the at least one sensor. The output of the motor can be configured to provide power for translation of a cutting element along an end effector of the device. Adjusting the motor's output can cause the cutting element to translate through the end effector at different speeds, thereby allowing the cutting element to cut through tissue being grasped by the end effector at different speeds.

Abstract: Methods and devices for controlling motorized surgical devices are provided. In general, the methods and devices can allow a surgical device to grasp and cut tissue. In some embodiments, the device can include at least one sensor and a motor, and an output of the motor can be configured to be adjusted based at least in part on an output from the at least one sensor. The output of the motor can be configured to provide power for translation of a cutting element along an end effector of the device. Adjusting the motor's output can cause the cutting element to translate through the end effector at different speeds, thereby allowing the cutting element to cut through tissue being grasped by the end effector at different speeds.

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: Various surgical devices are provided having mechanisms for preventing premature actuation of a cutting mechanism. These devices generally include a handle having one or more actuators and an effector disposed at a distal end of the device and configured to grasp tissue. When the end effector is in an open position, a firing actuator can be positioned so that it cannot be actuated by a user. For example, the firing actuator can be obstructed by a shield or arm when the end effector is in the open position. In other embodiments, the firing actuator can be hidden in a recess formed in the closure actuator until the end effector is moved to the closed position. When the end effector is in the closed position, the firing actuator can be engaged to advance a cutting mechanism, thereby cutting the tissue grasped by the end effector.

Abstract: Various surgical devices are provided for shielding tissue from potentially harmful byproducts generated by surgical devices that use energy to treat tissue. In general, a shield member is provided that includes a connector element for removably connecting the shield member to a surgical device and a shield body configured to extend adjacent to an energy-emitting end effector of the device. When energy is delivered to treated tissue captured by the end effector, the shield body can be configured to serve as a physical barrier between the end effector and tissue adjacent to the treated tissue. In this way, the shield member can protect the adjacent tissue from potentially harmful byproducts of the end effector, e.g., heat and steam, and/or can deflect the byproducts back toward the treated tissue.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, methods for controlling electrical power provided to tissue via a surgical device may comprise providing a drive signal. A power of the drive signal may be proportional to a power provided to the tissue via the surgical device. The methods may also comprise periodically receiving indications of an impedance of the tissue and applying a first composite power curve to the tissue, wherein applying the first composite power curve to the tissue comprises. Applying the first composite power curve to the tissue may comprise modulating a first predetermined number of first composite power curve pulses on the drive signal; and for each of the first composite power curve pulses, determining a pulse power and a pulse width according to a first function of the impedance of the tissue The methods may also comprise applying a second composite power curve to the tissue.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, methods to control electrical power provided to tissue via first and second electrodes may comprise providing a drive signal to the tissue via the first and second electrodes and modulating a power provided to the tissue via the drive signal based on a sensed tissue impedance according to a first power curve. The first power curve may define, for each of a plurality of potential sensed tissue impedances, a first corresponding power. The methods may also comprise monitoring a total energy provided to the tissue via the first and second electrodes. When the total energy reaches a first energy threshold, the methods may comprise determining whether an impedance of the tissue has reached a first impedance threshold.

Abstract: An end effector for operating on tissue comprises a first jaw, a second jaw, a firing beam, and a support band. The first jaw is movable toward the second jaw to capture tissue. The first jaw has a first slot and the second jaw has a second slot. The firing beam and the support band are coupled together and are positioned to translate through the first and second slots of the jaws. The firing beam presents a sharp distal edge for severing tissue captured between the jaws. The support band presents a curved distal end. The sharp distal edge of the firing beam is partially covered and partially exposed by the curved distal end of the support band.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for supplying energy to tissue may comprise a handle, a trigger, an electrical input, and a shaft extending from the handle. The surgical instrument may comprise an end effector. The end effector may comprise a cammed compression surface. The end effector may comprise an electrode comprising a tapered tissue contacting surface. Some surgical instruments may comprise an overload member.