Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis. The surgical instrument further comprises an ultrasonic blade extending along the longitudinal axis. The ultrasonic blade is coupled to the transducer and comprises a body and a treatment region. The body comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and a bottom surface. The distal end of the body is movable relative to the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer. The treatment region extends from the proximal end to the distal end. The surgical instrument further comprises a protective sheath disposed adjacent to the bottom surface of the ultrasonic blade.

Abstract: A surgical instrument configured to be coupled to a transducer configured to produce vibrations. The surgical instrument comprises an end effector comprising an ultrasonic blade, a protective sheath, and outer tube and an aperture. The ultrasonic blade extends along a longitudinal axis of the end effector and is configured to be coupled to a transducer. The protective sheath extends at least partially around the ultrasonic blade. The outer tube extends at least partially along the longitudinal axis. The aperture defines a channel extending at least partially through the end effector along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to ultrasonic surgical instruments that may be used in aqueous environments. The instruments may include cutting a member that is supported within a hollow sheath. Various seal arrangements are disclosed for establishing a substantially fluid-tight seal between the cutting member and the sheath.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a transducer configured to produce vibrations at a predetermined frequency. The transducer is configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency. An ultrasonic blade extends along the longitudinal axis and is coupled to the transducer. The ultrasonic blade includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end is movable relative to the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer. The body includes a treatment region that extends from the proximal end to the distal end. The body includes a substantially flat broad top surface, a bottom surface, and a neck portion protruding from the proximal end adapted to couple to the transducer.

Abstract: An ultrasonic clamp coagulator assembly that is configured to permit selective cutting, coagulation and clamping of tissue during surgical procedures. An elongated portion of the instrument can be configured for endoscopic applications and has an outside diameter of less than 6 mm. The construction includes a clamping mechanism, including a clamp arm pivotally mounted at the distal portion of the instrument, which is specifically configured to create a desired level of tissue clamping forces, exceeding 4 pounds when the trigger is fully closed. The clamping mechanism includes a force-limiting mechanism that effectively smooths out abusive tissue forces.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument that is configured to permit selective positioning of the relative distance between an end effector for cutting and coagulating tissue and a power actuation switch that is carried by the instrument for selectively energizing the end effector. In one instance, the end effector is able to change position relative to the actuation switch, alternatively, the actuation switch moves relative to the end effector, and still further, both the end effector and the actuation switch are capable of moving relative to each other.

Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to an ultrasonic surgical instrument that comprises a handpiece housing that rotatably supports an ultrasonic transducer assembly therein that may be selectively rotated by various motor configurations. Various slip ring arrangements are disclosed for supplying ultrasonic electrical signals and motor drive signals from a control system. Various forms of blade and cutting implements are disclosed for attachment to the ultrasonic transducer assembly such that such implements may be selectively rotatable within a hollow outer sheath. Vacuum may be applied to the cutting implement or through the outer sheath to draw tissue through an opening in the sheath and into contact with the cutting implement.

Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to methods for treating tissue within an aqueous environment. Various methods may include introducing a cutting implement of a surgical instrument into the aqueous environment. The cutting implement may have at least one cutting surface thereon and at least one ultrasonic portion thereon and be selectively rotatable within a hollow sheath. The methods may include rotating or rotatably oscillating the cutting implement within the hollow sheath for tissue cutting purposes. The cutting implement may also be retained in a position wherein the ultrasonic portion of the cutting implement may be applied to tissue and then have ultrasonic motion applied thereto.

Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to methods for treating tissue within an aqueous environment. Various methods may include introducing a cutting implement of a surgical instrument into the aqueous environment. The cutting implement may have at least one cutting surface thereon and at least one ultrasonic portion thereon and be selectively rotatable within a hollow sheath. The methods may include rotating or rotatably oscillating the cutting implement within the hollow sheath for tissue cutting purposes. The cutting implement may also be retained in a position wherein the ultrasonic portion of the cutting implement may be applied to tissue and then have ultrasonic motion applied thereto.

Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to an ultrasonic surgical instrument that comprises a handpiece housing that rotatably supports an ultrasonic transducer assembly therein that may be selectively rotated by various motor configurations. Various slip ring arrangements are disclosed for supplying ultrasonic electrical signals and motor drive signals from a control system. Various forms of blade and cutting implements are disclosed for attachment to the ultrasonic transducer assembly such that such implements may be selectively rotatable within a hollow outer sheath. Vacuum may be applied to the cutting implement or through the outer sheath to draw tissue through an opening in the sheath and into contact with the cutting implement.

Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to ultrasonic surgical instruments that may be used in aqueous environments. The instruments may include cutting a member that is supported within a hollow sheath. Various seal arrangements are disclosed for establishing a substantially fluid-tight seal between the cutting member and the sheath.

Abstract: An ultrasonic clamp coagulator assembly that is configured to permit selective cutting, coagulation and clamping of tissue during surgical procedures. An elongated portion of the instrument can be configured for endoscopic applications and has an outside diameter of less than 6 mm. The construction includes a clamping mechanism, including a clamp arm pivotally mounted at the distal portion of the instrument, which is specifically configured to create a desired level of tissue clamping forces, exceeding 4 pounds when the trigger is fully closed. The clamping mechanism includes a two-piece pad design and pad material that enables the higher tissue clamping forces and a force-limiting mechanism that effectively smooths out abusive tissue forces. The assembly also features hand activation configured to provide an ergonomical grip and operation for the surgeon. Hand switches are placed in the range of the natural swing of the surgeon's thumb, whether gripping the surgical instrument right-handed or left handed.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a transducer configured to produce vibrations at a predetermined frequency. The transducer is configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency. An ultrasonic blade extends along the longitudinal axis and is coupled to the transducer. The ultrasonic blade includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end is movable relative to the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer. The body includes a treatment region that extends from the proximal end to the distal end. The body includes a substantially flat broad top surface, a bottom surface, and a neck portion protruding from the proximal end adapted to couple to the transducer.

Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a head in which a plurality of staples are stored. The head includes a facing surface. The stapler also includes an anvil having an anvil surface shaped and dimensioned for forming the staples upon actuation of the surgical stapler, the anvil including a facing surface opposed to the facing surface of the head for mating engagement therewith. The facing surface of the head is obliquely oriented relative to a longitudinal axis of the head creating an elliptical staple line when the head is brought into contact with anvil during actuation of the surgical stapler.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument that is configured to permit selective positioning of the relative distance between an end effector for cutting and coagulating tissue and a power actuation switch that is carried by the instrument for selectively energizing the end effector. In one instance, the end effector is able to change position relative to the actuation switch, alternatively, the actuation switch moves relative to the end effector, and still further, both the end effector and the actuation switch are capable of moving relative to each other.

Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a head in which a plurality of staples are stored. The head includes a facing surface. The stapler also includes an anvil having an anvil surface shaped and dimensioned for forming the staples upon actuation of the surgical stapler, the anvil including a facing surface opposed to the facing surface of the head for mating engagement therewith. The facing surface of the head is obliquely oriented relative to a longitudinal axis of the head creating an elliptical staple line when the head is brought into contact with anvil during actuation of the surgical stapler.

Abstract: An ultrasonic clamp coagulator assembly that is configured to permit selective cutting, coagulation and clamping of tissue during surgical procedures. An elongated portion of the instrument can be configured for endoscopic applications and has an outside diameter of less than 6 mm. The construction includes a clamping mechanism, including a clamp arm pivotally mounted at the distal portion of the instrument, which is specifically configured to create a desired level of tissue clamping forces, exceeding 4 pounds when the trigger is fully closed. The clamping mechanism includes a two-piece pad design and pad material that enables the higher tissue clamping forces and a force-limiting mechanism that effectively smooths out abusive tissue forces. The assembly also features hand activation configured to provide an ergonomical grip and operation for the surgeon. Hand switches are placed in the range of the natural swing of the surgeon's thumb, whether gripping the surgical instrument right-handed or left handed.

Abstract: An ultrasonic clamp coagulator assembly that is configured to permit selective cutting, coagulation and clamping of tissue during surgical procedures. An elongated portion of the instrument can be configured for endoscopic applications and has an outside diameter of less than 6 mm. The construction includes a clamping mechanism, including a clamp arm pivotally mounted at the distal portion of the instrument, which is specifically configured to create a desired level of tissue clamping forces, exceeding 4 pounds when the trigger is fully closed. The clamping mechanism includes a two-piece pad design and pad material that enables the higher tissue clamping forces and a force-limiting mechanism that effectively smooths out abusive tissue forces. The assembly also features hand activation configured to provide an ergonomical grip and operation for the surgeon. Hand switches are placed in the range of the natural swing of the surgeon's thumb, whether gripping the surgical instrument right-handed or left handed.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument comprises a frame having a body portion and a handle. A staple fastening assembly is provided in the distal region of the instrument and includes a cartridge device, which comprises at least one closed row (10, 12) of staples, and an anvil. The anvil is movable relative to the cartridge device and is adapted to cooperate with the cartridge device for forming the ends of the staples exiting from the cartridge device. A knife, which has a closed cutting edge, is contained within the cartridge device and is positioned such that there is at least one closed row (10, 12) of staples on the outside of the cutting edge. It can be moved towards the anvil. The line along which the closed row (10, 12) of staples is arranged has a stepped shape, leaving a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the staple fastening assembly, such that this line has a larger total length than the projection of this line onto this plane.