Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument that can be used in a robotic surgical system includes an end effector having an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm pivotally secured relative to the ultrasonic blade. A shaft assembly extends proximally from the end effector and includes a tube, an acoustic waveguide received within the tube, and a sheath positioned between the acoustic waveguide and the tube to damp acoustic vibrations from the acoustic waveguide toward the tube. At least one sensor is positioned on at least one of the end effector or the sheath to measure a force applied at the end effector or the sheath as a measured force, respectively, and thereby provide real-time feedback of a non-clamping force applied against one of the ultrasonic blade or the clamp arm.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a drive housing, a spline, a carriage, an elongate shaft assembly, an end effector, and an activating mechanism. The at least one spline includes a drive gear rotatable with the spline. The elongate shaft assembly extends from the carriage. The activating mechanism includes a barrel cam extending along a rotational axis and having a first cam profile radially extending about the rotational axis. The barrel cam is operatively coupled to the drive gear such that rotation of the drive gear is configured to actuate the activating mechanism to move at least a portion of the end effector. The first cam profile defines a plurality of slopes relative to the rotational axis such that the first cam profile is configured to drive movement of the end effector or the elongate shaft assembly at different rates according to the plurality of slopes.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument including an end effector having an ultrasonic blade, a shaft assembly that defines a longitudinal axis proximally extending from the end effector and an ultrasonic transducer assembly proximally extending from an acoustic waveguide in communication with the ultrasonic blade. The ultrasonic surgical instrument also includes a housing proximally projecting from the shaft assembly such that the ultrasonic transducer assembly is positioned within the housing and a carrier moveably supports the ultrasonic transducer assembly along the longitudinal axis. The carrier collectively moves the ultrasonic transducer assembly, the acoustic waveguide, and the end effector relative to the housing from a proximal, retracted position to a distal, extended position, for inserting the ultrasonic blade into a patient.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a shaft assembly, an end effector, and a clamp arm driver. The shaft assembly includes a shaft portion extending along a first longitudinal axis, an articulation assembly, a distal shaft portion, and an ultrasonic waveguide extending through the proximal shaft portion, the articulation assembly, and the distal shaft portion. The articulation section is configured to deflect the end effector toward and away from the first longitudinal axis between a straight and articulated configuration. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade defining a second longitudinal axis and a clamp arm configured to move between an open and closed configuration in order to grasp tissue. The clamp arm drive is configured to rotate the clamp arm relative to the ultrasonic blade about the second longitudinal axis and actuate the clamp arm between the open and closed configuration while the end effector is in the articulated configuration.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes an end effector having an ultrasonic blade, an ultrasonic transducer assembly, and a shaft assembly the shaft assembly includes a tube, an acoustic waveguide, and a sheath radially positioned between the acoustic waveguide and the tube. The acoustic waveguide is received within the tube and is acoustically connected between the ultrasonic blade and ultrasonic transducer assembly to communicate ultrasonic vibrations from the ultrasonic transducer assembly to the ultrasonic blade. The acoustic waveguide extends along a longitudinal axis. The sheath includes a sheath body having an outer body surface and a plurality of damping rings radially extending from the outer body surface and engaged with the tube. The plurality of damping rings are configured to acoustically isolate the acoustic waveguide from the tube.

Abstract: Integral chromatography unit having an inlet and an outlet, and comprising one or more membranes interposable in the internal volume of the unit between the inlet and outlet. In certain embodiments, each of the membranes is allotted adequate space within the unit to swell by the placement of one or more spacers. Fluid entering the unit through a fluid inlet passes the membrane(s) and spacer(s) prior to exiting the unit through a fluid outlet.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel and improved protein purification processes which incorporate certain types of carbonaceous materials and result in effective and selective removal of certain undesirable impurities without adversely affecting the yield of the desired protein product.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for coupling a ligand to a composite material. Covalent bonds are formed between functionalized composite materials and ligands as a ligand solution flows through or across the composite materials. The composite materials are useful as chromatographic separation media.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a drive housing, a spline, a carriage, an elongate shaft assembly, an end effector, and an activating mechanism. The at least one spline includes a drive gear rotatable with the spline. The elongate shaft assembly extends from the carriage. The activating mechanism includes a barrel cam extending along a rotational axis and having a first cam profile radially extending about the rotational axis. The barrel cam is operatively coupled to the drive gear such that rotation of the drive gear is configured to actuate the activating mechanism to move at least a portion of the end effector. The first cam profile defines a plurality of slopes relative to the rotational axis such that the first cam profile is configured to drive movement of the end effector or the elongate shaft assembly at different rates according to the plurality of slopes.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel and improved protein purification processes which incorporate certain types of carbonaceous materials and result in effective and selective removal of certain undesirable impurities without adversely effecting the yield of the desired protein product.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument that can be used in a robotic surgical system includes an end effector having an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm pivotally secured relative to the ultrasonic blade for clamping a tissue therebetween. A shaft assembly extends proximally from the end effector and includes a tube, an acoustic waveguide received within the tube, and a sheath positioned between the acoustic waveguide and the tube to damp acoustic vibrations from the acoustic waveguide toward the tube. At least one sensor is positioned on at least one of the end effector or the sheath to measure a force applied at the end effector or the sheath as a measured force, respectively, and thereby provide real-time feedback of a clamping force applied between the ultrasonic blade and the clamp arm.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes an end effector including an ultrasonic blade, an ultrasonic waveguide, an ultrasonic transducer assembly, and a carrier. The acoustic waveguide includes at least a proximal portion thereof extending along a longitudinal axis. The ultrasonic transducer assembly includes a fixation member and is operatively connected to the acoustic waveguide such that the acoustic waveguide is in acoustic communication with an ultrasonic transducer. The carrier has at least a portion thereof engaged with the fixation member of the ultrasonic transducer assembly thereby inhibiting movement of the ultrasonic transducer assembly relative to the carrier. The carrier movably supports the ultrasonic transducer assembly along the longitudinal axis such that the ultrasonic transducer assembly is configured to move from a proximal position on the longitudinal axis to a distal position on the longitudinal axis for inserting the ultrasonic blade into a patient.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a shaft assembly having a proximal shaft portion extending along a longitudinal axis and having an articulation section extending distally therefrom. The instrument also includes a waveguide including a flexible portion which extends at least partially through the articulation section. The instrument further includes an end effector arranged at a distal end of the shaft assembly. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade acoustically coupled with the waveguide and configured to be driven by the waveguide with ultrasonic energy. The articulation section is configured to selectively deflect the end effector relative to the longitudinal axis and through a first plane. The articulation section is further configured to selectively deflect the end effector relative to the longitudinal axis and through a second plane. The second plane is different from the first plane for multiplanar deflection of the end effector relative to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes an end effector with an ultrasonic blade, an acoustic waveguide, an ultrasonic transducer assembly, and a carrier. At least a proximal portion of the acoustic waveguide extends along a longitudinal axis. The ultrasonic transducer assembly is operatively coupled with the acoustic waveguide. The carrier is configured to translate the end effector. The carrier includes a carriage and a translation driver. The carriage movably supports the ultrasonic transducer assembly along the longitudinal axis. The translation driver is configured to translate the carriage and the ultrasonic transducer assembly along the longitudinal axis so that the ultrasonic transducer assembly moves from a proximal position along the longitudinal axis to a distal position along the longitudinal axis for inserting the ultrasonic blade into a patient.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector, a shaft assembly, a carrier, and a support structure. Shaft assembly extends proximally from the end effector. The shaft assembly defines a longitudinal axis. The carrier is configured to translate the end effector along the longitudinal axis. The carrier includes a carriage, an actuation driver, and an actuation assembly. The actuation driver is configured to rotate along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis. The actuation assembly is operatively coupled with the actuation driver and the carriage. The support structure includes a supporting portion. The supporting portion is configured to reduce torsional forces exerted on the carriage as the actuation assembly transfers the rotation of the actuation driver into translation of a portion of the shaft assembly to actuate the end effector.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument that can be used in a robotic surgical system includes an end effector having an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm pivotally secured relative to the ultrasonic blade. A shaft assembly extends proximally from the end effector and includes a tube, an acoustic waveguide received within the tube, and a sheath positioned between the acoustic waveguide and the tube to damp acoustic vibrations from the acoustic waveguide toward the tube. At least one sensor is positioned on at least one of the end effector or the sheath to measure a force applied at the end effector or the sheath as a measured force, respectively, and thereby provide real-time feedback of a non-clamping force applied against one of the ultrasonic blade or the clamp arm.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a shaft assembly, an end effector, and a clamp arm driver. The shaft assembly includes a shaft portion extending along a first longitudinal axis, an articulation assembly, a distal shaft portion, and an ultrasonic waveguide extending through the proximal shaft portion, the articulation assembly, and the distal shaft portion. The articulation section is configured to deflect the end effector toward and away from the first longitudinal axis between a straight and articulated configuration. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade defining a second longitudinal axis and a clamp arm configured to move between an open and closed configuration in order to grasp tissue. The clamp arm drive is configured to rotate the clamp arm relative to the ultrasonic blade about the second longitudinal axis and actuate the clamp arm between the open and closed configuration while the end effector is in the articulated configuration.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument including an end effector having an ultrasonic blade, a shaft assembly that defines a longitudinal axis proximally extending from the end effector and an ultrasonic transducer assembly proximally extending from an acoustic waveguide in communication with the ultrasonic blade. The ultrasonic surgical instrument also includes a housing proximally projecting from the shaft assembly such that the ultrasonic transducer assembly is positioned within the housing and a carrier moveably supports the ultrasonic transducer assembly along the longitudinal axis. The carrier collectively moves the ultrasonic transducer assembly, the acoustic waveguide, and the end effector relative to the housing from a proximal, retracted position to a distal, extended position, for inserting the ultrasonic blade into a patient.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector, a shaft assembly, an actuation driver, and an actuation assembly. The end effector includes first and second jaws. At least one of the first and second jaws is configured to move relative to the other of the first and second jaws to compress tissue therebetween. The shaft assembly extends proximally from the end effector. The shaft assembly includes a closure member extending along a longitudinal axis. The actuation driver is configured to configured to receive a motor output from a motor. The actuation assembly is operatively coupled with the actuation driver and the closure member. The actuation assembly includes a translating member configured to translate together with the closure member along the longitudinal axis a predetermined distance using the actuation driver such that the closure member applies a predetermined closure force to the first and second jaws corresponding to the predetermined distance.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes an end effector having an ultrasonic blade, an ultrasonic transducer assembly, and a shaft assembly the shaft assembly includes a tube, an acoustic waveguide, and a sheath radially positioned between the acoustic waveguide and the tube. The acoustic waveguide is received within the tube and is acoustically connected between the ultrasonic blade and ultrasonic transducer assembly to communicate ultrasonic vibrations from the ultrasonic transducer assembly to the ultrasonic blade. The acoustic waveguide extends along a longitudinal axis. The sheath includes a sheath body having an outer body surface and a plurality of damping rings radially extending from the outer body surface and engaged with the tube. The plurality of damping rings are configured to acoustically isolate the acoustic waveguide from the tube.