Abstract: An end effector assembly of a surgical instrument includes an ultrasonic blade. A jaw member is movable relative to the ultrasonic blade from a spaced-apart position to an approximated position. The jaw member includes a structural body. The structural body defines a first side facing the ultrasonic blade and a second side facing away from the ultrasonic blade. A jaw liner is engaged with the first side of the structural body such that the jaw liner contacts the ultrasonic blade when the jaw member is in the approximated position. An electrode is engaged with the second side of the structural body. The electrode is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy. The electrode defines a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the electrode is in contact with the structural body and the second portion of the electrode tapers to a pointed edge.

Abstract: A surgical system includes an ultrasonic blade operably coupled to an ultrasonic transducer, a jaw member pivotable relative to the blade for clamping tissue between the blade and the jaw member, and at least one controller. A portion of the jaw member is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy at a first potential and another portion of the jaw member or the blade is adapted to connect to the source of electrosurgical energy at a second potential to conduct electrosurgical energy therebetween and through the clamped tissue. The blade is configured to transmit ultrasonic energy to the tissue clamped between the blade and the jaw member. The at least one controller is configured to monitor a resonant frequency associated with the ultrasonic energy and to monitor an impedance of the clamped tissue associated with the electrosurgical energy and to determine whether an adverse condition exists based thereon.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument (10) includes a housing (112) having an elongated shaft (150) extending therefrom with an ultrasonic transducer (140) disposed therein. The ultrasonic transducer (140) is operably coupled to a waveguide (154). An ultrasonic blade (162) made from a first metal is operably coupled to the waveguide (154) and extends therefrom. The ultrasonic blade (162) is configured to vibrate upon activation of the ultrasonic transducer (140) to treat tissue. A second, dissimilar metal (500) is disposed on the ultrasonic blade. A thermocouple (600) is formed by a first electrical lead (520) extending from a reference junction (153) and a second electrical lead (510) coupled to the second, dissimilar metal (500). The thermocouple (600) is configured to detect a temperature difference between reference junction (153) and the portion of the blade (162) supporting the second, dissimilar metal (500).

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical system includes an ultrasonic transducer configured to receive an electrical drive signal and produce ultrasonic mechanical motion that is output along an ultrasonic horn of the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic horn defines a transverse cam slot. A blade extends from the ultrasonic horn. The blade receives the ultrasonic mechanical motion from the ultrasonic horn for treating tissue. A jaw member is movable relative to the blade between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for clamping tissue. A cam pin is slidably disposed in the cam slot and is operably coupled to the jaw member. Slidably advancing the cam pin in the cam slot actuates the jaw member between the spaced-apart position and the approximated position.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a housing, an elongated shaft extending distally from the housing, an end effector extending distally from the elongated shaft, and a transducer assembly disposed at least partially within the elongated shaft. The end effector includes a jaw and an ultrasonic blade. The jaw is configured to pivot relative to the ultrasonic blade from an open position to a clamping position for clamping tissue therebetween. The transducer assembly is distally-spaced from the housing and includes proximal and distal transducers interconnected by a connector. The ultrasonic blade is connected to the distal transducer such that ultrasonic energy produced by the proximal transducer is transmitted along the connector and the distal transducer to the ultrasonic blade and such that ultrasonic energy produced by the distal transducer is transmitted to the ultrasonic blade.

Abstract: A surgical system includes an ultrasonic generator configured to provide an ultrasonic drive signal, an ultrasonic transducer coupled to the ultrasonic generator to receive the drive signal and produce mechanical ultrasonic energy, an electrosurgical generator configured to output three-phase RF energy, and an end effector assembly. The end effector assembly includes an ultrasonic blade coupled to the transducer to supply the mechanical ultrasonic energy to tissue to treat tissue. At least a portion of the ultrasonic blade defines a first electrode; second and third electrodes are also provided. The first and second electrodes, the first and third electrodes, and the second and third electrodes are electrically coupled to the electrosurgical generator and configured to conduct the first, second, and third phases, respectively, of the three-phase RF energy therebetween and through tissue to at least one of treat or interrogate tissue.

Abstract: An end effector assembly of an ultrasonic surgical instrument includes an ultrasonic blade configured to mechanically couple to an ultrasonic transducer configured to transmit ultrasonic vibration energy to the ultrasonic blade and a jaw member movable relative to the ultrasonic blade from a spaced-apart position to an approximated position for clamping tissue therebetween. The jaw member includes a structural body and a jaw liner engaged with the structural body. The jaw liner defines a tissue contacting surface positioned to oppose the ultrasonic blade in the approximated position, and includes a wear indicator disposed within the jaw liner and configured to provide an alert indicating that the jaw liner is worn beyond a pre-determined threshold.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for treating tissue includes an articulating elongated shaft (14), a drive shaft (124) extending through the elongated shaft and configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis defined by the drive shaft, and an end effector assembly (100) coupled to a distal end portion of the elongated shaft. The end effector assembly includes a jaw member (110) and a blade member (112) configured to oscillate in response to a rotation of the drive shaft (124) to treat tissue disposed between the jaw member and the blade member.

Abstract: A method for treating tissue includes determining whether tissue is present between first and second jaw members. In a case where it is determined that tissue is present between the first and second jaw members, the method further includes determining whether activation has been initiated. In a case where it is determined that activation has been initiated, the method further includes supplying electrosurgical energy to the first and second jaw members to seal the tissue and, if it is determined that sealing is complete: stopping the supply of electrosurgical energy; activating a thermal cutting element to supply thermal energy to cut the sealed present tissue; determining if thermal cutting is complete; and, in a case where it is determined that the thermal cutting is complete, stopping and the supply of thermal energy.

Abstract: A surgical system includes an elongated assembly and an articulation joint defined in the elongated assembly. The elongated assembly articulates about the articulation joint. The articulation joint defines a central axis and a distal side portion. An offsetting member extends from the distal side portion of the articulation joint. An end effector is supported by the offsetting member. The end effector includes a blade and a jaw member movable relative to the blade between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for clamping tissue. The offsetting member offsets the end effector with respect to the central axis of the articulation joint. An actuation cable extends through the central axis of the articulation joint. The actuation cable is operably coupled to the jaw member to pivot the jaw member with respect to the blade between the spaced-apart position and the approximated position.

Abstract: A combination ultrasonic and electrosurgical surgical instrument includes a housing having an ultrasonic transducer disposed within the housing and a wave guide configured to support an ultrasonic blade operably coupled to the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic blade is configured to receive ultrasonic energy produced by the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic blade is tapered along both a vertical axis and a horizontal axis defined therealong and defines an elongated edge on an upper surface thereof terminating at a spatula-like distal end. The elongated edge and side of the spatula-like distal end are coated with an electrically conductive material and are both adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that activation of the electrosurgical energy source and the ultrasonic transducer treat tissue with both electrosurgical energy and ultrasonic energy.

Abstract: An end effector assembly of an ultrasonic surgical instrument includes an ultrasonic blade configured to mechanically couple to an ultrasonic transducer configured to transmit ultrasonic vibration energy to the ultrasonic blade and a jaw member movable relative to the ultrasonic blade from a spaced-apart position to an approximated position for clamping tissue therebetween. The jaw member includes a structural body and a jaw liner engaged with the structural body. The jaw liner defines a tissue contacting surface positioned to oppose the ultrasonic blade in the approximated position, and includes a wear indicator disposed within the jaw liner and configured to provide an alert indicating that the jaw liner is worn beyond a pre-determined threshold.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical system includes a waveguide defining first and second longitudinal lumens extending through at least a portion of a length of the waveguide. A distal transverse lumen is defined within the waveguide transversely through at least a portion of the waveguide to intersect and interconnect the first and second longitudinal lumens. First and second proximal transverse lumens extend from first and second proximal transverse apertures within the waveguide transversely through portions of the waveguide to intersect the first and second longitudinal lumens, respectively. Inflow and outflow conduits are fluidly coupled with the first and second proximal transverse apertures, respectively, to enable the inflow of fluid into the first longitudinal lumen and the outflow of fluid from the second longitudinal lumen, respectively.

Abstract: An articulating ultrasonic surgical end effector for use with a hand-held surgical instrument or a robotic surgical system includes an articulation assembly, a clevis operably coupled to the articulation assembly, and a transducer assembly pivotably coupled to the clevis. The transducer assembly includes a transducer housing and an ultrasonic transducer and a waveguide disposed within the transducer housing. The waveguide is coupled to the ultrasonic transducer and extends distally from the ultrasonic transducer. The transducer assembly also includes an ultrasonic blade disposed at the distal end of the waveguide and extending from the transducer housing and a clamp arm pivotably coupled to the transducer housing and movable relative to the ultrasonic blade between an open position and a clamping position. Ultrasonic energy produced by the ultrasonic transducer is transmitted along the waveguide to the ultrasonic blade for treating tissue.

Abstract: A method for treating tissue includes determining whether tissue is present between first and second jaw members. In a case where it is determined that tissue is present between the first and second jaw members, the method further includes determining whether activation has been initiated. In a case where it is determined that activation has been initiated, the method further includes supplying electrosurgical energy to the first and second jaw members to seal the tissue and, if it is determined that sealing is complete: stopping the supply of electrosurgical energy; activating a thermal cutting element to supply thermal energy to cut the sealed present tissue; determining if thermal cutting is complete; and, in a case where it is determined that the thermal cutting is complete, stopping and the supply of thermal energy.

Abstract: A surgical robotic system includes an instrument, at least one sensor, a processor, and a memory. The instrument includes an end effector and a plurality of cables. The at least one sensor detects a vibration signature produced by the plurality of cables.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a cordless surgical instrument configured to obtain information regarding preparation of the cordless surgical instrument for use and/or information regarding at least one replaceable component of the cordless surgical instrument. The surgical system further includes a communication hub configured to wirelessly connect to the cordless surgical instrument to receive the information therefrom. The communication hub is configured to instruct. based at least on the information. a connected device to provide an output relating to the preparation of the cordless surgical instrument for use or the replacement of the at least one replaceable component.

Abstract: An articulating ultrasonic surgical end effector for use with a hand-held surgical instrument or a robotic surgical system includes an articulation assembly, a clevis operably coupled to the articulation assembly, and a transducer assembly pivotably coupled to the clevis. The transducer assembly includes a transducer housing and an ultrasonic transducer and a waveguide disposed within the transducer housing. The waveguide is coupled to the ultrasonic transducer and extends distally from the ultrasonic transducer. The transducer assembly also includes an ultrasonic blade disposed at the distal end of the waveguide and extending from the transducer housing and a clamp arm pivotably coupled to the transducer housing and movable relative to the ultrasonic blade between an open position and a clamping position. Ultrasonic energy produced by the ultrasonic transducer is transmitted along the waveguide to the ultrasonic blade for treating tissue.

Abstract: An end effector for use with a robotic system includes a proximal hub having a first upright support opposing a second upright support, a distal hub having a first upright support and a second upright support and pivotally coupled to the proximal hub about a first pivot axis, a first jaw member, a second jaw member, a first idler pulley, and a second idler pulley. The first and second jaw members are pivotally coupled to the first and second upright supports of the distal hub about a second pivot axis. First and second cable sets are configured to extend around the first and second idler pulleys and the first and second jaw members to rotate the first and second jaw members. The distal hub, the first idler pulley, and the second idler pulley are angled to produce fleet angles of about zero degrees.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing having an elongated body extending distally therefrom. The elongated body defines a first articulating portion and a second articulating portion. The elongated body defines a lumen therein. An end effector is supported at a distal end portion of the elongated body. A flexible waveguide extends through the lumen of the elongated body. A proximal end portion of the flexible waveguide connects to an ultrasonic transducer. A distal end portion of the flexible waveguide is connected with the end effector, the flexible waveguide defines a first articulating portion having a narrower thickness than a thickness of other portions of the flexible waveguide and a second articulating portion having a narrower thickness than a thickness of other portions of the flexible waveguide.