Abstract: A surgical end effector assembly is disclosed. The surgical end effector assembly comprises a shaft, an end effector comprising a first jaw and a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw, and an articulation joint attaching the end effector to the shaft, wherein the articulation joint defines an articulation axis about which said end effector is articulatable relative to the shaft. The articulation joint comprises a first rotary drive member rotatable about the articulation axis and a second rotary drive member rotatable about the articulation axis, wherein the first rotary drive member and the second rotary drive member are rotatable in the same direction to articulate the end effector about the articulation axis. The surgical end effector assembly further comprises a jaw drive output cooperatively driven by the first rotary drive member and the second rotary drive member configured to clamp and unclamp tissue with the second jaw.

Abstract: A method of replacing a consumable of a surgical tool includes securing the surgical tool, which includes a drive housing, a shaft extending from the drive housing, an end effector arranged at a distal end of the shaft and including opposing upper and lower jaws, a wrist interposing the shaft and the end effector, and a knife assembly including a knife arranged at the end effector and first and second drive members extending to the drive housing. The method includes uncoupling the end effector from the wrist, moving the end effector distally from the wrist while the wrist remains intact, removing the knife assembly from the end effector, and thereby entirely separating the end effector from proximal portions of the surgical tool, replacing the consumable of the surgical tool, reconnecting the knife assembly to the surgical tool, and re-coupling the end effector to the wrist.

Abstract: A surgical instrument designed to operate with a robotic platform is disclosed. The surgical instrument assembly includes a shaft, an end effector, a knife firing subsystem to actuate functions of the end effector, an articulation subsystem that is actuatable to articulate the end effector, an articulation joint about which the end effector articulates, a roll subsystem to roll the shaft, and a housing that couples to the robotic platform. The articulation subsystem includes an articulation joint that has a plurality of concentric discs and a center beam assembly. A distal end of the center beam assembly couples the plurality of concentric discs to the end effector. The proximal end of the center beam assembly couples the plurality of concentric discs to the shaft.

Abstract: A surgical instrument designed to operate with a robotic platform is disclosed. The surgical instrument assembly includes a shaft, an end effector, a knife firing subsystem to actuate functions of the end effector, an articulation subsystem that is actuatable to articulate the end effector, an articulation joint about which the end effector articulates, a roll subsystem to roll the shaft, and a housing that couples to the robotic platform. The roll subsystem can include a shaft assembly and a shaft roll puck assembly. The shaft assembly includes a rotatable outer shaft and an inner shaft. The shaft roll puck assembly engages the housing and includes a shaft roll puck and first and second screw gears. Rotation of the shaft roll puck rotates the first screw gear, which rotates the second screw gear, which rotates the rotatable outer shaft.

Abstract: A surgical instrument designed to operate with a robotic platform is disclosed. The surgical instrument assembly includes a shaft, an end effector, a knife firing subsystem to actuate functions of the end effector, an articulation subsystem that is actuatable to articulate the end effector, an articulation joint about which the end effector articulates, a roll subsystem to roll the shaft, and a housing that couples to the robotic platform.

Abstract: A surgical instrument designed to operate with a robotic platform is disclosed. The surgical instrument assembly includes a shaft, an end effector, a knife firing subsystem to actuate functions of the end effector, an articulation subsystem that is actuatable to articulate the end effector, an articulation joint about which the end effector articulates, a roll subsystem to roll the shaft, and a housing that couples to the robotic platform.

Abstract: A surgical instrument designed to operate with a robotic platform is disclosed. The surgical instrument assembly includes a shaft, an end effector, a knife firing subsystem to actuate functions of the end effector, an articulation subsystem that is actuatable to articulate the end effector, an articulation joint about which the end effector articulates, a roll subsystem to roll the shaft, and a housing that couples to the robotic platform. A maypole tube is further provided, around which one or more articulation cables can wrap when the end effector is rotated.

Abstract: A method of replacing a consumable of a surgical tool includes securing the surgical tool, which includes a drive housing, a shaft extending from the drive housing, an end effector arranged at a distal end of the shaft and including opposing upper and lower jaws, a wrist interposing the shaft and the end effector, and a knife assembly including a knife arranged at the end effector and first and second drive members extending to the drive housing. The method includes uncoupling the end effector from the wrist, moving the end effector distally from the wrist while the wrist remains intact, removing the knife assembly from the end effector, and thereby entirely separating the end effector from proximal portions of the surgical tool, replacing the consumable of the surgical tool, reconnecting the knife assembly to the surgical tool, and re-coupling the end effector to the wrist.

Abstract: Surgical instruments that include an articulation joint that is a configured to establish an upper pathway and a lower pathway through the articulation joint. The upper pathway and the lower pathway are parallel to each other when the surgical instrument is in an unarticulated position and the upper pathway and the lower pathway are concentric to each other when the surgical instrument is articulated. An upper flexible firing assembly slidably extends through the upper pathway and a lower flexible firing assembly slidably extends through the lower pathway. The upper and lower flexible firing assemblies interface with a firing member and a differential drive assembly configured to apply axial drive motions to the upper flexible firing assembly and the lower flexible firing assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a robotic surgical tool, comprising an end effector, an elongate shaft, and an articulation joint. The articulation joint comprises a pivot plate attached to the end effector, a fixed plate attached to the elongate shaft, and a spherical joint coupled to the pivot plate and the fixed plate. The robotic surgical tool further comprises an articulation drive system. The articulation drive system comprises a first rod, a second rod, a third rod, and a fourth rod that extend through the elongate shaft, a first mechanical link pivotably coupled to the first rod and to the pivot plate, a second mechanical link pivotably coupled to the second rod and to the pivot plate, a third mechanical link pivotably coupled to the third rod and to the pivot plate, and a fourth mechanical link pivotably coupled to the fourth rod and to the pivot plate.

Abstract: Surgical instruments that include an articulation joint that is a configured to establish an upper pathway and a lower pathway through the articulation joint. The upper pathway and the lower pathway are parallel to each other when the surgical instrument is in an unarticulated position and the upper pathway and the lower pathway are concentric to each other when the surgical instrument is articulated. An upper flexible firing assembly slidably extends through the upper pathway and a lower flexible firing assembly slidably extends through the lower pathway. The upper and lower flexible firing assemblies interface with a firing member and a differential drive assembly configured to apply axial drive motions to the upper flexible firing assembly and the lower flexible firing assembly.

Abstract: A method of operating an articulatable surgical instrument. The method includes providing a rotary drive motion to a rotary drive member of a surgical end effector and converting the rotary drive motion to an upper axial motion and a lower axial motion at locations that are distal to the articulation joint. The method further includes applying the upper axial motion to an upper portion of a firing member and applying the lower axial motion to a lower portion of the firing member such that the upper axial motion and lower axial motion drives the firing member distally through the surgical end effector from a starting position to an ending position.

Abstract: A method of operating an articulatable surgical instrument. The method includes providing a rotary drive motion to a rotary drive member of a surgical end effector and converting the rotary drive motion to an upper axial motion and a lower axial motion at locations that are distal to the articulation joint. The method further includes applying the upper axial motion to an upper portion of a firing member and applying the lower axial motion to a lower portion of the firing member such that the upper axial motion and lower axial motion drives the firing member distally through the surgical end effector from a starting position to an ending position.

Abstract: A surgical end effector assembly is disclosed. The surgical end effector assembly comprises a shaft, an end effector comprising a first jaw and a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw, and an articulation joint attaching the end effector to the shaft, wherein the articulation joint defines an articulation axis about which said end effector is articulatable relative to the shaft. The articulation joint comprises a first rotary drive member rotatable about the articulation axis and a second rotary drive member rotatable about the articulation axis, wherein the first rotary drive member and the second rotary drive member are rotatable in the same direction to articulate the end effector about the articulation axis. The surgical end effector assembly further comprises a jaw drive output cooperatively driven by the first rotary drive member and the second rotary drive member configured to clamp and unclamp tissue with the second jaw.

Abstract: Disclosed is a robotic surgical tool, comprising an end effector, an elongate shaft, and an articulation joint. The articulation joint comprises a pivot plate attached to the end effector, a fixed plate attached to the elongate shaft, and a spherical joint coupled to the pivot plate and the fixed plate. The robotic surgical tool further comprises an articulation drive system. The articulation drive system comprises a first rod, a second rod, a third rod, and a fourth rod that extend through the elongate shaft, a first mechanical link pivotably coupled to the first rod and to the pivot plate, a second mechanical link pivotably coupled to the second rod and to the pivot plate, a third mechanical link pivotably coupled to the third rod and to the pivot plate, and a fourth mechanical link pivotably coupled to the fourth rod and to the pivot plate.

Abstract: Surgical instruments that include an articulation joint that is a configured to establish an upper pathway and a lower pathway through the articulation joint. The upper pathway and the lower pathway are parallel to each other when the surgical instrument is in an unarticulated position and the upper pathway and the lower pathway are concentric to each other when the surgical instrument is articulated. An upper flexible firing assembly slidably extends through the upper pathway and a lower flexible firing assembly slidably extends through the lower pathway. The upper and lower flexible firing assemblies interface with a firing member and a differential drive assembly configured to apply axial drive motions to the upper flexible firing assembly and the lower flexible firing assembly.

Abstract: A method of operating an articulatable surgical instrument. The method includes providing a rotary drive motion to a rotary drive member of a surgical end effector and converting the rotary drive motion to an upper axial motion and a lower axial motion at locations that are distal to the articulation joint. The method further includes applying the upper axial motion to an upper portion of a firing member and applying the lower axial motion to a lower portion of the firing member such that the upper axial motion and lower axial motion drives the firing member distally through the surgical end effector from a starting position to an ending position.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a vehicle that may be propelled via a primary axle and a secondary axle. In one example, a propulsion source of a secondary axle may be decoupled from at least one wheel via a dog clutch that includes teeth. The dog clutch may be disengaged in a way that reduces driveline noise and may reduce a possibility of driveline degradation.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a vehicle that includes a torque vectoring electric machine. In one example, torque output of a torque vectoring electric machine is adjusted to reduce driveline torque disturbances when the torque vectoring electric machine is activated. The torque output is adjusted in response to a speed difference between a wheel speed and a speed of the torque vectoring electric machine.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating a vehicle during operating conditions where wheel slip may occur. In one example, a torque vectoring electric machine torque output is adjusted to direct propulsion torque from one wheel to a different wheel. Additionally, the propulsive torque is adjusted responsive to a driver demand wheel torque.