Abstract: A surgical tool including a lockout mechanism is provided. The surgical tool may include an instrument mounting portion including a shaft assembly coupled to and extending distally from the instrument mounting portion and an end effector including a reciprocatable element coupled to a distal end of the shaft assembly. The surgical tool may further include an energy source configured to deliver energy to the end effector and an actuation mechanism configured to actuate the end effector. The actuation mechanism may be configured to reciprocate the reciprocatable element of the end effector. The lockout mechanism may be operably interfaced with the actuation mechanism to control reciprocating movement of the reciprocatable element.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein are directed to surgical instruments with visual feedback. In one embodiment, a surgical instrument with visual feedback comprises an end effector. The end effector has a first jaw member and a second jaw member. At least one sensor is coupled to the end effector. The at least one sensor is configured convert at least one state of the end effector to a feedback signal. The feedback signal is corresponding to the at least one state of the end effector. The feedback signal may be transmitted to a display to render a visual representation of the at least one state of the end effector. The surgical instrument may further comprise an instrument mounting portion to mount to a robotic surgical system. The instrument mounting portion comprises an interface to mechanically and electrically interface to the surgical instrument.

Abstract: Methods and devices for allowing articulation of an end effector on a surgical instrument are provided. In one embodiment, a surgical device can include a flexible neck portion having an end effector coupled to a distal end thereof. The flexible neck portion is configured to bend to as to allow the end effector to articulate. The flexible neck portion can include a monolithic flexible outer shell defining an inner lumen extending therethrough. At least one flexible divider can be disposed within the inner lumen such that it separates the outer shell into elongate pathways configured to receive articulation members extending through the shaft assembly and the flexible neck and coupled to the end effector to cause articulating movement thereof.

Abstract: A robotic surgical system comprising a surgical instrument comprising an end effector comprising (i) a blade, (ii) a first jaw member including a first electrode, and (iii) a second jaw member including a second electrode. The robotic surgical system may also comprise a motor and a control circuit configured to: (i) produce control signals comprising a first control signal and a second control signal, (ii) deliver an electrosurgical energy signal to the first electrode and the second electrode via the first control signal, (iii) deliver a drive signal to the motor via the second control signal (iv) receive at least one feedback signal, (v) determine a rate of change based on a first feedback signal of the at least one feedback signal, and (vi) maintain the rate of change at a predetermined rate or within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A surgical tool including a lockout mechanism is provided. The surgical tool may include an instrument mounting portion including a shaft assembly coupled to and extending distally from the instrument mounting portion and an end effector including a reciprocatable element coupled to a distal end of the shaft assembly. The surgical tool may further include an energy source configured to deliver energy to the end effector and an actuation mechanism configured to actuate the end effector. The actuation mechanism may be configured to reciprocate the reciprocatable element of the end effector. The lockout mechanism may be operably interfaced with the actuation mechanism to control reciprocating movement of the reciprocatable element.

Abstract: Methods and devices for allowing articulation of an end effector on a surgical instrument are provided. In one embodiment, a surgical device can include a flexible neck portion having an end effector coupled to a distal end thereof. The flexible neck portion is configured to bend to as to allow the end effector to articulate. The flexible neck portion can include a monolithic flexible outer shell defining an inner lumen extending therethrough. At least one flexible divider can be disposed within the inner lumen such that it separates the outer shell into elongate pathways configured to receive articulation members extending through the shaft assembly and the flexible neck and coupled to the end effector to cause articulating movement thereof.

Abstract: A robotic surgical system comprising a surgical instrument comprising an end effector comprising (i) a blade, (ii) a first jaw member including a first electrode, and (iii) a second jaw member including a second electrode. The robotic surgical system may also comprise a motor and a control circuit configured to: (i) produce control signals comprising a first control signal and a second control signal, (ii) deliver an electrosurgical energy signal to the first electrode and the second electrode via the first control signal, (iii) deliver a drive signal to the motor via the second control signal (iv) receive at least one feedback signal, (v) determine a rate of change based on a first feedback signal of the at least one feedback signal, and (vi) maintain the rate of change at a predetermined rate or within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A robotically controlled surgical tool including a lockout mechanism is provided. The surgical tool may comprise an instrument mounting portion. The instrument mounting portion includes a housing, a plate, a shaft assembly comprising an end effector, and a coupler to couple the shaft assembly to the instrument mounting portion. The end effector comprises a first jaw member and a second jaw member, the first and second jaw members defining a channel therebetween, and a blade slideably receivable within the channel to cut tissue located between the first and second jaw members. The surgical tool may include an actuation mechanism to actuate the end effector to provide reciprocating movement of the blade within the channel. A lockout mechanism is coupled to the actuation mechanism. The lockout mechanism may selectively enable reciprocating movement of the blade. An interface mechanically and electrically couples the instrument mounting portion to a robotic manipulator.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes a housing, an RF generation circuit activation button coupled to an activation button lever supported by the housing. The activation button lever includes a top surface, the activation button lever rotatable about an activation button pivot point. A cutting blade is operably coupled to a sheath. A control lever is supported by the housing and pivotally coupled to a trigger lever including a projection to engage the top surface of the activation button lever and to control the actuation of the cutting blade by actuating the sheath in a distal direction by rotatably moving the control lever proximally about a trigger pivot point. The top surface of the activation button lever and the projection of the trigger lever remain engaged to prevent actuation of the cutting blade until the activation button is fully rotatably moved proximally about the activation button pivot.

Abstract: Various example embodiments are directed towards a system and method for closed feedback control of a robotically controlled electrosurgical instrument. In one embodiment, the method comprises applying at least one electrosurgical signal to an electrosurgical end effector a robotically controlled surgical instrument. A feedback signal may be generated by the electrosurgical end effector and provided to a control logic. The control logic may be configured to determine a rate of change of the impedance of a target tissue based on the feedback signal received from the electrosurgical end effector. The control logic may be configured to control or modify the at least one electrosurgical signal such that the rate of change of impedance determined from the feedback signal is maintained at a predetermined rate or within a predetermined range.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein are directed to surgical instruments with visual feedback. In one embodiment, a surgical instrument with visual feedback comprises an end effector. The end effector has a first jaw member and a second jaw member. At least one sensor is coupled to the end effector. The at least one sensor is configured convert at least one state of the end effector to a feedback signal. The feedback signal is corresponding to the at least one state of the end effector. The feedback signal may be transmitted to a display to render a visual representation of the at least one state of the end effector. The surgical instrument may further comprise an instrument mounting portion to mount to a robotic surgical system. The instrument mounting portion comprises an interface to mechanically and electrically interface to the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A robotically controlled surgical tool comprising including a lockout mechanism is provided. The surgical tool may comprise an instrument mounting portion. The instrument mounting portion includes a housing, a plate, a shaft assembly comprising an end effector, and a coupler to couple the shaft assembly to the instrument mounting portion. The end effector comprises a first jaw member and a second jaw member, the first and second jaw members defining a channel therebetween, and a blade slideably receivable within the channel to cut tissue located between the first and second jaw members. The surgical tool may include an actuation mechanism to actuate the end effector to provide reciprocating movement of the blade within the channel. A lockout mechanism is coupled to the actuation mechanism. The lockout mechanism may selectively enable reciprocating movement of the blade. An interface mechanically and electrically couples the instrument mounting portion to a robotic manipulator.

Abstract: Various example embodiments are directed towards a system and method for closed feedback control of a robotically controlled electrosurgical instrument. In one embodiment, the method comprises applying at least one electrosurgical signal to an electrosurgical end effector a robotically controlled surgical instrument. A feedback signal may be generated by the electrosurgical end effector and provided to a control logic. The control logic may be configured to determine a rate of change of the impedance of a target tissue based on the feedback signal received from the electrosurgical end effector. The control logic may be configured to control or modify the at least one electrosurgical signal such that the rate of change of impedance determined from the feedback signal is maintained at a predetermined rate or within a predetermined range.

Abstract: An electronic lock box contains a secure compartment for storing keys to a structure. A linear actuator moves in one direction opening the door to the secure compartment, and moves in the opposite direction releasing a shackle that holds the lock box to the structure. A lock box system uses an encryption algorithm to diversify user PIN data at a central computer, and stores that diversified information on a memory card for later use when the user attempts to access a lock box. The central computer and electronic lock box both keep track of system “epoch time,” and the memory card must be presented to the electronic lock box within a correct epoch time window for the diversified PIN data to be successfully decrypted and compared to the user's PIN data that is entered on a keypad of the electronic lock box.