Abstract: An endoluminal robotic system includes at least one robotic arm that operates tools to perform suturing procedures. The tools may include at least one of a suture needle driver tool, an endoscope, and a grasping tool. Methods performed by the endoluminal robotic system include driving a suture needle through anterior and posterior sides of a defect using the suture needle driving tool, the end portion of which is rotated after passing through tissue, to form a desired suture pattern. Then, the two ends of the suture thread are pulled and tied together to form a knot. Methods performed by the endoluminal robotic system also include overlaying a suture needle path on an image captured by the endoscope and controlling the at least one robotic arm to operate the driving tool and the suture needle driver tool based on the overlaid suture needle path.

Abstract: A system facilitating planning of a surgical procedure includes one or more storage devices, one or more input devices, a processor, and a memory. The storage device(s) stores, for previous surgical procedures, surgical instrument information, procedure information, and patient information. The input device(s) is configured to receive procedure information and patient information corresponding to a surgical procedure to be performed. The memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to identify similar previous surgical procedures, identify outcome information for each of the similar previous surgical procedures, determine whether there is a correlation between the surgical instrument information of the similar previous surgical procedures and the outcome information of the similar previous surgical procedures, and, if a correlation is determined, output the correlation to facilitate planning of the surgical procedure to be performed.

Abstract: A power device is configured couple to an electrosurgical generator (410). The power device includes at least one connector (420, 422, 423, 510, 511), a rectifier (113), an energy storage device (115), and a bipolar energy controller (101). The at least one connector (420, 422, 423, 510, 511) is configured to couple to the electrosurgical generator (410) and receive electrosurgical energy. The rectifier (113) is configured to rectify at least a portion of the electrosurgical energy and provide rectified energy. The energy storage device (115) is configured to store at least a portion of the rectified energy. The bipolar energy controller (101) is configured to be powered by the energy storage device (115) and to control providing of an output bipolar energy.

Abstract: A system and method for a catheter in a luminal network including capturing images via an optical sensor, comparing the captured images to pre-operative images, identifying fiducials in the captured images that correspond to fiducials in the pre-operative images; and depicting the position of the catheter in a three-dimensional (3D) model or two-dimensional (2D) images derived from the pre-operative images.

Abstract: A method and system of correcting alignment of catheter relative to a target including receiving signals from an inertial measurement unit located at a distal end of a catheter, determining movement of the distal end of the catheter caused by physiological forces, receiving images depicting the distal end of the catheter and the target, identifying the distal end of the catheter and the target in the images, determining an orientation of the distal end of the catheter relative to the target and articulating the distal tip of the catheter in response to the detected movement to achieve and maintain an orientation towards the target such that a tool extended from an opening at the distal end of the catheter would intersect the target.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling the usage of devices with embedded RFID tags including connecting a device to an energy source and reading data from a memory device incorporated in the device. The data may include a unique identifier (UID), a usage value, an activation value, a reprocessing value, and/or a sterilization indicator. The usage value is incremented when the device is connected to the energy source and the activation value is incremented when the device is activated permitting energy to flow from the energy source to the device. Usage of the device is prevented if the UID is on a list of prohibited UIDs, the usage value is not lower than a usage limitation value, the reprocessing value equals a reprocessing limitation value, the activation value equals an activation limitation value, and/or the sterilization indicator does not indicate that the device has been sterilized since its previous usage.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a waveguide defining a blade at a distal end thereof and a lumen extending through a portion of the blade. The blade is configured to receive ultrasonic energy for treating tissue. The instrument further includes first and second conduits each defining a proximal end and a distal end. The second conduit is coaxially disposed about the first conduit. The distal ends of the first and second conduits extend into the lumen. The distal end of the first conduit extends further distally into the lumen than the distal end of the second conduit.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling the usage of devices with embedded RFID tags including connecting a device to an energy source and reading data from a memory device incorporated in the device. The data may include a unique identifier (UID), a usage value, an activation value, a reprocessing value, and/or a sterilization indicator. The usage value is incremented when the device is connected to the energy source and the activation value is incremented when the device is activated permitting energy to flow from the energy source to the device. Usage of the device is prevented if the UID is on a list of prohibited UIDs, the usage value is not lower than a usage limitation value, the reprocessing value equals a reprocessing limitation value, the activation value equals an activation limitation value, and/or the sterilization indicator does not indicate that the device has been sterilized since its previous usage.

Abstract: A method for a medical procedure is provided and includes obtaining data from sensors disposed in a medical instrument. The sensors include at least one first sensor configured to measure acceleration, at least one second sensor configured to measure rotation, and at least one third sensor configured to measure direction of movement. The method further includes correlating the data from the sensors with time and storing the correlated data and time. A medical system, a method for imaging a medical procedure, and a method of processing sensor measurements are also disclosed.

Abstract: A power device is configured couple to an electrosurgical generator (410). The power device includes at least one connector (420, 422, 423, 510, 511), a rectifier (113), an energy storage device (115), and a bipolar energy controller (101). The at least one connector (420, 422, 423, 510, 511) is configured to couple to the electrosurgical generator (410) and receive electrosurgical energy. The rectifier (113) is configured to rectify at least a portion of the electrosurgical energy and provide rectified energy. The energy storage device (115) is configured to store at least a portion of the rectified energy. The bipolar energy controller (101) is configured to be powered by the energy storage device (115) and to control providing of an output bipolar energy.

Abstract: Methods and surgical instruments are provided for determining a relative state of charge of a battery used during a surgical procedure. The surgical instrument includes an end effector configured to treat tissue with energy, and a user interface configured to receive an input. A generator is coupled to the end effector, and the battery communicates with the generator. A controller includes a processor and a memory having instructions stored thereon which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to detect an input at the user interface. In response to the detected input at the user interface, a discharge profile is matched to the detected input. The discharge profile corresponds to a discharge curve representing current discharge over time. A relative state of charge is then identified from the discharge curve based on usage of the surgical instrument during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: A dynamic bus communication apparatus for an electrosurgical system includes a data wire, a clock wire, a first variable resistor coupled to the data wire, a second variable resistor coupled to the clock wire, an analog to digital converter (ADC), and a controller. The data wire is configured to transmit a data signal between a battery and an instrument powered by the battery. The clock wire is configured to transmit a clock signal between a battery and an instrument. The ADC is configured to sample the data signal and the clock signal at a substantially higher frequency than a frequency of the clock signal. The controller is configured to control a resistance of the first variable resistor and a resistance of the second variable resistor based on the digitally sampled data signal and the digitally sampled clock signal.

Abstract: A localization tool for localizing and marking a nodule of a patient includes a magnetic portion for locating a magnetic fiducial marker disposed in or adjacent the nodule, and an electrocautery element for marking the nodule or tissue adjacent the nodule upon locating the magnetic fiducial marker.

Abstract: A method for localizing a nodule of a patient includes inserting a delivery tool into tissue of a patient, such as lung tissue, releasing the magnetic fiducial into or adjacent a nodule from the delivery tool, and locating the magnetic fiducial with a localization tool.

Abstract: A system is provided. The system includes an electrosurgical generator configured to measure, collect and record data pertaining to a characteristic of tissue as the tissue is being electrosurgically treated. A tuner configured to couple to the electrosurgical generator includes a tuning circuit providing a load having a variable complex impedance for the electrosurgical generator when the electrosurgical generator is connected thereto. A controller including stored data pertaining to impedance values is in operable communication with the electrosurgical generator for retrieving the recorded data pertaining to the characteristic of tissue. The controller is in operable communication with the tuner for varying a complex impedance of the load. The controller configured to compare the recorded data pertaining to the at least one characteristic of tissue with the stored data pertaining to the plurality of impedance values and to adjust the tuner to one of the plurality of impedance values.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for improving medical instruments and devices. One system includes a surgical instrument associated with an instrument identifier, and an electrosurgical generator operably coupled to the surgical instrument. The electrosurgical generator is associated with a generator identifier and is configured to receive and store data associated with an operating mode of the surgical instrument, receive data associated with the instrument identifier from the surgical instrument, generate a unique identifier based on a time and date at which the surgical instrument is operably coupled with the electrosurgical generator for the first time, the generator identifier of the electrosurgical generator, and the instrument identifier, and associate the unique identifier with the stored data associated with the operating mode of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a shaft defining an axis, an end effector coupled to a distal portion thereof, a fixed handle coupled to a proximal portion thereof, a drive bar, a movable handle, and a linkage. The drive bar is disposed within the shaft and operably coupled to the end effector. The movable handle is movable relative to the fixed handle between open and closed positions and is coupled to the drive bar via a first pin on the axis. The linkage includes a first end portion coupled to the movable handle via a second pin and a second end portion coupled to the shaft via a third pin on the axis. In the closed position of the movable handle, the second pin is disposed in a near-over-center position relative to the axis to reduce a force necessary to maintain the movable handle in the closed position.

Abstract: A dynamic bus communication apparatus for an electrosurgical system includes a data wire, a clock wire, a first variable resistor coupled to the data wire, a second variable resistor coupled to the clock wire, an analog to digital converter (ADC), and a controller. The data wire is configured to transmit a data signal between a battery and an instrument powered by the battery. The clock wire is configured to transmit a clock signal between a battery and an instrument. The ADC is configured to sample the data signal and the clock signal at a substantially higher frequency than a frequency of the clock signal. The controller is configured to control a resistance of the first variable resistor and a resistance of the second variable resistor based on the digitally sampled data signal and the digitally sampled clock signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling the usage of devices with embedded RFID tags including connecting a device to an energy source and reading data from a memory device incorporated in the device. The data may include a unique identifier (UID), a usage value, an activation value, a reprocessing value, and/or a sterilization indicator. The usage value is incremented when the device is connected to the energy source and the activation value is incremented when the device is activated permitting energy to flow from the energy source to the device. Usage of the device is prevented if the UID is on a list of prohibited UlDs, the usage value is not lower than a usage limitation value, the reprocessing value equals a reprocessing limitation value, the activation value equals an activation limitation value, and/or the sterilization indicator does not indicate that the device has been sterilized since its previous usage.

Abstract: A dynamic bus communication apparatus for an electrosurgical system includes a data wire, a clock wire, a first variable resistor coupled to the data wire, a second variable resistor coupled to the clock wire, an analog to digital converter (ADC), and a controller. The data wire is configured to transmit a data signal between a battery and an instrument powered by the battery. The clock wire is configured to transmit a clock signal between a battery and an instrument. The ADC is configured to sample the data signal and the clock signal at a substantially higher frequency than a frequency of the clock signal. The controller is configured to control a resistance of the first variable resistor and a resistance of the second variable resistor based on the digitally sampled data signal and the digitally sampled clock signal.