Abstract: A stapling apparatus includes a body portion, a staple cartridge disposed within the body portion, and a buttress removably attached to the staple cartridge. The staple cartridge includes a plurality of staple receiving slots defined in a tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge, with each staple receiving slot of the plurality of staple receiving slots including a staple disposed therein. The buttress includes a plurality of tabs at an outer edge of the buttress. The buttress is releasably retained on the staple cartridge by at least one tab of the plurality of tabs extending into a staple receiving slot of the plurality of staple receiving slots defined in the staple cartridge.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for an electrosurgical instrument includes a housing having an active electrical connector and a return electrical connector configured to operably engage a distal end of an electrosurgical instrument shaft, the housing encapsulating an elongated return electrode and a pair of insulative tubes configured to house a wire-like active electrode. The elongated return electrode includes a clevis at a distal end thereof and operably engages to the return electrical connector at a proximal end thereof. The wire-like active electrode operably engages at one end to the active electrical connector. A donut-like insulator is operably engaged to the clevis of the elongated return electrode and is configured to support the wire-like active electrode therearound. A tensioning mechanism is configured to operably engage an opposite end of the wire-like electrode and tension the wire-like active electrode about the donut-like insulator during assembly.

Abstract: An auxiliary return system for use with a bipolar electrosurgical device includes a tissue guard defining an open proximal end, an open distal end, and a lumen extending therethrough between the open proximal end and the open distal end. A ground plate is disposed along an inner peripheral surface of the lumen and is operably coupled to a first end of a ground wire extending from the tissue guard. A coupling is included having a bore defined therein for receiving a cable from an electrosurgical device therethrough, the cable including active and ground leads. The coupling has a flange extending therefrom defining a receptacle therein configured to operably receive a plug connected to a second end of the ground wire. The receptacle is configured to provide electrical continuity between the ground lead disposed within the cable and the plug coupled to the ground wire which, in turn, provides electrical continuity to the ground plate.

Abstract: A system includes an access cannula, a deployment cannula having a plurality of engagement arms, and a containment bag. The deployment cannula is slidable within the access cannula between an initial condition, wherein the engagement arms are retained in a contracted configuration, and a deployed condition, wherein the engagement arms are disposed in an expanded configuration. The containment bag includes an open end portion configured to receive the first elongated tubular member and the second elongated tubular member. In the initial condition, a portion of the containment bag towards the open end portion is positioned adjacent at least one of the first elongated tubular member or the second elongated tubular member. In the deployed condition, the portion of the containment bag is expanded such that the portion of the containment bag is spaced-apart from the at least one of the first elongated tubular member or the second elongated tubular member.

Abstract: A uterine manipulator includes an elongated shaft assembly, a colpotomy cup supported on the elongated shaft assembly, and a tip assembly. The tip assembly extends distally from the colpotomy cup and has a piercing tip configured to pierce tissue.

Abstract: A uterine manipulator includes an elongated shaft, a colpotomy cup supported on the elongated shaft, a distal shaft extending distally from the colpotomy cup to a distal tip, and a rollable sleeve supported on the distal tip.

Abstract: A tissue specimen retrieval device includes a first shaft and a second shaft telescopically movable relative to the first shaft. The second shaft supports an end effector assembly at a distal end thereof. The end effector assembly includes a tissue specimen bag supported by a first bag arm and a second bag arm. The first and second bag arms open the tissue specimen bag when the second shaft is in the deployed position. An insertion cap extends outwardly from the tissue specimen bag. The insertion cap retains the first and second bag arms at distal ends thereof. The insertion cap includes a release mechanism. The release mechanism releases the first and second bag arms from the insertion cap upon retraction of the second shaft from the deployed position.

Abstract: A uterine manipulator includes a shaft defining a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, a handle operably coupled to the proximal end portion of the shaft, and a distal assembly operably coupled to the distal end portion of the shaft. The distal assembly includes a colpotomy cup and an elongated tip extending distally from the colpotomy cup. At least a portion of the distal assembly is releasable from the distal end portion of the shaft and configured to engage tissue and to operably couple to a surgical tool to enable the surgical tool to perform at least one surgical task on tissue engaged by the at least a portion of the distal assembly.

Abstract: A tissue specimen retrieval device includes a housing, an outer shaft extending distally from the housing, an end effector assembly extending distally from the outer shaft in a deployed position, a tissue specimen bag supported on the end effector assembly and including an open end extending between proximal and distal end portions of the end effector assembly, a cinch loop disposed about the open end of the tissue specimen bag, and a distal cinch tab. The distal cinch tab is disposed at the distal end portion of the end effector assembly and extends from the open end of the tissue specimen bag. The distal cinch tab is operably coupled to the cinch loop such that pulling the distal cinch tab distally relative to the cinch loop constricts the cinch loop about the open end of the tissue specimen bag to cinch the open end of the tissue specimen bag closed.

Abstract: A surgical robotic system includes an image capturing device, a surgical console, a multi-directional indicator, a surgical instrument, and a control tower. The image capturing device is configured to capture an image of a surgical site. The surgical console includes a display configured to display the image of the surgical site. The multi-directional indicator is overlaid over the image of the surgical site on the display. The user input device is operably coupled to the surgical console and configured to generate a user input. The surgical instrument is coupled to a surgical robotic arm. The control tower is configured to receive user input from the user input device and control at least one of the surgical robotic arm or the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A tissue specimen bag includes a bag body and a support ring. The bag body has a closed end and an open end defining a mouth, and defines a channel circumferentially surrounding the mouth. The bag body further includes a plurality of cut-outs defined within the bag body and spaced-apart circumferentially about the mouth such that the channel is discontinuous. The support ring extends through the channel, is resiliently flexible, and is configured to bias the mouth towards an open condition. Portions of the support ring are exposed within the plurality of cut-outs to enable direct interfacing with the support ring without contacting the bag body. A tissue specimen retrieval system includes the tissue specimen bag and a grasper configured to grasp one of the exposed portions of the support ring without contacting the bag body to facilitate manipulation of the tissue specimen bag.

Abstract: A robotic colpotomy system includes a robotic arm, an instrument drive unit supported on the robotic arm, and a uterine manipulator supported on the robotic arm. The uterine manipulator is coupled to the instrument drive unit and has an elongated shaft assembly that supports a colpotomy assembly on a distal end portion thereof. The colpotomy assembly includes a colpotomy cup and extends distally to a distal tip. The various components of the robotic colpotomy system are positioned or movably positioned to help effectuate a colpotomy procedure.

Abstract: A uterine manipulator includes a housing configured to be coupled to an instrument drive unit of a robotic system, a shaft extending distally from the housing, a tip hub pivotably coupled to a distal end portion of the shaft, an articulation disposed within the housing, and a handle operably coupled to either the housing or the shaft. The articulation assembly is configured to pivot the tip hub relative to the shaft and includes a drive cable operably coupled to the tip hub. The articulation assembly is actuatable manually by a user and robotically by the robotic system to pivot the tip hub relative to the shaft.

Abstract: A smoke evacuator for use with a surgical access device includes an evacuation ring having an inner peripheral surface defining one or more channels therein disposed in fluid communication with an operating cavity. A connection port is disposed thereon in fluid communication with the channel(s) and adapted to connect to a smoke evacuation system. The evacuation ring includes a profile having an inner flange that forms part of the inner peripheral surface of the evacuation ring and one or more lower flanges, the inner flange is configured to mechanically engage a rim of an access device and the lower flange(s) is adapted to mechanically engage a wound guard, wherein engagement of the inner flange of the evacuation ring atop the access device and engagement of the lower flange(s) with the wound guard secures the access device, the wound guard and the smoke evacuation ring within the operating cavity.

Abstract: A uterine manipulator includes a housing and a shaft extending distally from the housing. An end effector assembly is disposed at a distal end portion of the shaft. The end effector assembly includes a cervical cup and a uterine manipulating tip portion extending distally from the cervical cup. A position sensor is supported by the cervical cup. The position sensor is configured to identify a location of the cervical cup.

Abstract: A smoke evacuator for use with a surgical access device includes an evacuation ring having an inner peripheral surface defining one or more channels therein disposed in fluid communication with an operating cavity. A connection port is disposed thereon in fluid communication with the channel(s) and adapted to connect to a smoke evacuation system. The evacuation ring includes a profile having an inner flange that forms part of the inner peripheral surface of the evacuation ring and one or more lower flanges, the inner flange is configured to mechanically engage a rim of an access device and the lower flange(s) is adapted to mechanically engage a wound guard, wherein engagement of the inner flange of the evacuation ring atop the access device and engagement of the lower flange(s) with the wound guard secures the access device, the wound guard and the smoke evacuation ring within the operating cavity.

Abstract: A uterine manipulator includes a handle assembly and a shaft extending distally from the handle assembly. An end effector assembly is disposed at a distal end portion of the shaft and includes a cervical cup and a distal tip extending distally from the cervical cup. A specimen containment system is supported on the shaft between the handle assembly and the end effector assembly. The specimen containment system includes a sleeve having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, and a specimen containment bag having a first end portion and a second end portion. The specimen containment bag is supported within the sleeve and is movable from an initial position, wherein the specimen containment bag is disposed within the sleeve, to a deployed position, wherein the specimen containment bag is deployed from the sleeve.

Abstract: A colpotomy system includes a colpotomy cup that extends to a distal surface and defines a longitudinal axis. The colpotomy system further includes a cutter operably coupled to the colpotomy cup and configured to travel along an arcuate path defined about the distal surface of the colpotomy cup. The cutter actuatable to separate a uterus from a vagina as the cutter rotates about the longitudinal axis of the colpotomy cup.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device for cutting tissue includes a body portion and a tool portion extending distally from the body portion. The tool portion defines a longitudinal axis. The tool portion includes a return lead adapted to be electrically coupled to a return terminal of an electrosurgical energy source, first and second electrical insulators disposed on a first surface of the return lead, and an active lead adapted to be electrically coupled to an active terminal of the electrosurgical energy source. The first electrical insulator is disposed distal of the second electrical insulator. The active lead extends through the first and second electrical insulators such that the active lead and the first surface of the return lead define a gap therebetween. Upon activation of the electrosurgical energy source, electrosurgical energy is transmitted from the active lead through tissue to the return lead to cut the tissue.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device for cutting tissue includes a body portion and a tool portion extending distally from the body portion. The tool portion includes a return lead, first and second electrical insulators, and an active lead. The return lead is adapted to be electrically coupled to a return terminal of an electrosurgical energy source. The return lead defines a recess between proximal and distal portions of the return lead. The first and second electrical insulators are disposed on the respective proximal and distal portions of the return lead. The active lead extends through the first and second electrical insulators and across the recess of the return lead. Upon activation of the electrosurgical energy source, electrosurgical energy is transmitted from the active lead through tissue in contact with the active lead to the return lead to cut tissue in contact with the active lead.