Abstract: A surgical apparatus includes an end effector having an ultrasonic blade, a clamp arm, and a clamp pad. The end effector applies ultrasonic energy at the blade. The clamp arm pivots relative to the blade. The clamp pad is positioned on the clamp arm adjacent to the blade. The clamp arm includes a latching feature to retain the clamp pad relative to the clamp arm to prevent the clamp pad from moving laterally, longitudinally, and perpendicularly relative to the clamp arm.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector, a transducer assembly, and a loading assembly. The end effector is coupled with a distal end of the shaft assembly. The transducer assembly is removably coupled with the proximal end of the shaft assembly. The loading assembly comprises an actuator that is operable to couple the distal end of the transducer assembly with the proximal end of the shaft assembly. The loading assembly is operable to drive the transducer assembly through at least two stages of rotation to couple the distal end of the transducer assembly with the proximal end of the shaft assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for regulating the functioning of a patient's organ or duct. The apparatus includes an elongated member having first end and second ends. A fastener is disposed on the first end of the elongated member. The fastener is configured to engage the second end of the elongated member so that the elongated member forms a ring around the organ or duct. A tension element is slidably disposed within the elongated member. A drive element is associated with and engaging the tension element for causing the tension element to control the tension applied by the elongated member against a patient's body organ or duct. An antenna/controller pod is releasably coupled to the elongated member for control of the drive element.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The shaft assembly includes an outer tube, a proximal inner tube member, a distal inner tube member, and an acoustic waveguide. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. A first portion of the clamp arm is pivotably coupled with a distal end of the outer tube. A second portion of the clamp arm is pivotably coupled with a distal end of the distal inner tube member. The outer tube is configured to removably couple with the body and the distal inner tube member is configured to removably couple with the proximal inner tube member such that the outer tube, the distal inner tube member, and the clamp arm are configured to removably couple with the body and the remainder of the shaft assembly and end effector as a unit.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a body, an ultrasonic transducer, a shaft, and an end effector. The ultrasonic transducer is operable to convert electrical power into ultrasonic vibrations. The body comprises a pivotal trigger. The shaft couples the end effector and the body together. The end effector comprises a clamp arm and an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic blade is operable to deliver ultrasonic vibrations to tissue. Pivotal movement of the trigger causes movement of the clamp arm. The shaft is operable to be selectively coupled and decoupled from the ultrasonic transducer. The apparatus comprises electro-mechanical means for coupling and decoupling the shaft from the ultrasonic transducer, and may further comprise means for preventing movement of the shaft as it is coupled to the ultrasonic transducer.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are presented for a surgical instrument for cutting and sealing tissue. In some embodiments, the surgical instrument includes a handle assembly, a shaft, and an end effector. The end effector may include: a blade that vibrates at an ultrasonic frequency, a shielded portion enclosing a back edge of the blade, a high-friction surface coupled to the shielded portion and positioned between the shielded portion and the back edge of the blade. A space is defined between the high-friction surface and the back edge of the blade when the end effector is in a cutting configuration. In a sealing configuration, the high-friction surface contacts the back edge of the blade, which generates heat based on ultrasonic vibrations of the blade rubbing against the high-friction surface. The shielded portion can coagulate bleeding tissue based on heat transfer from the high-friction surface to the shielded portion.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical blade with improved cutting and coagulation features is disclosed. The blade includes a solid body, a longitudinal portion having a proximal end configured to couple to an ultrasonic transmission waveguide and a transverse portion extending crosswise from the distal end of the longitudinal portion. At least one dissection edge and at least one hemostasis surface is provided on the blade. The transverse portion defines a hook having a free end configured to pull and dissect tissue. Also disclosed is an ultrasonic surgical blade that also includes a sharp central ridge and an end mass for acoustic balance.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for performing minimally invasive surgical procedures. In one embodiment, a surgical device is provided that include an elongate shaft having a distal portion configured to be movable between a first configuration in which the distal portion of the shaft is substantially straight or linear and a second configuration in which the distal portion of the shaft is articulated at a compound angle. The shaft's distal portion can include two articulation joints to facilitate formation of the compound angle.

Abstract: A cannula assembly including a housing, a rotatable member, a first plurality of membranes, and a second plurality of membranes is disclosed. The housing may include a distal end defining a distal opening, wherein the distal end is configured to couple to a cannula tube aligned with the distal opening, and a proximal end defining a proximal opening. The rotatable member may be positioned within the housing and may define a passage in fluid communication with the distal opening, a first opening in fluid communication with the passage, and a second opening in fluid communication with the passage. The first plurality of membranes may be arranged as a stack at the first opening, wherein each of the first plurality of membranes defines an aperture. The second plurality of membranes may be arranged as a stack at the second opening, wherein each of the second plurality of membranes defines an aperture.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for performing minimally invasive surgical procedures. In one embodiment, a surgical device is provided that include an elongate shaft having a distal portion configured to be movable between a first configuration in which the distal portion of the shaft is substantially straight or linear and a second configuration in which the distal portion of the shaft is articulated at a compound angle. The shaft's distal portion can include two articulation joints to facilitate formation of the compound angle.

Abstract: A cannula assembly including a seal for an endoscopic internal magnetic camera tether. The seal may include stacked compliant membranes with an aperture in each membrane through which a camera tether may pass. The apertures may overlap. The at least one aperture may be arranged as a slit. Each of the apertures may comprise a wedge-shaped gap. The membranes may include engagement members that couple to engagement members on the cannula assembly. The cannula assembly may provide separate ports for the camera tethers and for a trocar or other endoscopic instrument passing through the cannula assembly. The cannula assembly also may include a rotating housing with two openings and a seal arranged in each opening. The cannula assembly may include a sleeve that encases a cannula tube. The sleeve may include a seal on its end and a channel on its periphery through which a camera tether may pass.

Abstract: A surgical device for use in combination with a percutaneous elongate shaft defining a longitudinal axis. The shaft comprises a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end comprising an attachment mechanism. A surgical end effector is selectively attachable in vivo and detachable in vivo to the attachment mechanism of the percutaneous elongate shaft. A percutaneous elongate loader comprises an articulating distal end. The distal end comprises a tube with an opening at the distal tip, the tube being dimensioned to receive the surgical end effector. The distal end further comprises an engagement feature capable of frictionally holding the surgical end effector in the tube during in vivo attachment to and in vivo detachment from the percutaneous elongate shaft.

Abstract: A medical device comprises a handle comprises an actuator. A shaft extends distally from the handle. A first shaft segment extends proximally from the handle and has a proximal end and a distal end. A second shaft segment has a proximal end and a distal end and is pivotably supported with respect to the distal end of the first shaft segment at a position offset from a longitudinal axis of the shaft in a first offset direction. A third shaft segment has a proximal end and a distal end and is pivotably supported with respect to the distal end of the second shaft segment at a position offset from the longitudinal axis of the shaft in a second offset direction different from the first offset direction. A first member extends through at least a portion of the first shaft segment and is operatively associated with the actuator. A second member extends through at least a portion of the second shaft segment.

Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument comprises a handle assembly or other kind of body configured to receive an ultrasonic transducer and a shaft assembly having an acoustic waveguide and an ultrasonic blade. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide such that the ultrasonic transducer is operable to drive the ultrasonic blade to vibrate ultrasonically via the acoustic waveguide. The ultrasonic instrument further comprises an actuation assembly disposed within the handle assembly. The actuation assembly includes a plurality of buttons disposed about the handle assembly in an angularly spaced array. Each button may be depressed independently of the rest to thereby actuate a switch assembly such that power is provided to the ultrasonic transducer, the acoustic waveguide, and the ultrasonic blade. The actuation assembly is operable to convert radial movement of the buttons into longitudinal, transverse, and/or pivotal movement that actuates the switch assembly.

Abstract: A tissue thickness compensator can comprise a plurality of layers. Various embodiments are disclosed herein for manufacturing a tissue thickness compensator. In certain embodiments, a tissue thickness compensator can comprise at least one medicament tube, capsule, and/or packet contained therein.

Abstract: A surgical device for use in combination with a percutaneous elongate shaft defining a longitudinal axis. The shaft comprises a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end comprising an attachment mechanism. A surgical end effector is selectively attachable in vivo and detachable in vivo to the attachment mechanism of the percutaneous elongate shaft. A percutaneous elongate loader comprises an articulating distal end. The distal end comprises a tube with an opening at the distal tip, the tube being dimensioned to receive the surgical end effector. The distal end further comprises an engagement feature capable of frictionally holding the surgical end effector in the tube during in vivo attachment to and in vivo detachment from the percutaneous elongate shaft.

Abstract: Rotational couplers for use with surgical devices that are actuated by semi-flexible actuators such as wires and the like. The couplers enable the actuators to apply various actuation motions to actuation features on the surgical device as well as other actuators to apply axial and rotational motions to the surgical device to manipulate the device into various orientations relative to an elongate shaft to which the device is movably attached.

Abstract: A device for manipulating a magnetic coupling force across tissue in response to a monitored coupling force is described. The device includes a magnetic field source assembly, a positioning assembly operatively connected to the magnetic field force assembly, and a magnetic coupling force monitor. The magnetic field source assembly includes magnets that provide an external magnetic field source for providing a magnetic field across tissue. The positioning assembly adjusts the position of the magnetic field source. The magnetic field creates a magnetic coupling force between the external magnetic field source and an object positioned in use in a patient during a procedure, wherein the object has or is associated with an internal magnetic field.

Abstract: Rotational couplers for use with surgical devices that are actuated by semi-flexible actuators such as wires and the like. The couplers enable the actuators to apply various actuation motions to actuation features on the surgical device as well as other actuators to apply axial and rotational motions to the surgical device to manipulate the device into various orientations relative to an elongate shaft to which the device is movably attached.

Abstract: An electrosurgical device comprises a body, an end effector, a cutting member, and a shaft extending between the body and the end effector. The end effector includes a pair of jaws and at least one electrode operable to deliver RF energy to tissue clamped between the jaws. The cutting member is operable to cut tissue clamped between the jaws. The shaft includes an articulation section that is operable to selectively position the end effector at non-parallel positions relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The articulation section may include beads, segments, asymmetric features, preformedly bent features, an integral hinge, a helical cutout or spring, clevis features, an angled joint, a beaded actuation linkage, and/or an offset pivot, among other things. The device may also include a crimped cutting member, a retroacting cutting member, dual pivoting jaws, and/or a wire tensioning assembly.