Abstract: Disclosed is a method of assembling a backplane connector subassembly for a module of a modular energy system. The backplane connector subassembly physically and electrically connects at least two modules stacked on top of one another. The method includes providing a back panel defining an inner surface, attaching a first support member to the inner surface of the back panel, attaching a second support member to the inner surface of the back panel, attaching the upstream connector to the back panel by sliding a first mating hole defined in the upstream connector onto the first support member, and attaching the downstream connector to the back panel by a sliding a second mating hole defined in the downstream connector onto the second support member. The first support member is configured to support an upstream connector. The second support member is configured to support a downstream connector.

Abstract: An end-effector is disclosed. The end-effector includes a clamp arm and an ultrasonic blade configured to acoustically couple to an ultrasonic transducer and to electrically couple to a pole of an electrical generator. The clamp arm includes a clamp jaw, a plurality of variable longitudinal support elements, and a cantilever electrode configured to electrically couple to an opposite pole of the electrical generator, the cantilever electrode fixed to the clamp jaw at a proximal end and free to deflect at a distal end. The cantilever electrode is supported by the variable longitudinal support elements. The variable longitudinal support elements apply a variable force on the cantilever electrode from the proximal end to the distal end.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical device is disclosed including a surgical tool including a proximal transducer mounting portion defining a surface, a distal end effector end, and a waveguide disposed therebetween, the waveguide extending along a longitudinal axis. The ultrasonic surgical device further includes a transducer is in mechanical communication with the surface of the transducer mounting portion. The transducer is configured to operate in a D31 mode with respect to the longitudinal axis of the waveguide. Upon activation by an electrical signal having a predetermined frequency component, the transducer is configured to induce a standing wave in the surgical tool to cause the end effector to vibrate, the standing wave having a wavelength proportional to the predetermined frequency component of the electrical signal.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument and method of assembly with a predetermined alignment includes first and second modular assemblies and an electrical lockout. The first modular assembly includes at least a portion of an end effector configured to manipulate a tissue. The second modular assembly includes a transducer power circuit and an activation switch electrically connected to the transducer power circuit. The electrical lockout is electrically connected to the transducer power circuit and configured to inhibit the activation switch from powering the ultrasonic transducer with the first and second modular assemblies misaligned from the predetermined alignment such that the first and second modular assemblies are in a locked-out state. The electrical lockout is further configured to allow the activation switch to power the ultrasonic transducer with the first and second modular assemblies in the predetermined alignment such that the first and second modular assemblies are in an operational state.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a first modular assembly including at least one operator input feature an ultrasonic transducer supported by the first modular assembly, and a second modular assembly configured to be removably coupled with the first modular assembly. The second modular assembly includes at least a portion of an end effector extending distally from a distal end portion of the second modular assembly. The instrument includes a mechanical lockout assembly configured to switch between at least an unlocked configuration and a locked configuration. In the locked configuration, the first modular assembly and the second modular assembly are partially coupled together such that the operator is physically prevented from activating the instrument using the operator input feature. In the unlocked configuration, the first modular assembly and the second modular assembly are completely coupled together and the operator is able to activate the instrument using the operator input feature.

Abstract: A port module removably coupleable to an energy module of a module energy system is disclosed. The port module includes a light pipe and a receptacle defined by the light pipe. The receptacle is configured to receive a plug of an electrosurgical instrument therein. A seal is defined between the light pipe and the receptacle.

Abstract: A generator, ultrasonic device, and method for controlling a temperature of an ultrasonic blade are disclosed. A control circuit coupled to a memory determines an actual resonant frequency of an ultrasonic electromechanical system comprising an ultrasonic transducer coupled to an ultrasonic blade by an ultrasonic waveguide. The actual resonant frequency is correlated to an actual temperature of the ultrasonic blade. The control circuit retrieves from the memory a reference resonant frequency of the ultrasonic electromechanical system. The reference resonant frequency is correlated to a reference temperature of the ultrasonic blade. The control circuit then infers the temperature of the ultrasonic blade based on the difference between the actual resonant frequency and the reference resonant frequency.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, an ultrasonic transducer assembly, and a transducer lock having a lock member configured to move between unlocked and locked positions. The transducer assembly is rotatably mounted along a longitudinal axis within the body such that the transducer assembly is configured to selectively rotate about the longitudinal axis. With the lock member in the unlocked position, the transducer assembly is configured to be selectively rotated about the longitudinal axis relative to the body. With the lock member in the locked position, the transducer lock is configured to seize the transducer assembly and inhibit rotation relative to the housing for coupling with an acoustic waveguide. The surgical instrument may also include an integral torque wrench for coupling the acoustic waveguide with a predetermined torque and an integral torque indictor for signaling to a user that the acoustic waveguide is coupled with the predetermined torque.

Abstract: A method for controlling an operation of an ultrasonic blade of an ultrasonic electromechanical system is disclosed. The method includes providing an ultrasonic electromechanical system comprising an ultrasonic transducer coupled to an ultrasonic blade via an ultrasonic waveguide; applying, by an energy source, a power level to the ultrasonic transducer; determining, by a control circuit coupled to a memory, a mechanical property of the ultrasonic electromechanical system; comparing, by the control circuit, the mechanical property with a reference mechanical property stored in the memory; and adjusting, by the control circuit, the power level applied to the ultrasonic transducer based on the comparison of the mechanical property with the reference mechanical property.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, an ultrasonic transducer assembly, and a transducer lock having a lock member configured to move between unlocked and locked positions. The transducer assembly is rotatably mounted along a longitudinal axis within the body such that the transducer assembly is configured to selectively rotate about the longitudinal axis. With the lock member in the unlocked position, the transducer assembly is configured to be selectively rotated about the longitudinal axis relative to the body. With the lock member in the locked position, the transducer lock is configured to seize the transducer assembly and inhibit rotation relative to the housing for coupling with an acoustic waveguide. The surgical instrument may also include an integral torque wrench for coupling the acoustic waveguide with a predetermined torque and an integral torque indictor for signaling to a user that the acoustic waveguide is coupled with the predetermined torque.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus includes a body assembly, a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, an articulation section, an end effector, and a rigidizing member. The shaft extends distally from the body assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. The acoustic waveguide includes a flexible portion. The articulation section is coupled with the shaft. A portion of the articulation section encompasses the flexible portion of the waveguide. The articulation section includes a first member and a second member. The second member is longitudinally translatable relative to the first member. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the waveguide. The rigidizing member is configured to selectively engage at least a portion of the articulation section to thereby selectively provide rigidity to the articulation section.

Abstract: A generator, ultrasonic device, and method for controlling a temperature of an ultrasonic blade are disclosed. A control circuit coupled to a memory determines an actual resonant frequency of an ultrasonic electromechanical system comprising an ultrasonic transducer coupled to an ultrasonic blade by an ultrasonic waveguide. The actual resonant frequency is correlated to an actual temperature of the ultrasonic blade. The control circuit retrieves from the memory a reference resonant frequency of the ultrasonic electromechanical system. The reference resonant frequency is correlated to a reference temperature of the ultrasonic blade. The control circuit then infers the temperature of the ultrasonic blade based on the difference between the actual resonant frequency and the reference resonant frequency. The control circuit controls the temperature of the ultrasonic blade based on the inferred temperature.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus includes a body assembly, a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, an articulation section, an end effector, and a rigidizing member. The shaft extends distally from the body assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. The acoustic waveguide includes a flexible portion. The articulation section is coupled with the shaft. A portion of the articulation section encompasses the flexible portion of the waveguide. The articulation section includes a first member and a second member. The second member is longitudinally translatable relative to the first member. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the waveguide. The rigidizing member is configured to selectively engage at least a portion of the articulation section to thereby selectively provide rigidity to the articulation section.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a body assembly, a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, an articulation section, an end effector, and an articulation drive assembly. The shaft extends distally from the body assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. The acoustic waveguide comprises a flexible portion. The articulation section is coupled with the shaft. A portion of the articulation section encompasses the flexible portion of the waveguide. The articulation section comprises a plurality of body portions aligned along the longitudinal axis and a flexible locking member. The flexible locking member is operable to secure the body portions in relation to each other and in relation to the shaft. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the waveguide. The articulation drive assembly is operable to drive articulation of the articulation section to thereby deflect the end effector from the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A method of controlling the temperature of an ultrasonic blade includes applying a power level to an ultrasonic transducer to achieve a desired temperature at an ultrasonic blade coupled to the transducer via an ultrasonic waveguide, inferring a temperature of the blade based on a voltage Vg(t) signal and a current Ig(t) signal applied to the transducer, comparing the inferred temperature of the blade to a predetermined temperature; and adjusting the power level to the transducer based on the comparison. In some aspects, the method includes measuring a phase angle ? between the voltage Vg(t) and the current Ig(t) and inferring the temperature of the blade from the phase angle ?. In some aspects, the method includes measuring an impedance Zg(t) equal to a ratio of the voltage Vg(t) to the current Ig(t) and inferring the temperature of the blade from the impedance Zg(t).

Abstract: Various systems and methods for determining the composition of tissue via an ultrasonic surgical instrument are disclosed. A control circuit can be configured to monitor the change in resonant frequency of an ultrasonic electromechanical system of the ultrasonic surgical instrument as the ultrasonic blade oscillates against a tissue and determine the composition of the tissue accordingly. In some aspects, the control circuit can be configured to modify the operation of the ultrasonic electromechanical system or other operational parameters of the ultrasonic surgical instrument according to the detected tissue composition.

Abstract: A method for controlling an operation of an ultrasonic blade of an ultrasonic electromechanical system is disclosed. The method includes providing an ultrasonic electromechanical system comprising an ultrasonic transducer coupled to an ultrasonic blade via an ultrasonic waveguide; applying, by an energy source, a power level to the ultrasonic transducer; determining, by a control circuit coupled to a memory, a mechanical property of the ultrasonic electromechanical system; comparing, by the control circuit, the mechanical property with a reference mechanical property stored in the memory; and adjusting, by the control circuit, the power level applied to the ultrasonic transducer based on the comparison of the mechanical property with the reference mechanical property.

Abstract: A generator, ultrasonic device, and method of determining a temperature of an ultrasonic blade are disclosed. A control circuit coupled to a memory determines an actual resonant frequency of an ultrasonic electromechanical system comprising an ultrasonic transducer coupled to an ultrasonic blade by an ultrasonic waveguide. The actual resonant frequency is correlated to an actual temperature of the ultrasonic blade. The control circuit retrieves from the memory a reference resonant frequency of the ultrasonic electromechanical system. The reference resonant frequency is correlated to a reference temperature of the ultrasonic blade. The control circuit then infers the temperature of the ultrasonic blade based on the difference between the actual resonant frequency and the reference resonant frequency.

Abstract: Various aspects of a generator, ultrasonic device, and method for estimating and controlling a state of an end effector of an ultrasonic device are disclosed. The ultrasonic device includes an electromechanical ultrasonic system defined by a predetermined resonant frequency, including an ultrasonic transducer coupled to an ultrasonic blade. A control circuit measures a complex impedance of an ultrasonic transducer, wherein the complex impedance as defined as Z g ( t ) = V g ( t ) I g ( t ) ; The control circuit receives a complex impedance measurement data point and compares the complex impedance measurement data point to a data point in a reference complex impedance characteristic pattern. The control circuit then classifies the complex impedance measurement data point based on a result of the comparison analysis and assigns a state or condition of the end effector based on the result of the comparison analysis.

Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument includes a housing, an ultrasonic transducer support by the housing, and an integrated usage indicator. The housing is configured to removably connect to a shaft assembly. The ultrasonic transducer is configured to be acoustically connected to a waveguide and operated a predetermined number of use cycles. The integrated usage indicator is operatively connected to the housing and includes a used state indicator. The used state indicator is configured to indicate to a clinician in a used state when the ultrasonic transducer has been operated at least the predetermined number of use cycles for limiting usage of the ultrasonic transducer to the predetermined number of use cycles.