Abstract: An end effector includes a first and second jaw member each comprising a first and second electrode. The first and second jaw members are movable relative to the other between an open position and a closed position. An electrically conductive member is located at the distal end of the first jaw member. The electrically conductive member is sized and configured to define a minimum distance between the first and second electrodes along the length of the first and second electrodes. An electrically insulative member is located on one of the first jaw member or the second jaw member. The electrically insulative member is sized and configured to engage tissue and has a dimension extending from one of the first jaw member or the second jaw member. The dimension is less than the minimum distance.

Abstract: A surgical visualization system is disclosed. The surgical visualization system is configured to identify one or more structure(s) and/or determine one or more distances with respect to obscuring tissue and/or the identified structure(s). The surgical visualization system can facilitate avoidance of the identified structure(s) by a surgical device. The surgical visualization system can comprise a first emitter configured to emit a plurality of tissue-penetrating light waves and a second emitter configured to emit structured light onto the surface of tissue. The surgical visualization system can also include an image sensor configured to detect reflected visible light, tissue-penetrating light, and/or structured light. The surgical visualization system can convey information to one or more clinicians regarding the position of one or more hidden identified structures and/or provide one or more proximity indicators.

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: An end effector includes a first and second jaw member each comprising a first and second electrode. The first and second jaw members are movable relative to the other between an open position and a closed position. An electrically conductive member is located at the distal end of the first jaw member. The electrically conductive member is sized and configured to define a minimum distance between the first and second electrodes along the length of the first and second electrodes. An electrically insulative member is located on one of the first jaw member or the second jaw member. The electrically insulative member is sized and configured to engage tissue and has a dimension extending from one of the first jaw member or the second jaw member. The dimension is less than the minimum distance.

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: 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: A surgical devices comprises a roll-up wound protector with a distal ring, a proximal ring, and a flexible sleeve having a length extending between the proximal and distal rings. The proximal ring has proximal, distal, medial, and lateral faces and is rollable to gather the flexible sleeve around the proximal ring and shorten the length of the flexible sleeve. A hand access port comprises a frame circumscribing an aperture. The aperture is aligned with the proximal and distal rings and is adapted to receive and seal against a surgeon's arm. A latching mechanism is connected to the frame and circumscribes the proximal ring, the latching mechanism having an engaged state wherein the hand access port is attached to the proximal ring and a disengaged state wherein the hand access port is not attached to the proximal ring. An actuation ring is operably connected to the latching mechanism to select between the engaged and disengaged states.

Abstract: A surgical access port comprises a wound protector adapted for insertion into a wound in the abdominal wall of a patient. A resilient pad comprising a laminated structure with a plurality of layers of resilient materials is attached to the wound protector. The pad comprises an aperture adapted to receive and seal against a surgeon's arm or surgical instruments and is self-closing in the absence of a surgeon's arm or surgical instrument.

Abstract: Methods and devices for accessing a body cavity are disclosed. In general, a surgical access device is provided that can include a cannula that defines a working channel that is sized and configured to receive a surgical instrument. A seal can be disposed in the cannula of the surgical access device. In one exemplary embodiment, the seal can be positioned at a point in the cannula that is effective to maintain contact between the seal and an instrument inserted therethrough as the instrument is rotated about that point.

Abstract: Methods and devices for accessing a body cavity are disclosed. In general, a surgical access device is provided that can include a cannula that defines a working channel that is sized and configured to receive a surgical instrument. A seal can be disposed in the cannula of the surgical access device. In one exemplary embodiment, the seal can be positioned at a point in the cannula that is effective to maintain contact between the seal and an instrument inserted therethrough as the instrument is rotated about that point.