Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed including a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency and an ultrasonic blade extending along the longitudinal axis coupled to the transducer. The ultrasonic blade includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end is movable along the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer. The surgical instrument further includes a protective sheath including a proximal end and a distal end and disposed adjacent to the body. The protective sheath further includes a pad positioned toward the distal end of the protective sheath and located between the body and the distal end of the protective sheath.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating on tissue comprises a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, and an end effector. The acoustic waveguide extends along the shaft and is configured to transmit ultrasonic vibration. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide. The clamp arm is pivotable toward the ultrasonic blade. The end effector defines a first longitudinal region and a second longitudinal region. The end effector is configured to clamp tissue between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade in the first longitudinal region. The end effector is configured to sever tissue with the ultrasonic blade in the second longitudinal region.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating on tissue comprises a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, and an end effector. The acoustic waveguide extends along the shaft and is configured to transmit ultrasonic vibration. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide. The clamp arm is pivotable toward the ultrasonic blade. The end effector defines a first longitudinal region and a second longitudinal region. The end effector is configured to clamp tissue between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade in the first longitudinal region. The end effector is configured to sever tissue with the ultrasonic blade in the second longitudinal region.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body. The end effector is located at a distal end portion of the shaft assembly. The end effector includes an active feature configured to operate on tissue. The body includes a drive feature operable to drive the active feature of the end effector. The body is removably coupled with the shaft assembly in a connected state and separated from the shaft assembly in a disconnected state. The body includes a drive feature configured to drive operation of the active feature of the effector. The drive feature includes at least one of an ultrasonic drive feature or a mechanical drive feature. A proximal end portion of the shaft assembly is configured to be removed from the body to separate the at least one activation feature from the drive feature.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed including a transducer, an ultrasonic blade, a protective sheath, and a non-vibrating clamp arm assembly. The ultrasonic blade extends along the longitudinal axis coupled to the transducer. The ultrasonic blade comprises a body having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end is movable along the longitudinal axis by vibrations produced by the transducer. The protective sheath comprises a proximal end and a distal end and disposed adjacent to the body. The protective sheath further comprises a pad positioned toward the distal end of the protective sheath and located between the body and the distal end of the protective sheath. The non-vibrating clamp arm assembly has a proximal end and a distal end and pivotally positioned adjacent to the body. The clamp arm assembly is pivotally moveable from an open position to a closed position.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating on tissue comprises a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, and an end effector. The acoustic waveguide extends along the shaft and is configured to transmit ultrasonic vibration, The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide. The clamp arm is pivotable toward the ultrasonic blade. The end effector defines a first longitudinal region and a second longitudinal region, The end effector is configured to clamp tissue between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade in the first longitudinal region. The end effector is configured to sever tissue with the ultrasonic blade in the second longitudinal region.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating on tissue comprises a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, and an end effector. The acoustic waveguide extends along the shaft and is configured to transmit ultrasonic vibration. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide. The clamp arm is pivotable toward the ultrasonic blade. The end effector defines a first longitudinal region and a second longitudinal region. The end effector is configured to clamp tissue between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade in the first longitudinal region. The end effector is configured to sever tissue with the ultrasonic blade in the second longitudinal region.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft, and an end effector. The shaft extends distally from the body. The end effector is located at a distal end of the shaft. The end effector includes an active feature configured to operate on tissue. The body includes a drive feature operable to drive the active feature of the end effector. The body is operable to selectively couple with a variety of power sources such that the drive feature may receive electrical power form a battery or from a corded power source, based on a user's preference. The body may include a handpiece that has a socket configured to receive a battery or cable adapter. The body may removably receive various kinds of shaft assemblies to provide various operating modalities. The shaft assemblies may include user interface features.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft, and an end effector. The shaft extends distally from the body. The end effector is located at a distal end of the shaft. The end effector includes an active feature configured to operate on tissue. The body includes a drive feature operable to drive the active feature of the end effector. The body is operable to selectively couple with a variety of power sources such that the drive feature may receive electrical power form a battery or from a corded power source, based on a user's preference. The body may include a handpiece that has a socket configured to receive a battery or cable adapter. The body may removably receive various kinds of shaft assemblies to provide various operating modalities. The shaft assemblies may include user interface features.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed including a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency and an ultrasonic blade extending along the longitudinal axis coupled to the transducer. The ultrasonic blade includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end is movable along the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer. The surgical instrument further includes a protective sheath including a proximal end and a distal end and disposed adjacent to the body. The protective sheath further includes a pad positioned toward the distal end of the protective sheath and located between the body and the distal end of the protective sheath.

Abstract: A rifle comprises a quad lock multicaliber receiver, a barrel extension, a bolt, and a projection engageable with the receiver. The barrel extension includes a cartridge chamber and is securable in an end of the receiver. The bolt is slideable in the receiver and engages a cartridge in the cartridge chamber during the firing phase. The projection comprises locking bars extending through the receiver, and is moveable between locked and unlocked positions to allow for securing and removing of the barrel extension, respectively. Positioning bars are disposed on either side of the receiver split parallel to its longitudinal axis. The locking bars are disposed between these positioning bars and the barrel extension such that when the positioning bars are urged toward each other the receiver split is closed and the positioning bars urge the locking bars toward and into locking grooves to secure the barrel extension in the receiver.

Abstract: An end effector includes a first portion having a first specific acoustic impedance value, and a second portion having a second specific acoustic impedance value less than the first specific acoustic impedance value. The first portion may include a proximal end segment and a distal end segment. The proximal end segment and the distal end segment are composed of a first material. The second portion may include an insert segment composed of a second material. The insert segment is located between the proximal end segment and the distal end segment along the longitudinal axis of the end effector. The insert segment functions to bridge or fill a nodal energy gap defined by the end effector.

Abstract: A rifle comprises a quad lock multicaliber receiver, a barrel extension, a bolt, and a projection engageable with the receiver. The barrel extension includes a cartridge chamber and is securable in an end of the receiver. The bolt is slideable in the receiver and engages a cartridge in the cartridge chamber during the firing phase. The projection comprises locking bars extending through the receiver, and is moveable between locked and unlocked positions to allow for securing and removing of the barrel extension, respectively. Positioning bars are disposed on either side of the receiver split parallel to its longitudinal axis. The locking bars are disposed between these positioning bars and the barrel extension such that when the positioning bars are urged toward each other the receiver split is closed and the positioning bars urge the locking bars toward and into locking grooves to secure the barrel extension in the receiver.

Abstract: A rifle comprises a quad lock multicaliber receiver, a barrel extension, a bolt, and a projection engageable with the receiver. The barrel extension includes a cartridge chamber and is securable in an end of the receiver. The bolt is slideable in the receiver and engages a cartridge in the cartridge chamber during the firing phase. The projection comprises locking bars extending through the receiver, and is moveable between locked and unlocked positions to allow for securing and removing of the barrel extension, respectively. Positioning bars are disposed on either side of the receiver split parallel to its longitudinal axis. The locking bars are disposed between these positioning bars and the barrel extension such that when the positioning bars are urged toward each other the receiver split is closed and the positioning bars urge the locking bars toward and into locking grooves to secure the barrel extension in the receiver.

Abstract: A lightweight rifle has a chassis with a forward receptacle and rear receptacle, a forend tube with a male key, a barrel, a breech, a spacer, a trigger guard, a grip, and a butt stock adapter. The barrel and breech connect along a shared longitudinal axis, and the resulting subassembly inserts into the forend tube. The spacer secures the connection between the breech and the forend tube with a combination of scope screws and rivets that extend through the forend tube, spacer, and breach, respectively. This forend tube subassembly connects to the chassis by inserting the forend tube male key into the chassis forward receptacle and further securing the male key and forward receptacle together with bolts. The butt stock adapter has a protruding male key and mates to the chassis rear receptacle. This allows for the quick and secure connection of a butt stock to the rifle chassis.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating on tissue comprises a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, and an end effector. The acoustic waveguide extends along the shaft and is configured to transmit ultrasonic vibration. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide. The clamp arm is pivotable toward the ultrasonic blade. The end effector defines a first longitudinal region and a second longitudinal region. The end effector is configured to clamp tissue between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade in the first longitudinal region. The end effector is configured to sever tissue with the ultrasonic blade in the second longitudinal region.

Abstract: A rifle comprises a quad lock multicaliber receiver, a barrel extension, a bolt, and a projection engageable with the receiver. The barrel extension includes a cartridge chamber and is securable in an end of the receiver. The bolt is slideable in the receiver and engages a cartridge in the cartridge chamber during the firing phase. The projection comprises locking bars extending through the receiver, and is moveable between locked and unlocked positions to allow for securing and removing of the barrel extension, respectively. Positioning bars are disposed on either side of the receiver split parallel to its longitudinal axis. The locking bars are disposed between these positioning bars and the barrel extension such that when the positioning bars are urged toward each other the receiver split is closed and the positioning bars urge the locking bars toward and into locking grooves to secure the barrel extension in the receiver.

Abstract: A lightweight rifle has a chassis with a forward receptacle and rear receptacle, a forend tube with a male key, a barrel, a breech, a spacer, a trigger guard, a grip, and a butt stock adapter. The barrel and breech connect along a shared longitudinal axis, and the resulting subassembly inserts into the forend tube. The spacer secures the connection between the breech and the forend tube with a combination of scope screws and rivets that extend through the forend tube, spacer, and breach, respectively. This forend tube subassembly connects to the chassis by inserting the forend tube male key into the chassis forward receptacle and further securing the male key and forward receptacle together with bolts. The butt stock adapter has a protruding male key and mates to the chassis rear receptacle. This allows for the quick and secure connection of a butt stock to the rifle chassis.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating on tissue comprises a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, and an end effector. The acoustic waveguide extends along the shaft and is configured to transmit ultrasonic vibration. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide. The clamp arm is pivotable toward the ultrasonic blade. The end effector defines a first longitudinal region and a second longitudinal region. The end effector is configured to clamp tissue between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade in the first longitudinal region. The end effector is configured to sever tissue with the ultrasonic blade in the second longitudinal region.

Abstract: A control circuit of a surgical device is disclosed. The control circuit includes a first circuit portion coupled to at least one switch operable between an open state and a closed state. The first circuit portion communicates with a surgical generator over a conductor pair to receive a control signal to determine a state of the at least one switch.