Abstract: A surgical instrument assembly is provided that can be equipped in a handheld surgical tool or instrument or other medical device, as well as potentially in non-medical devices, among other possible applications. In various implementations, the surgical instrument assembly has combinations of a frame body, an input body, an indexing body, a tensioning body, and a cover body. The indexing body is moveable to a multitude of indexed positions. The indexed positions constitute a use count of the surgical instrument assembly, and a final indexed position is a final use count of the surgical instrument assembly. The tensioning body is moveable to impart a first tension and a second tension to one or more transmission cables. The cover body is moveable to render a flush port inaccessible and accessible.

Abstract: A retention assembly is provided that can be equipped in a handheld surgical tool or instrument or other medical device, as well as potentially in non-medical devices, among other possible applications. In the application of the handheld surgical instrument, the retention assembly furnishes partial or more constraint between bodies such as a handle body and a frame body, which in turn serves to partially or more constrain an end effector of the handheld surgical instrument. Such constraint at the end effector, whether partial or full, can be useful in certain scenarios amid a minimally invasive surgical (MIS) procedure such as during initial insertion of the end effector through a surgical trocar at a patient's body.

Abstract: An electrical energy connection assembly is provided that can be equipped in a handheld electrosurgical tool or other medical device, as well as non-medical devices, among many other possible applications. An electrical energy conduction and delivery facilitated via the electrical energy connection is uninterrupted amid rotational movements about a rotational degree of freedom between a pair of bodies or assemblies. Drawbacks encountered in past electrosurgical tool applications such as torque buildup, inhibited instrument maneuverability, visual or physical obstruction, and/or unplanned disconnections, are altogether avoided with use of the electrical energy connection assembly.

Abstract: Surgical tools and assemblies are employed for use in minimally invasive surgical (MIS) procedures. A surgical tool assembly includes a handle assembly and a frame assembly. The handle assembly and frame assembly are designed and constructed to have an articulation input joint and a grounding joint between them. A pitch rotational degree of freedom and a yaw rotational degree of freedom are provided by way of the articulation input joint. The handle assembly is translationally constrained relative to the frame assembly by way of the grounding joint. Intermediate bodies and joints can be provided in certain surgical tool assemblies and architectures.

Abstract: Surgical tools and assemblies are employed for use in minimally invasive surgical (MIS) procedures. A surgical tool assembly includes a handle assembly and a frame assembly. The handle assembly and frame assembly are designed and constructed to have an articulation input joint and a grounding joint between them. A pitch rotational degree of freedom and a yaw rotational degree of freedom are provided by way of the articulation input joint. The handle assembly is translationally constrained relative to the frame assembly by way of the grounding joint. Intermediate bodies and joints can be provided in certain surgical tool assemblies and architectures.

Abstract: Surgical tools and assemblies are employed for use in minimally invasive surgical (MIS) procedures. A handheld surgical tool assembly includes a handle assembly and a frame assembly, among other possible components. Intermediate bodies and joints are provided in certain handheld surgical tool assemblies and architectures. A yaw rotational degree of freedom is furnished between certain intermediate bodies, and a pitch rotational degree of freedom is furnished between certain intermediate bodies. Amid use, a mechanical advantage generated about the yaw rotational degree of freedom is unequal to a mechanical advantage generated about the pitch rotational degree of freedom.

Abstract: Surgical tools and assemblies are employed for use in minimally invasive surgical (MIS) procedures. A surgical tool assembly includes a handle assembly and a frame assembly. The handle assembly and frame assembly are designed and constructed to have an articulation input joint and a grounding joint between them. A pitch rotational degree of freedom and a yaw rotational degree of freedom are provided by way of the articulation input joint. The handle assembly is translationally constrained relative to the frame assembly by way of the grounding joint. Intermediate bodies and joints can be provided in certain surgical tool assemblies and architectures.