Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.

Dennis H Vaders

Stuart A Taylor

Adam Ross

A method for making an electrode assembly comprises overlaying an electrode on an electrode support, the electrode comprising a plurality of openings extending at least partially through a thickness of the electrode; supporting the electrode support with a jaw body; stitching a filament made of electrically insulative material comprising a first inset segment and exposed segment into a first opening of the plurality of openings such that the first inset segment is positioned in the first opening and at least a portion of the exposed segment is positioned to overlie an exposed working surface of the electrode; and affixing at least an end portion of the first inset segment of the filament to the electrode, electrode support, and/or the jaw body.

Electrically insulative electrode spacers, and related devices, systems, and methods

A force transmission mechanism of a surgical instrument, the force transmission mechanism being configured to releasably engage with a drive interface device located at a patient side cart of a teleoperated surgical system may comprise a housing comprising a side wall surrounding an interior of the housing, one or more drive components in the interior of the housing, a releasable coupling mechanism configured to releasably engage the force transmission mechanism with the drive interface device, wherein the releasable coupling mechanism has a longitudinal axis and is pivotable about an axis oriented approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Surgical instrument housing, and related systems, and methods

An electrode assembly comprises an electrode support, an electrode on the electrode support, the electrode having a working surface extending generally transverse to a thickness of the electrode, and a filament of electrically insulative material overlying a portion of the working surface of the electrode and at least partially extending through the thickness of the electrode. An electrosurgical may include an end effector having a jaw member comprising such an electrode assembly.

An electrode assembly may include an electrode support made of a first electrically insulative material and an electrode on the electrode support, the electrode having a working surface extending generally transverse to a thickness of the electrode. The electrode assembly may further include an insulative spacer retained in the electrode and made of a second electrically insulative material. The second electrically insulative material may be different from the first electrically insulative material. The insulative spacer of the electrode assembly may have a body portion extending into the thickness of the electrode, and a head portion protruding beyond the working surface of the electrode.

Electrode assemblies with electrically insulative electrode spacers, and related devices, systems, and methods

A force transmission mechanism of a surgical instrument, which is configured to releasably engage with a drive interface device located at a patient side cart of a teleoperated surgical system, includes a housing. The housing is configured to cover one or more drive components of the force transmission mechanism. The housing includes a releasable coupling mechanism configured to releasably engage with the drive interface device. The housing and the releasable coupling mechanism are a monolithic construction.

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West Haven, CT, United States of America

Dennis H Vaders