Ethicon, Gmbh

Cilag International Gmbh

Ethicon Endo-surgery, Inc.

Mallinckrodt, Inc.

Liebel-flarsheim Company LLC

Geoffrey S Strobl

David C Yates

Barry C Worrell

Frederick E Shelton, IV

Kevin L Houser

Chad Paul Boudreaux

Gregory A Trees

Jeffrey S Swayze

Jeffrey David Messerly

John A Hibner

Charles J Scheib

Jason L Harris

Gregory W Johnson

David Keith Norvell

Rudolph Henry Nobis

Craig N Faller

Ryan M Asher

David Alexander Monroe

David James Cagle

Randolph C Stewart

Jacob Spencer Gee

Eric N Johnson

William Bruce Weisenburgh, Ii

Tylor C Muhlenkamp

Jonathan T Batross

Foster B Stulen

Jeffrey L Aldridge

Matthew C Miller

Benjamin D Dickerson

Jason R Lesko

Aaron C Voegele

Michael J Andreyko

Benjamin J Danziger

Shawn C Snyder

Catherine A Corbett

Kevin M Montgomery

Nicholas G Molitor

David A Witt

Gavin Martin Monson

Mark A Davison

Kristen G Denzinger

Stephen M Leuck

Paul F Riestenberg

Benjamin M Boyd

Mary E Mootoo

Jason E Zerkle

Andrew T Beckman

Cory G Kimball

Sean P Conlon

Daniel J Mumaw

David T Martin

John B Schulte

Joshua D Young

Eric M Roberson

Frederick L Estera

Robert J Laird

John Kevin Bruce

William A Olson

Eric B Smith

Eitan T Wiener

Daniel W Price

Richard William Timm

Adam David Hensel

William D Dannaher

Ashvani K Madan

Brian D Black

Zhifan F Huang

Patrick A Weizman

John E Brady

Richard C Smith

Michael R Lamping

Craig T Davis

Disha V Labhasetwar

Carl J Draginoff, Jr

Demetrius N Harris

Mark D Overmyer

Richard L Leimbach

Kevin Michael Fiebig

Brett E Swensgard

Timothy G Dietz

James Walden Voegele

Gary W Knight

William Eugene Clem

Tamara S Widenhouse

Kevin D Felder

William David Kelly

Cortney E Henderson

Paul T Franer

Amy L Marcotte

Robert J Ziemba

Cameron R Nott

Thomas B Remm

John A Weed, Iii

Patrick Jarvis Scoggins

Scott A Nield

Vernon D Ortenzi

Joseph Daniel Dennis, Jr

John W Willis

Charles D Black

Ellen E Burkart

Disclosed is a method of controlling a modular battery powered handheld surgical instrument. The surgical instrument including a battery, a user input sensor, a controller, a radio frequency (RF) drive circuit, an ultrasonic transducer, ultrasonic transducer drive circuit, and an end effector. The end effector including an electrode electrically coupled to RF drive circuit, an ultrasonic blade acoustically coupled to the ultrasonic transducer, and a sensor to measure tissue parameters. The method includes applying an RF current drive signal to the electrode by the RF drive circuit; applying an ultrasonic drive signal to the ultrasonic transducer by the ultrasonic transducer drive circuit to acoustically excite the ultrasonic blade; controlling intensity, wave shape, and/or frequency of the RF current drive signal and the ultrasonic drive signal on a sensed measure of a tissue or user parameter.

Modular battery powered handheld surgical instrument and methods therefor

A surgical apparatus comprises a body, an ultrasonic transducer, a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, an articulation section, an end effector, and an articulation drive assembly. The ultrasonic transducer is operable to convert electrical power into ultrasonic vibrations. The shaft couples the end effector and the body together. The acoustic waveguide is coupled with the transducer. The articulation section includes a collar that is located distal to a nodal portion of the waveguide and is operable to deflect the end effector away from the longitudinal axis. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the ultrasonic transducer. The articulation drive assembly is operable to drive articulation of the articulation section. The articulation drive assembly comprises at least one translating articulation driver coupled with the collar. The ultrasonic blade is operable to deliver ultrasonic vibrations to tissue even when the articulation section is in an articulated state.

Articulation features for ultrasonic surgical instrument

An end-effector configured to grasp tissue is disclosed herein. The end-effector includes an ultrasonic blade configured to transfer ultrasonic energy to the tissue and a clamp arm. The clamp arm includes a clamp arm pad including an electrically conductive material and an electrically non-conductive material. The clamp arm pad is configured as an electrode of a radiofrequency energy circuit, wherein the electrode is configured to transfer radiofrequency energy through the tissue to a return electrode of the radiofrequency energy circuit, and wherein the electrically non-conductive material is configured to reduce the possibility of an electrical short between the electrically conductive material and the ultrasonic blade as the clamp arm pad degrades throughout the usable life of the end effector.

Multi-layer clamp arm pad for enhanced versatility and performance of a surgical device

Disclosed is a surgical instrument with an end-effector adapted and configured to deliver a plurality of energy modalities to tissue at a distal end thereof. The energy modalities may be applied simultaneously, independently, or sequentially. A generator is electrically coupled to the surgical instrument and is configured to supply a plurality of energy modalities to the end-effector. In one aspect, the generator is configured to supply electrosurgical energy (e.g., monopolar or bipolar radio frequency (RF) energy) and ultrasonic energy to the end-effector to allow the end-effector to interact with the tissue. The energy modalities may be supplied to the end-effector by a single generator or multiple generators.

Method of operating a combination ultrasonic / bipolar RF surgical device with a combination energy modality end-effector

A surgical system includes a first detector that includes a first array of pixels configured to detect light reflected by a surgical instrument and generate a first signal comprising a first dataset representative of a visible image of the surgical instrument. The surgical system also includes a second detector, comprising a second array of pixels configured to detect infrared radiation produced by the surgical instrument during a procedure using the surgical instrument and generate a second signal comprising a second dataset representative of an infrared image of the surgical instrument. The surgical system further includes a processor configured to receive the first and second signals, identify from the first dataset data representative of the surgical instrument, and identify from the second dataset data representative of one or more regions of the surgical instrument above a predetermined threshold temperature. The processor is also configured to generate a modified image of the surgical instrument based on data identified from the first and second dataset. The modified image includes visible indicia in the one or more region of the surgical instrument at or above the predetermined temperature.

Hot device indication of video display

A surgical system includes a detector that includes an array of pixels configured to detect light reflected by a surgical device and generate a first signal. The first signal includes a first dataset representative of a visible image of the surgical device. The surgical system also includes a processor configured to receive the first signal and a second signal representative of one or more operating parameters of the surgical device. The processor is also configured to generate a modified image of the surgical device that includes information related to one or more operating parameters.

Surgical system with augmented reality display

A surgical instrument includes an end effector and a handle assembly. The end effector is configured to operate at a first energy level and at a second energy level. The end effector is further configured to transition between an open position and a closed position. The end effector is configured to grasp tissue in the closed position. The handle assembly includes a body, a trigger, and an activation element. The trigger is configured to pivot in a first direction relative to the body to actuate the end effector from the open position to the closed position. The activation element is configured to activate the end effector at either the first energy level or the second energy level. The trigger is configured to either activate the activation element or determine whether the end effector operates at the first energy level or the second energy level.

Surgical instrument with multi-functioning trigger

An end effector of an electrosurgical device may include a discharge port in communication with a first fluid path, an aspiration port in communication with a second fluid path, a first and second electrode, and a diverter in mechanical communication with the two electrodes. The diverter may receive, on its surface, a fluid emitted by the discharge port, and maintain a contact of the fluid with the first and second electrodes. The diverter may be further configured to prevent an aspiration, by the aspiration port, of the fluid on its surface. An electrosurgical device may include a source port in communication with a first fluid path, an evacuation port in communication with a second fluid path, a first and second electrode, and a housing. The device may include a shaft extending distally from the housing and the end effector as described above.

Electrosurgical instrument with fluid diverter

Various embodiments of surgical robot control systems are disclosed. In one example embodiment, the surgical robot control system comprises a housing. A controller is located within the housing and is coupled to a socket. The socket receives a handheld surgical user interface therein to control a surgical instrument. The surgical instrument is connected to the surgical robot and comprises an end effector and a mechanical interface to manipulate the end effector. The mechanical interface is coupled to the controller. At least one sensor is coupled to the controller and the socket to convert movement of the handheld surgical user interface into electrical signals corresponding to the movement of the surgical instrument. At least one feedback device is coupled to the controller to provide feedback to a user. The feedback is associated with a predetermined function of the surgical instrument.

Haptic feedback devices for surgical robot

A surgical system is disclosed including an end effector comprising a clamp arm, a tissue contacting surface, and a circuit defining a plurality of segmented sections. The plurality of segmented sections comprises a first segmented section comprising a first impedance sensor configured to sense a parameter associated with tissue positioned in the first segmented section and deliver electrosurgical energy to the tissue. A motor is configured to move the clamp arm. A current sensor is configured to sense a current draw of the motor. A control system is configured to interrogate the first impedance sensor to determine a value of the parameter, interrogate the current sensor to determine the current draw, compare the value of the parameter to a threshold value, compare the current draw to a threshold current draw, and divert the electrosurgical energy away from the first segmented section based on the comparisons.

Modular battery powered handheld surgical instrument with selective application of energy based on tissue characterization

An ultrasonic instrument includes a body, an actuation assembly, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The actuation assembly includes an activation member that is operable to move in a first direction to select a mode of operation. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body and includes an acoustic waveguide. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade that is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide. The activation member is operable to move in a second direction to activate the end effector in a mode of operation selected by movement of the activation member in the first direction.

Surgical instrument with multi-function button

Devices and methods for articulating a distal end of a surgical device are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the device includes an articulation joint that includes both an inner guide and an outer sleeve. The inner guide includes one channel extending therethrough that receives both a cutting mechanism and a closure band. Further, an outer surface of the inner guide, in conjunction with the outer sleeve, can define two additional channels that each receive an articulation band for articulating an end effector coupled to the articulation joint. The outer surface of the inner guide can include a plurality of ribs that also help define the two additional channels. Further, the outer sleeve can include a plurality of slots formed in it to improve flexibility and stability. Additional configurations of articulation joints, and configurations of components of a surgical device, are also provided, as are methods for using the same.

Articulation joint having an inner guide

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 electrically couple to a pole of an electrical generator. The clamp arm includes a clamp jaw and an electrode configured to electrically couple to an opposite pole of the electrical generator. In one configuration, the electrode is segmented. In another configuration, the ultrasonic blade includes electrically insulative material deposited on selected areas to prevent electrical shorting in the event of the ultrasonic blade contacts the electrode. In another configuration, the clamp arm, the ultrasonic blade, or both include selectively coated components.

Variation in electrode parameters and deflectable electrode to modify energy density and tissue interaction

Methods of manufacturing a medical device are provided, which include injection molding a substantially cylindrical monolithic outer shell having an inner lumen and a plurality of ribs spaced longitudinally and extending partially circumferentially around the substantially cylindrical monolithic outer shell with elongate slots separating each rib. At least one flexible divider can be injection molded and advanced into the inner lumen to separate the inner lumen into first and second elongate channels and can be freely slidable relative to the substantially cylindrical monolithic outer shell. Proximal and distal ends of the substantially cylindrical monolithic outer shell can be respectively mated to a distal end of the elongate shaft and a proximal end of an end effector. First and second articulation bands can be advanced through the elongate shaft and channels and mated to opposed sides of the end effector.

Flexible neck for surgical instruments

An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, an articulation section, an end effector, an articulation connector, and an articulation drive assembly. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body. The end effector is connected to the articulation section such that the end effector is configured to deflect relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft assembly. The articulation connector is configured to translate relative to the shaft assembly to deflect the end effector relative to the longitudinal axis. The articulation drive assembly is configured to translate the articulation connector relative to the shaft assembly. The articulation drive assembly includes a rotatable housing and a first lead screw assembly. The first lead screw assembly includes a first half and a second half. The first lead screw assembly is slidably coupled with the shaft assembly and is configured to translate in response to rotation of the rotatable housing.

Lead screw assembly for articulation control in surgical instrument

Growing community of inventors

Williamsburg, OH, United States of America

Geoffrey S Strobl