Patent•
Rotary powered surgical instruments with multiple degrees of freedom
01 Mar 2013-
TL;DR: In this paper, a surgical instrument may include an elongate shaft assembly that is operably couplable to the drive system for receiving a first rotary control motion therefrom for rotating the elongated shaft assembly about a shaft axis.
Abstract: A surgical instrument may comprise a drive system that is configured to electrically generate a plurality of discrete rotary control motions. In at least one form, the surgical instrument may include an elongate shaft assembly that is operably couplable to the drive system for receiving a first rotary control motion therefrom for rotating the elongate shaft assembly about a shaft axis. The elongate shaft assembly may be further configured to receive and transmit a second rotary control motion from the drive system to a surgical end effector that is operably coupled to the elongate shaft assembly to cause the surgical end effector to rotate about the shaft axis relative to the elongate shaft assembly. The elongate shaft assembly may be further configured to receive and transmit a third rotary control motion from the drive system to an articulation joint that communicates with the elongate shaft assembly and the surgical end effector to articulate the surgical end effector about an articulation axis that is substantially transverse to the shaft axis.
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Patent•
14 Jun 2016
TL;DR: Newness and distinctiveness is claimed in the features of ornamentation as shown inside the broken line circle in the accompanying representation as discussed by the authors, which is the basis for the representation presented in this paper.
Abstract: Newness and distinctiveness is claimed in the features of ornamentation as shown inside the broken line circle in the accompanying representation.
1,500 citations
Patent•
20 Sep 2016TL;DR: In this article, an E-beam firing bar is used to drive staples on each side of the cut in a surgical severing and stapling instrument, which is suitable for laparoscopic and endoscopic clinical procedures, clamps tissue within an end effector of an elongate channel pivotally opposed by an anvil.
Abstract: A surgical severing and stapling instrument, suitable for laparoscopic and endoscopic clinical procedures, clamps tissue within an end effector of an elongate channel pivotally opposed by an anvil. An E-beam firing bar moves distally through the clamped end effector to sever tissue and to drive staples on each side of the cut. The E-beam firing bar affirmatively spaces the anvil from the elongate channel to assure properly formed closed staples, especially when an amount of tissue is clamped that is inadequate to space the end effector. In particular, an upper pin of the firing bar longitudinally moves through an anvil slot and a channel slot is captured between a lower cap and a middle pin of the firing bar to assure a minimum spacing. Forming the E-beam from a thickened distal portion and a thinned proximal strip enhances manufacturability and facilitates use in such articulating surgical instruments.
1,384 citations
Patent•
27 Feb 2014TL;DR: In this paper, a surgical end effector comprises a staple cartridge comprising a proximal end and a distal end, which is configured to be used to staple tissue within an optimal tissue thickness range.
Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical end effector is disclosed. The surgical end effector comprises a staple cartridge comprising a proximal end and a distal end. The staple cartridge is configured to be used to staple tissue within an optimal tissue thickness range. An anvil is movably coupled relative to the staple cartridge. A tissue thickness sensing module is located adjacent to the distal end of the staple cartridge. The tissue thickness sensing module comprises a sensor and a controller. The sensor is configured to generate a tissue thickness signal indicative of a thickness of the tissue located between the anvil and the staple cartridge. The controller is in signal communication with the sensor. The controller comprises means for identifying a staple cartridge type. The staple cartridge type and the thickness measurement are used to determine if the thickness of the tissue is within the optimal tissue thickness range.
958 citations
Patent•
30 Mar 2012TL;DR: In this paper, a transducer and an end effector are configured to provide vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency and may comprise a piezoelectric stack positioned along the longitudinal axis.
Abstract: A surgical instrument. The surgical instrument may comprise a transducer and an end effector. The transducer may be configured to provide vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency and may comprise a piezoelectric stack positioned along the longitudinal axis. The transducer also may comprise a first metallic end mass positioned along the longitudinal axis adjacent a first end of the piezoelectric stack and a second metallic end mass positioned along the longitudinal axis adjacent a second end of the piezoelectric stack. The length of the transducer may be greater than or equal to of one wavelength and less than ½ of one wavelength. The end effector may be coupled to the transducer and may extend along the longitudinal axis. The length of the transducer and the end effector may be a multiple of ½ of one wavelength.
954 citations
Patent•
28 Feb 2012TL;DR: In this article, an endoscopic or laparoscopic instrument is equipped with a handle connected to a proximate end of a conductive shaft, such that the shaft radiates signals as an antenna from the control unit to the sensor and receives radiated signals from the sensor.
Abstract: A surgical instrument, such as an endoscopic or laparoscopic instrument. The surgical instrument may comprise an end effector comprising at least one sensor. The surgical instrument may also comprise an electrically conductive shaft having a distal end connected to the end effector wherein the sensor is electrically insulated from the shaft. The surgical instrument may also comprise a handle connected to a proximate end of the shaft. The handle may comprise a control unit electrically coupled to the shaft such that the shaft radiates signals as an antenna from the control unit to the sensor and receives radiated signals from the sensor. Other components electrically coupled to the shaft may also radiate the signals.
953 citations
References
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TL;DR: The composition and synthesis of hydrogels, the character of their absorbed water, and permeation of solutes within their swollen matrices are reviewed to identify the most important properties relevant to their biomedical applications.
5,173 citations
TL;DR: Development of environmentally sensitive hydrogels with a wide array of desirable properties can be made is a formidable challenge, however, if the achievements of the past can be extrapolated into the future, it is highly likely that responsive hydrogelWith such properties can been made.
4,216 citations
Patent•
20 Jun 1996
TL;DR: In this article, an electrosurgical instrument for the treatment of tissue in the presence of an electrically-conductive fluid was disclosed, consisting of an instrument shaft (32), and a tissue treatment electrode (31) at one end of the shaft.
Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument is disclosed for the treatment of tissue in the presence of an electrically-conductive fluid. The instrument comprises an instrument shaft (32), and a tissue treatment electrode (31) at one end of the shaft, the tissue treatment electrode being constructed to define a plurality of pockets for trapping electrically-conductive fluid. Alternatively, the tissue treatment electrode (81) is made from an electrically-conductive material (81a) and is coated with a resistive inert material (81b) which is effective to increase the local power density within the tissue treatment electrode.
3,721 citations
Patent•
15 Oct 1991
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe a surgical instrument useful for laparoscopic surgery comprising an insulated shaft, a control means and a connection to an electrosurgical radiofrequency power source, its distal end having a tissue-engaging ledge, and the shaft supporting a tissueengaging clamping or cutting member movable toward the ledge in response to the control means so that an artery or other tissue in the pocket of the J-hook can be clamped or cut while radiofrequency current is applied.
Abstract: A surgical instrument useful for laparoscopic surgery comprising an insulated shaft, a control means and a connection to an electrosurgical radiofrequency power source, its distal end being of general J-hook form having a tissue-engaging ledge, and the shaft supporting a tissue-engaging clamping or cutting member movable toward the ledge in response to the control means so that an artery or other tissue in the pocket of the J-hook can be clamped or cut while radiofrequency current is applied. Instrument constructions disclosed incorporate one or two clamping members and a cutting member arranged such that with actuation, the clamping member(s) engages the ledge before the cutting member, and, by selective actuation of the electrosurgical power source, coagulation current can be applied while clamping an artery or other tissue against the ledge to stop flow of blood, and by further actuation of the control and suitable current to the cutting member, the artery or tissue may be cut. Selector means enable movement of one and prevent movement of one of the members during actuation; bipolar or monopolar energization is employed; the relatively long leg of the J-member has portals. Communicating through a lumen in the shaft for infusion or aspiration of fluid; the distal end surface of the J-hook defines a cutting edge for blunt dissection; and the control means comprises a single actuatable member by actuator rods for sealing clamp and cutting members, while a compression spring associated with the actuating rod of the sealing clamp member compresses when the clamp member is stopped, in clamping action upon the artery or tissue while cutting of tissue thereafter proceeds. A diamond film on tissue-engaging surfaces of a clamp, grasping or cutting surgical instrument improves heat transfer between tissue and instrument.
2,088 citations
TL;DR: It is timely to summarize the polymeric systems that undergo sol-gel transitions, particularly due to temperature, with emphasis on the underlying transition mechanisms and potential delivery aspects.
2,048 citations