A manipulator adapted to grasp and draw tissue comprises first and second arms having proximal ends and distal ends separated by a distance. First and second grasping surfaces each connected to and extending from respective distal ends of the first and second arms are biased toward each other by a respective spring force. When the first and second arms are actuated to reduce the distance, the manipulator is configured such that tissue arranged between the first and second grasping surfaces resist actuation of the first and second arms. The first and second arms are further actuatable to overcome the spring force of the first and second grasping surfaces so that the first and second grasping surfaces pivot at respective pivot points such that the distance between the distal ends of the first and second arms is reduced.

Clamping forceps device includes two clamps in pivotal connection to one another and each having an operator end for being operated by a health care provider. The device also includes an extension extending aft of the operator end of each clamp, the extension forming a space therebetween sized to form a disconnecting wedge mechanism for separating a tube from a patient tube connector. Each extension defines a ramped surface increasing in thickness moving from an extension tip towards the operator end.

A hand tool has a pivot connection pivotally attaching a first arm to a second arm, with the pivot connection fixed relative to the first arm and movable to first and second positions relative to the second arm. A spring urges the pivot connection into the first position. When jaws on the front ends of the arms clamp tissue with force greater than a pre-set threshold, the spring force is overcome and the jaws may move linearly apart, allowing for more uniform clamping of the tissue. The first arm may have an arm spring extending between a front segment pivotally attached to a rear segment of the first arm.

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.

An apparatus for operating on tissue includes a body assembly, a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, and an end effector. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade, a clamp arm, and a blade guard. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the waveguide. The clamp arm is configured to pivot toward and away from the ultrasonic blade. The clamp arm has a first tine. The blade guard extends from the shaft. The blade guard has a longitudinally extending arm defining a concave pathway and a second tine located distal to the longitudinally extending arm. The ultrasonic blade is partially housed within the concave pathway. The first tine and the second tine are configured to grasp tissue when the clamp arm pivots toward the ultrasonic blade.

An electrocautery unit for connecting to a handle of an electrocautery device, the unit comprises a body, a light unit and an electrode. The body has a body proximal end and a body distal end, and a body axis extending lengthwise along the center of the body. The body's proximal end comprises a connecting element for connecting said body to a handle having a handle axis extending lengthwise along the center of the handle, so that said body axis is coaxial with said handle axis when said body is connected to said handle. The light unit may be constructed and arranged to emit a light having a central axis coaxial with said body axis. The electrode comprises a proximate end connected to the body distal end, and an electrode tip at a distal said. When the electrode is connected to the body, the electrode lays outside of the body axis and extends into said body axis such that the electrode tip is within said body axis, wherein said light and said electrode tip are coaxial to said body axis and said handle axis.

The various embodiments disclosed herein relate to arms or forearms of medical devices that are configured to couple with quick-release end effectors, quick-release end effectors for use with such medical devices, and arms or forearms coupled to such quick-release end effectors. Certain forearms and end effectors have magnetic couplings, while others have mechanical couplings, and further implementations have both magnetic and mechanical couplings.

An apparatus for operating on tissue includes a body assembly, a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, and an end effector. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade, a clamp arm, and a blade guard. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the waveguide. The clamp arm is configured to pivot toward and away from the ultrasonic blade. The clamp arm has a first tine. The blade guard extends from the shaft. The blade guard has a longitudinally extending arm defining a concave pathway and a second tine located distal to the longitudinally extending arm. The ultrasonic blade is partially housed within the concave pathway. The first tine and the second tine are configured to grasp tissue when the clamp arm pivots toward the ultrasonic blade.

A temperature monitoring bipolar forceps may include a first forceps arm and a second forceps arm. The first forceps arm may include a first channel, a first conductor tip, and a first thermocouple housing. The second forceps arm may include a second channel, a second conductor tip, and a second thermocouple housing. A first thermocouple wire may include a first thermocouple and a second thermocouple wire may include a second thermocouple. The first thermocouple wire may be disposed in the first channel wherein the first thermocouple is disposed in the first thermocouple housing. The second thermocouple wire may be disposed in the second channel wherein the second thermocouple is disposed in the second thermocouple housing. The first thermocouple may be configured to measure a temperature of the first conductor tip and the second thermocouple may be configured to measure a temperature of the second conductor tip.

A surgical instrument includes a gripping assembly, a shaft assembly, an end effector, and a pivoting member. The gripping assembly defines a first opening for receiving a finger or a thumb of a user. The gripping assembly includes a first deformable feature that is configured to be moved in order to increase or decrease a cross-sectional area of the first opening. The shaft assembly extends distally from the gripping assembly. The end effector is positioned at a distal end of the shaft assembly and includes a first member. The pivoting member is pivotably coupled with the shaft assembly. The pivoting member is pivotable with respect to the first member of the end effector between an open position and a closed position to thereby clamp tissue between the first member and the pivoting member.