Cartridges and methods for ligation or dissection and ligation of tubular tissue structures are described. The cartridges and methods provide a means for efficient dissection and application of one or more ligatures by a single user using a single cartridge resulting in effective closure of a vessel or other tubular tissue structure by placement of a ligature at the desired location resulting in the desired tissue margin or stump.

Cartridges and methods for ligation or dissection and ligation of tubular tissue structures are described. The cartridges and methods provide a means for efficient dissection and application of one or more ligatures by a single user using a single cartridge resulting in effective closure of a vessel or other tubular tissue structure by placement of a ligature at the desired location resulting in the desired tissue margin or stump.

Adapter assemblies are provided for selectively interconnecting a surgical end effector that is configured to perform at least a pair of functions and a surgical device that is configured to actuate the end effector, wherein the end effector includes a first axially translatable drive member and a second axially translatable drive member, and wherein the surgical device includes a first rotatable drive shaft and a second rotatable drive shaft.

Adapter assemblies are provided for selectively interconnecting a surgical end effector that is configured to perform at least a pair of functions and a surgical device that is configured to actuate the end effector, wherein the end effector includes a first axially translatable drive member and a second axially translatable drive member, and wherein the surgical device includes a first rotatable drive shaft and a second rotatable drive shaft.

An electrosurgical instrument with first and second branches pivotably arranged at a hinge is disclosed. The hinge is formed by a support pin at the second branch and a corresponding support cavity at the first branch. At one side adjacent to the hinge location at which the support pin extends into the support cavity, a knife guide cavity is provided in the second branch for a moveable guided support of a knife. Parallel to the pivot axis defined by the hinge, the knife guide cavity is arranged adjacent to an axial end of the support pin. The hinge or the hinge location formed by the hinge at which the support pin is arranged in the support cavity is only arranged on one side of the knife guide cavity viewed in a direction parallel to the pivot axis. The respective other side is free from hinge components.

An electrosurgical instrument with first and second branches pivotably arranged at a hinge is disclosed. The hinge is formed by a support pin at the second branch and a corresponding support cavity at the first branch. At one side adjacent to the hinge location at which the support pin extends into the support cavity, a knife guide cavity is provided in the second branch for a moveable guided support of a knife. Parallel to the pivot axis defined by the hinge, the knife guide cavity is arranged adjacent to an axial end of the support pin. The hinge or the hinge location formed by the hinge at which the support pin is arranged in the support cavity is only arranged on one side of the knife guide cavity viewed in a direction parallel to the pivot axis. The respective other side is free from hinge components.

A surgical device includes a forceps and a blade. The forceps includes a first working jaw and a second working jaw. The blade extends along a longitudinal axis and includes a notched section. The blade is located between the first working jaw and the second working jaw. A first therapy current can be connected to the first working jaw, the second working jaw, or both so that tissue gripped between the first working jaw and the second working jaw and within the notched section can be coagulated. While the tissue is gripped between the first working jaw and the second working jaw, the blade is moveable along its longitudinal axis so that the tissue is cut with the notched section without repositioning the first working jaw, the second working jaw, or both.

A surgical device includes a forceps and a blade. The forceps includes a first working jaw and a second working jaw. The blade extends along a longitudinal axis and includes a notched section. The blade is located between the first working jaw and the second working jaw. A first therapy current can be connected to the first working jaw, the second working jaw, or both so that tissue gripped between the first working jaw and the second working jaw and within the notched section can be coagulated. While the tissue is gripped between the first working jaw and the second working jaw, the blade is moveable along its longitudinal axis so that the tissue is cut with the notched section without repositioning the first working jaw, the second working jaw, or both.

A surgical kit includes an instrument and two or more cartridges. The instrument includes a body, a shaft assembly, and a cartridge receiving assembly. The cartridge receiving assembly has a movable output feature, which is configured to move in response to activation of the actuation input feature. The cartridges may include a first suturing cartridge and a second suturing cartridge, with first and second suture needles, respectively. The second suture needle may extend along an arc that has a larger radius of curvature than an arc associated with the first suture needle. The cartridges may also include a drive assembly that is operable to drive the needle along an orbital path in response to movement of the actuation input feature. The cartridges may also include features that are operable to apply clips or staples. The cartridges may also include features that are operable to grasp or cut.

A surgical kit includes an instrument and two or more cartridges. The instrument includes a body, a shaft assembly, and a cartridge receiving assembly. The cartridge receiving assembly has a movable output feature, which is configured to move in response to activation of the actuation input feature. The cartridges may include a first suturing cartridge and a second suturing cartridge, with first and second suture needles, respectively. The second suture needle may extend along an arc that has a larger radius of curvature than an arc associated with the first suture needle. The cartridges may also include a drive assembly that is operable to drive the needle along an orbital path in response to movement of the actuation input feature. The cartridges may also include features that are operable to apply clips or staples. The cartridges may also include features that are operable to grasp or cut.