A joint structure includes a first link and a second link coupled to one another by a joint. The first link and the second link are articulatable relative to each other about the joint. An actuation element extends through a first guide channel in the first link and a second guide channel in the second link. The first guide channel terminates in an opening where the actuation element extends from the first link to extend across the joint to the second link. A first edge portion of the opening is at a first location along a longitudinal axis of the first guide channel, and a second edge portion of the opening is at a second location different from the first location along the longitudinal axis of the first guide channel. Systems and devices include related joint structures.

A joint structure includes a first link and a second link coupled to one another by a joint. The first link and the second link are articulatable relative to each other about the joint. An actuation element extends through a first guide channel in the first link and a second guide channel in the second link. The first guide channel terminates in an opening where the actuation element extends from the first link to extend across the joint to the second link. A first edge portion of the opening is at a first location along a longitudinal axis of the first guide channel, and a second edge portion of the opening is at a second location different from the first location along the longitudinal axis of the first guide channel. Systems and devices include related joint structures.

A surgical system according to an embodiment may include a patient-side apparatus, an operator-side apparatus including an operation part to receive an operation for operating a surgical instrument attached to an arm of the patient-side apparatus, and a controller configured to control an operation of the surgical instrument based on the operation received by the operation part. The controller is configured to: control rotation amounts of first and second drive parts to drive first and second elongate elements for opening and closing first and second jaw members of the surgical instrument such that an opening angle between the first and second jaw members correspond to an operating angle received by the operation part; and correct, according to a rotation angle of a shaft of the surgical instrument about a rotation axis of the shaft, the rotation amounts of the first and second drive parts that correspond to the operating angle.

A surgical system according to an embodiment may include a patient-side apparatus, an operator-side apparatus including an operation part to receive an operation for operating a surgical instrument attached to an arm of the patient-side apparatus, and a controller configured to control an operation of the surgical instrument based on the operation received by the operation part. The controller is configured to: control rotation amounts of first and second drive parts to drive first and second elongate elements for opening and closing first and second jaw members of the surgical instrument such that an opening angle between the first and second jaw members correspond to an operating angle received by the operation part; and correct, according to a rotation angle of a shaft of the surgical instrument about a rotation axis of the shaft, the rotation amounts of the first and second drive parts that correspond to the operating angle.

A medical apparatus can include an instrument comprising a shaft and a jaw assembly coupled to an end of the shaft; an image capture device; and a controller operably coupled to the image capture device to receive image data from the image capture device. The image data is from images of material gripped between jaw members of the jaw assembly and captured by the image capture device, with the controller programmed to process the received image data using at least one of optical flow and digital image correlation. A medical apparatus can include an instrument comprising a shaft, and a jaw assembly coupled to an end of the shaft, the jaw assembly comprising a pair of jaw members having opposing surfaces configured to grasp material between the opposing surfaces, wherein at least a portion of the opposing surface of a first jaw member of the pair of jaw members is transparent.

A medical apparatus can include an instrument comprising a shaft and a jaw assembly coupled to an end of the shaft; an image capture device; and a controller operably coupled to the image capture device to receive image data from the image capture device. The image data is from images of material gripped between jaw members of the jaw assembly and captured by the image capture device, with the controller programmed to process the received image data using at least one of optical flow and digital image correlation. A medical apparatus can include an instrument comprising a shaft, and a jaw assembly coupled to an end of the shaft, the jaw assembly comprising a pair of jaw members having opposing surfaces configured to grasp material between the opposing surfaces, wherein at least a portion of the opposing surface of a first jaw member of the pair of jaw members is transparent.

Forceps that include a hand piece, a jaw assembly connected to the hand piece, and a web. The jaw assembly is moveable between an open position and a closed position. The web is adapted to block an anatomical feature from extending beyond a proximal end of a gripping section of the jaw assembly. The web remains generally stationary relative to the handpiece when the jaw assembly is moved between an open position and a closed position.

Forceps that include a hand piece, a jaw assembly connected to the hand piece, and a web. The jaw assembly is moveable between an open position and a closed position. The web is adapted to block an anatomical feature from extending beyond a proximal end of a gripping section of the jaw assembly. The web remains generally stationary relative to the handpiece when the jaw assembly is moved between an open position and a closed position.

A method for producing a surgical instrument is disclosed. The method comprises obtaining a handle, wherein the handle comprises a distal end comprising a shaft interface surface and a first set of magnetic elements. The method further comprises obtaining a shaft, wherein the shaft comprises a proximal end comprising a handle interface surface, a second set of magnetic elements, and a third set of magnetic elements. The method further comprises attaching the shaft to the handle, wherein the shaft interface surface is configured to engage the shaft at the handle interface surface, wherein an attractive magnetic force is configured to pull the handle towards the shaft when the first set of magnetic elements interact with the second magnetic elements, and wherein a repulsive magnetic force is configured to repel the handle from the shaft when the first set of magnetic elements interacts with the third set of magnetic elements.

A return pad of an electrosurgical system is disclosed. The return pad includes a plurality of conductive members and a plurality of sensing devices. The conductive members are configured to receive radio frequency current applied to a patient. The sensing devices are configured to detect at least one of the following: a nerve control signal applied to the patient; and a movement of an anatomical feature of the patient resulting from application of the nerve control signal.