A surgical forceps includes an end effector assembly including a first jaw member and a second jaw member pivotally engaged with one another. At least one of the first or second jaw member is pivotable between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position. The first jaw member includes first and second surfaces on opposite sides thereof. The first surface is disposed in opposition to the second jaw member. The second surface includes a cutting edge disposed on a proximal portion thereof. The second jaw member includes a proximal flange having first and second raised sidewalls defining a proximal channel therebetween. The proximal channel receives the cutting edge of the first jaw member when the first and second jaw members are in the approximated position. The cutting edge of the first jaw member is exposed when the first and second jaw members are in the spaced apart position.

A system for use in sealing a portion of pleural layers together includes an electrical energy source, and an electrocautery probe electrically coupled to the electrical energy source. The electrocautery probe has a cannula shaft portion, a distal penetrating tip, and an intermediate portion interposed between the cannula shaft portion and distal penetrating tip. The electrocautery probe is configured to generate heat. A protein source is coupled to the intermediate portion of the electrocautery probe, wherein the protein source has a protein that is denatured by heat.

An in vivo temperature control system has a monitor for the internal temperature of a biological organ such as the esophagus, and for directly controls the temperature in the organ side depending on the monitoring. The in vivo temperature control system includes: a catheter insertable into a living body; a temperature probe containing a temperature sensor, the probe being insertable into the catheter; a liquid storage section for storing a temperature-controlled liquid; a pump for supplying the liquid from the liquid storage section to the catheter; and a control section for controlling driving of the pump based on a signal detected from the temperature probe; wherein the control section controls the pump when the signal has reached a preset threshold, and the pump is driven such that the liquid in the liquid storage section is released to the outside through the catheter.

An optical fiber connection state determination system determines a state of connection between a first optical fiber configured to propagate a test light input from a light source and a second optical fiber in a connector configured to detachably connect an output side from which the test light is output in the first optical fiber and an input side of the second optical fiber to which the test light propagated by the first optical fiber and output from the first optical fiber is input, and includes: a measurement unit configured to measure an intensity of a reflected light reflected and propagating thorough the first optical fiber in the test light; and a determination unit configured to determine the state of connection between the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber in the connector based on the intensity measured by the measurement unit.

An electrosurgical system includes jaw members having a cutting element extending therebetween and a generator configured to: provide minimal power to the cutting element to maintain a pre-dissection temperature thereof; sense a change in resistance of the cutting element and ramp up power to a dissection temperature; regulate the temperature of the cutting element by regulating power; and terminate power to the cutting element to allow the cutting element to cool to the pre-dissection temperature before providing power back to the cutting element.

Example embodiments relate to robotic arm assemblies. Embodiments of the robotic arm assembly include a shoulder segment and upper arm segment having a motor drive portion. Embodiments also include a shoulder coupling joint assembly connecting the upper arm segment to the shoulder segment. Shoulder coupling joint assembly includes a distal shoulder joint subassembly connected to the upper arm segment. The distal shoulder joint subassembly includes a distal shoulder joint forming a first axis. The distal shoulder joint subassembly includes a shoulder planetary gear assembly. Embodiments include an elbow coupling joint assembly connecting the upper arm segment to the forearm segment. The elbow coupling joint assembly includes a proximal elbow joint subassembly connected to the upper arm segment. The proximal elbow joint subassembly includes a proximal elbow joint forming a second axis. The proximal elbow joint subassembly includes an elbow planetary gear assembly.

Even when an insertion object is inserted to a deep position of a subject or even when the insertion object is inserted into the subject at an angle close to a right angle, it is possible to confirm the position of the insertion object in a photoacoustic image. The insertion object is, for example, a hollow puncture needle 15 that includes an opening at a tip thereof. The puncture needle 15 includes a light guide member 152 that guides light emitted from a first light source to the vicinity of the opening, and a light emitting portion 153 that is provided in the vicinity of the opening and emits the light. First photoacoustic waves, which are caused by the light emitted from the light emitting portion 153, are generated in the puncture needle 15. A first photoacoustic image is generated on the basis of the first photoacoustic waves.

An improved multifunction cable for use in an operating room avoids the usual tangle of wires and tubes can be a significant hazard. The cable comes pre-sterilized with a number of wires and tubes pre-installed in a protective housing making it easy to conduct myriad wires and tubes from one region of the operating room to another without any possibility of tangling or violation of sterility. At the sterile end of the cable a special terminus acts as a holder to keep the various operating instrument organized. The terminus is designed to accept a special smoke evacuating monopolar electrosurgery instrument.

An electrosurgical forceps includes a pair of first and second shaft members pivotably coupled to one another, an end effector assembly coupled to the pair of first and second shaft members, a knife, and a knife deployment mechanism. The knife deployment mechanism has one or more safety features that resist an inadvertent deployment of the knife.

A method for controlling an operation of an ultrasonic blade of an ultrasonic electromechanical system is disclosed. The method includes providing an ultrasonic electromechanical system comprising an ultrasonic transducer coupled to an ultrasonic blade via an ultrasonic waveguide; applying, by an energy source, a power level to the ultrasonic transducer; determining, by a control circuit coupled to a memory, a mechanical property of the ultrasonic electromechanical system; comparing, by the control circuit, the mechanical property with a reference mechanical property stored in the memory; and adjusting, by the control circuit, the power level applied to the ultrasonic transducer based on the comparison of the mechanical property with the reference mechanical property.