A structure of a surgical instrument configured for thermally cutting tissue. The structure includes a frame and a thermal cutting element. The frame includes a proximal flange portion and a distal body portion. The distal body portion includes a proximal section extending from the proximal flange portion, a distal section, and a center section extending between the proximal and distal sections. The distal body portion includes first and second distal body portion segments. The distal body portion segments are disposed a first distance apart from one another at the proximal section, a second distance apart from one another at the distal section, and a third distance apart from one another at the center section. The third distance is greater than the first and second distances. The thermal cutting element is disposed within the distal body portion of the frame and extends from the proximal section, through the center section, to the distal section.

Electrosurgical devices are shown with a coated electrode. Electrosurgical devices and methods of use are shown to apply a consistent delta of energy to a tissue, in contrast to merely applying energy until an ending value is reached. Electrosurgical devices and methods of use are shown to meet the challenges of applying a consistent delta of energy by adjusting a baseline value.

A surgical instrument end effector assembly includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The second jaw member includes an ultrasonic blade body and first and second electrodes disposed on either side of the ultrasonic blade body and extending longitudinally along a majority of a length of the ultrasonic blade body. The ultrasonic blade body is adapted to receive ultrasonic energy from an ultrasonic waveguide. The first and second electrodes taper in width proximally to distally and are adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy. The first jaw member is movable relative to the second jaw member between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween.

An apparatus for operating on tissue includes a body, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body and includes an acoustic waveguide. The waveguide is configured to acoustically couple with an ultrasonic transducer. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade, a clamp arm, and a clamp pad. The blade is in acoustic communication with the waveguide. The clamp arm is configured to pivot about a first pivot point toward and away from the ultrasonic blade and includes a coupling feature. The clamp pad is selectively attachable to the blade to acoustically isolate the clamp arm from the ultrasonic blade. The coupling feature of the clamp arm is configured to provide a snap fit between the clamp pad and the clamp arm and thereby permit manipulation of the clamp pad for removal of the clamp pad from the clamp arm.

A power supply device in which a device shaft provided with a power receiver is inserted in a through-hole of a port site, which is capable of supplying electric power to the power receiver at a low cost and enabling fine operation of the device shaft. The power supply includes a port site; first terminals provided on an inner surface of the through-hole; wires that connect the first terminals and a power source; a device shaft that is insertable into the through-hole; a power receiver provided on the device shaft; second terminals provided on an outer surface of the device shaft; and wires that connect the power receiver and the second terminals. Electric power from the power supply can be supplied to the power receiver by inserting the device shaft into the through-hole to thereby bring the first terminals and the second terminals into contact with each other.

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.

Example electrosurgical devices and systems are disclosed. An example electrosurgical device includes a body, an electrosurgical electrode secured to the body, the electrosurgical electrode including a distal tip. The electrosurgical device also includes a shroud translatable relative to the electrosurgical electrode between a first position and a second position, a first magnetic component which is operably connected to the body, and a second magnetic component which is operably connected to the shroud, wherein the first and second magnetic components magnetically interact to releasably maintain the shroud in the first position.

A surgical apparatus comprises a body, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The end effector comprises a clamp arm and an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with an ultrasonic transducer via an acoustic waveguide that extends through the shaft assembly. The clamp arm is configured to pivot about a first pivot point toward and away from the ultrasonic blade along a first angular path from a first position to a second position to thereby provide a tissue sealing mode of operation. The clamp arm is further configured to pivot about a second pivot point toward and away from the ultrasonic blade along second angular path from the second position to a third position to thereby provide a tissue cutting and sealing mode of operation. The second pivot point is proximal to the first pivot point.

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.