An automatic tourniquet apparatus comprises a tourniquet cuff, a pressure transducer, a user interface, a patient hazard shield and a pressure regulator. The pressure transducer produces a cuff pressure signal. The user interface produces a reference pressure signal. The patient hazard shield is responsive to the cuff pressure signal and the reference pressure signal, and operable during a regulation time period to produce a patient hazard signal if, in one implementation, a current level of pressure in the tourniquet cuff is greater than the reference level of pressure by at least a predetermined overpressure limit. The pressure regulator is responsive to the patient hazard signal, and has a pressurizing element for increasing pressure in the cuff and a depressurizing element for decreasing pressure in the cuff. The pressurizing element is configured to be non-responsive if the patient hazard signal is produced.

A method for adjusting the operation of a surgical instrument using machine learning in a surgical suite is disclosed.

A cervical cup includes a body having a flange and a vacuum port so that application of a vacuum to the port will secure the cervical cup to a cervix disposed inside of the body of the cup. Example of the disclosed methodology to treat preterm birth includes inserting of a cervix into a cervical cup and applying a vacuum to a vacuum port of the cervical cup so as to secure the cervical cup to the cervix.

A surgical clip applier is provided including a channel assembly and overlying a clip carrier having a clip counter plate slidably supported in the channel assembly, wherein the clip counter plate is configured and adapted to display a change in status of the clip applier upon actuation of the handle.

A method of stapling tissue is disclosed. The method can include obtaining a staple cartridge including a plurality of staples, wherein each staple has a base and a leg extending from the base. The stapling method can also include firing the staples from the staple cartridge, wherein the staples are fired into tissue in a staple line. The staple line can include a first portion having a first flexibility and a second portion having a second flexibility, wherein the second flexibility is different than the first flexibility. A method of stapling tissue can also include adapting an anvil with an anvil plate having an arrangement of staple-forming pockets that differs from the staple-forming pockets in the anvil.

A method of stapling tissue is disclosed. The method can include obtaining a staple cartridge including a plurality of staples, wherein each staple has a base and a leg extending from the base. The stapling method can also include firing the staples from the staple cartridge, wherein the staples are fired into tissue in a staple line. The staple line can include a first portion having a first flexibility and a second portion having a second flexibility, wherein the second flexibility is different than the first flexibility. A method of stapling tissue can also include adapting an anvil with an anvil plate having an arrangement of staple-forming pockets that differs from the staple-forming pockets in the anvil.

A method of stapling tissue is disclosed. The method can include obtaining a staple cartridge including a plurality of staples, wherein each staple has a base and a leg extending from the base. The stapling method can also include firing the staples from the staple cartridge, wherein the staples are fired into tissue in a staple line. The staple line can include a first portion having a first flexibility and a second portion having a second flexibility, wherein the second flexibility is different than the first flexibility. A method of stapling tissue can also include adapting an anvil with an anvil plate having an arrangement of staple-forming pockets that differs from the staple-forming pockets in the anvil.

A surgical instrument includes a housing, an end effector including a clamp jaw, a drive member extending distally from the housing, and a clamp lever pivotably coupled to the housing. The drive member is operably coupled to the clamp jaw such that translation of the drive member pivots the clamp jaw from an open position towards a clamping position. The clamp lever is operably coupled to the drive member via a rigid slider. The clamp jaw is configured to provide a jaw force to clamped tissue, measured at about 0.192 inches from a distal end of the clamp jaw, of from about 1 lbf to about 8 lbf in response to a full actuation of the clamp lever.

Disclosed are systems and methods for limiting the grip force generated by closing robotic wrist jaws while operating in position mode in which the jaws are commanded to a desired jaw angle prior to being commanded to generate a grip force. In the positional mode, the desired jaw angle is above a threshold that corresponds to an angle at which both jaws are just simultaneously in contact with an object between the jaws or, if there is no object to grasp, when the jaws begin to touch each other. A feedback loop may analyze the desired jaw angle and the measured grip force to determine if the jaws are closing in the position mode and if the measured grip force exceeds a maximum grip force threshold. If so, the feedback loop may calculate a grip force error to limit the measured grip force to the maximum grip force threshold.

Disclosed are systems and methods for achieving a smooth transition in the grip force when the wrist jaws transition between the position and force mode. In the position mode, the desired jaw angle is above a threshold corresponding to an angle at which both jaws are just simultaneously in contact with an object held between the jaws or, if there is no object, when the jaws begin to touch each other. A feedback loop may determine that the jaws are transitioning between the modes based on changes of the desired jaw angle. The feedback loop may analyze the commanded grip force and the measured grip force to determine whether to adjust the commanded grip force during the transition. If so, the feedback loop may adjust the commanded grip force to reduce changes in the measured grip force that is otherwise based on the desired jaw angle.