A soil-based coupon having an electronically readable verification code printed thereon is used for verification of soil removal by a cleaning process. The coupon includes a soil overlay covering the verification code. The verification code is at least partially revealed by removal of all or part of the soil overlay during the cleaning process. If the data encoded in the verification code can be correctly decoded after completion of the cleaning process, the cleaning process can be verified. The soil overlay can be designed to match the application. The coupons may be used in a cleaning process verification procedure in which one or more computing devices analyze images of the verification codes to determine whether or not cleaning processes can be verified.

A method to improve efficiency of operating a sterilizer is disclosed. The method includes determining a volume of a load inside the sterilizer based on pressure measurements as a function of time. The determined volume may be used to decide whether to conduct a sterilization procedure. If the sterilization procedure is to be conducted, the volume data may be used to estimate the duration of the procedure, which duration may be communicated to a user.

A lumen inspection device includes an elongate member and a sealing member at a distal end of the elongate member. The elongate member is inserted into a lumen of a medical instrument. The lumen inspection device is translated along the lumen. The sealing member resiliently bears against a sidewall of the lumen as the lumen inspection device is translated along the lumen of the medical instrument. A pressure source is activated to pressurize a region of the lumen adjacent to the sealing member. A fluid property of the lumen is monitored to detect whether the sealing member deforms in response to an obstruction in the lumen.

A surgical instrument includes an end effector with a first jaw and a second jaw. The instrument also includes a first drive assembly, a first motor coupled to the first drive assembly, a second drive assembly, a second motor coupled to the second drive assembly, a control module, and a closure trigger. The first motor is operable to motivate the first drive assembly, and the second motor is operable to motivate the second drive assembly. The control module is operably couplable to the first motor and the second motor. The closure trigger is movable during a closure stroke to transition the end effector to the approximated configuration, and to transition the control module from operable engagement with the first motor to operable engagement with the second motor.

An end effector is disclosed. The end effector comprises a first jaw member defining an anvil; a second jaw member configured to receive a cartridge therein, wherein the first jaw member is moveable with respect to the second jaw member; a first sensor coupled to the anvil; and a second sensor configured to measure a second parameter. The first sensor is configured to measure a first parameter. The first parameter and the second parameter are related. The first sensor and the second sensor are in signal communication with a processor.

A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is movable relative to the other one of the first jaw and the second jaw between an open configuration and an approximated configuration. In addition the surgical instrument includes a cutting member movable during a firing stroke to cut tissue captured between the first jaw and the second jaw, the cutting member comprising a cutting surface at a distal portion thereof. In addition, the surgical instrument further includes a sensing module operable to measure a characteristic of the cutting surface.

A method for monitoring cleaning of a surface includes applying an amount of transparent indicator material to an area of a surface and measuring the amount of transparent indicator material remaining on the surface. The transparent indicator material may be fixed on the surface by drying and, when a fluorescent material, may be measured through exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

A powered surgical instrument including an end effector, which includes jaws that are configured to transition between various closure states. The surgical instrument includes a sensor configured to measure the closure state of the jaws and a display configured to display information indicative to the detected closure state. The surgical instrument further includes a firing member movable between a first position and a second position to transition the end effector between the plurality of closure states and a motor configured to drive the firing member between the first position and the second position.

A composition for monitoring the efficacy of a decontamination process is provided, the composition comprising a cellulose polymer and a predetermined quantity of an adenine nucleotide. A monitoring device comprising a test element with the composition disposed thereon is also provided. The composition and/or monitoring device can be used in a method. The method includes exposing the monitoring device to a decontamination process and subsequently measuring the residual tracer analyte on the monitoring device.

A method for attaching a test fixture to a surgical instrument comprising removing a valve member from a valve chamber of a surgical instrument and removing another valve member from another valve chamber of the surgical instrument. The method further comprises inserting a valve member analogue extending from a frame of a test figure into the valve chamber, wherein the valve member analogue comprises a first seal and a second seal, and wherein the first and second seals are configured to seal at least a portion of the valve chamber of the surgical instrument. The method further comprises inserting another valve member analogue extending from the frame, wherein the valve member analogue and the another valve member analogue define a longitudinal axis extending substantially therebetween. The method further comprises securing the test fixture to the surgical instrument by moving the housing substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis into a locked position.