Surgical instrument tracking systems, methods and devices are described. The system can include tracking devices configured to detect location events. The tracking device can include sensors, circuits, power sources, memories, and radio interface. The tracking devices can automatically determine a location of the tracking device when the tracking device detects a location event. The tracking device can automatically transmit the location and information related to the location event to a data analytics platform. The data analytics platform can allow a user to track multiple surgical instruments and surgical instrument tray in order to accurately determine when surgical instruments should be replaced, and how efficiently the surgical instruments are used.

An electrosurgical system comprising: a plurality of electrosurgical connection units, each electrosurgical connection unit comprising an input port connectable to an electrosurgical channel and an output port connectable to an electrosurgical instrument, the electrosurgical connection unit configured to connect the input port to the output port; an electrosurgical network comprising a plurality of electrosurgical links that connect the input ports of the electrosurgical connection units to an electrosurgical channel; and a control unit configured to: receive information from a device indicating that the device has detected an electrosurgical generator connected to the electrosurgical channel, the device being one of the electrosurgical connection units and an electrosurgical output device connected to the electrosurgical channel; determine a location of the electrosurgical generator in the electrosurgical network based on the received information; and transmit one or more control signals to the electrosurgical connection units and/or one or more electrosurgical output devices connected to the electrosurgical channel to cause the output port of a selected combination of electrosurgical connection units to be connected to the electrosurgical channel based on the determined location of the electrosurgical generator.

A surgical cutting and stapling end effector. Various embodiments comprise a channel that is configured to operably support a removable staple cartridge. A rotary end effector drive shaft is supported within the channel and is configured to move a firing assembly longitudinally within the end effector to cause the sled to eject surgical staples from the staple cartridge. The firing assembly is prevented from moving distally through the channel unless a surgical staple cartridge that has a sled in a starting position has been seated within the channel.

Systems, methods and apparatus are disclosed for properly using and locating object retention wands via the use of at least one sensor located on or in the wand body for determining when the wand is capable of properly scanning a target area. In one form, a proximity sensor is used. In another form a motion sensor is used. In still other forms, both a proximity sensor and motion sensor are used. In some forms, the wand system further includes an indicator for indicating whether the wand is within proper read range, speed and/or orientation of a target area so as to confirm proper use of the wand to locate retained objects before concluding a procedure. In other forms one or more of a user interface, scanner and network interface may also be used with the system. Further systems, methods and apparatus are also disclosed herein.

The present disclosure provides a guide wire system comprising (a) a guide wire having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the guide wire comprises a superelastic material, (b) a first connector coupled to the proximal end of the guide wire, (c) a second connector coupled to the guide wire between the distal end and the proximal end, (d) an electromagnetic sensor coupled to the distal end of the guide wire, and (e) a polymeric tube surrounding the guide wire and at least a portion of the electromagnetic sensor.

A surgical instrument comprising a shaft, an end effector, a housing, a drive assembly, and a manually-driven actuator is disclosed. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw rotatable relative to the first jaw between an open position and a clamped position. The housing comprises a rotary input movable by a motor. The drive assembly is operably engaged with the rotary input. The drive assembly is movable by the motor in a motorized mode of operation to transition the second jaw toward the clamped position. The drive assembly is movable in a non-motorized mode of operation by the manually-driven actuator to permit a transition of the second jaw toward the open position to release tissue between the first jaw and the second jaw.

Robotic systems and methods include a robotic manipulator and a skin incision tool to be coupled to the robotic manipulator and being configured to create an incision in skin of a patient. A skin tracker is attached to the skin of the patient to track the skin of the patient. A robotic controller controls the robotic manipulator to move the skin incision tool relative to a determined location on the skin of the patient. The robotic controller controls the robotic manipulator to constrain movement of the skin incision tool with a haptic object defined relative to the determined location to guide the skin incision tool to the determined location for making the incision in the skin.

Various surgical systems are disclosed. A surgical system can include a surgical robot and a surgical hub. The surgical robot can include a control unit in signal communication with a control console and a robotic tool. The surgical hub can include a display. The surgical hub can be in signal communication with the control unit. A facility can include a plurality of surgical hubs that communicate data from the surgical robots to a primary server. To alleviate bandwidth competition among the surgical hubs, the surgical hubs can include prioritization protocols for collecting, storing, and/or communicating data to the primary server.

Methods and system for characterizing ligament properties using elastography are disclosed. An ultrasound system capable of performing shear wave elasticity imaging and/or supersonic shear imaging may retrieve one or more images from a proposed surgical site. The one or more images may be provided to a surgical planning system that identifies one or more properties of ligaments proximate to the surgical site. Musculoskeletal simulations may be performed using the identified properties to preoperatively identify a surgical plan. Preoperative identification of a surgical plan may enable a surgeon to select from more fine-tuning options for a joint replacement than conventional systems.

A medical instrument is provided in which a wireless IC tag is fixed to a first or second body, such that at least part of the wireless IC tag is positioned more frontward than a front end of a first ring and a front end of a second ring and more backward than a support. A winding axis of an inductor is orthogonal to the up-down direction and intersects the front-back direction so that electric, magnetic, or electromagnetic field coupling is established between a resonant circuit and a metal medical instrument. Moreover, the metal medical instrument either emits a transmission signal, which has a frequency equal to a predetermined resonant frequency and supplied from the resonant circuit, as an electromagnetic wave, or it receives a reception signal having a frequency equal to the predetermined resonant frequency as an electromagnetic wave, and supplies the reception signal to the resonant circuit.