A system comprises magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatuses, each magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus including a first rotor having at least one first shear surface, a second rotor rotating about a common axis with the first rotor, the second rotor having at least one second shear surface opposite the at least one first shear surface, the shear surfaces separated by at least one annular space, magnetorheological (MR) fluid in an MR fluid chamber including the at least one annular space, the MR fluid configured to generate a variable amount of torque transmission between the rotors when subjected to a magnetic field, and coil(s) actuatable to deliver a magnetic field through the MR fluid such that each said magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus is actuatable to selectively transmit actuation by controlled slippage of the rotors with respect to one another. The MR fluid chambers of the second magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatuses are in fluid communication for the MR fluid to circulate between the magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatuses.

A surgical instrument system comprising a handle assembly is disclosed. The handle assembly comprises an actuation trigger comprising a curved proximal portion and a curved cylinder surrounding the curved proximal portion of the actuation trigger. The curved cylinder comprises an electroactive polymer. The surgical instrument system comprises an actuation rod which is configured to transmit an actuation force and a sensor system which is configured to detect the magnitude of the actuation force. The electroactive polymer is responsive to the actuation force and provides feedback to a user of the surgical instrument system.

The invention relates to an aircraft flight control column device (1) comprising: a casing (2) for attaching to an aircraft structure; an output shaft (3) for connecting to a flight control column (56), the output shaft (3) being mounted such that it rotates in relation to the casing (2); a primary group (4) comprising a first torque-generating body (7, 8) for applying a first torque to the output shaft (3); a secondary group (5) comprising a second torque-generating body (7, 8) for applying a second torque to the output shaft (3); and a clutch for selectively connecting the primary group (4) and the secondary group (5) to the output shaft (3).

The invention relates to an aircraft flight control column device (1) comprising: a casing (2) for attaching to an aircraft structure; an output shaft (3) for connecting to a flight control column (56), the output shaft (3) being mounted such that it rotates in relation to the casing (2); a primary group (4) comprising a first torque-generating body (7, 8) for applying a first torque to the output shaft (3); a secondary group (5) comprising a second torque-generating body (7, 8) for applying a second torque to the output shaft (3); and a clutch for selectively connecting the primary group (4) and the secondary group (5) to the output shaft (3).

A surgical instrument comprising a handle and an elongate shaft is disclosed. In various instances, the battery pack comprises a power source couplable to the motor and a display. The elongate shaft comprises a processor and a memory couplable to the processor. In various instances, the memory comprises a control program which, when executed, causes the processor to initiate a desired function. In various instances, the end effector comprises a sensing circuit configured to detect a condition of the end effector. The sensing circuit is in signal communication with the processor.

A surgical instrument comprising a shiftable transmission is disclosed. The transmission comprises a mechanism for assuring that the transmission is in one of a plurality of predefined configurations.

A surgical suturing system is disclosed. The surgical suturing system comprises a firing drive, an end effector, and a needle configured to be driven by said firing drive. The end effector comprises a track defined therein configured to guide the needle through a needle firing stroke. The surgical suturing system further comprises a needle driver configured to be driven by the firing drive and configured to drive the needle through the needle firing stroke.

A surgical suturing system is disclosed. The surgical suturing system comprises a shaft comprising a shaft diameter, a firing drive, and an end effector extending distally from the shaft. The end effector comprises a needle track and a needle comprising suturing material attached thereto, wherein the needle is configured to be guided by the needle track and actuated by the firing drive through a firing stroke, and wherein the needle is movable along a needle path comprising a maximum capture width which is greater than the shaft diameter.

A modular surgical instrument is disclosed. The modular surgical instrument comprises a control interface, a shaft extending from the control interface, an end effector extending from said shaft, and a control circuit. The control circuit is configured to sense the electrical potential applied to the modular surgical instrument, determine if the sensed electrical potential is above a predetermined threshold, and adjust the operation of the modular surgical instrument when the sensed electrical potential exceeds the predetermined threshold.

A surgical suturing system is disclosed. The surgical suturing system comprises a shaft, a firing drive comprising a motor, and an end effector extending distally from the shaft. The end effector comprises a needle driver configured to be actuated by the motor, wherein the needle driver is configured to drive a needle installed within the end effector. The end effector further comprises a needle track configured to guide the needle installed within the end effector through a needle firing stroke, wherein the end effector is configured to accommodate suturing needles having different sizes. The surgical suturing system further comprises a control circuit configured to sense the size of the suturing needle installed within the end effector and adjust the actuation stroke of the motor to accommodate the size of the needle installed within the end effector.