This disclosure concerns devices and methods for measuring an amount of adjustment of an expandable implant using ultrasound. The implant may include an ultrasound counter including a vibration element tuned for ultrasonic vibration, the vibration element may be configured to produce an ultrasound vibration upon an adjustment of the expandable implant.

A surgical apparatus comprises a transducer assembly and a shaft assembly. The transducer assembly is operable to convert electrical power into ultrasonic vibrations. The shaft assembly comprises an ultrasonic waveguide, a sheath, a shroud, and a torque transfer assembly. The waveguide is configured to couple with the transducer assembly. The waveguide is disposed within the sheath. The sheath extends through the shroud. The torque transfer assembly is contained within the shroud. The torque transfer assembly is configured to transfer a predetermined range of torque from the shroud to the waveguide to thereby couple the waveguide with the transducer assembly. The torque transfer assembly is further configured to prevent transfer of torque from the shroud to the waveguide beyond an upper limit of the predetermined range.

In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to an actuator which includes at least the following: a pre-stretched electro-active polymer film being pre-stretched in a single or biaxial planar directions; at least one first semi-stiff conductor attached to a first surface of the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film, wherein the first surface is parallel to the single or biaxial planar stretch directions; at least one second semi-stiff conductor attached to a second surface of the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film, wherein the second surface is opposite to the first surface; where the semi-stiff conductors are configured to: fix the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film in a pre-stretched state and allow the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film to expand; a pair of mechanical connectors coupled to each end of an active region of the pre-stretched electro-active polymer film.

To realize torque control based on an estimated external force and to cope with more various situations. Provided is a medical support arm system including: a support arm that is a multilink structure having a plurality of links connected by a joint unit including an actuator, and configured to support a medical unit; and a control device including an external force estimation unit configured to estimate an external force acting on the joint unit on the basis of a drive characteristic of the actuator, and a joint control unit configured to control drive of the joint unit on the basis of an external torque estimated by the external force estimation unit.

A powered surgical device configured to clamp and fasten tissue is disclosed. The powered surgical device comprises a shaft, an articulation joint, a motor-driven flexible drive member movably supported in the shaft, an I-beam coupled to the motor-driven flexible drive member, and a housing. The shaft comprises a proximal end. The motor-driven flexible drive member passes through the articulation joint during a tissue clamping motion. The motor-driven flexible drive member is driven distally away from the proximal end of the shaft during the tissue clamping motion. The housing is coupled to the proximal end of the shaft. The housing comprises a rotary multi-turn unidirectional manually-operated retraction mechanism. A rotation of the rotary multi-turn unidirectional manually-operated retraction mechanism in a first direction is configured to retract the motor-driven flexible drive member proximally toward the proximal end of the shaft.

A surgical instrument system is disclosed including a surgical instrument, an end effector, and a display. The end effector includes a distal end, a proximal connection portion configured to attach the end effector to the surgical instrument, a first jaw, a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw, and at least one sensor configured to detect an orientation of the second jaw. The second jaw is moveable between an open orientation, a partially-closed orientation, and a closed orientation. The display is configured to incrementally display discrete steps of partial closure of the second jaw.

A tubing connector for integrally connecting an irrigation line, an aspiration line, and a conductor to a proximal portion of an ultrasonic surgical handpiece. The tubing connector includes a base including proximal and distal regions. First and second lumens through the base each extends from the proximal region to the distal region to create respective first and second fluid pathways to the proximal portion of the handpiece. The first lumen includes a first coupler proximate the base proximal region configured to receive the irrigation line, and the second lumen includes a second coupler proximate the base proximal region configured to receive the aspiration line. The base defines a groove in an outer perimeter that extends between the proximal and distal regions and is configured to receive the conductor. The tubing connector is configured to reduce strain of the irrigation line and the aspiration line when coupled to the handpiece.

A device for introduction into a body vessel includes a shaft, a balloon positioned at the distal end of the shaft, a guidewire disposed longitudinally within the shaft to receive a guidewire during use, a balloon disposed at the distal end of the shaft, and longitudinal scoring wires to score a vascular lesion attached to the distal end of the shaft. The scoring wires are disposed over the balloon and disposed within the shaft. The proximal ends are welded or otherwise affixed to a spring mounted in the handle. The balloon expands when fluid is delivered to the balloon through the inflation lumen. This expansion pushes the scoring wires against the vascular lesion. The scoring wires attach to a source of vibrations. The scoring wires are made of a helical coil.

An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a handle assembly, a waveguide extending distally therefrom to an end effector, an ultrasonic transducer assembly supported by the handle assembly, and a drive signal antenna. The ultrasonic transducer assembly includes a transducer, a horn extending distally from the transducer, an electrode antenna disposed about and operably coupled to the transducer, and an outer casing enclosing the transducer, the electrode antenna, and a portion of the horn. Another portion of the horn extends distally from the outer casing to operably connect to the waveguide. The drive signal antenna is disposed externally of and adjacent to the ultrasonic transducer assembly and is configured to contactlessly transmit a drive signal through the outer casing to the electrode antenna to thereby energize the transducer such that ultrasonic energy is transmitted from the horn along the waveguide to the end effector for treating tissue therewith.

Embodiments of bone and tissue resection devices are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a device can include a blade having a distal cutting edge configured to perform a cutting action that produces a plug or core from a media being cut by the cutting edge, a drive mechanism arranged to transfer an oscillating force to the cutting edge for oscillating the cutting edge, a shield positioned to block contact with a portion of the cutting edge, and a depth adjustment mechanism configured to translate the cutting edge along a proximal-distal axis of the shield to adjust an axial position of the cutting edge relative to the shield.