A surgical instrument and methods of use. The surgical instrument can include a control portion having a plurality of tubular shaft portions and a plurality of control rods. Each of the plurality of tubular shaft portions can have a diameter of less than or equal to about 2.5 mm. At least one of the plurality of control rods can extend through each of the plurality of shaft portions. The surgical instrument can also include a tool portion having a plurality of tool rods and a plurality of tool cables. Each of the plurality of tool cables can be connected to one of the plurality of control rods. Further, each of the tool rods can be removably connected to one of the plurality of control rods.

Adapter assemblies are provided for selectively interconnecting a surgical end effector that is configured to perform at least a pair of functions and a surgical device that is configured to actuate the end effector, wherein the end effector includes a first axially translatable drive member and a second axially translatable drive member, and wherein the surgical device includes a first rotatable drive shaft and a second rotatable drive shaft.

A surgical device comprising: (1) a handpiece having a distal end portion; (2) a tubular member extending from the distal end portion, the tubular member having a lumen therethrough, the lumen comprising: (a) a proximal lumen portion, (b) a distal lumen portion, (c) a first central lumen portion, and (d) a second central lumen portion, the second central portion being located between the proximal lumen portion and the first central lumen portion, wherein the distal lumen portion diverges as the distal lumen portion extends away from the first central lumen portion in a distal direction, and the second central lumen portion diverges as the second central lumen portion extends away from the first central lumen portion in a proximal direction and; wherein the tubular member has wall with a substantially uniform thickness about the first central lumen portion.

A surgical apparatus includes a body, an ultrasonic transducer, a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, an articulation section, an end effector, and a restricting member. The ultrasonic transducer is operable to convert electrical power into ultrasonic vibrations. The shaft couples the end effector and the body together. The acoustic waveguide is coupled with the transducer. The articulation section is operable to flex to thereby deflect the end effector from a longitudinal axis defined by the shaft. The restricting member is operable to restrict lateral deflection of the end effector. The restricting member is further operable to cooperate with a translating member to rigidize the articulation section when the end effector is aligned with the longitudinal axis. Such rigidization includes removing any “play” or other small movement that might otherwise be provided by the articulation section due to manufacturing tolerances and/or looseness between parts.

A surgical instrument includes a housing, a shaft coupled to and extending distally from the housing, an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end of the shaft, a movable handle coupled to the housing, a drive assembly coupled to the end effector assembly, and an extension mechanism disposed within the housing. The extension mechanism is configured to couple to the shaft and between the movable handle and the drive assembly for moving the shaft and drive assembly between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the housing. The extension mechanism is coupled between the movable handle and the drive assembly in each of the retracted and extended positions such that the movable handle is operable to effect manipulation of the end effector assembly in each of the retracted and extended positions.

Disclosed is an instrument assembly usable in a procedure. The instrument includes a connection for a working portion and to a tool handle. A tracking device or assembly may be associated with the instrument for determining a position of the instrument.

A medical instrument with an elongated outer housing and inner drive shaft and including an instrument flushing system that enables the medical instrument to be effectively cleaned after use is disclosed. The medical instrument may be configured such that the instrument flushing system receives a flushing fluid through a port at a proximal end of the instrument and directs the flushing fluid through a flushing fluid plenum created between an inner surface of the elongated outer housing and an outer surface of the inner drive shaft. The flushing fluid plenum may be maintained by a standoff formed from a collar with one or more axially extending grooves. The instrument flushing system may include a seal to seal portions of a drive system in communication with the inner drive shaft and extending radially outward from a main body of the medical instrument.

A medical device including an elongate member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween. The medical device may further include an end-effector disposed at the distal end of the elongate member. The end-effector may include a plurality of arms pivotally connected to one another, wherein each arm includes a tissue-contacting surface, a first portion of the tissue-contacting surface including a plurality of ridges configured to grasp tissue. Further, the tissue-contacting surface may include a channel oriented substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the medical device.

The forceps instrument includes a central pull-push member formed by transmission and actuating elements. The central push-pull member opens and closes the branches, and also acts as a tissue abutment that is variable based on the degree of closure of the branches. The variable tissue abutment may be configured as a slider element and is adjustable proportionally to the opening angle of the branches. When grasped, the vessels are brought proximally. The tissue abutment acts as a spacer between the hinge region and the grasped material. While the branches are being closed, the vessel is held stationary and compressed. During compression, expansion of the vessel occurs axially in distal and proximal directions. Due to the receding of the variable tissue abutment during the closing operation, room is created for the grasped material to escape. Tissue accumulations can thus be restricted and overstressing of the tissue can be counteracted.

A hollow rod developable actuator tool including a first link comprising an outer cylinder, a deployment ring including second link comprising a first portion pivotably connected to the first link at a first joint mounted in a first cavity in the wall of the outer cylinder and a third link comprising a second tool portion pivotably connected to the first portion at a second link, and a fourth link comprising an inner cylinder to which the second portion of the deployment ring is also pivotably connected at a third link mounted in a second cavity in the wall of the inner cylinder. When the inner cylinder of the fourth link is rotated in relation to the outer cylinder of the first link the actuator tool transitions from a first state where the deployment ring is stowed within the tool to a second state where the deployment ring is deployed externally.