A surgical instrument assembly is disclosed. The surgical instrument assembly comprises a shaft, an articulation region, and an end effector attached to the shaft by way of the articulation region, wherein the end effector is configured to be articulated relative to the shaft. The shaft comprises an outer housing, an inner spine positioned with the outer housing, and a core member positioned within the inner spine. The core member comprises a distal end attached to a component the end effector and a proximal end attached to the proximal housing, wherein the core member comprises a material different than a material of the inner spine, and wherein the core member defines a maximum system stretch of the inner spine.

Disclosed is a surgical instrument comprising an end effector with independently activatable segmented electrodes.

Disclosed is a method of adapting energy modality due to a short circuit or tissue type grasped in the jaws of an end effector of a surgical instrument. The method includes selecting an electrode in an array of segmented electrodes during a pre-energy activation cycle. The method includes applying a sub-therapeutic electrical signal to the selected electrode to differentiate between a shorted electrode and low impedance tissue grasped in the jaws of the end effector. The method includes determining the selected electrode is shorted based on a measured electrical parameter received by the control circuit after applying the sub-therapeutic electrical signal and blending monopolar and bipolar RF energy. The method includes determining that the selected electrode is shorted and switching output energy of the RF generator between monopolar and bipolar RF energy.

A tissue manipulation device including a securing member pivotably coupled to a handle portion and is pivotably displaceable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. A distal end of a wire is coupled to an end effector of the tissue manipulation device, and the proximal end of the wire is removably coupled to an engagement portion of the securing member when the securing member is in the engaged position and is disengaged from the engagement portion of the securing member when the securing member is in the disengaged position. When the securing member is in the engaged position, the wire couples the securing member and the end effector such that when the securing member is displaced from a first securing member position to a second securing member position, the end effector is displaced from a undeployed position to a deployed position.

A handle for a medical device includes a proximal segment defining a proximal lumen extending therethrough and sized and shaped to receive an endoscopic medical device therein. A medial segment is received within a distal portion of the proximal segment and has an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter thereof. A medial lumen extends through the proximal segment and is open to the proximal lumen. A distal segment is received within a distal portion of the medial segment and defines a distal lumen extending therethrough open to the medial lumen. The distal segment has an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the medial segment. The medial segment includes a first movement limiting mechanism limiting movement of an endoscopic medical device inserted therethrough along an axis of the distal lumen and a second movement limiting mechanism limiting advancement of an endoscope attached to the distal body portion.

A system and method for cutting soft tissue with a retractable surgical cutting device (10). The device (10) includes a handle (12) having a first channel (24) extending therethrough and a switch (18) located thereon. The switch (18) is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. An actuator (26) with a blade (16) extends through the first channel (24) and connects to the switch (18) within the handle (12). An outer sheath (14) is connected to the handle (12) and surrounds the actuator (26) and at least a portion of the blade (16). A drive mechanism (28) is connected to the switch (18) within the handle (12) such that when the switch (18) moves from the retracted position to the extended position, the actuator (26) moves from a retracted position to an extended position. In the retracted position, the blade (16) can be entirely within the outer sheath (14) and in the extended position, at least a portion of the blade (16) is positioned outside of the outer sheath (14).

Embodiments of the invention provide a guided surgical tool assembly with a guide tube including a sensor, a surgical instrument including a detectable feature moveable within the guide tube, and the sensor capable of detecting the detectable feature when the surgical instrument is inserted in the guide tube. Some embodiments include a sensor pad, a guide stop coupled to the surgical instrument, a plunger mechanism including a compressible spring mechanism coupled to the guide tube, and a wiper capable of being sensed by the sensor pad. Some embodiments include a guided surgical tool assembly system comprising a tool sensor system including a processor and at least one data input/output interface. Some embodiments include a medical robot system with a guided surgical tool assembly and including a robot coupled to an effectuator element configured for controlled movement and positioning along one or more of an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis.

A staple cartridge comprising a firing member and a sled releasably attachable to the firing member is disclosed.

A method for powered surgical stapling instrument rotation adjustment includes measuring a change in position of a first motor shaft of the surgical stapling instrument relative to a stored rotation verification position of the first motor shaft resulting from manual rotation of an adapter assembly of the surgical stapling instrument in relation to a handle assembly of the surgical stapling instrument, determining a distance traveled by a first drive assembly of the adapter assembly of the surgical stapling instrument resulting from the change in position of the first motor shaft, comparing the determined distance traveled to a first stored rotation verification position of the first motor shaft, determining if the compared distance falls into a predetermined acceptable range of rotation positions, and adjusting the position of the drive shaft if the compared distance is not within the predetermined range.

A perineal prostate biopsy apparatus comprising a cannula for reaching a prostate gland of an adult human male through his perineum; and a coaxial needle comprising a hollow needle shaft having an open piercing tip at its distal end and being arranged to lie within the cannula so that the piercing tip protrudes from a distal end of the cannula; and, a stylet adapted to lie within the hollow needle shaft so that a distal tip of the stylet closes the piercing tip of the needle.