Medical procedure related objects (e.g., instruments, supplies) tagged with transponders (e.g., RFID transponders, dumb transponders) are accounted for in a medical or clinical environment via an accounting system using a number of antennas and interrogators/readers. A first set of antennas and RFID interrogator(s) interrogate portions of the environment for RFID tagged objects, for example proximate a start and an end of a procedure. Shielded packaging and/or shielded receptacles shield tagged objects, preventing interrogation except for those objects in unshielded portions of the environment. A shielded receptacle may include an antenna to interrogate the contents thereof in a relatively noise-free environment. A data store may maintain information including a current status or count of each instrument or supply, for instance as checked in or checked out. A handheld antenna and/or second set of antennas interrogates a body of a patient for retained instruments or supplies tagged with dumb transponders.

An electronic system for a surgical instrument is disclosed. The electronic system comprises a main power supply circuit configured to supply electrical power to a primary circuit. A supplementary power supply circuit configured to supply electrical power to a secondary circuit. A short circuit protection circuit coupled between the main power supply circuit and the supplementary power supply circuit. The supplementary power supply circuit is configured to isolate itself from the main power supply circuit when the supplementary power supply circuit detects a short circuit condition at the secondary circuit. The supplementary power supply circuit is configured to rejoin the main power supply circuit and supply power to the secondary circuit, when the short circuit condition is remedied.

Co-manipulation robotic systems are described herein that may be used for assisting with laparoscopic surgical procedures. The co-manipulation robotic systems allow a surgeon to use commercially-available surgical tools while providing benefits associated with surgical robotics. Advantageously, the surgical tools may be seamlessly coupled to the robot arms using a disposable coupler while the reusable portions of the robot arm remain in a sterile drape. Further, the co-manipulation robotic system may operate in multiple modes to enhance usability and safety, while allowing the surgeon to position the instrument directly with the instrument handle and further maintain the desired position of the instrument using the robot arm.

An electrosurgical generator for operating an electrosurgical instrument, wherein the electrosurgical generator includes a data storage device coupled to the control device for storing a warning time and a switch-off time, the warning and switch-off time each being assigned to a detected instrument in order to assign an instrument-specific warning and switch-off time to each detected instrument, a time tracking device for determining an instrument-specific activation duration, wherein the activation duration is a duration of time detected from a first connection or first activation of an electrosurgical instrument connected to the instrument terminal to an actual time value, and wherein an activation duration is detected for each detected instrument, and the activation duration is recorded continuously and independently of the electrosurgical instrument operating state, and the control device triggers warning indication by triggering the signaling device when the determined activation duration exceeds the instrument-specific warning time of the connected instrument.

A collapsible detection antenna (10) to detect electromagnetic tags (12) of surgical articles (14) in an operating room (16) includes an antenna assembly (18) configured to detect the electromagnetic tags (12). The antenna assembly (18) is configured to move between a deployed configuration and a collapsed configuration. In the deployed configuration, the antenna assembly forms an antenna loop (20) configured to detect the electromagnetic tags (12). The antenna assembly (18) has a greater detection range in the deployed configuration than in the collapsed configuration. The deployed configuration corresponds to a tuned shape of the antenna assembly (18) sufficient to detect the electromagnetic tags (12) in the deployed configuration.

A system and/or method for detecting a ferromagnetic object during surgery comprises a probe tip magnetoresistance device configured for insertion into a human or animal cavity and a probe base magnetoresistance device configured for remaining outside the cavity. The system and method detect the ferromagnetic object by comparing the electrical signals generated by the probe tip and the probe base magnetoresistance devices in response to the ambient magnetic field without generating a magnetic field to detect the ferromagnetic object.

Various embodiments of wirelessly detectable objects to be used in medical procedures are provided. Such may employ ionizing radiation hard wireless radio frequency identification (RFID) transponders, other wireless transponders and/or integrated circuits, and attachment structures, all of which retain structural and functional integrity when exposed to standard sterilization dosages of ionizing radiation. Additionally or alternatively, the wireless radio frequency identification (RFID) transponders, other wireless transponders and/or integrated circuits, and attachment structures, may retain structural and functional integrity when exposed to standard sterilization temperatures and/or pressures.

An apparatus for use in clinical environments. The apparatus includes a trocar, having a cannula with a proximal end and a distal end. The cannula defines a lumen therethrough that extends from the proximal end to the distal end. A proximal port at the proximal end provides access to an interior of the lumen from an exterior of the cannula. Further, a distal port at the distal end provides access to the interior of the lumen from the exterior of the cannula. At least one trocar antenna is physically coupled to the trocar and is positioned and oriented to provide wireless communications coverage to at least a portion of an interior of the lumen and to any wireless communications transponders that pass through the lumen of the cannula.

Methods and apparatus for a sharps medical adherence lid. A sharps medical adherence lid includes a housing, and a clasping device, the clasping device configured to removably attach the housing to a medical sharps bin, the housing including an upper latch, a spring loaded hinged door secured by the upper latch, a slide adapted to capture an object passing through the spring loaded hinged door, a lower opening configured to receive the object from the slide and enable it to pass in the medical sharps bin.

An end effector for use with a surgical stapling instrument is disclosed. The end effector comprises a first jaw, a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw to grasp tissue therebetween, and a staple cartridge. The staple cartridge comprises staples deployable into the tissue. The end effector further comprises a magnetic sensor configured to measure a parameter indicative of an identifying characteristic of the staple cartridge, an impedance sensor configured to measure a parameter indicative of an impedance of the tissue, and a processing unit in communication with the impedance sensor. The processing unit is configured to determine a property of the tissue based on an output of the impedance sensor.