Systems, methods and apparatus are disclosed for improving medical procedures and medical procedure management, and, more particularly, for tracking medical instruments throughout a procedure and assisting medical personnel throughout the procedure or at least at the conclusion of the procedure. In one form, an apparatus for tracking medical instruments throughout a procedure is disclosed having a single camera for tracking movement and/or detecting position of a plurality of medical instruments during a medical procedure as at least one of the plurality of medical instruments is moved between multiple zones at least including a first prep zone and a second procedure zone. The apparatus having a controller connected to and collecting images from the camera, and a display in electrical communication with the controller and/or the camera for displaying medical instrument data pertaining to the movement and/or position of the plurality of medical instruments.

A method of replacing a consumable of a surgical tool includes securing the surgical tool, which includes a drive housing, an elongate shaft extending distally from the drive housing, an end effector arranged at a distal end of the shaft, and a wrist interposing the distal end of the shaft and the end effector. The method further includes moving the elongate shaft proximally and thereby exposing internal portions of the wrist and the end effector, moving the end effector distally to separate the end effector from the wrist, disconnecting the end effector from proximal portions of the surgical tool, replacing the consumable of the surgical tool, reconnecting the end effector to the proximal portions of the surgical tool, moving the end effector proximally to re-attach the end effector to the wrist, and moving the shaft distally to occlude the internal portions of the wrist and the end effector.

A surgical instrument includes a reusable component and a limited-use component releasably engagable with the reusable component. The limited-use component is configured for one or more uses and includes a clocking mechanism configured to count each engagement of the reusable component and the limited-use component to one another. The clocking mechanism is incrementally transitionable upon each successive count from one or more uses state, wherein the clocking mechanism permits both mechanical engagement and electrical coupling of the reusable component and the limited-use component to one another, to a spent state, wherein the clocking mechanism inhibits both mechanical engagement and electrical coupling of the limited-use component and the reusable component to one another.

An authentication system for use in a surgical stapling device includes an authentication board assembly disposed at a proximal end of a loading unit and having a contact assembly, and an adapter board assembly disposed at a distal end of an adapter assembly. When the loading unit is engaged with the adapter assembly, the authentication board engages the adapter board assembly.

A surgical instrument includes an end effector with a first jaw and a second jaw. The instrument also includes a first drive assembly, a first motor coupled to the first drive assembly, a second drive assembly, a second motor coupled to the second drive assembly, a control module, and a closure trigger. The first motor is operable to motivate the first drive assembly, and the second motor is operable to motivate the second drive assembly. The control module is operably couplable to the first motor and the second motor. The closure trigger is movable during a closure stroke to transition the end effector to the approximated configuration, and to transition the control module from operable engagement with the first motor to operable engagement with the second motor.

A container for a dental appliance. The container includes a first compartment with at least one first wall, a first enclosing portion, and a separation plate. The first compartment includes a length, a width, and a height to accept a first dental appliance and indicated by a first indicator. The container includes a second compartment defined by at least one second wall, a second enclosing portion, and the separation plate. The second compartment includes a second length, second width and second height to accept a second dental appliance and indicated by a second indicator. The container includes a moveable and closeable door which opens to permit access to at least one of the first compartment and the second compartment. The dental appliance in the first compartment is separate from the dental appliance in the second compartment by the separation plate, and the container comprises ports to allow circulation.

An end effector is disclosed. The end effector comprises a first jaw member defining an anvil; a second jaw member configured to receive a cartridge therein, wherein the first jaw member is moveable with respect to the second jaw member; a first sensor coupled to the anvil; and a second sensor configured to measure a second parameter. The first sensor is configured to measure a first parameter. The first parameter and the second parameter are related. The first sensor and the second sensor are in signal communication with a processor.

A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is movable relative to the other one of the first jaw and the second jaw between an open configuration and an approximated configuration. In addition the surgical instrument includes a cutting member movable during a firing stroke to cut tissue captured between the first jaw and the second jaw, the cutting member comprising a cutting surface at a distal portion thereof. In addition, the surgical instrument further includes a sensing module operable to measure a characteristic of the cutting surface.

A powered surgical instrument including an end effector, which includes jaws that are configured to transition between various closure states. The surgical instrument includes a sensor configured to measure the closure state of the jaws and a display configured to display information indicative to the detected closure state. The surgical instrument further includes a firing member movable between a first position and a second position to transition the end effector between the plurality of closure states and a motor configured to drive the firing member between the first position and the second position.

An authentication system for use in a surgical stapling device includes an authentication board assembly disposed at a proximal end of a loading unit and having a contact assembly, and an adapter board assembly disposed at a distal end of an adapter assembly. When the loading unit is engaged with the adapter assembly, the authentication board engages the adapter board assembly.