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.

A surgical stapling device particularly suited for endoscopic procedures is described. The device includes a handle assembly and an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly. The distal end of the elongated body is adapted to engage a disposable loading unit. A control rod having a proximal end operatively connected to the handle assembly includes a distal end extending through the elongated body. A control rod locking member is provided to prevent movement of the control rod until the disposable loading unit is fully secured to the elongated body of the stapling device.

The invention relates to a surgical instrument (1) comprising a detection means (10) for reacting to at least one external stress (30) emitted by a generator means (15) that generates the stress (30). The invention also relates to the method for producing such a surgical instrument (1). The invention likewise relates to the generator means (15). The invention further relates to a method for detection of the surgical instrument (1) by the generator means (15).

An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The shaft assembly includes an outer tube, an inner tube, and an acoustic waveguide. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. The ultrasonic blade is acoustically coupled with the acoustic waveguide. A first portion of the clamp arm is pivotably coupled with a distal end of the outer tube. A second portion of the clamp arm is pivotably coupled with a distal end of the inner tube. The outer tube and the inner tube are configured to removably couple with the body such that the outer tube, the inner tube, and the clamp arm are configured to removably couple with the body and the remainder of the shaft assembly and end effector as a unit.

An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The shaft assembly includes an outer tube, a proximal inner tube member, a distal inner tube member, and an acoustic waveguide. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. A first portion of the clamp arm is pivotably coupled with a distal end of the outer tube. A second portion of the clamp arm is pivotably coupled with a distal end of the distal inner tube member. The outer tube is configured to removably couple with the body and the distal inner tube member is configured to removably couple with the proximal inner tube member such that the outer tube, the distal inner tube member, and the clamp arm are configured to removably couple with the body and the remainder of the shaft assembly and end effector as a unit.

The invention relates to a surgical instrument comprising a handle portion and a tip, wherein a tip sensor is provided on the handle portion. The tip sensor enables detection of when a tip is inserted into and/or removed from the handle. In addition, the tip sensor enables a navigation system to be notified when landmarks are probed with the surgical instrument, thereby ensuring accurate capture of the location of the landmark.

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.

A fluid ejection device system includes: a fluid ejecting unit configured to change a volume of a fluid chamber to thereby eject fluid from a nozzle provided at a distal end of a fluid ejection pipe connected to the fluid chamber; a fluid supplying unit connected to the fluid ejecting unit by a connection tube and configured to supply the fluid to the fluid chamber; a control unit configured to control operation of the fluid ejecting unit and the fluid supplying unit; and a stand configured to hold at least a part of the fluid ejecting unit, and when it is detected that the fluid ejecting unit is held in the stand, the control unit controls at least one of the fluid ejecting unit and the fluid supplying unit to thereby execute a predetermined discharge operation for discharging the fluid in the fluid chamber.

A surgical stapling device particularly suited for endoscopic procedures is described. The device includes a handle assembly and an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly. The distal end of the elongated body is adapted to engage a disposable loading unit. A control rod having a proximal end operatively connected to the handle assembly includes a distal end extending through the elongated body. A control rod locking member is provided to prevent movement of the control rod until the disposable loading unit is fully secured to the elongated body of the stapling device.

A surgical guide system for assisting a user controlling a surgical tool, comprising: a first reference guide member, operably coupleable to a fixed object having at least one predetermined feature, configured to define a first reference frame within a three-dimensional space; a control unit, adapted to capture an image of at least said fixed object and identify, from a predetermined list comprising a plurality of fixed objects, said fixed object, and provide a first input signal indicative of said identified fixed object, further adapted to determine the position and orientation of said at least one predetermined feature relative to said first reference frame based on said first input signal, and provide a first output signal on a visual output device adapted to guide the user moving, positioning and orientating the surgical tool towards and into engagement with said predetermined feature.