Disclosed embodiments provide an apparatus and method of removing tissue from a body of a human or non-human animal. The disclosed embodiments includes a tool that may have a cutting edge to drill into tissue. The tool has magnetizable segments, which may be translated or rotated by an applied magnetic field

Systems, methods and apparatus are disclosed for properly using and locating object retention wands via the use of at least one sensor located on or in the wand body for determining when the wand is capable of properly scanning a target area. In one form, a proximity sensor is used. In another form a motion sensor is used. In still other forms, both a proximity sensor and motion sensor are used. In some forms, the wand system further includes an indicator for indicating whether the wand is within proper read range, speed and/or orientation of a target area so as to confirm proper use of the wand to locate retained objects before concluding a procedure. In other forms one or more of a user interface, scanner and network interface may also be used with the system. Further systems, methods and apparatus are also disclosed herein.

A surgical instrument comprising a shaft, an end effector, a housing, a drive assembly, and a manually-driven actuator is disclosed. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw rotatable relative to the first jaw between an open position and a clamped position. The housing comprises a rotary input movable by a motor. The drive assembly is operably engaged with the rotary input. The drive assembly is movable by the motor in a motorized mode of operation to transition the second jaw toward the clamped position. The drive assembly is movable in a non-motorized mode of operation by the manually-driven actuator to permit a transition of the second jaw toward the open position to release tissue between the first jaw and the second jaw.

A surgical instrument comprising a shaft, an end effector, a housing, a drive assembly, and a manually-driven actuator is disclosed. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw rotatable relative to the first jaw between an open position and a clamped position. The housing comprises a rotary input movable by a motor. The drive assembly is operably engaged with the rotary input. The drive assembly is movable by the motor in a motorized mode of operation to transition the second jaw toward the clamped position. The drive assembly is movable in a non-motorized mode of operation by the manually-driven actuator to permit a transition of the second jaw toward the open position to release tissue between the first jaw and the second jaw.

Various surgical systems are disclosed. A surgical system can include a surgical robot and a surgical hub. The surgical robot can include a control unit in signal communication with a control console and a robotic tool. The surgical hub can include a display. The surgical hub can be in signal communication with the control unit. A facility can include a plurality of surgical hubs that communicate data from the surgical robots to a primary server. To alleviate bandwidth competition among the surgical hubs, the surgical hubs can include prioritization protocols for collecting, storing, and/or communicating data to the primary server.

Methods and system for characterizing ligament properties using elastography are disclosed. An ultrasound system capable of performing shear wave elasticity imaging and/or supersonic shear imaging may retrieve one or more images from a proposed surgical site. The one or more images may be provided to a surgical planning system that identifies one or more properties of ligaments proximate to the surgical site. Musculoskeletal simulations may be performed using the identified properties to preoperatively identify a surgical plan. Preoperative identification of a surgical plan may enable a surgeon to select from more fine-tuning options for a joint replacement than conventional systems.

Methods and system for characterizing ligament properties using elastography are disclosed. An ultrasound system capable of performing shear wave elasticity imaging and/or supersonic shear imaging may retrieve one or more images from a proposed surgical site. The one or more images may be provided to a surgical planning system that identifies one or more properties of ligaments proximate to the surgical site. Musculoskeletal simulations may be performed using the identified properties to preoperatively identify a surgical plan. Preoperative identification of a surgical plan may enable a surgeon to select from more fine-tuning options for a joint replacement than conventional systems.

A surgical stapling device includes a staple reload and a shipping wedge. In embodiments, the shipping wedge is configured to disable the use of a staple reload if the staple reload does not have an actuation sled. In other embodiments, the actuation sled includes a readable identifier that facilitates confirmation of the presence of an actuation sled within a staple reload from a location externally of the staple reload.

A surgical robotic system has a tool drive coupled to a distal end of a robotic arm that has a plurality of actuators. The tool drive has a docking interface to receive a trocar. The system also includes one or more sensors that are operable to visually sense a surface feature of the trocar. One or more processors determine a position and orientation of the trocar, based on the visually sensed surface feature. In response, the processor controls the actuators to orient the docking interface to the determined orientation of the trocar and to guide the robotic arm toward the determined position of the trocar. Other aspects are also described and claimed.

A method for visualizing and targeting anatomical structures inside a patient utilizing a handheld screen device may include grasping the handheld screen device and manipulating a position of the handheld screen device relative to the patient. The handheld screen device may include a camera and a display. The method may also include orienting the camera on the handheld screen device relative to an anatomical feature of the patient by manipulating the position of the handheld screen device relative to the patient, capturing first image data of light reflecting from a surface of the anatomical feature with the camera on the handheld screen device, and comparing the first image data with a pre-operative 3-D image of the patient to determine a location of an anatomical structure located inside the patient and positioned relative to the anatomical feature of the patient.