A surgical clamp jaw is disclosed, having an inner profile and a deflection control profile opposite the inner profile. In one embodiment, the inner profile has a first substantially concave profile in an unclamped position and a second substantially flat profile in a clamped position. In one embodiment, the deflection control profile has one or more sets of corresponding abutment surfaces, at least one set of which is not contacting each other when the inner profile is in the unclamped position and which is contacting each other when the inner profile is in the clamped position. In one embodiment, the surgical clamp jaw defines one or more flexion assistance voids, wherein at least one of the one or more flexion assistance voids is in contact with a gap between one of the one or more sets of corresponding abutment surfaces.

A support apparatus for a medical device includes a first sleeve, a second sleeve, and a flexible contact member. The first sleeve is configured to be coupled to a first tool member of an end effector assembly that includes the first tool member, a second tool member, and a clevis, in which the first and second tool members are each rotatably coupled to the clevis such that second tool member can be moved relative to the first tool member between a first and a second orientation. The second sleeve is configured to be coupled to the second tool member. The flexible contact member is coupled to the first sleeve and the second sleeve, and is configured be moved between a collapsed configuration when the second tool member is in the first orientation and an expanded configuration when the second tool member is in the second orientation.

A mechanical tissue coupling system that includes a first side tissue grasping assembly, a second side tissue grasping assembly and a joining assembly. The joining assembly is structurally configured to join the first side tissue grasping assembly to the second side tissue grasping assembly. An applicator is likewise disclosed as is a method of using the system and the applicator.

A support apparatus for a medical device includes a first sleeve, a second sleeve, and a flexible contact member. The first sleeve is configured to be coupled to a first tool member of an end effector assembly that includes the first tool member, a second tool member, and a clevis, in which the first and second tool members are each rotatably coupled to the clevis such that second tool member can be moved relative to the first tool member between a first and a second orientation. The second sleeve is configured to be coupled to the second tool member. The flexible contact member is coupled to the first sleeve and the second sleeve, and is configured be moved between a collapsed configuration when the second tool member is in the first orientation and an expanded configuration when the second tool member is in the second orientation.

A mechanical tissue coupling system that includes a first side tissue grasping assembly, a second side tissue grasping assembly and a joining assembly. The joining assembly is structurally configured to join the first side tissue grasping assembly to the second side tissue grasping assembly. An applicator is likewise disclosed as is a method of using the system and the applicator.

An apparatus that includes a body, a shaft, and an end effector. The end effector includes a first jaw, a second jaw, and a tip. The second jaw includes an anvil. At least one of the first jaw or the second jaw is configured to move relative to the other of the first jaw or the second jaw between an open position and a closed position. The tip is connected with the anvil. The tip includes a deformable member. The tip is movable relative to the anvil between first and second discrete positions using the deformable member. The tip remains in the first discrete position located closer toward the cartridge until the deformable member is acted upon by an external input force. The tip remains in the second discrete position that is located further from the cartridge until the deformable member is acted upon by the external input force.

The present disclosure provides a surgical shunt assembly tool that provides a more efficacious grip on the catheter tubes and prevent the tip of the catheter from buckling while the catheter is pushed onto the tip of the valve during installation of shunts during CSF shunt surgery. The tool includes standard handles such as used in a shodded misquito tool having a clamping jaw integrated into the distal end section of the handle. The distal jaw includes two forcep jaw sections each having a proximal end integrally formed with a distal end of a distal end arm section of one of the two handle arms, and a distal end section extending away from the distal end arm section. The distal end sections of the forcep jaw sections are cylindrically shaped such that when the forcep jaw is closed by bringing the two forcep jaw sections together, a cylinder is formed having a diameter substantially equal to a diameter of a catheter tube to be attached to a shunt valve tip. The proximal ends of the forcep jaw sections are oval shaped and have a size such that when the forcep jaw is closed bringing the two forcep jaw sections together, an oval shaped opening is formed having a size smaller than the diameter of the catheter tube such that the catheter tube is squeezed closed to provide a firm grip of the tool of the catheter tube.

An instrument such as a tenaculum comprises a pair of jaws (202, 203) which are pivotal from an open configuration in which the jaws (202, 203) are splayed apart to a closed low profile delivery configuration. The jaws (202, 203) each have tissue engagement features (201). A protector loop (200) for each jaw which may be of a shape memory material such as Nitinol provides a safety protective distal tip which is distal of the tissue engaging features (201). The atraumatic tip does not harm tissue and does not compromise the integrity of a bag which may be used as a containment device in a procedure such as a hysterectomy.

A surgical instrument includes a body, an ultrasonic blade, a clamp arm, and a resilient member. The body includes an electrical conductor and defines a longitudinal axis. The clamp arm is pivotably coupled with the body at a pivot assembly. The clamp arm is operable to compress tissue against the ultrasonic blade. The clamp arm includes an electrode operable to apply RF energy to tissue, wherein the clamp arm is configured to be loaded onto and removed from the body at the pivot assembly along a path that is transverse to the longitudinal axis defined by the body. The resilient member is located within the pivot assembly. The resilient member is configured to provide electrical continuity between the electrode of the clamp arm and the electrical conductor of the body.

According to an exemplary aspect, a tool for installing and/or removing a protective cover of an instrument includes a body portion having an open end and a closed end. The open end defines an interior passage that extends into the body portion along a longitudinal axis of the body portion toward the closed end of the body portion. The interior passage is configured to receive at least a portion of the protective cover in the interior passage. One or more members are connected to the body portion, and each of the one or more members includes a free end movable relative to the body portion. Systems and methods relate to tools for installing and/or removing protective covers of instruments.