A surgical clip applier is disclosed which is configured to automatically feed a clip from a clip cartridge once the surgical clip applier is positioned in the patient.

An end effector for a surgical arm can include a housing, a stem secured to the housing configured to releasably couple the end effector to the surgical arm, a pair of opposing jaws pivotably coupled to the housing, a driving body translatable within the housing operable to open the opposing jaws and to close the opposing jaws, a drive spring, and a lock body movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, the locking body configured to engage the housing and the driving body in the locked position to limit distal translation of the driving body with respect to the housing.

According to an aspect, an apparatus includes a handle portion having a first portion and a second portion, a distal portion disposed opposite the handle portion, the distal portion having a first connector contacting portion and a second connector contacting portion, the first connector contacting portion being configured to move with respect to the second connector contacting portion, the distal portion being configured to be disposed in a first configuration and a second configuration, the first connector contacting portion being disposed a first distance from the second connector contacting portion when the distal portion is in the first configuration, the first connector contacting portion being disposed a second distance from the second connector contacting portion when the distal portion is in the second configuration, the second distance being greater than the first distance, and a biasing member configured to bias the distal portion into the first configuration.

A surgical clip applier comprising an electric motor system is disclosed. The electric motor system is configured to drive one or more drive systems of the surgical clip applier. The surgical clip applier comprises a control system configured to control the electric motor system. The control system is configured to monitor a parameter of the electric motor system to assess the operation of the one or more drive systems. In at least one instance, the control system monitors the electric current drawn by an electric motor and adapts the operation of the electric motor based on the electric current being drawn by the motor. The control system slows the electric motor down when the electric current drawn by the electric motor exceeds a threshold. The control system modulates the width, or duration, of voltage pulses applied to the electric motor to control the speed of the electric motor.

An ultrasonic clamp coagulator apparatus is disclosed including a housing including an actuator, an outer tube, an ultrasonic waveguide, an ultrasonically actuated blade, a clamp member pivotable with respect to the blade, and a force limiting mechanism including a first compression spring having a first spring constant, positioned between the actuator and the clamp arm, and a second compression spring having a second spring constant less than the first spring constant. The first compression spring transfers a force at a first rate as a function of a motion of the actuator to pivotably move the clamp member toward the blade. The second compression spring transfers a force as a function of the tissue thickness positioned between the clamp member and the blade. At least one of the first and second compression springs is pre-compressed to provide a preload less than the respective spring constant.

A surgical instrument system is disclosed comprising a plurality of outputs driven by an input. The input is selectively engaged with the outputs by a shifting system.

Surgical clip appliers are disclosed comprising a plurality of clips which are stored in a compressed state. When a stored clip is moved into the crimping chamber of the surgical clip applier, the clip can assume a configuration which is different than its stored configuration before it is crimped.

A suturing apparatus comprises a pair of jaws. A bendable needle housed in one of the jaws is adapted to carry a suture. A suture receiver is disposed adjacent to, or integral with, the opposite jaw to help disengage the suture carried by the bendable needle. A transition block curves the needle and directs it in a direction generally unparallel to an axis of the carrying jaw. The jaw housing the needle may include a lateral opening through which the suture may be inserted. The needle may also include a lateral notch which may be aligned with lateral opening to receive the suture. An actuator coupled to the needle enables the user to move the needle proximally to align the notch with the lateral slot.

A surgical instrument, has an end effector that includes an ultrasonic blade, and a clamp arm that moves relative to the ultrasonic blade from an opened position toward an intermediate position and a closed position. The clamp arm is offset from the ultrasonic blade to define a predetermined gap in the intermediate position between the opened position and the closed position. A clamp arm actuator connects to the clamp arm and moves from an opened configuration to a closed configuration to direct the clamp arm from the opened position toward the intermediate position and the closed position. A spacer connects with the clamp arm to inhibit movement of the clamp arm from the intermediate position toward the closed position for maintaining the predetermined gap between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade.

A surgical instrument system comprising a handle assembly is disclosed. The handle assembly comprises an actuation trigger comprising a curved proximal portion and a curved cylinder surrounding the curved proximal portion of the actuation trigger. The curved cylinder comprises an electroactive polymer. The surgical instrument system comprises an actuation rod which is configured to transmit an actuation force and a sensor system which is configured to detect the magnitude of the actuation force. The electroactive polymer is responsive to the actuation force and provides feedback to a user of the surgical instrument system.