Suture passer devices and methods of using the devices having one or more protective interlocks preventing or limiting operation of the suture passer when deployment of the needle may damage the apparatus or harm the patient. For example, described herein are suture passer devices that include an interlock preventing deployment of the tissue penetrator (needle) when the jaws are not clamped onto a tissue. Also described herein are interlocks preventing retraction of a jaw axially until the needle is retracted.

A trigger mechanism for a surgical instrument, particularly, a surgical stapling instrument provides significant mechanical advantages by increasing the length of the firing stroke of the surgical instrument while reducing the degree of movement of the trigger associated with the trigger mechanism. The trigger mechanism also reduces the forces required to actuate the trigger thereby enhancing usability and minimizing operator fatigue.

A medical instrument comprises a housing and an elongated sheath configured to be attached to the housing. The elongated sheath includes opposed distal end and proximal end along a longitudinal axis. An end effector is configured to be attached to the distal end of the elongated sheath. The end effector includes a pair of grasps. A direction changer is used to change a direction of the end effector with respect to the distal end of the elongated sheath. A first drive shaft movable in the elongated sheath in ganged relation for opening and closing movement of the pair of grasps. A second drive shaft movable in the elongated sheath in ganged relation for angular movement of the end effector by the direction changer with respect to the elongated sheath. An operating member is configured to actuate the second drive shaft between a bent positions and a neutral position.

The present disclosure includes apparatuses for a surgical handle assembly. An example apparatus includes a toothed rack, a movable handle member, a driving pawl configured to engage the toothed rack and advance the toothed rack in a linear distal direction in response to a movable handle member advancing in a proximal direction and a latch configured to engage the toothed rack and advance the toothed rack in a linear proximal direction in response to the movable handle member advancing in a distal direction.

A surgical instrument system comprising a handle, a shaft, and a disposable power module is disclosed. The handle comprises a motor, a control switch, and a motor-control processor which is in communication with the control switch. In various instances, the disposable power module comprises a disposable battery and a display unit configured to indicate at least one function of the surgical instrument system.

A surgical instrument including a trigger configured to be actuated by a proximally directed force and by a distally directed force. The trigger may include a proximal trigger portion having a first length and a distal trigger hook comprising a distal portion having a second length. The second length may be less than the first length. The distal trigger hook may be coupled to the proximal trigger portion.

A surgical instrument includes a housing, a shaft extending therefrom, an end effector assembly supported by the shaft, a movable handle, and a drive assembly. The drive assembly includes a translatable drive member for actuating the end effector assembly, and a torsion spring including first and second legs. The first leg is configured to translate through the housing in response to movement of the movable handle relative to the housing. The second leg is configured to translate through the housing in cooperation with the first leg to move the drive member longitudinally when a force acting on the drive member is less than a threshold force, and to remain in fixed position, thereby tensioning the torsion spring and retaining the drive member in fixed position when the force acting on the drive member is equal to or exceeds the threshold force.

A medical power supply includes a medical instrument and a guide tube. The power receiving member is arranged radially outside the insertion portion, and when the insertion portion is inserted into the guide tube to a predetermined length such that the power transmitting member and the power receiving member are close to each other, a power transmitting side proximal end surface of the power transmitting member and a power receiving side distal end surface of the power receiving member face each other in an axial direction of the insertion portion and are in a positional relationship such that wireless power supply is possible.

A forceps includes a first jaw member, a second jaw member, a drive rod assembly and a moveable handle attached to a fixed handle. The first jaw member and the second jaw member are in opposing relation relative to one another, and at least one of the first jaw member and the second jaw member is relatively movable from a first open position to a second clamping position when the first jaw member and the second jaw member cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. Moving the moveable handle relative to the fixed handle moves the drive rod assembly for imparting movement of at least one of the first jaw member and the second jaw member from the first position and the second position. The moveable handle has an actuator with a lost motion connection between the first and second jaw members and the actuator.

A surgical instrument insertable through a trocar comprising a shaft including a frame, an end effector, and an articulation joint, wherein the end effector is rotatable about the articulation joint. The shaft further comprises an outer housing slidable relative to the shaft frame including a distal non-round housing portion adjacent the articulation joint and a longitudinal round housing portion extending proximally from the distal housing portion, wherein the longitudinal round housing portion comprises a first diameter, and wherein the distal housing portion comprises a second diameter which is less than the first diameter. The surgical instrument further comprises an articulation lock configured to prevent the rotation of the end effector, wherein the articulation lock is positioned within the distal non-round housing portion.