A system for exchanging at least one end tool includes at least one tool exchange device for retaining each of the at least one end tool and at least one operating instrument engageable with each of the at least one end tool. The tool exchange device includes a tool retaining mechanism having an opening and a plurality of engagement features to enable mutually exclusive engagement and disengagement of the tool retaining mechanism with each of the at least one tool. Each of the at least one tool is receivable in the opening and has a biasing member engageable with the plurality of engagement features for at least one of biasing to an engaged position and a disengaged position.

A surgical instrument operable to sever tissue includes a body assembly and a selectively coupleable end effector assembly. The end effector assembly may include a transmission assembly and an end effector. The body assembly includes a trigger and a casing configured to couple with the transmission assembly. An information transmission system transmits instrument information received from a sensor, for example, to a secure server via a secure gateway connected to the instrument. The instrument may be previously tested on a calibration kit to pre-determine and load surgeon-specific settings onto the instrument prior to use.

A surgical cutting instrument (3) having a proximal end (4), a distal end (5), opposing sides (6, 7), and a longitudinal axis (8) and comprising: (i) an instrument body (2); (ii) a pivotal cutting arm (10) having a pinion (20) with an axis of rotation, the pinion being integrally formed with the pivotal cutting arm, wherein the pivotal cutting arm is mounted for rotation relative to the instrument body about a pivot axis (11), the pivot axis being the axis of rotation of the pinion, so that, rotation of the pinion about the pivot axis, causes the pivot arm to pivot relative to the instrument body; (iii) a cutting blade (40) on the pivotal cutting arm for resecting tissue; (iv) a rack (25) that can be moved in a reciprocating linear motion forward towards the distal end and rearwards toward the proximal end, the rack and the pinion being meshed together to forming a rack and pinion mechanism so that linear motion of the rack effects pivotal movement of the pivotal cutting arm about the pivot axis. This provides a very simple yet robust device which can have a minimum cross-section. It can thus be used for minimally invasive procedures such as cutting material from the interior of a spinal disc.

A surgical device comprising an instrument shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a control handle connected to the proximal end of the instrument shaft, a surgical end effector connected to the distal end of the instrument shaft at a joint, wherein the surgical end effector is configured to articulate, at the joint and with respect to the instrument shaft, about an articulation axis, and wherein the surgical end effector had a pull-to-release articulation lock configured to retain the joint in a fixed position and the control handle has an articulation lock actuator that is configured to, when actuated, release the articulation lock.

A surgical instrument including a handle assembly, a first endoscopic portion, a motor, and a first end effector is disclosed. The first endoscopic portion is selectively connectable to a distal portion of the handle assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. The first endoscopic portion includes a housing adjacent its proximal portion and includes an actuation member. The motor is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the housing of the first endoscopic portion and is operatively connected to the actuation member for moving the actuation member substantially along the longitudinal axis. The first end effector is selectively connectable to a distal portion of the first endoscopic portion and is configured to perform a first stapling function.

An adjustable suture passer for use in arthroscopic surgery is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the adjustable suture passer comprises a head that describes a semicircular arc, an elongate body, a support element, and driving and control mechanisms. The head is adapted to accommodate a surgical needle and a guide wire. When the adjustable suture passer is activated, the needle is driven with sufficient force to penetrate bone. Use of the adjustable suture passer thus enables surgical attachment of soft tissue to bone without any necessity for a separate anchor.

The present invention discloses an assembly method for a microsurgical instrument, which has a proximal handle mechanically connected to a hollow shaft. The shaft is coupled releasably to a tool head via a bayonet connection. The handle has at least one actuation device, which is operatively coupled to an actuation rod that is guided in the shaft. The bayonet connection has two bayonet elements with respective longitudinal slits which are aligned in a locked state of the bayonet connection, wherein at least one longitudinally movable cam is guided axially in the longitudinal slits. The actuation rod is inserted with its proximal end portion into the handle and has a flattened part, which is engaged by a clamping block arranged on the handle in a fixed position with respect to the longitudinal axis. Moreover, a pivotable retractor is disclosed.

An assembly for fastening tissue is disclosed. The assembly may comprise a first jaw comprising a cartridge, wherein the cartridge comprises a plurality of fasteners. The plurality of fasteners comprises a first fastener comprising a first height and a second fastener comprising a second height, wherein the second height is different than the first height. The assembly further comprises a second jaw, wherein at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is movable relative to the other. The second jaw comprises a plurality of fastener-engaging portions. The plurality of fastener-engaging portions comprises a first fastener-engaging portion and a second fastener-engaging portion. The assembly further comprises a compressible layer intermediate the first jaw and the second jaw.

An electromechanical surgical system is disclosed including a hand-held surgical instrument, an end effector configured to perform at least one function, and a shaft assembly arranged for selectively interconnecting the end effector and the surgical instrument. The shaft assembly includes a linkage having a proximal housing and a distal housing at least partially received within the proximal housing. The distal housing is rotatable relative to the proximal housing and configured to selectively interconnect the end effector to the shaft assembly. The shaft assembly further includes a wire extending through the linkage having a central portion disposed within an annular groove defined between the proximal and distal housings. The central portion of the wire is annularly wound within the annular groove to define a coil. The coil is configured to at least one of radially expand and contract upon rotation of the distal housing relative to the proximal housing.

An instrument control unit for use with a surgical instrument, is provided. The instrument control unit comprises first and second plates, first and second lead screws, first and second yokes, and first and second motors. The first and second plates define a sleeve therebetween. Each of the first and second lead screws is disposed between the first and second plates. Each of the first and second yokes is threadedly engaged with its respective lead screw. The motors are disposed in mechanical cooperation with respective lead screws. Actuation of the motors causes rotation of its respective lead screw, which results in movement of its respective yoke along the longitudinal axis, and which is configured to effect a first function of a surgical instrument engaged with the instrument control unit.