A surgical instrument includes a temperature sensor and a control unit that is operable to deactivate an end effector of the surgical instrument. In some versions the temperature sensor detects the temperature of a transducer, while in others the temperature sensor detects the temperature of the end effector. The surgical instrument may also include a trigger and a trigger position sensor. A force sensor or a position sensor may be included to determine the force and/or position of the transmission assembly. The end effector may also include a force sensor or a micro coil. A surgical instrument having a sensor may be included in a surgical system that includes a control unit and a remote controller. In some instances the remote controller may have one or more force-feedback components. In addition, a device interface and a surgeon interface may be included to remotely adjust the settings of the control unit.

A method of maintaining a constant movement of a cutting blade of an ultrasonic waveguide includes providing an ultrasonic transducer operable to convert a received motional current into a movement of a cutting blade of an ultrasonic waveguide, a measurement circuit connected in a parallel configuration with the ultrasonic transducer, and a variable power source operable to supply current through a set of connection points to the parallel configuration and thereby create the motional current in the ultrasonic transducer. Current is supplied through a set of connection points of the parallel configuration with the variable power source to, thereby, create the motional current in the ultrasonic transducer and the motional current is regulated with a current controller by varying an output of the power source, thereby maintaining a substantially constant rate of movement of the cutting blade across a variety of cutting loads.

An ultrasonic surgical device comprises a handle assembly, a shaft assembly, and a removable transducer module. The transducer module includes a waveguide, a locking mechanism, and an electronics assembly including at least one button. The handle assembly includes a trigger assembly configured to actuate the button(s) of the electronics assembly when the transducer module is coupled with the handle assembly. The shaft assembly engages the waveguide of the transducer module and is disposed at the distal end of the handle assembly. The distal end of the shaft assembly includes a harmonic blade. When assembled with the handle assembly, the transducer module is capable of providing ultrasonic energy to the harmonic blade.

A surgical system includes an ultrasonic surgical instrument and a cooling module. The instrument includes a waveguide defining a blade and having a lumen, an inflow conduit disposed in communication with the lumen and configured to supply fluid to the lumen, and a return conduit disposed in communication with the lumen and configured to receive fluid from the lumen. The cooling module includes a pump assembly operably coupled to the inflow and return conduits and configured to pump fluid through the inflow conduit, into the lumen, and back through the return conduit for cooling the blade. The cooling module also includes at least one sensor configured to sense a property of the fluid pumped into the inflow conduit and/or a property of the fluid returned from the return conduit, and a controller configured to control the pump assembly according to the sensed property(s).

An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a waveguide defining a blade at a distal end thereof and a lumen extending through a portion of the blade. The blade is configured to receive ultrasonic energy for treating tissue. The instrument further includes first and second conduits each defining a proximal end and a distal end. The second conduit is coaxially disposed about the first conduit. The distal ends of the first and second conduits extend into the lumen. The distal end of the first conduit extends further distally into the lumen than the distal end of the second conduit.

Some surgical instruments become partially or fully disabled at a device firmware level after being used in a surgical procedure in order to prevent overuse or abuse of the surgical instrument that could create patient safety concerns. A reconditioning device may be used by the end user of such a surgical instrument to perform diagnostics and reconditioning of the surgical instrument so that the surgical instrument may be placed back into service without the direct intervention of the manufacturer. The reconditioning device provides power to the surgical instrument, analyzes device usage history, activates and tests the surgical instrument cutting and gripping functions, and measures electrical characteristics and mechanical characteristics of the surgical instrument. Gathered data is used to determine if the surgical instrument may be safely reconditioned for further use. If reconditioning is possible, the device will be reconfigured for safe use, reactivated, and then sterilized for subsequent re-use.

A surgical instrument includes a shaft assembly and an articulation control assembly. The shaft assembly includes an articulation section that is configured to deflect a distal end portion from the longitudinal axis. The articulation control assembly includes an articulation control member and a transmission assembly. The articulation control member is rotatably mounted relative to the shaft assembly. The transmission assembly is operatively connected between the articulation control member and the articulation section of the shaft assembly. The transmission assembly is configured to transmit selective manipulation of the articulation control member to the articulation section and selectively actuate the articulation section. The articulation control assembly is configured to lock without selective manipulation of the articulation control member to thereby inhibit actuation of the articulation section and unlock with selective manipulation of the articulation control member to thereby actuate the articulation section.

A surgical apparatus includes a body, an ultrasonic transducer, a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, an articulation section, an end effector, and a restricting member. The ultrasonic transducer is operable to convert electrical power into ultrasonic vibrations. The shaft couples the end effector and the body together. The acoustic waveguide is coupled with the transducer. The articulation section is operable to flex to thereby deflect the end effector from a longitudinal axis defined by the shaft. The restricting member is operable to restrict lateral deflection of the end effector. The restricting member is further operable to cooperate with a translating member to rigidize the articulation section when the end effector is aligned with the longitudinal axis. Such rigidization includes removing any “play” or other small movement that might otherwise be provided by the articulation section due to manufacturing tolerances and/or looseness between parts.

An apparatus for operating on tissue includes a body assembly, a shaft assembly, an acoustic waveguide, an articulation section, an articulation control assembly, an end effector, and an articulation lock. A portion of the articulation section encompasses a flexible portion of the waveguide. The articulation includes a first member and a second member that is longitudinally translatable relative to the first member. The articulation control assembly is configured to move relative to the shaft assembly in order to longitudinally translate the second member relative to the first member. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the waveguide. The articulation lock is configured to prevent movement of the articulation control assembly relative to the shaft assembly.

A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members moveable with respect to one another between an open position and a closed position. A knife channel having a body and a base is defined within each jaw member. A knife assembly includes a knife having a bifurcated distal end. The bifurcated end includes first and second cutting members each defining an opposed cutting surface and having a tab at a free end thereof for translation through the base of a knife channel. The knife is translatable into the channels when the jaw members are in the closed position such that the cutting members are approximated when translated through the channels. The knife is also translatable into the channels when the jaw members are in the open position such that the cutting members are flexed apart when translated through the jaw members.