The present teachings provide for a device with a membrane and an underlying switch, an underlying switch actuator, or both that has a unique tactile pattern that is felt through the membrane when the membrane is aligned with the switch, switch actuator, or both, corresponding to the electrical state of the device. The membrane, the switch, the switch actuator or a combination thereof can be repositioned from a first position to a second position so that a different tactile feel is present through the membrane corresponding to a second electrical state.

An electrosurgical forceps comprising: (a.) a pair of working arms comprising; (i.) a first working arm and a second working arm, each of the first working arm and the second working arm having an inner surface; (ii.) one or more electrodes located on the inner surface of the first working arm, the second working arm, or both; and (b.) a selectively engageable activation system comprising; (i.) a control unit; (ii.) an activation switch; and (iii.) a disengagement mechanism; wherein the first working arm and the second working arm are laterally movable relative to each other so that the activation switch is actuated when the disengagement mechanism is in an engaged position by closing the first working arm and the second working arm together, sending a signal to the control unit, which in turn sends a therapy signal to the one or more electrodes; wherein when the disengagement mechanism is in a disengagement position and the working arms are closed, the therapy signal is prevented from being sent from the control unit to the one or more electrodes.

A surgical instrument comprises a shaft assembly comprising a shaft and an end effector coupled to a distal end of the shaft; a handle assembly coupled to a proximal end of the shaft; a battery assembly coupled to the handle assembly; a radio frequency (RF) energy output powered by the battery assembly and configured to apply RF energy to a tissue; an ultrasonic energy output powered by the battery assembly and configured to apply ultrasonic energy to the tissue; and a controller configured to, based at least in part on a measured tissue characteristic, start application of RF energy by the RF energy output or application of ultrasonic energy by the ultrasonic energy output at a first time.

A surgical instrument includes a handle assembly; a shaft assembly and an end effector. The shaft assembly includes an exterior shaft, a first clutch positioned within the exterior shaft to drive a first function of the surgical instrument when engaged. A second clutch within the exterior shaft to drive a second function when engaged. A rotary driver is positioned within the exterior shaft and configured to rotate within the exterior shaft. The rotary driver includes a first clutch engagement mechanism to engage the first clutch and a second clutch engagement mechanism configured to engage the second clutch independent of the first clutch engagement mechanism engaging the first clutch, such that, at different times both the first clutch and the second clutch are engaged simultaneously only the first clutch is engaged only the second clutch is engaged and neither the first clutch nor the second clutch is engaged simultaneously.

A system comprising a surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a handle, a shaft, a plurality of magnets, a plurality of sensors configured to determine a distance away from one or more of the plurality of magnets, and a processor communicatively coupled to the plurality of sensors. The processor is configured to determine a three dimensional change in position of the shaft by computing a three dimensional change in position of the one or more magnets, using the change in the distances determined by the one or more plurality of sensors.

An illuminated energy device comprising a handle, an illumination element coupled to the handle and disposed continuously and circumferentially about an electrosurgical tip, the electrosurgical tip at a distal end of the handle. The illumination element is preferably adjustably coupled to the handle, and adjustment of the illumination element moves a distal end of the illumination element closer to or further away from a target such as tissue in a surgical field.

A surgical instrument includes a switch base, a power bus coupled to the switch base, an electrical lead coupled to the power bus, an actuator operatively engaged with the power bus, an actuator operatively engaged with the power bus, a membrane, and a housing. The switch base has top, bottom, and side surfaces. The membrane is disposed over the top surface of the switch base and over the power bus to seal the top surface of the switch base. The housing defines proximal and distal ends and a switch base cavity between the proximal and distal ends. The housing includes bulkheads that form a plurality of fluid impermeable seals that are disposed adjacent one of the proximal and distal ends. The fluid impermeable seals are configured to deter fluid from penetrating a proximal portion of the switch base cavity within which the electrical lead is coupled to the power bus.

Aspects of the present disclosure include control systems of an electrosurgical system for managing the flow of fluid, such as saline, and rates of aspiration or suction, in response to various states of conditions at a surgical site. The control system(s) may monitor and adjust to impedance at the surgical site, temperature of the surgical tissue, and/or RF current of electrodes, and may account for certain undesirable conditions, such as the electrodes sticking. The control systems may include various automatic sensing scenarios, while also allowing for several manual conditions.

An electrosurgical device: forceps having: a first working arm, a second working arm, wherein the electrosurgical device has a first electrosurgical configuration where the first working arm and the second working arm are in an opposed position so that the forceps deliver a first therapy current that flows between the first working arm and the second working arm; and wherein the electrosurgical device has a second electrosurgical configuration when the first working arm, the second working arm, or both are repositionable relative to each other so that the first working arm is extended with respect to the second working arm or vice versa and a second therapy current is delivered from the first working arm to a remote electrode.

An electrode assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument includes a base portion, a return lead adapted to be electrically coupled to a return terminal of an electrosurgical generator, an electrical insulator supported on a distal portion of the return lead, a tensioning mechanism, and an active lead adapted to be electrically coupled to an active terminal of the electrosurgical generator. The tensioning mechanism includes a slider slidably disposed in the base portion, a rotation rod threadably coupled to the slider, and a spring proximally biasing the slider. The active lead having a first end portion securely fixed to the base portion and a second end portion slidably coupled to the rotation rod of the tensioning mechanism. A portion of the active lead extends around the electrical insulator. Rotation of the rotation rod causes axial displacement of the second end portion of the active lead to tension the active lead about the electrical insulator.