A forceps includes an end effector assembly having a stop and a plurality of overmold teeth within at least one jaw member. One (or both) of the jaw members is moveable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. One (or both) of the jaw members includes a stop molded within an insulative housing, and an insulator plate with the overmold teeth formed from plastic. The overmold teeth extend through openings within a sealing plate and protrude past the tissue sealing surface of the sealing plate. The stop primarily controls the gap distance between opposing jaw members by bearing most of an applied load and the overmold teeth assist in controlling the gap distance by bearing the remaining applied load.

Methods and devices are disclosed for puncturing tissue, comprising an assembly for puncturing a target tissue. The puncture device of the assembly has a distal tip configured to puncture the target tissue and at least one proximal marker, formed on the proximal portion of the puncture device. The supporting member of the assembly includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen for receiving the puncture device. The puncture device is configured to enable advancement and withdrawal of the supporting member overtop of the puncture device. Alignment of the proximal end of the supporting member and the at least one proximal marker of the puncture device occurs when the distal tip of the puncture device protrudes from the distal end of the supporting member.

A surgical stapling system comprising an end effector, a firing member, a motor, and a control system is disclosed. The end effector comprises an elongate channel, a staple cartridge, and an anvil. The staple cartridge comprises staples removably stored therein. The elongate channel and the anvil are configurable in a closed configuration to capture tissue therebetween. The anvil comprises an impedance sensor configured to sense an impedance of the tissue. The firing member is moveable between a starting position and an ending position. The staples are deployable from the staple cartridge based on the firing member moving toward the ending position. The motor is configured to drive the firing member toward the ending position. The control system comprises a multiplexer configured to control the impedance sensor. The control system is configured to interrogate the impedance sensor to determine the impedance and control the motor based on the determined impedance.

A surgical device which combines cautery and tissue debris conveyance via a combination of suction and an Archimedes screw, the cautery electrode encased within the Archimedes screw, the device comprising a device body housing a motor for rotating the screw, a cannula having an aperture for exposing an instrument, extending from the body portion, and a connector system operatively associated with the body portion, the connector system organized to provide pre-determined relative locations of connection for operably connecting the cannula, a cautery electrode and an Archimedes screw to the device body such the cautery electrode tip is positionable outside the aperture of the cannula and the Archimedes screw is disposed within the cannula in a position for conveying tissue entering the cannula via suction.

In general, devices, systems, and methods for fiducial identification and tracking are provided.

Systems, devices, and methods for controlling cooperative surgical instruments are provided. Various aspects of the present disclosure provide for coordinated operation of surgical instruments accessing various surgical sites from different or shared surgical approaches to achieve a common or cooperative surgical purpose. For example, various methods, devices, and systems disclosed herein can enable the coordinated treatment of tissue by disparate minimally invasive surgical systems that approach the tissue from varying anatomical spaces and must operate differently, but in concert with, one another to effect a desired surgical treatment.

In general, devices, systems, and methods for control of one visualization with another are provided.

An electrosurgical wand is provided and includes a handle and an elongate shaft coupled to the handle and extending distally from the handle along an axis. An active electrode is disposed at a distal end of the electrosurgical wand. A return electrode abuts the elongate shaft and extends along and annularly about the axis. The return electrode has a top side adjacent the active electrode and an opposite bottom side and defines a notch. A support member is disposed in the notch between the electrodes and transitions curvilinearly from the notch to define a front surface extending laterally across and axially from the return electrode. The front surface tapers downwardly from the active electrode to define a first portion defining a first convex outer surface and also extends toward the bottom side of the return electrode to define a second portion defining a second convex outer surface.

In general, devices, systems, and methods for multi-source imaging are provided.

An arthroscopic system includes a hand piece with a motor drive. an elongate shaft assembly is detachably secured to a distal end of the hand piece, and the elongate shaft assembly includes an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve rotatably mounted in the outer sleeve. The inner sleeve couples to the motor drive when the elongate shaft assembly is attached to the hand piece, and an inner distal cutting window on the inner sleeve moves in and out of alignment with an outer distal cutting window on the outer sleeve as the motor drive rotates the inner sleeve. A distal electrode is disposed on an outer surface of the outer sleeve at a location opposite to that of the outer distal cutting window, and the outer sleeve member is rotatable relative to the hand piece when the hub is secured to the hand piece such that a user can hold the hand piece in one hand and rotate the outer sleeve to selectively place the outer distal cutting window or the distal electrode in an upward orientation relative to the user while continuing to hold the hand piece in the one hand.