An electrosurgical instrument is disclosed which includes a proximal handle portion, an elongated tubular body portion extending distally from the proximal handle portion, and a jaw assembly operatively associated with a distal end of the body portion and including a pair of cooperating jaw members mounted for movement between an open position and a closed position, each jaw member having a sealing surface, wherein the sealing surfaces of the jaw members define a vessel sealing gap therebetween when the jaw members are in the closed position, and wherein the vessel sealing gap has a height that varies along an axial extent of the jaw assembly between a proximal end portion of the jaw assembly and a distal end portion of the jaw assembly.

A surgical device drive system comprising a gear coupled to a drive train is disclosed. The gear is configured to transmit a proximal retraction motion to a drive member. The surgical device drive system further comprises a control system coupled to the gear, and a manual input device comprising an input component and a ratchet mechanism. The input component is selectively coupled to the gear by the ratchet mechanism. The drive train is operable in a distal advancement direction and in a proximal retraction direction. In a first state, the control system is configured to drive the gear and the drive train in the distal advancement direction and the proximal retraction direction. In a second state, the manual input device is configured to drive the gear and the drive train in the proximal retraction direction, but not the distal advancement direction, using the ratchet mechanism.

An energy treatment device includes a movable handle including a jaw and a first through hole, an elongated member, and a sheath including a hollow portion and a second through hole, wherein the hollow portion is configured to receive the elongated member. The second through hole is configured to extend so as not to overlap with the hollow portion. The movable handle is configured to rotate about an axis which is configured to pass through the first through hole and the second through hole such that the jaw is rotatable with respect to the sheath, and (D1+D2)/2<L1 is satisfied, where D1 is a diameter of the hollow portion, D2 is a diameter of the first through hole, and L1 is a distance between a central position of the hollow portion and a central position of the first through hole in an opening/closing direction of the jaw.

Systems, instruments, and methods for performing a medical procedure. The methods comprise: obtaining a surgical instrument that combines a head positioner and a driver into a single integrated part (the driver being at least partially inserted through an elongate aperture formed in the head positioner so as to extend from a proximal end of the head positioner to a distal end of the head positioner); using an actuable structure of the head positioner to limit an amount that the driver can linearly travel in a first direction within the elongate aperture formed in the head positioner; causing a screw to threadingly engage an object via rotation of the driver in at least a first direction around a central axis of the surgical instrument; and changing an orientation of a receiver via rotation of the head positioner about a portion of the driver.

A device for safely approaching vertebral disc space utilizing stereotactic guidance, clearing material from the disc space, a device for expanding the disc space, stereotactic methods for implant planning and monitoring articulating instrument end effectors and a device for implantation into the disc space for the purpose of fusion or disc replacement.

Methods and devices for stabilizing spinal anatomical structures. Some example methods may include introducing a curved segment of an elongate fastener placement rod adjacent to a bone, providing a fastener at the leading end of the curved segment, and/or securing the fastener in place with respect to the bone.

A joint assembly of an adapter defines a first longitudinal axis and includes first and second hinges, first and second rings, a joint cover, and a biasing mechanism. The joint cover has first and second cover portions. The first ring is pivotally coupled to the first hinge and the first cover portion is pivotally coupled to the first hinge to define a first joint center. The second ring is pivotally coupled to the second cover portion and the second hinge is pivotally coupled to the second ring to define a second joint center that is spaced from the first joint center. The first and second joint centers define a cover axis of the joint cover. The biasing mechanism is engaged with the first ring and the joint cover to bias the joint cover towards an aligned configuration in which the cover axis is aligned with the first longitudinal axis.

A synchronous drive system for simultaneously driving more than two or more rotational tissue screws and a method for simultaneously affixing a medical device to tissue employing the synchronous drive system. The synchronous drive system is particularly configured to affix an apical cuff to cardiac muscle tissue by simultaneously driving a plurality of rotational tissue screws through the apical cuff and into cardiac muscle tissue thereby affixing the apical cuff to the cardiac muscle tissue.

A surgical drill for use with a drill bit. The drill includes a handpiece with a motor and a brake mechanism. The brake mechanism is a sliding rack adjacent a first end and a second end with a stop adjacent the drill bit. An actuator is mounted to the handpiece and a plunger is coupled to the actuator. A sensor asserts a signal when the drill bit penetrates bone. When the sensor asserts the signal indicting the drill bit penetrated bone, the actuator moves the plunger into engagement with the rack to prevent further insertion of the drill bit.

A helical distractor, including: a distractor body having an open tubular shape including: a fixed footplate attached to a first end of the distractor body; first and second body edges; first and second key grooves in the first and second body edges, respectively; and an end cap at a second end of the distractor body; a movable foot including: body threads; a first key configured to engage the first key groove; a second key configured to engage the second key groove; and a movable footplate; an advancement screw with a threaded portion inside the distraction body, wherein the threaded portion is configured to engage the body threads of the movable foot, wherein the movable foot moves along the distractor body when the advancement screw is rotated, and wherein the distractor body is configured to cause the movable foot to rotate as it moves along the distractor body.