Surgical instruments are disclosed comprising a firing assembly including a fuse having a plurality of operating states.

A parallel kinematic mechanism apparatus includes a frame, a handle and an input joint that connects having at least two independent and functionally parallel paths for transmission of motion coupling the handle to the frame. A first path includes a first intermediate body connected to the frame by a first connector and to the handle by a third connector while the second path that is independent from the first path includes a second intermediate body that is connected to the frame by a second connector and to the handle by a fourth connector. The first connector and the fourth connector both allow rotation in a first rotational direction and restrict rotation in a second rotational direction and the second and third connectors allow rotation in the second rotational direction and restrict rotation in the first rotational direction.

The present invention relates to an endoscopic treatment instrument, and more particularly, to an endoscopic treatment instrument including a detachable end-effector and a contamination prevention cover. The endoscopic treatment instrument includes an end-effector for performing treatment in the endoscopic surgery or an endoscope treatment, a connection section being detachably coupled to an end of the end-effector, and a contamination prevention cover being coupled to the connection section or the end-effector and surrounding a portion of an outer peripheral surface of the connection section so as to prevent contamination of the connection section. According to an embodiment of the present invention, since only the end-effector is separable for replacement and the cover is formed to protect a control unit, it is possible to prevent cross infection between patients caused by the contamination of the end-effector and the control unit.

A surgical instrument, such as a tissue sealing instrument, is provided with an end effector having first and second movable jaws that define a gap therebetween in the closed position for clamping, sealing and/or stapling tissue. The jaws are movable relative to each other in the closed position to reduce a thickness of least one portion of this gap. This configuration allows the jaws to be moved closer together to reduce the overall size of the instrument when, for example, the instrument is introduced and retracted through an opening in the patient, or maneuvered within a body cavity. The surgical instrument may also have multiple settings for use with different staple cartridges, while still maintaining a fixed dimension between the two jaws for clamping, stapling and/or sealing tissue, providing a more adaptable surgical instrument that allows the surgeon to use different staple cartridges without having to change surgical instruments.

A gear arrangement including two drive units (210, 220, 310, 320, 410), and two translatory transmission elements (151, 152, 251, 252, 351, 352), to each of which a rotationally movable function unit (141, 142) of a distally arranged two-part end effector (140) can be coupled. The first drive unit (210, 310, 410) has at least one proximally arranged rotation element (311, 411) or a thrust element (210) for opening or closing the end effector (140) by rotation of at least one function unit (141, 142). The second drive unit (220, 320), with which the translatory transmission elements (151, 152, 251, 252, 351, 352) are movable in opposite directions, has at least one proximally arranged rotation element (224, 320, 421) for simultaneous and unidirectional pivoting of the function units (141, 142) of the end effector (140). A surgical instrument includes the gear arrangement (200, 300, 400) in the handle (180).

An end effector assembly suitable for use with a forceps includes opposing first and second jaw members pivotably mounted with respect to one another. The first jaw member includes one or more pivot holes defined therein configured to receive a portion of a pivot pin therein. The end effector assembly also includes an electrically-insulative hinge configured to electrically isolate the first and second jaw members from one another including one or more pivot-hole locators having an aperture defined therein. The electrically-insulative hinge is attached to the first jaw member such that the one or more pivot-hole locators align with the one or more pivot holes of the second jaw member.

A surgical instrument that includes a first jaw that has a pair of laterally aligned vertical slots formed in a proximal end portion thereof. Each vertical slot includes an open upper end. A second jaw is movably supported for selective pivotal travel relative to the first jaw between a fully open and a fully closed position. Pivot members protrude laterally from the second jaw and are each received in a corresponding one of the vertical slots in the first jaw such that the pivot members may pivot therein. A retainer member is configured to operably engage the proximal end portion of the first jaw and retain the pivot members in the corresponding vertical slots as the second jaw moves between the fully open and the fully closed positions.

A surgical instrument with a handle for a surgical instrument is provided, comprising a first arm and a second arm, wherein at least one of the arms being movable with respect to the other between an open and closed position. An end effector such as a pair of opposing jaws for grasping tissue may be disposed at the distal end of the two arms. At the proximal end of each arm is a finger loop, or some other suitable means for holding by the handle, which are used to actuate the arms between the open and closed position. At least one of the finger loops is arranged to pivot about the longitudinal axis of the arm from which it extends, for example, the finger loop may be connected to the arm by a hinged connection, or any other suitable connection for enabling the finger loop to be pivotably rotated.

A surgical tool for use with a robotic system that includes a tool drive assembly that is operatively coupled to a control unit of the robotic system that is operable by inputs from an operator and is configured to robotically-generate output motions. A drive system is configured to interface with a corresponding portion of the tool drive assembly for receiving the robotically-generated output motions and applying the output motions to a drive shaft assembly which is configured to apply control motions to a surgical end effector operably coupled thereto. A manually-actuatable control system operably interfaces with the drive shaft assembly to facilitate the selective application of manually-generated control motions to the drive shaft assembly.

An endoscope treatment tool includes: a forceps having a first forceps piece and a second forceps piece; and a joint. The second forceps piece includes a forceps cup, a first tooth, a second tooth, a third tooth, a fourth tooth. A length from a tip of the first tooth to a tip of the second tooth in a longitudinal direction defines a first length, a length from the tip of the first tooth to a tip of the third tooth in the longitudinal direction defines a second length, and the first length is shorter than the second length. A length from the tip of the first tooth to a tip of the fourth tooth in the longitudinal direction defines a third length and the second length is shorter than the third length.