A structure of a surgical instrument configured for thermally cutting tissue. The structure includes a frame and a thermal cutting element. The frame includes a proximal flange portion and a distal body portion. The distal body portion includes a proximal section extending from the proximal flange portion, a distal section, and a center section extending between the proximal and distal sections. The distal body portion includes first and second distal body portion segments. The distal body portion segments are disposed a first distance apart from one another at the proximal section, a second distance apart from one another at the distal section, and a third distance apart from one another at the center section. The third distance is greater than the first and second distances. The thermal cutting element is disposed within the distal body portion of the frame and extends from the proximal section, through the center section, to the distal section.

A treatment tool includes: a sheath; a treatment portion that is capable of treating a living tissue and is provided at a distal end of the sheath; a first driver and a second driver that are inserted in the sheath and are capable of driving the treatment portion; and a holder that is inserted in the sheath, and holds the first driver and the second driver. The holder includes a groove in which the first and second driver are inserted, and an intervening portion provided in the groove and arranged between the first driver and the second driver in a cross section perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the groove that extends from a distal end to a proximal end of the holder.

A surgical instrument includes a handle assembly and a shaft portion extending distally from the handle assembly and configured to rotate relative to the handle assembly. The handle assembly includes an actuator and a gear that operably couples the actuator to the shaft portion. The gear is configured to transform a rotational motion of the actuator into a rotation of the shaft portion at a greater angular velocity than an angular velocity of the actuator.

Electrosurgical devices are shown with a coated electrode. Electrosurgical devices and methods of use are shown to apply a consistent delta of energy to a tissue, in contrast to merely applying energy until an ending value is reached. Electrosurgical devices and methods of use are shown to meet the challenges of applying a consistent delta of energy by adjusting a baseline value.

A method is provided to control delivery of heat to biological tissue comprising: imparting an RF electrical signal to the biological tissue electrically coupled between a first electrode and the second electrode; measuring frequency content of the RF electrical signal between the first electrode and the second electrode; and adjusting the RF electrical signal based upon the measured frequency content of the RF electrical signal.

A suction and irrigation valve for a robotic surgical system includes a shaft assembly, a rotary drive, and a valve assembly. The valve assembly is operatively connected to the rotary drive member and includes a valve body and a valve plug. The valve body has a first fluid inlet, a second fluid inlet, and an outlet. The valve plug is received with the valve body and is configured to rotate about a plug axis relative to the valve body to a first position, a second position, and a third position. The valve plug has at least a first conduit configured to selectively fluidly communicate with each of the outlet and at least one of the first or second fluid inlets.

An electrosurgical system may include an electrosurgical generator configured to generate electrosurgical energy; and an electrosurgical instrument coupled to the electrosurgical generator. The electrosurgical instrument may include a motion and/or position sensor, where the electrosurgical generator is configured to control the electrosurgical energy based on a sensor signal from the sensor.

Tools, systems, and methods described herein provide multiple treatments with a reduced number of tools. A single tool as described herein can be used to provide both clamping and sealing treatment modes.

A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members movable between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. A knife assembly having a cutting blade disposed at a distal end thereof is also provided. The knife assembly is translatable relative to the end effector assembly between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the cutting blade extends between the jaw members to cut tissue grasped therebetween. The knife assembly includes a proximal component and a first distal component that includes the cutting blade. The proximal and first distal components are removably coupled to one another to facilitate replacement of the first distal component. Methods of preparing such forceps for reuse are also provided.

A method of assembling a jaw member of an electrosurgical forceps includes aligning in vertical registration an electrically conductive seal plate, an insulative spacer and a jaw support. The method further includes stacking the seal plate atop the insulative spacer and the jaw support such that a flange depending from the seal plate seats within a corresponding cavity defined within a flange depending from the insulative spacer which, in turn, seats within a cavity defined within the jaw support. The method further includes mechanically securing the seal plate, insulative spacer and jaw support to one another and securing a jaw housing to surround the jaw support, the insulative spacer and the seal plate.