A surgical instrument comprising a jaw assembly is disclosed. The surgical instrument further comprises a motor-driven drive system configured to open the jaw assembly. The surgical instrument also comprises a control system configured to control the drive system and, also, control a power supply system configured to supply electrical power to electrodes defined in the outer surface, or outer surfaces, of the jaw assembly. In use, the surgical instrument can be used to apply mechanical energy and electrical energy to the tissue of a patient at the same time, or at different times. In certain embodiments, the user controls when the mechanical and electrical energies are applied. In some embodiments, the control system controls when the mechanical and electrical energies are applied.

A medical device includes a pair of jaws that grips biological tissue, is coupled at first ends of the jaws, opens and closes as a result of swiveling of at least one of the jaws, and comprises a pair of gripping surfaces facing when the jaws are closed, a motor that generates a closing driving force for closing the jaws, a driving-force transmission member that connects the jaws to the motor and that is configured to transmit the closing driving force from the motor to at least one of the jaws, and a controller that is connected to the motor and that controls the motor. The controller temporally changes magnitude of the closing driving force generated by the motor so as to shift peak positions of gripping pressure for gripping the biological tissue in the pair of gripping surfaces.

An interventional device for cutting tissue at a targeted cardiac valve, such as a mitral valve. The interventional device includes a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end. A cutting mechanism is positionable at the distal end, such as by routing the cutting mechanism through the catheter to position it at the distal end. The cutting mechanism includes one or more cutting elements configured for cutting valve tissue when engaged against the tissue. A handle is coupled to the proximal end of the catheter and includes one or more controls for actuating the cutting mechanism.

An improved electrosurgical instrument, specifically a scissor style vessel sealer, comprising two overmoulded jaws formed from a structural polymer held in place by a pivot pin. The moulded structural polymer replaces many metal components which would otherwise be required for such an assembly. Additionally, reinforcement members can be positioned within the jaws of the instrument to provide support. Not only does the use of the moulded structural polymer simplify the assembly of the instrument, it also enables the following additional functionality: moulded pivot holes, flanges providing lateral support, and a flexible lever arm which is designed to provide the force needed to clamp and seal vessels.

A surgical instrument system comprising a handle, a shaft, and a disposable power module is disclosed. The handle comprises a motor, a control switch, and a motor-control processor which is in communication with the control switch. In various instances, the disposable power module comprises a disposable battery and a display unit configured to indicate at least one function of the surgical instrument system.

A robotic system can include a surgical instrument with a wrist including an elongate shaft extending between a proximal end and a distal end, a wrist extending from the distal end of the elongate shaft, and an end effector extending from the wrist. The end effector may include a first jaw and a second jaw, the first and second jaw being moveable between an open position in which ends of the jaws are separated from each other, and a closed position in which the ends of the jaws are closer to each other as compared to the open position. The surgical instrument may also include at least one rotary cutter extending from the wrist and positioned at least partially within a recess formed in a face of the first jaw.

A laceration device for use in medical procedures includes a shaft having opposed proximal and distal portions. A clamp extends from the distal portion. The clamp has first and second clamp arms. The clamp is movable between an open and closed positions. In the open position, the first clamp arm is spaced apart from the second clamp arm. In the closed position, the first clamp arm is moved towards the second clamp arm. A clamp actuator is connected to the clamp via the shaft and is manipulatable to move the clamp between the open and closed positions. A radiofrequency electrode (RF) is associated with the first clamp arm. The RF electrode has a first perforation surface that is positioned to face the second clamp arm when the clamp is in the closed position. An electrical connector extends proximally from the RF electrode for connection to a power source.

A multi-layer, super-planar laminate structure can be formed from distinctly patterned layers. The layers in the structure can include at least one rigid layer and at least one flexible layer; the rigid layer includes a plurality of rigid segments, and the flexible layer can extend between the rigid segments to serve as a joint. The layers are then stacked and bonded at selected locations to form a laminate structure with inter-layer bonds, and the laminate structure is flexed at the flexible layer between rigid segments to produce an expanded three-dimensional structure, wherein the layers are joined at the selected bonding locations and separated at other locations. A layer with electrical wiring can be included in the structure for delivering electric current to devices on or in the laminate structure.

An electrically energized medical instrument uses one or more drive cables to both actuate mechanical components of a wrist mechanism or an effector and to electrically energize the effector. Electrical isolation can be achieved using an insulating main tube through which drive cables extend from a backend mechanism to the effector, an insulating end cover that leaves only the desired portions of the effector exposed, and one or more seals to prevent electrically conductive liquid from entering the main tube. Component count and cost may be further reduced using a pair of pulleys that are shared by four drive cables.

A surgical clip applier is disclosed which is configured to automatically feed a clip from a clip cartridge once the surgical clip applier is positioned in the patient.