An electrosurgical device having a first shaft with a tang positioned along an intermediate portion to provide a pivot point that is offset from the longitudinal axis. A second shaft is pivotally coupled to the tang of the first shaft using a slot that accepts the tang of the first shaft. The second shaft is formed from three portions, each of which extends along a different longitudinal axis so that the jaws of the device will be closed when the second shaft abuts a stop of the first shaft.

An electrosurgical instrument has a movable tissue cutting mechanism, a shaft housing at least a portion of the movable tissue cutting mechanism, and a pair of opposing jaws rotatable relative to the shaft. Each jaw has an electrically conductive core member, a slot for receiving the cutting mechanism, and a sealing surface. A pin is coupled to the shaft and the jaws. The pin passes through the jaws and the cutting mechanism. A first link is rotatably coupled to the first jaw and a rod. The rod is interior of and translatable relative to the shaft. Each jaw has a coating made of a substantially non-conductive material covering a portion of the conductive core member but exposing the seal surface, whereby the coating limits an energy path from the respective conductive medium to the respective seal surface.

An electrosurgical device comprising: forceps including: (i) a first working arm having a contact surface and (ii) a second working arm having a contact surface; wherein the forceps has a first electrical configuration where the contact surface of the first working arm and the contact surface of the second working arm are substantially opposite each other so that the contact surfaces of the forceps can be used to grip an item between the working arms and so that the forceps is configured to deliver a first therapy current through the first working arm, the second working arm, or both; and wherein the forceps has second electrical configuration where the contact surface of the first working arm and the contact surface of the second working arm are askew relative to each other and an electrode edge is formed on at least one side of the forceps so that a second therapy current extends from the electrode edge.

A surgical instrument system is disclosed comprising a handle, an elongate shaft selectively attachable to the handle, a battery pack replaceably attachable to the handle, and an end effector extending distally from the elongate shaft. In various instances, the battery pack comprises a power source couplable to the motor and a display. The elongate shaft comprises a processor and a memory couplable to the processor. In various instances, the memory comprises a control program which, when executed, causes the processor to initiate a desired function. In various instances, the end effector comprises a sensing circuit configured to detect a condition of the end effector. The sensing circuit is in signal communication with the processor.

A reusable tip for minimally invasive surgical instruments can include an end effector, a two-part hub, and a yoke. The end effector can include one or more movable portions enabling the end effector to move between first (e.g., open) and second (e.g., closed) positions via manipulation of the yoke within the hub. The hub can include a proximal hub and a distal hub coupled together. The end effector can be coupled to the distal hub, which can be made of a metal to provide high strength and secure shape to the distal hub. The proximal hub can be made of an autoclavable insulation material capable of maintaining a removable coupling with a control shaft. The proximal hub can be made of polyetheretherketone (PEEK).

The grasping treatment instrument includes a jaw including first and second rims and a recess with a bottom surface, and a grasping member with a ridge. When the grasping member is positioned at a first position, a component of the ridge between a second rotary axis and a distal end of the ridge protrudes to the opposite side from the bottom surface of the recess with respect to the first and second rims. When the grasping member is positioned at a second position, a component of the ridge between the second rotary axis and a proximal end of the ridge protrudes to the opposite side from the bottom surface of the recess with respect to the first and second rims.

A surgical suturing system is disclosed. The surgical suturing system comprises a shaft, a firing drive comprising a motor, and an end effector extending distally from the shaft. The end effector comprises a needle driver configured to be actuated by the motor, wherein the needle driver is configured to drive a needle installed within the end effector. The end effector further comprises a needle track configured to guide the needle installed within the end effector through a needle firing stroke, wherein the end effector is configured to accommodate suturing needles having different sizes. The surgical suturing system further comprises a control circuit configured to sense the size of the suturing needle installed within the end effector and adjust the actuation stroke of the motor to accommodate the size of the needle installed within the end effector.

A surgical suturing system is disclosed. The surgical suturing system comprises a firing drive, an end effector, and a needle configured to be driven by said firing drive. The end effector comprises a track defined therein configured to guide the needle through a needle firing stroke. The surgical suturing system further comprises a needle driver configured to be driven by the firing drive and configured to drive the needle through the needle firing stroke.

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.

A surgical tool that includes a drive housing, an elongate shaft that extends from the drive housing, and an end effector arranged at a distal end of the elongate shaft and including a jaw secured to a jaw holder, the jaw providing a contact plate and the jaw holder defining a cable passage. A wrist couples the end effector to the elongate shaft and includes a distal clevis having an axle that rotatably mounts the jaw holder to the distal clevis. An electrical conductor extends from the drive housing, through the wrist and the cable passage, and terminates at the contact plate to supply electrical energy to the jaw.