Dura shields in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, a dura shield includes a shield configured to protect a patient's dura during an interbody procedure, a tether coupled to the shield and configured to position the shield, and an anchor coupled to the shield and configured to attach to a surface within the patient during the interbody procedure. A variety of sensors can be incorporated into the dura shield in order to monitor a patient during the procedure.

A surgical instrument system includes a surgical fastener applier and a positioning guide. The positioning guide includes an implant guide. The implant guide defines a guide channel configured to receive a portion of an implant to support the implant relative to the end effector to enable the surgical fastener applier to fire one or more fasteners through the implant for securing the implant to tissue.

Systems and methods for monitoring a surgical procedure are provided. A coordinate system of a first robotic arm and a second robotic arm may be co-registered or correlated to each other. One or more poses of an imaging device may be determined to provide real-time intraoperative imaging of a region of interest during a surgical procedure. Anatomical elements may be identified in the real-time images of the region of interest from which a surgical tool should maintain a predetermined distance. The surgical tool may be prevented from approaching the identified anatomical elements by less than a predetermined distance using the co-registration of the coordinate systems.

Methods of operating a surgical instrument are disclosed herein.

Surgical visualization systems and related methods are disclosed herein, e.g., for providing visualization during surgical procedures. Systems and methods herein can be used in a wide range of surgical procedures, including spinal surgeries such as minimally-invasive fusion or discectomy procedures. Systems and methods herein can include various features for enhancing end user experience, improving clinical outcomes, or reducing the invasiveness of a surgery. Exemplary features can include access port integration, hands-free operation, active and/or passive lens cleaning, adjustable camera depth, and many others.

A surgical clip applier comprising an electric motor system is disclosed. The electric motor system is configured to drive one or more drive systems of the surgical clip applier. The surgical clip applier comprises a control system configured to control the electric motor system. The control system is configured to monitor a parameter of the electric motor system to assess the operation of the one or more drive systems. In at least one instance, the control system monitors the electric current drawn by an electric motor and adapts the operation of the electric motor based on the electric current being drawn by the motor. The control system slows the electric motor down when the electric current drawn by the electric motor exceeds a threshold. The control system modulates the width, or duration, of voltage pulses applied to the electric motor to control the speed of the electric motor.

A surgical apparatus and methods for severing and welding tissue, in particular blood vessels. The apparatus includes an elongated shaft having a pair of relatively movable jaws at a distal end thereof. A first heating element on one of the jaws is adapted to heat up to a first temperature and form a welded region within the tissue, while a second heating element on one of the jaws is adapted to heat up to a second temperature and sever the tissue within the welded region. The first and second heating elements may be provided on the same or opposite jaws. A control handle provided on the proximal end of the elongated shaft includes controls for opening and closing the jaws, and may include an actuator for sending current through the first and second heating elements. The first and second heating elements may be electrically connected in series, and the first heating element may be bifurcated such that it conducts about one half of the current as the second heating element. A force-limiting mechanism provided either within the control handle, in the elongated shaft, or at the jaws limits the pressure applied to the tissue by the jaws to ensure that the tissue is severed and the ends effectively welded within a short amount of time.

A method of operating a robotic surgical system includes monitoring a force applied at a surgical instrument attached to a robotic arm, comparing the force to a force threshold for a surgical procedure, providing a signal in response to the force being outside the force threshold, monitoring, using a reference array attached to a patient, a bone movement caused while the surgical instrument interacts with the patient, and adjusting control of the robotic arm based on the bone movement.

A bipolar electrosurgical instrument includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from its distal end. Each jaw member is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween. A knife channel is configured to reciprocate a cutting mechanism therealong. An actuator selectively advances the cutting mechanism. A switch is disposed on the first shaft and is configured to be depressed between a first position and at least one subsequent position upon biasing engagement with a mechanical interface disposed on the second shaft. The first position of the switch relays information to the user corresponding to a desired pressure on tissue and the at least one subsequent position is configured to activate the source of electrosurgical energy to supply electrosurgical energy to the jaw members.

A surgical tool and control system therefor is provided. The surgical tool can include an instrument mount configured to engage with a robotic manipulator assembly, which can include a gear assembly configured to be actuated by the robotic manipulator assembly. The surgical tool can include an end effector coupled to the gear assembly, which is configured to be actuated by the gear assembly. The surgical tool can include a lockout configured to transition between a first state in which the lockout is physically engaged with the gear assembly to prevent a movement thereof and a second state in which the lockout is disengaged from the gear assembly. The surgical tool can include a control circuit configured to determine whether the end effector is in an energized state or a de-energized state and in the energized state, cause the lockout to transition between the first state and the second state.