A method is provided for operating a powered surgical stapler having a motor unit, a controller, and a stapling assembly having a plurality of movable members that are actuatable longitudinally by the motor unit to clamp, staple, and cut tissue. The controller determines that a movable member of the stapling assembly is in a first predetermined position, and then executes an actuation algorithm to activate the motor unit to actuate the movable member longitudinally from the first predetermined position toward a second predetermined position. The controller observes an actual longitudinal displacement of the movable member between the first and second predetermined positions. The controller compares the actual longitudinal displacement to an expected longitudinal displacement and determines that the actual longitudinal displacement differs from the expected longitudinal displacement by a difference value. The controller then adjusts the actuation algorithm based on the difference value.

An exemplary system includes a memory storing instructions and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to execute the instructions to receive, from a sensor of a surgical instrument, environmental condition information associated with the surgical instrument and detected by the sensor while the surgical instrument is disconnected from an external power source, the surgical instrument including circuitry configured to be powered and operate only while the surgical instrument is connected to the external power source, determine, based on the environmental condition information, an operational condition of the surgical instrument, and provide a notification indicating the determined operational condition of the surgical instrument.

A user interface for enabling and controlling functions of a surgical system, comprising: a foot-operated function switch configured to be switched to any one of multiple discrete states by the user's foot; a head tracker configured to track the user's head motions; and a processor coupled to the function switch and head tracker, and configured to: obtain an association between a plurality of sequences comprising at least one of the multiple discrete states, and a plurality of corresponding system functions of the surgical system, receive an indication of at least one of the discrete states from the function switch, identify a system function based on the indication and the association, receive a head motion from the head tracker, and apply the head motion to control the identified system function of the surgical system.

A load sensing assembly for a spinal implant includes a set screw having a central opening that extends from a first end of the set screw toward a second end of the set screw. The second end of the set screw is configured to engage with an anchoring member. The load sensing assembly includes an antenna, an integrated circuit in communication with the antenna, where the integrated circuit is positioned within the central opening of the set screw, and a strain gauge in connection with the integrated circuit. The strain gauge is located within the central opening of the set screw in proximity to the second end of the set screw.

A joint tensioning device and methods of use thereof are disclosed. The joint tensioning device includes a flexing arm and a loading arm having a tensioning tip and a loading tip, respectively, configured for insertion into a joint. The flexing arm is coupled to the loading arm such that, during use, the loading arm may be adjusted to separate the tensioning tip and the loading tip to apply a distraction force to the joint. A strain gauge measures strain applied to the flexing arm based on the applied distraction force. The measured strain is used to determine the amount of force applied to the joint. The force data is employed in surgical planning to determine the amount of joint laxity when a particular load is applied to the joint.

A diameter sizing tool for use in reversion of total knee arthroplasty, the diameter sizing tool including a body having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a peripheral edge, a central cutout disposed through the body from the upper surface to the lower surface, and a plurality of sizing through-holes circumferentially disposed in the body and radially towards the peripheral edge.

An apparatus, method, and system for a steerable medical instrument, configured to be used in conjunction with guided tools and devices under robotically controller medical procedures, including endoscopes, cameras, cutting tools and catheters. In one embodiment, the steerable instrument includes an elongate body (100), a control wire (110) arranged in a channel (104) of the elongate body and displaceable along the channel to bend the elongate body; and a controller (320) to selectively control drive forces applied to the control wire (110) under an actively controlled mode and a passively controlled mode. In the actively controlled mode, the controller actively bends at least part of the elongate body. In the passively controlled mode, the controller (320) decreases an amount of strain or an amount of displacement of the control wire, so that the control wire becomes compliant to external forces.

A computer-implemented method for controlling a surgical stapling instrument for stapling tissue includes advancing an anvil assembly in relation to a staple cartridge to a first position defining a tissue gap between the staple cartridge and the anvil assembly and clamping tissue, the clamped tissue including a suture, measuring a first force of tissue compression of the tissue clamped within the tissue gap with the anvil assembly at a first time point, determining whether the measured first force is greater than a threshold, measuring a second force of tissue compression of the tissue clamped within the tissue gap at a second time point in response to the determination that the first force is greater than the threshold, determining whether the suture failed based on the measured second force being an amount less than the measured first force, and stopping the advancing of the anvil assembly based on the determined suture failure.

A pressure sensing apparatus comprises an elongate first sensor device in a beam configuration supported at at least one longitudinal end by a rigid support structure and having a deflectable portion. A chamber is disposed adjacent a first, internally-facing, face of the first sensor device. An envelope hermetically seals the first sensor device and the chamber from an ambient environment external to the pressure sensing apparatus. The envelope comprises a flexible membrane disposed over and coupled to a second, externally-facing, face of the first sensor device and extending along at least one or two sides of the first sensor device and the chamber. The sensor device may be a surface acoustic wave device coupled to an RF antenna.

Surgical sealing ports for use with surgical instruments for access of a natural body orifice are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical sealing port includes a seal housing and at least one retention element. The seal housing is configured to be at least partially disposed within a natural body orifice and defining a plurality of ports. The plurality of ports includes at least one first port configured to control the ingress and egress of fluid between an interior volume of the natural body orifice and an ambient environment, and at least one second port that is configured to form a seal around an instrument inserted therethrough. The at least one retention element is arranged on an exterior surface of the housing and configured to affix the housing to the natural body orifice. Methods for using the same are also provided.