A method for characterizing a state of an end effector of an ultrasonic device is disclosed. The ultrasonic device including an electromechanical ultrasonic system defined by a predetermined resonant frequency. The electromechanical ultrasonic system further including an ultrasonic transducer coupled to an ultrasonic blade. The method including applying, by an energy source, a power level to the ultrasonic transducer; measuring, by a control circuit coupled to a memory, an impedance value of the ultrasonic transducer; comparing, by the control circuit, the impedance value to a reference impedance value stored in the memory; classifying, by the control circuit, the impedance value based on the comparison; characterizing, by the control circuit, the state of the electromechanical ultrasonic system based on the classification of the impedance value; and adjusting, by the control circuit, the power level applied to the ultrasonic transducer based on the characterization of the state of the end effector.

A surgical instrument comprising an end effector is disclosed. The end effector comprises a surgical dissector. The surgical dissector can apply mechanical and/or electrosurgical energy to treated tissue.

Surgical stapling instruments are disclosed comprising a staple cartridge, a firing member, and a cartridge lockout configured to prevent the firing member from being advanced through the staple cartridge if the staple cartridge has been already spent. The stapling instruments further comprise a lockout in the shaft that responds to the cartridge lockout blocking the firing member.

A pin removal tool includes a first arm member and a second arm member opposing the first arm member and connected to the first arm member at a pivot axis. The first and second arm members form a first interface therebetween at a first end of the tool configured to remove a headless pin and a second interface therebetween at a second end of the tool configured to remove a headed pin.

A method is disclosed. The method can comprise obtaining a first staple cartridge and obtaining a second staple cartridge, wherein the first staple cartridge and the second staple cartridge comprise the same length and the same width. The method can further comprise inserting the first staple cartridge into a channel comprising a keyed profile, wherein complete insertion of the first staple cartridge into the channel is prevented by the keyed profile. Additionally, the method can comprise inserting the second staple cartridge into the channel, wherein complete insertion of the second staple cartridge into the channel is permitted by the keyed profile.

Provided is a locking apparatus, and more particularly, to a locking apparatus with improved locking performance as a locking unit is stuck between different members capable of moving relative to each other and in which locking is released as an unlocking unit pushes the locking unit.

A surgical device comprising a shaft comprised of a first end and a second end; a clamp configured to be locked or unlocked attached to the first end of the shaft; an actuator shaft that is removably coupled to the shaft and configured to open and close the clamp; and optionally an anchor.

A surgical instrument comprising a handle, an elongate shaft, an end effector, an articulation joint, an articulation knob, an articulation member, and an articulation lock is disclosed. The end effector is rotatably coupled to the elongate shaft by the articulation joint. The articulation knob is rotatable between an un-rotated position and rotated positions. The articulation lock comprises a lock member configured to move between a locked position where the lock member is engaged with a detent of the end effector and an unlocked position where the lock member is disengaged from the end effector. The lock member is movable between the locked position and the unlocked position by the articulation knob. The articulation member is moved from a proximal position toward a distal position to articulate the end effector when the articulation knob is moved from the un-rotated position toward a rotated position.

A method for performing an orthopaedic surgical procedure on a knee joint of a patient includes resecting a proximal end of a patient's tibia to create a resected surface of the patient's tibia and positioning a tibial paddle of a sensor module on the proximal end of the patient's tibia. The tibial paddle includes a sensor array generating sensor signals indicative of the joint force of the patient's knee joint. The method also includes performing a number of orthopaedic surgical steps while monitoring a display of the sensor module that provides a visual indication of the medial-lateral balance of the joint force of the patient's knee joint.

Surgical instruments are disclosed comprising a firing assembly including a fuse having a plurality of operating states.