A surgical instrument. The surgical instrument includes an end effector that comprises a staple channel and an anvil that is movably translatable relative to the staple channel. A tool mounting portion is configured to interface with a robotic system and operably communicate with the end effector. The instrument further includes a first sensor that has an output that represents a first condition of a portion of the robotic system. A second sensor has an output that represents a position of the anvil. A third sensor has an output that represents a position of a reciprocating knife within the end effector. An externally accessible memory device communicates with the first, second and third sensors.

In a method and system for producing an implant, the latter is designed with one or more surfaces extending in the longitudinal direction of the implant. Two or three production stages can be used. In one stage, either a topography with a long wave pattern is produced by means of cutting work, or laser bombardment or further cutting work is used to produce a topography with an intermediate-length wave pattern. In addition, an oxidation process or shot-peening or etching is used to produce an outer layer. When using two of said production stages, said cutting work or said laser bombardment or further cutting work is followed by the oxidation process or the shot-peening or etching method. When using all three production stages, cutting work is followed by laser bombardment, or further cutting work, which in turn is followed for example by the oxidation process. The invention also relates to an implant which is produced using the method and is identified, ordered and produced using the system. The invention permits effective treatment of different implant situations.

A robot includes an actuator assembly, first and second parallel telescoping lead screw assemblies cantilevered from the actuator assembly, and an end effector supported by ends of the lead screw assemblies. The actuator assembly causes each lead screw assembly to independently deploy and retract.

A stapling instrument for use with a robotic surgical system comprising a drive system including at least three motor-driven drivers is disclosed. The stapling instrument comprises a housing, a shaft, an articulation joint, and a loading unit. The housing comprises a drive interface defined on an exterior surface of the housing. The drive interface is operably engageable with the drive system of the robotic system. The drive interface comprises at least three rotatable inputs positioned thereon. Each input is operably engaged with one of the motor-driven drivers. The loading unit comprises a first jaw, a second jaw, a staple cartridge, and a drive member. The first jaw and the second jaw are rotatable about the articulation joint by a longitudinally-displaceable articulation actuator. The housing comprises means for converting the rotation of one of the rotatable inputs to the longitudinal motion of the articulation actuator.

A surgical instrument. The surgical instrument includes an end effector that comprises a staple channel and an anvil that is movably translatable relative to the staple channel. A tool mounting portion is configured to interface with a robotic system and operably communicate with the end effector. The instrument further includes a first sensor that has an output that represents a first condition of a portion of the robotic system. A second sensor has an output that represents a position of the anvil. A third sensor has an output that represents a position of a reciprocating knife within the end effector. An externally accessible memory device communicates with the first, second and third sensors.

A surgical instrument. The surgical instrument includes an end effector that comprises a staple channel and an anvil that is movably translatable relative to the staple channel. A tool mounting portion is configured to interface with a robotic system and operably communicate with the end effector. The instrument further includes a first sensor that has an output that represents a first condition of a portion of the robotic system. A second sensor has an output that represents a position of the anvil. A third sensor has an output that represents a position of a reciprocating knife within the end effector. An externally accessible memory device communicates with the first, second and third sensors.

Threads are formed in situ throughout a bore of a sleeve inserted into a corresponding hole in a substrate. A sleeve having a bore is inserted into a corresponding hole of a substrate. A mandrel is rotated through the sleeve. The mandrel has a threaded ended; the threaded end rotating throughout the bore of the sleeve forms threads throughout the bore. Prior to inserting the sleeve into the corresponding hole of the substrate, the sleeve can be placed onto the mandrel. In this case, the mandrel has an increasing diameter at the threaded end thereof, such that the sleeve rests on the mandrel towards the threaded end thereof where the bore has a smaller diameter than the mandrel. The mandrel is then rotated out of the sleeve in a direction opposite the direction in which the sleeve has been inserted into the corresponding hole of the substrate.

A stapling instrument for use with a robotic surgical system is disclosed. The stapling instrument comprises a housing, a shaft, a loading unit, a firing drive, an articulation drive, and a rotation drive. The housing comprises a first, second, and third rotatable members. The loading unit comprises a staple cartridge and a firing drive. The firing drive is operably coupled to the first rotatable member and configured to convert rotary motion of the first rotatable member to linear motion to eject staples from the staple cartridge. The articulation drive is operably coupled to the second rotatable member and configured to convert rotary motion of the second rotatable member to linear motion to articulate a first jaw and a second jaw of the loading unit. The rotation drive is configured to rotate the shaft about a longitudinal axis and is operably coupled to the third rotatable member.

A robot includes an actuator assembly, first and second parallel telescoping lead screw assemblies cantilevered from the actuator assembly, and an end effector supported by ends of the lead screw assemblies. The actuator assembly causes each lead screw assembly to independently deploy and retract.

A system and method for solid state metal plate repair is provided. A solid state metal plate repair system may comprise a drill, a cutter and a plug. The plug may be configured to fill a void created by the cutter. The plug may also be configured to create a metallurgical bond with the metal plate during a repair operation. The plug may also be configured to shear from the drill (e.g., drive motor) when an expected rise in torque indicates a sufficient bond has been achieved in the repair. The systems and methods described herein may be used on specialty alloys wherein other repair methods are undesirable.