Surgical instrument with coupler assembly

A surgical instrument includes a housing, an elongate shaft assembly extending distally from the housing, and an articulation joint extending distally from the elongate shaft assembly. The articulation joint includes a proximal joint portion coupled to the elongate shaft assembly and a distal joint portion movably coupled to the proximal joint portion. The surgical instrument further includes an end effector including an anvil and a staple cartridge. At least one of the anvil and the staple cartridge is movable relative to the other one of the anvil and the staple cartridge to capture tissue therebetween. A first interface extends distally from the distal joint portion and the first interface is distal to the articulation joint. A second interface extends proximally from the end effector and the second interface is configured to releasably couple the end effector to the first interface.

Pivot mechanism for surgical device

A pivot mechanism for use with a surgical device includes a first jaw member, a second jaw member, and a pivot pin. The first jaw member includes at least one circular aperture. The second jaw member includes at least one square-like aperture. The pivot pin is configured to engage the at least one circular aperture of the first jaw member and the at least one square-like aperture of the second jaw member such that the first jaw member is pivotably coupled to the second jaw member.

Apparatus and method of counterbalancing axes and maintaining a user selected position of a X-Ray scanner gantry

A system including an input sensor, a summer, a controller, and a feedback sensor. The input sensor: detects a first amount of force or torque applied on a component of an x-ray scanner gantry in a direction; and generates a command signal. The command signal indicates the first amount of force or torque. The summer generates an error signal based on the command signal and a feedback signal. The controller controls operation of a motor based on the error signal to: reduce the error signal; provide counterbalancing of the gantry in the direction; and provide a net force or torque on the gantry that is equal to a predetermined value or is within a predetermined range of the predetermined value. The feedback sensor detects a second amount of force or torque applied on the gantry in the direction as a result of the controlled operation and generates the feedback signal.

Surgical instrument, loading unit for use therewith and related methods

A cartridge assembly for use with a surgical instrument including a cartridge, a longitudinal channel, a first row of slots, and a second row of slots. The cartridge has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The longitudinal channel extends between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The first row of slots is disposed on a first side of the longitudinal channel. At least one slot in the first row of slots is empty. The second row of slots is disposed on a second side of the longitudinal channel. At least one slot in the second row of slots has a staple disposed therein.

Cartridge for applying varying amounts of tissue compression

A surgical stapling apparatus includes a staple cartridge and an anvil member. The staple cartridge includes a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in rows of retention slots. The staple cartridge may have an annular or linear configuration of retention slots. The tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge may be tapered or stepped. The anvil member has a tissue contacting surface that includes a number of pockets arranged for substantially aligning with the retention slots. In addition, the tissue contacting surface of the anvil member may complement the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge.

Methods and devices for actuating surgical instruments

Various exemplary methods and devices for actuating surgical instruments are provided. In general, a surgical device can include one or more actuation shafts configured to facilitate actuation of the device. In an exemplary embodiment, the device can include four actuation shafts, two actuation shafts to facilitate articulation of the device, one actuation shaft to facilitate opening and closing of jaws at a distal end of the device, and one actuation shaft to facilitate moving a cutting element of the device. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the one or more actuation shafts can include a distal elongate member and a proximal elongate member having a proximal end attached to a distal end of the distal elongate member. The proximal elongate member can be rigid, and the distal elongate member can be flexible.

Methods and systems for diagnosing and treating health ailments

Configurations are disclosed for a health system to be used in various healthcare applications, e.g., for patient diagnostics, monitoring, and/or therapy. The health system may comprise a light generation module to transmit light or an image to a user, one or more sensors to detect a physiological parameter of the user's body, including their eyes, and processing circuitry to analyze an input received in response to the presented images to determine one or more health conditions or defects.

Geo-fence authorization provisioning

A system includes a communication module that receives a request to post content to an event gallery associated with an event. The request in turn includes geo-location data for a device sending the content, and identification data identifying the device or a user of the device. The system further has an event gallery module to perform a first authorization operation that includes determining that the geo-location data corresponds to a geo-location fence associated with an event. The event gallery module also performs a second authorization operation that includes using the identification data to verify an attribute of the user. Finally, based on the first and second authorization operations, the event gallery module may selectively authorize the device to post the content to the event gallery.

Managing tissue treatment

Various examples are directed to a surgical system comprising an end effector and a generator. The end effector may comprise at least one jaw member having an open position and a closed position. The generator may be programmed to receive a request for an energy cycle routine to the end effector. The generator may determine that the at least one jaw member has not been in the open position since a conclusion of a previous energy cycle. The generator may apply a modified energy cycle routine to the end effector. Applying the modified energy cycle routine may comprise delivering less energy than applying the energy cycle routine.

Surgical instrument having a multi-layered drive beam

A surgical instrument including a handle portion, a body portion, a movable handle, a tool assembly, a drive beam and a closure apparatus is disclosed. The movable handle is in mechanical cooperation with a drive member. The tool assembly includes an anvil, a cartridge assembly and a contact surface. The drive beam includes a plurality of layers and at least one layer has a proximal engagement portion and is configured to engage a portion of the drive member. The closure apparatus is configured to engage the contact surface of the tool assembly. At least a partial actuation of the movable handle moves the closure apparatus distally into engagement with the contact surface to approximate the anvil and the cartridge assembly. At least one of the layers of the drive beam is affixed to an adjacent layer of the drive beam via at least one spot weld.