Methods for operating a powered surgical instrument

A method of operating a surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes an electronic system comprising an electric motor coupled to the end effector; a motor controller coupled to the motor; a parameter threshold detection module configured to monitor multiple parameter thresholds; a sensing module configured to sense tissue compression; a processor coupled to the parameter threshold detection module and the motor controller; and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory stores executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to monitor multiple levels of action thresholds and monitor speed of the motor and increment a drive unit of the motor, sense tissue compression, and provide rate and control feedback to the user of the surgical instrument.

Robotically-controlled motorized surgical instrument with an end effector

A surgical stapling system comprising a motorized system configured to generate a low torque rotary motion during a first operating mode and a high torque rotary motion during a second operating mode, a control system configured to switch between the first and second operating modes, an end effector, a drive member, and a rotatable member operably coupled with the motorized system and in operable engagement with the drive member is disclosed. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw between an open position and a clamped position. The high torque rotary motion from the motorized system moves the drive member to drive the second iaw toward the clamped position. An opposite rotary motion from the motorized system moves the drive member in an opposite direction to release the second jaw and allow the second jaw to move toward the open position.

FASTENER CARTRIDGES INCLUDING EXTENSIONS HAVING DIFFERENT CONFIGURATIONS

A fastener cartridge can include, one, a cartridge body comprising a deck and a plurality of fastener cavities and, two, a plurality of fasteners positioned in the fastener cavities. The cartridge body can further comprise extensions extending from the deck having different sizes and/or configurations. The extensions can control the flow of tissue relative to the deck and/or support the fasteners as they are ejected from the fastener cavities.

Surgical stapling device with an end effector

The present invention includes a surgical stapler having a staple cartridge, an anvil, and a cutting member having a cutting surface, wherein the cutting member is relatively movable with respect to the anvil and the staple cartridge. In at least one embodiment, one of the anvil and the staple cartridge defines a slot which is configured to receive at least a portion of the cutting member and guide the cutting member as it is moved relative to the anvil and the staple cartridge. In these embodiments, the slot can define a path having linear and/or curved portions. In various embodiments, the path can include a curved portion having a first portion that extends away from the shaft axis and a second portion that extends toward the axis. In one embodiment, the path can include a curved portion defined by an arc corresponding to an angle greater than 90 degrees.

Systems and methods for controlling a segmented circuit

The present disclosure provides a method for controlling a surgical instrument. The method includes connecting a power assembly to a control circuit, wherein the power assembly is configured to provide a source voltage, energizing, by the power assembly, a voltage boost convertor circuit configured to provide a set voltage greater than the source voltage, and energizing, by the voltage boost convertor, one or more voltage convertors configured to provide one or more operating voltages to one or more circuit components.

Surgical end effector for forming staples to different heights

An end effector comprising an anvil, a staple cartridge jaw, and a firing member is disclosed. The an anvil comprises staple forming pockets. Each staple forming pocket comprises a pocket base. The staple cartridge jaw comprises a staple cartridge comprising a longitudinal slot, a first longitudinal row of staple cavities, a first staple, a first staple driver, a second longitudinal row of staple cavities, a second staple, and a second staple driver. The first staple comprises a first unformed height and the second staple comprises a second unformed height that is the same as the second unformed height. The firing member is configured to lift the first staple driver and the second staple driver toward the anvil during a staple firing stroke. The first staple is deformed to a first formed height. The second staple is deformed to a second formed height that is different than the first formed height.

Surgical cutting and fastening instrument having a control system

A surgical instrument assembly comprising a cartridge jaw, a cartridge positioned in the cartridge jaw, staples removably stored in the cartridge, a drive screw extending within the cartridge iaw, a firing member operably engaged with the drive screw, an anvil iaw, an electric motor configured to rotate the drive screw, and a control system is disclosed. The cartridge jaw comprises a distal end. The firing member comprises a knife edge configured to incise tissue. The drive screw is rotatable to drive the firing member toward the distal end during a staple firing stroke. The staples are deformed against the anvil iaw during the staple firing stroke. The control system is configured to limit the torque supplied by the electric motor to limit the force of the firing member and configured to control the speed of the electric motor.

Motor-driven surgical cutting instrument

A motor-driven surgical cutting and fastening instrument that comprises an end effector, an electric motor, and a motor control circuit. The motor control circuit is for monitoring a parameter of the electric motor that is indicative of movement of a moveable member of the end effector, and for adjustably controlling the electric motor based on the monitored parameter to thereby adjustably control movement of the moveable member of the end effector during forward rotation of the electric motor.

Method of depositing film by PEALD using negative bias

A method of forming a film on a substrate by PEALD includes deposition cycles, each including (i) feeding a precursor in a pulse to a reaction space to adsorb a precursor on a surface of a substrate; (ii) after step (i), applying RF power to a second electrode to generate in the reaction space a plasma to which the precursor-adsorbed surface is exposed, thereby forming a sublayer on the surface; and (iii) applying a bias voltage to the second electrode while applying RF power in step (ii), which bias voltage is negative with reference to a potential on a surface of the first electrode, wherein the cycle is repeated to deposit multiple sublayers until a film constituted by the sublayers has a desired thickness.

Assembly of a liner and a flange for a vertical furnace as well as the liner and the vertical furnace

An assembly of a liner and a flange for a vertical furnace for processing substrates is provided. The liner being configured to extend in the interior of a process tube of the vertical furnace, and the flange is configured to at least partially close a liner opening. The liner comprising a substantially cylindrical wall delimited by the liner opening at a lower end and closed at a higher end and being substantially closed for gases above the liner opening and defining an inner space. The flange comprising: an inlet opening configured to insert and remove a boat configured to carry substrates in the inner space of the liner; a gas inlet to provide a gas to the inner space. The assembly is constructed and arranged with a gas exhaust opening to remove gas from the inner space and a space between the liner and the low pressure tube.