Abstract: In various embodiments, an anvil of a disposable loading unit including a first member having staple pockets for deforming staples, a first cover plate secured to the first member, and a second cover plate secured to at least one of the first member and the first cover plate, wherein the first and second cover plates can be configured to support the first member. In at least one embodiment, an anvil can include a first member inserted into a second member, where at least one of the first and second members can be deformed to retain one to the other. In various embodiments, a surgical stapling instrument can include a disposable loading unit comprising a staple cartridge, an anvil, and a sleeve, wherein the sleeve can be configured to be slid relative to the staple cartridge and the anvil to hold the anvil in a closed position.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing staples including the steps of placing a deformable member into a mold block and overmolding a crown onto the deformable member. In various embodiments, several deformable members may be produced from an elongate wire where the deformable members can be connected by portions of the wire. In at least one such embodiment, the elongate member can then be cut to separate the deformable members to form a plurality of surgical staples or strips of surgical staples.

Abstract: A surgical instrument including a firing drive configured to selectively advance a firing member and/or cutting member relative to an end effector and, in addition, a reversing drive configured to selectively retract the firing member and/or cutting member relative to the end effector. In various embodiments, the surgical instrument can further include a switch including relatively movable first and second portions, wherein the first portion can be configured to operably disengage the firing drive from the firing member and, in addition, operably engage the reversing drive with the firing member. In at least one embodiment, the second portion can include a handle extending therefrom which can be motivated by the surgeon in order to engage the second portion with the first portion and move the first portion into position.

Abstract: A method for creating a plication within a hollow organ. The method uses an elongated member having an end effector attached to its distal end. The end effector has a substantially hollow housing, a fixed jaw extending distally from the housing, and a retractable jaw located within the housing. The method involves the step of inserting the end effector within an organ of a patient such that it is in contact with tissue. The method also involves applying vacuum through the elongated member so as to dispose tissue on the fixed jaw and at least partially within the housing. The method also involves creating a plication by sliding the retractable jaw so that it juxtaposes the fixed jaw.

Abstract: An attachment mechanism for a surgically implantable medical device includes one or more fasteners which may be simultaneously moved from an undeployed position to a deployed position by operation of an integral actuator. The attachment mechanism may be configured to be deactuated, and the fasteners simultaneously moved from a deployed position to an undeployed position, allowing removal or repositioning of the medical device. An applier includes a locator for detachably holding the implantable medical device, locating it at the desired position, and actuating the attachment mechanism. The applier is configured to undeploy the attachment mechanism the implantable medical device can be detached from the body tissue.

Abstract: An injection device (10; 110, 210) is described of the type that receives a syringe, extends it, discharges its contents and then retracts it automatically. The injection device makes use of a fluid-damped delay mechanism.

Abstract: A surgical suturing apparatus includes a suture housing, a needle having a proximal end and a distal end, the needle being mounted within the suture housing for movement about an arcuate path, a drive assembly operably associated with the needle for controlling movement of the needle with a suture secured thereto about the arcuate path in a manner facilitating application of the suture to tissue, and mechanism for determining the position of at least one of the distal end of the needle and the proximal end of the needle at all points along the arcuate path about which the needle moves.

Abstract: A medical instrument for engaging tissue includes a flexible shaft, a tissue piercing coil at a distal portion of the shaft, and a tissue stabilizer positioned over the shaft and biased in a distal direction such that as the tissue piercing coil enters tissue, the tissue stabilizer is urged against a surface of the tissue. A medical instrument for reconfiguring tissue includes a flexible shaft defining a lumen housing actuating controls, and a distal actuating assembly with a sealing portion configured to substantially seal the shaft lumen from contact with bodily fluids. A cartridge assembly includes first and second members configured for releasable attachment to a medical instrument, and a holder configured to receive the first and second members and to be released from the first and second members upon action of the first and second members attaching to the medical instrument.

Abstract: A surgical instrument that has an articulatable end effector. Various types of passive articulation joints are disclosed for interconnecting a proximal frame portion to the end effector to facilitate pivotal travel of the end effector relative to the proximal frame portion of the instrument.

Abstract: A method for creating a plication within a hollow organ. The method uses an elongated member having an end effector at its distal end. The end effector has an outer cylinder having at least one opening in its cylindrical wall, and an inner cylinder having at least one opening in its cylindrical wall. The inner cylinder is at least partially disposed within the outer cylinder such that the apertures can at least partially overlap. The cylinders are rotatable with respect to each other. The method includes the step of inserting the end effector within an organ of a patient such that it is in contact with tissue. The method also involves applying vacuum through the elongated member so as to dispose tissue within the inner cylinder. The method also involves creating a plication by rotating the cylinders with respect to each other.

Abstract: A device for creating a plication within a hollow organ. The device includes an elongated member having distal and proximal ends. The device has an end effector attached to the distal end of the elongated member. The end effector has a substantially hollow housing, a fixed jaw extending distally from the housing, and a retractable jaw located within the housing. The jaw is slidable distally such that the retractable jaw can juxtapose the fixed jaw.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for traversing a lumen of a tubular body part, such as the large or small intestine, the colon, the bladder, the stomach, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, the methods and devices utilize electroactive polymers that are selectively actuated to move a device through a lumen.

Abstract: A surgical instrument particular suited to endoscopic use is disclosed. Various embodiments include an end effector that is sized to be inserted through a trocar. An elongated shaft assembly is coupled to the end effector and a control handle. The elongated shaft assembly has a distal portion that is adjacent to said the effector for insertion into the trocar. The elongated shaft assembly further has a proximal portion that is remote from the distal portion such that the proximal portion protrudes from the trocar when the end effector and distal portion are inserted therethrough. The control handle is articulatably coupled to the proximal portion of said elongated shaft assembly to enable the surgeon to move the handle portion to a more ergonomically comfortable position while carrying out the endoscopic procedure. Various articulation joint embodiments and locking arrangements are disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical clip applier and methods for applying surgical clips to a vessel, duct, shunt, etc., during a surgical procedure are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical clip applier is provided having a housing with a trigger movably coupled thereto and a shaft extending therefrom with opposed jaws formed on a distal end thereof. The trigger is adapted to advance a clip to position the clip between the jaws, and to move the jaws from an open position to a closed position to crimp the clip positioned therebetween. The surgical clip applier can include a variety of features to facilitate use of the device, including features to align a clip with the jaws, features to prevent unintentional migration of a clip, and features to prevent clip fallout during formation.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for reconfiguring a tissue within a hollow body organ using an entirely endoscopic approach in order to effectively reduce flow of fluid contents into a second hollow body organ in fluid communication with the first.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument having a staple fastening assembly including a curved cartridge device. The device has at least one curved open row of staples having a first and second ends and having a concave side and a convex side. Opposite to the cartridge device there is a curved anvil for forming the ends of the staples. The instrument also includes a moving device adapted to move the anvil with respect to the cartridge device in a parallel relationship. The instrument also includes a staple driving device adapted to drive the staples out of the cartridge device towards the anvil, and a knife. The knife has opposing first and second sides and is contained in the cartridge device. There is also a knife actuating device adapted to move the knife towards the anvil. The instrument includes staple fastening assembly having a retaining pin which moves between the cartridge device to align them.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a control unit and a staple cartridge including a transponder. The control unit is configured to transmit a first wireless signal to the transponder and to receive a second wireless signal from the transponder to determine one of a first electronic state and a second electronic state of the transponder based on the second wireless signal.

Abstract: A staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapling device. The stapling device has an actuator that is selectively actuatable in an axial direction and an anvil that is moveable between open and closed positions. The staple cartridge comprises a plurality of staples and a first plurality of staple drivers. Each staple driver has an upper staple supporting surface for supporting one of the staples such that, when actuated, each staple driver drives the staple into the anvil. The upper staple supporting surface supports staples of different wire diameters in an upright position.

Abstract: An articulation joint for use in connection with a surgical instrument that has a portion that must be passed through a trocar or similar structure and then articulated relative to another portion of the instrument received within the trocar. Various embodiments of the articulation joint provide structures for increasing the moment arm between the actuator and the pivot point between the proximal and distal tube segments interconnecting a handle assembly of the surgical instrument to a surgical implement such as an end effector of an endocutter.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for applying an anastomotic ring device comprises a handle connected to an anastomotic ring deployment mechanism by a shaft. The shaft has at least one articulation joint that is capable of articulating in at least one direction to allow the surgeon to alter the angle of approach in order to compensate for disadvantageous placement of a trocar port through which the instrument is inserted. An articulation joint may comprise a ribbed member. One or more cables may be used to effect articulation of the articulation joint.