Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed which comprises a staple firing system and a tissue cutting system. The surgical instrument is configured to permit a surgeon to elect whether to actuate the tissue cutting system after the staple firing system has been actuated.

Abstract: A surgical stapling attachment is disclosed. The surgical stapling attachment comprises an attachment portion, a shaft assembly, an articulation joint, and an end effector assembly. The end effector assembly comprises a drive system comprising a main drive and a lockout drive driven by a single rotary input. The main drive is configured to capture, clamp, and staple tissue. The lockout drive is configured to prevent the main drive from being driven in the event a staple cartridge is not installed within the end effector assembly. Another lockout is provided to prevent the drive system from being actuated when a spent staple cartridge is installed within the end effector assembly.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed which comprises a staple firing system and a tissue cutting system. In various instances, the surgical instrument further comprises a lockout configured to prevent the retraction of the staple firing system until the tissue cutting system has been completely actuated. The surgical instrument can also comprise a bypass configured to deactivate the lockout.

Abstract: Circular and curved surgical stapling instruments are disclosed comprising circular and curved stapling configurations. A circular staple cartridge comprises a plurality of staples arranged in an inner row, an intermediate row, and an outer row. Staples in certain rows can have different unformed heights. Some arrangements include deck features that protrude from the staple cartridge deck. Various anvil arrangements are also disclosed to attain staples having different formed heights.

Abstract: A surgical instrument can comprise a first jaw, a second jaw comprising a fastener cartridge, and a closing system. The closing system can comprise a closure member configured to engage the first jaw and move the first jaw toward the second jaw. A pivot can pivotably couple the first jaw to the second jaw. The closure member can engage the first jaw at a location which is distal with respect to the pivot. The closure member and the first jaw can include a cam pin/cam slot arrangement which increases the leverage or mechanical advantage that the closure member applies to the first jaw as the first jaw is moved from an open position to a closed position. The surgical instrument can further comprise a first motor configured to operate the closing system and a second motor configured to operate a firing system configured to eject fasteners from the fastener cartridge.

Abstract: A surgical instrument and method for forming a plurality of staples in tissue of a patient includes a body having a firing mechanism, a shaft assembly, an end effector with an anvil, and a cartridge received within the end effector that is operatively connected to the firing mechanism. The cartridge includes a cartridge housing having a plurality of staple slots, a plurality of staples respectively positioned within the plurality of staple slots, and a driver assembly. The driver assembly has a plurality of drivers respectively supporting the plurality of staples within the plurality of staple slots. The firing mechanism is configured to selectively move the plurality of drivers distally toward the anvil for forming the plurality of staples therebetween. At least one driver of the plurality of drivers has a variable distal height relative to at least another driver of the plurality of drivers in a predetermined variable height pattern.

Abstract: A surgical stapler includes an anvil half and a cartridge half. The anvil half includes an anvil channel member and an anvil surface. The cartridge half releasably couples with the anvil half and includes a cartridge channel member having a distal portion that receives a staple cartridge, and a latching member coupled to the cartridge channel member and movable between open and closed positions. A resilient member is arranged at a proximal end of one of the anvil half or the cartridge half, and a projection is arranged at a proximal end of the other of the anvil half or the cartridge half. The resilient member is configured to contact and releasably couple with the projection to thereby couple the proximal end of the anvil half with the proximal end of the cartridge half while the latching member is in the open position.

Abstract: A surgical stapler includes an anvil half having an anvil channel member and a cartridge half having a cartridge channel member. A latching lever is coupled to the cartridge channel member and is pivotable between a closed position in which the lever fixes the anvil channel member relative to the cartridge channel member, and an open position in which the lever permits relative movement between the channel members. A locking member coupled to a proximal portion of the cartridge half is movable between a locked position when the lever is in the closed position and an unlocked position when the lever is in the open position. In the locked position the locking member captures the projection and locks the anvil half proximal portion to the cartridge half proximal portion. In the unlocked position the locking member releases the projection and permits separation of the proximal portions.

Abstract: A surgical stapling attachment is disclosed. The surgical stapling attachment comprises an attachment portion, a shaft assembly, an articulation joint, and an end effector assembly. The end effector assembly comprises a drive system comprising a closure drive and a firing drive configured to be selectively driven by a single input. The closure drive is configured to clamp tissue between an anvil and a staple cartridge assembly. The firing drive is configured to cut the tissue by deploying a knife and staple the tissue by ejecting a plurality of staples removably stored within the staple cartridge assembly.

Abstract: A surgical instrument and method of manipulating tissue of a patient includes a body, a shaft assembly extending distally therefrom, and an end effector extending distally from the shaft assembly and configured to receive a cartridge for manipulating tissue. The end effector has a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, a gap between the distal and proximal end portions, and a retaining pin. The retaining pin includes a distal head and is selectively movable from an open position to a locked closed position. In the open position, the retaining pin is proximally positioned such that the gap is configured to receive tissue. In the locked closed position, the retaining pin extends across the gap and is configured to capture tissue within the gap. The distal head of the retaining pin is configured engage and secure the distal end portion relative to the proximal end portion via the retaining pin.

Abstract: A surgical instrument and method for forming a plurality of staples in tissue of a patient includes a body having a firing mechanism, a shaft assembly, an end effector with an anvil, and a cartridge received within the end effector that is operatively connected to the firing mechanism. The cartridge includes a cartridge housing having a plurality of staple slots, a plurality of staples respectively positioned within the plurality of staple slots, and a driver assembly. The driver assembly has a plurality of drivers respectively supporting the plurality of staples within the plurality of staple slots. The firing mechanism is configured to selectively move the plurality of drivers distally toward the anvil for forming the plurality of staples therebetween. At least one driver of the plurality of drivers has a variable distal height relative to at least another driver of the plurality of drivers in a predetermined variable height pattern.

Abstract: An end effector including an anvil and a staple cartridge assembly is disclosed. The staple cartridge assembly comprises a deck having steps defined thereon for compressing tissue positioned between the anvil and the staple cartridge assembly to different pressures. The staple cartridge assembly further comprises staples having different unformed heights removably stored therein. The staples are deformed against the anvil to different formed heights.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed which comprises a tissue clamping system, a staple firing system, and a tissue cutting system. The systems of the surgical instrument can co-operate with one another to prevent the systems from being operated out of order, and/or prevent the systems from being operated in an undesirable order.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus is disclosed which comprises a handle module that is attachable to a detachable shaft module for collectively performing a surgical procedure. The handle module comprises a rotary drive system for driving the detachable shaft module, an electric motor coupled to the rotary drive system for powering the rotary drive system, one or more sensors for sensing the performance of the electric motor, and a handle module processor circuit in communication with the one or more sensors. The handle module processor circuit is programmed to monitor a performance parameter of the handle module based on input from the one or more sensors by monitoring whether the performance parameter is outside an acceptable performance band.

Abstract: A method for manipulating tissue of a patient includes a surgical instrument having a handle assembly, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The method includes positioning a tissue within a gap between a cartridge and an anvil and against a guide pin to laterally position the tissue relative to the cartridge and the anvil. The method also includes moving a retaining pin from an open position to a closed position to capture the tissue and moving the cartridge toward the anvil in a closed configuration. Furthermore, the method includes inhibiting deflection of a distal end portion of the end effector wherein at least at least one of the guide pin or the retaining pin connects to the distal end portion. The method further includes forming a plurality of staples within the tissue and cutting the tissue with a knife.

Abstract: A circular stapling instrument is provided. The circular stapling instrument includes a handle forming a cavity, a reciprocating drive shaft, a carrier cover, and a shaft assembly. The reciprocating drive shaft is detachably secured within the cavity of the handle. The carrier cover covers a portion of the reciprocating drive shaft within the cavity of the handle. The shaft assembly is detachably coupled with the handle.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a surgical stapling anvil is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of manufacturing a first anvil member and a second anvil member. The first anvil member comprises a tissue-facing surface comprising a plurality of staple forming pockets defined therein and a longitudinal cavity comprising anvil ledges configured to be engaged by anvil-camming portions of a firing member of a surgical stapling instrument. The method further comprises the steps of polishing the ledges of the first anvil member and welding the first anvil member and the second anvil member together.

Abstract: A surgical stapling anvil for use with a surgical instrument is disclosed. The anvil comprises an anvil body comprising a tissue-facing surface and a longitudinal cavity. The longitudinal cavity comprises a first cavity portion configured to receive at least a portion of a cutting edge of a firing member of the surgical instrument therethrough, a second cavity portion configured to receive an anvil-engaging portion of the firing member therethrough, and a third cavity portion comprising a first angular surface which flares outward relative to the second cavity portion. The anvil further comprises an anvil cap comprising a first section positioned within a portion of the second cavity portion and a second section positioned within the third cavity portion, wherein the second section comprises a second angular surface corresponding to the first angular surface, and wherein the first angular surface and the second angular surface are welded together.

Abstract: A surgical stapling anvil is disclosed comprising an anvil body including a tissue-facing surface, a plurality of staple forming pockets, and a longitudinal slot. The longitudinal slot comprises a first portion configured to receive a cutting edge of a firing member therethrough and a second portion configured to receive an anvil-camming portion of the firing member therethrough. The anvil further comprises an anvil cap welded to the anvil body, wherein the anvil cap comprises a welded portion and a non-welded portion, wherein the non-welded portion comprises a non-welded width, and wherein the non-welded width is less than or equal to about 105% of the width of the second portion.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus is disclosed which comprises a handle module and a detachable shaft module for collectively performing a surgical procedure. The handle module comprises a rotary drive system for driving the detachable shaft module, an electric motor coupled to the rotary drive system for powering the rotary drive system, one or more sensors, and a handle module processor circuit in communication with the one or more sensors and the electric motor. The handle module processor circuit is programmed to control the electric motor. The handle module processor circuit is also programmed to track and/or count an end-of-life parameter for the handle module based on input from the one or more sensors.