Abstract: Adjunct material retained by a staple cartridge assembly is provided. The adjunct material provides elution of medicants therefrom such that release of one medicant regulates release of another medicant. A first medicant is released as a bolus dose substantially immediately upon delivery of the adjunct material to tissue. The second medicant is associated with the staple cartridge assembly in a manner such that release of the second medicant to tissue is regulated by the release of the first medicant.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an end effector including an anvil and lower jaw. The anvil is pivotable toward the lower jaw to capture tissue. The apparatus further includes a stapling and severing assembly configured to sever and staple tissue clamped between the anvil and the lower jaw. A staple cartridge is coupled with the lower jaw. The staple cartridge includes a deck facing the anvil, a plurality of staples positioned in a plurality of staple openings formed through the deck, and a magnetic feature configured to be coupled to tissue in response to activation of the stapling and severing mechanism. The magnetic feature is configured to be coupled to tissue in response to actuation of the staple cartridge, wherein the magnetic feature is configured to retain at least one outer portion of stapled tissue in an inwardly folded position relative to an inner portion of stapled tissue.

Abstract: Various ultrasonic surgical instruments are disclosed. At least one disclosed surgical instrument includes a waveguide including a blade and a transducer base plate. The transducer base plate coupled to the waveguide to define a joint at an interface between the waveguide and the transducer base plate. The transducer base plate including first and second sides defining corresponding first and second flat faces configured to receive first and second piezoelectric elements. The first and second piezoelectric elements are configured to operate in a D31 mode.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for robotic surgery, and in particular for controlling various motions of a tool based on visual indicators. In general, a surgical tool can include an elongate shaft and an end effector coupled to a distal end of the elongate shaft and including first and second jaws. The tool can have at least one visual indicator disposed thereon and configured to indicate a size, position, or speed of movement of the tool or components of the tool.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided in which movement of a tool is controlled based on sensed parameters. In one embodiment, an electromechanical tool is provided having an instrument shaft and an end effector formed thereon. The electromechanical tool is configured to be mounted on an electromechanical arm, and the electromechanical tool is configured to move with or relative to the electromechanical arm and perform surgical functions. A controller is operatively coupled to the electromechanical arm and the electromechanical tool and is configured to retard advancement of the electromechanical tool toward a tissue surface based on a sensed amount of displacement of a tissue surface, a strain on the tissue of the patient, the temperature of the electromechanical tool, or the like.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided in which movement of a tool is controlled based on sensed parameters. In one embodiment, an electromechanical tool is provided having an instrument shaft and an end effector formed thereon. The electromechanical tool is configured to be mounted on an electromechanical arm, and the electromechanical tool is configured to move with or relative to the electromechanical arm and perform surgical functions. A controller is operatively coupled to the electromechanical arm and the electromechanical tool and is configured to retard advancement of the electromechanical tool toward a tissue surface based on a sensed amount of displacement of a tissue surface, a strain on the tissue of the patient, the temperature of the electromechanical tool, or the like.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an end effector including an anvil and lower jaw. The anvil is pivotable toward the lower jaw to capture tissue. The apparatus further includes a stapling and severing assembly configured to sever and staple tissue clamped between the anvil and the lower jaw. A staple cartridge is coupled with the lower jaw. The staple cartridge includes a deck facing the anvil, a plurality of staples positioned in a plurality of staple openings formed through the deck, and a magnetic feature configured to be coupled to tissue in response to activation of the stapling and severing mechanism. The magnetic feature is configured to be coupled to tissue in response to actuation of the staple cartridge, wherein the magnetic feature is configured to retain at least one outer portion of stapled tissue in an inwardly folded position relative to an inner portion of stapled tissue.

Abstract: Adjunct material retained by a staple cartridge assembly is provided. The adjunct material provides elution of medicants therefrom such that release of one medicant regulates release of another medicant. A first medicant is released as a bolus dose substantially immediately upon delivery of the adjunct material to tissue. The second medicant is associated with the staple cartridge assembly in a manner such that release of the second medicant to tissue is regulated by the release of the first medicant.

Abstract: A staple cartridge assembly including staples is disclosed herein. The staples comprise features which improve the biocompatibility and/or bioabsorption of the staples. The staples are comprised of a magnesium alloy, for example. The magnesium alloy can also include zinc. In certain instances, a bioabsorbable polymer is coated on part of, but not all of, the staple. Portions of the staple that are not coated by the bioabsorbable polymer will be absorbed at a first rate while portions of the staple that are coated by the bioabsorbable polymer will be absorbed at a slower rate. In various instances, the tips of the magnesium staples are coated with magnesium nitride and/or any other suitable material which can increase the hardness of the staples. In certain instances, the staples are coated in silver. In some instances, the staples include one or more apertures defined therein.

Abstract: Adjunct material to promote tissue growth is provided. In general, an implantable adjunct can be configured to be applied to tissue by a surgical stapler in conjunction with staples. The adjunct can have one or more medicants releasably retained therein that are effective to provide a desired effect on tissue in-growth in a predetermined manner. One or more characteristics associated with the adjunct can be altered between various implementations to promote organized tissue remodeling in a desired manner during wound healing, such as by encouraging tissue growth to be in a certain direction and/or by discouraging tissue growth in a certain area and/or on a certain structure.

Abstract: Various exemplary composite adjunct materials for delivering medicants are provided. In general, the adjunct material can be configured to be delivered to tissue by deployment of staples from a cartridge body of a surgical stapler. The adjunct material includes a conformable region and a distinct reinforcing region that form the composite structure. An effective amount of at least one medicant can be disposed within and releasable from at least one of the conformable region and the reinforcing region and can provide a desired effect on tissue in-growth in a predetermined manner.

Abstract: Various exemplary surgical adjuncts with medicants affected by activator materials are provided. In general, an adjunct is provided with at least one medicant that is configured to be activated by an activator material. The adjunct can be delivered to a tissue of a patient, where the adjunct can be implanted. Various activator materials can be configured to activate the at least one medicant retained by the adjunct, the activation causing any one or more of a variety of actions. For example, the at least one medicant can be activated so as to yield at least one of a signal and/or an effect on the adjunct.