Abstract: A tissue thickness compensator may generally comprise a first layer comprising a first biocompatible material sealingly enclosed in a water impermeable material and a second layer comprising a second biocompatible material comprising at least one encapsulation, wherein the first biocompatible material expands when contacted with a fluid. The tissue thickness compensator may comprise a haemostatic agent, an anti-inflammatory agent, an antibiotic agent, anti-microbial agent, an anti-adhesion agent, an anti-coagulant agent, a medicament, and/or pharmaceutically active agent. The encapsulation may comprise a biodegradable material to degrade in vivo and/or in situ. The tissue thickness compensator may comprise a hydrogel. The reaction product may comprise a fluid-swellable composition. Articles of manufacture comprising the tissue thickness compensator and methods of making and using the tissue thickness compensator are also described.

Abstract: Surgical end effectors and fastener cartridges having firing lockout arrangements for preventing or limit a firing stroke when a cartridge has not been operably installed in the end effector or a spent cartridge has not been replaced.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed comprising a housing and a control circuit mounted to and/or embedded in the housing.

Abstract: A surgical stapling assembly is disclosed. The surgical stapling assembly can include a first jaw, a second jaw, an articulation joint, a closure drive comprising a first flexible rotary drive extending through the articulation joint, and a firing drive comprising a second flexible rotary drive extending through the articulation joint and rotatable independent of the first flexible rotary drive. The surgical stapling assembly can further include a 3D-printed component. The surgical stapling assembly can be configured to form different staple shapes, such as non-planar staples and planar staples, can include an eccentrically-driven firing assembly, and/or can include a floatable component. The surgical stapling assembly can include a staple cartridge including a longitudinal support beam.

Abstract: A replaceable staple cartridge for use with a surgical instrument is disclosed. The replaceable staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body, staple cavities defined in the cartridge body, staples removably positioned in the staple cavities, and staple drivers configured to support the staples in the staple cavities. The staple drivers are movable between an unfired position and a fired position. The staple cartridge further comprises a wedge sled, wherein the wedge sled is configured to motivate the staple drivers from the unfired position toward the fired position, and driver retention members extending into the staple cavities. The driver retention members are configured to retain the staple drivers in the unfired position.

Abstract: A surgical end effector may comprise first and second jaw members. The second jaw member may comprise an offset proximal supply electrode that is positioned to contact an opposing member of the first jaw member when the first and second jaw members are in the closed position. The second jaw member may also comprise a distal supply electrode that is positioned distal of the offset proximal electrode and is aligned with a conductive surface of the first jaw member when the first and second jaw members are in the closed position. When the first and second jaw members are in the closed position, the proximal supply electrode may be in contact with the opposing member and the distal supply electrode is not in contact with the conductive surface of the first jaw member.

Abstract: Methods and devices for using surgical devices with articulating end effectors are provided. Surgical devices with articulating end effectors can provide rotary driven pivoting of the end effector. In some embodiments, the device can include a handle, a first and a second tube extending from the handle, the second tube disposed within the first tube, and an end effector that includes a pair of distal jaws configured to move in response to rotation of the first tube about a longitudinal axis thereof and rotation of the second tube about a longitudinal axis thereof. The jaws can move in two different ways depending on whether the first and second tubes are rotating in a same direction as one another or in different ways than each other. The jaws can open/close and articulate using the same mechanical mechanism. The device can be powered, or the device can be non-powered.

Abstract: A fastener cartridge can comprise a support portion, a tissue thickness compensator positioned relative to the support portion, and a plurality of fasteners positioned within the support portion and/or the tissue thickness compensator which can be utilized to fasten tissue. In use, the fastener cartridge can be positioned in a first jaw of a surgical fastening device, wherein a second jaw, or anvil, can be positioned opposite the first jaw. To deploy the fasteners, a staple-deploying member is advanced through the fastener cartridge to move the fasteners toward the anvil. As the fasteners are deployed, the fasteners can capture at least a portion of the tissue thickness compensator therein along with at least a portion of the tissue being fastened.

Abstract: A staple cartridge assembly comprising a tissue thickness compensator is disclosed. The tissue thickness compensator comprises a first fibrous, woven material and a second fibrous, woven material. The first fibrous, woven material comprises a density which is different than the density of the second fibrous, woven material. The tissue thickness compensator is configured to expand upon contact with a fluid in order to apply a compressive force to tissue captured within staples.

Abstract: A surgical instrument. In one form, the surgical instrument includes a housing that has an interchangeable shaft assembly removably attached thereto. The interchangeable shaft assembly includes an elongate shaft that has a surgical end effector operably coupled thereto for selective articulation relative to the elongate shaft. An articulation system is configured to selectively apply articulation motions to the surgical end effector when the articulation system is in an actuated orientation. A locking arrangement prevents detachment of the interchangeable shaft assembly from the housing when the articulation system is in the actuated orientation.

Abstract: A stapling assembly comprising a shaft, an end effector, and a firing system is disclosed. The shaft comprises an articulation joint. The end effector comprises a staple cartridge, a first jaw, and a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw from an open position to a closed position. The firing system comprises a threaded drive screw and a firing member. The firing member comprises a first jaw-engaging feature, a second jaw-engaging feature, a cutting blade, a body, and a plurality of removable sidewall inserts comprising grooves. The body defines a longitudinal passage and a plurality of lateral windows. The longitudinal passage is configured to receive the threaded drive screw. The lateral windows are configured to receive the sidewall inserts. The grooves are configured to laterally engage the threaded drive screw. The threaded drive screw is rotatable in order to drive the firing member distally during a firing motion.

Abstract: A surgical stapling assembly is disclosed. The surgical stapling assembly can include a first jaw, a second jaw, an articulation joint, a closure drive comprising a first flexible rotary drive extending through the articulation joint, and a firing drive comprising a second flexible rotary drive extending through the articulation joint and rotatable independent of the first flexible rotary drive. The surgical stapling assembly can further include a 3D-printed component.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a surgical end effector that comprises a first jaw and a second jaw that is movably supported relative to the first jaw for selective movement between an open position and closed positions. The surgical instrument further comprises a closure member that is axially movable in response to closing and opening motions. The closure member comprises at least one opening cam that protrudes therefrom to movably engage a corresponding cam surface on the second jaw such that upon application of the opening motion, the at least one opening cam movably engages the corresponding cam surface to move the second jaw to an open position, even when the jaws are under a load.

Abstract: A method for adjusting the operation of a clip applier using machine learning in a surgical suite is disclosed. The method comprises gathering data during surgical procedures, wherein the surgical procedures include the use of a clip applier comprising a crimping drive configured to be mechanically advanced through a crimping stroke. The method further comprises analyzing the gathered data to determine an appropriate operational adjustment of the clip applier and adjusting the operation of the clip applier to improve the operation of the clip applier.

Abstract: A tissue thickness compensator can comprise a compensator body and at least one vessel contained in the compensator body. The vessel can define an inner cavity which can comprise an inner atmosphere having a pressure which is lower than the atmospheric pressure of the atmosphere surrounding the tissue thickness compensator. In at least one embodiment, the vessel and the compensator body can be maintained in a collapsed state until staples are fired through the vessel. At such point, the vessel can re-expand and apply a biasing force to tissue captured within the staples.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument comprising an elongate shaft assembly that includes a surgical end effector that is operably coupled thereto by an articulation joint. The surgical instrument may include a first distal articulation driver operably coupled to the surgical end effector and a second distal articulation driver that is coupled to the surgical end effector. At least one driver member may operably engage the first and second distal articulation drivers such that when the first distal articulation driver is moved in a distal direction, the least one driver moves the second distal articulation driver in a proximal direction and when the first distal articulation driver is moved in the proximal direction, the at least one driver member moves the second distal articulation driver in the distal direction.

Abstract: A surgical instrument can comprise a handle, a motor, and a shaft extending from the handle. The handle and/or the shaft can define a longitudinal axis. The surgical instrument can further comprise a fastener cartridge comprising a plurality of fasteners removably stored therein, an anvil configured to deform the fasteners, a closure drive configured to move the anvil toward and away from the fastener cartridge which is rotatable about the longitudinal axis, and a firing drive configured to deploy the fasteners from the fastener cartridge which is rotatable about the longitudinal axis. The surgical instrument can further comprise a transmission comprising a first operating configuration which connects the motor to the closure drive and a second operating configuration which connects the motor to the firing drive.

Abstract: A surgical stapling system comprising an end effector, a firing beam, and a push bar is disclosed. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw rotatable relative to the first jaw between an open position and a closed position. The firing beam is movable from a proximal position toward a distal position during a firing stroke. The firing beam comprises a first cam configured to engage the first jaw during the firing stroke, a second cam configured to engage the second jaw during the firing stroke, and a middle span extending between the first cam and the second cam. The middle span is defined by a span distance. The span distance comprises a span midpoint. The push bar is engaged with the firing beam at a level between the first cam and the second cam other than at the span midpoint.

Abstract: A robotic surgical attachment is disclosed. The robotic surgical attachment comprises a control interface comprising a manually-actuated retraction assembly and a shaft extending distally from the control interface. The robotic surgical attachment further comprises an articulation region and an end effector assembly extending from the shaft by way of the articulation region. The end effector assembly comprises a firing member movable through a first distance during a jaw closure stroke and a second distance to cut and staple tissue clamped between jaws of the end effector assembly after the completion of the closure stroke. The manually-actuated retraction assembly is operable to selectively retract the firing member.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first stapling assembly, a plurality of staples a plurality of staple drivers, and a second spelling assembly portion. The first stapling assembly portion has a deck surface defining a plurality of apertures. The staple drivers can drive the plurality of staples through the staple apertures of the deck surface. The second stapling assembly can couple with the first stapling assembly portion. The second stapling assembly portion has a section that overlies the deck surface. At least one of the first or second stapling assembly portions include a first support feature that inhibits deflection of the deck surface during stapling.