Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument is provided which includes a handle assembly, a body extending distally from the handle assembly and an end effector configured to effect cutting, dissection, coagulation and/or ligation of tissue. The end effector includes an ultrasonic member. A transducer is supported adjacent, on or within the ultrasonic member and is connected to a power source. Upon actuation of the power source, the transducer effects vibration of the ultrasonic member. In one preferred embodiment, the end effector is mounted for articulation about the distal end of the instrument.

Abstract: Surgical instruments are disclosed that are couplable to or have an end effector or a disposable loading unit with an end effector, and at least one micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) device operatively connected to the surgical instrument for at least one of sensing a condition, measuring a parameter and controlling the condition and/or parameter.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument is provided which includes a handle assembly, a body extending distally from the handle assembly and an end effector configured to effect cutting, dissection, coagulation and/or ligation of tissue. The end effector includes an ultrasonic member. A transducer is supported adjacent, on or within the ultrasonic member and is connected to a power source. Upon actuation of the power source, the transducer effects vibration of the ultrasonic member. In one preferred embodiment, the end effector is mounted for articulation about the distal end of the instrument.

Abstract: An end effector of an ultrasonic surgical instrument is provided, the ultrasonic surgical instrument having a manipulatable structure, a body portion operatively connected to the manipulatable structure and having a distal end, a transducer, and the end effector being supported on the distal end of the body portion, the end effector including a plurality of resonant member elements, each resonant member operatively connected to a transducer of the plurality of transducers for effecting vibrations along the length of the resonant member, and including an operating surface configured to effect tissue dissection, cutting, coagulation, ligation and/or hemostasis, wherein a displacement curve associated with the vibrations of a first one of the plurality of resonant members is offset relative to the displacement curve associated with the vibrations of a second one of the plurality of resonant members.

Abstract: Surgical instruments are disclosed that are couplable to or have an end effector or a disposable loading unit with an end effector, and at least one micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) device operatively connected to the surgical instrument for at least one of sensing a condition, measuring a parameter and controlling the condition and/or parameter.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device is disclosed for performing circular anastomoses. The surgical stapling device includes a handle portion, an elongated body portion and a head portion including an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. A removable trocar for attachment to the anvil assembly is also disclosed which includes a rib positioned proximally of a mounting projection. The rib is positioned to align the mounting projection with associated engagement structure of the anvil assembly.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device is disclosed for performing circular anastomoses. The surgical stapling device includes a handle portion, an elongated body portion and a head portion including an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. The head portion includes an anvil assembly including a tiltable anvil which will tilt automatically after the device has been fired and unapproximated. The tiltable anvil provides a reduced anvil profile to reduce trauma during removal of the device after the anastomoses procedure has been performed. The stapling device includes an approximation mechanism including a rotatable knob, a screw having a helical channel and an anvil retainer. The helical channel includes a dwell portion for providing a tactile indication to a surgeon that the anvil retainer has been advanced to a position wherein the anvil assembly can be removed from the anvil retainer.

Abstract: An end effector of an ultrasonic surgical instrument is provided, the ultrasonic surgical instrument having a manipulatable structure, a body portion operatively connected to the manipulatable structure and having a distal end, a transducer, and the end effector being supported on the distal end of the body portion, the end effector including a plurality of resonant member elements, each resonant member operatively connected to a transducer of the plurality of transducers for effecting vibrations along the length of the resonant member, and including an operating surface configured to effect tissue dissection, cutting, coagulation, ligation and/or hemostasis, wherein a displacement curve associated with the vibrations of a first one of the plurality of resonant members is offset relative to the displacement curve associated with the vibrations of a second one of the plurality of resonant members.

Abstract: An end effector of an ultrasonic surgical instrument is provided, the ultrasonic surgical instrument having a manipulatable structure, a body portion operatively connected to the manipulatable structure and having a distal end, a transducer, and the end effector being supported on the distal end of the body portion, the end effector including a plurality of resonant member elements, each resonant member operatively connected to a transducer of the plurality of transducers for effecting vibrations along the length of the resonant member, and including an operating surface configured to effect tissue dissection, cutting, coagulation, ligation and/or hemostasis, wherein a displacement curve associated with the vibrations of a first one of the plurality of resonant members is offset relative to the displacement curve associated with the vibrations of a second one of the plurality of resonant members.

Abstract: Surgical instruments are disclosed that are couplable to or have an end effector or a disposable loading unit with an end effector, and at least one micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) device operatively connected to the surgical instrument for at least one of sensing a condition, measuring a parameter and controlling the condition and/or parameter.

Abstract: Surgical instruments are disclosed that are couplable to or have an end effector or a disposable loading unit with an end effector, and at least one micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) device operatively connected to the surgical instrument for at least one of sensing a condition, measuring a parameter and controlling the condition and/or parameter.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device is disclosed for performing circular anastomoses. The surgical stapling device includes a handle portion, an elongated body portion and a head portion including an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. The surgical stapling device includes a knife blade possessing a lubricious coating which enhances the ability of the knife to cut through tissue and minimizes the knife sticking to tissue or other components of the surgical stapling device.

Abstract: An end effector of an ultrasonic surgical instrument is provided, the ultrasonic surgical instrument having a manipulatable structure, a body portion operatively connected to the manipulatable structure and having a distal end, a transducer, and the end effector being supported on the distal end of the body portion, the end effector including a plurality of resonant member elements, each resonant member operatively connected to a transducer of the plurality of transducers for effecting vibrations along the length of the resonant member, and including an operating surface configured to effect tissue dissection, cutting, coagulation, ligation and/or hemostasis, wherein a displacement curve associated with the vibrations of a first one of the plurality of resonant members is offset relative to the displacement curve associated with the vibrations of a second one of the plurality of resonant members.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device is disclosed for performing circular anastomoses. The surgical stapling device includes a handle portion, an elongated body portion and a head portion including an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. The anvil assembly includes a tiltable anvil which will tilt automatically after the device has been fired and unapproximated. The anvil assembly of the stapling device also includes a retainer clip positioned on the anvil head. The retainer clip includes at least one resilient arm which is positioned to engage a cutting ring during unapproximation of the stapling device.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device is disclosed for performing circular anastomoses. The surgical stapling device includes a handle portion, an elongated body portion and a head portion including an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. The surgical stapling device includes a knife blade possessing a lubricious coating which enhances the ability of the knife to cut through tissue and minimizes the knife sticking to tissue or other components of the surgical stapling device.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument is provided which includes a handle assembly, a body extending distally from the handle assembly and an end effector configured to effect cutting, dissection, coagulation and/or ligation of tissue. The end effector includes an ultrasonic member. A transducer is supported adjacent, on or within the ultrasonic member and is connected to a power source. Upon actuation of the power source, the transducer effects vibration of the ultrasonic member. In one preferred embodiment, the end effector is mounted for articulation about the distal end of the instrument.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device is disclosed for performing circular anastomoses. The surgical stapling device includes a handle portion, an elongated body portion and a head portion including an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. The head portion includes an anvil assembly including a tiltable anvil which will tilt automatically after the device has been fired and unapproximated. The tiltable anvil provides a reduced anvil profile to reduce trauma during removal of the device after the anastomoses procedure has been performed. The stapling device includes a bulbous indicator which preferably extends above a top surface of the handle assembly of the device. The indicator includes indicia to identify to a surgeon that the device has been approximated and is in a fire-ready position. Preferably, the indicator includes a cover which is formed of a magnification material to prominently display the indicia. The anvil assembly of the stapling device preferably includes a retainer clip positioned on the anvil head.

Abstract: A valve assembly is provided for permitting the introduction of a surgical instrument into a patient's body while providing a substantial seal about the instrument. The valve assembly includes a sealing gasket assembly providing a fluid tight seal before instrument insertion, and is configured and dimensioned for accommodating an instrument and providing a substantial fluid tight seal after insertion of an instrument. The valve assembly may further include a deformable sealing member having a substantially central aperture for accommodating the instrument. The sealing member provides a substantial seal about the instrument when the instrument is passed therethrough impeding the egress of fluids and gasses through the valve assembly.

Abstract: An end effector of an ultrasonic surgical instrument is provided, the ultrasonic surgical instrument having a manipulatable structure, a body portion operatively connected to the manipulatable structure and having a distal end, a transducer, and the end effector being supported on the distal end of the body portion, the end effector including a plurality of resonant member elements, each resonant member operatively connected to a transducer of the plurality of transducers for effecting vibrations along the length of the resonant member, and including an operating surface configured to effect tissue dissection, cutting, coagulation, ligation and/or hemostasis, wherein a displacement curve associated with the vibrations of a first one of the plurality of resonant members is offset relative to the displacement curve associated with the vibrations of a second one of the plurality of resonant members.