Abstract: A powered handle for a surgical stapler has a drive system including an electric motor. The powered handle includes a shaft recognition mechanism such that when a reload shaft for use with the surgical stapler is installed, a control system can actuate the drive system with the recognized shaft. The powered handle further comprises a LED light ring driven by a light control scheme to display a handle status. The control system also includes a startup module to assess hardware and control system performance before use. The startup module assesses different criteria depending on whether the handle is new, previously used, or previously reset. The control system of the powered handle further includes a lockout module configured to identify when a lockout has been encountered. The lockout module applies different criteria depending on whether the motor is operating at a maximum speed state or less than a maximum speed state.

Abstract: A surgical stapling system can include a reload shaft. The shaft can include an elongate tubular member with have a jaw assembly at the distal end thereof and a coupling collar at the proximal end thereof. The shaft assembly also includes an articulation joint coupling the jaw assembly to the distal end. A drive member and an articulation member extend within the tubular body of the shaft from the proximal end to the distal end. A firing member is connected to the distal end of the drive member such that advancement of the drive beam advances the firing member to close the jaw assemblies and fire staples from a reload positioned in the jaw assembly. The shaft assembly can also include a lockout mechanism to prevent a firing operation on a previously-fired reload or no reload.

Abstract: A powered handle for a surgical stapler has a drive system including an electric motor. The powered handle includes a shaft recognition mechanism such that when a reload shaft for use with the surgical stapler is installed, a control system can actuate the drive system with the recognized shaft. The powered handle further comprises a LED light ring driven by a light control scheme to display a handle status. The control system also includes a startup module to assess hardware and control system performance before use. The startup module assesses different criteria depending on whether the handle is new, previously used, or previously reset. The control system of the powered handle further includes a lockout module configured to identify when a lockout has been encountered. The lockout module applies different criteria depending on whether the motor is operating at a maximum speed state or less than a maximum speed state.

Abstract: A surgical stapling system can include a reload shaft. The shaft can include an elongate tubular member with have a jaw assembly at the distal end thereof and a coupling collar at the proximal end thereof. The shaft assembly also includes an articulation joint coupling the jaw assembly to the distal end. A drive member and an articulation member extend within the tubular body of the shaft from the proximal end to the distal end. A firing member is connected to the distal end of the drive member such that advancement of the drive beam advances the firing member to close the jaw assemblies and fire staples from a reload positioned in the jaw assembly. The shaft assembly can also include a lockout mechanism to prevent a firing operation on a previously-fired reload or no reload.

Abstract: A handle assembly for a surgical stapler can comprise a rotatable actuation shaft. The actuation shaft can have a first rotational orientation in which it can actuate a jaw assembly in a staple firing mode, and a second rotational orientation in which it can actuate a jaw assembly in a reversing mode. The handle assembly can include an articulation mechanism including a ball screw to selectively articulate the jaw assembly relative to an elongate shaft. The handle assembly can include a mechanism to lock out selection of the staple firing mode and actuation of the articulation mechanism if a reload shaft is not securely coupled to the handle assembly.

Abstract: Surface preparation for sliding surfaces can enhance wear performance for surgical instruments such as surgical staplers which include reusable mechanisms that are used multiple times with single use reload cartridges. To reduce the potential for galling wear in a metal-to-metal sliding engagement, a combination of surface hardening, surface finish, and surface coatings can be applied to metallic components of a surgical instrument. Surface hardening techniques can allow further manufacturing operations such as welding without compromising the strength of the underlying metal substrate. With stainless steel metal substrates, as surface or case hardening techniques can reduce corrosion resistance, a surface coating can be applied to inhibit surface oxidation as well as provide a barrier to metal-to-metal contact. A further lubricious coating layer such as a bone wax coating layer can enhance galling resistance.

Abstract: A powered handle for a surgical stapler has a drive system including an electric motor. The powered handle includes a shaft recognition mechanism such that when a reload shaft for use with the surgical stapler is installed, a control system can actuate the drive system with the recognized shaft. The powered handle further comprises a LED light ring driven by a light control scheme to display a handle status. The control system also includes a startup module to assess hardware and control system performance before use. The startup module assesses different criteria depending on whether the handle is new, previously used, or previously reset. The control system of the powered handle further includes a lockout module configured to identify when a lockout has been encountered. The lockout module applies different criteria depending on whether the motor is operating at a maximum speed state or less than a maximum speed state.

Abstract: A surgical stapling system can include a reload shaft. The shaft can include an elongate tubular member with have a jaw assembly at the distal end thereof and a coupling collar at the proximal end thereof. The shaft assembly also includes an articulation joint coupling the jaw assembly to the distal end. A drive member and an articulation member extend within the tubular body of the shaft from the proximal end to the distal end. A firing member is connected to the distal end of the drive member such that advancement of the drive beam advances the firing member to close the jaw assemblies and fire staples from a reload positioned in the jaw assembly. The shaft assembly can also include a lockout mechanism to prevent a firing operation on a previously-fired reload or no reload.

Abstract: A surgical stapling system can include a reload shaft. The shaft can include an elongate tubular member with have a jaw assembly at the distal end thereof and a coupling collar at the proximal end thereof. The shaft assembly also includes an articulation joint coupling the jaw assembly to the distal end. A drive member and an articulation member extend within the tubular body of the shaft from the proximal end to the distal end. A firing member is connected to the distal end of the drive member such that advancement of the drive beam advances the firing member to close the jaw assemblies and fire staples from a reload positioned in the jaw assembly. The shaft assembly can also include a lockout mechanism to prevent a firing operation on a previously-fired reload or no reload.

Abstract: A surgical stapling system can include a reload shaft. The shaft can include an elongate tubular member with have a jaw assembly at the distal end thereof and a coupling collar at the proximal end thereof. The shaft assembly also includes an articulation joint coupling the jaw assembly to the distal end. A drive member and an articulation member extend within the tubular body of the shaft from the proximal end to the distal end. A firing member is connected to the distal end of the drive member such that advancement of the drive beam advances the firing member to close the jaw assemblies and fire staples from a reload positioned in the jaw assembly. The shaft assembly can also include a lockout mechanism to prevent a firing operation on a previously-fired reload or no reload.

Abstract: A signage system includes a support, a housing attached to the support, and a first sign. The support includes a substantially horizontal member having a first end and a second end; a bracket for mounting the support to an upright, the bracket being attached to the first end of the substantially horizontal member; and a shell extending from the second end of the substantially horizontal member. The housing is attached within the shell of the support and includes a first ring, a second ring connected to the first ring, a first plate, and a second plate positioned adjacent to the first plate. The first plate and the second plate are positioned between the first ring and the second ring. The first sign is releasably retained between the first ring and the first plate by frictional engagement of edges of the first sign with the first ring and the first plate. The signage system is adapted to be supported by the bracket in a cantilevered configuration.