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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 surgical instrument can comprise a channel configured to support a staple cartridge and, in addition, an anvil pivotable between open and closed positions relative to the channel. The surgical instrument can further comprise a cutting member configured to incise tissue positioned captured between the staple cartridge and the anvil and, in addition, means for stopping the cutting member prior to a distal end datum, wherein the distal end datum can be defined by the distal-most staple cavity in the staple cartridge. In such embodiments, the incision within the tissue may not extend beyond the portion of the tissue that has been stapled.

Abstract: A surgical instrument can comprise a channel configured to support a staple cartridge and, in addition, an anvil pivotable between open and closed positions relative to the channel. The surgical instrument can further comprise a cutting member configured to incise tissue positioned captured between the staple cartridge and the anvil and, in addition, means for stopping the cutting member prior to a distal end datum, wherein the distal end datum can be defined by the distal-most staple cavity in the staple cartridge. In such embodiments, the incision within the tissue may not extend beyond the portion of the tissue that has been stapled.

Abstract: An implantable surgical device including an elongated flexible inflatable portion, an elongated flexible and substantially inextensible band portion. The band portion has a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis therebetween. The band portion is attached to the inflatable portion along an inner face thereof. The band portion and/or the inflatable portion is at least partially coated with an anti-microbial coating.

Abstract: A universal seal for a trocar is disclosed. The universal seal has a rigid housing with a chamber for receiving a sealing assembly. The sealing assembly is disposed within the chamber and has freedom of movement along the longitudinal axis of the housing in response to a surgical instrument being inserted into or withdrawn from the sealing assembly. The sealing assembly includes first and second rigid rings generally parallel to and spaced from each other. It also includes an inner elastomeric seal for sealing against instruments of varying diameter. The inner elastomeric seal is attached to the second ring, and it has an aperture for passage of an instrument through the elastomeric seal. In response to off-centered insertion of an instrument into the universal seal, the sealing assembly moves longitudinally and assumes a tilted orientation as the radial force on the inner elastomeric seal is applied by the instrument.

Abstract: A surgical handheld instrument which is used in a minimally invasive surgical procedure such as a laparoscopic surgical procedure comprises a handle body and an elongated shaft connected to the handle body at a proximal end of the shaft. An end effector such as a pair of movable jaws are located at the distal end of the shaft. An actuation handle member is movably connected to the handle body and is operatively connected to the end effector for actuating movement of the end effector. Thus, upon movement of the handle actuation member, the end effector, such as movable jaw elements, can be opened or closed. The handle body also includes a locking tab, having a Z-shaped configuration wherein one end of the locking tab has a hole therethrough. An arcuate locking rod having a smooth, uniform surface is connected at one end to the handle actuation member and is insertable at its opposite end through the hole of the locking tab such that the arcuate locking rod is in movable contact with the locking tab.

Abstract: A new method is shown whereby staples are closed to smaller heights so that virtually total hemostasis is possible. Also, the staple legs in alternate rows in the surgical stapler are made to interlock so that during closure, hemostasis is effected by the interlocking of the staple legs.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument suitable for performing a gastrointestinal anastomosis is provided. The stapling instrument incorporates a jaw clamping mechanism which applies clamping forces to its jaw members to resist the forces exerted on the anvil and staple cartridge carrying portions of the jaw members when the staples are formed. Preferably, the stapling instrument includes a pair of elongate jaw members, one of which supports a staple cartridge adapted to receive at least two laterally spaced longitudinal rows of staples, and the other provided with an anvil adapted to form the staples. A pusher bar and knife blade assembly is slidable longitudinally relative to the jaw members to sequentially drive the staples from the cartridge and form the staples against the anvil to produce a pair of laterally spaced rows in the tissue. The pusher bar and knife blade assembly includes a knife blade for cutting the tissue along a line between the longitudinal staple rows.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument suitable for performing a gastrointestinal anastomosis. The stapling instrument includes a pair of elongate jaw members, one of which supports a staple cartridge adapted to receive at least two laterally spaced longitudinal rows of staples, and the other provided with an anvil adapted to form the staples. A pusher bar and knife blade assembly is slidable longitudinally relative to the jaw members to sequentially drive the staples from the cartridge and form the staples against the anvil to produce a pair of laterally spaced rows of formed staples in tissue gripped between the jaw members and to cut the tissue along a line between the staple rows. A latching mechanism is operable to a partially latched position in which the jaw members are loosely connected together to permit the staple cartridge and anvil to be adjusted in position on the tissue without disconnecting the jaw members from each other.

Abstract: A disposable linear surgical stapler includes a handle, anvil, staple cartridge and flexible shaft attaching the handle to the cartridge and transmitting a firing force exerted at the handle to the distant cartridge for sequentially implanting, forming and clinching staples in two staggered staple lines. A flexible cable in the flexible shaft pulls a firing wedge across a plurality of staple drivers in the cartridge. The anvil is adjustable to vary the gap between the anvil and staple cartridge.

Abstract: A disposable linear surgical stapling instrument comprising a body with handle means and trigger means and, at its forward end, a fixed anvil-supporting jaw. A movable jaw comprising a staple cartridge is mounted on the body and is operatively connected to the handle means and trigger means. An adjustment bolt is slidably mounted in the body and is shiftable forwardly and rearwardly therein by an adjustment knob rotatively mounted at the rearward end of the body. The adjustment bolt, when shifted forwardly, shifts the handle means and trigger means forwardly and the movable jaw toward the fixed jaw, the staple cartridge approaching the anvil. A staple driver is connected to and shiftable by the trigger means to drive staples from the cartridge, through the tissue to be sutured and against the anvil over a range of distances between the anvil and the cartridge constituting the working gap of the instrument.