Abstract: A method for manufacturing a surgical stapling anvil is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of manufacturing a first anvil member and a second anvil member. The first anvil member comprises a tissue-facing surface comprising a plurality of staple forming pockets defined therein and a longitudinal cavity comprising anvil ledges configured to be engaged by anvil-camming portions of a firing member of a surgical stapling instrument. The method further comprises the steps of polishing the ledges of the first anvil member and welding the first anvil member and the second anvil member together.

Abstract: A surgical instrument can include a shaft, an end effector, and an articulation joint configured to permit the end effector to rotate relative to the shaft about the articulation joint. The surgical instrument can further comprise a first articulation actuator for rotating the end effector in a first direction and a second articulation actuator for rotating the end effector in a second direction. The articulation actuators can be configured to push the end effector. The articulation actuators can assume different configurations depending on whether they are experiencing a compressive load or a tensile load. The articulation joint can comprise an articulation frame which forms a proximal joint with the shaft and a distal joint with the end effector. The joints can comprise fixed axis joints and/or ball-and-socket joints, for example. The articulation joint can comprise links having different sizes to facilitate the articulation of the articulation joint.

Abstract: A surgical instrument can include a shaft, an end effector, and an articulation joint configured to permit the end effector to rotate relative to the shaft about the articulation joint. The surgical instrument can further comprise a first articulation actuator for rotating the end effector in a first direction and a second articulation actuator for rotating the end effector in a second direction. The articulation actuators can be configured to push the end effector. The articulation actuators can assume different configurations depending on whether they are experiencing a compressive load or a tensile load. The articulation joint can comprise an articulation frame which forms a proximal joint with the shaft and a distal joint with the end effector. The joints can comprise fixed axis joints and/or ball-and-socket joints, for example. The articulation joint can comprise links having different sizes to facilitate the articulation of the articulation joint.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a housing, an elongate shaft defining a longitudinal axis, an end effector, a firing member, and a laminate firing actuator connected to the firing member is disclosed. The elongate shaft comprises an articulation joint defining an articulation axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis, a first lateral buckling support positioned on a first side of the articulation joint, and a second lateral buckling support positioned on a second side of the articulation joint. The laminate firing actuator extends through the articulation joint. The laminate firing actuator extends intermediate the first lateral buckling support and the second lateral buckling support. The first lateral buckling support and the second lateral buckling support engage the laminate firing actuator when the end effector is articulated about the articulation joint.

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: A surgical instrument system that includes a housing and a rotatable drive shaft, a motor operably coupled to the drive shaft, and a plurality of replaceable end effectors that can be connected to the housing. Each replaceable end effector includes a drive screw that is turned a fixed number of revolutions by the motor-driven rotatable drive shaft when the end effector is connected to the housing. Each end effector further comprises a firing member operably coupled with the drive screw of the end effector. The drive screw is configured to displace the firing member over a firing length as a result of the fixed number of revolutions. In certain embodiments, each replaceable end effector can include a drive screw with a thread pitch set to the firing length divided by the fixed number of revolutions.

Abstract: Various surgical systems are disclosed. A surgical system comprises a robotic system. The robotic system comprises a control unit; a robotic arm comprising an attachment portion; a first sensor system in signal communication with the control unit; and a second sensor system. The first sensor system is configured to detect a position of the attachment portion. A surgical tool is removably attached to the attachment portion. The second sensor system is independent of the first sensor system and is configured to detect a position of the surgical tool.

Abstract: An implantable restriction device includes a plurality of beads, a plurality of links joining the beads together, and a parking feature. Each bead in the plurality of beads includes a housing, a passageway extending through the housing, and at least one magnet disposed around the passageway. The plurality of links are slidably disposed in corresponding passageways of the beads such that the plurality of beads can transition between a constricted configuration and an expanded configuration. The parking feature can consistently position the at least one link relative to the housing in the contracted configuration.

Abstract: A method of suturing a trocar path incision in a tissue of a patient with an obturator includes inserting the obturator through the tissue such that a shaft of the obturator extends through a tissue opening about the trocar path incision and a distal tip of the obturator is positioned within a cavity of the patient. The method also includes directing the suture via a suturing feature with the obturator inserted through the tissue in order to direct the suture relative to the tissue. Furthermore, the method includes closing the tissue opening about the trocar path incision with the suture.

Abstract: A surgical instrument assembly comprising a shaft, an actuator positioned within the shaft, an articulation joint, an attachment interface positioned distal to the articulation joint and an end effector removably attachable to and detachable from said articulation joint by the attachment interface is disclosed. The end effector is configured to be articulated relative to the shaft. The end effector comprises a first jaw, a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw, and a firing member configured to move the second jaw relative to the first jaw when the end effector is attached to the attachment interface and control motions are applied to the firing member by the actuator. When the end effector is attached to the articulation joint, the actuator is movable between an engaged position in which the actuator and the firing member are operably engaged and a disengaged position.

Abstract: A staple cartridge is disclosed. The staple cartridge can comprise a cartridge body comprising a deck and a bottom surface opposite the deck. The staple cartridge can comprise a plurality of staple cavities, wherein each staple cavity extends into the cartridge body from the deck to the bottom surface. Additionally, a plurality of wells can be defined into the staple cartridge from the deck to a lowermost surface of the well. A plurality of staples can be removably positioned in the staple cavities. The staple cartridge can comprise a tissue thickness compensator releasably secured to the cartridge body, wherein the tissue thickness compensator comprises a compensator body and a plurality of extensions extending from the compensator body into the wells, wherein at least one extension is compressed within one of the wells. Each well can surround at least one staple cavity and/or can extend between at least two staple cavities.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument can include an end effector, comprising an anvil and a staple cartridge. The surgical instrument can further include a shaft defining a longitudinal axis. The surgical instrument can also include an articulation joint, wherein the end effector is rotatably connected to the shaft about the articulation joint between an unarticulated position and at least one articulated position. The surgical instrument can include means for adjusting the length of a firing stroke as a function of the degree in which the end effector is articulated relative to the longitudinal axis. The surgical instrument can include a sensor configured to defect shifting of lateral portions of a flexible firing bar that extends through the articulation joint. Additionally or alternatively, the surgical instrument can include a relief feature configured to accommodate shifting of lateral portions of a flexible firing bar.

Abstract: A surgical stapling attachment configured to be operably attached to and detached from a surgical robot is disclosed. The surgical stapling attachment comprises an attachment interface, a shaft extending from the attachment interface, and an end effector extending from the shaft. The end effector comprises a firing member, a first closure member, a second closure member, a staple cartridge comprising staples removably stored therein, a cartridge jaw, and an anvil jaw movable relative to the cartridge jaw. The first closure member is configured to be actuated by the surgical robot to move the anvil jaw relative to the cartridge jaw between an unclamped configuration and a first clamped configuration. The second closure member is configured to be actuated by the surgical robot independent of the first closure member to move the anvil jaw relative to the cartridge jaw between the first clamped configuration and a second clamped configuration.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical instrument comprising an elongate shaft, an end effector comprising a first jaw, a second jaw, and an elongate channel is disclosed. The surgical instrument further comprises an articulation joint, a first articulation member, a second articulation member, and a firing member comprising a first cam member and a second cam member. The first articulation member is pivotally coupled to a proximal portion of the elongate channel and pivotally coupled to the elongate shaft. A distal end of the second articulation member is pivotally coupled to a proximal portion of the first articulation member. The first articulation member articulates at a first rate when the end effector is rotated to an articulated position. The second articulation member articulates at a second rate when the end effector is rotated to the articulated position. The first rate and the second rate are different.

Abstract: An end effector including an anvil and a staple cartridge assembly is disclosed. The staple cartridge assembly comprises a deck having steps defined thereon for compressing tissue positioned between the anvil and the staple cartridge assembly to different pressures. The staple cartridge assembly further comprises staples having different unformed heights removably stored therein. The staples are deformed against the anvil to different formed heights.

Abstract: A method for adjusting the operation of a surgical suturing instrument 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 surgical suturing instrument comprising a suturing needle configured to be mechanically advanced through a suturing stroke, analyzing the gathered data to determine an appropriate operational adjustment of the surgical suturing instrument, and adjusting the operation of the surgical suturing instrument to improve the operation of the surgical suturing instrument.

Abstract: An instrument assembly can comprise a shaft comprising a first drive portion of a drive system, an end effector comprising a second drive portion of the drive system, and an articulation joint rotatably connecting the end effector to the shaft. The end effector is rotatable between a first position and a second position about the articulation joint, wherein the first drive portion is not operably engaged with the second drive portion when the end effector is in the first position, and operably engaged with the second drive portion when the end effector is in the second position. The end effector can comprise a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein the first jaw is movable relative to the second jaw between an open position and a closed position within a closure plane, and wherein the end effector is rotatable within an articulation plane which is co-planar with the closure plane.

Abstract: Staple cartridge assemblies are disclosed herein which are an improvement over previous staple cartridge assemblies. Certain embodiments utilize tri-staple drivers which simultaneously eject three staples from a staple cartridge.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus is disclosed which comprises cartridge body and a layer. The layer is implantable against tissue by staples deployed from the cartridge body and deformed by an anvil. The cartridge and the layer comprise co-operating features which reduce relative movement between the cartridge and the layer. Such co-operating features can also releasably retain the layer to the cartridge body. In addition to or in lieu of the above, the anvil and the layer comprise co-operating features which reduce relative movement between the anvil and the layer. Such co-operating features can also releasably retain the layer to the anvil. In certain instances, the layer can be positioned against the anvil, but releasably attached to the cartridge. The layer can comprise buttress material and/or a tissue thickness compensator, for example.

Abstract: A surgical staple cartridge is disclosed comprising a plurality of staples removably stored within the surgical staple cartridge. The staples comprise staple legs which extend from a staple base portion. The staple legs comprise staple tips configured to pierce tissue and contact a corresponding forming pocket of an anvil of surgical stapling instrument. The staples further comprise zones having different hardnesses.