Abstract: A stapling end effector includes an anvil assembly having a distal end and defining a plurality of staple forming pockets, and a cartridge assembly pivotal relative to the anvil assembly such that the end effector is movable between open and clamped positions. The anvil assembly supports a plurality of staples corresponding to the plurality of staple forming pockets. The surgical stapling instrument further includes a sensing tip disposed on a distal end of the end effector. The sensing tip is formed of a flexible material and includes at least one sensor for measuring at least one mechanical property. The mechanical property may include force, pressure or torque.

Abstract: A loading unit for a surgical stapling apparatus includes an anvil assembly, a staple cartridge assembly, and a surgical buttress assembly associated with the anvil or the staple cartridge assembly. Each of the anvil and staple cartridge assemblies has a tissue facing surface defining a central longitudinal slot therethrough. The surgical buttress assembly includes a buttress material positioned on the tissue facing surface of the anvil or staple cartridge assembly and a buttress frame supporting the buttress material. The buttress frame is movable from an undeployed position in which the buttress frame retains the buttress material within the boundaries of the tissue facing surface of the anvil or staple cartridge assembly to a deployed position in which the buttress frame extends the buttress material laterally outwardly from the anvil or staple cartridge assembly.

Abstract: A stapling end effector includes an anvil assembly having a distal end and defining a plurality of staple forming pockets, and a cartridge assembly pivotal relative to the anvil assembly such that the end effector is movable between open and clamped positions. The anvil assembly supports a plurality of staples corresponding to the plurality of staple forming pockets. The surgical stapling instrument further includes a sensing tip disposed on a distal end of the end effector. The sensing tip is formed of a flexible material and includes at least one sensor for measuring at least one mechanical property. The mechanical property may include force, pressure or torque.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes a tool assembly that includes a staple cartridge having a cartridge body that defines a central knife slot, rows of first staple receiving pockets on one side of the central knife slot, and a row of second staple receiving pockets on a second side of the knife slot. The first staple receiving pockets receive staples having a substantially U-shaped configuration that can be formed into a B-shape. The second staple receiving slots receive substantially Y-shaped staples which minimize damage to tissue and can be removed from the tissue more easily to allow for pathological examination of the tissue.

Abstract: A stapling end effector includes an anvil assembly having a distal end and defining a plurality of staple forming pockets, and a cartridge assembly pivotal relative to the anvil assembly such that the end effector is movable between open and clamped positions. The anvil assembly supports a plurality of staples corresponding to the plurality of staple forming pockets. The surgical stapling instrument further includes a sensing tip disposed on a distal end of the end effector. The sensing tip is formed of a flexible material and includes at least one sensor for measuring at least one mechanical property. The mechanical property may include force, pressure or torque.

Abstract: A trocar assembly includes a housing, an elongated cannula extending from the housing to an insertion tip, and skirt. The skirt has a leading end portion and a trailing end portion. The leading end portion is secured to the insertion tip. The skirt has an outer surface supporting an antimicrobial material and an inner surface supporting a medical adhesive material.

Abstract: Surgical stapling devices have a first buttress attached to an anvil jaw member. The first buttress has a biocompatible contrast agent which elutes into tissue that is stapled, permitting intraoperative identification of cancerous cells in tissue remaining in a patient. In aspects, the surgical stapling device has a second buttress attached to a cartridge jaw member, which may also have a biocompatible contrast agent.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes a tool assembly that has a staple cartridge that includes a perfluorocarbon (hereinafter “PFC”) solution that is injected into tissue when the surgical stapling device is fired to improve oxygenation of tissue being treated. In aspects of the disclosure, the tool assembly of the surgical stapling device includes a staple cartridge that has staples that are supported on pushers and an actuation sled that is movable through the staple cartridge into engagement with the pushers to eject staples from the staple cartridge. In certain aspects of the disclosure, the PFC solution is contained within the pushers of a staple cartridge of the tool assembly and the actuation sled includes protrusions that engage the pushers to eject the PFC solution from the pushers when the stapling device is fired.

Abstract: A blood loop system for controlling blood oxygen saturation includes a conduit loop, a pump, a flow cell, a matter source, an aeration chamber, a collection chamber and an oxygen probe. The pump is coupled to the conduit loop and positioned to circulate blood through the conduit loop. The flow cell is positioned to measure a characteristic of the blood circulated through the conduit loop. The matter source includes a gas. The aeration chamber is coupled to the conduit loop and is in fluid communication with the matter source to enable the gas to combine with the blood. The collection chamber is in fluid communication with the aeration chamber and is positioned to receive the blood. The oxygen probe is positioned to measure an amount of oxygen in the blood.

Abstract: In some examples, a tool for, e.g., creating a sub-sternal tunnel in a patient or other use, is described. The tool may include a handle and a tunneling shaft coupled to the handle. The tunneling shaft extends from a proximal end to a distal end, and at least a portion of the tunneling shaft extends in a curved orientation between the first end to the distal end. The distal end of the tunneling shaft includes a cutting tool having a sharp edge. The cutting tool is moveable from a recessed position in which the sharp edge of the cutting tool is recessed into the distal end of the tunneling shaft to a deployed position in which the sharp edge of the cutting tool extends beyond the distal end of the tunneling shaft in the deployed position, e.g., to cut pericardium, scar tissue, and/or connective tissue with the sharp edge.

Abstract: Surgical stapling devices have a metal coating on an anvil jaw member of the surgical stapling device, on a surface of staple pockets of a staple cartridge of the surgical stapling device, or any combination thereof. When the surgical stapling device is fired, the metal is transferred from the metal coating on the anvil jaw member, the staple pockets of the staple cartridge, etc., onto the staple. The resulting metal coating on the staple enhances healing of the tissue to which the staple is applied.

Abstract: A system for detecting and treating an anastomotic leak includes a microcatheter implanted at an anastomosis site; a source of a perfusion fluid coupled to the microcatheter and configured to dispense the perfusion fluid to the microcatheter; and an analyzer coupled to the microcatheter configured to receive an extracellular fluid from the microcatheter and to analyze the extracellular fluid to determine status of the anastomosis site.

Abstract: A gastric positioning device includes a distal tip disposed at a distal end portion of an elongate shaft. The distal tip has an asymmetrical geometry including a closed distal end having a blunt apex aligned along a tip axis that is laterally offset from a central longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft. The gastric positioning device may additionally or alternatively include a handle extending from a proximal end portion of the elongate shaft and a force monitoring system including a force sensor for detecting force applied to the distal tip and an indicator for signaling when the force exceeds a pre-set force threshold value.

Abstract: In some examples, a tool for, e.g., creating a sub-sternal tunnel in a patient or other use, is described. The tool may include a handle and a tunneling shaft coupled to the handle. The tunneling shaft extends from a proximal end to a distal end, and at least a portion of the tunneling shaft extends in a curved orientation between the first end to the distal end. The distal end of the tunneling shaft includes a cutting tool having a sharp edge. The cutting tool is moveable from a recessed position in which the sharp edge of the cutting tool is recessed into the distal end of the tunneling shaft to a deployed position in which the sharp edge of the cutting tool extends beyond the distal end of the tunneling shaft in the deployed position, e.g., to cut pericardium, scar tissue, and/or connective tissue with the sharp edge.