Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft assembly, a stapling head assembly, an anvil, an anvil adjustment assembly, a trigger, and a lockout assembly. The stapling head assembly is operable to drive an annular array of staples. The anvil is configured to couple with the stapling head assembly. The anvil adjustment assembly includes a translating member, which translates relative to the body to thereby adjust the longitudinal position of the anvil relative to the stapling head assembly. The trigger is operable to actuate the stapling head assembly. The lockout assembly includes an electrically powered braking feature. A method of operating the surgical instrument includes providing the lockout assembly in a first state to permit translation of the translating member. The translating member is then translated. The lockout assembly is then transitioned to a second state to prevent further translation of the translating member.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft, a stapling head assembly, and an anvil. The body includes a motor, a first user input feature, and a second user input feature. The first user input feature is operable to activate the motor. The shaft extends distally from the body. The stapling head assembly is positioned at a distal end of the shaft. The stapling head assembly includes an anvil coupling feature, at least one annular array of staples, and a staple driver. The second user input feature is operable to drive the anvil coupling feature longitudinally. The staple driver is operable to drive the at least one annular array of staples. The motor is operable to drive the staple driver. The anvil is configured to couple with the anvil coupling feature. The anvil is further configured to deform the staples driven by the staple driver.

Abstract: A knotless coupler for securing a fishing line to a fishing implement is disclosed. The knotless coupler comprises a shaft portion and a nut. The shaft portion is configured to be attached to the fishing implement. The shaft portion comprises a plurality of external threads and an external line-receiving groove formed across at least some of the external threads. The nut is configured to be threadably engaged with the external threads of the shaft portion. The nut is movable between a non-gripping position and a line-gripping position. A portion of the fishing line is inserted through an opening in the nut and into the external line-receiving groove when the nut is in the non-gripping position. The portion of the fishing line is secured within the external line-receiving groove by the nut when the nut is in the line-gripping position.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft, a stapling head assembly, and an anvil. The body includes a motor, a first user input feature, and a second user input feature. The first user input feature is operable to activate the motor. The shaft extends distally from the body. The stapling head assembly is positioned at a distal end of the shaft. The stapling head assembly includes an anvil coupling feature, at least one annular array of staples, and a staple driver. The second user input feature is operable to drive the anvil coupling feature longitudinally. The staple driver is operable to drive the at least one annular array of staples. The motor is operable to drive the staple driver. The anvil is configured to couple with the anvil coupling feature. The anvil is further configured to deform the staples driven by the staple driver.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft, a stapling head assembly, and an anvil. The body includes a motor, a first user input feature, and a second user input feature. The first user input feature is operable to activate the motor. The shaft extends distally from the body. The stapling head assembly is positioned at a distal end of the shaft. The stapling head assembly includes an anvil coupling feature, at least one annular array of staples, and a staple driver. The second user input feature is operable to drive the anvil coupling feature longitudinally. The staple driver is operable to drive the at least one annular array of staples. The motor is operable to drive the staple driver. The anvil is configured to couple with the anvil coupling feature. The anvil is further configured to deform the staples driven by the staple driver.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an anvil, a closure assembly, a firing assembly, and a casing assembly. The firing assembly includes a staple driver and an annular array of staples. The casing assembly includes a first section and a second section. The first section includes a first handle portion, a first shaft portion, and a tubular casing. The tubular casing slidably houses the staple driver. The first section defines a homogenous continuum of material along the length of the first handle portion, the first shaft portion, and the tubular casing. The second section includes a second handle portion and a second shaft portion. The second handle portion is laterally coupled with the first handle portion. The second shaft portion is laterally coupled with the first shaft portion. The second section defines a homogenous continuum of material along the length of the second handle portion and the second shaft portion.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a handle portion, an end effector, an anvil, a knob, and a monolithic closure rod. The monolithic closure rod includes a proximal shank portion, a distal trocar portion, and a band portion. The proximal shank portion is located within the handle portion and is configured to linearly actuate in response to rotation of the knob. The distal trocar portion is configured to selectively couple with the anvil in order to actuate the anvil relative to the end effector. The band portion extends between the proximal shank portion and the distal trocar portion and provides a reduced cross-sectional area. The monolithic closure rod consists of a single homogenous continuum of material extending along the lengths of the proximal shank portion, the band portion, and the distal trocar portion.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a shaftless end effector is disclosed. The end effector can comprise an anvil assembly including a staple forming surface. The end effector can also comprise a staple cartridge channel configured to receive a staple cartridge therein. The end effector can include a closure system configured to close the anvil. In various instances, the closure system can also form the staples contained within the staple cartridge. The end effector can also include a cutting member configured to cut tissue positioned intermediate the anvil and the staple cartridge. In various instances, the cutting member can be actuated by the closure system. In other instances, the end effector can include an independent system for actuating the cutting member. In various instances, the end effector can be delivered to a surgical site through a trocar and then operated by one or more actuators that are assembled to the end effector.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body assembly, an end effector, and a firing assembly. The body includes a handle portion and a shaft portion. The end effector includes a staple driver. The firing assembly includes a driver actuator and a trigger. The driver actuator is configured to actuate the staple driver. The driver actuator is slidably housed within the shaft portion. The trigger includes a lever and an integral spring member. The lever is pivotally coupled to the handle portion via a pivot boss of the handle portion. The trigger is configured to pivot between a first position and a second position to slide the driver actuator within the shaft portion, to thereby actuate the staple driver. The integral spring member is at least partially housed within a spring channel of the handle portion and is configured to resiliently bias the trigger toward the first position.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft, a stapling head assembly, and an anvil. The body includes a motor, a first user input feature, and a second user input feature. The first user input feature is operable to activate the motor. The shaft extends distally from the body. The stapling head assembly is positioned at a distal end of the shaft. The stapling head assembly includes an anvil coupling feature, at least one annular array of staples, and a staple driver. The second user input feature is operable to drive the anvil coupling feature longitudinally. The staple driver is operable to drive the at least one annular array of staples. The motor is operable to drive the staple driver. The anvil is configured to couple with the anvil coupling feature. The anvil is further configured to deform the staples driven by the staple driver.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, an anvil, a firing assembly, and a closure assembly. The firing assembly includes a staple driver, a deck member, and an annular array of staples. The closure assembly includes a trocar, a knob, and a limiting adjustment feature. The trocar is configured to actuate the anvil relative to the body to capture tissue between the anvil and the deck member. The knob is configured to rotate relative to the body to actuate the trocar relative to the body. The limiting adjustment feature is configured to selectively rotate the knob to actuate the trocar and the anvil proximally until tissue captured between the anvil and the deck member is compressed under a predetermined maximum clamping force. The limiting adjustment feature is configured to slip relative to the knob when tissue captured between then anvil and the deck member is compressed over the predetermined maximum clamping force.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, an end effector, a trocar, and an anvil. The anvil head includes an annular surface defining a plurality of staple forming pockets. The plurality of staple forming pockets are configured to deform the plurality of staples when the anvil is in the staple forming position. The shank extends proximally from the annular stapling head. The shank and the anvil head cooperatively define a bore dimensioned to receive a portion of the trocar. The shank defines a lateral opening. The latch member is pivotally coupled with the shank via a living hinge. The latch member comprises a latch shelf configured to selectively couple the anvil with trocar when the trocar is inserted into the bore.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft, a stapling head assembly, and an anvil. The body includes a motor, a first user input feature, and a second user input feature. The first user input feature is operable to activate the motor. The shaft extends distally from the body. The stapling head assembly is positioned at a distal end of the shaft. The stapling head assembly includes an anvil coupling feature, at least one annular array of staples, and a staple driver. The second user input feature is operable to drive the anvil coupling feature longitudinally. The staple driver is operable to drive the at least one annular array of staples. The motor is operable to drive the staple driver. The anvil is configured to couple with the anvil coupling feature. The anvil is further configured to deform the staples driven by the staple driver.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a body assembly, a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, an articulation section, an end effector, and an articulation drive assembly. The shaft extends distally from the body assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. The acoustic waveguide comprises a flexible portion. The articulation section is coupled with the shaft. A portion of the articulation section encompasses the flexible portion of the waveguide. The articulation section comprises a plurality of body portions aligned along the longitudinal axis and a flexible locking member. The flexible locking member is operable to secure the body portions in relation to each other and in relation to the shaft. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the waveguide. The articulation drive assembly is operable to drive articulation of the articulation section to thereby deflect the end effector from the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Fishing lures with arrangements for attaching fishing lines thereto.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft assembly, a stapling head assembly, an anvil, an anvil adjustment assembly, a trigger, and a lockout assembly. The stapling head assembly is operable to drive an annular array of staples. The anvil is configured to couple with the stapling head assembly. The anvil adjustment assembly includes a translating member, which translates relative to the body to thereby adjust the longitudinal position of the anvil relative to the stapling head assembly. The trigger is operable to actuate the stapling head assembly. The lockout assembly includes an electrically powered braking feature. A method of operating the surgical instrument includes providing the lockout assembly in a first state to permit translation of the translating member. The translating member is then translated. The lockout assembly is then transitioned to a second state to prevent further translation of the translating member.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft assembly, a stapling head assembly, an anvil, an anvil adjustment assembly, a trigger, and a lockout assembly. The stapling head assembly is operable to drive an annular array of staples. The anvil is configured to couple with the stapling head assembly. The anvil adjustment assembly includes a translating member, which translates relative to the body to thereby adjust the longitudinal position of the anvil relative to the stapling head assembly. The trigger is operable to actuate the stapling head assembly. The lockout assembly includes an electrically powered braking feature. A method of operating the surgical instrument includes providing the lockout assembly in a first state to permit translation of the translating member. The translating member is then translated. The lockout assembly is then transitioned to a second state to prevent further translation of the translating member.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for stapling tissue includes a body, a shaft assembly, and an anvil. The shaft assembly includes a stapling head assembly and an actuator. The anvil is configured to be selectively coupled to the actuator. The anvil is configured to cooperate with the stapling head assembly to staple tissue. The anvil comprises a head and a shank extending from the head. The shank includes a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen, and an engagement feature. The engagement feature is in communication with the lumen such that the engagement feature is configured to move relative to the axis in response to the rod being directed into the lumen. The engagement feature is configured to selectively couple the shank to the actuator. The proximal end of the engagement feature is radially fixed relative to the axis.

Abstract: A surgical staple and staple cartridge for removably storing the surgical staple. The surgical staple can comprise a plurality of separate and discrete staple drive surfaces. The staple drive surfaces can be configured to move along parallel paths in the staple cartridge. Additionally, the staple cartridge can comprise a staple cavity, and a plurality of lift planes can extend through the staple cavity.