Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument having an elongate shaft assembly, an articulation joint, and an end effector pivotally coupled to the elongate shaft assembly about the articulation joint is disclosed. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw pivotally coupled to the first jaw. A replaceable staple cartridge assembly comprises a cartridge body having a deck with a first tissue-facing surface comprising a plurality of staple cavities defined therein and a second tissue-facing surface stepped relative to the first tissue-facing surface. The replaceable staple cartridge further comprises a sled with a cutting surface. The end effector further comprises a drive screw extending longitudinally therewithin and a bearing, wherein a distal end of the drive screw is received by the bearing.

Abstract: A surgical severing and stapling instrument, suitable for laparoscopic and endoscopic clinical procedures, clamps tissue within an end effector of an elongate channel pivotally opposed by an anvil. An E-beam firing bar moves distally through the clamped end effector to sever tissue and to drive staples on each side of the cut. The E-beam firing bar affirmatively spaces the anvil from the elongate channel to assure properly formed closed staples, especially when an amount of tissue is clamped that is inadequate to space the end effector. In particular, an upper pin of the firing bar longitudinally moves through an anvil slot and a channel slot is captured between a lower cap and a middle pin of the firing bar to assure a minimum spacing. Forming the E-beam from a thickened distal portion and a thinned proximal strip enhances manufacturability and facilitates use in such articulating surgical instruments.

Abstract: A tissue thickness compensator comprising a first compensation layer, a second compensation layer, and a pocket situated between the compensation layers can be positioned in the end effector of a surgical instrument. A fastener cartridge positioned in the end effector can comprise a fastener moveable between an initial position and a fired position. When the fastener is moved from the initial position to the fired position, the fastener can move through the pocket and can compress a portion of the tissue thickness compensator. A support can be positioned between the first and second compensation layers. When the fastener compresses the tissue thickness compensator, at least one of the support, first compensation layer and second compensation layer can be deformed. The tissue thickness compensator can also comprise a tab and/or a limiting plate to control deformation of the compensation layers and/or the support.

Abstract: A surgical stapler comprising an end effector and a system configured to feed staples into the end effector is disclosed.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a first modular assembly including at least one operator input feature an ultrasonic transducer supported by the first modular assembly, and a second modular assembly configured to be removably coupled with the first modular assembly. The second modular assembly includes at least a portion of an end effector extending distally from a distal end portion of the second modular assembly. The instrument includes a mechanical lockout assembly configured to switch between at least an unlocked configuration and a locked configuration. In the locked configuration, the first modular assembly and the second modular assembly are partially coupled together such that the operator is physically prevented from activating the instrument using the operator input feature. In the unlocked configuration, the first modular assembly and the second modular assembly are completely coupled together and the operator is able to activate the instrument using the operator input feature.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for robotic surgery, and in particular for controlling various motions of a tool based on visual indicators. In general, a surgical tool can include an elongate shaft and an end effector coupled to a distal end of the elongate shaft and including first and second jaws. The tool can have at least one visual indicator disposed thereon and configured to indicate a size, position, or speed of movement of the tool or components of the tool.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a transducer assembly with a housing having a conduit section and a base portion. A fluid passageway is defined through the conduit and base portion, an ultrasonic transducer including a plurality of piezoelectric elements and a plurality of electrodes are arranged in a stack configuration, where an electrode is located between each pair of piezoelectric elements. A first borehole is defined through the ultrasonic transducer and an end mass having a second borehole defined therethrough. A surface of the end mass is positioned adjacent a first end of the ultrasonic transducer, the end mass is configured to engage with the housing, and the conduit section of the housing is configured to pass through the second borehole of the end mass. The end mass is configured to compress the ultrasonic transducer against a surface of the housing when the end mass is engaged with the housing.

Abstract: A method of operating an articulatable surgical instrument. The method includes providing a rotary drive motion to a rotary drive member of a surgical end effector and converting the rotary drive motion to an upper axial motion and a lower axial motion at locations that are distal to the articulation joint. The method further includes applying the upper axial motion to an upper portion of a firing member and applying the lower axial motion to a lower portion of the firing member such that the upper axial motion and lower axial motion drives the firing member distally through the surgical end effector from a starting position to an ending position.

Abstract: A cover member for a surgical staple cartridge. The cover member is configured to retain a wedge sled within the staple cartridge in a starting position when the cover member is attached to the body of the staple cartridge. The cover member includes a top portion that covers all of the fastener openings in the deck of the staple cartridge when the cover is attached to the cartridge.

Abstract: A surgical instrument. The surgical instrument comprises a plurality of sensors, and a status module releasably connected to the surgical instrument. The status module comprises a plurality of contacts, a circuit, and a plurality of indicators. Each individual contact is in electrical communication with a different sensor. The circuit is in electrical communication with at least one of the contacts. At least one of the indicators is in electrical communication with the circuit.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for use during a surgical procedure includes an instrument body, an ultrasonic transducer assembly extending along a longitudinal axis, a power cord, and a transducer slip joint. The ultrasonic transducer assembly is rotatably mounted within the instrument body about the longitudinal axis and defines a first outer profile. The power cord projects from the instrument body to provide electrical power to the ultrasonic transducer assembly for operating an acoustic waveguide. The transducer slip joint is positioned between the power cord and the ultrasonic transducer assembly and electrically and mechanically connects the power cord to the ultrasonic transducer assembly. The ultrasonic transducer assembly selectively rotates relative to the power cord for inhibiting the power cord from winding upon rotation of the ultrasonic transducer assembly. The transducer slip joint also defines a second outer profile that fits within the first outer profile of the ultrasonic transducer assembly.

Abstract: A method for generating and updating a three-dimensional representation of a surgical site based on imaging data from an imaging system is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of generating a first image of the surgical site based on structured electromagnetic radiation emitted from the imaging system, receiving a second image of the surgical site, aligning the first image and the second image, generating a three-dimensional representation of the surgical site based on the first image and the second image as aligned, displaying the three-dimensional representation on a display screen, receiving a user selection to manipulate the three-dimensional representation, and updating the three-dimensional representation as displayed on the display screen from a first state to a second state according to the received user selection.

Abstract: A surgical hub for prioritizing data on a display using situational awareness of a medical instrument may be provided. A first surgical task that uses a medical instrument during a medical procedure may be determined based on a contextual data. A second surgical task that uses the medical instrument may be determined based on the first surgical task and the contextual data. A message may be sent that may instruct a display to prioritize a display data associated with the second surgical task.

Abstract: Examples herein describes a powered surgical end-effector that may include a controllable jaw configured to operate on a tissue, an updatable memory having stored therein a default actuation algorithm, and and a processor. The processor may be configured to operate in a first mode at a first time, wherein in the first mode the processor may be configured to operate an aspect of the controllable jaw according to the default actuation algorithm. The processor may receive data at a second time, after the first time, that may cause the processor to operate in a second mode, wherein in the second mode the processor may be configured to operate an aspect of the controllable jaw according to an alternative actuation algorithm.

Abstract: A surgical severing and stapling instrument, suitable for laparoscopic and endoscopic clinical procedures, clamps tissue within an end effector of an elongate channel pivotally opposed by an anvil. An E-beam firing bar moves distally through the clamped end effector to sever tissue and to drive staples on each side of the cut. The E-beam firing bar affirmatively spaces the anvil from the elongate channel to assure properly formed closed staples, especially when an amount of tissue is clamped that is inadequate to space the end effector. In particular, an upper pin of the firing bar longitudinally moves through an anvil slot and a channel slot is captured between a lower cap and a middle pin of the firing bar to assure a minimum spacing. Forming the E-beam from a thickened distal portion and a thinned proximal strip enhances manufacturability and facilitates use in such articulating surgical instruments.

Abstract: Examples herein describe a surgical instrument that deliver a first energy and a second energy configured to seal the tissue. The first energy may be operated by a first energy algorithm and second energy may be operated by a second energy algorithm. The surgical instrument may include an updatable memory that may store a default control algorithm that may control both the first energy algorithm and the second energy algorithm simultaneously. The surgical instrument may include a processor that may be configured to operate in a first mode at a first time, wherein in the first mode the processor may be configured to operate according to the default control algorithm. The processor may receive data at a second time that may cause the processor to operate in a second mode, wherein in the second mode the processor may be configured to operate according to an alternative control algorithm.

Abstract: In general, systems, methods, and devices for modeling air leaks in lungs are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the systems, methods, and devices provide a model to allow for simulation of negative and positive pressure ventilation modes in vitro, which may allow for evaluation and investigation of pathologies and interventions. In addition to ventilation functions the model includes submersion of the lung sample in fluid inside a chamber and cycling the fluid through a collection system to collect air leaked from the lung. The model can allow for quantification and visual observation of air leaks in real time.

Abstract: An end effector includes a distal clevis, an axle mounted to the distal clevis, a first jaw holder and corresponding first jaw member rotatably mounted to the axle, and second jaw holder and corresponding second jaw member rotatably mounted to the axle. A cylindrical sleeve axle having opposing first and second ends and defining a central passageway extending between the opposing first and second ends, the sleeve axle providing a continuously straight and uninterrupted outer surface extending entirely between the opposing first and second ends. The axle is received within the central passageway and the sleeve axle is rotatable relative to the axle.