Abstract: An apparatus is configured to operate on tissue. The apparatus includes an end effector with an upper jaw and a lower jaw. The upper jaw is configured to pivot relative to the lower jaw. The apparatus also includes an electrode cap coupled to either the upper or lower jaw. The electrode cap includes a first electrode surface configured at a first polarity and a second electrode surface configured at a second polarity. The second polarity is opposite to the first polarity. The electrode cap is configured to be applied to tissue such that the electrode cap is operable to deliver bipolar RF energy to the tissue. The electrode cap may be used to selectively weld bleeding tissue in a localized fashion, without having to place the tissue between the jaws, and without having to use an instrument separate from the jaws.

Abstract: A surgical instrument, in at least one form, includes an end effector and a power module. The power module may include a first motion conversion assembly. The first motion conversion assembly includes a first rotary drive and a first axial drive operably coupled to the first rotary drive. The power module may further include a second motion conversion assembly which may include a second rotary drive and a second axial drive operably coupled to the second rotary drive. The power module may further include a motor configured to generate at least one rotational motion to actuate the end effector and a transmission assembly configured to selectively engage the motor with the first rotary drive and the second rotary drive, wherein the motor is concentrically arranged with the first rotary drive and the second rotary drive.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating on tissue includes an end effector, an actuator, and a spring assembly. The end effector includes a first jaw and a second jaw that pivots relative to the first jaw from an open position to a closed position. The actuator is coupled with the second jaw to pivot the second jaw relative to the first jaw. The spring assembly is coupled with the actuator and is adjustable from a first position to a second position. The spring assembly compresses to resiliently bias the actuator to pivot the second jaw to the open position when the spring assembly is in the first position. The spring assembly compresses a smaller amount when the spring assembly is in the second position.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating on tissue includes an outer sheath, upper and lower jaws connected at a pivot point, and a firing beam comprising a distal pair of flanges. The firing beam is configured to be received within slots defined in the upper and lower jaws to close the jaws. A proximal portion of the upper jaw defines a lever arm, and a free end of the lever arm extends proximally past a distal end of the lower jaw and proximally past the pivot point. The lever arm includes a pair of segments defining a portion of the slot of the upper jaw. The segments are configured for receipt through an outer sheath aperture. The pair of segments are operable to abut a distal end of the distal pair of flanges or be driven by the distal pair of flanges to assist with closure of the jaws.

Abstract: A fastener cartridge can comprise a cartridge body and a layer, such as a tissue thickness compensator, for example, releasably attached to the cartridge body. The tissue thickness compensator can comprise a compressible first portion and a second support portion. The second portion can be rigid and can support the first portion when mounted thereto. The properties of the first portion and/or the second portion can be selected so as to prevent the premature deflection and release from the cartridge body. The fastener cartridge can further comprise one or more attachment portions configured to releasably hold the tissue thickness compensator to the cartridge body. The attachment portions can be configured to permit a firing member to pass therethrough. In some circumstances, the tissue thickness compensator can be configured to hold the firing member in an unfired position until a sufficient firing force has been applied to the firing member.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical staple cartridge is provided. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge housing, a knife, a first row of staple pockets, a second row of staple pockets, and a third row of staple pockets. The staple cartridge further comprises a plurality of first staples, a plurality of second staples, and a plurality of third staples. The staple cartridge further comprises, one, a first staple driver oriented to drive a first staple out of the staple pockets in the first row, a second staple out of the staple pockets in the second row, and a third staple out of the staple pockets in the third row and, two, a second staple driver oriented to drive a total of four staples out of the staple pockets in the first row, the second row and the third row of staple pockets.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a shaft and an end effector. The end effector is positioned at the distal end of the shaft and is operable to form a fastener assembly to secure tissue. The end effector includes first and second fastener assembly forming features. The first fastener assembly forming feature is rotatable relative to the shaft. The fastener assembly is formed by first and second fastener assembly members. The first fastener assembly member comprises a buttress strip received by the first fastener assembly forming feature. The second fastener assembly member comprises either a wire with protruding portions or a fastener strip with integral protruding fasteners. The buttress strip receives the protruding portions or protruding fasteners to secure tissue between the buttress strip and the wire or fastener strip. The end effector may transect layers of tissue and fasten the layers of tissue together on each side of the transection.

Abstract: A surgical device for clipping tissue can include an actuator, such as a handle or a robotic arm, for example, and a replaceable end effector including a plurality of clips contained therein. After the replaceable end effector has been used, the end effector can be detached from the actuator and a new end effector can be operably coupled with the actuator. Each replaceable end effector can include a firing drive for advancing clips into a receiver of the end effector and a crimping drive configured to deform a clip positioned within the receiver.

Abstract: A hand-held, electrically powered and controlled surgical stapler/cutter includes a handle shaped to fit in one hand of a user and a surgical end effector connected to the handle. The handle contains therein a selectively actuated, self-contained electric power supply having at least one battery cell, at least part of an anvil control assembly, and at least part of an electrically-powered stapler/cutter control assembly electrically connected to the power supply. The surgical end effector is operatively connected to each of the anvil control assembly and the stapler/cutter control assembly. The stapler/cutter control assembly staples and cuts tissue disposed at the surgical end effector when powered by the power supply.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a surgical end effector having an actuation assembly operable to effect a surgical procedure when actuated, a part of the actuation assembly being movable between a first position and second position, and a handle connected to the end effector for actuating the actuation assembly, the handle having a power supply disposed within the handle, a motor disposed within the handle and electrically powered by the power supply, a transmission connecting the motor to the moving part and operational to displace the moving part anywhere between the first and second positions when the motor is operated, and a manual release mechanism that selectively interrupts the transmission and, during interruption, displaces the moving part towards the first position independent of operation of the motor.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to an electrosurgical systems and methods for providing an electrosurgical signal to a patient. An electrosurgical signal defining a plurality of pulses may be provided to first and second electrodes. A first reading may be received indicating an impedance between the first and second electrodes taken at a first point of a first pulse of the electrosurgical signal. A second reading may indicate the impedance a first point of a second pulse of the electrosurgical signal, where the first point of the first pulse and the first point of the second pulse are at equivalent positions within the first and second pulses. Based on a comparison of the first reading and the second reading, a short circuit may be determined and a signal indicating the short circuit may be generated.

Abstract: In various forms, the modular motor control system may comprise one or more motor controllers each having an associated motor. The one or more motor controllers may be in communication with a master controller. The master controller is configured to provide control signals to the motor controllers to control the associated motors. In some forms, the one or more motor controllers and the associated motors may be located within a surgical module. The surgical module may provide a communications interface between the master controller and the one or more motor controllers.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a shaft, end effector and movable cutting member. The movable cutting member may comprise a first band comprising a first band slot having a distal portion and a proximal portion. A width of the first band slot at the distal portion may be larger than a width of the first band slot at the proximal portion. The movable cutting member may comprise a second band comprising a second band slot having a distal portion and a proximal portion. A width of the second band slot at the proximal portion may be larger than a width of the second band slot at the distal portion. The movable cutting member may comprise a pin positioned within the first band slot and the second band slot. The pin may comprise a middle portion having a middle portion diameter and at least one outer portion having an outer portion diameter.

Abstract: A fastener cartridge can comprise a cartridge body including a plurality of fastener cavities and a plurality of fasteners removably stored therein. The fastener cartridge can further comprise a firing member including a first ramp surface and a second ramp surface which can be configured to co-operatively lift and eject the fasteners from the fastener cavities. The first ramp surface can initially lift the fasteners. The second ramp surface can then complete the lift of the fasteners. In such circumstances, the fasteners can be transferred from the first ramp surface to the second ramp surface of the firing member. In various circumstances, the first ramp surface and/or the second ramp surface can directly engage the fasteners. In other circumstances, the fastener cartridge can include fastener drivers which are directly lifted by the first ramp surface and/or the second ramp surface. The fastener cartridge can further include an anvil.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a pivotable trigger, and a ratcheting assembly. The ratcheting assembly may include a rotary ratchet coupled to the trigger and a pawl coupled to the body. The rotary ratchet may further include a ramp that disengages the ratchet from the pawl. A release feature may be included to selectively disengage a second member of the ratcheting assembly from a first member. In some versions, the release feature may include a rotation knob or a slidable handle. In another configuration, the ratcheting assembly may have a first member coupled to an actuator and a second member coupled to the body. The assembly may include a lock member coupled to the body that selectively engages a plurality of teeth disposed on the actuator. Alternatively, the assembly may include a pivotable pawl coupled to the actuator that engages one or more notches formed in the body.

Abstract: Methods and devices for using surgical devices with articulating end effectors are provided. Surgical devices with articulating end effectors can provide rotary driven pivoting of the end effector. In some embodiments, the device can include a handle, a first and a second tube extending from the handle, the second tube disposed within the first tube, and an end effector that includes a pair of distal jaws configured to move in response to rotation of the first tube about a longitudinal axis thereof and rotation of the second tube about a longitudinal axis thereof. The jaws can move in two different ways depending on whether the first and second tubes are rotating in a same direction as one another or in different ways than each other. The jaws can open/close and articulate using the same mechanical mechanism. The device can be powered, or the device can be non-powered.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical stapler is disclosed. The stapler comprises a handle, a shaft, and a surgical end effector extending from the shaft. The stapler further comprises a firing member configured to move through a plurality of positions during a firing stroke, an electric motor configured to drive the firing member during the firing stroke, and a control system for controlling the electric motor. The control system comprises a battery and a pulse frequency modulation circuit configured to control the frequency of pulses supplied from the battery to the electric motor, wherein the pulse frequency modulation circuit is configured to optimize the speed applied to the firing member.

Abstract: A method for suture lacing includes providing a suture with a needle attached thereto, inserting the needle and suture into an organ through a passageway, throwing a single stitch through a first tissue member, throwing a single stitch through an opposed and spaced apart second tissue member, repeating the preceding step at least once, bringing the first and second tissue members in contact by tensioning the suture, whereby suture drag is minimized during the tensioning and even tissue compression substantially achieved, and securing the suture.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises an end effector, an elongate shaft, and a handle assembly. The shaft includes an articulation section that is operable to deflect the end effector away from the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The handle assembly includes a rotary member positioned within an intermediate section of the handle assembly. The rotary member is rotatable about an axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The rotary member is operable to control the articulation section of the shaft. The rotary member may include opposing thread sections that simultaneously drive lead screws in opposite longitudinal directions, to thereby control the articulation section. The shaft may be rotatable relative to the handle assembly, and the apparatus may selectively lock or resist such rotation based on the articulation state of the articulation section.

Abstract: A device for guiding electrodes relative to a tissue treatment region. The device can comprise a body have a plurality of passages therethrough. Each passage can axially restrain an electrode positioned therein. When each electrode is axially restrained in a passage, the distal ends of the electrodes can be spaced a predetermined distance apart. Further, the electrodes can be held in a parallel or substantially parallel alignment when axially retained in the passages. The predetermined distance between the electrodes can correspond to a treatment distance in a tissue treatment region and the distal ends of the electrodes can be operably structured to conduct current therebetween when at least one of electrodes is energized by an energy source.