Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body portion, a shaft, and an end effector that is operable to compress, staple, and cut tissue. The end effector includes and anvil and a staple cartridge. The anvil has a body and a modular releasable curved tip that connects with the body. The curved tip may be elastically deformable. The curved anvil tip and the tip of the cartridge include cooperating features that assist in gripping tissue during clamping. A separate cartridge may be provided that retains a replacement anvil tip and a replacement staple cartridge, where the replacement anvil tip and staple cartridge include the cooperating features. The separate cartridge may also include anvil tip and staple cartridge removal features to assist in removal of previously installed anvil tips and staple cartridges.

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 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: Stapling assemblies for use with a surgical stapler and methods for manufacturing the same are provided. Three dimensional adjuncts for use with a surgical stapling assembly and methods for manufacturing the same are also provided.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body assembly, a shaft assembly that releasably attaches to the body assembly, and an end effector at a distal end of the shaft assembly. The body assembly includes a first electrical contact and a first sealing portion. The shaft assembly includes a second electrical contact and a second sealing portion. The first and second electrical contacts are configured to electrically couple together to establish an electrical connection therebetween when the shaft assembly is attached to the body assembly. The first and second sealing portions are configured to sealingly engage one another when the shaft assembly is attached to the body assembly to establish a liquid-tight seal that surrounds the electrical connection.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes an RF current generator, a handle body, and an end effector in mechanical communication with the handle body. The end effector has a first jaw including a first electrode having a first electrode surface in electrical communication with a first terminal of the generator. The end effector also includes a second jaw including a second electrode having an essentially planar second electrode surface in electrical communication with a second terminal of the generator The first jaw includes at least one feature configured to apply an amount of a compressive force to a tissue compressed between the at least one feature and the second electrode surface that differs from an amount of a compressive force applied to the tissue compressed between the first electrode surface and the second electrode surface when the first jaw is placed in a proximate position to the second jaw.

Abstract: A surgical tool includes a drive housing, a drive input and input shaft rotatably mounted to the drive housing, and a drive assembly mounted to the input shaft and including an upper capstan rotatably mounted to the input shaft with a first one-way bearing, and a lower capstan rotatably mounted to the input shaft with a second one-way bearing. First and second drive cables are coupled to the upper and lower capstans and extend to an end effector of the surgical tool. Rotating the input shaft in a first angular direction rotationally disengages the lower capstan from the input shaft and drives the upper capstan in the first angular direction, and rotating the input shaft in a second angular direction rotationally disengages the upper capstan from the input shaft and drives the lower capstan in the second angular direction.

Abstract: A laparoscopic stapler for stapling tissue is provided for better anastomosis with less leakage. The laparoscopic stapler comprises a staple housing assembly operable to drive staples toward an anvil assembly to perform tissue stapling, wherein the staple housing assembly comprises a pocket for containing bio-glue so that upon tissue stapling, the bio-glue is released and delivered into tissue clamped between the staple housing assembly and the anvil assembly for tissue gluing.

Abstract: An electromechanical robotic arm is provided having a distal end with a tool engaging member configured to mate with an electromechanical tool and a trocar holding member configured to mate with a trocar. The trocar holding member can have at least one engagement mechanism configured to engage and orient a trocar to mate the trocar to the trocar holding member in a desired orientation.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus can include a robotic arm cart for transporting, delivering, and securing robotic arms to a surgical table having a table top on which a patient can be disposed. The arm cart can include an arm container and a base. The arm container can be configured to receive and contain one or more robotic arms. The arm cart can include a first coupling member configured to engage with a second coupling member associated with a surgical table such that, when the first coupling member is engaged with the second coupling member, the one or more robotic arms can be releasably coupled with the surgical table. The arm cart can provide for movement of the one or more robotic arms in at least one of a lateral, longitudinal, or vertical direction relative to the table top prior to the securement of the one or more robotic arms to the surgical table.

Abstract: A trocar assembly includes a seal assembly that maintains insufflation pressure when sized seal cartridges are removed and replaced. The trocar assembly includes a housing that defines a working chamber, and a cannula distally extends from the housing and defines a lumen that communicates with the working chamber. The seal cartridge is arranged within the working chamber, and may include one or both of a proximal seal assembly and a distal seal assembly arranged distally from the proximal seal assembly, and may further include a bushing extending distally from a distal end of the seal cartridge and into the lumen. A tertiary seal may also be positioned within the working chamber distal to the seal cartridge, such that the bushing extends through the tertiary seal when the seal cartridge is received within the working chamber.

Abstract: A surgical visualization system is disclosed. The surgical visualization system is configured to identify one or more structure(s) and/or determine one or more distances with respect to obscuring tissue and/or the identified structure(s). The surgical visualization system can facilitate avoidance of the identified structure(s) by a surgical device. The surgical visualization system can comprise a first emitter configured to emit a plurality of tissue-penetrating light waves and a second emitter configured to emit structured light onto the surface of tissue. The surgical visualization system can also include an image sensor configured to detect reflected visible light, tissue-penetrating light, and/or structured light. The surgical visualization system can convey information to one or more clinicians regarding the position of one or more hidden identified structures and/or provide one or more proximity indicators.

Abstract: Devices and methods for detecting meal intake are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, one or more sensors can be used to detect or monitor physiological parameters of a user (e.g., heart rate, body movements, temperature, pH, impedance, gastric stretch, sound emissions, and the like). The outputs of the sensors can be received by a computer system configured to analyze the sensor data and make a determination as to whether meal intake has occurred or is presently occurring. The computer system's determination can be used to trigger, modulate, or otherwise control one or more therapeutic devices. Other types of devices can also be controlled using this determination, such as monitoring or logging devices.

Abstract: Various trocars and trocar supports are provided for allowing an insufflation port on the trocar to be coupled through the trocar support to an insufflation fluid. In one embodiment, the trocar includes a housing, a cannula extending through the housing, and an insufflation port projecting from the housing. A trocar support is provided having an opening that receives the insufflation port on the housing such that the insufflation port is unobtrusive during use and can be connected and disconnected rapidly.

Abstract: Various systems and methods of controlling a surgical instrument are disclosed. In one aspect, the surgical instrument includes a displacement member movable between a first position and a second position, a sensor configured to detect the position of the displacement member, and a display. The surgical instrument is configured to determine whether the surgical instrument is in a firing state and cause the display to display the position of the displacement member upon the surgical instrument being in the firing state.

Abstract: An articulable wrist for an end effector includes a distal linkage provided at a distal end of the articulable wrist, a proximal linkage provided at a proximal end of the articulable wrist, and a central channel cooperatively defined by the distal and proximal linkages and extending between the distal and proximal ends. A flexible member is arranged within the central channel, and one or more stiffening members are arranged within the flexible member and extend at least partially between the first and second ends. The stiffening members operate to increase a stiffness of the flexible member and the articulable wrist against bending.

Abstract: A surgical circular stapler has a handle assembly, a shaft, a stapling assembly, a motor, a drive assembly, and a firing assembly. The shaft extends distally from the handle assembly. The stapling assembly is secured to a distal end of the shaft. Longitudinal translation of the firing assembly causes the stapling assembly to drive a plurality of staples in a circular array to secure two lumens of tissue together. The stapling assembly may further drive a blade to sever any excess tissue interior of the circular array of staples. The motor is operable to rotate the drive assembly to thereby translate the firing assembly. A resilient member biases the firing assembly proximally. Through cooperation between the firing assembly and the resilient member, the firing assembly is driven distally and proximally to complete a firing stroke in response to rotation of the drive assembly through a single revolution.

Abstract: Robotic surgical tools can incorporate a latching mechanism as a secondary fastener to maintain operable coupling between the robotic surgical tool and a mounting fixture of a robotic manipulator. Such robotic surgical tools may comprise: a tool housing, an elongate shaft extending from the tool housing, and a latching mechanism arranged on the elongate shaft. The latching mechanism comprises one or more retention tabs that are biased radially outward with one or more biasing members. The one or more retention tabs are configured to transition between a retracted state and a deployed state under influence of a biasing force supplied by the one or more biasing members. In the deployed state, the one or more retention tabs are positioned to engage an exterior surface of a mounting fixture of a robotic manipulator. In the retracted state, the one or more retention tabs are positioned to disengage from the mounting fixture.

Abstract: An instrument includes a body, a shaft, and an end effector in communication with the shaft. The end effector includes opposing jaws, a staple cartridge, and a placement tip located at a distal end of one of the jaws. The placement tip includes first and second legs extending distally from one of the jaws. A void extends completely through the placement tip and separates the first and second legs. A distal portion connects the first and second legs. The distal portion has a first cross-sectional height that is greater than a second cross-sectional height of the first and second legs. The placement tip may include a body portion formed between an outer perimeter and an inner perimeter. The inner perimeter is defined by a void extending through the placement tip. At least a distal end of the body portion is bent towards the opposing jaw.