Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed comprising an end effector, a frame, an articulation system configured rotate the end effector relative to the frame, and a firing system configured to perform a firing stroke within the end effector. The firing system is selectively engageable with the articulation system to rotate the end effector. In such instances, the firing system cannot perform the firing stroke until the firing system has been operably decoupled from the articulation system.

Abstract: An applicator instrument for dispensing surgical fasteners includes an elongated shaft, a housing connected with the elongated shaft, a trigger, a gear train, and a firing system disposed in the housing. The trigger is squeezed for commencing a firing cycle. The firing system includes a storage reel, a spool connected to the storage reel, a drive wheel located distal to the storage reel and the spool, a constant torque spring having a proximal end connected to the spool and a distal end connected to the drive wheel, and a flexible member in contact with the drive wheel. The flexible member has a proximal end connected to the storage reel and a length configured to be driven by the drive wheel toward the distal end of the elongated shaft.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a detector that includes an array of pixels configured to detect light reflected by a surgical device and generate a first signal. The first signal includes a first dataset representative of a visible image of the surgical device. The surgical system also includes a processor configured to receive the first signal and a second signal representative of one or more operating parameters of the surgical device. The processor is also configured to generate a modified image of the surgical device that includes information related to one or more operating parameters.

Abstract: An integral seal system includes a body that defines a central opening, and an asymmetric seal extending into the central opening and including a diaphragm and an annular flange that extends between the body and the diaphragm, wherein the diaphragm has a cross-sectional thickness larger than a cross-sectional thickness of the annular flange. A duckbill seal extends distally from a bottom of the body and defines one or more parting lines that separate opposing seal flaps. The diaphragm complements insertion and extraction drag forces generated by the duckbill seal against a surgical tool shaft extended therethrough such that total insertion and extraction drag forces generated by the integral seal system are equalized.

Abstract: Surgical tools that are capable of both manipulating a needle and cutting surgical thread during a suturing operation can sometimes be problematic due to inadvertent severing of the surgical thread. Surgical tools capable of exposing a bladed cutting surface only when severing of surgical thread is desired can substantially alleviate this issue. Such surgical tools may comprise an end effector comprising an end effector axle, a first jaw and a second jaw rotatably mounted to the end effector axle, and a first cutting body having a first blade and second cutting body having a second blade. The first cutting body is configured to move in tandem with the first jaw and the second cutting body is configured to move in tandem with the second jaw, such that the first and second blades are occluded when the first and second jaws are closed or partially opened.

Abstract: Surgical systems and methods are provided for controlling actuation and movement of various surgical devices.

Abstract: Devices and methods for delivering end effectors through surgical trocars are described herein. In one embodiment, a surgical end effector loading device is provided that includes a housing having a distal-facing first portion configured to couple with a proximal end of a surgical trocar, and an elongate second portion protruding distally from the first portion. The second portion can include a lumen formed therein and can be configured to extend into a working channel of the surgical trocar when the housing is coupled thereto. The device can also include at least one mating element coupled to the housing and configured to interface with a complementary mating element of the surgical trocar to restrict movement of the housing relative to the trocar, as well as an end effector retainer coupled to the housing and configured to selectively couple a surgical end effector to the housing.

Abstract: An instrument includes a body, a shaft extending from the body and an end effector in communication with the shaft. The end effector is operable to compress, staple, and cut tissue. The end effector includes opposing jaws, a staple cartridge, and a placement tip. At least one of the first and second jaws is movable relative to the other of the first and second jaws between an open position and a closed position. The staple cartridge is removably coupled with the second jaw. The placement tip is located at a distal end of one of the opposing jaws. The placement tip includes proximal and distal portions. The distal portion has a distal cross-sectional thickness along a transverse cross-section that is greater than a proximal cross-sectional thickness of the proximal portion along the transverse cross-section.

Abstract: A medical device is described having a handle, a shaft coupled to the handle and an end effector coupled to the shaft. In one embodiment, the device includes an ultrasonic transducer and is arranged so that ultrasonic or electrical energy can be delivered to a vessel or tissue to be treated. Various novel sensing circuits are described to allow a measure of the drive signal to be measured and fed back to a controller. An active fuse circuit is also described for protecting one or more batteries of the device from an over-current situation.

Abstract: A method of evaluating the integrity of a substrate used in medical device packaging include providing a flexible, porous substrate having a first major surface, and a second major surface, applying a UV absorbent layer over at least one of the first and second major surfaces of the substrate, and placing the substrate over a UV reflective surface. The method includes directing UV light toward the substrate and the UV reflective surface, whereby the UV absorbent layer absorbs light in a spectrum that matches the wavelength of the UV light, and detecting with a UV sensitive camera any UV light that is reflected from the first and second surfaces of the substrate. The substrate is rejected if the reflected UV light that is detected by the UV sensitive camera indicates that the substrate has at least one opening having a size that is greater than or equal to 10 microns.

Abstract: An anvil for a surgical stapler. In various arrangements, the anvil comprises an anvil body that is fabricated from a first material and a tip member that is fabricated from a second material that differs from the first material. The tip member may comprise a flexible attachment portion that is configured to be received within an opening in a distal end of the anvil body. A second attachment member is configured to non-removably engage the first flexible attachment portion to bias the first flexible attachment portion into retaining engagement with corresponding portions of the distal end of the anvil body.

Abstract: A robotic surgical system includes a robotic surgical assembly and a control assembly. The robotic surgical assembly includes a robotic actuation assembly, a processing device, and a first communication device. The robotic actuation assembly includes a robotic arm. The processing device is configured to instruct the robotic actuation assembly to perform a task based on a set of instructions. The first communication device is operable to transfer the set of instructions to the processing device. The control assembly includes a second communication device and a user input device. The second communication device is operable to communicate the set of instructions to the first communication device. The user input device assembly is configured to generate the set of instructions and send the set of instruction to the second communication device. At least a portion of the instructions are based on positioning of the user input device within three-dimensional space.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing a platform, and a first buttress assembly. The housing defines a gap configured to receive a portion of an end effector of a surgical stapler. The housing includes proximal and distal portions. A portion of the platform is exposed within the gap defined by the housing. The platform includes proximal and distal portions. The first buttress assembly is positioned on at least the proximal portion of the platform. The first buttress assembly is exposed in the gap defined by the housing. At least one of the distal portion of the platform or the distal portion of the housing includes a cavity configured to receive a curved distal tip of the end effector.

Abstract: The present invention includes a surgical stapler having a staple cartridge, an anvil, a cutting member having a cutting surface, and a driver operably engaged with the cutting member to move the cutting member relative to the anvil and the staple cartridge. In at least one embodiment, one of the anvil and the staple cartridge defines a slot which is configured to receive at least a portion of the cutting member and guide the cutting member as it is moved relative to the anvil and the staple cartridge. In these embodiments, the slot can also be configured to receive a portion of the driver operably engaged with cutting member and support the driver when it moves the cutting member. In at least one embodiment, the slot is defined by at least one radius of curvature.

Abstract: A surgical instrument including a handle assembly and an end effector, including a first jaw pivotably coupled to a second jaw, is disclosed. The handle assembly may comprise a jaw position sensor comprising a switch, a closure trigger, and a clamp spring actuatable by the closure trigger. The closure trigger may be configured to: rotate between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position corresponds to the first and second jaws in an open position and the second position corresponds to the first and second jaws in a closed position, and activate the switch of the jaw position sensor at a predetermined rotated position. The clamp spring may be configured to: cause the first and second jaws to transition between the open position and the closed position, and apply a force to the first and second jaws.

Abstract: Systems and methods for stapling tissue, a vessel, duct, etc., during a surgical procedure are provided. The surgical stapling systems generally include a circular stapling tool with a shaft extending therefrom that has an end effector at a distal end thereof. The end effector can have a staple deck and an anvil. The circular stapling tool can be configured to drive at least two circular rows of staples through tissue engaged between the staple deck and the anvil to thereby staple the tissue, and the tool can be configured to drive a knife through tissue engaged between the staple deck and the anvil to thereby cut the tissue. The surgical stapling system can also include a control system that is configured to communicate with the circular stapling tool.

Abstract: A trocar assembly includes a trocar housing defining a working chamber, a cannula extending from the trocar housing, and a tool stabilizing device arranged within at least one of the working chamber and the cannula. The tool stabilizing device includes an annular body and a plurality of radial adjustment leaves extending radially inward from the annular body and cooperatively forming an adjustable iris.

Abstract: A buttress applier cartridge assembly includes buttress assemblies and a buttress applier cartridge for use with an end effector of a surgical stapler. The buttress assemblies each include a buttress to support a staple formed therein as well an adhesive for adhering to the end effector. The buttress applier cartridge includes a housing, a platform that extends longitudinally and supports the buttress assemblies, and an opening to accommodate a curved tip of the end effector when clamping the end effector onto the platform to transfer the buttress assemblies to the end effector. A proximal alignment feature of the buttress applier cartridge contacts the end effector to align the end effector with the buttress assemblies prior to attaching the buttress assemblies to the end effector.

Abstract: A staple cartridge is disclosed. The staple cartridge can comprise a cartridge body comprising a deck and a bottom surface opposite the deck. The staple cartridge can comprise a plurality of staple cavities, wherein each staple cavity extends into the cartridge body from the deck to the bottom surface. Additionally, a plurality of wells can be defined into the staple cartridge from the deck to a lowermost surface of the well. A plurality of staples can be removably positioned in the staple cavities. The staple cartridge can comprise a tissue thickness compensator releasably secured to the cartridge body, wherein the tissue thickness compensator comprises a compensator body and a plurality of extensions extending from the compensator body into the wells, wherein at least one extension is compressed within one of the wells. Each well can surround at least one staple cavity and/or can extend between at least two staple cavities.