Abstract: A surgical stapler can comprise an anvil comprising a staple pocket formed in a tissue contacting surface. The staple pocket can comprise a midline or centerline, a first forming cup, and a second forming cup. The first forming cup can comprise a first interior sidewall comprising a first vertical portion which is substantially perpendicular to the tissue contacting surface. The second forming cup can comprise a second interior sidewall comprising a second vertical portion which is substantially perpendicular to the tissue contacting surface. The first vertical portion and the second vertical portion can extend through the centerline, wherein the first interior sidewall and the second interior sidewall can comprise a trap for deforming a first staple leg of a staple to a first side of the centerline and for deforming a second staple leg of the staple to a second side of the centerline.

Abstract: A surgical device comprising a first clamping member, a second clamping member, an electric motor, and a control system is disclosed. The electric motor is configured to drive at least one of the first clamping member and the second clamping member toward a predetermined tissue gap between the first clamping member and the second clamping member to clamp the tissue of a patient. The control system is configured to monitor a parameter of the electric motor. The parameter is indicative of a clamping force exerted to the tissue by the first clamping member and the second clamping member. The control system is further configured to control the electric motor based on the parameter to limit the clamping force to a predetermined maximum limit.

Abstract: An end effector for a surgical clip applier includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end, a head arranged at the distal end, and first and second jaw members mounted to the head. A linear actuator is arranged within the head and is operable to collapse and open the first and second jaw members.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical stapling instrument can comprise a plurality of magnetic elements configured to articulate an end effector of the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument can comprise at least one electromagnet which can be selectively activated, or polarized, to generate a magnetic field sufficient to motivate a second magnetic element, such as a permanent magnet and/or an iron core, for example, mounted to the end effector. In certain embodiments, a surgical stapling instrument can comprise a plurality of magnetic elements configured to open and/or close an end effector of the surgical instrument. In at least one embodiment, a surgical stapling instrument can comprise a plurality of magnetic elements configured to advance and/or retract a firing bar, cutting member, and/or staple sled within the surgical instrument in order to incise and/or staple tissue positioned within an end effector of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A surgical system includes a first surgical device comprising a control circuit. The control circuit is configured to be situationally aware of events occurring within the vicinity of the first surgical device according to data received from a database, a patient monitoring device, or a paired surgical device, or any combination of a database, patient monitoring device, or paired surgical device. The control circuit is configured to be wirelessly paired with a second surgical device according to usage of the first surgical device and the events of which the first surgical device is situationally aware.

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 an anvil and a staple cartridge. The anvil has a rigid bent tip configured to contact an angled surface of a nose portion of the staple cartridge. The staple cartridge includes gripping features along a staple deck that assist in gripping tissue during clamping. The staple deck of the cartridge may include multiple levels. The anvil further includes a slot with lateral portions having curved ends for receiving portions of a firing beam to guide the firing beam during a cutting and stapling action.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a motor operably coupled to a firing member, wherein the motor is configured to generate at least one rotational motion to motivate the firing member to cause staples to be deployed during a firing stroke. The surgical instrument includes a primary processor configured to determine a first acceleration of the firing member during the firing stroke, and compare the first acceleration to predetermined threshold acceleration. The surgical instrument also includes a secondary processor configured to determine a second acceleration of the firing member during the firing stroke, and compare the second acceleration to the predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: Various exemplary systems, devices, and methods for articulating electrosurgical tools are provided. In general, a surgical tool can be configured to articulate in two planes by selectively pivoting at first and second joints of the surgical tool. The surgical tool can include a plurality of cables configured to facilitate the articulation. Each of the cables can be configured to flex or bend at the first and second joints and can be configured to be selectively actuated to cause the pivoting at the first and second joints. The surgical tool can be configured to releasably couple to a robotic surgical system configured to control a variety of movements and actions associated with the surgical tool, such as the pivoting at the first and second joints.

Abstract: A trocar assembly includes a trocar housing that defines a working chamber, and a cannula coupled to the trocar housing at a proximal end to facilitate communication between the cannula and the working chamber. A tool stabilizing device is coupled to at least one of the trocar housing and the cannula and is actuatable to stabilize and center a surgical tool within the cannula.

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: Surgical instruments are disclosed which comprise improved jaw control. In at least one instance, a surgical instrument is configured to apply an increased clamping force at a distal tip of the instrument. In at least one instance, a surgical instrument is configured to quickly open, or unclamp, a jaw of the instrument.

Abstract: A trocar assembly includes a trocar housing that defines a working chamber, and a cannula having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a lumen that extends between the proximal and distal ends. The cannula is coupled to the trocar housing at the proximal end to facilitate communication between the lumen and the working chamber. A plurality of compliant deflection devices are provided at or near the distal end of the cannula, and each compliant deflection device includes a radial biasing member that extends radially inward toward a centerline of the cannula to center a surgical tool within the lumen and minimize unintended oscillation and vibration of the surgical tool.

Abstract: A surgical instrument that includes a first jaw and a second jaw that is coupled to the first jaw for selective pivotal travel relative thereto between a fully open position and a fully closed position. An axially movable closure member is selectively axially movable in a closure direction to move the second jaw from the fully open position to the fully closed position and in an axial opening direction to move the second jaw from the fully closed position to the fully open position. The axially movable closure member includes a first jaw opening feature that is configured to apply a first jaw opening motion to the second jaw and a second jaw opening feature is axially spaced from the first jaw opening feature and is configured to apply a second jaw opening motion to the second jaw.

Abstract: Surgical devices and methods for operating surgical devices during a surgical procedure are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical device is provided having a handle housing with an elongate shaft, an end effector on the distal end of the elongate shaft, a drive assembly, and a trigger coupled to the handle housing. Various overload mechanisms are provided for transferring a closing force from the trigger to the drive assembly unless the closing force exceeds a predetermined threshold force in which case the overload mechanism prevents transfer of the closing force to the drive assembly.

Abstract: Circular stapling instruments and anvil assemblies. The anvil assemblies may have collapsible anvil support members that may be inserted through an opening in a patient and then expanded to be attached to an anvil plate assembly that has a staple-forming surface thereon. The anvil support member is attachable to the anvil plate assembly in such a way that when the anvil assembly is coupled to the stapling head of a circular stapler, the staple-forming surface is in substantial registry with the staples supported in the stapling head. A variety of different anvil support members and anvil plate assemblies are disclosed.

Abstract: A motor-driven surgical instrument that may comprise (i) a movable drive member that is driven in a first direction when the electric motor operates in a first direction and that is driven in a second direction when the electric motor operates in a second direction. Movement of the drive member causes movement of the movable component of the end effector, and (ii) a motor control circuit connected to the motor for controlling the motor. The motor control circuit may comprise a switching circuit that, upon actuation, reverses the direction of the motor from the first direction to the second direction. The switching circuit may be actuatable separately through each of: (i) actuation of a movable actuator of the switching circuit through movement of the drive member at least in the first direction; and (ii) manual actuation by a user of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for use with a robotic system comprising a first rotatable driver and a second rotatable driver is disclosed. The surgical instrument comprises an end effector, a shaft assembly, and a control system. The an end effector comprises a staple cartridge. The shaft assembly comprises a longitudinal axis and a cutting instrument movable along the longitudinal axis between a starting position and an ending position. The control system comprises a cutting drive configured to displace the cutting instrument toward the ending position in response to the first rotatable driver of the robotic system, and a shaft rotation arrangement configured to rotate the shaft assembly about the longitudinal axis in response to the second rotatable driver on the robotic system. The rotation of the shaft assembly does not displace the cutting instrument within the shaft assembly. The cutting drive and the shaft rotation arrangement are separate and distinct.