Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument can include a first jaw, a second jaw, and a jaw closure lockout system. The first jaw can comprise a pivot pin slot and a slide pin slot. The second jaw can comprise an anvil and, in addition, a mounting portion comprising a pivot pin, which can be movably positioned in the pivot pin slot. A shiftable guide can be movably positioned in the first jaw and can comprise a body and a barrier wall. The body can comprise a slide pin movably positioned in the slide pin slot. The barrier wall can be aligned with a portion of the pivot pin slot when the slide pin is positioned within a range of positions in the slide pin slot, and the barrier wall can be offset from the pivot pin slot when the slide pin is positioned outside the range of positions.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft, and an end effector that is operable to compress, staple, and cut tissue. The end effector includes and anvil and a cartridge. The anvil has a body and a modular releasable curved tip that connects with the body. The curved tip is elastically deformable in response to force exerted on the curved tip when tissue is clamped between the anvil and cartridge. The curved and deformable features of anvil provide for an end effector with improved visualization and maneuverability, in particular during procedures involving marching. The modular nature of the curved anvil tip provides for an end effector that allows anvil tip replacement due to wear or interchangeability based on a user preference or procedure.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for treating weight related conditions and metabolic disorders by altering microbiota in a subject. One aspect provides methods and compositions to alter microbiota in a subject by administering to the subject a composition that includes a substantially purified microbiota from phyla such as Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Verrucomicrobia or orders such as Bacteroidales, Verrucomicrobiales, Clostridiales and Enterobacteriales or genera such as Alistipes, Clostridium, Escherichia, and Akkermansia. Another aspect includes a pharmaceutical composition for altering microbiota that includes a therapeutically effective amount of substantially purified microbiota and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Yet another aspect includes methods for treating a disorder, such as obesity, in a subject in need of such treatment by changing relative abundance of microbiota in a gastrointestinal tract of the subject without or in addition to a surgical procedure.

Abstract: A method of operating a surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes an electronic system comprising an electric motor coupled to the end effector; a motor controller coupled to the motor; a parameter threshold detection module configured to monitor multiple parameter thresholds; a sensing module configured to sense tissue compression; a processor coupled to the parameter threshold detection module and the motor controller; and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory stores executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to monitor multiple levels of action thresholds and monitor speed of the motor and increment a drive unit of the motor, sense tissue compression, and provide rate and control feedback to the user of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A surgical instrument assembly comprising an end effector, a shaft assembly, a closure drive system, and a firing drive system is disclosed. The surgical instrument assembly further comprises a dual lock configured to engage a closure member and a firing member to prevent the firing member from being advanced distally from a proximal firing stroke position before the closure member is in a distal closure stroke position. The dual lock is further configured to prevent the closure member from being retracted from the distal closure stroke position before the firing member is returned to the proximal firing stroke position after the firing stroke.

Abstract: A surgical system comprising an RF energy source, a first cartridge including a first electrode, a second cartridge including fasteners and fastener drivers, and a surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument comprises a shaft, a drive member, and an end effector articulable relative to the shaft. The end effector comprises an anvil and an elongate channel selectively and interchangeably attachable to either one of the first cartridge and the second cartridge. The anvil comprises a second electrode configured to cooperate with the first electrode to deliver RF energy, and anvil pockets configured to cooperate with the fastener drivers to form the fasteners. The first cartridge completes an RF energy circuit connecting the RF energy source to the first electrode when attached to the elongate channel. The fastener drivers are configured to be driven by the drive member when the second cartridge is attached to the elongate channel.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed comprising a housing, a transducer supported within the housing, an end-effector engaged with the transducer, and a clamp including a jaw member movably supported relative to the end-effector between an open position and a closed position. The transducer is configured to produce vibrations. The end-effector defines an axis and a distal tip. The distal tip is movable relative to the axis by vibrations produced by the transducer. The end-effector is configured to be detached from the transducer. The transducer is configured to receive a different end-effector.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured to be implanted within a biological lumen. The apparatus includes a plurality of magnetic elements and a coupling body. The magnetic elements are arranged in an annular array extending form an axis. The annular array defines an occludable opening configured to transition between an occluded state and an opened state. The magnetic elements include a first magnetic element and a second magnetic element. The second magnetic element is located adjacent to the first magnetic element. The second magnetic element includes a polymer magnetic material formed in a shape designed to geometrically interlock with the first magnetic element in the occluded state. The second magnetic element is configured to elastically deform to transition the occludable opening from the occluded state to the opened state. The coupling body is configured to affix to a portion of the first magnetic element and a portion of the second magnetic element.

Abstract: A surgical stapling assembly comprising a staple cartridge carrier, an anvil, an outer surface, a closure member, a staple cartridge, and a firing system is disclosed. The anvil is rotatable between a first position and a second position. The closure member is slideable along the outer surface to hold the anvil in the second position. The closure member comprises a clearance opening. The staple cartridge is positioned within the staple cartridge carrier. The staple cartridge comprises staples removably stored therein. The staple cartridge and the anvil define a tissue gap therebetween when the anvil is in the second position. The clearance opening is aligned with the tissue gap when the anvil is in the second position. The firing system is configured to eject the staples from the staple cartridge during a staple firing stroke. The firing system engages the staple cartridge carrier and the anvil during the staple firing stroke.

Abstract: A tissue anchor includes a plate having a top surface and a bottom surface, and an array of first pins coupled with the plate, whereby each first pin includes an elongated shaft having a lower end with a first barb facing away from the bottom surface of the plate. The plate has an array of second pin apertures that are offset from the first pins, whereby each second pin aperture has a diameter that extends from the top surface to the bottom surface of the plate. The tissue anchor includes an array of second pins extending through the second pin apertures, whereby each second pin has an elongated shaft having an upper end including a second barb facing away from the top surface of the plate and a lower end including a stop that is located below the bottom surface of the plate. The elongated shafts of the second pins have outer diameters that are smaller than the diameters of the second pin apertures for allowing the elongated shafts of the second pins to slide within the second pin apertures.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured to be implanted within a biological structure. The apparatus includes an annular body, a first ring, a second ring, a first plurality of magnets, and a second plurality of magnets. The annular body is disposed about a central axis. The annular body includes an outer wall facing away from the central axis and an inner wall facing toward the central axis. The first ring extends adjacent to the inner wall of the annular body and extends annularly toward the central axis. The second ring extends between the first ring and the central axis. The second ring defines an opening disposed about the central axis. The first plurality of magnets are imbedded in the first ring and are annular disposed about the central axis. The second plurality of magnets are imbedded in the second ring and are annularly disposed about the central axis.

Abstract: An end effector for a surgical instrument is disclosed. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade and a jaw member including an asymmetric electrode comprising a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode defines a first width and the second electrode defines a second width. The first width is not equal to the second width. A first gap is defined between the first electrode and the ultrasonic blade and a second gap is defined between the second electrode and the ultrasonic blade. The first gap is not equal to the second gap.

Abstract: A surgical instrument including a shaft and an end effector that is articulatable relative to the shaft is disclosed. First and second independently movable articulation drivers are coupled to the surgical end effector to apply articulation motions thereto. The first articulation driver is attached to the surgical end effector by a first link that extends transversely relative to a longitudinal axis defined by the shaft. The second articulation driver is attached to the surgical end effector by a second link that extends transversely relative to the longitudinal axis and the first link.

Abstract: A stapling system comprising a staple cartridge and an instrument assembly is disclosed. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body including a proximal end, a distal end, and a deck. The staple cartridge further comprises staple cavities defined in the cartridge body, staples removably stored in the staple cavities, staple drivers, and a sled movable between a proximal position and a distal position during a firing stroke. The sled is configured to lift the staple drivers toward the deck to eject the staples from the staple cavities during the firing stroke. The staple cartridge is attachable to the instrument assembly. The instrument assembly comprises a self-locking shaft configured to place itself in a locked state if the sled is not in the proximal position at the initiation of the firing stroke. The instrument assembly further comprises an anvil extending from the shaft configured to deform said staples.

Abstract: The invention relates to syringes for storing and mixing components.

Abstract: A slip ring assembly is usable with a surgical shaft assembly. The slip ring assembly includes a first connector flange comprising a conductor. The slip ring assembly further includes a second connector flange comprising a conductive element in contact with the conductor, wherein the second connector flange is rotatable relative to the first connector flange. In addition, the slip ring assembly also includes a support member, wherein the second connector flange is sandwiched between the first connector flange and the support member, and wherein the support member is configured to apply a load onto the second connector flange to maintain the contact between the conductor and the conductive element.

Abstract: Methods for applying one or more adjuncts to tissue are provided. In one embodiment, the method can include positioning an adjunct, e.g., using an adhesive, on one of first and second jaws of an end effector of a surgical stapler. In one embodiment, an attachment mechanism on the adjunct can prevent stretching of at least a portion of the adjunct. In other aspects, the adjunct can be maintained on the at least one jaw in a first state in which the adjunct is at least partially stretched over the at least one jaw, and actuation of the surgical stapler can cause the adjunct to transition from the first state to a second state such that the adjunct in the second state at least partially separates from the at least one jaw.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector, and a shield member. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body. The end effector is located at a distal end of the shaft assembly. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. The ultrasonic blade is configured to vibrate at an ultrasonic frequency. The clamp arm is movable toward the ultrasonic blade to compress tissue against the ultrasonic blade. The shield member is selectively movable from a first position to a second position in response to movement of the clamp arm toward the ultrasonic blade. The shield member is configured cover at least a first portion of the ultrasonic blade in the first position. The shield member is configured to uncover the first portion of the ultrasonic blade in the second position.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured to be implanted within a biological structure. The apparatus includes an annular retaining assembly and an occlusion member. The annular retaining assembly defines an annular opening and includes an outer ring and an inner ring. The outer and inner rings are disposed about a central axis. The outer ring also has an outer wall, an inner wall, and a bio-absorbable material. The inner ring defines an annular opening and is attached to the inner wall of the outer ring. The inner ring also includes a surface to promote tissue in-growth. The occlusion member extends from the annular retaining assembly toward the central axis. The occlusion member also includes a plurality of magnetics. The occlusion member is magnetically biased to a first position that substantially occludes the annular opening. The occlusion member is configured to elastically deform to a second position that substantially unblocks the annular opening.