Abstract: A staple pocket arrangement on the anvil portion of a surgical stapler device includes pairs of staple pockets corresponding to each one of a plurality of staples to be closed. The staple pockets may have a generally triangular shape when viewed from above. Each respective staple leg is received at a longitudinal end of the staple pocket that provides a relatively wide target area for receiving the staple leg to eliminate or at least minimize the likelihood that a staple leg will miss the staple pocket due to, e.g., misalignment between a first jaw of the surgical stapler having the anvil and a second jaw of the surgical stapler having a cartridge configured to fire the staples. The staple pockets may be arranged in rows, each row of staple pockets being longitudinally offset from another row, such that each staple pocket in a first row of staple pockets is nested with a staple pocket from an adjacent row of staple pockets to make more efficient use of space on the anvil.

Abstract: A calibration system for a surgical instrument. The calibration system includes an actuator, such as a motor system and a flexible shaft. The calibration system also includes a surgical instrument actuatable by the actuator. The calibration system also include calibration data corresponding to the surgical instrument. A processor is configured to process the calibration data for determining a position of the surgical instrument. The calibration system may include a sensor configured to provide a signal corresponding to a movement of the actuator, the processor being further configured to process the signal for determining a position of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A cutting and stapling device for use as an attachment to an electromechanical device driver comprises an upper jaw and a lower jaw which separate and close against one another in a continuously parallel alignment. The upper jaw includes a series of staple guides corresponding to one or more staples in a removable staple tray disposed within a lower jaw, whereby a blade and wedge having a threaded bore travel upon a matching threaded shaft in a channel disposed in the lower jaw below the staple tray, such that rotation of the threaded shaft causes movement of the wedge through the channel while a sloped surface of the wedge contacts the staples to push the staples against the staples guides, closing the staples.

Abstract: A surgical device includes a first jaw and a second jaw moveable relative to the first jaw between a first position, in which the first and second jaws are aligned within a plane, and a second position, in which the second jaw is in non-parallel correspondence to the plane. The surgical device may include a surgical member, e.g., a cutting and/or stapling element, disposed within the first jaw, and a second driver configured to cause relative movement of the surgical member in a direction parallel to the plane. The first and second jaws may include a camming arrangement that is configured to move the second jaw between the first and second positions. The camming arrangement may include a channel disposed along at least a portion of one or both of the first and second jaws, a ball bearing disposed within the channel.

Abstract: A medical tool comprising an electromechanical driver and a surgical instrument attachment for use in invasive surgery, including a handle coupled to a flexible sheath which is in turn coupled to a surgical attachment. The handle of the driver includes the electromechanical driver and at least one processor element which controls the actions of the electromechanical driver, and therefore the application elements of the surgical attachment, based on information relayed between the processor element and remotely activateable sensor assemblies in the surgical instrument attachment.

Abstract: A staple pocket arrangement on the anvil portion of a surgical stapler device includes pairs of staple pockets corresponding to each one of a plurality of staples to be closed. The staple pockets may have a generally triangular shape when viewed from above. Each respective staple leg is received at a longitudinal end of the staple pocket that provides a relatively wide target area for receiving the staple leg to eliminate or at least minimize the likelihood that a staple leg will miss the staple pocket due to, e.g., misalignment between a first jaw of the surgical stapler having the anvil and a second jaw of the surgical stapler having a cartridge configured to fire the staples. The staple pockets may be arranged in rows, each row of staple pockets being longitudinally offset from another row, such that each staple pocket in a first row of staple pockets is nested with a staple pocket from an adjacent row of staple pockets to make more efficient use of space on the anvil.

Abstract: A surgical imaging device and method configured to be inserted into a surgical site. The surgical imaging device includes a plurality of prongs. Each one of the prongs has an image sensor mounted thereon. The image sensors provide different image data corresponding to the surgical site, thus enabling a surgeon to view a surgical site from several different angles. The prongs may be moveable between a first position, suitable for insertion though a small surgical incision, and a second position, in which the prongs are separated from each other. In addition, the prongs may be bendable between an extended position, in which the prongs are positioned in a substantially similar plane to each other, and a retracted position, in which the prongs are bent so as to view not substantially perpendicular to their respective legs. Advantageously, the prongs are configured to bend in conformance with a shape of a cavity that is formed in the surgical site by the actuation of an actuator configured to form such a cavity.

Abstract: A surgical device includes a first jaw and a second jaw disposed in opposed correspondence with the first jaw. The second jaw is mechanically coupled to the first jaw at a proximal end opposite a distal end. A cutting element is disposed within the second jaw, and a first driver is configured to move the cutting element proximally from the distal end toward the proximal end of the second jaw to cut a section of tissue disposed between the first and second jaws. The device may also include a stapling element disposed within the second jaw. The cutting element and the stapling element may be contiguous so as to define a cutting and stapling element, such as a wedge having a blade disposed thereon. As the wedge is moved proximally from the distal end of the second jaw to the proximal end, the wedge pushes a plurality of staples against a plurality of opposing staple guides disposed in the first jaw in order to staple a section of tissue while cutting the section of tissue.

Abstract: A calibration system for a surgical instrument. The calibration system includes an actuator, such as a motor system and a flexible shaft. The calibration system also includes a surgical instrument actuatable by the actuator. The calibration system also include calibration data corresponding to the surgical instrument. A processor is configured to process the calibration data for determining a position of the surgical instrument. The calibration system may include a sensor configured to provide a signal corresponding to a movement of the actuator, the processor being further configured to process the signal for determining a position of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A surgical device includes a first jaw and a second jaw moveable relative to the first jaw between a first position, in which the first and second jaws are aligned within a plane, and a second position, in which the second jaw is in non-parallel correspondence to the plane. The surgical device may include a surgical member, e.g., a cutting and/or stapling element, disposed within the first jaw, and a second driver configured to cause relative movement of the surgical member in a direction parallel to the plane. The first and second jaws may include a camming arrangement that is configured to move the second jaw between the first and second positions. The camming arrangement may include a channel disposed along at least a portion of one or both of the first and second jaws, a ball bearing disposed within the channel.

Abstract: A medical tool comprising an electromechanical driver and a surgical instrument attachment for use in invasive surgery, including a handle coupled to a flexible sheath which is in turn coupled to a surgical attachment. The handle of the driver includes the electromechanical driver and at least one processor element which controls the actions of the electromechanical driver, and therefore the application elements of the surgical attachment, based on information relayed between the processor element and remotely activatable sensor assemblies in the surgical instrument attachment.

Abstract: A surgical imaging device and method configured to be inserted into a surgical site. The surgical imaging device includes a plurality of prongs. Each one of the prongs has an image sensor mounted thereon. The image sensors provide different image data corresponding to the surgical site, thus enabling a surgeon to view a surgical site from several different angles. The prongs may be moveable between a first position, suitable for insertion though a small surgical incision, and a second position, in which the prongs are separated from each other. In addition, the prongs may be bendable.

Abstract: A surgical device that includes a first jaw having a distal end and a second jaw having a distal end. The second jaw is disposed in opposed correspondence with the first jaw. The first jaw is pivotably coupled to the second jaw. The surgical device also includes a biasing element, such as a spring, that biases the distal end of the first jaw towards the distal end of the second jaw. The device may also include a first driver disposed in the second jaw and coupled to the first jaw. The first driver is configured to cause separation of the first jaw and the second jaw when the first driver is actuated for opening the jaws and to close the first jaw and the second jaw when the first driver is actuated for closing the jaws. The device may also include at least one of a cutting element and a stapling element disposed within the second jaw, preferably a blade rotatably mounted on a wedge.

Abstract: A surgical device includes a first jaw and a second jaw disposed in opposed correspondence with the first jaw. The second jaw is mechanically coupled to the first jaw at a proximal end opposite a distal end. A cutting element is disposed within the second jaw, and a first driver is configured to move the cutting element proximally from the distal end toward the proximal end of the second jaw to cut a section of tissue disposed between the first and second jaws. The device may also include a stapling element disposed within the second jaw. The cutting element and the stapling element may be contiguous so as to define a cutting and stapling element, such as a wedge having a blade disposed thereon. As the wedge is moved proximally from the distal end of the second jaw to the proximal end, the wedge pushes a plurality of staples against a plurality of opposing staple guides disposed in the first jaw in order to staple a section of tissue while cutting the section of tissue.