Abstract: A handheld power tool has a monostable operating button 6 which has a stable switching position and a pressed switching position. A catch 32 which can be pivoted between a releasing position and a locking position in a pivoting direction 34 is provided, wherein the catch 32, in the locking position, stops the monostable operating button 6 in the pressed switching position. An operating knob 30 can be moved by the user in a shifting direction 31 which is perpendicular to the pivoting direction 34. The catch 32 is attached to the operating knob 30 by means of a joint 36. A slotted link 38 converts a movement of the catch 32 along the shifting direction 31 into a pivoting movement in the pivoting direction 34.

Abstract: Stapling assemblies for use with a surgical stapler are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the stapling assembly includes a cartridge having a plurality of staples disposed therein and a non-fibrous adjunct formed of at least one fused bioabsorbable polymer and configured to be releasably retained on the cartridge. Adjunct systems for use with a surgical stapler are also provided. Surgical end effectors using the stapling assemblies are also provided. Methods for manufacturing stapling assemblies and using the same are also provided.

Abstract: An adjunct configured for use with an end effector of a surgical stapler includes a tissue-effecting portion comprising a first material, and at least one movable attachment feature coupled to the tissue-effecting portion and comprising a second material different from the first material. The at least one movable attachment feature is configured to releasably attach the tissue-effecting portion to a stapling surface of the end effector. The tissue-effecting portion is configured to contact tissue clamped by the end effector during closure thereof. The tissue-effecting portion is further configured to be pierced and captured by staples ejected from the end effector into the clamped tissue and thereby reinforce the engagement between the ejected staples and the clamped tissue.

Abstract: A surgical instrument and a battery pack for use with the surgical instrument are disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a handle assembly, having a protruding portion; and a battery pack, detachably assembled on the handle assembly, operated by the protruding portion, and having a battery unit, where the battery pack includes a discharging system comprising a discharge element, and a switching member, operated to electrically connect the discharge element to the battery unit of the battery pack to form a discharge circuit, and having an initial open state, in which the discharge circuit is non-conductive, an intermediate open state, in which the switching member cooperates with the protruding portion to make the discharge circuit non-conductive, and a closed state, in which the switching member is separated from the protruding portion to make the discharge circuit conducting.

Abstract: Sealant cartridge press fixtures are disclosed. The fixtures include a bracket comprising first and second side arms that receive a sealant cartridge therebetween. A transverse support bar connected to the first and second side arm is attached to a sealant filling nozzle. An air pressure cylinder mounted on the bracket includes a reciprocating piston rod that contacts and deforms a sidewall of the sealant cartridge at the beginning of a filling operation to allow trapped air to escape from the cartridge. An empty sealant cartridge having a slidable plunger therein is mounted at its front end on the sealant filling nozzle. The sealant is initially dispensed into the cartridge in the space between the front end of the cartridge and the plunger. While pressing and deforming the sidewall, it temporarily creates a gap between an interior surface of the sidewall and a plunger. The gap allows unwanted trapped air to escape from the sealant cartridge.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrosurgical instrument including an end effector with a cartridge having an asymmetric cartridge body.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for use with a robotic system that has a control unit and a shaft portion that includes an electrically conductive elongated member that is attached to a portion of the robotic system. The elongated member is configured to transmit control motions from the robotic system to an end effector.

Abstract: A handle applicator includes controller that receives signals concerning marks on an endless band. The controller controls a contact body to be between a release position, in which a handle applicator is freely driven and a drawing position, in which the contact body contacts the endless band of material prior to its being cut to form the handle. The contact body moves along a continuum of positions between the release position and the drawing position based on actual position data indicative of actual positions of position markings on the handle.

Abstract: A surgical device with a powered in-line handle assembly that includes actuators for actuating and articulating an end effector of the surgical device allows for single handed operation of the surgical device. The handle assembly includes a battery that is received in a removable compartment in a battery cover to allow for removal and recycling of the battery following use. The handle assembly also includes a manual release mechanism that allows a firing rod assembly of the handle assembly to be manually retracted in emergency situations.

Abstract: A robotic surgical tool includes a drive housing having a lead screw extending from a first end of the drive housing, a carriage movably mounted to the lead screw at a carriage nut secured to the carriage, and an elongate shaft extending from the carriage and penetrating the first end, the shaft having an end effector arranged at a distal end thereof and comprising a proximal shaft portion releasably coupled to a distal shaft portion at a releasable interface. Proximal and distal portions of one or more mechanisms of the surgical tool extend from the carriage to the end effector within the proximal and distal shaft portions, respectively, and the one or more mechanisms are operable to operate or articulate the end effector.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes an anvil assembly and a replaceable cartridge assembly. The cartridge assembly includes a knife blade and upper and lower alignment pins for retaining tissue between anvil and cartridge assemblies to ensure that the knife blade cuts cleanly through tissue. The cartridge assembly includes a cartridge body having guide structure for guiding the cartridge assembly onto a clamp slide assembly of the stapling device.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for performing a medical procedure, such as a laparoscopic appendectomy using a stapler apparatus including a reusable handle portion including a shaft include proximal and distal ends, a disposable end effector attached to the distal end of the shaft of the reusable handle carrying one or more staples. For example, the end effector may include first and second jaws movable relative to one another between open and closed positions, the first jaw carrying a cartridge which includes the one or more staples. A Doppler sensor, a cutting element, and, optionally, a thermal element are also provided on the end effector. The end effector is introduced into a patient's body, tissue is positioned/locked between the jaws, and a plurality of staples are deployed into the tissue. The Doppler sensor is used to confirm that blood flow has discontinued in the stapled tissue, and the cutting element is actuated to sever the stapled tissue.

Abstract: An end effector includes an anvil and a cartridge. The anvil can include a plurality of staple pockets positioned on an anvil face. The cartridge can be configured to retain a plurality of staples. Each of the plurality of staples includes a first staple leg, a second staple leg, and a crown connecting the first staple leg and the second staple leg, and each has an open staple configuration where the first staple leg and the second staple leg are generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the crown and a closed staple configuration where a first tip of the first staple leg is bent in a first direction away from the longitudinal axis of the crown, and a second tip of the second staple leg is bent in a second direction away from the longitudinal axis of the crown, the first direction being different than the second direction.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes an adaptor assembly and a reload assembly supported on a distal end portion of the adaptor assembly. The reload assembly includes a shell housing, a staple cartridge supporting staples, a staple pusher, a staple actuator, a knife carrier, and a locking member. The staple pusher is movable from a retracted position to an advanced position to eject the staples from the staple cartridge. The staple actuator is movable from a retracted position to an advanced position to move the staple pusher from its retracted position to its advanced position. The knife carrier is movable between a retracted position and an advanced position. The locking member is supported on the knife carrier. The locking member is configured to engage the staple actuator in its advanced position while engaging the knife carrier in its retracted position such that the locking member inhibits re-advancement of the knife carrier.

Abstract: A cartridge processing system can have a base to support cartridges on an underlying support surface. The base can include a rack with support holes to support respective ones of the cartridges. In addition, a tray having a tray bottom can be removably placed on tops of the cartridges. A platform with platform holes can be substantially coaxially aligned with respective ones of the support holes. The tray can have a funnel extending from the platform. The funnel can form a perimeter around the platform holes, such that the platform holes can be conduits for product to be placed in the cartridges.

Abstract: A surgical stapler instrument includes a stapling head assembly that receives a plurality of staples. The staples are configured with features that allow the staples to expand after deployment so that an anastomosis created by the instrument can increase in size after forming. In some versions the staples expand automatically after deployment, and in other versions the staples expand in response to tissue forces imparted upon the staples after deployment. In some versions the staples are configured to be deployed in various patterns that promote expandability of the circular staple line.

Abstract: A method of operating a surgical stapler includes advancing a knife assembly at a first velocity until a predetermined force is detected, advancing the knife assembly at a second velocity when the predetermined force is detected, the second velocity being less than the first velocity, and continuing to advance the knife assembly at the second velocity until the knife assembly travels a cutting stroke distance.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a surgical end effector that comprises a first jaw and a second jaw that is movably supported relative to the first jaw for selective movement between an open position and closed positions. The surgical instrument further comprises a closure member that is axially movable in response to closing and opening motions. The closure member comprises at least one opening cam that protrudes therefrom to movably engage a corresponding cam surface on the second jaw such that upon application of the opening motion, the at least one opening cam movably engages the corresponding cam surface to move the second jaw to an open position, even when the jaws are under a load.

Abstract: A staple cartridge is disclosed that includes a first impedance sensing electrode and a second impedance sensing electrode. The first impedance sensing electrode is addressable to apply first energy to tissue positioned in a first zone. The second impedance sensing electrode is addressable to apply a second energy to tissue positioned in a second zone. A control circuit is configured to determine a thickness of the tissue positioned in the first zone based on the first energy and a thickness of the tissue positioned in the second zone based on the second energy. Advancement of a knife through an elongate slot of the staple cartridge is based on the determined thickness of the tissue in the first zone and the determined thickness of the tissue in the second zone.

Abstract: A surgical device having at least one rotary input screw in the end effector is provided. A rotary input screw can extend through a central longitudinal portion of the end effector. The end effector can include an improved closure system, firing systems, leveraging and alignment features between the staple cartridge and the surgical device, staple cartridges having multi-staple drivers, single-firing knifes and lockout/safety features for the same, and/or modified staple patterns, for example. Certain components can be 3D-printed components.