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.

Abstract: A tool assembly for a surgical stapling device includes a first jaw supporting an anvil. A second jaw supports a staple cartridge. A drive member is movable from a retracted position towards an advanced position to move the second jaw in relation to the first jaw from an open position to a clamped position. At least two first pivoting links are operably coupled to a first side of the first and second jaws. At least two second pivoting links are operably coupled to a second side of the first and second jaws. The pivoting links each pivot in response to longitudinal advancement of the I-beam to move the second jaw between the open position and the clamped position. The second surface of the cartridge assembly is maintained in substantially parallel alignment with the first surface of the anvil as the second jaw is moved between the open position and the clamped position.

Abstract: A replaceable staple cartridge for use with a surgical instrument is disclosed. The replaceable staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body, staple cavities defined in the cartridge body, staples removably positioned in the staple cavities, and staple drivers configured to support the staples in the staple cavities. The staple drivers are movable between an unfired position and a fired position. The staple cartridge further comprises a wedge sled, wherein the wedge sled is configured to motivate the staple drivers from the unfired position toward the fired position, and driver retention members extending into the staple cavities. The driver retention members are configured to retain the staple drivers in the unfired position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising an end effector including a first jaw and a second jaw rotatable relative to the first jaw is disclosed. One or both of the first jaw and the second jaw comprise an arrangement for maintaining the alignment between the first jaw and the second jaw. The alignment arrangement can also provide tactile feedback to the operator of the surgical instrument that the surgical instrument is reaching a fully-closed position during a closure stroke.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a firing drive including a leverage selection mechanism is disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an articulation assembly having a threaded rod, a first nut, a second nut, a first articulation rod, and a second articulation rod. The threaded rod includes a body, a first thread encircling a proximal portion of the body in a first direction, and a second thread spaced from the first thread and encircling a distal portion of the body in a second, opposite direction. Rotation of the threaded rod in a first direction relative to the elongated portion causes the first nut to move distally relative to the threaded rod. Rotation of the threaded rod in the first direction relative to the elongated portion causes the second nut to move proximally relative to the threaded rod. The first articulation rod is coupled to the first nut and the end effector, and the second articulation rod is coupled to the second nut and the end effector.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes a tool assembly having an actuation sled assembly that includes an actuation sled and a knife movably supported on the actuation sled. The tool assembly includes structure for moving the knife in relation to the actuation sled between extended and retracted positions in response to movement of the actuation sled through a staple cartridge of the tool assembly. Movement of the knife moves a cutting edge of the knife in relation to the actuation sled within a tissue gap defined by the tool assembly to impart a degree of vertical motion to the cutting edge of the knife. This enables the tool assembly to leverage micro-serrations on the cutting edge of the knife to enhance cutting efficiency of the knife.

Abstract: Articulation joint arrangements for facilitating multi-axis articulation of a surgical end effector relative to a shaft assembly of a surgical instrument.

Abstract: A powered handle assembly includes a motor assembly, a rack, a spur gear, and a manual retract mechanism. The spur gear is movable from a position engaged with the motor assembly and the rack to a positioned disengaged from the motor assembly and engaged with the rack to facilitate manual retraction of the rack.

Abstract: A surgical stapler is described herein which includes a drive assembly. The drive assembly includes: a rotatable drive member defining a transverse axis; a linkage operably coupled to the rotatable drive member defining a longitudinal axis; and an I-beam operably coupled to the linkage, configured to be advanced along the longitudinal axis in response to a rotational motion of the rotatable drive member.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes a tool assembly having an anvil, a cartridge assembly movable in relation to the anvil between open and clamped positions, a drive member, and a biasing mechanism or member. The biasing mechanism or member is configured to urge the cartridge assembly in relation to the anvil assembly to its fully open position to provide access to tissue during a surgical procedure.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a wireless transmission system for transmitting at least one of power and a data signal through between an end effector and an instrument housing of the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument includes the sensor monitoring and processing circuit.

Abstract: Surgical stapler systems can include lockout mechanisms to restrict further movement of a jaw assembly and provide different functionality when a jaw assembly is empty and when a partially or fully fired reload cartridge is present in the jaw assembly. When the jaw assembly is empty, the empty jaw assembly lockout mechanism can arrest an open-close stroke of the jaw assembly. When an at least partially fired reload is present in the jaw assembly, a fired reload lockout mechanism can allow operation of the jaw assembly through a substantial portion of an open-close stroke, but restrict actuation of the jaw assembly in a firing stroke. The separate lockout mechanisms can be embodied in a single lockout lever actuatable by lockout actuators to three distinct positions or by two independently-operable lockout levers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surgical instrument, comprising a shaft, an articulation joint extending distally from the shaft, and an end effector extending distally from the articulation joint. The end effector comprises a jaw, and a staple cartridge seatable in the jaw. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body, staples removably stored in the cartridge body, and a first antenna. The surgical instrument further comprises a remote power source configured to supply power, a second antenna configured to cooperate with the first antenna when the staple cartridge is seated in the jaw to transmit at least one of the power and a data signal to the staple cartridge, and a tuning electronics package located in a cavity in a proximal portion of the end effector. The tuning electronics package is configured to facilitate a locally tunable wireless transmission of the at least one of the power and the data signal.

Abstract: A staple cartridge configured for use with a surgical stapler includes a cartridge body, a deck defined configured to compress tissue against an anvil of the surgical stapler, and a plurality of staple openings formed in the deck. A plurality of staples is disposed within the staple openings, with each staple having a pair of legs. A plurality of staple drivers is also disposed within the staple openings, with the staple drivers being actuatable to drive the staples through tissue and against the anvil to form the legs. Each of the staple drivers includes a driver body, a first pocket disposed on a first lateral side of the driver body, and a second pocket disposed on a second lateral side of the driver body. The first and second pockets are configured to receive the legs of the respective staple when the legs are formed against the anvil.

Abstract: A surgical loading unit includes an anvil assembly, a staple cartridge assembly pivotably coupled to the anvil assembly, and a knife configured to approximate the staple cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly. The staple cartridge assembly has a staple cartridge chassis having a support protruding outwardly from a proximal end thereof. The knife includes an upper plate coupled to the staple cartridge chassis and a lower plate coupled to the anvil assembly. The support of the staple cartridge chassis has an upper surface that is coplanar with or above an upper surface of the upper plate when the knife is in a proximal position for preventing the knife from catching on a surgical port during use.

Abstract: Surgical stapling instruments include mechanisms for identifying and/or deactivating stapler cartridge for use with the instruments. The stapling instrument includes a drive member for actuating a staple cartridge and a locking member movable from a disabled position permitting distal translation of the drive member through a staple firing stroke, to a locking position inhibiting distal translation of the drive member through the staple firing stroke. The staple cartridge may include a switch for maintaining the locking member in the disabled position. The switch may be further configured to operate as a reload detection mechanism for determining the type of reload present in the surgical stapling instrument.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes a tool assembly that includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly. The cartridge assembly includes a channel member that includes structure for releasably engaging the anvil assembly to allow for separation of the entire cartridge assembly from the anvil assembly after each use of the stapling device.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus includes a shaft assembly, an end effector secured to the shaft assembly, a firing assembly, and an articulation assembly. The firing assembly includes a drive beam and a flexible knife bar assembly that are selectively advanceable through the end effector for firing the end effector. The articulation assembly has an articulation link assembly and a pivotable bar guide assembly. The articulation link assembly is coupled to the end effector and actuatable to cause the end effector to articulate relative to the shaft assembly. The pivotable bar guide assembly supports the flexible knife bar assembly and includes a proximal guide assembly and a distal guide assembly that are pivotably coupled together. The proximal guide assembly is pivotably coupled to the shaft assembly. The distal guide assembly is pivotably coupled to the end effector.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly for a surgical stapling device includes a staple cartridge that includes a staple array that has a configuration to minimize blood leakage through a staple line formed by the staple cartridge.