Abstract: An end effector comprising a frame, a proximal portion, a distal end portion, a first jaw, a plurality of staple cavities, a first slot, a first longitudinal row of first staples, a second longitudinal row of second staples, a second jaw, an anvil, a staple driver, and a firing member is disclosed. The staple driver supports a first staple removably stored in the first longitudinal row and a second staple removably stored in the second longitudinal row. The staple driver and the anvil are configured to co-operate to deform the first staple to a first fired height and to deform the second staple to a second fired height. The tissue is compressed more in the first longitudinal row of first staples than the tissue in the second longitudinal row of second staples.

Abstract: A cushion device is used for a cylinder of a pneumatic tool, and the pneumatic tool contains: a body, a cylinder, a valve unit, a piston member, and a cushion washer. The body includes a grip and a fitting sleeve having a chamber, a closing face, and an opening. The cylinder is slidably fitted in the chamber, partially extends out of the fitting sleeve from the opening, and includes a room and an abutting portion. The valve unit is mounted between the room and the abutting portion. The piston member is accommodated in the room and slides along a movement axis. The cushion washer is made of a flexible rubber, is mounted in the chamber, and abuts against the closing face and the pressing face. The cushion washer includes at least one open segment which has at least one air groove each having a mouth parallel to the movement axis.

Abstract: A manipulation cart system for manipulating a tool described herein includes a chassis subsystem, a locomotion subsystem, at least one manipulation subsystem, at least one attachment subsystem, and at least one control subsystem. The locomotion subsystem may include a turn pivot. The at least one manipulation subsystem may include at least one tilting subsystem. Preferably the cart system at least partially relieves the physical demands of manipulating the tool and at least partially protects from stress-induced injuries associated with manipulating the tool.

Abstract: A surgical end effector including an elongate channel configured to operably support a staple cartridge therein and a firing element configured to move within the elongate channel between a starting and an ending position. Various arrangements include openings through the bottom of the elongate channel to permit viewing of the firing element as it moves between the starting and ending positions. An anvil may be supported for movable travel relative to the elongate channel and include a plurality of openings therethrough to permit viewing of the cutting element as it moves between the starting and ending positions. Various arrangements include a firing bar attached to the firing element that serves to move the firing element between the starting and ending position. The firing bar may be movably supported with a hollow shaft that has a plurality of openings therethrough for monitoring the position of the firing bar.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument can include an end effector, comprising an anvil and a staple cartridge. The surgical instrument can further include a shaft defining a longitudinal axis. The surgical instrument can also include an articulation joint, wherein the end effector is rotatably connected to the shaft about the articulation joint between an unarticulated position and at least one articulated position. The surgical instrument can include means for adjusting the length of a firing stroke as a function of the degree in which the end effector is articulated relative to the longitudinal axis. The surgical instrument can include a sensor configured to defect shifting of lateral portions of a flexible firing bar that extends through the articulation joint. Additionally or alternatively, the surgical instrument can include a relief feature configured to accommodate shifting of lateral portions of a flexible firing bar.

Abstract: An end effector comprising a first jaw, a plurality of staple cavities, a first slot, a first longitudinal row of first staples, a second longitudinal row of second staples, a second jaw, an anvil comprising forming pockets, a staple driver, and a firing member is disclosed. The staple driver supports a first staple removably stored in said first longitudinal row and a second staple removably stored in said second longitudinal row. The staple driver and said anvil are configured to co-operate to deform said first staple to a first fired height and to deform said second staple to a second fired height. The firing member comprises a first portion configured to extend through said first slot and a second portion configured to engage said anvil. The anvil further comprises a second slot including a lateral portion extending behind a longitudinal row of said forming pockets.

Abstract: A variable stroke control system for a hydraulic hammer is disclosed. The variable stroke control system may include an inlet groove formed around a piston associated with the hydraulic hammer and configured to receive pressurized fluid, and an outlet groove formed around the piston associated with the hydraulic hammer and configured to discharge the pressurized fluid. The variable stroke control system may further include a valve in fluid communication with the inlet groove and the outlet groove, and configured to selectively adjust a stroke length of the piston based on a change in pressure differential between the inlet groove and the outlet groove.

Abstract: An electromechanical surgical assembly includes a surgical device, an adapter, and a filter. The surgical device includes a connecting portion having a distal facing recess including an electrical plug. The adapter includes a proximal facing cap configured to mate with the recess of the surgical device, the proximal facing cap including an electronic assembly including a plurality of electrical contact pins configured for electrical connection with the electrical plug. The filter is removably positioned within the recess of the surgical device. The plurality of electrical contact pins extend through the filter when the adapter is connected to the surgical device.

Abstract: A fastener cartridge for use with a surgical instrument. The cartridge may include a cartridge body that has a series of staple pockets therein. A driver is movably supported in each staple pocket and is configured to operably support at least one surgical staple thereon. In one arrangement, at least some of the drivers may be formed with one or more laterally extending features that are configured to be received in correspondingly-shaped grooves in the cartridge body to provide lateral support to the driver as it is operably moved within the staple pocket. In other arrangements, at least one inwardly-extending features is formed in the inner wall surface of the pocket and is configured to be movably supported within correspondingly-shaped groove in the driver.

Abstract: A fastener cartridge is disclosed which comprises a cartridge body, a deck, a plurality of fastener cavities, and a plurality of fasteners removably stored within the fastener cavities. The fastener cartridge further comprises a tissue thickness compensator positioned over the fastener cavities configured to be captured within the fasteners, wherein the tissue thickness compensator is configured to adapt to the thickness of the tissue captured within the fasteners. The tissue thickness compensator comprises a first compression zone having a first set of material properties and a second compression zone having a second set of material properties, wherein a property in the first set of material properties is different than a corresponding property in the second set of material properties.

Abstract: A dynamic arresting mechanism for preventing injury from the torqueing of a rotating tool body. The mechanism including an inertia switch to automatically detect the rotation of the tool body and selectively initiate a dynamic arresting mechanism sequence configured to arrest the motor. The mechanism further including a first relay in communication with the inertia switch, an arresting mechanism configured to brake the rotation of the motor, and a delay mechanism configured to cut off power to the arresting mechanism and motor after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed. The mechanism is reset upon release of the trigger used to operate the rotating tool.

Abstract: A surgical instrument system is disclosed, the system including a first component and a second component, the first component being a reload assembly and the second component being selected from a group consisting of a handle assembly and an adapter assembly, the surgical instrument system including at least one chip assembly having a housing assembly on the first component, the housing assembly containing a chip, and a plug assembly on the second component, the chip having data for, and being configured to, prevent use of the reload assembly if the reload assembly is unauthorized.

Abstract: A surgical end effector for use with a surgical stapler for stapling tissue is disclosed. The end effector may comprise a frame portion, a staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples, a first jaw member, a second jaw member, and a rotation joint. The second jaw member is pivotably movable relative to the first jaw member about the rotation joint. The second jaw member is configured to apply a closing motion against the tissue and a firing motion to deform the staples, wherein both the closing motion and the firing motion are applied to the tissue from the same side of the tissue.

Abstract: In various instances, the surgical instrument can include a data storage protocol and/or at least one security feature. The surgical instrument can include a locking circuit, for example. In various instances, the surgical instrument can include sensors and/or magnets for detecting various characteristics of the surgical instrument, surgical operation, and/or surgical site. The surgical instrument can require a temporary access code for operating and/or can be selected for connection to an external display. A surgical system can include a first modular component, a second modular component, and a feedback system. The feedback system can include an engagement sensor, which can detect the engagement and/or degree of engagement of the first modular component and the second modular component.

Abstract: A screw driver (100) which comprises a motor (110) and a rotation transmission mechanism (120) is provided. The rotation transmission mechanism (120) comprises a driving gear (125), a spindle (150), a roller (141) and a retainer (130). The retainer (130) moves the roller (140) in a circumference direction of the spindle (150) and thereby a position of the roller (140) between a transmittable position and a non-transmittable position is switched.

Abstract: An assembly for fastening tissue is disclosed. The assembly may comprise a first jaw comprising a cartridge, wherein the cartridge comprises a plurality of fasteners. The plurality of fasteners comprises a first fastener comprising a first height and a second fastener comprising a second height, wherein the second height is different than the first height. The assembly further comprises a second jaw, wherein at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is movable relative to the other. The second jaw comprises a plurality of fastener-engaging portions. The plurality of fastener-engaging portions comprises a first fastener-engaging portion and a second fastener-engaging portion. The assembly further comprises a compressible layer intermediate the first jaw and the second jaw.

Abstract: A system, and a method of using a system, for controlled tool operation. The method includes providing a tool used in a force application such as a such torque application. The tool communicates with a controller which can communicate with the tool, and to a display in communication with the tool and the controller. The controller can be programmed with operational information about a tool operation. Information related to the operational information is displayed to a user during use. Service information including at least information about an amount of force applied during use is recorded and stored in the controller. Also disclosed is a computerized system for controlled tool operation which sends operational instructions to the tool before use and retrieves service information from the tool after use.

Abstract: A tool, such as a pneumatic tool, having a first and second housing portions coupled together. The first housing portion including an upper portion adapted to receive power and transmission components and a handle portion including a recess adapted to receive a trigger assembly. A reinforcement member is disposed in the recess with a first side facing in a first direction away from the recess and towards the second housing portion, and a protrusion extending from the first side in the first direction. The protrusion engages the second housing portion and strengthens the handle portion to allow the handle portion to withstand forces resulting from the tool being dropped on a hard surface.

Abstract: A device for dispensing an individual plastic fastener from a supply of fastener stock includes a motor-driven head assembly adapted to receive the supply of fastener stock, sever an individual fastener from the supply and in turn eject the severed fastener. The head assembly includes a pair of needle block assemblies that retain corresponding hollow needles, each needle block assembly being shaped to define a feed channel that transitions a side rail for the fastener stock into axial alignment behind its corresponding needle. In addition, at least one needle block assembly includes a rearward shelf and a forward bowing plate. In use, the lowermost cross-links of the fastener stock fittingly align between the shelf and the bowing plate. In this manner, the lowermost cross-links are limited to distort uniformly upward within the single plane defined by the pair of feed channels, thereby optimizing feed reliability of the device.

Abstract: A fastener cartridge can comprise a support portion, a tissue thickness compensator positioned relative to the support portion, and a plurality of fasteners positioned within the support portion and/or the tissue thickness compensator which can be utilized to fasten tissue. In use, the fastener cartridge can be positioned in a first jaw of a surgical fastening device, wherein a second jaw, or anvil, can be positioned opposite the first jaw. To deploy the fasteners, a staple-deploying member is advanced through the fastener cartridge to move the fasteners toward the anvil. As the fasteners are deployed, the fasteners can capture at least a portion of the tissue thickness compensator therein along with at least a portion of the tissue being fastened.