Abstract: Disclosed is a method of controlling a modular battery powered handheld surgical instrument. The surgical instrument including a battery, a user input sensor, a controller, a radio frequency (RF) drive circuit, an ultrasonic transducer, ultrasonic transducer drive circuit, and an end effector. The end effector including an electrode electrically coupled to RF drive circuit, an ultrasonic blade acoustically coupled to the ultrasonic transducer, and a sensor to measure tissue parameters. The method includes applying an RF current drive signal to the electrode by the RF drive circuit; applying an ultrasonic drive signal to the ultrasonic transducer by the ultrasonic transducer drive circuit to acoustically excite the ultrasonic blade; controlling intensity, wave shape, and/or frequency of the RF current drive signal and the ultrasonic drive signal on a sensed measure of a tissue or user parameter.

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 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 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 surgical instrument comprising a first jaw, a second jaw, and a firing member is disclosed. The firing member comprises one or more cams configured to position the first jaw relative to the second jaw. In various instances, one of the cams is oriented at a non-parallel angle relative to another cam in order to reduce strain within the cams. In certain instances, at least one of the cams comprises a leading projection and a trailing projection positioned behind the leading projection which are configured to engage the same jaw. The ends of the leading projection and the trailing projection are not attached to one another and can move relative to one another. In some instances, one or more of the cams has a plastically deformable or wearable feature configured to facilitate multiple uses of the surgical instrument.

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: Surgical instruments having a rotary drive that can selectively actuate multiple end effector functions are described herein. In at least one embodiment, a surgical instrument includes an outer shaft, an end effector coupled to the outer shaft, a rotatable drive shaft coaxially disposed within an inner lumen of the outer shaft, and a plurality of selectively engageable clutches configured to transfer torque from the rotatable drive shaft to the end effector. Each of the clutches is configured to convert the rotation of the drive shaft into one of a plurality of movements of the end effector relative to the outer shaft.

Abstract: Devices and methods for positioning a surgical instrument are described herein. In one embodiment, a positioning device can include a base that can be placed against tissue and a shuttle including a lumen that can receive a surgical instrument. The lumen can be translated in at least two directions relative to the base and an orientation of the lumen relative to the base can be polyaxially adjusted. Further, the device can include a locking mechanism that, upon actuation, prevents both translational movement and polyaxial movement of the lumen relative to the base.

Abstract: A closure member for applying a closure motion to a movable jaw of a surgical instrument. In at least one form, the closure member comprises a closure body that defines an outer surface and an inner surface. The closure body further defines an upper portion that comprises an upper wall thickness between the outer and inner surfaces and a lower portion that comprises a lower wall thickness between the outer and inner surfaces. The upper wall thickness differs from the lower wall thickness. A cam surface is formed on the upper portion for selective camming contact with a portion of the movable jaw.

Abstract: A surgical instrument. In one form, the surgical instrument comprises a first jaw and a second jaw that is movably supported relative to the first jaw for selective movement between open and closed positions relative to the first jaw. A firing drive shaft is rotatably supported in one of the first and second jaws. A firing member operably interfaces with the firing drive shaft for selective axial travel in response to rotation of the firing drive shaft. The surgical instrument further comprises a distal power shaft that is separate and distinct from the firing drive shaft and is configured for selective operable engagement with the firing drive shaft. A closure member is supported for axial travel on a proximal end portion of the first jaw and is configured for selective threaded engagement with a portion of the distal power shaft.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument comprising an elongate shaft assembly that defines a shaft axis and includes a surgical end effector that is operably coupled thereto by an articulation joint. The surgical instrument includes a longitudinally movable flexible firing beam that is configured to flexibly traverse the articulation joint and be selectively axially movable from a starting position to an ending position. A middle support member is movably coupled to the elongate shaft assembly and a portion of the surgical end effector. A proximal support link is located proximal to the middle support member and is configured to provide lateral support to a proximal portion of the flexible firing beam traversing the articulation joint. A distal support link is located distal to the middle support member and is configured to provide lateral support to a distal portion of the flexible support beam traversing the articulation joint.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising an anvil and a firing member is disclosed. The anvil comprises longitudinal rows of staple forming pockets including inner rows of forming pockets, outer rows of forming pockets, and intermediate rows of forming pockets positioned between the inner rows of forming pockets and the outer rows of forming pockets. The firing member comprises cams configured to position the anvil which do not extend laterally beyond the inner rows of forming pockets. In other embodiments, the cams of the firing member do not extend laterally to the inner rows of forming pockets.

Abstract: A surgical instrument with separate actuatable closure and firing systems for closing a movable jaw and actuating a firing member. In one form, the surgical instrument comprises an elastic spine assembly that includes a proximal spine portion and a distal spine portion that is elastically coupled to the proximal spine portion for axial movement relative thereto between a neutral position and an elongated position such that during actuation of the firing system results in an increased application of closure motions to the movable jaw without actuating the closure system.

Abstract: A surgical instrument, comprising a handle and an end effector configured to perform a tissue-treating function. The end effector comprises a distal head comprising a rotatable jaw and an end effector frame comprising a longitudinal end effector axis. The surgical instrument further comprises means for rotating the distal head relative to the end effector frame, a display, and means for adjusting the contents of the display in relation to the rotation of the distal head.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising an elongate shaft assembly that defines a shaft axis. A surgical end effector is pivotally coupled to the elongate shaft assembly for selective pivotal travel about an articulation axis that extends transversely relative to the shaft axis. An articulation driver is supported for selective longitudinal travel relative to the elongate shaft assembly. A central articulation link is pivotally coupled to the elongate shaft assembly for pivotal travel relative thereto. An intermediate link is movably coupled to the articulation driver and the central articulation link. An end effector driver is movably coupled to the central articulation link and the surgical end effector.

Abstract: A surgical instrument assembly is disclosed which comprises a shaft, an articulation joint, and an end effector rotatably connected to the shaft about the articulation joint. The end effector comprises a first jaw, a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw, a staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples removably stored therein, and an anvil configured to deform the staples. The end effector further comprises a drive input, a closure system configured to move the second jaw between an open position and a closed position, a staple firing system configured to eject the staples from the staple cartridge, and a transmission positioned in the end effector, wherein the transmission is configurable in three operating states for operably coupling the closure system and the staple firing system with the drive shaft.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed. In one form, the surgical instrument comprises an elongate shaft assembly and an end effector that is configured for selective rotation relative to the axis of the elongate shaft assembly. The surgical instrument can include a rotary locking system for locking the surgical end effector in rotary orientations about the shaft axis upon application of axial locking and axial unlocking motions to the rotary locking system. The surgical instrument may further comprise a rotary drive system that is configured to apply rotary control motions to a firing member as well as to apply rotary positioning motions to the surgical end effector.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument comprising an elongate shaft assembly that defines a shaft axis and includes a surgical end effector that is operably coupled thereto by an articulation joint. The surgical instrument includes a longitudinally movable flexible firing beam that is configured to flexibly traverse the articulation joint and be selectively axially movable from a starting position to an ending position. A middle support member is movably coupled to the elongate shaft assembly and a portion of the surgical end effector. A proximal support link is located proximal to the middle support member and is configured to provide lateral support to a proximal portion of the flexible firing beam traversing the articulation joint. A distal support link is located distal to the middle support member and is configured to provide lateral support to a distal portion of the flexible support beam traversing the articulation joint.

Abstract: A stapling instrument system is disclosed that comprises an instrument comprising a handle and an output and, in addition, an interchangeable tool assembly attachable to the instrument. The interchangeable tool assembly comprises a housing, a drive input operably engageable with the output, and an end effector comprising a first rotatable output shaft, a second rotatable output shaft, and a transmission configurable in three operating states which selectively couple the first and second rotatable output shafts with the drive input.

Abstract: A surgical stapling system kit is disclosed which comprises a first module comprising, one, a first display system configured to display a first set of data regarding the operation of the first module and, two, a first attachment portion. The kit further comprises, one, a second module comprising a second display system configured to display a second set of data regarding the operation of the second module and, two, a second attachment portion attachable to the first module. The kit further comprises a third module comprising, one, a third display system configured to display a third set of data regarding the operation of the third module and, two, a third attachment portion attachable to the third module to the first module.