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.

Abstract: A surgical instrument system is disclosed which comprises a distal end and a staple cartridge assembly comprising staples removably stored therein. The instrument system further comprises a firing drive including an electric motor and a firing member operably couplable with the electric motor. The electric motor is operable to advance the firing member toward the distal end during a staple firing stroke to eject the staples from the staple cartridge. The electric motor is operable to retract the firing member away from the distal end during a retraction stroke. The surgical instrument system further comprises a manually-operated bailout mechanism operable to perform the retraction stroke in lieu of the electric motor, a controller, and a display in communication with the controller. The controller is configured to display the progress of the retraction stroke when the firing member is being manually retracted by the bailout mechanism.

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 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. 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 attachment is disclosed. The surgical stapling attachment comprises an attachment portion, a shaft assembly, an articulation joint, and an end effector assembly. The end effector assembly comprises a drive system comprising a closure drive and a firing drive configured to be selectively driven by a single input. The closure drive is configured to clamp tissue between an anvil and a staple cartridge assembly. The firing drive is configured to cut the tissue by deploying a knife and staple the tissue by ejecting a plurality of staples removably stored within the staple cartridge assembly.

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 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 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: 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 includes a handle assembly; a shaft assembly and an end effector. The shaft assembly includes an exterior shaft, a first clutch positioned within the exterior shaft to drive a first function of the surgical instrument when engaged. A second clutch within the exterior shaft to drive a second function when engaged. A rotary driver is positioned within the exterior shaft and configured to rotate within the exterior shaft. The rotary driver includes a first clutch engagement mechanism to engage the first clutch and a second clutch engagement mechanism configured to engage the second clutch independent of the first clutch engagement mechanism engaging the first clutch, such that, at different times both the first clutch and the second clutch are engaged simultaneously only the first clutch is engaged only the second clutch is engaged and neither the first clutch nor the second clutch is engaged simultaneously.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods designed to make it easier to couple end effectors to surgical instruments are provided. A variety of features are disclosed, which can be used independently or in conjunction with each other. The resulting benefits include enhanced visualization, more secure coupling, easier communication that coupling has occurred, self-clocking components with respect to each other, and more component modularity. In one exemplary embodiment, an end effector assembly having an end effector and an attachment arm includes a terminal end surface of the attachment arm having a three-dimensional configuration such that a portion of the end surface extends further away from a set location than another portion of the end surface extends from the location. In another exemplary embodiment, end effector assemblies include chambers having curved configurations that assist in self-clocking the assemblies with respect to surgical devices. Other features, devices, systems, and methods are also provided.

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: Surgical devices and methods are described. The surgical devices can generally include a housing having one or more actuators such as a closure actuator. An elongate shaft can extend distally from the housing and an end effector can be selectively coupled to a distal end of the shaft. The surgical device can include various features that prevent a user from actuating the device when the end effector is not properly coupled to the shaft. More specifically, the housing can include a locking member that can be pivoted or otherwise move relative the housing to cause various internal features of the housing to move to a ready-to-load position. With the locking member and actuator so positioned, an end effector can be loaded onto the shaft and the locking member can be moved from the ready-to-load position to the ready-to-actuate position, thus allowing the closure actuator to be in a ready-to-actuate position.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument comprising an elongate shaft assembly that that defines a shaft axis and includes a surgical end effector that is operably coupled thereto by an articulation joint. The surgical instrument further includes a rotary articulation member that is supported for rotation travel about a rotary axis that is transverse to the shaft axis. A first distal articulation driver assembly and a second distal articulation driver assembly operably interface with the surgical end effector and the rotary articulation member such that rotation of the rotary articulation member causes the first and second distal articulation drivers to articulate the surgical end effector relative to the shaft axis.

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 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 end effector includes a cartridge support member that is configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein. The surgical instrument further includes a longitudinally movable firing beam that extends through the articulation joint and is selectively axially movable from a starting position to an ending position within the surgical end effector. A firing beam locking assembly comprising a biasing member is operably supported on the articulation joint and is configured to apply a biasing motion to the firing beam to bias the firing beam into a locked position wherein the firing beam is prevented from moving from the starting to the ending position unless an unfired surgical staple cartridge is operably supported in the cartridge support member.

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.