Abstract: A surgical instrument including a system for stopping a beam of the surgical instrument from impacting a distal pin when reversing a knife is disclosed. A knife assembly of the surgical instrument comprises the knife, the beam, and a firing nut. A firing lead screw can drive the firing nut distally and proximally. A firing screw compression spring extends along the firing lead screw and applies a load proximally on the firing nut when the firing nut is driven toward a distal end of the firing lead screw.

Abstract: A system for preventing unwanted tissue migration in surgical staplers includes a surgical stapler having an end effector including an upper jaw and a lower jaw. A distal end of the upper jaw is connected to a distal end of the lower jaw, and a proximal end of the upper jaw is connected to a proximal end of the lower jaw. First and second tissue stops are formed on the distal and proximal ends of the lower jaw, respectively. The second tissue stop and the proximal end of the upper jaw define a no cut zone when the surgical stapler is in an open position. The surgical stapler also includes a tissue cutting device disposed within the lower jaw for resecting tissue. The system also includes a warning, blocking, impeding, or barrier forming device for preventing the unwanted migration of tissue into the no tissue zone.

Abstract: An electrosurgical surgical instrument comprising an end effector, the end effector comprising an anvil; a cartridge operably configured to house a plurality of staples; a blade assembly comprising a blade; at least one electrode coupled to the blade, wherein the at least one electrode is in electrical communication with an electrosurgical power source generated from a controller; and at least one tissue sensor coupled to the blade; and a tissue monitoring system in electrical communication with the at least one tissue sensor, wherein the at least one tissue sensor provides feedback signals indicative of a property of the tissue to the controller, and wherein the controller signals the electrosurgical power source to adjust operational parameters of the electrosurgical surgical instrument based on the feedback signals.

Abstract: A buttress device includes an applicator assembly including an applicator body, the applicator body being flexible, and a release liner. The release liner is coupled to the applicator body. The buttress device includes a buttress positioned on the applicator body, and a buttress fastener, the buttress fastener configured to couple the buttress to an end effector. The buttress fastener is configured to be releasably fastened to the release liner. The buttress device has a first configuration in which the buttress is coupled to the applicator assembly, and a second configuration in which the buttress is uncoupled from the applicator assembly, wherein the sacrificial tab is removed from the applicator assembly in the second configuration.

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 instrument comprising an elongate shaft assembly that includes a surgical end effector that is operably coupled thereto by an articulation joint. The surgical instrument may include a first distal articulation driver operably coupled to the surgical end effector and a second distal articulation driver that is coupled to the surgical end effector. At least one driver member may operably engage the first and second distal articulation drivers such that when the first distal articulation driver is moved in a distal direction, the least one driver moves the second distal articulation driver in a proximal direction and when the first distal articulation driver is moved in the proximal direction, the at least one driver member moves the second distal articulation driver in the distal direction.

Abstract: Embodiments include an end effector including an anvil, the anvil having an anvil face, an anvil blade channel defined by the anvil face, a first pocket row of first row staple pockets, a second pocket row of second row staple pockets, a third pocket row of third row staple pockets, a fourth pocket row of fourth row staple pockets, a fifth pocket row of fifth row staple pockets, a sixth pocket row of sixth row staple pockets, a cartridge having a a cartridge face defining a cartridge blade channel, the cartridge being configured to retain a plurality of staples, and a blade, the blade having a cutting edge, where the blade is movable from a first position at a distal end of the cartridge to a second position at a proximal end of the cartridge.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument comprising an elongate shaft assembly that includes a surgical end effector that is operably coupled thereto by an articulation joint. The surgical instrument may include a first distal articulation driver operably coupled to the surgical end effector and a second distal articulation driver that is coupled to the surgical end effector. At least one driver member may operably engage the first and second distal articulation drivers such that when the first distal articulation driver is moved in a distal direction, the least one driver moves the second distal articulation driver in a proximal direction and when the first distal articulation driver is moved in the proximal direction, the at least one driver member moves the second distal articulation driver in the distal direction.

Abstract: A surgical instrument including a system for stopping a beam of the surgical instrument from impacting a distal pin when reversing a knife is disclosed. A knife assembly of the surgical instrument comprises the knife, the beam, and a firing nut. A firing lead screw can drive the firing nut distally and proximally. A firing screw compression spring extends along the firing lead screw and applies a load proximally on the firing nut when the firing nut is driven toward a distal end of the firing lead screw.

Abstract: A method for deforming a staple comprising a base, a first staple leg, and a second staple leg, wherein the base, the first staple leg, and the second staple leg are positioned within a common plane prior to being deformed, the method comprising positioning the first staple leg within a first cup of a staple pocket, the first cup comprising a first inner surface, applying a first compressive force to the first staple leg to bend the first staple leg toward the base and the second staple leg, contacting the first inner surface with the end of the first staple leg to bend the end of the first staple leg toward a first side of the base, and deforming the first staple leg such that the end of the first staple leg crosses a mid-line of the staple defined between the first staple leg and the second staple leg.

Abstract: Embodiments include an end effector including an anvil, the anvil having an anvil face, an anvil blade channel defined by the anvil face, a first pocket row of first row staple pockets, a second pocket row of second row staple pockets, a third pocket row of third row staple pockets, a fourth pocket row of fourth row staple pockets, a fifth pocket row of fifth row staple pockets, a sixth pocket row of sixth row staple pockets, a cartridge having a cartridge face defining a cartridge blade channel, the cartridge being configured to retain a plurality of staples, and a blade, the blade having a cutting edge, where the blade is movable from a first position at a distal end of the cartridge to a second position at a proximal end of the cartridge.

Abstract: A buttress device includes an applicator assembly including an applicator body, the applicator body being flexible, and a release liner. The release liner is coupled to the applicator body. The buttress device includes a buttress positioned on the applicator body, and a buttress fastener, the buttress fastener configured to couple the buttress to an end effector. The buttress fastener is configured to be releasably fastened to the release liner. The buttress device has a first configuration in which the buttress is coupled to the applicator assembly, and a second configuration in which the buttress is uncoupled from the applicator assembly, wherein the sacrificial tab is removed from the applicator assembly in the second configuration.

Abstract: Embodiments include an end effector including an anvil, the anvil having an anvil face, an anvil blade channel defined by the anvil face, a first pocket row of first row staple pockets, a second pocket row of second row staple pockets, a third pocket row of third row staple pockets, a fourth pocket row of fourth row staple pockets, a fifth pocket row of fifth row staple pockets, a sixth pocket row of sixth row staple pockets, a cartridge having a cartridge face defining a cartridge blade channel, the cartridge being configured to retain a plurality of staples, and a blade, the blade having a cutting edge, where the blade is movable from a first position at a distal end of the cartridge to a second position at a proximal end of the cartridge.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument comprising an elongate shaft assembly that includes a surgical end effector that is operably coupled thereto by an articulation joint. The surgical instrument may include a first distal articulation driver operably coupled to the surgical end effector and a second distal articulation driver that is coupled to the surgical end effector. At least one driver member may operably engage the first and second distal articulation drivers such that when the first distal articulation driver is moved in a distal direction, the least one driver moves the second distal articulation driver in a proximal direction and when the first distal articulation driver is moved in the proximal direction, the at least one driver member moves the second distal articulation driver in the distal direction.

Abstract: A buttress device includes an applicator assembly including an applicator body, the applicator body being flexible, and a release liner, the release liner comprising a sacrificial tab. The release liner is coupled to the applicator body. The buttress device includes a buttress positioned on the applicator body, and a buttress fastener, the buttress fastener configured to couple the buttress to an end effector. The buttress fastener is configured to be releasably fastened to the release liner. The buttress device has a first configuration in which the buttress is coupled to the applicator assembly, and a second configuration in which the buttress is uncoupled from the applicator assembly, wherein the sacrificial tab is removed from the applicator assembly in the second configuration.

Abstract: A buttress device includes an applicator assembly including an applicator body, the applicator body being flexible, and a release liner, the release liner comprising a sacrificial tab. The release liner is coupled to the applicator body. The buttress device includes a buttress positioned on the applicator body, and a buttress fastener, the buttress fastener configured to couple the buttress to an end effector. The buttress fastener is configured to be releasably fastened to the release liner. The buttress device has a first configuration in which the buttress is coupled to the applicator assembly, and a second configuration in which the buttress is uncoupled from the applicator assembly, wherein the sacrificial tab is removed from the applicator assembly in the second configuration.

Abstract: A system for preventing unwanted tissue migration in surgical staplers includes a surgical stapler having an end effector including an upper jaw and a lower jaw. A distal end of the upper jaw is connected to a distal end of the lower jaw, and a proximal end of the upper jaw is connected to a proximal end of the lower jaw. First and second tissue stops are formed on the distal and proximal ends of the lower jaw, respectively. The second tissue stop and the proximal end of the upper jaw define a no cut zone when the surgical stapler is in an open position. The surgical stapler also includes a tissue cutting device disposed within the lower jaw for resecting tissue. The system also includes a warning, blocking, impeding, or barrier forming device for preventing the unwanted migration of tissue into the no tissue zone.

Abstract: A system for preventing unwanted tissue migration in surgical staplers includes a surgical stapler having an end effector including an upper jaw and a lower jaw. A distal end of the upper jaw is connected to a distal end of the lower jaw, and a proximal end of the upper jaw is connected to a proximal end of the lower jaw. First and second tissue stops are formed on the distal and proximal ends of the lower jaw, respectively. The second tissue stop and the proximal end of the upper jaw define a no cut zone when the surgical stapler is in an open position. The surgical stapler also includes a tissue cutting device disposed within the lower jaw for resecting tissue. The system also includes a warning, blocking, impeding, or barrier forming device for preventing the unwanted migration of tissue into the no tissue zone.

Abstract: A system for preventing unwanted tissue migration in surgical staplers includes a surgical stapler having an end effector including an upper jaw and a lower jaw. A distal end of the upper jaw is connected to a distal end of the lower jaw, and a proximal end of the upper jaw is connected to a proximal end of the lower jaw. First and second tissue stops are formed on the distal and proximal ends of the lower jaw, respectively. The second tissue stop and the proximal end of the upper jaw define a no cut zone when the surgical stapler is in an open position. The surgical stapler also includes a tissue cutting device disposed within the lower jaw for resecting tissue. The system also includes a warning, blocking, impeding, or barrier forming device for preventing the unwanted migration of tissue into the no tissue zone.

Abstract: An end effector for use with a surgical instrument includes an anvil with at least one staple pocket that defines a longitudinal axis. The staple pocket comprises a first cup and a second cup. The end effector also includes a staple cartridge.