Abstract: A method of creating an anastomosis is provided using a stapling assembly including a body extending distally along a longitudinal axis and a deck member defining a deck surface. The deck surface includes a first array of staple openings comprising a herringbone pattern, and each staple opening of the first array of staple openings has a same size. The method includes positioning an anvil within a first lumen of a patient and positioning the stapling assembly within a second lumen of the patient. The method also includes releasably coupling the anvil with the stapling assembly and compressing tissue of the first and second lumens between the anvil and the deck member. The method further includes actuating a plurality of staple drivers to drive a first plurality of staples distally and parallel to the longitudinal axis from the first array of staple openings into the tissue to define the anastomosis.

Abstract: A surgical circular stapler has a handle assembly, a shaft assembly, a stapling head assembly, and an anvil. Firing the stapler causes the stapling head assembly to drive a plurality of staples in a circular array to secure two lumens of tissue together. The stapling head assembly may further drive a blade to sever any excess tissue interior of the circular array of staples. The stapler further includes one or more sensors that detect the degree to which the anvil is uniformly loaded when compressing tissue prior to firing the stapler. The one or more sensors can provide signals to a processor with various logic rules that can be used to signal to the user whether uniform loading is achieved. In some instances, the signal may be used in an automated fashion to determine if a uniform loading precondition is satisfied such that firing the stapler is enabled.

Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a first elongate member, a second elongate member, a clamp member, and a firing assembly. The first elongate member includes a distal portion that supports an anvil surface that includes a plurality of staple forming pockets. The second elongate member includes a distal portion that is configured to receive a staple cartridge. The clamp member is operable to releasably clamp the first elongate member against the second elongate member. The firing assembly is translatable from a first longitudinal position to a second longitudinal position to fire the staple cartridge. The firing assembly includes a slider and an actuator. The slider includes a first coupling feature. The actuator is configured to be selectively actuated by a user. The actuator includes a second coupling feature that is configured to generally surround the first coupling feature of the slider when the actuator moves relative to the slider.

Abstract: An ink for marking living tissue, the ink comprising: a carrier; an analgesic; an antiseptic; an antihistamine; and a coloring agent. A method of preparing an ink formulation for marking living tissue, comprising the steps of: mixing the pharmaceutically accepted carrier, analgesic, antiseptic, and antihistamine to form a carrier preservative compound; adding the pharmaceutically accepted coloring agent to the carrier preservative compound; mixing the pharmaceutically accepted coloring agent to the carrier preservative compound to form said ink formulation. A carrier preservative compound for removing ink from living tissue comprising: a carrier; an analgesic; an antiseptic; and an antihistamine.

Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a first stapler half including an anvil surface having a plurality of staple forming pockets, and a second stapler half configured to releasably couple with the first stapler half. The second stapler half is operable to deploy staples toward the anvil surface. The stapler also includes a projection positioned on one of the stapler halves and extending laterally relative to a longitudinal axis of the stapler. The stapler halves are configured to pivot relative to each other about the projection. The stapler further includes a locking member positioned on the other of the stapler halves. The locking member is configured to translate along the longitudinal axis of the stapler between a locked state in which the locking member selectively captures the projection and an unlocked state in which the locking member selectively releases the projection. The locking member is biased proximally toward the locked state.

Abstract: An electrified vehicle assembly includes, among other things, a grounding block secured to a frame member of an electrified vehicle. The grounding block includes a bore configured to receive a fastener to hold a grounding strap connector relative to the grounding block.

Abstract: A surgical stapler includes first and second elongate members, a clamp member, and a firing assembly. The second elongate member is configured to receive a staple cartridge. The clamp member is operable to releasably clamp the first elongate member against the second elongate member. The firing assembly is translatable to fire the staple cartridge. The firing assembly includes a slider and an actuator configured to be selectively actuated by a user. The slider includes inner and outer engagement features. The actuator includes inner and outer engagement features. The inner engagement feature of the actuator is configured to engage with the inner engagement feature of the slider at a first interface when the actuator moves relative to the slider. The outer engagement feature of the actuator is configured to engage the outer engagement feature of the slider at a second interface when the actuator moves relative to the slider.

Abstract: A surgical circular stapler has a handle assembly, a shaft assembly, a stapling head assembly, and an anvil. Firing the stapler causes the stapling head assembly to drive a plurality of staples in a circular array to secure two lumens of tissue together. The stapling head assembly may further drive a blade to sever any excess tissue interior of the circular array of staples. The stapler further includes one or more sensors that detect the degree to which the anvil is uniformly loaded when compressing tissue prior to firing the stapler. The one or more sensors can provide signals to a processor with various logic rules that can be used to signal to the user whether uniform loading is achieved. In some instances, the signal may be used in an automated fashion to determine if a uniform loading precondition is satisfied such that firing the stapler is enabled.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing assembly, a movable member, an anvil, and a force sensing assembly. The housing assembly includes a first housing, a second housing, and a deck surface that includes at least one annular array of staple openings. The force sensing assembly includes at least one of a compression force sensor disposed between the first and second housings or a tension force sensor coupled with the movable member or the anvil. The compression force sensor is configured to sense a compression force communicated longitudinally through the first and second housings during at least one of compressing tissue between the anvil and the deck surface or firing the surgical instrument. The tension force sensor is configured to sense a tension force communicated longitudinally through the movable member during at least one of compressing tissue between the anvil and the deck surface or firing the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a first stapler half including an anvil surface having a plurality of staple forming pockets, and a second stapler half configured to releasably couple with the first stapler half. The second stapler half is operable to deploy staples toward the anvil surface. The stapler also includes a projection positioned on one of the stapler halves and extending laterally relative to a longitudinal axis of the stapler. The stapler halves are configured to pivot relative to each other about the projection. The stapler further includes a locking member positioned on the other of the stapler halves. The locking member is configured to translate along the longitudinal axis of the stapler between a locked state in which the locking member selectively captures the projection and an unlocked state in which the locking member selectively releases the projection. The locking member is biased proximally toward the locked state.

Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a first stapler half including an anvil surface having a plurality of staple forming pockets, and a second stapler half configured to releasably couple with the first stapler half. The second stapler half is operable to deploy staples toward the anvil surface. The stapler also includes a projection positioned on one of the stapler halves and extending laterally relative to a longitudinal axis of the stapler. The stapler halves are configured to pivot relative to each other about the projection. The stapler further includes a locking member positioned on the other of the stapler halves. The locking member is configured to translate along the longitudinal axis of the stapler between a locked state in which the locking member selectively captures the projection and an unlocked state in which the locking member selectively releases the projection. The locking member is biased proximally toward the locked state.

Abstract: A surgical stapler includes first and second elongate members, a clamp member, and a firing assembly. The second elongate member is configured to receive a staple cartridge. The clamp member is operable to releasably clamp the first elongate member against the second elongate member. The firing assembly is translatable to fire the staple cartridge. The firing assembly includes a slider and an actuator configured to be selectively actuated by a user. The slider includes inner and outer engagement features. The actuator includes inner and outer engagement features. The inner engagement feature of the actuator is configured to engage with the inner engagement feature of the slider at a first interface when the actuator moves relative to the slider. The outer engagement feature of the actuator is configured to engage the outer engagement feature of the slider at a second interface when the actuator moves relative to the slider.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus comprising a multi-wavelength laser source that uses a single unfocused pulse of a low intensity but high power laser over a large sample area to collect Raman scattered collimated light, which is then Rayleigh filtered and focused using a singlet lens into a stacked fiber bundle connected to a customized spectrograph, which separates the individual spectra from the scattered wavelengths using a hybrid diffraction grating for collection onto spectra-specific sections of an array photodetector to measure spectral intensity and thereby identify one or more compounds in the sample.

Abstract: A surgical clip applier comprising an electric motor system is disclosed. The electric motor system is configured to drive a clip firing system of the surgical clip applier. The surgical clip applier further comprises a control system configured to control the electric motor system. The control system is configured to monitor a strain gauge circuit to assess the crimping force experienced by the clip firing system. In at least one instance, one or more strain gauges are mounted to a drive shaft and/or jaw of the clip firing system. The control system modifies the operation of the surgical clip applier when the voltage of the strain gauge circuit exceeds and/or falls below a threshold. In at least one instance, the control system modulates the width, or duration, of voltage pulses applied to the electric motor system to control the speed of the electric motor system.

Abstract: A motor vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a frame including a rail and an electrical distribution system routed at least partially through the rail. A method is also disclosed.