Abstract: Various cartridge assemblies for surgical instruments are provided. Cartridge assemblies can include active sensors for applying stimuli to a tissue clamped by an end effector of the surgical instrument and a circuit configured to determine a tissue type of the tissue according to a change in the tissue parameter detected by the sensor resulting from a stimulus from the active element. Cartridge assemblies can also include physical features and/or stored data that identify the cartridge. Surgical instruments further can be configured to resolve conflicts when the physical features and/or stored data are not consistent with each other in their identification of the cartridge type.

Abstract: A surgical staple cartridge is disclosed comprising a plurality of staples removably stored within the surgical staple cartridge. The staples comprise staple legs which extend from a staple base portion. The staple legs comprise staple tips configured to pierce tissue and contact a corresponding forming pocket of an anvil of surgical stapling instrument. The staples further comprise zones having different hardnesses.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided in which movement of a tool is controlled based on sensed parameters. In one embodiment, an electromechanical tool is provided having an instrument shaft and an end effector formed thereon. The electromechanical tool is configured to be mounted on an electromechanical arm, and the electromechanical tool is configured to move with or relative to the electromechanical arm and perform surgical functions. A controller is operatively coupled to the electromechanical arm and the electromechanical tool and is configured to retard advancement of the electromechanical tool toward a tissue surface based on a sensed amount of displacement of a tissue surface, a strain on the tissue of the patient, the temperature of the electromechanical tool, or the like.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system comprising an end effector and a control circuit is disclosed. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw. At least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is movable to transition the end effector from an open configuration to a closed configuration to grasp tissue therebetween. The control circuit is configured to cause an application of two different energy modalities to the tissue simultaneously and separately during a tissue treatment cycle comprising a tissue coagulation stage and a tissue transection stage.

Abstract: Tissue irregularity complication(s) may be predicted based on biomarker measurements obtained before a surgery and/or during the surgery via one or more sensing systems. For example, a computing system may monitor the patient biomarker(s) including tissue perfusion pressure, lactate, oxygen saturation, VO2Max, respiration rate, autonomic tone, sweat rate, heart rate variability, skin conductance, GI motility, edema and/or hydration state. Based on the prediction, the computing system may generate a control signal configured to alter a matter in which a surgical cutting and stapling device and/or a surgical energy operate, to adjust a surgical procedure plan, to adjust a surgical instrument selection, indicate a probability of the tissue irregularity complication, and/or to indicate a suggested adjustment to surgical procedure plan, surgical approach, and/or surgical instrument selection.

Abstract: A surgical system comprising a surgical hub, a surgical instrument, a generator configured to energize an end effector; and a smoke evacuation system configured to remove smoke from a surgical site is disclosed. The surgical instrument comprises the end effector. A control command is passed directly from the surgical hub to the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument is configured to pass the control command received from the surgical hub to the generator and the smoke evacuation system in a daisy-chain manner.

Abstract: A method of compressing tissue during a surgical procedure is disclosed. The method comprises obtaining a surgical instrument comprising an end effector, wherein the end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw, establishing a communication pathway between the surgical instrument and a surgical hub, and inserting the surgical instrument into a surgical site. The method further comprises compressing tissue between the first jaw and the second jaw, determining a location of the compressed tissue with respect to at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw, communicating the determined location of the compressed tissue to the surgical hub, and displaying the determined location of the compressed tissue on a visual feedback device.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided in which movement of a tool is controlled based on sensed parameters. In one embodiment, an electromechanical tool is provided having an instrument shaft and an end effector formed thereon. The electromechanical tool is configured to be mounted on an electromechanical arm, and the electromechanical tool is configured to move with or relative to the electromechanical arm and perform surgical functions. A controller is operatively coupled to the electromechanical arm and the electromechanical tool and is configured to retard advancement of the electromechanical tool toward a tissue surface based on a sensed amount of displacement of a tissue surface, a strain on the tissue of the patient, the temperature of the electromechanical tool, or the like.

Abstract: A surgical staple cartridge is disclosed comprising a plurality of staples removably stored within the surgical staple cartridge. The staples comprise staple legs which extend from a staple base portion. The staple legs comprise staple tips configured to pierce tissue and contact a corresponding forming pocket of an anvil of surgical stapling instrument. The staples further comprise zones having different hardnesses.

Abstract: A surgical hub for use with a surgical system in a surgical procedure performed in an operating room is disclosed. The surgical hub comprises a control circuit configured to generate a first image of a surgical site from a real-time imaging source, receive a second image of the surgical site from a non-real-time image source, align the first image and the second image, generate a representation of the surgical site based on the first image and the second image as aligned, display the representation on a display screen, receive a first user selection to overlay hidden structures on the representation, receive a second user selection to manipulate the representation, and adjust the representation based on the second user selection.

Abstract: A surgical system for use in a surgical procedure is disclosed. The surgical system includes a surgical visualization system and a control circuit configured to propose a portion of an organ to resect based on visualization data from the surgical visualization system, determine a first value of a non-visualization parameter of the organ prior to resection of the portion, and determine a second value of the non-visualization parameter of the organ after resection of the portion. Resection of the portion is configured to yield an estimated capacity reduction of the organ.

Abstract: A staple cartridge comprising staples that are lubricated before they are loaded into the staple cartridge and after they have been loaded into the staple cartridge is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for robotic surgery, and in particular for controlling various motions of a tool based on visual indicators. In general, a surgical tool can include an elongate shaft and an end effector coupled to a distal end of the elongate shaft and including first and second jaws. The tool can have at least one visual indicator disposed thereon and configured to indicate a size, position, or speed of movement of the tool or components of the tool.

Abstract: A method for generating and updating a three-dimensional representation of a surgical site based on imaging data from an imaging system is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of generating a first image of the surgical site based on structured electromagnetic radiation emitted from the imaging system, receiving a second image of the surgical site, aligning the first image and the second image, generating a three-dimensional representation of the surgical site based on the first image and the second image as aligned, displaying the three-dimensional representation on a display screen, receiving a user selection to manipulate the three-dimensional representation, and updating the three-dimensional representation as displayed on the display screen from a first state to a second state according to the received user selection.

Abstract: In general, systems, methods, and devices for modeling air leaks in lungs are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the systems, methods, and devices provide a model to allow for simulation of negative and positive pressure ventilation modes in vitro, which may allow for evaluation and investigation of pathologies and interventions. In addition to ventilation functions the model includes submersion of the lung sample in fluid inside a chamber and cycling the fluid through a collection system to collect air leaked from the lung. The model can allow for quantification and visual observation of air leaks in real time.

Abstract: A surgical visualization system is disclosed that comprises a control circuit configured to receive pre-operative imaging data associated with an organ, receive first intraoperative imaging data indicative of a structured light pattern on a surface of the organ, generate a three-dimensional digital representation of the organ based on the pre-operative imaging data and the first intraoperative imaging data, display the three-dimensional digital representation of the organ on a display screen, receive second intraoperative imaging data indicative of a plurality of spectral light waves penetrating the organ, intraoperatively identify a structure below the surface of the organ based on the second intraoperative imaging data, generate a three-dimensional digital representation of the structure below the surface of the organ, and overlay the three-dimensional digital representation of the structure with the three-dimensional digital representation of the organ on the display screen.

Abstract: An automated surgical system includes a visualization system, an imaging display system, and a surgical hub. The visualization system includes an illumination source and an imaging device. The surgical hub includes a processor and a memory device configured to store instructions. The instructions direct the surgical hub processor to control the illumination source to illuminate a surgical site and to control the imaging device to receive the imaging data. The surgical processor processes the imaging data to create display data that is transmitted over a cloud-based network to the imaging display system for display.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector having a first jaw, a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw to grasp tissue therebetween, an anvil, a staple cartridge comprising staples deployable into the tissue, wherein the staples are deformable by the anvil, and a sensor configured to provide a sensor signal according to a physiological parameter of the tissue. The surgical instrument further includes a control circuit coupled to the sensor, wherein the control circuit is configured to receive the sensor signal, and assess proximity of the sensor to cancerous tissue based on the sensor signal.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided in which movement of a tool is controlled based on sensed parameters. In one embodiment, an electromechanical tool is provided having an instrument shaft and an end effector formed thereon. The electromechanical tool is configured to be mounted on an electromechanical arm, and the electromechanical tool is configured to move with or relative to the electromechanical arm and perform surgical functions. A controller is operatively coupled to the electromechanical arm and the electromechanical tool and is configured to retard advancement of the electromechanical tool toward a tissue surface based on a sensed amount of displacement of a tissue surface, a strain on the tissue of the patient, the temperature of the electromechanical tool, or the like.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a housing, a shaft assembly, a processor, and a memory is disclosed. The shaft assembly is replaceably connected to the housing. The shaft assembly comprises an end effector. The memory is configured to store program instructions which, when executed from the memory cause the processor to send an electrical interrogation signal to the attached shaft assembly, receive a response signal from the attached shaft assembly, cause a default function to be performed when a response signal is not received by the attached shaft assembly, determine an identifying characteristic of the attached shaft assembly as a result of the performance of the default function, and modify a control program based on the identifying characteristic of the attached shaft assembly.