Abstract: A method of operating a surgical stapler includes advancing a knife assembly at a first velocity until a predetermined force is detected, advancing the knife assembly at a second velocity when the predetermined force is detected, the second velocity being less than the first velocity, and continuing to advance the knife assembly at the second velocity until the knife assembly travels a cutting stroke distance.

Abstract: A surgical device includes a handle assembly having a power source, a motor coupled to the power source, and a controller configured to control the motor. The device also includes an adapter assembly configured to selectively couple to the handle assembly, the adapter assembly including a stapling transmission assembly movable by the motor. The device also includes a reload configured to selectively couple to a distal portion of the adapter assembly, the reload including a plurality of staples ejectable from the reload by the stapling transmission assembly. The device also includes an anvil assembly selectively couplable to the distal portion of the adapter assembly, the anvil assembly being movable relative to the reload, where the controller may be further configured to control the motor to move the stapling transmission assembly to eject the staples while compensating for mechanical losses of the stapling transmission assembly.

Abstract: A surgical device includes a handle assembly having a power source; a motor coupled to the power source; and a controller configured to control the motor. The surgical device also includes an adapter assembly configured to selectively couple to the handle assembly; a reload configured to selectively couple to a distal portion of the adapter assembly, the reload including a plurality of fasteners; and an anvil assembly selectively couplable to the distal portion of the adapter assembly, the anvil assembly being movable relative to the reload. The controller is further configured to control the motor to move the anvil assembly from a starting position to a compressed position thereby compressing tissue at a target clamping force between the anvil assembly and the reload.

Abstract: Inserts and features to reduce or prevent spline crash in surgical staplers and/or to minimize damage resulting from spline crash in surgical staplers. An insert for a surgical stapler includes a body and spline covers. The body is configured to fit within a bore of a shell assembly and the spline covers extend inward from the body. Each of the spline covers are sized and dimensioned to cap a distal portion of splines of the shell assembly. A shell assembly for a surgical stapler includes shell splines that are disposed on an inner wall of an inner housing portion that defines a bore. The shell splines include a lead spline that has a leading end positioned distal of a leading end of each of the other shell splines.

Abstract: A surgical anvil assembly for use with a circular stapling instrument includes an anvil center rod defining a longitudinal axis and an anvil head pivotally coupled to the anvil center rod and movable between a first operative condition and a second tilted condition. The anvil assembly further includes a locking assembly configured to selectively lock the anvil head in each of the first and second conditions.

Abstract: A surgical device includes a reload assembly having a plurality of staples and an anvil assembly movable relative to the reload assembly. The device also includes a power source and a motor coupled to the power source. The device further includes a transmission assembly movable by the motor and configured to move the anvil assembly relative to the reload assembly. The device additionally includes a strain sensor configured to measure strain imparted on the transmission assembly. The device also includes a controller configured to determine whether the anvil assembly is adhered to tissue grasped between the reload assembly and the anvil assembly based on the measured strain.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a surgical device is disclosed. The surgical device includes a motor and a transmission assembly movable by the motor. The surgical device also includes a force sensor configured to measure force imparted on the transmission assembly. The device may also include a controller configured to: control the motor to move the transmission assembly to a starting position, interrogate the force sensor to receive a sensor signal, compare the sensor signal to a threshold, and determine whether the force sensor is faulty based on the comparison of the sensor signal to the threshold.

Abstract: A circular stapling device includes a handle assembly including a processor, an adapter assembly including a trocar assembly and a strain gauge assembly, a reload assembly operably secured to the adapter assembly, the reload assembly including a staple cartridge, and an anvil assembly releasably secured to the trocar assembly and moveably positioned relative to the staple cartridge between a spaced position and a clamped position. The processor includes software for determining when tissue clamped between the staple cartridge and the anvil assembly has achieved a predetermined tissue relaxation percent. A method of optimizing tissue relaxation during a stapling procedure includes clamping tissue between an anvil assembly and a reload assembly, calculating a tissue relaxation percent of the clamped tissue, and initiating a stapling sequence when the tissue relaxation percent equals or is less than a predetermined tissue relaxation percent.

Abstract: A powered surgical device includes a power source and a motor coupled to the power source. The device may also include a transmission assembly movable by the motor. The device may also include a sensor configured to monitor operation of the transmission assembly and output sensor data. The device may also include a controller configured to: determine position of the transmission assembly and operate the motor based on the position of the transmission assembly and an interruption in the sensor data.

Abstract: Inserts and features to reduce or prevent spline crash in surgical staplers and/or to minimize damage resulting from spline crash in surgical staplers. An insert for a surgical stapler includes a body and spline covers. The body is configured to fit within a bore of a shell assembly and the spline covers extend inward from the body. Each of the spline covers are sized and dimensioned to cap a distal portion of splines of the shell assembly. A shell assembly for a surgical stapler includes shell splines that are disposed on an inner wall of an inner housing portion that defines a bore. The shell splines include a lead spline that has a leading end positioned distal of a leading end of each of the other shell splines.

Abstract: A surgical device includes a reload assembly having a plurality of staples and an anvil assembly movable relative to the reload assembly. The device also includes a power source and a motor coupled to the power source. The device further includes a transmission assembly movable by the motor and configured to move the anvil assembly relative to the reload assembly. The device additionally includes a strain sensor configured to measure strain imparted on the transmission assembly. The device also includes a controller configured to determine whether the anvil assembly is adhered to tissue grasped between the reload assembly and the anvil assembly based on the measured strain.

Abstract: A surgical stapling system includes an adapter assembly, a trocar assembly attachable to the adapter assembly, a processor, and memory. The memory includes instructions executable by the processor to cause the trocar assembly to move relative to the adapter assembly and determine whether the trocar assembly is properly attached to the adapter assembly. Such determination is based on an amount of force applied between the trocar assembly and the adapter assembly, an amount of current detected in the surgical stapling system, or an amount of time the trocar assembly moves relative to the adapter assembly without an indication that the amount of force is within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A circular stapling instrument includes an adapter assembly having a tubular body, a shell assembly disposed on a distal portion of the tubular body, and a seal assembly supported on the tubular body. The seal assembly includes an inflatable member disposed proximal of the shell assembly, wherein the inflatable member includes a first diameter when in a deflated condition and a second diameter when in an inflated condition, the second diameter being larger than the first diameter.

Abstract: A handheld electromechanical surgical device, capable of effectuating a surgical procedure, includes a handle assembly having a power source; at least one motor coupled to the power source; and a controller configured to control the motor. The surgical device includes an adapter assembly having an electrical assembly having a proximal end in communication with the controller of the handle assembly. The surgical device includes a reload configured to selectively connect to a distal end of the adapter assembly. The reload includes an annular array of staples; an annular staple pusher for ejecting the staples; and a data storage device selectively connectable to a distal end of the electrical assembly. The data storage device receives and stores performance data of the surgical device from the controller of the handle assembly.

Abstract: A surgical device includes a power source, a motor coupled to the power source, and a transmission assembly movable by the motor. The device also includes a reload coupled to the transmission assembly. The reload includes a plurality of staples ejectable by the transmission assembly. The device further includes a distance sensor configured to monitor operation of the transmission assembly and output distance data. The device additionally includes a controller configured to operate the motor to move the transmission assembly proximally from a distal position until a hard stop is reached, and determine whether the plurality of staples have been previously ejected based on the distance data.

Abstract: A surgical anvil assembly for use with a circular stapling instrument includes an anvil center rod defining a longitudinal axis and an anvil head pivotally coupled to the anvil center rod and movable between a first operative condition and a second tilted condition. The anvil assembly further includes a locking assembly configured to selectively lock the anvil head in each of the first and second conditions.

Abstract: A circular stapling device includes a handle assembly including a processor, an adapter assembly including a trocar assembly and a strain gauge assembly, a reload assembly operably secured to the adapter assembly, the reload assembly including a staple cartridge, and an anvil assembly releasably secured to the trocar assembly and moveably positioned relative to the staple cartridge between a spaced position and a clamped position. The processor includes software for determining when tissue clamped between the staple cartridge and the anvil assembly has achieved a predetermined tissue relaxation percent. A method of optimizing tissue relaxation during a stapling procedure includes clamping tissue between an anvil assembly and a reload assembly, calculating a tissue relaxation percent of the clamped tissue, and initiating a stapling sequence when the tissue relaxation percent equals or is less than a predetermined tissue relaxation percent.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus includes a staple cartridge assembly, an anvil assembly operatively associated with the staple cartridge assembly, and a surgical buttress. The staple cartridge assembly includes a tissue facing surface having staple retaining slots defined therein, each staple retaining slot housing a staple therein, and an annular knife disposed radially inwardly of the tissue facing surface. The anvil assembly includes an anvil member including a tissue facing surface having staple forming recesses defined therein, and an anvil shaft extending from the anvil member. The surgical buttress is releasably disposed on the tissue facing surface of the staple cartridge assembly or the anvil assembly. The surgical buttress has an annular configuration defining a central aperture therethrough, and includes body segments extending radially outwardly about the central aperture in spaced radial relation relative to each other, and a ring segment interconnecting the body segments.

Abstract: A surgical stapling system includes an adapter assembly, a trocar assembly attachable to the adapter assembly, a processor, and memory. The memory includes instructions executable by the processor to cause the trocar assembly to move relative to the adapter assembly and determine whether the trocar assembly is properly attached to the adapter assembly. Such determination is based on an amount of force applied between the trocar assembly and the adapter assembly, an amount of current detected in the surgical stapling system, or an amount of time the trocar assembly moves relative to the adapter assembly without an indication that the amount of force is within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A method for powered surgical stapling instrument rotation adjustment includes measuring a change in position of a first motor shaft of the surgical stapling instrument relative to a stored rotation verification position of the first motor shaft resulting from manual rotation of an adapter assembly of the surgical stapling instrument in relation to a handle assembly of the surgical stapling instrument, determining a distance traveled by a first drive assembly of the adapter assembly of the surgical stapling instrument resulting from the change in position of the first motor shaft, comparing the determined distance traveled to a first stored rotation verification position of the first motor shaft, determining if the compared distance falls into a predetermined acceptable range of rotation positions, and adjusting the position of the drive shaft if the compared distance is not within the predetermined range.