Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a stapling head assembly, an anvil, a firing assembly, a motor, a user input feature, and an electrical circuit. The firing assembly actuates the stapling head assembly to drive an annular array of staples through tissue toward the anvil. The motor actuates the firing assembly through an actuation stroke to thereby actuate the stapling head assembly. The electrical circuit includes a trigger switch and an electrical latching feature. The trigger transitions from an open state to a closed state in response to the user input feature transitioning from a non-actuated state to an actuated state. The electrical circuit activates the motor in response to closure of the trigger switch. The electrical latching feature maintains activation of the motor to complete the actuation stroke even if the trigger switch is transitioned back to the open state before completion of the actuation stroke.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and devices for delivering gaseous Nitrous Oxide (gNO) under therapeutic parameters to reduce infection in a subject. Certain embodiments include devices and systems for delivering pressurized gNO to reduce bioburden and promote healing in the wounds of subjects having various disease conditions, including skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) and osteomyelitis. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides portable wound healing devices for delivering pressurized gNO to the site of a wound to treat various disease conditions in a subject.

Abstract: Tissue thickness compensators for use with circular surgical staplers. Various tissue thickness compensators are disclosed for deployment between a stapler head of a surgical circular stapler and an anvil attached thereto to accommodate variances in tissue thickness during stapling. Some tissue thickness compensator arrangements include means and configurations for deploying healing agents for enhancing the healing process.

Abstract: A surgical circular stapler has a handle assembly, a shaft, a stapling assembly, and a firing assembly. The shaft extends distally from the handle assembly. The stapling assembly is secured to a distal end of the shaft. Longitudinal translation of the firing assembly causes the stapling assembly to drive a plurality of staples in a circular array to secure two lumens of tissue together. The stapling assembly may further drive a blade to sever any excess tissue interior of the circular array of staples. The stapler further includes a lockout assembly configured to control firing of the stapling assembly. The lockout assembly may include one or more switches, the actuation of which is configured to prevent or permit firing of the stapling assembly. The lockout assembly may additionally or alternatively include one or more mechanical lockout features configured to control firing of the stapling assembly.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for stapling tissue includes a body, a shaft assembly, and an anvil. The shaft assembly includes a stapling head assembly and an actuator. The anvil is configured to be selectively coupled to the actuator. The anvil is configured to cooperate with the stapling head assembly to staple tissue. The anvil comprises a head and a shank extending from the head. The shank includes a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen, and an engagement feature. The engagement feature is in communication with the lumen such that the engagement feature is configured to move relative to the axis in response to the rod being directed into the lumen. The engagement feature is configured to selectively couple the shank to the actuator. The proximal end of the engagement feature is radially fixed relative to the axis.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a stapling head assembly, an anvil, a firing assembly, a load sensor, and an indicator. The firing assembly actuates the stapling head assembly to drive an annular array of staples through tissue toward the anvil. The load sensor is operable to sense a load in the firing assembly while the firing assembly actuates the stapling head assembly. The indicator is operable to provide feedback based on the load sensed by the load sensor. The firing assembly may include a longitudinally translatable member. The instrument may further include a position sensor that is operable to sense a longitudinal position of the translatable member while the firing assembly actuates the stapling head assembly. The indicator may be activated based on data from at least one of the sensors indicating completion or failure of a full actuation stroke of the firing assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods useful for immune activation that is effective for eliciting a non-antigen-specific immune response in a subject. An immunomodulator composition can include a therapeutically effective amount of a liquid nitric oxide releasing solution (NORS) for eliciting an immune response in a subject to treat an adverse health condition in the subject.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handle assembly having a trigger operable to fire a staple driver to staple tissue. The instrument includes a pointed rod to which an anvil may be coupled. An anvil detection feature is included to determine when the anvil is coupled to the rod. In some versions, the anvil detection feature comprises a translatable rod that inhibits a lockout feature from disengaging. In other versions, an anvil sensing tube is disposed about the pointed rod and interferes with actuation of the trigger in a first position. A recess in the tube permits trigger to actuate when the anvil sensing tube is in the second position. Alternatively, a resilient tab is coupled to the pointed rod and resists actuation of the staple driver. A trigger lockout assembly may include a spring-loaded button that “pops” out when a push rod is actuated, thereby freeing a pivotable lockout feature.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, a stapling head assembly, and an anvil. The stapling head assembly includes an annular deck member, a plurality of staples, and a driver. The deck member includes a deck surface that has a curved profile defined by a curve extending from the inner diameter of the deck member to the outer diameter of the deck member. The deck member further includes an outer array of staple openings and an inner array of staple openings. The driver is operable to drive the staples through the staple openings. The anvil is operable to compress tissue against the first deck surface.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, a stapling head assembly, and an anvil. The stapling head assembly includes an annular deck member, a plurality of staples, and a driver. The deck member includes a deck surface that has a curved profile defined by a curve extending from the inner diameter of the deck member to the outer diameter of the deck member. The deck member further includes an outer array of staple openings and an inner array of staple openings. The driver is operable to drive the staples through the staple openings. The anvil is operable to compress tissue against the first deck surface.

Abstract: A surgical circular stapler has a body, shaft, a stapling assembly, a motor, a cam assembly, and a firing assembly. The shaft extends distally from the body. The stapling assembly is secured to a distal end of the shaft. Longitudinal translation of the firing assembly causes the stapling assembly to drive a plurality of staples in a circular array to secure two lumens of tissue together. The stapling assembly may further drive a blade to sever any excess tissue interior of the circular array of staples. The motor is operable to rotate the cam assembly. Rotation of the cam assembly causes longitudinal translation of the firing assembly. A single rotation of the cam assembly is operable to drive the firing assembly from a proximal position to a distal position and back to a proximal position.

Abstract: A surgical circular stapler has a handle assembly, a shaft, a stapling assembly, and a firing assembly. The shaft extends distally from the handle assembly. The stapling assembly is secured to a distal end of the shaft. Longitudinal translation of the firing assembly causes the stapling assembly to drive a plurality of staples in a circular array to secure two lumens of tissue together. The stapling assembly may further drive a blade to sever any excess tissue interior of the circular array of staples. The stapler further includes an indicator configured to indicate “readiness” of the stapler and/or to control firing of the stapling assembly. The indicator may indicate a position of an anvil relative to the stapling assembly and/or coupling of the anvil to the stapling assembly among other things. In addition, the stapler may include a self-draining battery pack configured to drain power upon removal from the stapler.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a stapling head assembly, an anvil, an anvil adjustment assembly, and an indicator assembly. The anvil is configured to couple with the stapling head assembly. The anvil adjustment assembly includes a translating member, which is operable to translate relative to the body to thereby adjust a gap distance between the anvil and a distal surface of the stapling head assembly. The indicator assembly includes a first member and a second member. The first member is configured to translate in response to translation of the translating member relative to the body. The second member is configured to remain stationary relative to the body. The indicator assembly is configured to provide feedback indicating whether the gap distance is sized to release tissue from between the anvil and the distal surface based on positioning of the first member in relation to the second member.

Abstract: An electronic system for a surgical instrument is disclosed. The electronic system comprises a main power supply circuit configured to supply electrical power to a primary circuit, a supplementary power supply circuit configured to supply electrical power to a secondary circuit, and a sleep mode monitor coupled between the main power supply circuit and the supplementary power supply circuit. The sleep mode monitor is configured to indicate one or more sleep mode conditions. The electronic system further comprises a device state monitor coupled to the primary circuit, the device state monitor configured to sense a state of various electrical and mechanical subsystems of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of immune activation which is effective for eliciting a non-antigen-specific immune response in a member of the bovine species. The method is particularly effective for protecting a member of the bovine species from infectious disease and treating animals inflicted with infectious disease.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treating excess mucus accumulation in mammals by administering gaseous inhaled nitric oxide or nitric oxide releasing compounds as a mucolytic agent or expectorant are provided. Delivery of gaseous nitric oxide can be made nasally or orally and is preferably substantially coincident with inhalation of the mammal or based on a synchronous parameter of the mammal's respiratory cycle. Varying therapeutic profiles may be used for the delivery of gaseous nitric oxide depending on the severity of the excess mucus accumulation. Parameters for the therapeutic profiles may include flow rate of nitric oxide containing gas, duration of administration of nitric oxide containing gas, number of breaths for which nitric oxide containing gas is to be administered, and concentrations of therapeutic NO delivered to the airways.