Abstract: An electromechanical surgical system having an instrument housing for connecting with a shaft assembly, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The end effector is an articulating end effector and the system includes a cable tensioning system for tensioning the articulation cables. The system includes a clutch mechanism for preventing slippage of a drive cable. The electromechanical system includes a staple cartridge that includes a knife that is movable between a raised position and a lowered position.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus (stapler) including a housing, elongated member, and a reload is disclosed. A cartridge is configured to selectively couple to a first jaw member of the reload and includes one or more resilient members thereon. An anvil operably supported on a second jaw member of the reload is configured to compress one or more fasteners ejected from the cartridge. The anvil includes one or more locking members thereon. A knife is configured to translate through the cartridge and anvil when the first and second jaw members are in a closed configuration. Engagement between the knife and the resilient member(s) causes the resilient member(s) to move from an initial configuration that allows the knife to travel distally past the locking member(s) to a final configuration that allows the locking member(s) to engage the knife.

Abstract: An electromechanical surgical system having an instrument housing for connecting with a shaft assembly, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The end effector is an articulating end effector and the system includes a cable tensioning system for tensioning the articulation cables. The system includes a clutch mechanism for preventing slippage of a drive cable.

Abstract: An electromechanical surgical system having an instrument housing for connecting with a shaft assembly, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The end effector is an articulating end effector and the system includes a cable tensioning system for tensioning the articulation cables. The system includes a clutch mechanism for preventing slippage of a drive cable.

Abstract: A loading unit for use with a surgical stapling apparatus is provided and includes a tool assembly having a cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly that are movable in relation to one another; a surgical buttress releasably secured to a tissue contacting surface of the anvil assembly and/or the cartridge assembly, wherein each surgical buttress is secured to the anvil assembly and/or the cartridge assembly by at least one anchor; a release assembly associated with the anvil assembly and/or the cartridge assembly; and a drive assembly slidably translatable through the tool assembly between proximal and distal positions, wherein the drive assembly actuates the release assembly to thereby release the anchor to free the surgical buttress from the anvil assembly and/or the cartridge assembly.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus (stapler) is provided. The stapler includes a housing, elongated member, and a reload. A cartridge is configured to selectively couple to a first jaw member of the reload and includes one or more resilient members thereon. An anvil operably supported on a second jaw member of the reload is configured to compress one or more fasteners ejected from the cartridge. The anvil includes one or more locking members thereon. A knife is configured to translate through the cartridge and anvil when the first and second jaw members are in a closed configuration. Engagement between the knife and the resilient member(s) causes the resilient member(s) to move from an initial configuration that allows the knife to travel distally past the locking member(s) to a final configuration that allows the locking member(s) to engage the knife.

Abstract: A loading unit for use with a surgical stapling apparatus is provided and includes a tool assembly having a cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly that are movable in relation to one another; a surgical buttress releasably secured to a tissue contacting surface of the anvil assembly and/or the cartridge assembly, wherein each surgical buttress is secured to the anvil assembly and/or the cartridge assembly by at least one anchor; a release assembly associated with the anvil assembly and/or the cartridge assembly; and a drive assembly slidably translatable through the tool assembly between proximal and distal positions, wherein the drive assembly actuates the release assembly to thereby release the anchor to free the surgical buttress from the anvil assembly and/or the cartridge assembly.

Abstract: An electromechanical surgical system having an instrument housing for connecting with a shaft assembly, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The end effector is an articulating end effector and the system includes a cable tensioning system for tensioning the articulation cables. The system includes a clutch mechanism for preventing slippage of a drive cable.

Abstract: An electromechanical surgical system having an instrument housing for connecting with a shaft assembly, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The end effector is an articulating end effector and the system includes a cable tensioning system for tensioning the articulation cables. The system includes a clutch mechanism for preventing slippage of a drive cable.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a first jaw defining a channel, a second jaw including an anvil plate, a staple cartridge, and a drive beam. The staple cartridge is received in the channel and includes a sled, a knife blade, a plurality of staple pushers, and a plurality of staples. The sled is movable into engagement with the staple pushers to eject the staples from the staple cartridge. The knife blade is secured to the sled and is movable between raised and lowered positions.

Abstract: An end effector includes first and second jaws, a drive screw, a lead screw nut, and a drive beam. The drive screw is disposed within the first jaw. The lead screw nut defines a threaded bore that receives the drive screw. The lead screw nut is advanced along the drive screw as the drive screw is rotated in a first direction and is retracted along the drive screw as the drive screw rotates in a second direction. The drive beam is releasably coupled to the lead screw nut when the lead screw nut is in a retracted position. As the lead screw nut is advanced the drive beam is pulled by the lead screw nut. The drive beam is decoupled from the lead screw nut as the lead screw nut is advanced such that the lead screw nut is advanced relative to the drive beam.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus (stapler) is provided and is configured to couple to a reload. The reload includes a first jaw member releasably supporting a cartridge that includes a slide deflector that is movable from a first position to a second position. One or more lockout steps are provided on one of the first and second jaw members of the reload. A drive member includes a working end urged to move toward the lockout step. In the first position, the slide deflector is positioned to prevent engagement of the working end of the drive member with the lockout step, and in the second position the slide deflector is positioned to allow engagement of the working end with the lockout step to prevent further advancement of the working end. Distal translation of the working end causes the slide deflector to move from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus (stapler) is provided. A tool assembly includes first and second jaw members. A cartridge assembly includes an actuation sled and a slide. A drive member having a working end is configured to translate through the tool assembly when the first and second jaw members are in a closed configuration. A lock assembly including a latch is movable from a locked position to an unlocked position. The latch is urged to the locked position to engage the working end to prevent distal translation of the drive member through the tool assembly. The slide is configured to move the latch from the locked position to the unlocked position upon installation of an unspent cartridge assembly onto the first jaw member. The slide is movable by the drive member upon actuation of the stapling apparatus to allow the latch to move back to the locked position.

Abstract: An end effector usable with a surgical instrument includes a first jaw pivotably coupled to a second jaw. The first jaw includes staple forming depressions. A staple cartridge is releasably attachable to a channel of the second jaw. A plurality of staples is disposed in the staple cartridge. A shipping wedge is releasably attached to the staple cartridge. The shipping wedge maintains the staples in their respective retention slots and is usable to separate the staple cartridge from the channel of the second jaw.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus includes a handle assembly, a shaft assembly extending distally from the handle assembly, and an end effector selectively detachable from the shaft assembly. The end effector includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The first jaw member supports a lever that is pivotally movable relative to the first jaw member between an extended position and a retracted position. The lever is in contact with a leaf spring to spring bias the lever to the extended position. The second jaw member supports a drive beam that is selectively engagable with the lever to facilitate a pivotal movement of the second jaw member relative to the first jaw member between an unapproximated state and an approximated state.

Abstract: A staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapling apparatus includes a cartridge body including a tissue contacting surface defining a plurality of staple retaining slots, a staple disposed within each staple retaining slot of the cartridge body, and a substantially circular buttress. The buttress includes an inner portion, an outer portion, and a middle portion extending between the inner portion and the outer portion. At least one stiffened region joins the buttress to the tissue contacting surface of the cartridge body. The inner portion, the middle portion, the outer portion, and the at least one stiffened region are all formed from a common material.

Abstract: An electromechanical surgical system having an instrument housing for connecting with a shaft assembly, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The end effector is an articulating end effector and the system includes a cable tensioning system for tensioning the articulation cables. The system includes a clutch mechanism for preventing slippage of a drive cable.

Abstract: An electromechanical surgical system having an instrument housing for connecting with a shaft assembly, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The end effector is an articulating end effector and the system includes a cable tensioning system for tensioning the articulation cables. The system includes a clutch mechanism for preventing slippage of a drive cable.

Abstract: A staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapling apparatus includes a cartridge body including a tissue contacting surface defining a plurality of staple retaining slots, a staple disposed within each staple retaining slot of the cartridge body, and a substantially circular buttress. The buttress includes an inner portion, an outer portion, and a middle portion extending between the inner portion and the outer portion. At least one stiffened region joins the buttress to the tissue contacting surface of the cartridge body. The inner portion, the middle portion, the outer portion, and the at least one stiffened region are all formed from a common material.

Abstract: An electromechanical surgical system having an instrument housing for connecting with a shaft assembly, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The end effector is an articulating end effector and the system includes a cable tensioning system for tensioning the articulation cables. The system includes a clutch mechanism for preventing slippage of a drive cable.