Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a shaft assembly, an end effector, a firing system, and a firing lockout assembly. The end effector is operatively coupled with the shaft assembly. The end effector includes first and second jaws. The first jaw includes an anvil. The second jaw is configured to removably receive an unspent staple cartridge. The firing system extends through at least a portion of the shaft assembly and the end effector. The firing lockout assembly is selectively coupled with the firing system. The firing lockout assembly is disposed proximal to the end effector. The firing lockout assembly is configured to allow actuation of the firing system in an unlocked configuration in response to the unspent staple cartridge being coupled with the second jaw; and inhibit actuation of the firing system in a locked configuration in response to the unspent staple cartridge being absent from the second jaw.

Abstract: A memory controller component of a memory system stores memory access requests within a transaction queue until serviced so that, over time, the transaction queue alternates between occupied and empty states. The memory controller transitions the memory system to a low power mode in response to detecting the transaction queue is has remained in the empty state for a predetermined time. In the transition to the low power mode, the memory controller disables oscillation of one or more timing signals required to time data signaling operations within synchronous communication circuits of one or more attached memory devices and also disables one or more power consuming circuits within the synchronous communication circuits of the one or more memory devices.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating an anvil for a surgical stapling device. Various methods include forming an anvil body from a first material and a deformable anvil tip from a second material and attaching the deformable anvil tip to a distal end of the anvil body with a deformable second attachment member. Other methods include molding a deformable anvil tip to a distal end of an anvil body.

Abstract: A staple cartridge for use with a surgical instrument, the staple cartridge including: a longitudinal slot; a longitudinal row of obliquely-oriented inner staples positioned adjacent the longitudinal slot; a longitudinal row of obliquely-oriented outer staples; and a longitudinal row of obliquely-oriented intermediate staples. The longitudinal row of obliquely-oriented intermediate staples being positioned on the first side of the longitudinal slot intermediate the longitudinal row of obliquely-oriented inner staples and the longitudinal row of obliquely-oriented outer staples. The first lateral spacing being defined between the distal end of a staple of the longitudinal row of obliquely-oriented inner staples and the distal end of a staple of the longitudinal row of obliquely-oriented outer staples.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of links and a plurality of beads interconnected together using the plurality of links. Each link of the plurality of links defines a chord length. The plurality of beads is configured to be arranged in an annular arrangement. Each bead of the plurality of beads includes at least one magnet configured to emit a magnetic field. The annular arrangement is sized and configured to form a loop around an anatomical structure in a patient. The loop in the expanded configuration is configured to permit fluid flow through the anatomical structure. Adjacent magnetic fields of adjacent magnets of the adjacent beads are configured to interact until separated past a minimum threshold in response the annular arrangement moving from the contracted configuration to the expanded configuration. The minimum threshold is based on the chord length of the links.

Abstract: Stapling assemblies for use with a surgical stapler are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the stapling assembly includes a cartridge having a plurality of staples disposed therein and a non-fibrous adjunct formed of at least one fused bioabsorbable polymer and configured to be releasably retained on the cartridge. Adjunct systems for use with a surgical stapler are also provided. Surgical end effectors using the stapling assemblies are also provided. Methods for manufacturing stapling assemblies and using the same are also provided.

Abstract: A surgical data management system may enable a patient to provide conditional consent(s). The patient granted consent may be associated with one or more condition(s), stipulation(s), and/or limitations of the scope, duration, and/or usage of their health data. The surgical data management system may be configured to check that patient data is only being used in accordance with the consent data (e.g., for the agreed upon purpose(s) and for the agreed upon time). In response to a data request for health data associated with a patient, the system may obtain a conditional consent associated with the patient. The system may determine whether to block access to at least a portion of the health data associated with the patient based on the data request and whether the condition(s) associated with the conditional consent have been met.

Abstract: A data propagation reporting system may obtain an annotation associated with health data associated with a patient and may determine, based on the annotation, utilization information associated with the patient's health data. The data propagation reporting system may generate a patient data utilization report that may include at least a portion of the utilization information associated with the patient. The utilization information may indicate at least one of: the system(s) in which the health data associated with the patient has been used, when the health data associated with the patient has been accessed, or the purpose(s) for which the health data associated with the patient has been used. The utilization information may indicate the control program(s) (e.g., system algorithms) to which the patient's data has been contributed. The utilization information may indicate the data collection(s) in which the patient's data has been included.

Abstract: A staple cartridge is disclosed, for use with a surgical instrument, having a cartridge body including a proximal end, a distal end, and staple cavities, staples removably stored in said staple cavities, a sled movable toward said distal end during a staple firing stroke to eject said staples from said staple cavities, a sensor configured to detect the position of said sled; a cartridge control circuit in communication with said sensor; and at least one memory device in communication with said cartridge control circuit, wherein said cartridge control circuit is configured to store data in said at least one memory device regarding operation of the staple cartridge.

Abstract: A surgical instrument equipped with a coupler arrangement for coupling end effectors to an elongated shaft assembly of the surgical instrument. The end effectors may include a pair of jaws in the form of a carrier supporting a surgical staple cartridge and an anvil. The anvil is movable relative to the carrier in opening and closing directions. The end effector may include an articulation joint that facilitates pivotal travel of the carrier and anvil as a unit relative to the elongated shaft assembly in the same directions in which the anvil is opened and closed relative to the carrier.

Abstract: A method for establishing signal and power communication between a surgical instrument and a staple cartridge is disclosed.

Abstract: A memory system includes dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) components that include interconnected and redundant component data interfaces. The redundant interfaces facilitate memory interconnect topologies that accommodate considerably more DRAM components per memory channel than do traditional memory systems, and thus offer considerably more memory capacity per channel, without concomitant reductions in signaling speeds. Each DRAM component includes multiplexers that allow either of the data interfaces to write data to or read data from a common set of memory banks, and to selectively relay write and read data to and from other components, bypassing the local banks. Delay elements can impose selected read/write delays to align read and write transactions from and to disparate DRAM components.

Abstract: An end-effector and a surgical instrument are disclosed. The end-effector includes a clamp arm and an ultrasonic blade configured to acoustically couple to an ultrasonic transducer and to electrically couple to a pole of an electrical generator. The clamp arm includes a clamp jaw defining zones, a spring disposed in each of the zones, and a cantilever electrode configured to couple to an opposite pole of the electrical generator disposed along the zones and in contact with each of the springs to apply a variable spring bias along the length of the cantilever electrode. The cantilever electrode is fixed to the clamp jaw at a proximal end and free to deflect at a distal end. The spring bias force a spring in a zone is different from the spring bias force bias of another spring in another zone.

Abstract: A surgical instrument system comprising a motor system and a control circuit is disclosed. The motor system comprises a motor and a drive train coupleable to the motor and configured to actuate a firing member through a staple firing stroke. The control circuit is coupled to the motor, wherein the control circuit comprises a motor controller configured to control the motor, and wherein, during the staple firing stroke, the control circuit is configured to actuate the firing member through the staple firing stroke, monitor a parameter of the motor system during the staple firing stroke, identify when the firing member is within an active adjustment portion of the staple firing stroke; and automatically adjust, at a frequency, tuning parameters of the motor controller with based on the monitored parameter of the motor system during the active adjustment portion of the staple firing stroke.

Abstract: A surgical instrument system comprising a drive train and a control circuit is disclosed. The drive train comprises a motor and a shaft actuatable by the motor to actuate a function of an end effector. The control circuit is coupled to the motor, wherein the control circuit is configured to determine a relative excess capacity of the drive train, compare the relative excess capacity to a predetermined shifting threshold, and increase the speed of the motor based on the relative excess capacity exceeding the predetermined shifting threshold.

Abstract: A method of operating a surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes an electronic system comprising an electric motor coupled to the end effector; a motor controller coupled to the motor; a parameter threshold detection module configured to monitor multiple parameter thresholds; a sensing module configured to sense tissue compression; a processor coupled to the parameter threshold detection module and the motor controller; and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory stores executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to monitor multiple levels of action thresholds and monitor speed of the motor and increment a drive unit of the motor, sense tissue compression, and provide rate and control feedback to the user of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surgical instrument for treating tissue in a surgical procedure. The surgical instrument comprises an end effector, comprising an anvil, and a staple cartridge. The surgical instrument further comprises a drive train operably coupled to the end effector, a motor configured to motivate the drive train based on a default control algorithm to affect a tissue treatment motion of the end effector, and a sensor configured to monitor an independent parameter of the surgical procedure. The independent parameter is independent of the motion of the end effector. The surgical instrument further comprises a control circuit coupled to the motor and the sensor. The control circuit is configured to receive an input from the sensor indicative of the independent parameter, and adjust the default control algorithm based on the independent parameter.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for controlling a tissue-treatment motion by a surgical instrument are disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical system is disclosed including a surgical instrument and a control system. The surgical instrument comprises an end effector, a first drive system, and a second drive system. The control system is configured to detect the actuation of the first drive system of the surgical instrument, drive a first function of the end effector using the first drive system, monitor a first parameter associated with a first function, set a second parameter associated with a second function of the end effector based on the monitored first parameter, and drive the second function of the end effector using the second drive system.

Abstract: A surgical stapling system includes a motor, a gear reducer assembly, a drive train, and a motor controller. A method of controlling the motor includes applying a first signal to the motor, receiving drive train operational data, comparing the drive train data to baseline data, and applying a signal having a different shape than the first signal to the motor. A method of characterizing the motor includes transmitting a perturbation signal, receiving motor function parameters, determining stapler system characteristics, and adjusting a controller function. A method of controlling a stepper motor includes applying a signal to the stepper motor, receiving stepper motor operational data, comparing the data to baseline data, and adjusting the signal. Another method of controlling the motor includes receiving motor rotational data, receiving gear rotation data, calculating a mechanical transfer function, determining non-idealities of the stapling system, and modifying a control signal based on the non-idealities.