Abstract: An apparatus includes a first and second elongate member that can releasably couple together to in order to cooperate to clamp and staple tissue, a latch member that can latch the first and second elongate member to clamp tissue, a firing assembly that can sever and staple clamped tissue, and a clamp force measuring assembly. The clamp force measuring assembly can measure a parameter associated with a clamping force imparted on the first and second stapling surfaces while clamping tissue, and process and communicate the measured parameter to be compared with a predetermined limit associated with successful staple formation.

Abstract: A system for stapling tissue is disclosed. The system can include a channel and a compatible staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples. The channel and the compatible staple cartridge comprise mating or cooperating alignment features for permitting complete insertion of the compatible staple cartridge and for preventing an incompatible staple cartridge from being completely inserted in the channel.

Abstract: A method of creating an anastomosis is provided using a stapling assembly including a body extending distally along a longitudinal axis and a deck member defining a deck surface. The deck surface includes a first array of staple openings comprising a herringbone pattern, and each staple opening of the first array of staple openings has a same size. The method includes positioning an anvil within a first lumen of a patient and positioning the stapling assembly within a second lumen of the patient. The method also includes releasably coupling the anvil with the stapling assembly and compressing tissue of the first and second lumens between the anvil and the deck member. The method further includes actuating a plurality of staple drivers to drive a first plurality of staples distally and parallel to the longitudinal axis from the first array of staple openings into the tissue to define the anastomosis.

Abstract: A loading unit for use with a surgical stapling instrument is disclosed. The loading unit comprises a shaft and an end effector extending from the shaft. The end effector comprises a first jaw that comprising an anvil, and a second jaw. At least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is movable relative to the other to grasp tissue. The second jaw comprises an elongated channel comprising retaining features, and a staple cartridge insertable into the elongated channel for assembly therewith. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge pan, and a sled translatable relative to the cartridge pan from a first position toward a second position. The retaining features are configured to resist a movement by the sled beyond the first position up to a predetermined force.

Abstract: Provided herein are diagnostic and therapeutic methods for the treatment of cancer using polygenic risk scores (PRSs) for dermatological autoimmune diseases. In particular, the invention provides methods for patient selection and methods of treatment.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for personalized treatment of individual patient tumors. A computer software configured to integrate with a radiation therapy treatment planning system is presented. The computer software is configured to: assign a radiation sensitivity index (RSI) of a subject's tumor based at least in part on expression levels of one or more signature genes in the tumor; calculate a recommended personalized radiation dosage (RxRSI) for the subject based at least in part on a pre-determined genomic adjusted radiation dose (GARD) value and the RSI; and provide, to the radiation therapy treatment planning system, the recommended RxRSI as a radiation therapy dose for a radiation plan.

Abstract: A surgical access device assembly. The assembly includes a cannula having a working channel and a helical tissue engagement feature disposed along an outer surface of the cannula and configured to stabilize the cannula relative to a body cavity wall of a patient. The assembly also includes a depth limiter movably coupled with the cannula. The depth limiter includes a body portion extending about a central axis of the depth limiter and including a protrusion extending radially inwardly relative to the central axis. The body portion is movable angularly relative to the cannula between a fine adjustment configuration and a coarse adjustment configuration. In the fine adjustment configuration the protrusion is configured to selectively threadably engage the helical tissue engagement feature. In the coarse adjustment configuration the protrusion is configured to selectively threadably disengage the helical tissue engagement feature such that the depth limiter is translatable axially along the cannula.

Abstract: Provided herein are diagnostic and therapeutic methods for the treatment of cancer using polygenic risk scores (PRSs) for dermatological autoimmune diseases. In particular, the invention provides methods for patient selection and methods of treatment.

Abstract: A surgical stapler kit includes a surgical stapler having a body, a shaft, and an end effector. The kit includes a first staple cartridge having a first cartridge body and a first sled, and a second staple cartridge having a second cartridge body and a second sled. When the first staple cartridge is at least partially seated within a cartridge jaw with the first sled in a proximal undisplaced position, a knife drives the first sled distally to deploy staples from the first cartridge body. When the second staple cartridge is at least partially seated within the cartridge jaw with the second sled in a proximal undisplaced position, the knife advances distally into a lockout position before causing any staples to be deployed from the second cartridge body.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a cartridge body, a deck, an elongate slot, a plurality of pockets, and a plurality of engagement protrusions. The plurality of pockets include first and second pockets. The plurality of engagement protrusions extend from the deck and are configured to grip tissue or an adjunct material. The plurality of engagement protrusions include first and second engagement protrusions. The first engagement protrusion is associated with the first pocket. The first engagement protrusion includes a lateral portion extending longitudinally along a lateral side of the first pocket. The first engagement protrusion does not extend along a second lateral side of the first pocket such that the second lateral side opens directly to the deck. The second engagement protrusion is associated with the second pocket. The second engagement protrusion includes a lateral portion extending longitudinally along the second lateral side of the second pocket.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a cartridge body, a deck, an elongate slot, a plurality of pockets, and a plurality of engagement protrusions. The plurality of engagement protrusions extend from the deck and are configured to grip tissue or an adjunct material. The plurality of engagement protrusions include a first engagement protrusion associated with the first pocket. The first engagement protrusion includes a first inwardly facing projection and a first planar surface. The first inwardly facing projection extends inwardly between a first longitudinal end and a first lateral side of the first pocket. The first planar surface extends substantially parallel to the deck. The first planar surface is defined by the first inwardly facing projection. The first planar surface defines a maximum height of the engagement protrusion relative to the deck. The first planar surface has a non-uniform area defined at least in part by the first inwardly facing projection.

Abstract: A stapling assembly for a surgical instrument includes a body extending along a longitudinal axis and having an upper deck, a plurality of pockets extending through the upper deck for receiving respective staples and arranged in at least two longitudinal rows, a plurality of staple drivers, and a staple driver actuator. The stapling assembly also includes a plurality of pocket extenders extending upwardly from the upper deck. Each pocket extender has a respective top surface. The stapling assembly further includes at least one upwardly-facing surface configured to contact an adhesive of an adjunct for securing the adjunct to the stapling assembly. The at least one upwardly-facing surface is disposed at least partially between at least a portion of the upper deck and the top surfaces of the plurality of pocket extenders, and spans laterally at least partially across at least two longitudinal rows of the plurality of pockets.

Abstract: A method of operating a surgical instrument includes clamping tissue with a surgical instrument end effector and actuating the end effector to drive staples into the clamped tissue, including a first longitudinal row having at least one first formed staple with a first formed shape in which the first legs are aligned laterally with each other and with the first crown; a second longitudinal row having at least one second formed staple with a second formed shape in which each second leg is skewed laterally away from the second crown at a first angle; and a third longitudinal row of third formed staples having at least one third formed staple with a third formed shape in which each third leg is skewed laterally away from the third crown at a second angle.

Abstract: A surgical clip applier and methods for applying surgical clips to a vessel, duct, shunt, etc., during a surgical procedure are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical clip applier is provided having a housing with a trigger movably coupled thereto and a shaft extending therefrom with opposed jaws formed on a distal end thereof. The trigger is adapted to advance a clip to position the clip between the jaws, and to move the jaws from an open position to a closed position to crimp the clip positioned therebetween. The surgical clip applier can include a variety of features to facilitate use of the device, including features to prevent misalignment of the jaws and clip therebetween, features to protect the jaws, and features to ensure proper closure of the jaws and clip therebetween.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a golf club head comprising one or more stiffening members proximate the face, and particularly solid rods or a plate with one or more cutouts, is disclosed herein. One method comprises the steps of preparing a wax mold of a golf club head including a plate stiffening member with excess material, casting the golf club head, and machining away the excess material. Another method comprises the steps of casting a golf club body, providing a plate stiffening member, providing a face component such as a face cup, tack welding the plate stiffening member and the face component to the golf club body, and welding these parts together.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a handle assembly having a body, a shaft assembly having an outer tube member, an end effector, an anvil, a first trocar closure system, and a second trocar closure system. The end effector has having a staple deck fixed relative to the body, a staple driver operable to actuate relative to the staple deck between an unfired position and a fired position, and the trocar configured to selectively couple with the anvil and actuate relative to the staple dreck. The first trocar closure assembly can actuate in a first motion to drive the trocar between a distal position and a first closed position. The second trocar closure assembly can actuate in a second motion between the first closed position and a second closed position. The staple drive is inoperable at least until the first trocar closure assembly actuates the trocar to the first closed position.

Abstract: A surgical access device includes a proximal end portion configured to support a seal assembly having an insufflation port. The device includes a cannula tube extending distally from the proximal end portion and having an inner surface that defines a lumen extending longitudinally through the cannula tube. The cannula tube is configured to be inserted distally through a body cavity wall of a patient, and the lumen is configured to guide a surgical instrument shaft distally through the cannula tube for accessing a body cavity of the patient. The device includes a channel formed in the inner surface of the cannula tube. The channel extends longitudinally between a proximal end of the lumen and a distal end of the lumen, and the channel is configured to direct a gas therethrough to or from the insufflation port of the seal assembly while a surgical instrument shaft is disposed within the lumen.

Abstract: A surgical access device assembly includes a cannula hub and a cannula tube. The cannula tube extends distally from the cannula hub along a longitudinal axis. The cannula tube defines a working channel. The cannula tube includes a tissue engagement feature and a balancing feature. The balancing feature is configured to promote lateral stability of the cannula tube and the cannula hub relative to the body cavity wall of the patient. The balancing feature includes a proximal portion of the cannula tube having a first wall thickness. The balancing feature also includes a distal portion of the cannula tube having a second wall thickness that is greater than the first wall thickness. At least a portion of the proximal portion is proximal relative to the tissue engagement feature. At least a portion of the distal portion is distal relative to the tissue engagement feature.

Abstract: A surgical clip applier is provided that includes first and second jaws on a distal end of an elongate shaft, a clip advancing assembly extending through the shaft and configured to advance a distal-most clip from a plurality of clips in the shaft into the first and second jaws. The jaws have opposed inward facing surfaces, and each inward facing surface has a clip track defined therein for receiving and guiding legs of a clip into the first and second jaws. The clip track of at least one of the jaws has at least one deflectable clip retention member disposed therein and configured to apply a biasing force to a leg of a clip disposed within the jaws to thereby retain the clip within the jaws and maintain alignment of the clip with respect to the jaws. The clip track of at least one of the jaws may also have at least one recess or protrusion designed to be complementary to and mate with a protrusion or recess in a clip.

Abstract: A surgical clip applier and methods for applying surgical clips to a vessel, duct, shunt, etc., during a surgical procedure are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical clip applier is provided having a housing with a trigger movably coupled thereto and a shaft extending therefrom with opposed jaws formed on a distal end thereof. The trigger is adapted to advance a clip to position the clip between the jaws, and to move the jaws from an open position to a closed position to crimp the clip positioned therebetween. The surgical clip applier can include a variety of features to facilitate use of the device, including features to prevent misalignment of the jaws and clip therebetween, features to protect the jaws, and features to ensure proper closure of the jaws and clip therebetween.