Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to an ultrasonic surgical instrument that comprises a handpiece housing that rotatably supports an ultrasonic transducer assembly therein that may be selectively rotated by various motor configurations. Various slip ring arrangements are disclosed for supplying ultrasonic electrical signals and motor drive signals from a control system. Various forms of blade and cutting implements are disclosed for attachment to the ultrasonic transducer assembly such that such implements may be selectively rotatable within a hollow outer sheath. Vacuum may be applied to the cutting implement or through the outer sheath to draw tissue through an opening in the sheath and into contact with the cutting implement.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an anvil of a disposable loading unit including a first member having staple pockets for deforming staples, a first cover plate secured to the first member, and a second cover plate secured to at least one of the first member and the first cover plate, wherein the first and second cover plates can be configured to support the first member. In at least one embodiment, an anvil can include a first member inserted into a second member, where at least one of the first and second members can be deformed to retain one to the other. In various embodiments, a surgical stapling instrument can include a disposable loading unit comprising a staple cartridge, an anvil, and a sleeve, wherein the sleeve can be configured to be slid relative to the staple cartridge and the anvil to hold the anvil in a closed position.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument including an actuator configured to be retracted relative to the distal end of the disposable loading unit and rotate an anvil between an open position and a closed position. The actuator can include a cam, where the cam can include an arcuate profile having an apex configured to be in contact with the anvil when the anvil is in a closed position. In at least one such embodiment, the anvil can apply a clamping force to the soft tissue prior to the staples being deployed to prevent, or at least inhibit, soft tissue from flowing, or ‘milking’, out of the distal end of the disposable loading unit. In various embodiments, a surgical stapling instrument can include a disposable loading unit having an anvil which can be moved between open, closed, and/or collapsed positions to facilitate the insertion of the disposable loading unit through a trocar.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus. Various embodiments include a rotatable elongated body that extends from a rotatable shroud on handle assembly and has a distal end configured for attachment to a disposable loading unit. The apparatus further includes a lockable rotation system for selectively locking the rotatable shroud to prevent rotation thereof about a longitudinal axis.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical stapling instrument can include a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, wherein the shaft defines an axis, and a disposable loading unit which is assembled to the shaft in a direction which is transverse to the shaft axis. Such a connection between the disposable loading unit and the shaft can prevent, or at least inhibit, the disposable loading unit from being unintentionally displaced proximally and/or distally relative to the shaft of the surgical instrument. The surgical stapling instrument and/or disposable loading unit can further include a threaded collar and/or detent assembly configured to hold the disposable loading unit in place. In various embodiments, a disposable loading unit can include a lockout feature which can prevent, or at least inhibit, an expended disposable loading unit from being reassembled to the elongated body of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides for correcting an imbalance between caloric intake and caloric expenditure in patients, as well as for treating co-morbidities often associated therewith, which is non-invasive or minimally invasive and which may be reversible. More specifically, the present invention provides systems which cause metabolic improvement in a patient by controlling the amount of bile available for food breakdown or by controlling the effective absorption time and area by delivering bile to selected locations in the intestinal tract. These methods and devices fall under three general categories: bile diversion systems, bile manipulation systems, and surgical methods.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides for a method of treating metabolic disorder by severing a bile duct from fluid communication with an intestine at a first target site adjacent the Oddi sphincter, thereby creating a severed bile duct. The method further involves re-establishing fluid communication of the severed bile duct with the intestine by attaching a distal end of the severed bile duct to a second target site along the intestine, wherein said second target site is distal to the first target site.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides for a catheter for surgically treating a patient. The catheter has an inlet catheter having a proximal end and an open distal end, and first and second branch sections having proximal ends attached to the open distal end of the inlet lumen. The first and second branch sections and distal ends terminating at an open proximal end of an outlet lumen. The first passageway lumen has a device for deactivating at least a portion of the digestive enzymes in an amount of bile.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides for a method for diverting a portion of the bilopancreatic secretions of a patient to the circulatory system. The method involves placing a proximal end catheter adjacent the sphincter of oddi and diverting bilopancreatic secretions into the catheter. The method further involves placing a distal end of the catheter within the lumen of the circulatory system of a patient.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus. Various embodiments include a handle assembly that has a movable handle that is movable through actuation strokes relative to a stationary handle housing. An actuation is shaft supported at least in part within the stationary handle housing and is movable in response to manipulation of the movable handle. Various embodiments further include a firing lock out assembly that is configured to selectively prevent longitudinal movement of the actuation shaft in a distal direction. A firing release trigger is supported on the movable handle for travel therewith and is configured to interface with the firing lockout assembly to selectively release the firing lockout assembly to permit the actuation shaft to move longitudinally in the distal direction upon manipulation of the movable handle.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus. Various embodiments include a rotatable elongated body that extends from a rotatable shroud on handle assembly and has a distal end configured for attachment to a disposable loading unit. The apparatus further includes a lockable rotation system for selectively locking the rotatable shroud to prevent rotation thereof about a longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus. Various embodiments include a handle assembly that has a movable handle that is movable through actuation strokes relative to a stationary handle housing. An actuation is shaft supported at least in part within the stationary handle housing and is movable in response to manipulation of the movable handle. Various embodiments further include a firing lock out assembly that is configured to selectively prevent longitudinal movement of the actuation shaft in a distal direction. A firing release trigger is supported on the movable handle for travel therewith and is configured to interface with the firing lockout assembly to selectively release the firing lockout assembly to permit the actuation shaft to move longitudinally in the distal direction upon manipulation of the movable handle.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus configured for use with disposable loading units. In various embodiments, the surgical stapling apparatus includes a retraction system that interfaces with an actuation shaft that is movably supported within a handle housing. The actuation shaft is configured to move axially within the handle housing from a fully retracted position to a fully fired position in response to manipulation of a movable handle operably mounted to the handle housing. The retraction system serves to automatically retract the actuation shaft to the fully retracted position when the actuation shaft has moved to the fully fired position.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus. Various embodiments include a rotatable elongated body that extends from a rotatable shroud on handle assembly and has a distal end configured for attachment to a disposable loading unit. The apparatus further includes a lockable rotation system for selectively locking the rotatable shroud to prevent rotation thereof about a longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A disposable loading unit for operable attachment to a surgical stapling apparatus. The disposable loading unit may have a carrier that supports a staple cartridge therein, an anvil assembly that is movably coupled to the carrier, and an axial drive assembly that is constructed to move in a distal direction from a start position to an end position through the staple cartridge in response to a drive motion imparted to the axial drive assembly from the surgical stapling apparatus. A firing indicator is provided on at least one of the anvil assembly and housing for indicating a position of the axial drive assembly as the axial drive assembly is driven from the start position to the end position.

Abstract: A piece of buttress material and an end-effector of a surgical instrument including features which can aid a surgeon in properly and quickly attaching the piece of buttress material to the end-effector. In various embodiments, a piece of buttress material can include retention features which can be engaged with portions of an end-effector to releasably retain the piece of buttress material to at least a portion of the end-effector. Similarly, an end-effector can include features configured to engage portions of a piece of buttress material to releasably retain the piece of buttress material to the end-effector. In at least one embodiment, more than one piece of buttress material can be releasably retained to an end-effector.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical stapling instrument can include a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, wherein the shaft defines an axis, and a disposable loading unit which is assembled to the shaft in a direction which is transverse to the shaft axis. Such a connection between the disposable loading unit and the shaft can prevent, or at least inhibit, the disposable loading unit from being unintentionally displaced proximally and/or distally relative to the shaft of the surgical instrument. The surgical stapling instrument and/or disposable loading unit can further include a threaded collar and/or detent assembly configured to hold the disposable loading unit in place. In various embodiments, a disposable loading unit can include a lockout feature which can prevent, or at least inhibit, an expended disposable loading unit from being reassembled to the elongated body of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument including an actuator configured to be retracted relative to the distal end of the disposable loading unit and rotate an anvil between an open position and a closed position. The actuator can include a cam, where the cam can include an arcuate profile having an apex configured to be in contact with the anvil when the anvil is in a closed position. In at least one such embodiment, the anvil can apply a clamping force to the soft tissue prior to the staples being deployed to prevent, or at least inhibit, soft tissue from flowing, or ‘milking’, out of the distal end of the disposable loading unit. In various embodiments, a surgical stapling instrument can include a disposable loading unit having an anvil which can be moved between open, closed, and/or collapsed positions to facilitate the insertion of the disposable loading unit through a trocar.