Abstract: Surgical stapling instruments are disclosed comprising missing staple cartridge and/or spent cartridge lockouts. In various instances, such lockouts are positioned in a shaft of the surgical stapling instruments.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a staple cartridge assembly is disclosed. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body defining a longitudinal axis, staples removably stored in the staple cavities, a cover releasably attached to the cartridge body, and a sled movable from a proximal unfired position to a distal fired position during a firing motion. The staple cartridge further comprises a first RFID tag affixed to the cartridge body at a first longitudinal position, a second RFID tag affixed to the sled, wherein the proximal unfired position of the sled is at a second longitudinal position which is not at the first longitudinal position, and a third RFID tag affixed to the cover at a third longitudinal position which is not at the first longitudinal position and the second longitudinal position.

Abstract: A battery pack for use with a surgical instrument is disclosed. The battery pack comprises a battery housing, batteries positioned in the battery housing, and an interruption member. The battery housing includes electrical contacts configured to electrically couple the battery pack to the surgical instrument when the battery pack is attached to the surgical instrument. The interruption member is movable from a first position where the interruption member electrically disconnects at least one battery from another battery and a second position. The batteries are electrically connected to the surgical instrument when the interruption member is moved from the first position to the second position and the battery pack is attached to the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A method for authenticating the compatibility of a staple cartridge with a surgical instrument is disclosed. The method can comprise inserting a staple cartridge into a surgical instrument, receiving a first signal from a first RFID tag on a first component of the staple cartridge with an RFID reader system, receiving a second signal from a second RFID tag on a second component of the staple cartridge with the RFID reader system, comparing the first signal and the second signal to stored data for a compatible staple cartridge, and locking a staple firing system of the surgical instrument if the first signal and the second signal do not match the stored data for a compatible staple cartridge.

Abstract: A surgical system is disclosed including a replaceable staple cartridge stored in a packaging that includes a first RFID tag including first encrypted information. The replaceable staple cartridge includes a second RFID tag including second encrypted information. A retainer includes a third RFID tag including third encrypted information. A controller includes a first key to decrypt the first encrypted information. The controller releases a second key if the first encrypted information is recognized. The controller uses the second key to decrypt the second encrypted information. The controller releases a third key if the second encrypted information is recognized. The controller uses the third internal key to decrypt the third encrypted information. The controller prevents a surgical instrument from performing a staple firing stroke if at least one of the first encrypted information, the second encrypted information, and the third encrypted information is unable to be recognized.

Abstract: A surgical system is disclosed including a surgical instrument, a replaceable staple cartridge, and an RFID tag including stored information. The replaceable staple cartridge includes a sled configured to translate along an elongate slot and drive staples out of a cartridge body during a staple firing stroke. The RFID tag is inoperable after a predefined action of said surgical instrument. An RFID scanner is configured to transmit a first signal to said RFID tag and receive a second signal from said RFID tag in response to said first signal. A controller prevents at least one operation of said surgical instrument when said RFID scanner does not receive said second signal from said RFID tag.

Abstract: An obturator configured for use with a trocar includes a head and a distally extending shaft configured to be received within a working channel of a trocar. The obturator further includes a distal tip configured to puncture tissue, first and second needle entrance ports each arranged on at least one of the head or the shaft, and first and second needle exit ports arranged on the shaft. The first and second needle entrance ports communicate with the first and second needle exit ports, respectively, to define respective first and second suture paths extending obliquely to the central axis. Each of the first and second suture paths includes at least one sealing element. In some examples, the obturator further includes at least one deployable member coupled to the shaft and configured to project radially outwardly in a deployed position.

Abstract: A staple cartridge system is disclosed which can be interchangeably used with a staple cartridge comprising wire staples and a staple cartridge comprising stamped staples.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a first jaw, a second jaw, and a firing member is disclosed. The firing member comprises one or more cams configured to position the first jaw relative to the second jaw. The cams are configured to reduce the strain experienced by the cams, the firing member, and the first and second jaws.

Abstract: A surgical stapling anvil is disclosed comprising an anvil body comprising a longitudinal slot configured to receive a firing member therethrough and a tissue-facing surface comprising a plurality of staple-forming pockets defined therein. The anvil further comprises an anvil cap and a plurality of welds welding the anvil cap and the anvil body together. The welds comprise a shallow-welded zone comprising a first weld depth and a deep-welded zone comprising a second weld depth which is different than the first weld depth, wherein the shallow-welded zone and the deep-welded zone are configured to increase overall weld depth of the plurality of welds.

Abstract: A surgical system comprises a surgical hub coupleable to inventory items of an institution. The inventory items include medical devices. The surgical hub comprises a processor, a memory, and a cloud-based analytics system. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to communicate with the inventory items. The cloud-based analytics system is coupled to the surgical hub, and comprises a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to receive data associated with the inventory items, determine availability of inventory items based on unique identifiers and system-defined constraints, generate a cloud interface for the institution, and transmit an alert for each inventory item determined as not available based on the system-defined constraints.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a sled and an end effector. The end effector includes a first jaw, a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw, an anvil, and a cartridge channel. The staple cartridge includes a proximal end, a distal end, a cartridge body, and staples supported in the cartridge body, wherein the sled is movable to deploy the staples from the cartridge body against tissue captured between the staple cartridge and the anvil. The cartridge channel is configured to removably retain the staple cartridge, wherein a load is required to remove the staple cartridge from the cartridge channel, and wherein the sled is configured to reduce the cartridge removal load.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body assembly, a shaft assembly that releasably attaches to the body assembly, and an end effector at a distal end of the shaft assembly. The body assembly includes a first support structure, a first electrical contact supported by the first support structure, and a first sealing surface. The shaft assembly includes a second support structure, a second electrical contact supported by the second support structure, and a second sealing surface. When the shaft assembly attaches to the body assembly, the first and second electrical contacts electrically couple to establish an electrical connection therebetween, and the first and second sealing surfaces sealingly engage to block fluid from reaching the electrical connection. At least one of the first or second sealing surfaces is movable relative to the respective support structure to facilitate the sealing engagement.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body assembly, an end effector, and a firing assembly. The body includes a handle portion and a shaft portion. The end effector includes a staple driver. The firing assembly includes a driver actuator and a trigger. The driver actuator is configured to actuate the staple driver. The driver actuator is slidably housed within the shaft portion. The trigger includes a lever and an integral spring member. The lever is pivotally coupled to the handle portion via a pivot boss of the handle portion. The trigger is configured to pivot between a first position and a second position to slide the driver actuator within the shaft portion, to thereby actuate the staple driver. The integral spring member is at least partially housed within a spring channel of the handle portion and is configured to resiliently bias the trigger toward the first position.

Abstract: Surgical end effectors having an empty and missing cartridge lockout are disclosed. The surgical end effectors can comprise a first jaw, a second jaw rotatably coupled to the first jaw, and a multi-function firing member configured to translate during a firing stroke, wherein the firing member comprises a notch. The surgical end effectors can also include a lockout spring comprising a hook. The notch in the firing member can be aligned to receive the hook during the firing stroke unless an unfired staple cartridge is positioned in the first jaw. A sled assembly of the unfired staple cartridge can be positioned to deflect the hook out of alignment with the notch.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft, and an end effector that is operable to compress, staple, and cut tissue. The end effector includes an anvil and a cartridge. The anvil has a curved tip. The curved tip is elastically deformable from a biased curved position when the tip is subject to a force, such as the force exerted on the anvil when tissue is clamped between the anvil and cartridge. The curved and deformable features of anvil provide for an end effector with improved visualization and maneuverability, in particular during procedures involving marching.

Abstract: A method for operating a surgical instrument is disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body portion, a shaft, and an end effector that is operable to compress, staple, and cut tissue. The end effector includes and anvil and a staple cartridge. The anvil has a body and a modular releasable curved tip that connects with the body. The curved tip may be elastically deformable. The curved anvil tip and the tip of the cartridge include cooperating features that assist in gripping tissue during clamping. A separate cartridge may be provided that retains a replacement anvil tip and a replacement staple cartridge, where the replacement anvil tip and staple cartridge include the cooperating features. The separate cartridge may also include anvil tip and staple cartridge removal features to assist in removal of previously installed anvil tips and staple cartridges.