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 method of operating an articulatable surgical instrument. The method includes providing a rotary drive motion to a rotary drive member of a surgical end effector and converting the rotary drive motion to an upper axial motion and a lower axial motion at locations that are distal to the articulation joint. The method further includes applying the upper axial motion to an upper portion of a firing member and applying the lower axial motion to a lower portion of the firing member such that the upper axial motion and lower axial motion drives the firing member distally through the surgical end effector from a starting position to an ending position.

Abstract: A method for adaptive control of surgical network control and interaction is disclosed. The surgical network includes a surgical feedback system. The surgical feedback system includes a surgical instrument, a data source, and a surgical hub configured to communicably couple to the data source and the surgical instrument. The surgical hub includes a control circuit. The method includes receiving, by the control circuit, information related to devices communicatively coupled to the surgical network; and adaptively controlling, by the control circuit, the surgical network based on the received information.

Abstract: Methods for providing and using a surgical instrument system are disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a staple cartridge that defines a stepped deck. The surgical instrument further includes a staple comprised of seamless unitary structure. The staple is configured to be formed and/or stamped from a sheet of material. The staple includes a base and staple legs. A staple drive surface is integrally formed in the base, and a sled is configured to directly contact the staple drive surface to directly drive the staple.

Abstract: A staple cartridge assembly is disclosed comprising one or more wire staples and one or more staples formed from a sheet of material.

Abstract: A method for controlling an output of an energy module of a modular energy system. The energy module can comprise a plurality of amplifiers configured to generate a drive signal at a frequency range and a plurality of ports coupled to the plurality of amplifiers. The method includes determining to which port of the plurality of ports the surgical instrument is connected, selectively coupling an amplifier of the plurality of amplifiers to the port of the plurality of ports to which the surgical instrument is connected, and controlling the amplifier to deliver the drive signal for driving the energy modality to the surgical instrument through the port.

Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a first elongate member, a second elongate member, and a clamp member operable to releasably clamp the first elongate member against the second elongate member. A distal portion of the first elongate member supports an anvil surface having a plurality of staple forming pockets. A distal portion of the second elongate member is configured to receive a staple cartridge. A firing assembly of the surgical stapler is translatable from a first longitudinal position to a second longitudinal position to fire the staple cartridge when the first elongate member is clamped against the second elongate member. A retaining assembly of the surgical stapler includes a first retaining member configured to releasably couple a proximal end of the first elongate member with a proximal end of the second elongate member, and a second retaining member configured to releasably retain the firing assembly in the first longitudinal position.

Abstract: A surgical stapling assembly is disclosed. The surgical stapling assembly can include a first jaw, a second jaw, an articulation joint, a closure drive comprising a first flexible rotary drive extending through the articulation joint, and a firing drive comprising a second flexible rotary drive extending through the articulation joint and rotatable independent of the first flexible rotary drive. The surgical stapling assembly can further include a 3D-printed component. The surgical stapling assembly can be configured to form different staple shapes, such as non-planar staples and planar staples, can include an eccentrically-driven firing assembly, and/or can include a floatable component. The surgical stapling assembly can include a staple cartridge including a longitudinal support beam.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a stapling assembly and an anvil that releasably couple together to compress and staple tissue. The stapling assembly includes a body having a longitudinal axis, a deck member, and a knife member surrounding the longitudinal axis. The deck member includes a deck surface having an imaginary centerline that surrounds the longitudinal axis, a first deck surface portion extending along a first angular range of the deck surface about the longitudinal axis, and a second deck surface portion extending along a second angular range of the deck surface about the longitudinal axis. A first array of staple openings is disposed on the first deck surface portion and is arranged in a first orientation relative to the deck surface centerline. A second array of staple openings is disposed on the second deck surface portion and is arranged in a second orientation relative to the deck surface centerline.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument comprising an end effector including a jaw closure actuator which is actuated by an initial stroke of a staple firing drive is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for constructing a modular surgical system is disclosed. The method comprises providing a header module comprising a first power backplane segment, providing a surgical module comprising a second power backplane segment, assembling the header module and the surgical module to electrically couple the first power backplane segment and the second power backplane segment to each other to form a power backplane, and applying power to the surgical module through the power backplane.

Abstract: A surgical stapling assembly is disclosed. The surgical stapling assembly can include a first jaw, a second jaw, an articulation joint, a closure drive comprising a first flexible rotary drive extending through the articulation joint, and a firing drive comprising a second flexible rotary drive extending through the articulation joint and rotatable independent of the first flexible rotary drive. The surgical stapling assembly can further include a 3D-printed component.

Abstract: A surgical stapling assembly is disclosed. The surgical stapling assembly can include a first jaw, a second jaw, an articulation joint, a closure drive comprising a first flexible rotary drive extending through the articulation joint, and a firing drive comprising a second flexible rotary drive extending through the articulation joint and rotatable independent of the first flexible rotary drive. The surgical stapling assembly can further include a 3D-printed component. The surgical stapling assembly can be configured to form different staple shapes, such as non-planar staples and planar staples, can include an eccentrically-driven firing assembly, and/or can include a floatable component. The surgical stapling assembly can include a staple cartridge including a longitudinal support beam.

Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a first elongate member, a second elongate member, and a clamp member operable to releasably clamp the first elongate member against the second elongate member. A distal portion of the first elongate member supports an anvil surface having a plurality of staple forming pockets. A distal portion of the second elongate member is configured to receive a staple cartridge. A firing assembly of the surgical stapler is translatable from a first longitudinal position to a second longitudinal position to fire the staple cartridge when the first elongate member is clamped against the second elongate member. A retaining assembly of the surgical stapler includes a first retaining member configured to releasably couple a proximal end of the first elongate member with a proximal end of the second elongate member, and a second retaining member configured to releasably retain the firing assembly in the first longitudinal 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 includes an end effector including a first jaw having a plurality of pockets and a second jaw. The first and second jaws are operable to clamp tissue therebetween. The surgical instrument also includes a stapling assembly supported by the second jaw of the end effector. The stapling assembly includes a deck, a plurality of staple openings extending through the deck, and a plurality of staples slidably housed within corresponding staple openings. Each staple has a respective pair of legs configured to be driven into contact with a corresponding pocket. The surgical instrument further includes a plurality of staple leg constraints. Each staple leg constraint is aligned with and extends at least partially across a corresponding staple opening for guiding a respective leg of the corresponding staple toward the corresponding pocket.

Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a first elongate member having a distal portion that supports a plurality of staple-forming pockets, a second elongate member having a distal portion that supports a staple cartridge, and a clamp member movable from an open position to a closed position to releasably clamp the first and second elongate members together. A clamp lockout feature is supported by the first elongate member and is moveable between a lockout position in which the clamp lockout feature prevents closure of the clamp member, and a release position in which the clamp lockout feature permits closure of the clamp member. An actuating feature is supported by the second elongate member and is configured to actuate the clamp lockout feature from the lockout position to the release position in response to approximation of the distal portions of the first and second elongate members.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first stapling assembly, a plurality of staples a plurality of staple drivers, and a second spelling assembly portion. The first stapling assembly portion has a deck surface defining a plurality of apertures. The staple drivers can drive the plurality of staples through the staple apertures of the deck surface. The second stapling assembly can couple with the first stapling assembly portion. The second stapling assembly portion has a section that overlies the deck surface. At least one of the first or second stapling assembly portions include a first support feature that inhibits deflection of the deck surface during stapling.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a staple, a body, a staple driver, and an alignment feature. The alignment feature is coupled to or formed with at least one of the staple driver or an inner surface of the staple aperture of the body. The alignment feature is configured to minimize rotation of the staple driver. The alignment feature includes at least one of a first contact feature, an alignment member, an alignment member, or an inwardly tapering portion. The first contact feature projects beyond a first lateral side of the staple driver. The alignment member extends through at least a portion of the staple driver. The first connecting portion rigidly connects the inner surface of the staple aperture with the staple driver in a connected state. The inwardly tapering portion of the inner surface or the staple driver is configured to guide the staple driver.