Abstract: A method of operating a surgical stapler includes advancing a knife assembly at a first velocity until a predetermined force is detected, advancing the knife assembly at a second velocity when the predetermined force is detected, the second velocity being less than the first velocity, and continuing to advance the knife assembly at the second velocity until the knife assembly travels a cutting stroke distance.

Abstract: A method of operating a surgical stapler includes advancing a knife assembly at a first velocity until a predetermined force is detected, advancing the knife assembly at a second velocity when the predetermined force is detected, the second velocity being less than the first velocity, and continuing to advance the knife assembly at the second velocity until the knife assembly travels a cutting stroke distance.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an annular reload, and an anvil assembly configured to move relative to the annular reload between an open position and a preset closed position, in which the anvil assembly and the annular reload define a preset gap distance therebetween. A processor of the surgical instrument is configured to determine a difference between the preset gap distance and an actual gap distance gap distance between the anvil assembly and the annular reload, and adjust a staple stroke and a cutting stroke by the determined difference between the preset gap distance and the actual gap distance.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an annular reload, and an anvil assembly configured to move relative to the annular reload between an open position and a preset closed position, in which the anvil assembly and the annular reload define a preset gap distance therebetween. A processor of the surgical instrument is configured to determine a difference between the preset gap distance and an actual gap distance gap distance between the anvil assembly and the annular reload, and adjust a staple stroke and a cutting stroke by the determined difference between the preset gap distance and the actual gap distance.

Abstract: A circular stapling device includes a handle assembly including a processor, an adapter assembly including a trocar assembly and a strain gauge assembly, a reload assembly operably secured to the adapter assembly, the reload assembly including a staple cartridge, and an anvil assembly releasably secured to the trocar assembly and moveably positioned relative to the staple cartridge between a spaced position and a clamped position. The processor includes software for determining when tissue clamped between the staple cartridge and the anvil assembly has achieved a predetermined tissue relaxation percent. A method of optimizing tissue relaxation during a stapling procedure includes clamping tissue between an anvil assembly and a reload assembly, calculating a tissue relaxation percent of the clamped tissue, and initiating a stapling sequence when the tissue relaxation percent equals or is less than a predetermined tissue relaxation percent.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a tool assembly having an anvil and a cartridge assembly that are movable in relation to each other between an open position and a clamped position to clamp tissue between the anvil and the cartridge assembly. The staple cartridge and/or the anvil includes a tissue contact surface that is formed of or includes a compliant material to allow the tool assembly to adapt to the topography of the tissue being clamped to uniformly compress the tissue along the length of the tool assembly and minimize trauma inflicted on the tissue.

Abstract: A method of operating a surgical stapler includes advancing a knife assembly at a first velocity until a predetermined force is detected, advancing the knife assembly at a second velocity when the predetermined force is detected, the second velocity being less than the first velocity, and continuing to advance the knife assembly at the second velocity until the knife assembly travels a cutting stroke distance.

Abstract: A method of operating a surgical stapler includes advancing a knife assembly at a first velocity until a predetermined force is detected, advancing the knife assembly at a second velocity when the predetermined force is detected, the second velocity being less than the first velocity, and continuing to advance the knife assembly at the second velocity until the knife assembly travels a cutting stroke distance.

Abstract: A circular stapling device includes a handle assembly including a processor, an adapter assembly including a trocar assembly and a strain gauge assembly, a reload assembly operably secured to the adapter assembly, the reload assembly including a staple cartridge, and an anvil assembly releasably secured to the trocar assembly and moveably positioned relative to the staple cartridge between a spaced position and a clamped position. The processor includes software for determining when tissue clamped between the staple cartridge and the anvil assembly has achieved a predetermined tissue relaxation percent. A method of optimizing tissue relaxation during a stapling procedure includes clamping tissue between an anvil assembly and a reload assembly, calculating a tissue relaxation percent of the clamped tissue, and initiating a stapling sequence when the tissue relaxation percent equals or is less than a predetermined tissue relaxation percent.

Abstract: A wound protector is provided for use with a surgical stapling instrument. One end of the wound protector is attached to the surgical stapling instrument, with the other end free and able to move to encompass the distal portion of the surgical stapling instrument after use. In this way, any contaminants on the distal portion of the circular stapling instrument are prevented from contacting healthy tissue as the surgical stapling instrument is removed from a patient's body.

Abstract: A circular stapling instrument includes an adapter assembly having a tubular body, a shell assembly disposed on a distal portion of the tubular body, and a seal assembly supported on the tubular body. The seal assembly includes an inflatable member disposed proximal of the shell assembly, wherein the inflatable member includes a first diameter when in a deflated condition and a second diameter when in an inflated condition, the second diameter being larger than the first diameter.

Abstract: A circular stapling device includes a handle assembly including a processor, an adapter assembly including a trocar assembly and a strain gauge assembly, a reload assembly operably secured to the adapter assembly, the reload assembly including a staple cartridge, and an anvil assembly releasably secured to the trocar assembly and moveably positioned relative to the staple cartridge between a spaced position and a clamped position. The processor includes software for determining when tissue clamped between the staple cartridge and the anvil assembly has achieved a predetermined tissue relaxation percent. A method of optimizing tissue relaxation during a stapling procedure includes clamping tissue between an anvil assembly and a reload assembly, calculating a tissue relaxation percent of the clamped tissue, and initiating a stapling sequence when the tissue relaxation percent equals or is less than a predetermined tissue relaxation percent.

Abstract: A surgical device includes a handle assembly, an adapter assembly configured to selectively couple to the handle assembly, an annular reload configured to selectively couple to a distal portion of the adapter assembly, and a shipping cap coupled to the annular reload and configured to detach from the annular reload in response to a movement of a trocar of the adapter assembly. The annular reload has a memory having stored therein information about the reload. The handle assembly includes a controller configured to encode to the memory an occurrence of a detachment of the shipping cap from the reload.

Abstract: A trocar assembly for releasable engagement with an adapter assembly of a surgical stapling instrument includes housing, a trocar member slidably supported within the housing between a retracted position and an advanced position, and a chive member rotatably supported within the housing and in operable engagement with the trocar member to cause longitudinal movement of the trocar member relative to the housing between an advanced position and a retracted position. The housing includes a tubular body having a distal portion and an end cap assembly secured to the distal portion. The trocar member includes a proximal portion and at least one tab disposed on the proximal portion. The at least one tab is configured to engage the end cap assembly when the trocar member is in the advanced position to prevent further advancement of the trocar member.

Abstract: A circular stapling instrument includes an adapter assembly having a tubular body, a shell assembly disposed on a distal portion of the tubular body, and a seal assembly supported on the tubular body. The seal assembly includes an inflatable member disposed proximal of the shell assembly, wherein the inflatable member includes a first diameter when in a deflated condition and a second diameter when in an inflated condition, the second diameter being larger than the first diameter.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an annular reload, and an anvil assembly configured to move relative to the annular reload between an open position and a preset closed position, in which the anvil assembly and the annular reload define a preset gap distance therebetween. A processor of the surgical instrument is configured to determine a difference between the preset gap distance and an actual gap distance gap distance between the anvil assembly and the annular reload, and adjust a staple stroke and a cutting stroke by the determined difference between the preset gap distance and the actual gap distance.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a tool assembly having an anvil and a cartridge assembly that are movable in relation to each other between an open position and a clamped position to clamp tissue between the anvil and the cartridge assembly. The staple cartridge and/or the anvil includes a tissue contact surface that is formed of or includes a compliant material to allow the tool assembly to adapt to the topography of the tissue being clamped to uniformly compress the tissue along the length of the tool assembly and minimize trauma inflicted on the tissue.

Abstract: A method of securing a head assembly of the anvil assembly in a delivery position for trans-oral delivery includes tying a suture such that lengths of suture extending between an adapter assembly and the head assembly are in contact with one another and/or are parallel.

Abstract: A circular stapling device includes a handle assembly including a processor, an adapter assembly including a trocar assembly and a strain gauge assembly, a reload assembly operably secured to the adapter assembly, the reload assembly including a staple cartridge, and an anvil assembly releasably secured to the trocar assembly and moveably positioned relative to the staple cartridge between a spaced position and a clamped position. The processor includes software for determining when tissue clamped between the staple cartridge and the anvil assembly has achieved a predetermined tissue relaxation percent. A method of optimizing tissue relaxation during a stapling procedure includes clamping tissue between an anvil assembly and a reload assembly, calculating a tissue relaxation percent of the clamped tissue, and initiating a stapling sequence when the tissue relaxation percent equals or is less than a predetermined tissue relaxation percent.

Abstract: A method of operating a surgical stapler includes advancing a knife assembly at a first velocity until a predetermined force is detected, advancing the knife assembly at a second velocity when the predetermined force is detected, the second velocity being less than the first velocity, and continuing to advance the knife assembly at the second velocity until the knife assembly travels a cutting stroke distance.