Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods designed to make it easier to couple end effectors to surgical instruments are provided. A variety of features are disclosed, which can be used independently or in conjunction with each other. The resulting benefits include enhanced visualization, more secure coupling, easier communication that coupling has occurred, self-clocking components with respect to each other, and more component modularity. In one exemplary embodiment, an end effector assembly having an end effector and an attachment arm includes a terminal end surface of the attachment arm having a three-dimensional configuration such that a portion of the end surface extends further away from a set location than another portion of the end surface extends from the location. In another exemplary embodiment, end effector assemblies include chambers having curved configurations that assist in self-clocking the assemblies with respect to surgical devices. Other features, devices, systems, and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Devices and methods for organizing a plurality of end effectors and selectively delivering them through surgical trocars are described herein. In one embodiment, a surgical end effector loading device is provided that includes at least one mating element to interface with a surgical trocar, a deployment lumen positioned to align with a working channel of a surgical trocar, an end effector repository having a plurality of end effector lumens formed therein to receive end effectors, the repository being configured to selectively align any of the plurality of end effector lumens with the deployment lumen, and an advancer coupled to the repository and configured to advance an end effector from the repository through the deployment lumen.

Abstract: Devices and methods for delivering end effectors through surgical trocars are described herein. In one embodiment, a surgical end effector loading device is provided that includes a housing having a distal-facing first portion configured to couple with a proximal end of a surgical trocar, and an elongate second portion protruding distally from the first portion. The second portion can include a lumen formed therein and can be configured to extend into a working channel of the surgical trocar when the housing is coupled thereto. The device can also include at least one mating element coupled to the housing and configured to interface with a complementary mating element of the surgical trocar to restrict movement of the housing relative to the trocar, as well as an end effector retainer coupled to the housing and configured to selectively couple a surgical end effector to the housing.

Abstract: Devices and methods for positioning a surgical instrument are described herein. In one embodiment, a positioning device can include a base that can be placed against tissue and a shuttle including a lumen that can receive a surgical instrument. The lumen can be translated in at least two directions relative to the base and an orientation of the lumen relative to the base can be polyaxially adjusted. Further, the device can include a locking mechanism that, upon actuation, prevents both translational movement and polyaxial movement of the lumen relative to the base.

Abstract: Surgical devices and methods are described. The loading devices can include an elongate shaft extending distally from a housing and a hinge can be disposed between the elongate shaft and an articulating distal portion. The articulating distal portion can hold an end effector to be loaded onto a surgical device. The loading device can have features for stabilizing and holding the distal portion at a particular angular position relative to the elongate shaft, such as washers having protrusions that seat in corresponding recesses formed in the hinge. During articulation of the distal portion, an articulation rack can be advanced which can deform the protrusions on the washers. The washers can rotate and seat in the recesses at the next angular position and change the degree of articulation. The deformable washer and corresponding recesses can apply a biasing force that holds the articulating distal portion in a desired angled position.

Abstract: Surgical instruments and methods including a stop guard are described herein. An exemplary instrument can include an inner shaft disposed within an outer shaft, the inner shaft including a tissue-piercing tip and being effective to secure an end effector to the device. A stop guard can be coupled to the inner shaft and extend through outer shaft sidewall openings when the tip is advanced distally or retract into the outer shaft when the tip is retracted proximally. In a percutaneous procedure, external force applied to the stop guard by the tissue can retract the tip to prevent damage to surrounding tissue as the instrument is advanced distally. Moreover, once passed through pierced tissue, the stop guard can be redeployed when the inner shaft is advanced distally to secure an end effector to the instrument and can prevent inadvertent withdrawal of the instrument.

Abstract: Surgical devices and methods are described. The surgical devices can generally include a housing having one or more actuators such as a closure actuator. An elongate shaft can extend distally from the housing and an end effector can be selectively coupled to a distal end of the shaft. The surgical device can include various features that prevent a user from actuating the device when the end effector is not properly coupled to the shaft. More specifically, the housing can include a locking member that can be pivoted or otherwise move relative the housing to cause various internal features of the housing to move to a ready-to-load position. With the locking member and actuator so positioned, an end effector can be loaded onto the shaft and the locking member can be moved from the ready-to-load position to the ready-to-actuate position, thus allowing the closure actuator to be in a ready-to-actuate position.

Abstract: Jaw assemblies for use in medical devices and systems to enable the performance of multiple modes of dissection using a single jaw assembly are provided. The jaw assembly can include a variety of features to enable this versatility. For example, the jaws can be designed to have particular curvatures that are conducive to performing particular dissection steps. Further, the jaws can have different thicknesses and widths across a length of one or more jaws to also enable particular dissection steps to be more easily performed. Still further, ridges can be formed on both inner and outer surfaces of the jaws to provide additional dissection capabilities. In some embodiments, the jaw assemblies include more than two jaws, with the timing and rate of the jaws deployment being varied for at least two of the jaws. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed which comprises, one, a handle module that is attachable to a detachable shaft module for collectively performing a surgical procedure and, two, an inspection station for connection to the handle module when the handle module is not being used in a surgical procedure. The handle module comprises a rotary drive system for driving the detachable shaft module, an electric motor coupled to the rotary drive system for powering the rotary drive system, and a handle module processor circuit in communication with the motor. The inspection station comprises an inspection station processor circuit that communicates with the handle module processor circuit via a data connection when the handle module is connected to the inspection station. The inspection station further comprises a display in communication with the inspection station processor circuit for displaying information about handle module.

Abstract: A modular shaft assembly is disclosed. The modular shaft assembly includes one or more inputs configured to receive input motions from a surgical instrument system, such as a handle, for example. The shaft assembly further includes one or more on-board inputs configured to generate input motions. The input motions received and generated by the shaft assembly are transferrable to an end effector of the shaft assembly to perform various functions at the end effector. The end effector can include a staple cartridge and a firing member which is movable between a proximal position and a distal position to eject staples from the staple cartridge. The end effector can include a plurality of jaw members and the firing member can comprise camming members which are configured to position the jaw members relative to one another.