Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising an end effector, a firing member, a motor, and a control circuit is disclosed. The end effector comprises a first jaw, a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw to grasp tissue therebetween, a staple cartridge comprising staples, a first sensor at a first position of the end effector, and a second sensor at a second position of the end effector. The firing member is movable in a firing motion to deploy the staples. The motor is configured to cause the firing motion. The control circuit is configured to receive a first output of the first sensor, receive a second output of the second sensor, and cause the motor to adjust the firing motion based on the first and second outputs. The first output is indicative of a tissue property and the second output is indicative of the tissue property.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument comprising an elongate shaft assembly that includes a surgical end effector that is operably coupled thereto by an articulation joint. The surgical instrument may include a first distal articulation driver operably coupled to the surgical end effector and a second distal articulation driver that is coupled to the surgical end effector. At least one driver member may operably engage the first and second distal articulation drivers such that when the first distal articulation driver is moved in a distal direction, the least one driver moves the second distal articulation driver in a proximal direction and when the first distal articulation driver is moved in the proximal direction, the at least one driver member moves the second distal articulation driver in the distal direction.

Abstract: A surgical cutting and fastening instrument is disclosed. According to various embodiments, the instrument includes an end effector comprising an elongate channel, a clamping member pivotably connected to the channel, and a moveable cutting instrument for traversing the channel to cut an object clamped in the end effector by the clamping member when the clamping member is in a clamped position. The instrument may also comprise a main drive shaft assembly for actuating the cutting instrument in the end effector, a gear drive train connected to the main drive shaft assembly, and a motor for actuating the gear drive train. The instrument may also includes a closure trigger and a firing trigger, separate from the closure trigger, for actuating the motor when the firing trigger is retracted. Also, the instrument may comprise a mechanical closure system connected to the closure trigger and to the clamping member for causing the clamping member to pivot to the clamped position when the closure trigger is retracted.

Abstract: Surgical end effectors and fastener cartridges having firing lockout arrangements for preventing or limit a firing stroke when a cartridge has not been operably installed in the end effector or a spent cartridge has not been replaced.

Abstract: A powered surgical device configured to clamp and fasten tissue is disclosed. The powered surgical device comprises a shaft, an articulation joint, a motor-driven flexible drive member movably supported in the shaft, an I-beam coupled to the motor-driven flexible drive member, and a housing. The shaft comprises a proximal end. The motor-driven flexible drive member passes through the articulation joint during a tissue clamping motion. The motor-driven flexible drive member is driven distally away from the proximal end of the shaft during the tissue clamping motion. The housing is coupled to the proximal end of the shaft. The housing comprises a rotary multi-turn unidirectional manually-operated retraction mechanism. A rotation of the rotary multi-turn unidirectional manually-operated retraction mechanism in a first direction is configured to retract the motor-driven flexible drive member proximally toward the proximal end of the shaft.

Abstract: A surgical device drive system comprising a gear coupled to a drive train is disclosed. The gear is configured to transmit a proximal retraction motion to a drive member. The surgical device drive system further comprises a control system coupled to the gear, and a manual input device comprising an input component and a ratchet mechanism. The input component is selectively coupled to the gear by the ratchet mechanism. The drive train is operable in a distal advancement direction and in a proximal retraction direction. In a first state, the control system is configured to drive the gear and the drive train in the distal advancement direction and the proximal retraction direction. In a second state, the manual input device is configured to drive the gear and the drive train in the proximal retraction direction, but not the distal advancement direction, using the ratchet mechanism.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for stabilizing fasteners post-deployment. Devices and methods are also provided for facilitating ejection of surgical fasteners from a cartridge. Devices and methods are also provided for guiding surgical fasteners. Devices and methods are also provided for facilitating closing and clamping of an end effector of a surgical device. Devices and methods are also provided for securing fasteners and adjunct materials to tissue. Devices and methods are also provided for removably coupling a cartridge to an end effector of a surgical device. Devices and methods are also provided for locking a surgical device based on loading of a fastener cartridge in the surgical device. Devices and methods are provided for adjusting a tissue gap of an end effector of a surgical device. Devices and methods are also provided for manually retracting a drive shaft, drive beam, and associated components.

Abstract: An end effector assembly for use with a surgical instrument. The end effector assembly can include a fastener cartridge, a plurality of fasteners, a first connector, a second connector, and a layer of material releasably secured to the fastener cartridge by the first connector and by the second connector. The layer of material can have a mount that extends into a slot or notch in the fastener cartridge between the first connector and the second connector when the layer of material is secured to the fastener cartridge. The layer of material can be a buttress material and/or a tissue thickness compensator. Further, the layer of material can have a reinforcement feature and/or a scalloped edge around at least a portion of the perimeter thereof.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a control unit and a staple cartridge including a transponder. The control unit is configured to transmit a first wireless signal to the transponder and to receive a second wireless signal from the transponder to determine one of a first electronic state and a second electronic state of the transponder based on the second wireless signal.

Abstract: Various exemplary systems, devices, and methods are provided for resisting torque in articulating surgical tools. In general, a surgical tool can include an elongate shaft having at a distal end thereof an end effector configured to engage tissue. The end effector can be configured to articulate relative to the elongate shaft. The surgical tool can include a cutting element configured to translate longitudinally along the end effector to cut the engaged tissue. When the end effector is articulated, the longitudinal translation of the cutting element along the end effector exerts a torque force on the end effector that urges the end effector away from its current angled orientation. The surgical tool can be configured to have a corrective tension or force applied thereto that counteracts the torque force.

Abstract: A surgical instrument. The surgical instrument has an end effector and a trigger in communication with the end effector. The surgical instrument also has a first sensor and an externally accessible memory device in communication with the first sensor. The first sensor has an output that represents a first condition of either the trigger or the end effector. The memory device is configured to record the output of the first sensor. In various embodiments, memory device may include an output port and/or a removable storage medium.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for stabilizing fasteners post-deployment. Devices and methods are also provided for facilitating ejection of surgical fasteners from a cartridge. Devices and methods are also provided for guiding surgical fasteners. Devices and methods are also provided for facilitating closing and clamping of an end effector of a surgical device. Devices and methods are also provided for securing fasteners and adjunct materials to tissue. Devices and methods are also provided for removably coupling a cartridge to an end effector of a surgical device. Devices and methods are also provided for locking a surgical device based on loading of a fastener cartridge in the surgical device. Devices and methods are provided for adjusting a tissue gap of an end effector of a surgical device. Devices and methods are also provided for manually retracting a drive shaft, drive beam, and associated components.

Abstract: A powered surgical instrument including an end effector, which includes jaws that are configured to transition between various closure states. The surgical instrument includes a sensor configured to measure the closure state of the jaws and a display configured to display information indicative to the detected closure state. The surgical instrument further includes a firing member movable between a first position and a second position to transition the end effector between the plurality of closure states and a motor configured to drive the firing member between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument, such as an endoscopic or laparoscopic instrument. The surgical instrument may comprise an end effector comprising at least one sensor. The surgical instrument may also comprise an electrically conductive shaft having a distal end connected to the end effector wherein the sensor is electrically insulated from the shaft. The surgical instrument may also comprise a handle connected to a proximate end of the shaft. The handle may comprise a control unit electrically coupled to the shaft such that the shaft radiates signals as an antenna from the control unit to the sensor and receives radiated signals from the sensor. Other components electrically coupled to the shaft may also radiate the signals.

Abstract: An input control device is disclosed. The input control device can be configured to operate in different modes depending on proximity data provided by a proximity detection system. The input control device can include a feedback generator configured to generate feedback in response to the input control device switching between operational modes, the proximity data provided by the proximity detection system, and/or other conditions of the surgical procedure, robotic surgical tool, surgical site, and/or patient. The input control device can include a variable resistance assembly for resisting input control motions applied to an actuator thereof. Additionally or alternatively, the input control device can include an end effector actuator assembly for repositioning the end effector actuator based on feedback from a paired robotic surgical tool.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical instrument for use with a robotic surgical system is disclosed. The surgical instrument comprises a mounting portion, an elongate shaft, and an end effector. The end effector comprises a first jaw, a second jaw, a staple cartridge, a closure member, a drive screw, a thrust bearing, a coupling member, and a sled. The closure member is configured to move the second jaw from an open position toward a closed position in response to an output motion. The drive screw is configured to apply a distal force to the coupling member when the drive screw is rotated. The coupling member is configured to engage the second jaw and retain the second jaw at a distance relative to the first jaw during a firing stroke. The sled ejects staples from the staple cartridge when the sled is moved by the coupling member during the firing stroke.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a housing, an elongate shaft, an end effector for performing a surgical operation, a firing drive, an advancement assembly, and a retraction assembly is disclosed. The end effector operably supports a firing member that is movable from a proximal position to a fired position during a firing stroke in response to a longitudinal firing motion applied thereto. The firing drive is configured to transmit the longitudinal firing motion to the firing member upon actuation of a firing control actuator. The advancement assembly is supported by the housing and configured to transmit a rotary motion which is exclusively dedicated to the advancement of the firing member through the firing stroke. The retraction assembly is configured for manual rotary actuation about a longitudinal retraction axis. The retraction assembly is exclusively dedicated to the retraction of the firing member from the fired position to the proximal 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: A surgical stapling device that comprises an end effector. According to various embodiments, the end effector comprises a circular anvil having a staple forming surface and a plurality of staples facing the staple forming surface of the anvil. The end effector also comprises a staple driver assembly comprising a plurality of staple drivers. Each staple driver supports one of the plurality of staples and is configured such that, when the staple driver assembly is actuated, each staple driver drives the staple into the staple forming surface of the anvil. A first quantity of the plurality of staple drivers has a first height and a second quantity of the plurality of staple drivers has a second height, wherein the first height is less than the second height.

Abstract: A surgical cutting and fastening instrument that includes an elongate channel that is attached to a handle assembly by an elongate shaft assembly. The elongate channel is configured to receive a cartridge and has a pivotally translatable anvil attached thereto and a knife bar supported therein. The anvil may be selectively opened and closed by manipulating a closure trigger supported by the handle assembly. The knife bar may be distally advanced through the elongate channel by actuating a firing trigger that cooperates with a reversible rotary drive supported by the handle assembly. The knife bar may also be retracted to its starting position by actuating the firing trigger after the reversible rotary drive has been shifted to a retraction orientation.