Abstract: An adapter assembly includes a cam housing defining a proximal cam slot and a distal cam slot, a first elongate shaft, and a second elongate shaft. The first elongate shaft has a proximal end portion received in the proximal cam slot, and a distal end portion configured to be coupled to a surgical loading unit. The second elongate shaft has a proximal end portion received in the distal cam slot, and a distal end portion configured to be coupled to the surgical loading unit. The first and second elongate shafts are configured to move in opposing longitudinal directions in response to a rotation of the cam housing to articulate the surgical loading unit.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes a mounting assembly that is pivotably supported on a distal portion of a housing about a pivot axis and movable between a non-articulated position and an articulated position. A drive assembly includes a flexible body having a working end and an articulation assembly includes an active articulation link that is coupled to the mounting assembly and movable between a retracted position and an advanced position to pivot the mounting assembly about the pivot axis. A gate assembly defines a channel that receives the flexible body of the drive assembly. The active articulation link is positioned to engage the gate assembly when the active articulation link moves between its retracted and advanced positions to move the gate assembly to a position to increase the bending radius of the flexible body of the drive assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surgical stapling apparatus and method of use that includes a cartridge assembly which is capable of being reloaded during a surgical procedure without being removed from the surgical site. This allows a surgeon to continue a surgical operation without withdrawing or removing the surgical stapler for reloading and thus reduces the length of the surgery while allowing the physician to concentrate solely on the surgical procedure rather than dividing attention between the surgical procedure and reloading of the surgical stapler. The surgical stapling apparatus includes an elongate member having a plurality of fasteners arranged in a plurality of longitudinally extending rows which is longitudinally translatable through the cartridge to position the plurality of fasteners relative to a plurality of retention slots extending through an upper surface of the cartridge.

Abstract: A surgical device includes an adapter assembly that selectively interconnects a loading unit and a device housing. The adapter assembly includes a drive converter assembly for interconnecting a rotatable drive shaft and an axially translatable drive member of the loading unit. The drive converter assembly converts and transmits a rotation of the rotatable drive shaft to an axial translation of the axially translatable drive member of the loading unit. The drive converter assembly includes a drive element, a drive nut, and a distal drive member. The drive element defines a longitudinal axis. The drive nut is disposed about the longitudinal axis, and the distal drive member is disposed along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A joint assembly of an adapter defines a first longitudinal axis and includes first and second hinges, first and second rings, a joint cover, and a biasing mechanism. The joint cover has first and second cover portions. The first ring is pivotally coupled to the first hinge and the first cover portion is pivotally coupled to the first hinge to define a first joint center. The second ring is pivotally coupled to the second cover portion and the second hinge is pivotally coupled to the second ring to define a second joint center that is spaced from the first joint center. The first and second joint centers define a cover axis of the joint cover. The biasing mechanism is engaged with the first ring and the joint cover to bias the joint cover towards an aligned configuration in which the cover axis is aligned with the first longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes tool assembly having an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly including a cartridge channel and a staple cartridge supported within the cartridge channel. The cartridge channel has a pair of spaced sidewalls and a bottom wall. The cartridge assembly includes compression strips that are supported on upper edges of the side walls and are positioned to support the staple cartridge. In embodiments, each of the compression strips includes a connecting portion and the upper edge of each of the side walls defines a slot that is configured to receive the connecting portion of a respective compression strip to secure the compression strip to the side wall of the cartridge channel. In some embodiments, the tool assembly also includes a compressible pad that is supported on the bottom wall of the cartridge channel between the bottom of the cartridge channel and the staple cartridge.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surgical stapling apparatus and method of use that includes a cartridge assembly which is capable of being reloaded during a surgical procedure without being removed from the surgical site. This allows a surgeon to continue a surgical operation without withdrawing or removing the surgical stapler for reloading and thus reduces the length of the surgery while allowing the physician to concentrate solely on the surgical procedure rather than dividing attention between the surgical procedure and reloading of the surgical stapler. The surgical stapling apparatus includes an elongate member having a plurality of fasteners arranged in a plurality of longitudinally extending rows which is longitudinally translatable through the cartridge to position the plurality of fasteners relative to a plurality of retention slots extending through an upper surface of the cartridge.

Abstract: A surgical loading unit includes an elongate body, an end effector pivotably coupled to the elongate body, and a flexible knife bar extending through a distal portion of the elongate body and a proximal portion of the end effector. Articulation of the end effector relative to the elongate body in a first direction moves a first segment of the knife bar in the first direction and moves a second segment of the knife bar in a second direction, opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A surgical device comprising a first jaw member, a second jaw member, a clamping member and a clamp apparatus is disclosed. The clamping member is slidably positioned to translate at least partially through the first jaw member. The clamping member engages the first jaw member and the second jaw member, and has a knife blade for cutting tissue. A flange of the clamping member is configured to engage a cam surface to pivot the second jaw member with respect to the first jaw member from an open position toward an approximated position. The clamp apparatus is movable from a retracted position to an advanced position for preventing a gap between proximal portions of the first jaw member and the second jaw member from exceeding a predetermined distance. The clamping member and the clamp apparatus are separately movable.

Abstract: A joint assembly of an adapter defines a first longitudinal axis and includes first and second hinges, first and second rings, a joint cover, and a biasing mechanism. The joint cover has first and second cover portions. The first ring is pivotally coupled to the first hinge and the first cover portion is pivotally coupled to the first hinge to define a first joint center. The second ring is pivotally coupled to the second cover portion and the second hinge is pivotally coupled to the second ring to define a second joint center that is spaced from the first joint center. The first and second joint centers define a cover axis of the joint cover. The biasing mechanism is engaged with the first ring and the joint cover to bias the joint cover towards an aligned configuration in which the cover axis is aligned with the first longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Adapter assemblies selectively interconnect a surgical end effector that is configured to perform at least a pair of functions and a surgical device that is configured to actuate the end effector. The adapter assembly includes an adapter knob housing configured and adapted for connection with the surgical device and to be in operative communication with each of the at least one rotatable drive shaft of the surgical device. The adapter knob housing defines a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough and a ring gear formed in an inner surface of the lumen of the adapter knob housing. The ring gear defines an internal array of gear teeth which are engaged with a spur gear of a rotatable drive shaft. The adapter knob housing may be a unitary member and may be formed of plastic.

Abstract: A joint assembly including first and second supports, a spring cage, first and second drive shafts, and first and second cables. The spring cage having a first end fixed to the first support and a second end fixed to the second support and defining a spring channel between the first and second supports. The first drive shaft rotatably disposed along a first longitudinal axis defined by the first support and the second drive shaft rotatably disposed along a second longitudinal axis defined by the second support. The first and second cables extending through the first support and having an end secured to the second support. The first and second cables translatable in a direction parallel to the first longitudinal axis to articulated the second support relative to the first support such that the second longitudinal axis is disposed at a total joint angle relative to the first longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A surgical device comprising an adapter assembly is disclosed. The adapter assembly selectively interconnects a loading unit and a device housing, and includes at least one drive converter assembly for interconnecting a rotatable drive shaft and an axially translatable drive member of the loading unit. The at least one drive converter assembly converts and transmits a rotation of the rotatable drive shaft to an axial translation of the axially translatable drive member of the loading unit. The at least one drive converter assembly includes a drive element, a drive nut, and a distal drive member. The drive element defines a longitudinal axis. The drive nut is disposed about the longitudinal axis, and the distal drive member is disposed along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a surgical device including an adapter assembly for selectively interconnecting an end effector and the device housing. The adapter assembly includes at least one drive converter assembly that converts and transmits a rotation of the rotatable drive shaft to an axial translation of at least one axially translatable drive member of the end effector. A first drive converter assembly includes a first drive element, a nut, an articulation sleeve, an articulation bearing, and an articulation link. Rotation of the rotatable drive shaft results in rotation of the first drive element. Rotation of the first drive element results in axial translation of the nut, the articulation sleeve, the articulation bearing, the articulation link, and the at least one axially translatable drive member of the end effector.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surgical stapling apparatus and method of use that includes a cartridge assembly which is capable of being reloaded during a surgical procedure without being removed from the surgical site. This allows a surgeon to continue a surgical operation without withdrawing or removing the surgical stapler for reloading and thus reduces the length of the surgery while allowing the physician to concentrate solely on the surgical procedure rather than dividing attention between the surgical procedure and reloading of the surgical stapler. The surgical stapling apparatus includes an elongate member having a plurality of fasteners arranged in a plurality of longitudinally extending rows which is longitudinally translatable through the cartridge to position the plurality of fasteners relative to a plurality of retention slots extending through an upper surface of the cartridge.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes tool assembly having an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly including a cartridge channel and a staple cartridge supported within the cartridge channel. The cartridge channel has a pair of spaced sidewalls and a bottom wall. The cartridge assembly includes compression strips that are supported on upper edges of the side walls and are positioned to support the staple cartridge. In embodiments, each of the compression strips includes a connecting portion and the upper edge of each of the side walls defines a slot that is configured to receive the connecting portion of a respective compression strip to secure the compression strip to the side wall of the cartridge channel. In some embodiments, the tool assembly also includes a compressible pad that is supported on the bottom wall of the cartridge channel between the bottom of the cartridge channel and the staple cartridge.

Abstract: A surgical device is disclosed which includes a handle portion, a central body portion and a SULU. The SULU includes a proximal body portion, an intermediate pivot member and a tool assembly. The intermediate pivot member is pivotally secured to the proximal body portion about a first pivot axis and the tool assembly is pivotally secured to the intermediate pivot member about a second pivot axis which is orthogonal to the first pivot axis. The SULU includes a plurality of articulation links which are operably connected to the tool assembly by non-rigid links. The articulation links are adapted to releasably engage articulation links positioned in the central body portion. The body portion articulation links are connected to an articulation actuator which is supported for omni-directional movement to effect articulation of the tool assembly about the first and second axes.

Abstract: A surgical loading unit includes an elongate body, an end effector pivotably coupled to the elongate body, and a flexible knife bar extending through a distal portion of the elongate body and a proximal portion of the end effector. Articulation of the end effector relative to the elongate body in a first direction moves a first segment of the knife bar in the first direction and moves a second segment of the knife bar in a second direction, opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A surgical device comprising a first jaw member, a second jaw member, a clamping member and a clamp apparatus is disclosed. The clamping member is slidably positioned to translate at least partially through the first jaw member. The clamping member engages the first jaw member and the second jaw member, and has a knife blade for cutting tissue. A flange of the clamping member is configured to engage a cam surface to pivot the second jaw member with respect to the first jaw member from an open position toward an approximated position. The clamp apparatus is movable from a retracted position to an advanced position for preventing a gap between proximal portions of the first jaw member and the second jaw member from exceeding a predetermined distance. The clamping member and the clamp apparatus are separately movable.

Abstract: Adapter assemblies selectively interconnect a surgical end effector that is configured to perform at least a pair of functions and a surgical device that is configured to actuate the end effector. The adapter assembly includes an adapter knob housing configured and adapted for connection with the surgical device and to be in operative communication with each of the at least one rotatable drive shaft of the surgical device. The adapter knob housing defines a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough and a ring gear formed in an inner surface of the lumen of the adapter knob housing. The ring gear defines an internal array of gear teeth which are engaged with a spur gear of a rotatable drive shaft. The adapter knob housing may be a unitary member and may be formed of plastic.