Abstract: An apparatus includes a first and second elongate member that can releasably couple together to in order to cooperate to clamp and staple tissue, a latch member that can latch the first and second elongate member to clamp tissue, a firing assembly that can sever and staple clamped tissue, and a clamp force measuring assembly. The clamp force measuring assembly can measure a parameter associated with a clamping force imparted on the first and second stapling surfaces while clamping tissue, and process and communicate the measured parameter to be compared with a predetermined limit associated with successful staple formation.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first and second elongate member that can releasably couple together to in order to cooperate to clamp and staple tissue, a latch member that can latch the first and second elongate member to clamp tissue, a firing assembly that can sever and staple clamped tissue, and a clamp force measuring assembly. The clamp force measuring assembly can measure a parameter associated with a clamping force imparted on the first and second stapling surfaces while clamping tissue, and process and communicate the measured parameter to be compared with a predetermined limit associated with successful staple formation.

Abstract: An apparatus including a first jaw to selectively receive a staple cartridge and define a longitudinal jaw axis. The apparatus further includes a second jaw. The first and second jaws being able to cooperate to clamp and staple tissue. The apparatus further including a knife to actuate relative to the first jaw and the second jaw along the longitudinal jaw axis while the staple cartridge is housed within the first jaw to thereby cut and staple tissue clamped by the first and second jaws. The knife defines a longitudinal knife axis that extends along the longitudinal jaw axis. The apparatus further includes a lock rotatable relative to the knife about the longitudinal knife axis between an unlocked configuration and a locked configuration. The lock being able to inhibit distal actuation of the knife in the locked configuration and permit distal actuation of the knife in the unlocked configuration.

Abstract: A sled (182) for a surgical stapler, the sled including: a base, a plurality of rails, a first detent, and a second detent. The base being configured to translate distally relative to a jaw of the surgical stapler through a firing stroke to eject a plurality of staples into tissue. The plurality of rails (184, 185) extending upwardly from the base and configured to guide distal translation of the sled within the jaw through the firing stroke. The first sled detent (188A, 188B, 189) positioned on a lateral half of the sled. The second sled detent (188A, 188B, 189) positioned on the lateral half of the sled. Wherein each of the first and second sled detents is configured to independently inhibit the sled from translating distally relative to the jaw prior to the firing stroke.

Abstract: A sled (182) for a surgical stapler, the sled including: a base, a plurality of rails, a first detent, and a second detent. The base being configured to translate distally relative to a jaw of the surgical stapler through a firing stroke to eject a plurality of staples into tissue. The plurality of rails (184, 185) extending upwardly from the base and configured to guide distal translation of the sled within the jaw through the firing stroke. The first sled detent (188A, 188B, 189) positioned on a lateral half of the sled. The second sled detent (188A, 188B, 189) positioned on the lateral half of the sled. Wherein each of the first and second sled detents is configured to independently inhibit the sled from translating distally relative to the jaw prior to the firing stroke.

Abstract: A method of operating a surgical instrument includes clamping tissue with a surgical instrument end effector and actuating the end effector to drive staples into the clamped tissue, including a first longitudinal row having at least one first formed staple with a first formed shape in which the first legs are aligned laterally with each other and with the first crown; a second longitudinal row having at least one second formed staple with a second formed shape in which each second leg is skewed laterally away from the second crown at a first angle; and a third longitudinal row of third formed staples having at least one third formed staple with a third formed shape in which each third leg is skewed laterally away from the third crown at a second angle.

Abstract: A method of operating a surgical instrument includes clamping tissue with a surgical instrument end effector and actuating the end effector to drive staples into the clamped tissue, including a first longitudinal row having at least one first formed staple with a first formed shape in which the first legs are aligned laterally with each other and with the first crown; a second longitudinal row having at least one second formed staple with a second formed shape in which each second leg is skewed laterally away from the second crown at a first angle; and a third longitudinal row of third formed staples having at least one third formed staple with a third formed shape in which each third leg is skewed laterally away from the third crown at a second angle.

Abstract: A stapling assembly for a surgical instrument includes a body extending along a longitudinal axis and having an upper deck, a plurality of pockets extending through the upper deck for receiving respective staples and arranged in at least two longitudinal rows, a plurality of staple drivers, and a staple driver actuator. The stapling assembly also includes a plurality of pocket extenders extending upwardly from the upper deck. Each pocket extender has a respective top surface. The stapling assembly further includes at least one upwardly-facing surface configured to contact an adhesive of an adjunct for securing the adjunct to the stapling assembly. The at least one upwardly-facing surface is disposed at least partially between at least a portion of the upper deck and the top surfaces of the plurality of pocket extenders, and spans laterally at least partially across at least two longitudinal rows of the plurality of pockets.

Abstract: A surgical stapler kit includes a surgical stapler having a body, a shaft, and an end effector. The kit includes a first staple cartridge having a first cartridge body and a first sled, and a second staple cartridge having a second cartridge body and a second sled. When the first staple cartridge is at least partially seated within a cartridge jaw with the first sled in a proximal undisplaced position, a knife drives the first sled distally to deploy staples from the first cartridge body. When the second staple cartridge is at least partially seated within the cartridge jaw with the second sled in a proximal undisplaced position, the knife advances distally into a lockout position before causing any staples to be deployed from the second cartridge body.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first and second elongate member that can releasably couple together to in order to cooperate to clamp and staple tissue, a latch member that can latch the first and second elongate member to clamp tissue, a firing assembly that can sever and staple clamped tissue, and a clamp force measuring assembly. The clamp force measuring assembly can measure a parameter associated with a clamping force imparted on the first and second stapling surfaces while clamping tissue, and process and communicate the measured parameter to be compared with a predetermined limit associated with successful staple formation.

Abstract: A surgical stapler kit includes a surgical stapler having a body, a shaft, and an end effector. The kit includes a first staple cartridge having a first cartridge body and a first sled, and a second staple cartridge having a second cartridge body and a second sled. When the first staple cartridge is at least partially seated within a cartridge jaw with the first sled in a proximal undisplaced position, a knife drives the first sled distally to deploy staples from the first cartridge body. When the second staple cartridge is at least partially seated within the cartridge jaw with the second sled in a proximal undisplaced position, the knife advances distally into a lockout position before causing any staples to be deployed from the second cartridge body.

Abstract: A stapling assembly for a surgical instrument includes a body extending along a longitudinal axis and having an upper deck, a plurality of pockets extending through the upper deck for receiving respective staples and arranged in at least two longitudinal rows, a plurality of staple drivers, and a staple driver actuator. The stapling assembly also includes a plurality of pocket extenders extending upwardly from the upper deck. Each pocket extender has a respective top surface. The stapling assembly further includes at least one upwardly-facing surface configured to contact an adhesive of an adjunct for securing the adjunct to the stapling assembly. The at least one upwardly-facing surface is disposed at least partially between at least a portion of the upper deck and the top surfaces of the plurality of pocket extenders, and spans laterally at least partially across at least two longitudinal rows of the plurality of pockets.

Abstract: A method of operating a surgical instrument includes clamping tissue with a surgical instrument end effector and actuating the end effector to drive staples into the clamped tissue, including a first longitudinal row having at least one first formed staple with a first formed shape in which the first legs are aligned laterally with each other and with the first crown; a second longitudinal row having at least one second formed staple with a second formed shape in which each second leg is skewed laterally away from the second crown at a first angle; and a third longitudinal row of third formed staples having at least one third formed staple with a third formed shape in which each third leg is skewed laterally away from the third crown at a second angle.

Abstract: A cap and container combination wherein the cap fits about the container in at least two closure positions. Two circumferential bands are provided around the skirt of the cap and there is an internal thread which engages an external thread about the container neck. In the first position, one band of the cap engages a circumferential slot about the container. The internal thread seals with the top of the container. The first band is removed and the container opened by removing the cap. In the second position, the second band engages the slot and the threads engage each other. In the second position, the second band is located about the container. It remains in position when and after the cap is removed. Tampering of the container and cap can be visually detected with this configuration. A bead about the container is formed of a reduced cross-section in portions circumferentially around the cap. This facilitates assembly and disassembly of cap and container.

Abstract: A cap and container combination wherein the cap fits about the container in at least two closure positions. Two circumferential bands are provided around the skirt of the cap and there is an internal thread which engages an external thread about the container neck. In the first position, one band of the cap engages a circumferential slot about the container. The internal thread seals with the top of the container. The first band is removed and the container opened by removing the cap. In the second position, the second band engages the slot and the threads engage each other. In the second position, the second band is located about the container. It remains in position when and after the cap is removed. Tampering of the container and cap can be visually detected with this configuration. A bead about the container is formed of a reduced cross-section in portions circumferentially around the cap. This facilitates assembly and disassembly of cap and container.