Abstract: An adapter assembly includes a knob housing, an outer tube, an end effector, an articulation link, and a sensor assembly. The end effector is movable from a first position where the end effector is aligned with a longitudinal axis defined by the outer tube, to a second position where the end effector is disposed at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis. Longitudinal translation of the articulation link relative to the outer tube causes the end effector to move from its first position to its second position. The sensor assembly includes a first portion disposed in mechanical cooperation with the articulation link, and a second portion disposed at least partially within the outer tube. The sensor assembly is configured to determine an actual amount of articulation of the end effector based on a distance the articulation link move longitudinally relative to the outer tube.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a drive shaft, a motor for rotating the drive shaft, and a motor speed control. The motor speed control includes a first switch and a second switch which are in communication with the motor. The first switch is disposed over and in registration with the second switch. The first switch has an activated state such that the first switch sends a first signal to the motor. The motor rotates the drive shaft in response to the first signal. The second switch sends a second signal to the motor that varies the speed that the motor rotates the drive shaft in response to a force applied to the second switch by the first switch.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for applying fasteners includes a drive motor, a replaceable loading unit having an end-effector assembly, and an adapter configured to releaseably couple a replaceable loading unit to the drive motor. The adapter includes a strain gauge having a drive circuit coupled thereto. The strain gauge and the drive circuit are configured to directly measure a driving force in the adapter.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for applying fasteners includes a drive motor, a replaceable loading unit having an end-effector assembly, and an adapter configured to releasably couple a replaceable loading unit to the drive motor. The adapter includes a strain gauge having a drive circuit coupled thereto. The strain gauge and the drive circuit are configured to directly measure a driving force in the adapter.

Abstract: An adapter assembly includes an elongated body configured to couple to a handle assembly and a loading unit assembly. The adapter assembly includes an oscillator configured to output a voltage signal. A sensor determines a connection status of the loading unit assembly coupled to the adapter assembly based on a change in the voltage signal. The voltage signal includes a rectified voltage output and an induced voltage output and changes in response to the approximation of a winding disposed within a loading unit assembly to the oscillator.

Abstract: An adapter assembly includes a knob housing, an outer tube, an end effector, an articulation link, and a sensor assembly. The end effector is movable from a first position where the end effector is aligned with a longitudinal axis defined by the outer tube, to a second position where the end effector is disposed at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis. Longitudinal translation of the articulation link relative to the outer tube causes the end effector to move from its first position to its second position. The sensor assembly includes a first portion disposed in mechanical cooperation with the articulation link, and a second portion disposed at least partially within the outer tube. The sensor assembly is configured to determine an actual amount of articulation of the end effector based on a distance the articulation link move longitudinally relative to the outer tube.

Abstract: An adapter assembly includes an elongated body configured to couple to a handle assembly and a loading unit assembly. The adapter assembly includes an oscillator configured to output a voltage signal. A sensor determines a connection status of the loading unit assembly coupled to the adapter assembly based on a change in the voltage signal. The voltage signal includes a rectified voltage output and an induced voltage output and changes in response to the approximation of a winding disposed within a loading unit assembly to the oscillator.

Abstract: A loading unit detection system includes an elongate member, a loading unit, a magnet, and a GMR IC. The elongate member defines a receiver. The loading unit includes a connector that is configured to be received within the receiver to releasably couple the loading unit to the elongate member. The magnet is supported on the connector and is configured to translate relative to the elongate member as the connector is received within the receiver. The GMR IC is embedded within the elongate member and is configured to output a differential voltage in response to a magnetic field produced by the magnet of the loading unit. The differential voltage is indicative of the position of the loading unit within the receiver of the elongate member.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a drive shaft, a motor for rotating the drive shaft, and a motor speed control. The motor speed control includes a first switch and a second switch which are in communication with the motor. The first switch is disposed over and in registration with the second switch. The first switch has an activated state such that the first switch sends a first signal to the motor. The motor rotates the drive shaft in response to the first signal. The second switch sends a second signal to the motor that varies the speed that the motor rotates the drive shaft in response to a force applied to the second switch by the first switch.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a drive shaft, a motor for rotating the drive shaft, and a motor speed control. The motor speed control includes a first switch and a second switch which are in communication with the motor. The first switch is disposed over and in registration with the second switch. The first switch has an activated state such that the first switch sends a first signal to the motor. The motor rotates the drive shaft in response to the first signal. The second switch sends a second signal to the motor that varies the speed that the motor rotates the drive shaft in response to a force applied to the second switch by the first switch.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handle assembly, a giant magnetoresistance integrated circuit (GMR-IC), and an adapter assembly. The adapter assembly is configured to affect a function of a surgical loading unit in response to an actuation of the handle assembly. The adapter assembly includes a drive shaft and a magnetic material coupled to the drive shaft. In response to an actuation of the drive shaft by the handle assembly, the drive shaft is configured to move the magnetic material relative to the GMR-IC to change a magnetic field induced on the GMR-IC.

Abstract: An adapter assembly includes an elongated body configured to couple to a handle assembly and a loading unit assembly. The adapter assembly includes an oscillator configured to output a voltage signal. A sensor determines a connection status of the loading unit assembly coupled to the adapter assembly based on a change in the voltage signal. The voltage signal includes a rectified voltage output and an induced voltage output and changes in response to the approximation of a winding disposed within a loading unit assembly to the oscillator.

Abstract: An adapter assembly includes an elongated body configured to couple to a handle assembly and a loading unit assembly. The adapter assembly includes an oscillator configured to output a voltage signal. A sensor determines a connection status of the loading unit assembly coupled to the adapter assembly based on a change in the voltage signal. The voltage signal includes a rectified voltage output and an induced voltage output and changes in response to the approximation of a winding disposed within a loading unit assembly to the oscillator.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for applying fasteners includes a drive motor, a replaceable loading unit having an end-effector assembly, and an adapter configured to releasably couple a replaceable loading unit to the drive motor. The adapter includes a strain gauge having a drive circuit coupled thereto. The strain gauge and the drive circuit are configured to directly measure a driving force in the adapter.

Abstract: A loading unit detection system includes an elongate member, a loading unit, a magnet, and a GMR IC. The elongate member defines a receiver. The loading unit includes a connector that is configured to be received within the receiver to releasably couple the loading unit to the elongate member. The magnet is supported on the connector and is configured to translate relative to the elongate member as the connector is received within the receiver. The GMR IC is embedded within the elongate member and is configured to output a differential voltage in response to a magnetic field produced by the magnet of the loading unit. The differential voltage is indicative of the position of the loading unit within the receiver of the elongate member.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for applying fasteners includes a drive motor, a replaceable loading unit having an end-effector assembly, and an adapter configured to releasably couple a replaceable loading unit to the drive motor. The adapter includes a strain gauge having a drive circuit coupled thereto. The strain gauge and the drive circuit are configured to directly measure a driving force in the adapter.

Abstract: An adapter assembly includes an elongated body configured to couple to a handle assembly and a loading unit assembly. The adapter assembly includes an oscillator configured to output a voltage signal. A sensor determines a connection status of the loading unit assembly coupled to the adapter assembly based on a change in the voltage signal. The voltage signal includes a rectified voltage output and an induced voltage output and changes in response to the approximation of a winding disposed within a loading unit assembly to the oscillator.

Abstract: A tissue caliper is provided. The tissue caliper includes a housing assembly including a tubular body, an activation assembly operably received within the housing assembly, and a caliper assembly operably connected to the activation assembly. The activation assembly includes a magnetic spring for effecting the opening and closing of the caliper assembly. Also provided is a kit for measuring tissue thickness.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a drive shaft, a motor for rotating the drive shaft, and a motor speed control. The motor speed control includes a first switch and a second switch which are in communication with the motor. The first switch is disposed over and in registration with the second switch. The first switch has an activated state such that the first switch sends a first signal to the motor. The motor rotates the drive shaft in response to the first signal. The second switch sends a second signal to the motor that varies the speed that the motor rotates the drive shaft in response to a force applied to the second switch by the first switch.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for applying fasteners includes a drive motor, a replaceable loading unit having an end-effector assembly, and an adapter configured to releasably couple a replaceable loading unit to the drive motor. The adapter includes a strain gauge having a drive circuit coupled thereto. The strain gauge and the drive circuit are configured to directly measure a driving force in the adapter.