Abstract: An anvil buttress loading system includes an anvil assembly, an anvil buttress loading tool, and an anvil buttress. The anvil buttress is retainable on each of the anvil buttress loading tool and the anvil buttress, and is transferrable from the anvil buttress loading tool to the anvil assembly.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus (stapler) including a housing, elongated member, and a reload is disclosed. A cartridge is configured to selectively couple to a first jaw member of the reload and includes one or more resilient members thereon. An anvil operably supported on a second jaw member of the reload is configured to compress one or more fasteners ejected from the cartridge. The anvil includes one or more locking members thereon. A knife is configured to translate through the cartridge and anvil when the first and second jaw members are in a closed configuration. Engagement between the knife and the resilient member(s) causes the resilient member(s) to move from an initial configuration that allows the knife to travel distally past the locking member(s) to a final configuration that allows the locking member(s) to engage the knife.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an articulation assembly having a dual threaded rod, a first nut, a second nut, a first articulation rod, and a second articulation rod. The dual threaded rod includes a body, a first thread encircling at least a portion of the body in a first direction, and a second thread encircling at least a portion of the body in a second, opposite direction. Rotation of the dual threaded rod in a first direction relative to the elongated portion causes the first nut to move distally relative to the dual threaded rod. Rotation of the dual threaded rod in the first direction relative to the elongated portion causes the second nut to move proximally relative to the dual threaded rod. The first articulation rod is coupled to the first nut and the end effector, and the second articulation rod is coupled to the second nut and the end effector.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus (stapler) is provided. The stapler includes a housing, elongated member, and a reload. A cartridge is configured to selectively couple to a first jaw member of the reload and includes one or more resilient members thereon. An anvil operably supported on a second jaw member of the reload is configured to compress one or more fasteners ejected from the cartridge. The anvil includes one or more locking members thereon. A knife is configured to translate through the cartridge and anvil when the first and second jaw members are in a closed configuration. Engagement between the knife and the resilient member(s) causes the resilient member(s) to move from an initial configuration that allows the knife to travel distally past the locking member(s) to a final configuration that allows the locking member(s) to engage the knife.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes a tool assembly and a drive assembly for actuating the tool assembly. The tool assembly includes an anvil assembly that defines a notch and a cartridge assembly that includes a staple cartridge having a cartridge body that supports staples and pushers and an actuation sled that supports a knife. The drive assembly supports a lockout mechanism that is movable between unlocked position and locked positions. The knife includes a protrusion that engages the lockout mechanism to move the lockout mechanism to the unlocked position as the drive assembly is moved from a retracted position towards an advanced position. When a knife is not present within the staple cartridge, the lockout mechanism remains in the unlocked position to prevent advancement of the drive assembly.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument includes a body portion and a tool assembly extending from the body portion. The tool assembly includes a jaw member, and a first connector assembly disposed within the jaw member. The first connector assembly includes a first connector housing and first and second connector members extending from the first connector housing. The surgical stapling instrument further includes a cartridge assembly selective receivable within the jaw member. The cartridge assembly includes a second connector assembly configured for electrical connection with the first connector assembly. The second connector assembly includes a second connector housing and first and second contact members disposed within the second connector housing. The first and second connector members of the first connector assembly are configured to engage the respective first and second contact members of the second connector housing when the cartridge assembly is received within the jaw member of the tool assembly.

Abstract: An anvil buttress loading system includes an anvil assembly, an anvil buttress loading tool, and an anvil buttress. The anvil buttress is retainable on each of the anvil buttress loading tool and the anvil buttress, and is transferrable from the anvil buttress loading tool to the anvil assembly.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus is provided which includes a first jaw supporting an anvil assembly and a second jaw supporting a cartridge assembly. The cartridge assembly supports a firing lockout assembly which includes a latch member having a blocking member. The latch member is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the blocking member of the latch member is aligned with the stop surface of the drive member to prevent advancement of the drive member within the tool assembly and in the second position, the blocking member is misaligned with the stop surface of the drive member to permit advancement of the drive member within the tool assembly. A biasing member is positioned to urge the latch member towards the first position. In the retracted position of the drive member, the latch member is in the first position.

Abstract: An anvil buttress loading system includes an anvil assembly, an anvil buttress loading tool, and an anvil buttress. The anvil buttress is retainable on each of the anvil buttress loading tool and the anvil buttress, and is transferrable from the anvil buttress loading tool to the anvil assembly.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an articulation assembly having a dual threaded rod, a first nut, a second nut, a first articulation rod, and a second articulation rod. The dual threaded rod includes a body, a first thread encircling at least a portion of the body in a first direction, and a second thread encircling at least a portion of the body in a second, opposite direction. Rotation of the dual threaded rod in a first direction relative to the elongated portion causes the first nut to move distally relative to the dual threaded rod. Rotation of the dual threaded rod in the first direction relative to the elongated portion causes the second nut to move proximally relative to the dual threaded rod. The first articulation rod is coupled to the first nut and the end effector, and the second articulation rod is coupled to the second nut and the end effector.

Abstract: An anvil buttress loading system includes an anvil assembly, an anvil buttress loading tool, and an anvil buttress. The anvil buttress is retainable on each of the anvil buttress loading tool and the anvil buttress, and is transferrable from the anvil buttress loading tool to the anvil assembly.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus includes a housing assembly and an elongated shaft assembly. The elongated shaft assembly is selectively attachable to the housing assembly. The elongated shaft assembly includes an adapter assembly and a loading unit. The adapter assembly extends distally to a distal tip housing. The distal tip housing supports an adapter electrical connector assembly therein. The loading unit is selectively attachable to the adapter assembly and extends distally to an end effector supporting one or more sensors therein. The loading unit supports a loading unit electrical connector assembly therein. The loading unit electrical connector assembly is positioned to contact the adapter electrical connector assembly when the adapter assembly and the loading unit are coupled together to electrically couple the one or more sensors to the housing assembly.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes a tool assembly that has a cartridge assembly, an anvil assembly, and a dissector tip. The dissector tip is moveable between a first configuration aligned with a longitudinal axis of the tool assembly and a second configuration defining an acute angle with the longitudinal axis of the tool assembly.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus (stapler) is provided. The stapler includes a housing, elongated member, and a reload. A cartridge is configured to selectively couple to a first jaw member of the reload and includes one or more resilient members thereon. An anvil operably supported on a second jaw member of the reload is configured to compress one or more fasteners ejected from the cartridge. The anvil includes one or more locking members thereon. A knife is configured to translate through the cartridge and anvil when the first and second jaw members are in a closed configuration. Engagement between the knife and the resilient member(s) causes the resilient member(s) to move from an initial configuration that allows the knife to travel distally past the locking member(s) to a final configuration that allows the locking member(s) to engage the knife.

Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a tool assembly that has a cartridge assembly, an anvil assembly, and a dissector tip. The dissector tip is moveable between a first configuration aligned with a longitudinal axis of the tool assembly and a second configuration defining an acute angle with the longitudinal axis of the tool assembly.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus (stapler) is provided. The stapler includes a housing, elongated member, and a reload. A cartridge is configured to selectively couple to a first jaw member of the reload and includes one or more resilient members thereon. An anvil operably supported on a second jaw member of the reload is configured to compress one or more fasteners ejected from the cartridge. The anvil includes one or more locking members thereon. A knife is configured to translate through the cartridge and anvil when the first and second jaw members are in a closed configuration. Engagement between the knife and the resilient member(s) causes the resilient member(s) to move from an initial configuration that allows the knife to travel distally past the locking member(s) to a final configuration that allows the locking member(s) to engage the knife.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument includes a body portion and a tool assembly extending from the body portion. The tool assembly includes a jaw member, and a first connector assembly disposed within the jaw member. The first connector assembly includes a first connector housing and first and second connector members extending from the first connector housing. The surgical stapling instrument further includes a cartridge assembly selective receivable within the jaw member. The cartridge assembly includes a second connector assembly configured for electrical connection with the first connector assembly. The second connector assembly includes a second connector housing and first and second contact members disposed within the second connector housing. The first and second connector members of the first connector assembly are configured to engage the respective first and second contact members of the second connector housing when the cartridge assembly is received within the jaw member of the tool assembly.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for surgically joining tissue is disclosed. The instrument comprises a handle assembly, an elongated portion, an end effector, and an articulation mechanism. The elongated portion extends distally from the handle assembly. The end effector is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion. The articulation mechanism is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the end effector for articulating the end effector. The articulation mechanism comprises a lever, a knob, a plate and a lower clutch. The plate is disposed at least partially within a portion of the knob. The lower clutch is disposed in mechanical engagement with the plate. The plate is disposed at least partially between the lower clutch and the knob. The lower clutch is keyed to the plate to limit rotation therebetween. The lower clutch is keyed to the knob to limit rotation therebetween.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument includes a body portion and a tool assembly extending from the body portion. The tool assembly includes a jaw member, and a first connector assembly disposed within the jaw member. The first connector assembly includes a first connector housing and first and second connector members extending from the first connector housing. The surgical stapling instrument further includes a cartridge assembly selective receivable within the jaw member. The cartridge assembly includes a second connector assembly configured for electrical connection with the first connector assembly. The second connector assembly includes a second connector housing and first and second contact members disposed within the second connector housing. The first and second connector members of the first connector assembly are configured to engage the respective first and second contact members of the second connector housing when the cartridge assembly is received within the jaw member of the tool assembly.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus is provided which includes a first jaw supporting an anvil assembly and a second jaw supporting a cartridge assembly. The cartridge assembly supports a firing lockout assembly which includes a latch member having a blocking member. The latch member is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the blocking member of the latch member is aligned with the stop surface of the drive member to prevent advancement of the drive member within the tool assembly and in the second position, the blocking member is misaligned with the stop surface of the drive member to permit advancement of the drive member within the tool assembly. A biasing member is positioned to urge the latch member towards the first position. In the retracted position of the drive member, the latch member is in the first position.