Abstract: A detachable motor-powered surgical instrument. The instrument may include a housing that includes at least one engagement member for removably attaching the housing to an actuator arrangement. A motor is supported within the housing for supplying actuation motions to various portions of a surgical end effector coupled to the housing. The housing may include a contact arrangement that is configured to permit power to be supplied to the motor only when the housing is operably attached to the actuator arrangement.

Abstract: A biopsy system comprises an introducer, a biopsy device having a needle, and a marker applier. The introducer may include a closed distal tip, a lateral aperture, a proximally facing interior wall, and a ramp that guides the closed distal end of a marker applier up and into abutment with the wall as the applier is fed into the introducer. The needle of the biopsy device includes a blunt distal end and features providing clearance for the ramp as the blunt distal end is brought into abutment with the wall when the needle is fed into the introducer. The introducer may alternatively include an open distal end having resiliently biased leaves that bear against an inserted biopsy device needle. In some other versions, a fin projects laterally from the closed distal end of a marker applier, spacing the distal end away from a sidewall region of the introducer cannula.

Abstract: A detachable motor-powered surgical instrument. The instrument may include a housing that includes at least one engagement member for removably attaching the housing to an actuator arrangement. A motor is supported within the housing for supplying actuation motions to various portions of a surgical end effector coupled to the housing. The housing may include a contact arrangement that is configured to permit power to be supplied to the motor only when the housing is operably attached to the actuator arrangement.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus comprises a body, an ultrasonic transducer, a shaft, and an end effector. The ultrasonic transducer is operable to convert electrical power into ultrasonic vibrations. The shaft couples the end effector and the body together. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic blade includes a recess region having a plurality of recesses. The recess region is tapered such that the cross-sectional area of the recess region decreases along the length of the recess region. The ultrasonic blade is also curved such that a central longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic blade extends along a curved path. A reference circuit is used to account for voltage drops of unknown values during operation of the surgical apparatus.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for performing various procedures using interchangeable end effectors. In general, the methods and devices allow a surgeon to remotely and selectively attach various interchangeable surgical end effectors to a shaft located within a patient's body, thus allowing the surgeon to perform various procedures without the need to remove the shaft from the patient's body. In an exemplary embodiment, multiple end effectors can be introduced into a body cavity. The end effectors can be disassociated or separate from one another such that they float within the body cavity. A distal end of a shaft can be positioned within the body cavity and it can be used to selectively engage one of the end effectors. In particular, the device can be configured to allow each end effector to be remotely attached and detached from the distal end of the shaft.

Abstract: A detachable motor-powered surgical instrument. The instrument may include a housing that includes at least one engagement member for removably attaching the housing to an actuator arrangement. A motor is supported within the housing for supplying actuation motions to various portions of a surgical end effector coupled to the housing. The housing may include a contact arrangement that is configured to permit power to be supplied to the motor only when the housing is operably attached to the actuator arrangement.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an instrument body and transmission assembly. The instrument body includes a motor, a switch, and an energy source (e.g., an ultrasonic transducer). The transmission assembly includes an end effector, a transmission feature (e.g., an acoustic waveguide), and a switch engagement feature. The end effector includes an active feature (e.g., a harmonic blade) in communication with the energy source. The switch engagement feature is operable to mechanically couple the energy source with the transmission feature in response to the switch engagement feature triggering the switch. A yoke of the instrument body is configured to selectively engage a translating member of the transmission assembly. A release switch is operable to selectively disengage the yoke from the translating member.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical stapling instrument can include a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, wherein the shaft defines an axis, and a disposable loading unit which is assembled to the shaft in a direction which is transverse to the shaft axis. Such a connection between the disposable loading unit and the shaft can prevent, or at least inhibit, the disposable loading unit from being unintentionally displaced proximally and/or distally relative to the shaft of the surgical instrument. The surgical stapling instrument and/or disposable loading unit can further include a threaded collar and/or detent assembly configured to hold the disposable loading unit in place. In various embodiments, a disposable loading unit can include a lockout feature which can prevent, or at least inhibit, an expended disposable loading unit from being reassembled to the elongated body of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A biopsy system includes various features. A tissue sample holder kit of the system comprises a rotatable member with chambers configured to receive tissue receiving features of a tissue sample tray. A biopsy device of the system includes user input features and user feedback features disposed on a body. A user interface of the system includes a graphical representation of a tissues ample holder. A biopsy site marker applier of the system includes markings associated with different biopsy device configurations. The biopsy system may undergo a multi-step initialization process. In operation, the biopsy system may execute pneumatic control algorithms including the use of vacuum, saline, and atmospheric air.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a probe, a holster, and a tissue sample holder for collecting tissue samples. The probe includes a needle and a hollow cutter. The tissue sample holder includes a housing having one or more chambers that are configured to receive a removable tray including one or more prongs and a bulk chamber of a different volume than the one or more chambers. The housing is releasably engageable with the probe. Each tray prong is configured to receive a tissue sample communicated through the cutter lumen. The tray is removable from the housing, such as along an axial direction. The tissue sample holder is rotatable to successively index each chamber to the cutter lumen. The trays may be flexible, resilient, or rigid.

Abstract: A detachable motor-powered surgical instrument. The instrument may include a housing that includes at least one engagement member for removably attaching the housing to an actuator arrangement. A motor is supported within the housing for supplying actuation motions to various portions of a surgical end effector coupled to the housing. The housing may include a contact arrangement that is configured to permit power to be supplied to the motor only when the housing is operably attached to the actuator arrangement.

Abstract: A stapling system configured to be operably engaged with a surgical device is disclosed. The stapling system comprises a staple cartridge carrier, a staple cartridge body, staples, drivers, a sled, an anvil, a housing removably attachable to the surgical device, and a drive system. The drive system comprises a rotatable shaft and a translatable drive member. The translatable drive member is selectively movable through the stable cartridge body when a rotary motion is applied to the rotatable shaft. The translatable drive member is configured to advance the sled to motivate the drivers to deploy the stables into tissue. The stapling system further comprises an electric motor operably engaging the rotatable shaft to selectively apply the rotary motion to the rotatable shaft. The electric motor is configured to receive power from a power supply only when the housing is attached to the surgical device.

Abstract: A removable stapling attachment configured to be operably attached to a surgical device is disclosed. The removable stapling attachment comprises a staple cartridge carrier and a staple cartridge body. The removable stapling attachment further comprises a plurality of staples removably stored in the staple cartridge body, an anvil supported relative to the staple cartridge carrier and movable from an open position to a closed position, and a housing. The housing is removably attachable to the surgical device. The removable stapling attachment further comprises an electric motor attached to the housing. The electric motor is configured to produce rotational motion. The electric motor selectively receives power from a power source only when the housing is coupled to the surgical device. The removable stapling attachment further comprises drive means for converting the rotational motion produced by the electric motor to translational motion to eject the staples from the staple cartridge body.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical stapling instrument can include a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, wherein the shaft defines an axis, and a disposable loading unit which is assembled to the shaft in a direction which is transverse to the shaft axis. Such a connection between the disposable loading unit and the shaft can prevent, or at least inhibit, the disposable loading unit from being unintentionally displaced proximally and/or distally relative to the shaft of the surgical instrument. The surgical stapling instrument and/or disposable loading unit can further include a threaded collar and/or detent assembly configured to hold the disposable loading unit in place. In various embodiments, a disposable loading unit can include a lockout feature which can prevent, or at least inhibit, an expended disposable loading unit from being reassembled to the elongated body of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A disposable loading unit for use with a surgical stapling instrument is disclosed. The disposable loading unit comprises a cutting member, an anvil, and a first replaceable stapling jaw assembly. The first replaceable stapling jaw assembly comprises a first cartridge body and first staples. The disposable loading unit further comprises a second replaceable stapling jaw assembly comprising a second cartridge body and second staples. The disposable loading unit further comprises a lockout that prevents the first replaceable stapling jaw assembly from being fired after the first replaceable stapling jaw assembly has been at least partially fired. The surgical stapling instrument and the disposable loading unit are configured to deploy the second staples from the second replaceable stapling jaw assembly with which the first replaceable stapling jaw assembly is replaced.

Abstract: A stapling assembly for use with a stapling system comprises a mounting portion and an elongate shaft. The stapling assembly further comprises a cartridge body and a firing member. The stapling assembly further comprises a motor drive and a power input configured to supply power to the motor drive. The stapling assembly further comprises a first powered state prior to the staple firing stroke and a second powered state in which the power input supplies power to the motor drive to perform the staple firing stroke.

Abstract: A surgical stapling assembly comprises a housing, wherein the housing comprises an engagement member for removably coupling the housing to a surgical system. The surgical stapling assembly further comprises a first jaw and a second jaw. The surgical stapling assembly further comprises a drive member and a motor positioned in the housing, wherein the motor is operable to selectively move the drive member. The surgical stapling assembly further comprises at least one electrical contact supported by the housing, wherein the at least one electrical contact is operable to supply power from a power source to the motor only when the housing is operably attached to the surgical system.

Abstract: A stapling assembly configured to be operably attached to a surgical system comprises a carrier operably supporting a cartridge assembly therein and an anvil. The stapling assembly further comprises a housing removably attachable to the surgical system and an axial drive assembly. The stapling assembly further comprises a motor supported within the housing, wherein the motor is operable to selectively transmit a rotary motion to the axial drive assembly. The motor can only transmit the rotary motion to the axial drive assembly when the housing is coupled to the surgical system and a power source is selectively coupled with the motor.

Abstract: A detachable motor-powered surgical instrument. The instrument may include a housing that includes at least one engagement member for removably attaching the housing to an actuator arrangement. A motor is supported within the housing for supplying actuation motions to various portions of a surgical end effector coupled to the housing. The housing may include a contact arrangement that is configured to permit power to be supplied to the motor only when the housing is operably attached to the actuator arrangement.

Abstract: A detachable motor-powered surgical instrument. The instrument may include a housing that includes at least one engagement member for removably attaching the housing to an actuator arrangement. A motor is supported within the housing for supplying actuation motions to various portions of a surgical end effector coupled to the housing. The housing may include a contact arrangement that is configured to permit power to be supplied to the motor only when the housing is operably attached to the actuator arrangement.