Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, at least one user input feature, an elongate shaft, a needle applier, and a motor. The needle applier includes a needle and a drive assembly coupled to the needle. The drive assembly is configured to drive the needle along an orbital path about a rotation axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, in response to an actuation of the user input feature. The motor is configured provide motion to the needle applier to thereby actuate the drive assembly.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft, a cartridge receiving assembly, and a suture cartridge. The body has an actuator. The cartridge receiving assembly includes a pair of jaws. The suture cartridge includes a cartridge body, a needle, and a needle cover. The needle cover is releasably connected to the cartridge body such that the needle cover surrounds at least a portion of the needle. The needle cover is releasably connected to the body by at least one of a securement or a distal extension. The securement is located between the needle cover and the cartridge body to releasably connect the needle cover to the cartridge body. The distal extension projects from at least one of the first jaw or the second jaw and is configured to engage the needle cover thereby holding the needle cover to the cartridge body in the closed position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft, and a cartridge receiving assembly. The body has an actuator. The cartridge receiving assembly includes a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw is movable relative to the second jaw between an open position and a closed position. The first and second jaws are configured to receive a suture cartridge therebetween when the first jaw is in the open position. The first and second jaws are configured to secure a suture cartridge therebetween and thereby operatively couple the actuator with the suture cartridge when the first jaw is in the closed position. The first jaw is further configured to receive a needle of the suture cartridge directly thereagainst when the first jaw is in the closed position such that the first jaw is configured to capture the needle within the suture cartridge.

Abstract: A needle cartridge is adapted to be attached to a receiver on a surgical suturing device. The cartridge comprises an arced needle having a leading end, a trailing end, and a length of suture. A cartridge body has a track that receives the needle and defining a circular path. A needle driver is operable to rotate the needle along the circular path. A cover is on the body and positioned over the needle in the track. The cover is selectively moveable relative to the body to release the needle from the track.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, at least one user input feature, an elongate shaft, a needle applier, and a motor. The needle applier includes a needle and a drive assembly coupled to the needle. The drive assembly is configured to drive the needle along an orbital path about a rotation axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, in response to an actuation of the user input feature. The motor is configured provide motion to the needle applier to thereby actuate the drive assembly.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a user input feature, an elongate shaft extending from the body along a longitudinal axis, and a needle applier coupled to the elongate shaft. The needle applier further includes a needle and a drive assembly coupled to the needle. The drive assembly is configured to rotate the needle about a rotation axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis, in response to an actuation of the user input feature. The needle applier further includes a housing containing the needle and the drive assembly. The housing presents at least one indicator. The least one indicator is positioned to indicate at least one of a position of the needle relative to the housing, and a direction of rotation of the needle relative to the housing.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, at least one user input feature, an elongate shaft, a needle applier, and a motor. The needle applier includes a needle and a drive assembly coupled to the needle. The drive assembly is configured to drive the needle along an orbital path about a rotation axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, in response to an actuation of the user input feature. The motor is configured provide motion to the needle applier to thereby actuate the drive assembly.

Abstract: A needle cartridge is adapted to be attached to a receiver on a surgical suturing device. The cartridge comprises an arced needle having a leading end, a trailing end, and a length of suture. A body has a track receiving the needle and defining a circular path. A needle driver is operable to rotate the needle along the circular path. A cover captures the needle in the track. A cage engages and retains the needle cover against the body. The cage may slide relative the body to disengage with a portion of the cover allowing the cover to deflect and release the needle from the track.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft, a cartridge receiving assembly, and a suture cartridge. The body has an actuator. The cartridge receiving assembly includes a pair of jaws. The suture cartridge includes a cartridge body, a needle, and a needle cover. The needle cover is releasably connected to the cartridge body such that the needle cover surrounds at least a portion of the needle. The needle cover is releasably connected to the body by at least one of a securement or a distal extension. The securement is located between the needle cover and the cartridge body to releasably connect the needle cover to the cartridge body. The distal extension projects from at least one of the first jaw or the second jaw and is configured to engage the needle cover thereby holding the needle cover to the cartridge body in the closed position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft, and a cartridge receiving assembly. The body has an actuator. The cartridge receiving assembly includes a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw is movable relative to the second jaw between an open position and a closed position. The first and second jaws are configured to receive a suture cartridge therebetween when the first jaw is in the open position. The first and second jaws are configured to secure a suture cartridge therebetween and thereby operatively couple the actuator with the suture cartridge when the first jaw is in the closed position. The first jaw is further configured to receive a needle of the suture cartridge directly thereagainst when the first jaw is in the closed position such that the first jaw is configured to capture the needle within the suture cartridge.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, at least one user input feature, an elongate shaft, a needle applier, and a motor. The needle applier includes a needle and a drive assembly coupled to the needle. The drive assembly is configured to drive the needle along an orbital path about a rotation axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, in response to an actuation of the user input feature. The motor is configured provide motion to the needle applier to thereby actuate the drive assembly.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a user input feature, an elongate shaft extending from the body along a longitudinal axis, and a needle applier coupled to the elongate shaft. The needle applier further includes a needle and a drive assembly coupled to the needle. The drive assembly is configured to rotate the needle about a rotation axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis, in response to an actuation of the user input feature. The needle applier further includes a housing containing the needle and the drive assembly. The housing presents at least one indicator. The least one indicator is positioned to indicate at least one of a position of the needle relative to the housing, and a direction of rotation of the needle relative to the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus is operable to secure suture fasteners to sutures to eliminate the need to tie knots in the sutures. The apparatus comprises a shaft, an end effector disposed at the distal end of the shaft, and a suture fastener removably secured to the end effector. The end effector may include a pivoting jaw or a suture cutter. The suture fastener may be secured to one, two, or more strands of suture. The apparatus may include several suture fasteners and may secure those fasteners to one or more sutures in a serial fashion without having to remove the apparatus from the patient for reloading. A plurality of fasteners may be arranged within the apparatus in an end-to-end configuration. The suture fastener may include an inner fastener member and an outer fastener member, and may capture one or more strands of suture between the inner and outer fastener members.

Abstract: A needle cartridge is adapted to be attached to a receiver on a surgical suturing device. The cartridge comprises an arced needle having a leading end, a trailing end, and a length of suture. A body has a track receiving the needle and defining a circular path. A needle driver is operable to rotate the needle along the circular path. A cover captures the needle in the track. A cage engages and retains the needle cover against the body. The cage may slide relative the body to disengage with a portion of the cover allowing the cover to deflect and release the needle from the track.

Abstract: A needle cartridge is adapted to be attached to a receiver on a surgical suturing device. The cartridge comprises an arced needle having a leading end, a trailing end, and a length of suture. A cartridge body has a track that receives the needle and defining a circular path. A needle driver is operable to rotate the needle along the circular path. A cover is on the body and positioned over the needle in the track. The cover is selectively moveable relative to the body to release the needle from the track.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides methods and devices for removing fluid from a surgical instrument. Surgical access devices and seal systems are generally provided having one or more valves or seal assemblies to create a closed system between the outside environment and the environment in which the surgical access device is being inserted. In one embodiment, a seal assembly is provided and can include a seal having an opening configured to receive a surgical instrument therethrough and a fluid remover in the form of an absorbent element, a scraper element, a wicking element, or any combination thereof can be associated with the seal and configured to remove fluid from the opening and/or a surgical instrument.

Abstract: A specimen retrieval instrument comprises a handle assembly, an actuating rod, an introducer tube, and a retrieval bag. In some versions the instrument includes a fixed arm and a buckling arm that attach to the retrieval bag and that are in communication with the actuating rod. Upon translation of the rod through the tube, the bag may be distally deployed from a proximal position within the introducer tube, and the buckling arm may open the bag for receiving a specimen. In some versions the instrument includes a support arm and a spring loop, with the spring loop attaching to the retrieval bag and the support arm attaching to the spring loop. The support arm and spring loop are in communication with the actuating rod such that movement of the rod deploys the bag from an initial position within the tube and opens the retrieval bag for receiving a specimen.

Abstract: An apparatus is operable to secure suture fasteners to sutures to eliminate the need to tie knots in the sutures. The apparatus comprises a shaft, an end effector disposed at the distal end of the shaft, and a suture fastener removably secured to the end effector. The end effector may include a pivoting jaw or a suture cutter. The suture fastener may be secured to one, two, or more strands of suture. The apparatus may include several suture fasteners and may secure those fasteners to one or more sutures in a serial fashion without having to remove the apparatus from the patient for reloading. A plurality of fasteners may be arranged within the apparatus in an end-to-end configuration. The suture fastener may include an inner fastener member and an outer fastener member, and may capture one or more strands of suture between the inner and outer fastener members.

Abstract: A specimen retrieval instrument comprises a tubular member, a resilient member, and a retrieval bag. The resilient member is associated with a distal end of the tubular member. The bag is secured to the resilient member. The resilient member is compressible such that the resilient member and bag fit within a hollow interior portion of the tubular member. A rod may advance the resilient member and bag out of the tubular member. Alternatively, the tubular member may comprise a sheath that is retractable to reveal the resilient member and bag. The resilient member may have a hoop, spiral, or rolled strip configuration. The resilient member may alternatively comprise telescoping arms. The resilient member opens the bag when the resilient member and bag are deployed relative to the tubular member. The resilient member may also unfurl the bag when the resilient member and bag are deployed.

Abstract: A specimen retrieval instrument comprises a handle assembly, an actuating rod, an introducer tube, and a retrieval bag. In some versions the instrument includes a fixed arm and a buckling arm that attach to the retrieval bag and that are in communication with the actuating rod. Upon translation of the rod through the tube, the bag may be distally deployed from a proximal position within the introducer tube, and the buckling arm may open the bag for receiving a specimen. In some versions the instrument includes a support arm and a spring loop, with the spring loop attaching to the retrieval bag and the support arm attaching to the spring loop. The support arm and spring loop are in communication with the actuating rod such that movement of the rod deploys the bag from an initial position within the tube and opens the retrieval bag for receiving a specimen.