Abstract: A surgical fastener applier having a handle and a fastener housing extending from the handle. The housing contains at least one anvil movable within the staple housing, the anvil has a proximal position and a distal position. When in the distal position a distal end of the anvil extends distal to the distal end of the staple housing. The housing contains a plurality of surgical fasteners each of which in the shape of a loop. At least one of the fasteners is placed around a portion of the anvil when in the distal position. The applier has a first mechanism for moving the anvil distally after a fastener has been deployed, and a second mechanism for moving the anvil distally after a fastener has been deployed. The second means is independent of the first means.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for forming and securing a tissue plication. More particularly, the devices and methods of the present invention can be used to create multiple tissue folds on an anterior and posterior wall of a stomach cavity to reduce the volume thereof In one aspect, a method of gastric volume reduction is disclosed that includes advancing a tissue acquisition and fixation device endoscopically into a stomach, manipulating the device to form a first fold of tissue on an interior surface of an anterior wall of the stomach, and manipulating the device to form a second fold of tissue on an anterior surface of a posterior wall of the stomach, where the second fold is not attached to the first fold.

Abstract: A method of stapling tissue is disclosed. The method can include obtaining a staple cartridge including a plurality of staples, wherein each staple has a base and a leg extending from the base. The stapling method can also include firing the staples from the staple cartridge, wherein the staples are fired into tissue in a staple line. The staple line can include a first portion having a first flexibility and a second portion having a second flexibility, wherein the second flexibility is different than the first flexibility. A method of stapling tissue can also include adapting an anvil with an anvil plate having an arrangement of staple-forming pockets that differs from the staple-forming pockets in the anvil.

Abstract: A staple cartridge is disclosed including a cartridge body including a longitudinal slot. A plurality of staple cavities are arranged in a plurality of rows. The plurality of rows includes a first row, a second row, and a third row positioned on a first side of the longitudinal slot. The first row includes a first staple obliquely-oriented relative to the longitudinal slot and is configured to rotate a first amount when stapled into tissue. The second row includes a second staple obliquely-oriented relative to the longitudinal slot and is configured to rotate a second amount when stapled into tissue. The third row includes a third staple obliquely-oriented relative to said longitudinal slot and is configured to rotate a third amount when stapled into tissue. The third amount is different than the first amount.

Abstract: A surgical stapling assembly that comprises a stapling device is disclosed. The stapling device includes an authentication lockout that is movable between a locked position wherein the stapling device is inoperable and an unlocked position wherein the stapling device is operable. The assembly further includes a deactivator tool that includes a deactivation key that is configured to move the authentication lockout into the unlocked position prior to seating a staple cartridge into the device.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a shaft and a distal head extending from the shaft is disclosed. The distal head comprises a tissue drive configured to engage the tissue of a patient and move the distal head relative to the patient tissue. The tissue drive comprises, among other things, a tiltable or pivotable portion which adapts to changes in tissue thickness.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include a surgical device comprising electrodes on the sides of an end of an effector to aide in sealing during various surgical procedures, such as a liver resection. During a sealing procedure, the surgeon may wipe the surgical site with the end effector, causing the electrodes to touch the fractured area. Electrosurgical energy may be applied to the electrodes during the wiping, causing coagulation of smaller vessels, such as tiny blood vessels and bile ducts in the parenchyma of the liver. In some cases, due to the nature of some smaller vessels, electrosurgical energy should be delicately applied to cause sealing but to avoid overly damaging the remaining tissue. In some embodiments, the thin design of the electrodes allows for an appropriate amount of electrosurgical energy to be applied to the fractured area.

Abstract: A buttress applier cartridge assembly includes a buttress assembly and a buttress applier cartridge. The buttress assembly includes a buttress configured to support a staple formed therein as well an adhesive layer for adhering to an end effector. The buttress applier cartridge includes a housing defining a gap extending in a longitudinal direction as well as a platform. The platform extends longitudinally from a proximal portion to a distal portion and is exposed in a transverse direction adjacent to the gap. The proximal and distal portions respectively have a proximal stiffness and a different, distal stiffness in the transverse direction. Thereby, the proximal and distal portions support the buttress assembly thereon to deform with the proximal and distal stiffnesses and provide reactionary forces of at least the predetermined minimum force while receiving the end effector for accommodating various camber orientations of the end effector.

Abstract: A buttress applier cartridge assembly includes buttress assemblies and a buttress applier cartridge for use with an end effector of a surgical stapler. The buttress assemblies each include a buttress to support a staple formed therein as well an adhesive for adhering to the end effector. The buttress applier cartridge includes a housing, a platform that extends longitudinally and supports the buttress assemblies, and an opening to accommodate a curved tip of the end effector when clamping the end effector onto the platform to transfer the buttress assemblies to the end effector. A proximal alignment feature of the buttress applier cartridge contacts the end effector to align the end effector with the buttress assemblies prior to attaching the buttress assemblies to the end effector.

Abstract: A buttress applier cartridge assembly includes buttress assemblies and a buttress applier cartridge for use with an end effector of a surgical stapler. The buttress assemblies each include a buttress to support a staple formed therein as well an adhesive for adhering to the end effector. The buttress applier cartridge includes a housing, a platform that extends longitudinally and supports the buttress assemblies, and an opening configured to accommodate a curved tip of the end effector when clamping the end effector onto the platform to transfer the buttress assemblies to the end effector.

Abstract: A buttress applier cartridge assembly includes buttress assemblies and a buttress applier cartridge for use with an end effector of a surgical stapler. The buttress assemblies each include a buttress to support a staple formed therein as well an adhesive for adhering to the end effector. The buttress applier cartridge includes a housing and a platform that extends longitudinally and supports the buttress assemblies. The buttress applier cartridge further includes a predefined pocket in the platform between each buttress assembly that allows a curved tip of the end effector to pass through. The platform is thinner along a central axis and becomes progressively thicker in the lateral direction. In some examples the predefined pocket is a slit in the platform.

Abstract: A method of applying a buttress to a surgically cut and stapled site uses an end effector with a buttress applier cartridge assembly to load one or more buttress assemblies to the end effector. The buttress assemblies each include a buttress to support a staple formed therein as well an adhesive for adhering to the end effector. The adhesive of the buttress assemblies can include a pattern to assist in both attachment to the end effector and release from the end effector after cutting and stapling a tissue site. The buttress applier cartridge can include features that accommodate end effectors having various tip configurations, including straight tips and curved or bent tips.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for forming and securing a tissue plication. More particularly, the devices and methods of the present invention can be used to create multiple tissue folds on an anterior and posterior wall of a stomach cavity to reduce the volume thereof. In one aspect, a method of gastric volume reduction is disclosed that includes advancing a tissue acquisition and fixation device endoscopically into a stomach, manipulating the device to form a first fold of tissue on an interior surface of an anterior wall of the stomach, and manipulating the device to form a second fold of tissue on an interior surface of a posterior wall of the stomach, where the second fold is not attached to the first fold.

Abstract: A method of stapling tissue is disclosed. The method can include obtaining a staple cartridge including a plurality of staples, wherein each staple has a base and a leg extending from the base. The stapling method can also include firing the staples from the staple cartridge, wherein the staples are fired into tissue in a staple line. The staple line can include a first portion having a first flexibility and a second portion having a second flexibility, wherein the second flexibility is different than the first flexibility. A method of stapling tissue can also include adapting an anvil with an anvil plate having an arrangement of staple-forming pockets that differs from the staple-forming pockets in the anvil.

Abstract: Adjunct material and methods of using adjunct material to reinforce a staple line are provided herein. In general, adjunct material can be used to maintain a seal in tissue and prevent stapled tissue from tearing. This adjunct material can be coupled to a jaw of a surgical stapler, and can be deployed into tissue along with the staples. In some embodiments, the adjunct material can be sized and shaped so that a portion of the material extends laterally outside of the staple line and distributes strain to tissue outside of the staple line. In certain aspects, sealant can be applied to the staple line and to the adjunct material in various ways to further seal the tissue and/or prevent leaks from forming in the tissue.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include a surgical device comprising electrodes on the sides of an end of an effector to aide in sealing during various surgical procedures, such as a liver resection. During a sealing procedure, the surgeon may wipe the surgical site with the end effector, causing the electrodes to touch the fractured area. Electrosurgical energy may be applied to the electrodes during the wiping, causing coagulation of smaller vessels, such as tiny blood vessels and bile ducts in the parenchyma of the liver. In some cases, due to the nature of some smaller vessels, electrosurgical energy should be delicately applied to cause sealing but to avoid overly damaging the remaining tissue. In some embodiments, the thin design of the electrodes allows for an appropriate amount of electrosurgical energy to be applied to the fractured area.

Abstract: A staple cartridge is disclosed. The staple cartridge can include a cartridge body having a plurality of staple cavities defined therein. The staple cavities can be obliquely oriented relative to a longitudinal axis of the staple cartridge. The staple cavities can be arranged in a plurality of rows including an inner row, an intermediate row, and an outer row. The lateral and/or longitudinal spacing and/or overlap between the staples in adjacent rows can vary to optimize the flexibility and/or sealing properties of the staple line. The size and orientation of the staples can also vary row-to-row and/or longitudinally.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include an attachable power and control system to supply energy to electrodes of a wiping electrode coagulation system of a surgical device. A surgical device includes electrodes at an end of effector to aide in sealing during various surgical procedures. During the procedure, the surgeon may wipe the surgical site with the end effector, causing the electrodes to touch the fractured area. Electrosurgical energy may be applied to the electrodes during the wiping, causing coagulation of smaller vessels. The attachable power and control system may be configured to slide over the shaft of the surgical device. The power and control system also may be configured to supply power to the electrodes and to control when energy is applied to the electrodes, based in part, for example, on measuring a distance or angle of the opening of the jaws at the end effector.

Abstract: An end effector is disclosed which comprises a shaft, an end effector rotatably connected to the shaft about an articulation joint, and an articulation driver configured to rotate the end effector about the articulation joint. The end effector further comprises a first articulation lock configured to engage the end effector and a second articulation lock configured to engage the articulation driver which co-operatively prevent the end effector from rotating relative to the shaft, when actuated. The actuation and/or de-actuation of the first articulation lock and the second articulation lock can be contemporaneous or, in certain instances, staggered.