Abstract: An apparatus includes a platform, an adjunct material, and an engagement feature. The platform includes an upper support and a lower support. The adjunct material is positioned on the upper support or the lower support. The upper support is configured to move relative to the lower support to apply the adjunct material to a jaw of an end effector incorporated into a surgical stapler. The engagement feature is configured to interact with a predetermined portion of the end effector to permit movement of the upper support relative to the lower support and thereby apply the adjunct material to the jaw of the end effector. The engagement feature is further configured to inhibit movement of the upper support relative to the lower support when the engagement feature is disengaged from the predetermined portion of the end effector.

Abstract: A method for adaptive control of surgical network control and interaction is disclosed. The surgical network includes a surgical feedback system. The surgical feedback system includes a surgical instrument, a data source, and a surgical hub configured to communicably couple to the data source and the surgical instrument. The surgical hub includes a control circuit. The method includes receiving, by the control circuit, information related to devices communicatively coupled to the surgical network; and adaptively controlling, by the control circuit, the surgical network based on the received information.

Abstract: An apparatus is operable to provide an anastomosis coupling two hollow organs, such as a duodenum and ileum. The apparatus includes a first component that is inserted through an enterotomy in a first hollow organ and a second component that is inserted through an enterotomy in a second hollow organ. The first and second components are brought together to o align the enterotomies and compress apposed layers of tissue adjacent to the enterotomies. The compressed tissue eventually necroses and the apparatus may be removed or simply pass through the hollow organ. Each component may include a set of pivoting links and a resilient member that is configured to both bias the links to an expanded configuration and grip the tissue adjacent to the enterotomy. The components may include magnets that secure the positioning of the components relative to each other and provide a compressive force on the apposed tissue.

Abstract: A method of applying a buttress to a surgical stapler end effector comprises positioning a buttress assembly between an anvil and a staple cartridge of the end effector. The buttress assembly comprises a buttress body and an adhesive material. The adhesive material faces either an underside of the anvil or a deck of the staple cartridge. The anvil is in an open position relative to the staple cartridge during the act of positioning the buttress assembly between the anvil and the staple cartridge. The method further comprises moving the anvil toward the staple cartridge then moving the anvil back to the open position. The buttress assembly is adhered to the underside of the anvil or the deck of the staple cartridge via the adhesive material with the anvil moved back to the open position. The adhesive material comprises a bioabsorbable polymer.

Abstract: A buttress is applied to an end effector of a surgical stapler. The buttress is loaded on a platform of a buttress applier cartridge. The end effector is closed upon the platform. An adhesive layer of the buttress secures the buttress to the end effector. The buttress is thus adhered to the end effector when the end effector is opened. The end effector is then actuated on tissue of a patient, thereby stapling the buttress to the tissue.

Abstract: A method of applying a buttress to a surgical stapler end effector comprises positioning a buttress assembly between an anvil and a staple cartridge of the end effector. The buttress assembly comprises a buttress body and an adhesive material. The adhesive material faces either an underside of the anvil or a deck of the staple cartridge. The anvil is in an open position relative to the staple cartridge during the act of positioning the buttress assembly between the anvil and the staple cartridge. The method further comprises moving the anvil toward the staple cartridge then moving the anvil back to the open position. The buttress assembly is adhered to the underside of the anvil or the deck of the staple cartridge via the adhesive material with the anvil moved back to the open position. The adhesive material comprises a bioabsorbable polymer.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a sleeve, a seal, and an anchor assembly. The sleeve is flexible and non-permeable and is configured to fit in a duodenum. The seal is positioned at the proximal end of the sleeve and is configured to seal the proximal end of the sleeve against the stomach mucosa, the pylorus, or the duodenum mucosa. The anchor assembly comprises a pair of atraumatic anchor ends and a resilient member positioned between the anchor ends. At least a portion of the resilient member extends along at least a portion of the length of the sleeve. The resilient member is configured to bias the anchor ends generally toward each other, to thereby substantially anchor the sleeve in the duodenum. The sleeve is configured to prevent chyme from contacting the mucosa of the duodenum; and to prevent enzymes excreted in the duodenum from mixing with chyme in the duodenum.

Abstract: A staple cartridge is disclosed. The staple cartridge can comprise a cartridge body comprising a deck and a bottom surface opposite the deck. The staple cartridge can comprise a plurality of staple cavities, wherein each staple cavity extends into the cartridge body from the deck to the bottom surface. Additionally, a plurality of wells can be defined into the staple cartridge from the deck to a lowermost surface of the well. A plurality of staples can be removably positioned in the staple cavities. The staple cartridge can comprise a tissue thickness compensator releasably secured to the cartridge body, wherein the tissue thickness compensator comprises a compensator body and a plurality of extensions extending from the compensator body into the wells, wherein at least one extension is compressed within one of the wells. Each well can surround at least one staple cavity and/or can extend between at least two staple cavities.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a shaft, an end effector, and an articulation joint is disclosed. The end effector is rotatably connected to the shaft about the articulation joint, wherein the end effector is rotatable between a first orientation and a second orientation, wherein the shaft comprises a longitudinal axis and the end effector comprises a tissue gap, wherein the tissue gap faces the longitudinal axis when the end effector is in its first orientation, and wherein the tissue gap extends at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis when the end effector is in its second orientation. The surgical instrument further comprises an articulation drive system configured to articulate the end effector relative to the shaft and a dampener configured to prevent the end effector from being back-driven from its second orientation into its first orientation.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for controlling surgical devices are disclosed. A computer system, such as a surgical hub, can be configured to be communicably coupled to a surgical device and a camera configured to view an operating room. The computer system can be programmed to receive images of surgical staff members and surgical devices within the operating room during a surgical procedure. The computer system can further determine conditions or characteristics associated with the surgical staff members and surgical devices, such as whether a surgical staff member is performing a particular gesture or the pose of a surgical device, such as a surgical instrument, during a surgical procedure. The computer system can then control the paired surgical devices accordingly.

Abstract: A method for adaptive control of surgical network control and interaction is disclosed. The surgical network includes a surgical feedback system. The surgical feedback system includes a surgical instrument, a data source, and a surgical hub configured to communicably couple to the data source and the surgical instrument. The surgical hub includes a control circuit. The method includes receiving, by the control circuit, information related to devices communicatively coupled to the surgical network; and adaptively controlling, by the control circuit, the surgical network based on the received information.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising an end effector and an articulation joint configured to permit the end effector to be articulated into position is disclosed. The surgical instrument further comprises an articulation drive system powered by at least one electric motor for articulating the end effector.

Abstract: Stapling assemblies for use with a surgical stapler and methods for manufacturing the same are provided. Three dimensional adjuncts for use with a surgical stapling assembly and methods for manufacturing the same are also provided.

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: An apparatus includes a body with a first body portion, a second body portion opposed from the first body portion, and a connecting portion that couples a proximal end of the first body portion with a proximal end of the second body portion. The connecting portion is configured to permit the first and second body portions to move toward and away from one another between a plurality of angular orientations. The first and second body portions define a distally opening angle. A first adjunct element and a second adjunct element are disposed on outwardly facing surfaces of the first and second body portions. The first and second body portions may be fixed in each of the angular orientations and may simultaneously apply the first and second adjunct elements to first and second jaws, respectively, of a surgical stapler end effector.

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: An apparatus is configured to apply an adjunct material to at least one of a first stapling surface or a second stapling surface of a surgical stapler. The apparatus includes a contact structure defining a longitudinal axis and an expansion mechanism. The contact structure includes a first contact member configured to support a first portion of the adjunct material and a second contact member movably coupled with the first contact member that is configured to support a second portion of the adjunct material. The first and second contact members are configured to move away from one another in opposing directions to apply the first portion of the adjunct material to the first stapling surface and the second portion of the adjunct material to the second stapling surface. The expansion mechanism is selectively operable to transition the contact structure from a non-expanded state toward the expanded state.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a platform, an adjunct material, and an engagement feature. The platform includes an upper support and a lower support. The adjunct material is positioned on the upper support or the lower support. The upper support is configured to move relative to the lower support to apply the adjunct material to a jaw of an end effector incorporated into a surgical stapler. The engagement feature is configured to interact with a predetermined portion of the end effector to permit movement of the upper support relative to the lower support and thereby apply the adjunct material to the jaw of the end effector. The engagement feature is further configured to inhibit movement of the upper support relative to the lower support when the engagement feature is disengaged from the predetermined portion of the end effector.