Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a shaft, a sensing array and a fluid detection circuit. The sensing array is positioned within the shaft. The fluid detection circuit is electrically coupled to the sensing array, and is configured to determine when a fluid originating from an environment external to the shaft is present within the shaft.

Abstract: An adjunct material for use with an end effector for a surgical instrument is provided that has different types of features for mating with the end effector. The adjunct is configured to be releasably retained on a jaw, such as a cartridge or anvil, using a plurality of female features formed thereon. Each female feature is configured to encompass a corresponding at least one of male features formed on the jaw in a clearance fit such that the adjunct is able to move with respect to the jaw at least in a first plane parallel to the tissue-facing surface. The male and female features mate such that the adjunct is not retained in a second plane that is perpendicular to the first plane. The adjunct also includes at least one attachment feature configured to releasably retain the adjunct on the jaw.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are presented for a surgical instrument having one or more sensors at or a near an end effector and configured to aide in the detection of tissues and other materials and structures at a surgical site. The detections may then be used to aide in the placement of the end effector and to confirm which objects to operate on, or alternatively, to avoid. Examples of sensors include laser sensors used to employ Doppler shift principles to detect movement of objects at the surgical site, such as blood cells; resistance sensors to detect the presence of metal; monochromatic light sources that allow for different levels of absorption from different types of substances present at the surgical site, and near infrared spectrometers with small form factors.

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 hub may have cooperative interactions with one of more means of displaying the image from the laparoscopic scope and information from one of more other smart devices. The surgical hub may have the capacity of interacting with these multiple displays using an algorithm or control program that enables the combined display and control of the data distributed across the number of displays in communication with the surgical hub. The hub can obtain display control parameter(s) associated with a surgical procedure. The hub may determine, based on the display control parameter, different contents for different displays. The hub may generate and send the display contents to their respective displays. For example, the visualization control parameter may be a progression of the surgical procedure. The surgical hub may determine different display contents for the primary and the secondary displays based on the progression of the surgical procedure.

Abstract: Examples here describe a surgical system that may include a cloud computing system, a surgical hub, and a surgical instrument. The cloud computing system may be configured to aggregate data from multiple surgical devices. The surgical hub may determine whether communication is available with the cloud computing system, may receive the aggregate data from the multiple surgical devices via the receiver, may update one or more surgical hub control algorithms based on the aggregated data received, and may continue to communicate with the cloud computing system to receive additional updates, wherein the additional updates relate to updated aggregate data determined by the cloud computing system. The surgical instrument may determine whether communication is available with the cloud computing system and with the surgical hub and may receive the aggregate data relating to the multiple surgical devices from the cloud computing system or the surgical hub via the receiver.

Abstract: A surgical hub may be in communication with at least one augmented reality device, at least one display and at least one smart surgical device. The surgical hub may provide interactive overlay of a display, such as a surgical display or a display on a smart surgical device. For example, surgical hub may generate augmented reality (AR) content for superimposing onto the display. The AR device may overlay or superimpose additional datasets or data streams received from the hub onto a display. This interactive overlay may enable the user of the AR device to layer data on a screen when the user is looking at the screen. The surgical hub may adjust the AR content based on the display the user is viewing via the AR device. For example, the hub may adjust the AR content when the user looks from one display to another display.

Abstract: A surgical instrument controls communication capabilities between the surgical instrument and a removeable component. The surgical instrument may determine parameters associated with the surgical instrument and the removable component. Based on the parameters, the surgical instrument determines a level or tier of communication between the surgical instrument and the removable component. The surgical instrument may determine to configure one or more of the following levels: one-way static communication with the component; two-way communication with the component; real-time two-way communication with the component; and communication with a surgical hub.

Abstract: A surgical system may include tiered-access features. The surgical system may be used to analyze at least a portion of a surgical field. Based on a control parameter, the system may scale up or down various capabilities, such as visualization processing, endocutter communication, endocutter algorithm updates, smart cartridge connectivity, smart motor control for circular stapler, smart energy control, cloud analytics, hub connectivity control, and/or hub visualization and control interactions. The control parameter may include system aspects such as processing capability or bandwidth for example and/or the identification of an appropriate service tier.

Abstract: Examples herein describes a powered surgical end-effector that may include a controllable jaw configured to operate on a tissue, an updatable memory having stored therein a default actuation algorithm, and and a processor. The processor may be configured to operate in a first mode at a first time, wherein in the first mode the processor may be configured to operate an aspect of the controllable jaw according to the default actuation algorithm. The processor may receive data at a second time, after the first time, that may cause the processor to operate in a second mode, wherein in the second mode the processor may be configured to operate an aspect of the controllable jaw according to an alternative actuation algorithm.

Abstract: A method of controlling a firing system of a surgical instrument is disclosed. The firing system comprises a firing member and a motor configured to drive the firing member between a proximal position and a distal position. The surgical instrument further comprises a sensor configured to measure a firing force experienced by the firing system. The method comprises driving the firing member toward the distal position, measuring the firing force experienced by the firing system, pausing motion of the firing member based on the firing force reaching or exceeding a firing force threshold, resuming motion of the firing member toward the distal position based on occurrence of an event, and retracting the firing member toward the proximal position based on the firing force reaching or exceeding the firing force threshold a threshold number of times.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector, a cartridge, and a staple driver actuator. The end effector is operable to manipulate tissue. The end effector comprises a lower jaw, a pivotable anvil, and a translating cutter. The translating cutter is operable to translate relative to the lower jaw and the anvil when the anvil is pivoted toward the lower jaw to manipulate tissue. The cartridge is insertable into the lower jaw and includes a plurality of staples. The staple driver actuator is disposed within the cartridge. The staple driver actuator comprises a secondary cutting element. The translating cutter of the end effector is operable to drive the staple driver actuator distally to staple and cut tissue substantially simultaneously.

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 is configured to apply an adjunct material to a stapling surface of a jaw of a surgical stapler. The jaw includes an outer surface disposed opposite the stapling surface. The apparatus includes a housing and an arm. The housing includes a first contact feature that is configured to contact one of the adjunct material or the outer surface of the jaw. The arm is operatively coupled with the housing. The arm includes a second contact feature that is configured to move relative to the first contact feature to contact the other of the adjunct material or the outer surface of the jaw. The first and second contact features are configured to cooperate to apply a compression force in a direction toward the first contact feature to pinch the adjunct material against the stapling surface to mount the adjunct material to the stapling surface.

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: An apparatus includes: (a) at least one platform configured to be positioned between opposing first and second jaws of an end effector of a surgical stapler, wherein the at least one platform is configured to transition between a first state and a second state; (b) at least one adjunct element positioned on the at least one platform; (c) at least one detector configured to detect a predetermined portion of the end effector; and (d) a driver configured to selectively transition the at least one platform from the first state to the second state in a direction toward at least one of the first or second jaws when the at least one detector detects the predetermined portion of the end effector for placing the at least one adjunct element in contact with a corresponding surface of the at least one of the first or second jaws.

Abstract: A method is provided for applying an adjunct element to a surgical stapler end effector having first and second stapling surfaces using an applicator. The method includes providing the end effector in an open state in which the first and second stapling surfaces are spaced apart. With the end effector in the open state, at least a portion of the applicator is positioned between the first and second stapling surfaces. Without engaging a closure system input feature of the surgical stapler, a portion of the end effector is compressively engaged by the applicator to thereby secure the adjunct element to one of the first or second stapling surfaces. The applicator and the end effector are withdrawn relatively away from one another so that the adjunct element remains attached to the one of the first or second stapling surfaces of the end effector.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for applying an adjunct element to at least one of opposing first and second jaws of an end effector of a surgical stapler, wherein each of the first and second jaws includes a stapling surface and an external surface opposed from the respective stapling surface. The apparatus comprises: (a) a platform configured to be positioned between the first and second jaws of the end effector; (b) an adjunct element positioned on the platform; and (c) at least one closure surface opposed from the platform, wherein the at least one closure surface is configured to mechanically engage the external surface of at least one of the first or second jaws to thereby transition the end effector from an open state toward a closed state for placing the respective stapling surface of the at least one of the first or second jaws in contact with the adjunct element.

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: 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.