Abstract: Compressible adjuncts for use with a surgical cartridge are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a compressible adjunct includes a biocompatible adjunct material that is configured to be releasably retained on a staple cartridge and that is configured to be delivered to tissue by deployment of staples in the cartridge. The adjunct material includes a hollow lattice macrostructure having at least one drug contained therein. The hollow lattice macrostructure is formed of a plurality of unit cells having at least one absorbable sub-structure that is formed in the plurality of unit cells. The at least one absorbable sub-structure is configured to control a rate of fluid movement through the respective unit cell so as to control the release of the at least one drug from the adjunct material when the adjunct material is in a tissue deployed state. Stapling assemblies for use with a surgical stapler are also provided.

Abstract: A compressible adjunct for use with a staple cartridge is provided and includes a biocompatible adjunct material configured to be releasably retained on a staple cartridge and configured to be delivered to tissue by deployment of staples in the staple cartridge. The adjunct material is formed from a porous polymer body and is configured to exhibit a first stiffness in compression that is approximately constant during a first time period from contact with the tissue. The adjunct material is further configured to exhibit a second stiffness in compression during a second time period following the first time period. The second stiffness is less than the first stiffness and is configured to decrease with time as a function of at least one of oxidation, enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis, and change of pH resulting from interaction with at least one physiological element released from the tissue during healing progression of the tissue.

Abstract: In general, systems and methods described herein include active or passive sensing mechanisms, such as sensors, that can monitor at least one exposure condition of an adjunct and any medicant(s) retained therein. In some instances, the active or passive sensing mechanisms can also track the extent of the adjunct's and medicant(s)'s exposure, e.g., frequency, intensity, and/or duration).

Abstract: Compressible adjuncts for use with a surgical cartridge are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a compressible adjunct includes a biocompatible adjunct material that is configured to be releasably retained on a staple cartridge and that is configured to be delivered to tissue by deployment of staples in the cartridge. The adjunct material includes a lattice main structure having at least one absorbable sub-structure formed in the lattice main structure, the at least one absorbable sub-structure configured to control fluid movement through the adjunct material such that the fluid movement impacts healing of tissue adjacent the adjunct material when the adjunct material is in a tissue deployed state. Stapling assemblies for use with a surgical stapler are also provided.

Abstract: Compressible adjuncts for use with a staple cartridge are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the compressible adjunct includes a non-fibrous adjunct material formed of at least one fused bioabsorbable polymer and configured to be releasably retained on a cartridge and delivered to tissue by deployment of staples in the cartridge. The adjunct material includes a lattice macrostructure having primary and secondary microreservoirs formed in the lattice macrostructure. The primary microreservoirs and secondary microreservoirs are different in size relative to each other and contain drug.

Abstract: In general, systems and methods described herein include active or passive sensing mechanisms, such as sensors, that can monitor at least one exposure condition of an adjunct and any medicant(s) retained therein. In some instances, the active or passive sensing mechanisms can also track the extent of the adjunct's and medicant(s)'s exposure, e.g., frequency, intensity, and/or duration).

Abstract: A compressible adjunct kit for use with a staple cartridge is provided and includes a biocompatible adjunct material and a pretreatment fluid. The biocompatible adjunct material is configured to be releasably retained on a staple cartridge and is configured to be delivered to tissue by deployment of staples in the staple cartridge. The adjunct material can be in the form of a porous polymer body. The pretreatment fluid is configured to be applied to the adjunct material to change the adjunct material from an untreated state to a treated state. The adjunct material in the untreated state is configured to exhibit a first degradation profile when delivered to tissue. The adjunct material in the treated state is configured to exhibit a second degradation profile, different from the first degradation profile, when delivered to tissue.

Abstract: A stapling assembly includes a cartridge, an anvil, and an adjunct. The cartridge has rows of staples disposed therein for deployment into tissue. The cartridge includes a knife slot extending therethrough between the rows for receiving a knife to cut tissue. The anvil is positioned opposite the cartridge. The adjunct is releasably retained on the cartridge or the anvil. The adjunct can be delivered to tissue by deployment of the staples from the cartridge. The adjunct can have a first shape, and a first adjunct portion can exhibit first expansion behavior in response to receipt of a volume of fluid, and a second adjunct portion can exhibit second expansion behavior in response to receipt of the volume of fluid such that the adjunct adopts a second shape. The difference between the first and second expansion behavior applies different pressures to different portions of tissue having the adjunct stapled thereto.

Abstract: Methods for treating tissue are provided. In one embodiment, an adjunct material, when secured to tissue, can receive at least one physiological element released from the tissue during healing progression of the tissue, and can exhibit first and second stiffnesses in compression that are approximately constant during first and second time periods from contact with the tissue, with the second stiffness decreasing with time as a function of at least one of oxidation, enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis, and change of pH resulting from interaction with the at least one physiological element. In another embodiment, the adjunct can receive a unit volume of fluid that causes first and second portions of the adjunct to expand according to first and second expansion behaviors that differ from one another to apply different pressures to the tissue.

Abstract: Compressible adjuncts for use with a staple cartridge are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a compressible adjunct includes a non-fibrous adjunct material formed of at least one fused bioabsorbable polymer and configured to be releasably retained on a cartridge and configured to be delivered to tissue by deployment of staples in the cartridge. The adjunct material includes a lattice macrostructure having a plurality of drug delivery microstructures formed in the lattice macrostructure, in which each drug delivery microstructure has drug disposed therein. The plurality of drug delivery microstructures are configured to encapsulate the drug to thereby prevent drug release until the plurality of drug delivery microstructures are at least one of thermally ruptured while the adjunct material is stapled to tissue and mechanically ruptured in response to at least one of clamping, stapling, and cutting of the adjunct material. Stapling assemblies for use with a surgical stapler are also provided.

Abstract: In general, systems and methods described herein include active or passive sensing mechanisms, such as sensors, that can monitor at least one exposure condition of an adjunct and any medicant(s) retained therein. In some instances, the active or passive sensing mechanisms can also track the extent of the adjunct's and medicant(s)'s exposure, e.g., frequency, intensity, and/or duration).

Abstract: Compressible adjuncts for use with a staple cartridge are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the compressible adjunct includes a non-fibrous adjunct material formed of at least one fused bioabsorbable polymer. The adjunct material is configured to be releasably retained on a staple cartridge and is configured to be delivered to tissue by deployment of staples in the cartridge The adjunct material includes a lattice macrostructure having at least one drug contained therein. The lattice macrostructure is formed of a plurality of unit cells, in which each unit cell is configured to eject a predetermined amount of drug from the adjunct material and the predetermined amount of the drug being a function of a compression profile of the respective unit cell.

Abstract: In general, systems and methods described herein include active or passive sensing mechanisms, such as sensors, that can monitor at least one exposure condition of an adjunct and any medicant(s) retained therein. In some instances, the active or passive sensing mechanisms can also track the extent of the adjunct's and medicant(s)'s exposure, e.g., frequency, intensity, and/or duration).

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: Adjuncts for use with a surgical stapler are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, an adjunct can include a first knitted layer, a second knitted layer, and a plurality of recesses that extend into and defined within the second knitted layer. The plurality of recesses can be arranged in a predefined pattern that coincides with a plurality of attachment features extending outward from a top surface of a cartridge such that each recess of the plurality of recesses is configured to engage with at least a portion of at least one attachment feature to form a friction fit therebetween to thereby retain the adjunct on the cartridge prior to staple deployment. Stapling assemblies for use with a surgical stapler are also provided.

Abstract: Stapling assemblies for use with a surgical stapler are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the stapling assembly includes a cartridge having a plurality of staples disposed therein and a non-fibrous adjunct formed of at least one fused bioabsorbable polymer and configured to be releasably retained on the cartridge. Adjunct systems for use with a surgical stapler are also provided. Surgical end effectors using the stapling assemblies are also provided. Methods for manufacturing stapling assemblies and using the same are also provided.

Abstract: A packaging assembly is designed for an applicator that contains a buttress assembly that is used with a surgical stapler to reinforce a cut and stapled tissue site. The packaging assembly protects the buttress assembly from damage due to physical contact as well as exposure to adverse environmental factors like excess moisture, etc. In one example the packaging assembly includes a dual tray design with an inner tray that holds the applicator. The combined inner tray and applicator are hermetically sealed within a foil assembly or foil pouch. The foil pouch with the inner tray and applicator within is placed within the outer tray to protect the foil from damage.

Abstract: A system for adjusting a parameter of a medical instrument in a specific context is disclosed. The system includes a medical hub configured to access a first contextual dataset representing a first circumstance pertaining to the specific context, access a second contextual dataset representing a second circumstance pertaining to the specific context, arrange the first and second contextual datasets in a hierarchy of priority, determine that at least a first portion of the first contextual dataset is relevant, determine that at least a second portion of the second contextual dataset is relevant, resolve a difference between the first and second portion, and program the medical instrument by adjusting the parameter in accordance with the resolved difference, wherein the medical instrument is configured to be used utilizing the adjusted parameter such that performance of the medical instrument is more effective with the adjusted parameter.

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.