Abstract: A staple cartridge for use with a surgical instrument, the staple cartridge including: a longitudinal slot; a longitudinal row of obliquely-oriented inner staples positioned adjacent the longitudinal slot; a longitudinal row of obliquely-oriented outer staples; and a longitudinal row of obliquely-oriented intermediate staples. The longitudinal row of obliquely-oriented intermediate staples being positioned on the first side of the longitudinal slot intermediate the longitudinal row of obliquely-oriented inner staples and the longitudinal row of obliquely-oriented outer staples. The first lateral spacing being defined between the distal end of a staple of the longitudinal row of obliquely-oriented inner staples and the distal end of a staple of the longitudinal row of obliquely-oriented outer staples.

Abstract: A staple cartridge for use with a surgical instrument that includes a cartridge body, a longitudinal row of first staple cavities, a longitudinal row of second staple cavities, a third staple cavity, a first staple driver and a second staple driver. The cartridge body has a longitudinal slot that defines a longitudinal axis. The first and second longitudinal rows of staple cavities are obliquely-oriented relative to the longitudinal axis and a third staple cavity is positioned substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The staple cavities positioned in the first and second rows are configured to receive staples. The first and second staple drivers include staple supports and ramps. The first ramp of the first staple driver is positioned beneath at least one first staple support and the second ramp is laterally offset relative to the second staple support.

Abstract: A system for stapling tissue is disclosed. The system can include a channel and a compatible staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples. The channel and the compatible staple cartridge comprise mating or cooperating alignment features for permitting complete insertion of the compatible staple cartridge and for preventing an incompatible staple cartridge from being completely inserted in the channel.

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 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 system for stapling tissue is disclosed. The system can include a channel and a compatible staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples. The channel and the compatible staple cartridge comprise mating or cooperating alignment features for permitting complete insertion of the compatible staple cartridge and for preventing an incompatible staple cartridge from being completely inserted in the channel.

Abstract: A method of creating an anastomosis is provided using a stapling assembly including a body extending distally along a longitudinal axis and a deck member defining a deck surface. The deck surface includes a first array of staple openings comprising a herringbone pattern, and each staple opening of the first array of staple openings has a same size. The method includes positioning an anvil within a first lumen of a patient and positioning the stapling assembly within a second lumen of the patient. The method also includes releasably coupling the anvil with the stapling assembly and compressing tissue of the first and second lumens between the anvil and the deck member. The method further includes actuating a plurality of staple drivers to drive a first plurality of staples distally and parallel to the longitudinal axis from the first array of staple openings into the tissue to define the anastomosis.

Abstract: A method of suturing a trocar path incision in a tissue of a patient with an obturator includes inserting the obturator through the tissue such that a shaft of the obturator extends through a tissue opening about the trocar path incision and a distal tip of the obturator is positioned within a cavity of the patient. The method also includes directing the suture via a suturing feature with the obturator inserted through the tissue in order to direct the suture relative to the tissue. Furthermore, the method includes closing the tissue opening about the trocar path incision with the suture.

Abstract: A method is disclosed. The method can comprise obtaining a first staple cartridge and obtaining a second staple cartridge, wherein the first staple cartridge and the second staple cartridge comprise the same length and the same width. The method can further comprise inserting the first staple cartridge into a channel comprising a keyed profile, wherein complete insertion of the first staple cartridge into the channel is prevented by the keyed profile. Additionally, the method can comprise inserting the second staple cartridge into the channel, wherein complete insertion of the second staple cartridge into the channel is permitted by the keyed profile.

Abstract: A method of suturing a trocar path incision in a tissue of a patient with an obturator includes inserting the obturator through the tissue such that a shaft of the obturator extends through a tissue opening about the trocar path incision and a distal tip of the obturator is positioned within a cavity of the patient. The method also includes directing the suture via a suturing feature with the obturator inserted through the tissue in order to direct the suture relative to the tissue. Furthermore, the method includes closing the tissue opening about the trocar path incision with the suture.

Abstract: A method is disclosed. The method can comprise obtaining a first staple cartridge and obtaining a second staple cartridge, wherein the first staple cartridge and the second staple cartridge comprise the same length and the same width. The method can further comprise inserting the first staple cartridge into a channel comprising a keyed profile, wherein complete insertion of the first staple cartridge into the channel is prevented by the keyed profile. Additionally, the method can comprise inserting the second staple cartridge into the channel, wherein complete insertion of the second staple cartridge into the channel is permitted by the keyed profile.

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 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 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 electromechanical robotic arm is provided having a distal end with a tool engaging member configured to mate with an electromechanical tool and a trocar holding member configured to mate with a trocar. The trocar holding member can have at least one engagement mechanism configured to engage and orient a trocar to mate the trocar to the trocar holding member in a desired orientation.

Abstract: A system is disclosed. The system can comprise a replaceable staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples, a proximal laterally-protruding lug, and a distal laterally-protruding lug. The system can further comprise a channel configured to receive the replaceable staple cartridge, wherein the channel comprises a sidewall comprising a proximal receptacle positioned and dimensioned to receive the proximal laterally-protruding lug and a distal receptacle positioned and dimensioned to receive the distal laterally-protruding lug.

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. 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: An electromechanical robotic arm is provided having a distal end with a tool engaging member configured to mate with an electromechanical tool and a trocar holding member configured to mate with a trocar. The trocar holding member can have at least one engagement mechanism configured to engage and orient a trocar to mate the trocar to the trocar holding member in a desired orientation.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector, and an electrical contact assembly. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body. The end effector includes a channel assembly and a cartridge assembly configured to selectively couple with the channel assembly. The channel assembly includes an electrically activated component. The electrical contact assembly is configured to electrically couple a power source with the electrically activated component of the cartridge assembly. The electrical contact assembly includes a first conductive plate associated with the channel assembly, a second conductive plate associated with the cartridge assembly, and a dielectric cover. The dielectric cover is associated with either the first conductive plate or the second conductive plate. The dielectric cover is positioned between the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate when the cartridge assembly is coupled with the channel assembly.