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 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 surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector, and an electrical contact assembly. The body includes a power source. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body, the end effector is distal of the shaft assembly. The end effector includes a channel assembly and a cartridge assembly. The cartridge assembly may selectively couple with the channel assembly. The cartridge assembly includes an electrically activated component. The electrical contact assembly is configured to electrically couple the power source with the electrically activated component. The electrical contact assembly includes a first electrical contact associated with the channel assembly, a second electrical contact associated with the channel assembly, and a hydrophobic layer extending between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector, and an electrical contact assembly. The includes a power source, while 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 cartridge assembly includes an electrically activated component. The electrical contact assembly is capable of electrically coupling the power source with the electrically activated component of the cartridge assembly. The electrical contact assembly includes a first electrical contact, a second electrical contact, and an insulating membrane. The first electrical contact is associated with the channel assembly while the second electrical contact is associated with the cartridge assembly. The insulating membrane is associated with either the first electrical contact or the second electrical contact.

Abstract: A surgical access device includes a tissue retractor including a flexible body configured to engage tissue surrounding a tissue opening. A plurality of surgical instrument channels is arranged in a central portion of the tissue retractor. Each surgical instrument channel is configured to guide a surgical instrument distally through the surgical access device. At least one needle entrance port is arranged on a proximal portion of the surgical access device. At least one needle exit port is arranged distally of the needle entrance port. The at least one needle entrance port and the at least one needle exit port are configured to cooperate to define a needle channel extending distally through the surgical access device and obliquely relative to a central axis thereof. The needle channel is configured to guide a suture passer needle through the surgical access device and adjacent tissue to facilitate closure of the tissue opening.

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: A surgical tool assembly is provided that is configured to be removably and replaceably attached to an electromechanical arm of a surgical robotic system that is capable of supplying electrical power to the surgical tool assembly. The tool assembly has a housing and an elongate shaft extending distally from the housing and having an end effector at a distal end thereof. The housing has a display configured to present information related to operation of the surgical tool assembly, and one or more controls. The end effector has opposed jaws that are movable between open and closed positions, and at least one of the jaws supports a removable and replaceable staple cartridge assembly. The controls are configured to accept user input comprising instructions to the surgical robotic system, including an instruction to open the jaws of the end effector, which can then be loaded with another staple cartridge assembly.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector, and an electrical contact assembly. The body includes a power source. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body, the end effector is distal of the shaft assembly. The end effector includes a channel assembly and a cartridge assembly. The cartridge assembly may selectively couple with the channel assembly. The cartridge assembly includes an electrically activated component. The electrical contact assembly is configured to electrically couple the power source with the electrically activated component. The electrical contact assembly includes a first electrical contact associated with the channel assembly, a second electrical contact associated with the channel assembly, and a hydrophobic layer extending between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact.

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.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector, and an electrical contact assembly. The includes a power source, while 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 cartridge assembly includes an electrically activated component. The electrical contact assembly is capable of electrically coupling the power source with the electrically activated component of the cartridge assembly. The electrical contact assembly includes a first electrical contact, a second electrical contact, and an insulating membrane. The first electrical contact is associated with the channel assembly while the second electrical contact is associated with the cartridge assembly. The insulating membrane is associated with either the first electrical contact or the second electrical contact.

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 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 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 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: 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 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 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 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.