Abstract: A stapling end effector includes an anvil assembly having a distal end and defining a plurality of staple forming pockets, and a cartridge assembly pivotal relative to the anvil assembly such that the end effector is movable between open and clamped positions. The anvil assembly supports a plurality of staples corresponding to the plurality of staple forming pockets. The surgical stapling instrument further includes a sensing tip disposed on a distal end of the end effector. The sensing tip is formed of a flexible material and includes at least one sensor for measuring at least one mechanical property. The mechanical property may include force, pressure or torque.

Abstract: A surgical robotic system includes a first robotic arm configured to hold a camera access port and an endoscopic camera inserted therethrough. The system also includes a plurality of secondary robotic arms each of which is configured to hold an instrument access port of a plurality of instrument access ports and a surgical instrument of a plurality of surgical instruments, each of which is configured to be inserted into one instrument access port of the plurality of instrument access ports. The system further includes a plurality of beacons. One beacon of the plurality of beacons is disposed on the camera access port and one beacon of the remaining plurality of beacons is disposed on one instrument access port of the plurality of instrument access ports. Each beacon of the plurality of beacons is configured to wirelessly communicate with each other.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present disclosure a surgical system is provided. The surgical system includes a surgical implant and a camera. The surgical implant includes indicia that is non-visible to a human eye. The camera is configured to detect the indicia on the surgical implant.

Abstract: A stapling device includes a handle assembly, an elongate body, and an end effector. The elongate body includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion extends distally from the handle assembly. The end effector is operably disposed on the distal portion of the elongate body. The end effector includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member pivotally secured relative to the first jaw member. The second jaw member is movable between an open position and a closed position. The first jaw member includes at least one pusher bag. The at least one pusher bag is transformable between a deflated condition and an expanded condition. The stapling device further includes at least one staple member releasably supported within the first jaw member. Transformation of the at least one pusher bag from the deflated condition to the expanded condition ejects the at least one staple from the first jaw member.

Abstract: A system for detecting and treating an anastomotic leak includes a microcatheter implanted at an anastomosis site; a source of a perfusion fluid coupled to the microcatheter and configured to dispense the perfusion fluid to the microcatheter; and an analyzer coupled to the microcatheter configured to receive an extracellular fluid from the microcatheter and to analyze the extracellular fluid to determine status of the anastomosis site.

Abstract: A loading unit for a surgical stapling apparatus includes an anvil assembly, a staple cartridge assembly, and a surgical buttress assembly associated with the anvil or the staple cartridge assembly. Each of the anvil and staple cartridge assemblies has a tissue facing surface defining a central longitudinal slot therethrough. The surgical buttress assembly includes a buttress material positioned on the tissue facing surface of the anvil or staple cartridge assembly and a buttress frame supporting the buttress material. The buttress frame is movable from an undeployed position in which the buttress frame retains the buttress material within the boundaries of the tissue facing surface of the anvil or staple cartridge assembly to a deployed position in which the buttress frame extends the buttress material laterally outwardly from the anvil or staple cartridge assembly.

Abstract: A device for removal of a tissue specimen from a patient includes a housing and a morcellator segment. The device includes a spindle capable of traveling through a longitudinal bore of the housing, and a specimen bag at a distal portion of the housing. In use, the specimen bag is extended from the distal portion of the housing and the spindle passes through the housing and specimen bag, exterior of the specimen bag, thereby forming an opening in the specimen bag. The spindle passes through a tissue specimen, at which point the spindle is retracted to bring the tissue specimen through the specimen bag, and into the longitudinal bore of the housing. The tissue specimen passes through the morcellator segment of the device, whereby the tissue specimen is broken into smaller pieces for ease of removal from the patient's body and further examination.

Abstract: A surgical fastening assembly includes first and second surgical fasteners. Each surgical fastener includes a base with opposed first and second ends. The base is formed from a deformable material. Each surgical fastener also includes a leg with a proximal end resiliently coupled to the second end of its respective base and a distal tip configured to penetrate body tissue. The first ends of the first and second surgical fasteners are in an abutting relationship. The distal tip of the leg of the first surgical fastener is adjacent the second end of the second surgical fastener and the distal tip of the leg of the second surgical fastener is adjacent the second end of the first surgical fastener such that the legs cross and define an X-shape.

Abstract: Surgical stapling devices have a metal coating on an anvil jaw member of the surgical stapling device, on a surface of staple pockets of a staple cartridge of the surgical stapling device, or any combination thereof. When the surgical stapling device is fired, the metal is transferred from the metal coating on the anvil jaw member, the staple pockets of the staple cartridge, etc., onto the staple. The resulting metal coating on the staple enhances healing of the tissue to which the staple is applied.

Abstract: A surgical occluding device includes a body portion configured to radially surround a tissue lumen. The body portion includes a plurality of segments and a plurality of folds. Each fold of the plurality of folds is defined between adjacent segments of the plurality of segments. Half of the folds of the plurality of folds define acute angles, and half of the folds of the plurality of folds define obtuse angles. The body portion is movable from a first orientation where the acute angle defines a first acute angle, to a second orientation where the acute angle defines a second, smaller acute angle.

Abstract: A surgical fastening device includes a handle assembly, an elongated portion, a shell assembly, a screw drive, and a firing mechanism. The elongated portion extends distally from the handle assembly. The shell assembly is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion, and includes a cartridge assembly and an end effector. The screw drive defines a longitudinal axis. A distal portion of the screw drive is engaged with the end effector. Rotation of the screw drive about the longitudinal axis relative to the elongated portion causes longitudinal translation of the end effector relative to the cartridge assembly. The firing mechanism is disposed at least partially within the end effector. A predetermined amount of proximal movement of the end effector relative to the cartridge assembly is configured to at least partially form fasteners disposed in the cartridge assembly.

Abstract: A staple cartridge is adapted to enhance cell migration towards a wound site when staples are placed in tissue. In order to enhance cell migration, the staples in the staple cartridge are adapted to create an electrical potential within the tissue in the area of a wound or cut line. More specifically, the staples are arranged in spaced rings, wherein the staples in the spaced rings are formed of dissimilar metals having different anodic indexes to create a voltage gradient in the tissue to enhance cell migration toward the cut line.

Abstract: A circular stapling device for performing anastomosis procedures includes an anvil assembly and a reload assembly that supports a staple cartridge. The anvil assembly has an anvil head that includes an anvil surface with staple forming pockets that are coated with a plurality of layers of materials having different colors. The colors that are exposed after the stapling device is fired provides an indication to a clinician of whether tissue clamped between the anvil assembly and the reload assembly was clamped in optimal fashion.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes a tool assembly that includes a staple cartridge having a cartridge body that defines a central knife slot, rows of first staple receiving pockets on one side of the central knife slot, and a row of second staple receiving pockets on a second side of the knife slot. The first staple receiving pockets receive staples having a substantially U-shaped configuration that can be formed into a B-shape. The second staple receiving slots receive substantially Y-shaped staples which minimize damage to tissue and can be removed from the tissue more easily to allow for pathological examination of the tissue.

Abstract: A suction dissection catheter and method of dissecting a lymph node including forcing gripping fingers on the suction dissection catheter over a portion of the lymph node, applying a vacuum, applying energy to a garter electrode connecting the gripping fingers and dissecting the lymph node from the tissue surrounding the lymph node.

Abstract: A circular stapling device includes one or more therapeutic-containing suppositories that may be secured to an anastomotic site during an anastomotic procedure to reduce the level of bacterial collagenase and minimize the likelihood of anastomotic leakage.

Abstract: A surgical suture provides a visual indication when the suture is subjected to excessive tension. The suture has an inner core at least partially covered by a segmented outer layer. The inner core is not visible when the suture is subjected to acceptable amounts of tension, but will become visible if the suture is subjected to unacceptable amounts of tension. The visibility of the inner core thus indicates to the surgeon or similar medical professional whether or not the suture is under acceptable tension.

Abstract: In some examples, a tool for, e.g., creating a sub-sternal tunnel in a patient or other use, is described. The tool may include a handle and a tunneling shaft coupled to the handle. The tunneling shaft extends from a proximal end to a distal end, and at least a portion of the tunneling shaft extends in a curved orientation between the first end to the distal end. The distal end of the tunneling shaft includes a cutting tool having a sharp edge. The cutting tool is moveable from a recessed position in which the sharp edge of the cutting tool is recessed into the distal end of the tunneling shaft to a deployed position in which the sharp edge of the cutting tool extends beyond the distal end of the tunneling shaft in the deployed position, e.g., to cut pericardium, scar tissue, and/or connective tissue with the sharp edge.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes a tool assembly that has a staple cartridge that includes a perfluorocarbon (hereinafter “PFC”) solution that is injected into tissue when the surgical stapling device is fired to improve oxygenation of tissue being treated. In aspects of the disclosure, the tool assembly of the surgical stapling device includes a staple cartridge that has staples that are supported on pushers and an actuation sled that is movable through the staple cartridge into engagement with the pushers to eject staples from the staple cartridge. In certain aspects of the disclosure, the PFC solution is contained within the pushers of a staple cartridge of the tool assembly and the actuation sled includes protrusions that engage the pushers to eject the PFC solution from the pushers when the stapling device is fired.

Abstract: A stapling end effector includes an anvil assembly having a distal end and defining a plurality of staple forming pockets, and a cartridge assembly pivotal relative to the anvil assembly such that the end effector is movable between open and clamped positions. The anvil assembly supports a plurality of staples corresponding to the plurality of staple forming pockets. The surgical stapling instrument further includes a sensing tip disposed on a distal end of the end effector. The sensing tip is formed of a flexible material and includes at least one sensor for measuring at least one mechanical property. The mechanical property may include force, pressure or torque.