Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a body, shaft, and end effector. The shaft couples the end effector and body together. The end effector comprises an anvil and lower jaw configured to receive a surgical staple cartridge. The anvil is configured to pivot toward and away from the staple cartridge and lower jaw. The shaft assembly comprises a knife member configured to longitudinally translate to thereby substantially simultaneously cut clamped tissue and staple the severed tissue. The end effector may comprise lockout features configure to prevent longitudinal translation of the knife member. The end effector or staple cartridge may comprise lockout bypass features configured to prevent lockout of the knife member. These lockout bypass features may operate to permit longitudinal translation of the knife member once or multiple times. The end effector may comprise features configured to ensure proper alignment of the anvil relative to the staple cartridge.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a body, shaft, and end effector. The shaft couples the end effector and body together. The end effector comprises an anvil and lower jaw configured to receive a surgical staple cartridge. The anvil is configured to pivot toward and away from the staple cartridge and lower jaw. The shaft assembly comprises a knife member configured to longitudinally translate to thereby substantially simultaneously cut clamped tissue and staple the severed tissue. The end effector may comprise lockout features configure to prevent longitudinal translation of the knife member. The end effector or staple cartridge may comprise lockout bypass features configured to prevent lockout of the knife member.

Abstract: A surgical instrument with a tissue-clamping end effector, where actuation of the instrument is locked out when the thickness of the tissue clamped in the end effector is not within a specified thickness range. The end effector may comprise a tissue thickness module that senses the thickness of the tissue clamped in the end effector. The surgical instrument also comprises a control circuit in communication with the tissue thickness module. The control circuit prevents actuation of a working portion of the end effector when the thickness of the tissue clamped in the end effector is not within the specified thickness range.

Abstract: A surgical instrument with a tissue-clamping end effector, where actuation of the instrument is locked out when the thickness of the tissue clamped in the end effector is not within a specified thickness range. The end effector may comprise a tissue thickness module that senses the thickness of the tissue clamped in the end effector. The surgical instrument also comprises a control circuit in communication with the tissue thickness module. The control circuit prevents actuation of a working portion of the end effector when the thickness of the tissue clamped in the end effector is not within the specified thickness range.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an end effector and a shaft having a longitudinal axis. The end effector includes a first jaw and second jaw. The first jaw is pivotable relative to the second jaw. The distal end of the shaft has an articulation joint that pivots the end effector from a first position aligned with the longitudinal axis of the shaft to a second position angled from the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The articulation joint includes at least one articulation band that bends outwardly within the shaft when the end effector is in the first position. The articulation band then bends inwardly when the end effector is pivoted from the first position to the second position. The shaft includes an outer closure tube having a neck-down region that promotes a greater range of pivotal movement within a surgical passageway.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical test device for a surgical tool, such as a severing and/or sealing tool (e.g., a surgical stapler), is provided. In at least one embodiment, the surgical tool can be configured to supply at least one actuation motion to an end effector. The actuation motion(s) may cause a cutting member to move within and/or sealing members (e.g., staples) to eject from the end effector. Further, in at least one embodiment, the surgical test device can be releasably engaged to a portion of the surgical tool, such as the end effector. Additionally, the surgical test device can be configured to permit the surgical tool to supply the actuation motion(s) while preventing the tool from performing its intended surgical function. Accordingly, the surgical tool may be test fired without wasting a sealing member cartridge, while preventing inappropriate use of the tool when the test device is attached thereto.

Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments of the present invention can include a motorized surgical cutting and fastening instrument having a drive shaft, a motor selectively engageable with the drive shaft, and a manual return mechanism configured to operably disengage the motor from the drive shaft and retract the drive shaft. In at least one embodiment, a surgeon, or other operator of the surgical instrument, can utilize the manual return mechanism to retract the drive shaft after it has been advanced, especially when the motor, or a power source supplying the motor, has failed or is otherwise unable to provide a force sufficient to retract the drive shaft.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical test device for a surgical tool, such as a severing and/or sealing tool (e.g., a surgical stapler), is provided. In at least one embodiment, the surgical tool can be configured to supply at least one actuation motion to an end effector. The actuation motion(s) may cause a cutting member to move within and/or sealing members (e.g., staples) to eject from the end effector. Further, in at least one embodiment, the surgical test device can be releasably engaged to a portion of the surgical tool, such as the end effector. Additionally, the surgical test device can be configured to permit the surgical tool to supply the actuation motion(s) while preventing the tool from performing its intended surgical function. Accordingly, the surgical tool may be test fired without wasting a sealing member cartridge, while preventing inappropriate use of the tool when the test device is attached thereto.

Abstract: A motor-driven surgical cutting and fastening instrument that comprises an end effector, an electric motor, and a motor control circuit. The motor control circuit is for monitoring a parameter of the electric motor that is indicative of movement of a moveable member of the end effector, and for adjustably controlling the electric motor based on the monitored parameter to thereby adjustably control movement of the moveable member of the end effector during forward rotation of the electric motor.

Abstract: A motor-driven surgical instrument that may comprise (i) a moveable drive member that is driven in a first direction when the electric motor operates in a first direction and that is driven in a second direction when the electric motor operates in a second direction. Movement of the drive member causes movement of the moveable component of the end effector, and (ii) a motor control circuit connected to the motor for controlling the motor. The motor control circuit may comprise a switching circuit that, upon actuation, reverses the direction of the motor from the first direction to the second direction. The switching circuit may be actuatable separately through each of: (i) actuation of a moveable actuator of the switching circuit through movement of the drive member at least in the first direction; and (ii) manual actuation by a user of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A surgical fastener apparatus including a handle, an elongated shaft having a proximal end attached to the handle and a distal end extending therefrom. An end effector comprising a pair of jaws pivoted at a proximal end thereof and movable between an open and closed position, and a cartridge containing a plurality of surgical fasteners, the cartridge attached to the end effector. An electrically powered actuator for deploying the surgical fasteners. An electrically activated reverse mechanism for moving the elongated member from a distal most position within the end effector to a proximal position, the electrically activated reverse mechanism moves the elongated member proximally after the elongated member has moved to the distal most position by moving the trigger to the open position, and wherein after activation of the reverse mechanism proximal movement of the elongated member can be stopped by returning the trigger to its closed position.

Abstract: A surgical fastener apparatus including a handle, an elongated shaft having a proximal end attached to the handle and a distal end extending therefrom. An end effector comprising a pair of jaws pivoted at a proximal end thereof and movable between an open and closed position, and a cartridge containing a plurality of surgical fasteners, the cartridge attached to the end effector. An electrically powered actuator for deploying the surgical fasteners. An electrically activated reverse mechanism for moving the elongated member from a distal most position within the end effector to a proximal position, the electrically activated reverse mechanism moves the elongated member proximally after the elongated member has moved to the distal most position by moving the trigger to the open position, and wherein after activation of the reverse mechanism proximal movement of the elongated member can be stopped by returning the trigger to its closed position.

Abstract: A motor-driven surgical instrument having a control assembly for controlling a switch of the instrument. The surgical instrument may comprise a motor control circuit, a drive member, and a slider. The drive member comprises a first shoulder at a first position and a second shoulder at a second position. A first portion of the slider interfaces the drive member such that the slider is moveable in a direction of movement of the drive member when either the first shoulder or the second shoulder of the drive member engages the first portion of the slider. A second portion of the slider actuates a switch of the motor control circuit when the drive member moves the slider to a first position relative to the first switch. In various embodiments, the switches of the control circuit are not embodied as a part of an IC.

Abstract: A motor-driven surgical cutting and fastening instrument that comprises an end effector, a shaft connected to the end effector, and handle connected to the shaft. The end effector may comprise a cutting instrument that, when actuated, longitudinally traverses the end effector to cut tissue clamped in the end effector. The handle may comprise an electric motor for actuating the cutting instrument and a motor control circuit for controlling the motor. The motor control circuit may comprise a power source connected to the motor for electrically powering the motor and a current control circuit, connected to the power source, for varying the current supplied to the motor from the power source.

Abstract: A motor-driven surgical instrument having a control assembly for controlling a switch of the instrument. The surgical instrument may comprise a motor control circuit, a drive member, and a slider. The drive member comprises a first shoulder at a first position and a second shoulder at a second position. A first portion of the slider interfaces the drive member such that the slider is moveable in a direction of movement of the drive member when either the first shoulder or the second shoulder of the drive member engages the first portion of the slider. A second portion of the slider actuates a switch of the motor control circuit when the drive member moves the slider to a first position relative to the first switch. In various embodiments, the switches of the control circuit are not embodied as a part of an IC.

Abstract: A surgical fastener apparatus including a handle, an elongated shaft having a proximal end attached to the handle and a distal end extending therefrom. An end effector comprising a pair of jaws pivoted at a proximal end thereof and movable between an open and closed position, and a cartridge containing a plurality of surgical fasteners, the cartridge attached to the end effector. An electrically powered actuator for deploying the surgical fasteners. An electrically activated reverse mechanism for moving the elongated member from a distal most position within the end effector to a proximal position, the electrically activated reverse mechanism moves the elongated member proximally after the elongated member has moved to the distal most position by moving the trigger to the open position, and wherein after activation of the reverse mechanism proximal movement of the elongated member can be stopped by returning the trigger to its closed position.

Abstract: A motor-driven surgical instrument having a control assembly for controlling a switch of the instrument. The surgical instrument may comprise a motor control circuit, a drive member, and a slider. The drive member comprises a first shoulder at a first position and a second shoulder at a second position. A first portion of the slider interfaces the drive member such that the slider is moveable in a direction of movement of the drive member when either the first shoulder or the second shoulder of the drive member engages the first portion of the slider. A second portion of the slider actuates a switch of the motor control circuit when the drive member moves the slider to a first position relative to the first switch. In various embodiments, the switches of the control circuit are not embodied as a part of an IC.

Abstract: A motor-driven surgical cutting and fastening instrument that comprises an end effector, a shaft connected to the end effector, and handle connected to the shaft. The end effector may comprise a cutting instrument that, when actuated, longitudinally traverses the end effector to cut tissue clamped in the end effector. The handle may comprise an electric motor for actuating the cutting instrument and a motor control circuit for controlling the motor. The motor control circuit may comprise a power source connected to the motor for electrically powering the motor and a current control circuit, connected to the power source, for varying the current supplied to the motor from the power source.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical test device for a surgical tool, such as a severing and/or sealing tool (e.g., a surgical stapler), is provided. In at least one embodiment, the surgical tool can be configured to supply at least one actuation motion to an end effector. The actuation motion(s) may cause a cutting member to move within and/or sealing members (e.g., staples) to eject from the end effector. Further, in at least one embodiment, the surgical test device can be releasably engaged to a portion of the surgical tool, such as the end effector. Additionally, the surgical test device can be configured to permit the surgical tool to supply the actuation motion(s) while preventing the tool from performing its intended surgical function. Accordingly, the surgical tool may be test fired without wasting a sealing member cartridge, while preventing inappropriate use of the tool when the test device is attached thereto.