Abstract: A surgical instrument end effector includes a first jaw configured to receive a staple cartridge and a second jaw that includes an anvil having a plurality of staple forming pockets. The first and second jaws are operable to clamp and staple tissue positioned therebetween. A tip member is movably disposed at a distal end of the anvil and is configured to toggle relative to the anvil between a first discrete position and a second discrete position. The tip member in the first discrete position is oriented angularly toward the first jaw, and the tip member in the second discrete position is oriented angularly away from the first discrete position.

Abstract: A surgical stapler that includes a body, a shaft extending from the body, and an end effector in communication with the shaft. The end effector is operable to compress, staple, and cut tissue. The end effector includes a first jaw; a second jaw opposed from the first jaw, and a tip member. The first and second jaws are operable to transition from an open state to a closed state to clamp tissue therebetween. The tip member is coupled with a distal end of the first jaw. The tip member is selectively rotatable along a rotation axis to toggle between a first discrete position and a second discrete position. The tip member in the first discrete position is configured to assume a first orientation relative to the second jaw, and the tip member in the second discrete position is configured to assume a second orientation relative to the second jaw.

Abstract: An apparatus that includes a body, a shaft, and an end effector. The end effector includes a first jaw, a second jaw, and a tip. The second jaw includes an anvil. At least one of the first jaw or the second jaw is configured to move relative to the other of the first jaw or the second jaw between an open position and a closed position. The tip is connected with the anvil. The tip includes a deformable member. The tip is movable relative to the anvil between first and second discrete positions using the deformable member. The tip remains in the first discrete position located closer toward the cartridge until the deformable member is acted upon by an external input force. The tip remains in the second discrete position that is located further from the cartridge until the deformable member is acted upon by the external input force.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft, and a stapling head assembly. The body includes a chassis, a bracket, a coupling, and a conical coil. The bracket is configured to move relative to the chassis between first and second positions when selectively activated by a user. The bracket includes an upright member. The conical coil spring is disposed between the bracket and the coupling. The conical coil spring includes a proximal end, a distal end, a conical helical body disposed between the proximal and distal ends, and at least one dead coil disposed at the distal end of the conical coil spring that is configured to prevent the distal end of the conical coil spring from being retained between the bracket and the chassis. The shaft extends distally from the body. The stapling head assembly is positioned at a distal end of the shaft.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a first jaw and a second jaw is disclosed. At least one of the first and second jaws comprises a proximal portion and a distal tip rotatable relative to the proximal portion.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft, and a stapling head assembly. The body includes a chassis, a bracket, a coupling, and a conical coil. The bracket is configured to move relative to the chassis between first and second positions when selectively activated by a user. The bracket includes an upright member. The conical coil spring is disposed between the bracket and the coupling. The conical coil spring includes a proximal end, a distal end, a conical helical body disposed between the proximal and distal ends, and at least one dead coil disposed at the distal end of the conical coil spring that is configured to prevent the distal end of the conical coil spring from being retained between the bracket and the chassis. The shaft extends distally from the body. The stapling head assembly is positioned at a distal end of the shaft.

Abstract: A surgical instrument end effector includes a first jaw configured to receive a staple cartridge and a second jaw that includes an anvil having a plurality of staple forming pockets. The first and second jaws are operable to clamp and staple tissue positioned therebetween. A tip member is movably disposed at a distal end of the anvil and is configured to toggle relative to the anvil between a first discrete position and a second discrete position. The tip member in the first discrete position is oriented angularly toward the first jaw, and the tip member in the second discrete position is oriented angularly away from the first discrete position.

Abstract: An apparatus that includes a body, a shaft, and an end effector. The end effector includes a first jaw, a second jaw, and a tip. The second jaw includes an anvil. At least one of the first jaw or the second jaw is configured to move relative to the other of the first jaw or the second jaw between an open position and a closed position. The tip is connected with the anvil. The tip includes a deformable member. The tip is movable relative to the anvil between first and second discrete positions using the deformable member. The tip remains in the first discrete position located closer toward the cartridge until the deformable member is acted upon by an external input force. The tip remains in the second discrete position that is located further from the cartridge until the deformable member is acted upon by the external input force.

Abstract: A surgical stapler that includes a body, a shaft extending from the body, and an end effector in communication with the shaft. The end effector is operable to compress, staple, and cut tissue. The end effector includes a first jaw; a second jaw opposed from the first jaw, and a tip member. The first and second jaws are operable to transition from an open state to a closed state to clamp tissue therebetween. The tip member is coupled with a distal end of the first jaw. The tip member is selectively rotatable along a rotation axis to toggle between a first discrete position and a second discrete position. The tip member in the first discrete position is configured to assume a first orientation relative to the second jaw, and the tip member in the second discrete position is configured to assume a second orientation relative to the second jaw.

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 circular stapling instrument is disclosed which comprises a replaceable staple cartridge. The circular stapling instrument and/or staple cartridge comprises a lockout configured to prevent a previously-fired staple cartridge from being re-used.

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 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 can comprise a first jaw, a second jaw comprising a fastener cartridge, and a closing system. The closing system can comprise a closure member configured to engage the first jaw and move the first jaw toward the second jaw. A pivot can pivotably couple the first jaw to the second jaw. The closure member can engage the first jaw at a location which is distal with respect to the pivot. The closure member and the first jaw can include a cam pin/cam slot arrangement which increases the leverage or mechanical advantage that the closure member applies to the first jaw as the first jaw is moved from an open position to a closed position. The surgical instrument can further comprise a first motor configured to operate the closing system and a second motor configured to operate a firing system configured to eject fasteners from the fastener cartridge.

Abstract: A circular stapling instrument is disclosed which comprises a replaceable staple cartridge. The circular stapling instrument and/or staple cartridge comprises a lockout configured to prevent a previously-fired staple cartridge from being re-used.