Abstract: A surgical stapler including a body assembly; a shaft assembly that extends distally from the body assembly; a stapling head assembly disposed at a distal end of the shaft assembly, wherein the stapling head assembly is operable to drive a plurality of staples into tissue, wherein the stapling head assembly comprises a closure shaft that is selectively movable longitudinally; and an anvil configured to form the staples, wherein the anvil is selectively coupleable with and actuatable by the closure shaft, wherein the anvil includes one or more sensors each configured to detect a parameter associated with at least one of closure or firing of the end effector; a processor configured to receive signals from the one or more sensors, wherein the signals are indicative of the parameter detected by the one or more sensors; a transmitter configured to transmit the signals; and a battery configured to power the processor.

Abstract: A surgical stapler including a body assembly; a shaft assembly that extends distally from the body assembly; a stapling head assembly disposed at a distal end of the shaft assembly, wherein the stapling head assembly is operable to drive a plurality of staples into tissue, wherein the stapling head assembly comprises a closure shaft that is selectively movable longitudinally; and an anvil configured to form the staples, wherein the anvil is selectively coupleable with and actuatable by the closure shaft, wherein the anvil includes one or more sensors each configured to detect a parameter associated with at least one of closure or firing of the end effector; a processor configured to receive signals from the one or more sensors, wherein the signals are indicative of the parameter detected by the one or more sensors; a transmitter configured to transmit the signals; and a battery configured to power the processor.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a stapling assembly and an anvil configured to cooperate to compress, staple, and cut tissue. The stapling assembly includes a deck member having a deck surface that faces distally and includes a plurality of staple openings configured to receive a plurality of staples, and a knife member having a distal end that defines a cutting edge. The anvil includes an anvil surface having a plurality of staple forming pockets configured to form the staples, and a washer positioned adjacent to the anvil surface and having a proximal face. The cutting edge of the knife member is configured to cut through the tissue and the proximal face when the surgical instrument is fired. The proximal face includes a tissue gripping feature configured to stabilize and inhibit the tissue from translating across the washer and the anvil surface during firing.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a stapling assembly and an anvil configured to cooperate to compress, staple, and cut tissue. The stapling assembly includes a deck member having a deck surface that faces distally and includes a plurality of staple openings configured to receive a plurality of staples, and a knife member having a distal end that defines a cutting edge. The anvil includes an anvil surface having a plurality of staple forming pockets configured to form the staples, and a washer positioned adjacent to the anvil surface and having a proximal face. The cutting edge of the knife member is configured to cut through the tissue and the proximal face when the surgical instrument is fired. The proximal face includes a tissue gripping feature configured to stabilize and inhibit the tissue from translating across the washer and the anvil surface during firing.