Abstract: An end effector of a surgical instrument may be equipped with a staple cartridge selection system, including a load sensing cartridge insertable into a channel of a cartridge jaw of an end effector for assembly therewith, the load sensing cartridge including: a body having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion; an elongated channel within the body between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion; a load sensor disposed within the elongated channel of the load sensing cartridge, the load sensor configured to sense a parameter indicative of a tissue thickness when tissue is clamped between an anvil jaw and the cartridge jaw in the clamped configuration; and a visual indicator configured to display a visual indication based on the parameter sensed by the load sensor.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a shaft assembly, a handle assembly including a battery dock, and a battery unit. The battery unit is configured to be received by the battery dock such that the battery unit is in electrical communication with at least one of the shaft assembly or the handle assembly. The battery unit includes a casing, an anode contact and a cathode contact within the casing, and a discharge drain. The discharge drain includes a controller, a switch element, and a resistor element operatively connected between the cathode contact and the anode contact. The controller is configured to selectively direct the switch element to close such that the resistor element is in electrical communication with the anode contact and the cathode contact. Thereby, the resistor element is configured to drain a remaining electrical power from the at least one battery connected to the anode contact and the cathode contact.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a shaft assembly, a handle assembly, and a latch system configured to operatively couple the shaft and handle assemblies. The latch system includes shaft and a handle lock members respectively connected to the shaft and handle assemblies for inhibiting operative uncoupling of the shaft and handle assemblies. The latch member has a cam surface and a latch member. The latch member is configured to selectively move from a locked position to a released position such that movement of the latch member causes the shaft and handle lock members to disengage and uncouple the shaft and handle assemblies. The latch member is further configured to selectively move from the released position to a removal position such that further movement of the latch member causes the cam surface of the latch member to engage the cam base and urge the shaft assembly in a removal direction.

Abstract: A powered surgical instrument includes a shaft assembly and a handle assembly. The shaft assembly includes a first electrical connector and a flexible element positioned adjacent to the first electrical connector. The handle assembly includes a second electrical connector. The handle assembly is configured to attach to the shaft assembly. The second electrical connector is configured to electrically connect with the first electrical connector when the handle assembly is attached to the shaft assembly. The flexible element is configured to create a liquid-resistant seal against the handle assembly and adjacent to the electrical connection of the first and second electrical connectors when the shaft assembly and the handle assembly are attached.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a shaft assembly, a handle assembly, and a latch system configured to operatively couple the shaft and handle assemblies. The latch system includes shaft and a handle lock members respectively connected to the shaft and handle assemblies for inhibiting operative uncoupling of the shaft and handle assemblies. The latch member has a cam surface and a latch member. The latch member is configured to selectively move from a locked position to a released position such that movement of the latch member causes the shaft and handle lock members to disengage and uncouple the shaft and handle assemblies. The latch member is further configured to selectively move from the released position to a removal position such that further movement of the latch member causes the cam surface of the latch member to engage the cam base and urge the shaft assembly in a removal direction.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a shaft assembly, a handle assembly including a battery dock, and a battery unit. The battery unit is configured to be received by the battery dock such that the battery unit is in electrical communication with at least one of the shaft assembly or the handle assembly. The battery unit includes a casing, an anode contact and a cathode contact within the casing, and a discharge drain. The discharge drain includes a controller, a switch element, and a resistor element operatively connected between the cathode contact and the anode contact. The controller is configured to selectively direct the switch element to close such that the resistor element is in electrical communication with the anode contact and the cathode contact. Thereby, the resistor element is configured to drain a remaining electrical power from the at least one battery connected to the anode contact and the cathode contact.

Abstract: A portable linear fastener driving tool is provided that drive staples, nails, or other linearly driven fasteners. The tool uses a gas spring principle, in which a cylinder filled with compressed gas is used to quickly force a piston through a driving stroke movement, while a driver also drives a fastener into a workpiece. The piston/driver is then moved back to its starting position by use of a rotary-to-linear lifter, and the piston again compresses the gas above the piston, thereby preparing the tool for another driving stroke. The driver has protrusions along its edges that contact the lifter, which lifts the driver during a return stroke. A pivotable latch is controlled to move into either an interfering position or a non-interfering position with respect to the driver protrusions, and acts as a safety device, by preventing the driver from making a full driving stroke at an improper time.

Abstract: A portable linear fastener driving tool is provided that drive staples, nails, or other linearly driven fasteners. The tool uses a gas spring principle, in which a cylinder filled with compressed gas is used to quickly force a piston through a driving stroke movement, while a driver also drives a fastener into a workpiece. The piston/driver is then moved back to its starting position by use of a rotary-to-linear lifter, and the piston again compresses the gas above the piston, thereby preparing the tool for another driving stroke. The driver has protrusions along its edges that contact the lifter, which lifts the driver during a return stroke. A pivotable latch is controlled to move into either an interfering position or a non-interfering position with respect to the driver protrusions, and acts as a safety device, by preventing the driver from making a full driving stroke at an improper time.

Abstract: A portable linear fastener driving tool is provided that drive staples, nails, or other linearly driven fasteners. The tool uses a gas spring principle, in which a cylinder filled with compressed gas is used to quickly force a piston through a driving stroke movement, while a driver also drives a fastener into a workpiece. The piston/driver is then moved back to its starting position by use of a rotary-to-linear lifter, and the piston again compresses the gas above the piston, thereby preparing the tool for another driving stroke. The driver has protrusions along its edges that contact the lifter, which lifts the driver during a return stroke. A pivotable latch is controlled to move into either an interfering position or a non-interfering position with respect to the driver protrusions, and acts as a safety device, by preventing the driver from making a full driving stroke at an improper time.

Abstract: A portable linear fastener driving tool is provided that drive staples, nails, or other linearly driven fasteners. The tool uses a gas spring principle, in which a cylinder filled with compressed gas is used to quickly force a piston through a driving stroke movement, while a driver also drives a fastener into a workpiece. The piston/driver is then moved back to its starting position by use of a rotary-to-linear lifter, and the piston again compresses the gas above the piston, thereby preparing the tool for another driving stroke. The driver has protrusions along its edges that contact the lifter, which lifts the driver during a return stroke. A pivotable latch is controlled to move into either an interfering position or a non-interfering position with respect to the driver protrusions, and acts as a safety device, by preventing the driver from making a full driving stroke at an improper time.

Abstract: A portable linear fastener driving tool is provided that drive staples, nails, or other linearly driven fasteners. The tool uses a gas spring principle, in which a cylinder filled with compressed gas is used to quickly force a piston through a driving stroke movement, while a driver also drives a fastener into a workpiece. The piston/driver is then moved back to its starting position by use of a rotary-to-linear lifter, and the piston again compresses the gas above the piston, thereby preparing the tool for another driving stroke. The driver has protrusions along its edges that contact the lifter, which lifts the driver during a return stroke. A pivotable latch is controlled to move into either an interfering position or a non-interfering position with respect to the driver protrusions, and acts as a safety device, by preventing the driver from making a full driving stroke at an improper time.

Abstract: A portable linear fastener driving tool is provided that drive staples, nails, or other linearly driven fasteners. The tool uses a gas spring principle, in which a cylinder filled with compressed gas is used to quickly force a piston through a driving stroke movement, while a driver also drives a fastener into a workpiece. The piston/driver is then moved back to its starting position by use of a rotary-to-linear lifter, and the piston again compresses the gas above the piston, thereby preparing the tool for another driving stroke. The driver has protrusions along its edges that contact the lifter, which lifts the driver during a return stroke. A pivotable latch is controlled to move into either an interfering position or a non-interfering position with respect to the driver protrusions, and acts as a safety device, by preventing the driver from making a full driving stroke at an improper time.

Abstract: A portable linear fastener driving tool is provided that drive staples, nails, or other linearly driven fasteners. The tool uses a gas spring principle, in which a cylinder filled with compressed gas is used to quickly force a piston through a driving stroke movement, while a driver also drives a fastener into a workpiece. The piston/driver is then moved back to its starting position by use of a rotary-to-linear lifter, and the piston again compresses the gas above the piston, thereby preparing the tool for another driving stroke. The driver has protrusions along its edges that contact the lifter, which lifts the driver during a return stroke. A pivotable latch is controlled to move into either an interfering position or a non-interfering position with respect to the driver protrusions, and acts as a safety device, by preventing the driver from making a full driving stroke at an improper time.

Abstract: A portable linear fastener driving tool is provided that drive staples, nails, or other linearly driven fasteners. The tool uses a gas spring principle, in which a cylinder filled with compressed gas is used to quickly force a piston through a driving stroke movement, while a driver also drives a fastener into a workpiece. The piston/driver is then moved back to its starting position by use of a rotary-to-linear lifter, and the piston again compresses the gas above the piston, thereby preparing the tool for another driving stroke. The driver has protrusions along its edges that contact the lifter, which lifts the driver during a return stroke. A pivotable latch is controlled to move into either an interfering position or a non-interfering position with respect to the driver protrusions, and acts as a safety device, by preventing the driver from making a full driving stroke at an improper time.

Abstract: A system and method of electronically managing expression comprises receiving an expression object, the expression object comprising a data expression being determined by a creator and based on a creator-defined structure, the data expression and the structure being definable by the creator independent of any predefined structure of a software application and transmitting the expression object for storage at a data storage system. The expression object may be stored in a data storage system using a permanent expression object identifier associated with the creator to enable the creator to have permanent access to the expression object using the permanent expression object identifier. The creator or others may define one or more relationships relative to at least a first portion of a data expression object and a second portion of a data expression.

Abstract: A control module advantageously reduces cost and enhances reliability, design flexibility, ease of assembly, and performance of a flywheel operated hand tool. The control module includes a thin film printed circuit with non-contact speed sensing of a flywheel to more accurately set the target speed and control transfer kinetic energy thereof to a fastener, achieving a desired depth regardless of variations in component performance and battery voltage. The printed circuit also includes long service life thin film switches for responding to trigger and safety inputs. Furthermore, the control module responds to a user speed selection and to preset speed selection ranges to reconfigure the controls as appropriate to constraints of a fastener drive assembly and to user preferences.

Abstract: A control module advantageously reduces cost and enhances reliability, design flexibility, ease of assembly, and performance of a flywheel operated hand tool. The control module includes a thin film printed circuit with non-contact speed sensing of a flywheel to more accurately set the target speed and control transfer kinetic energy thereof to a fastener, achieving a desired depth regardless of variations in component performance and battery voltage. The printed circuit also includes long service life thin film switches for responding to trigger and safety inputs. Furthermore, the control module responds to a user speed selection and to preset speed selection ranges to reconfigure the controls as appropriate to constraints of a fastener drive assembly and to user preferences.

Abstract: A speed controller operates a DC-powered fastener drive assembly to efficiently drive fasteners from a DC power supply, thereby achieving a fully portable hand tool. In particular, the speed controller accelerates a flywheel with a DC motor to a target speed appropriate for the type of fastener and user selection. Thereafter, the speed controller causes the kinetic energy from the flywheel to be imparted to a linearly moving fastener driver. The speed controller is responsive to the rotational speed of the flywheel to ensure a consistent depth of drive and to actuate a clutch for an appropriate amount of time to couple the flywheel to the fastener driver. Thereby, consistent drives are achievement across a range of operating conditions (e.g., battery state of charge, type of fastener, mechanical tolerances and wear, motor performance, etc.).

Abstract: A control module advantageously reduces cost and enhances reliability, design flexibility, ease of assembly, and performance of a flywheel operated hand tool. The control module includes a thin film printed circuit with non-contact speed sensing of a flywheel to more accurately set the target speed and control transfer kinetic energy thereof to a fastener, achieving a desired depth regardless of variations in component performance and battery voltage. The printed circuit also includes long service life thin film switches for responding to trigger and safety inputs. Furthermore, the control module responds to a user speed selection and to preset speed selection ranges to reconfigure the controls as appropriate to constraints of a fastener drive assembly and to user preferences.

Abstract: A control module advantageously reduces cost and enhances reliability, design flexibility, ease of assembly, and performance of a flywheel operated hand tool. The control module includes a thin film printed circuit with non-contact speed sensing of a flywheel to more accurately set the target speed and control transfer kinetic energy thereof to a fastener, achieving a desired depth regardless of variations in component performance and battery voltage. The printed circuit also includes long service life thin film switches for responding to trigger and safety inputs. Furthermore, the control module responds to a user speed selection and to preset speed selection ranges to reconfigure the controls as appropriate to constraints of a fastener drive assembly and to user preferences.