Abstract: An integral seal system includes a body that defines a central opening, and an asymmetric seal extending into the central opening and including a diaphragm and an annular flange that extends between the body and the diaphragm, wherein the diaphragm has a cross-sectional thickness larger than a cross-sectional thickness of the annular flange. A duckbill seal extends distally from a bottom of the body and defines one or more parting lines that separate opposing seal flaps. The diaphragm complements insertion and extraction drag forces generated by the duckbill seal against a surgical tool shaft extended therethrough such that total insertion and extraction drag forces generated by the integral seal system are equalized.

Abstract: In examples, a method of operating a surgical device comprises disengaging an obturator from a funnel portion of a cannula; removing a shaft portion of the obturator from a cannula lumen of the cannula; disengaging a seal cartridge from the funnel portion of the cannula; and removing the seal cartridge from the funnel portion after removing the shaft portion of the obturator from the cannula lumen.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a tissue thickness compensator can comprise a compressible extracellular matrix and a bioabsorbable material dispersed within the extracellular matrix, wherein the bioapsorption of the bioabsorbable material is configured to leave behind channels in the extracellular matrix. The tissue thickness compensator can also comprise generation means for generating the ingrowth of tissue into the channels. In at least one embodiment, the tissue thickness compensator can comprise dissolvable wicking members which, when dissolved, can leave behind channels in the tissue thickness compensator. In certain embodiments, the tissue thickness compensator can comprise at least one rupturable capsule.

Abstract: A buttress is applied to an end effector of a surgical stapler. The buttress is loaded on a platform of a buttress applier cartridge. The end effector is closed upon the platform. An adhesive layer of the buttress secures the buttress to the end effector. The buttress is thus adhered to the end effector when the end effector is opened. The end effector is then actuated on tissue of a patient, thereby stapling the buttress to the tissue.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical stapling instrument can include a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, wherein the shaft defines an axis, and a disposable loading unit which is assembled to the shaft in a direction which is transverse to the shaft axis. Such a connection between the disposable loading unit and the shaft can prevent, or at least inhibit, the disposable loading unit from being unintentionally displaced proximally and/or distally relative to the shaft of the surgical instrument. The surgical stapling instrument and/or disposable loading unit can further include a threaded collar and/or detent assembly configured to hold the disposable loading unit in place. In various embodiments, a disposable loading unit can include a lockout feature which can prevent, or at least inhibit, an expended disposable loading unit from being reassembled to the elongated body of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A circular stapler apparatus for stapling tissue has a circular stapling head operable to drive staples toward an anvil to form the staples in a circular array. The anvil includes an anvil head, a proximal shaft extending proximally from the anvil head and having a proximal end disposed in a first plane, and a first pivot connecting the anvil head to the proximal shaft. The first pivot is operable to be disposed in a second plane that is laterally offset from the first plane. The anvil is configured to rotate via movement through multiple pivot points. The anvil may be configured to rotate to a position in which a portion of the anvil head is disposed below the first pivot and between the first pivot and the proximal shaft such that the anvil head is acutely angled with respect to a longitudinal axis of the proximal shaft.

Abstract: A trocar assembly that includes a trocar and a seal cartridge configured to be releasably coupled to the trocar. The seal cartridge includes a top cap that includes a main body and a latch ring. The latch ring is grounded to the main body at a first angular position and has a latch located at a second angular position angularly offset from the first angular position. Applying a radial load on the latch causes the latch ring to flex in torsion at an intermediate portion that angularly interposes the first and second angular positions.

Abstract: A method of operating an articulatable surgical instrument. The method includes providing a rotary drive motion to a rotary drive member of a surgical end effector and converting the rotary drive motion to an upper axial motion and a lower axial motion at locations that are distal to the articulation joint. The method further includes applying the upper axial motion to an upper portion of a firing member and applying the lower axial motion to a lower portion of the firing member such that the upper axial motion and lower axial motion drives the firing member distally through the surgical end effector from a starting position to an ending position.

Abstract: A trocar assembly can include a cannula, a seal cartridge, and an obturator. The seal cartridge is configured to be releasably coupled to the cannula and to be disposed at least partially within the cannula in a coupled configuration of the seal cartridge. The obturator is configured to directly latch to the cannula and to extends through the cannula and the seal cartridge in a coupled configuration of the obturator.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a tissue thickness compensator can comprise one or more capsules and/or pockets comprising at least one medicament therein. In at least one embodiment, staples can be fired through the tissue thickness compensator to rupture the capsules. In certain embodiments, a firing member, or knife, can be advanced through the tissue thickness compensator to rupture the capsules.

Abstract: A method of operating an articulatable surgical instrument. The method includes providing a rotary drive motion to a rotary drive member of a surgical end effector and converting the rotary drive motion to an upper axial motion and a lower axial motion at locations that are distal to the articulation joint. The method further includes applying the upper axial motion to an upper portion of a firing member and applying the lower axial motion to a lower portion of the firing member such that the upper axial motion and lower axial motion drives the firing member distally through the surgical end effector from a starting position to an ending position.

Abstract: Surgical instruments that have articulation joints that include a proximal joint member that defines a proximal face that defines a proximal apex and a distal joint member that defines a distal apex. A linkage assembly retains the proximal apex in rolling inter-engagement with the distal apex. The linkage assembly includes a first link and a second link that are coupled to the proximal joint member for pivotal travel relative thereto about a first proximal pivot axis a second proximal pivot axis. The first link and second link are coupled to the distal joint member for pivotal travel relative thereto about a first distal pivot axis and a second distal pivot axis.

Abstract: A buttress is applied to an end effector of a surgical stapler. The buttress is loaded on a platform of a buttress applier cartridge. The end effector is closed upon the platform. An adhesive layer of the buttress secures the buttress to the end effector. The buttress is thus adhered to the end effector when the end effector is opened. The end effector is then actuated on tissue of a patient, thereby stapling the buttress to the tissue.

Abstract: A buttress is applied to an end effector of a surgical stapler. The buttress is loaded on a platform of a buttress applier cartridge. The end effector is closed upon the platform. An adhesive layer of the buttress secures the buttress to the end effector. The buttress is thus adhered to the end effector when the end effector is opened. The end effector is then actuated on tissue of a patient, thereby stapling the buttress to the tissue.

Abstract: In examples, a method of operating a surgical device comprises disengaging an obturator from a funnel portion of a cannula; removing a shaft portion of the obturator from a cannula lumen of the cannula; disengaging a seal cartridge from the funnel portion of the cannula; and removing the seal cartridge from the funnel portion after removing the shaft portion of the obturator from the cannula lumen.

Abstract: A circular stapler apparatus for stapling tissue has a circular stapling head operable to drive staples toward an anvil to form the staples in a circular array. The anvil includes an anvil head, a proximal shaft extending proximally from the anvil head and having a proximal end disposed in a first plane, and a first pivot connecting the anvil head to the proximal shaft. The first pivot is operable to be disposed in a second plane that is laterally offset from the first plane. The anvil is configured to rotate via movement through multiple pivot points. The anvil may be configured to rotate to a position in which a portion of the anvil head is disposed below the first pivot and between the first pivot and the proximal shaft such that the anvil head is acutely angled with respect to a longitudinal axis of the proximal shaft.

Abstract: A robotic surgical tool includes a drive housing having a first end, a second end, and a lead screw extending between the first and second ends, a carriage movably mounted to the lead screw at a carriage nut secured to the carriage, and an activating mechanism including a drive gear rotatably mounted to the carriage and rotatable to actuate the activating mechanism. A torsion cable extends between the drive gear and a drive input arranged at the first end, wherein rotating the drive input rotates the torsion cable and thereby transmits a torsional load along the torsion cable to the drive gear to actuate the activating mechanism.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a shaft, an end effector, a housing, a drive assembly, and a manually-driven actuator is disclosed. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw rotatable relative to the first jaw between an open position and a clamped position. The housing comprises a rotary input movable by a motor. The drive assembly is operably engaged with the rotary input. The drive assembly is movable by the motor in a motorized mode of operation to transition the second jaw toward the clamped position. The drive assembly is movable in a non-motorized mode of operation by the manually-driven actuator to permit a transition of the second jaw toward the open position to release tissue between the first jaw and the second jaw.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a tissue thickness compensator can comprise one or more capsules and/or pockets comprising at least one medicament therein. In at least one embodiment, staples can be fired through the tissue thickness compensator to rupture the capsules. In certain embodiments, a firing member, or knife, can be advanced through the tissue thickness compensator to rupture the capsules.

Abstract: A circular stapler apparatus for stapling tissue has a circular stapling head operable to drive staples toward an anvil to form the staples in a circular array. The anvil includes an anvil head, a proximal shaft extending proximally from the anvil head and having a proximal end disposed in a first plane, and a first pivot connecting the anvil head to the proximal shaft. The first pivot is operable to be disposed in a second plane that is laterally offset from the first plane. The anvil is configured to rotate via movement through multiple pivot points. The anvil may be configured to rotate to a position in which a portion of the anvil head is disposed below the first pivot and between the first pivot and the proximal shaft such that the anvil head is acutely angled with respect to a longitudinal axis of the proximal shaft.