Abstract: An adapter for a circular stapling instrument includes an elongate body supporting a loading unit and from which a trocar member extends. The trocar member includes a first magnetic member and an anvil assembly of the circular stapling instrument includes a second magnetic member.

Abstract: A surgical device includes a handle assembly having a controller and a motor. The surgical device also includes an adapter assembly having: a tubular housing having a proximal end portion configured to couple to the handle assembly and a distal end portion; and an actuation assembly configured to couple to the motor. The surgical further includes a reload configured to couple to the distal end portion of the adapter assembly; and an anvil assembly including an anvil head pivotally coupled to an anvil shaft, the anvil assembly configured to couple to the actuation assembly and the reload. The controller of the surgical device is configured to control the motor to actuate the actuation assembly to move the anvil assembly in a distal direction for a distance based on a dimension of one of the reload or the anvil head, thereby pivoting the anvil head relative to the anvil shaft while maintaining engagement of the anvil assembly to the reload.

Abstract: Inserts and features to reduce or prevent spline crash in surgical staplers and/or to minimize damage resulting from spline crash in surgical staplers. An insert for a surgical stapler includes a body and spline covers. The body is configured to fit within a bore of a shell assembly and the spline covers extend inward from the body. Each of the spline covers are sized and dimensioned to cap a distal portion of splines of the shell assembly. A shell assembly for a surgical stapler includes shell splines that are disposed on an inner wall of an inner housing portion that defines a bore. The shell splines include a lead spline that has a leading end positioned distal of a leading end of each of the other shell splines.

Abstract: A surgical device includes a handle assembly having a controller and a motor. The surgical device also includes an adapter assembly having: a tubular housing having a proximal end portion configured to couple to the handle assembly and a distal end portion; and an actuation assembly configured to couple to the motor. The surgical further includes a reload configured to couple to the distal end portion of the adapter assembly; and an anvil assembly including an anvil head pivotally coupled to an anvil shaft, the anvil assembly configured to couple to the actuation assembly and the reload. The controller of the surgical device is configured to control the motor to actuate the actuation assembly to move the anvil assembly in a distal direction for a distance based on a dimension of one of the reload or the anvil head, thereby pivoting the anvil head relative to the anvil shaft while maintaining engagement of the anvil assembly to the reload.

Abstract: A circular stapling device includes a handle assembly including a processor, an adapter assembly including a trocar assembly and a strain gauge assembly, a reload assembly operably secured to the adapter assembly, the reload assembly including a staple cartridge, and an anvil assembly releasably secured to the trocar assembly and moveably positioned relative to the staple cartridge between a spaced position and a clamped position. The processor includes software for determining when tissue clamped between the staple cartridge and the anvil assembly has achieved a predetermined tissue relaxation percent. A method of optimizing tissue relaxation during a stapling procedure includes clamping tissue between an anvil assembly and a reload assembly, calculating a tissue relaxation percent of the clamped tissue, and initiating a stapling sequence when the tissue relaxation percent equals or is less than a predetermined tissue relaxation percent.

Abstract: A method of operating a surgical stapler includes advancing a knife assembly at a first velocity until a predetermined force is detected, advancing the knife assembly at a second velocity when the predetermined force is detected, the second velocity being less than the first velocity, and continuing to advance the knife assembly at the second velocity until the knife assembly travels a cutting stroke distance.

Abstract: A handheld electromechanical surgical device, capable of effectuating a surgical procedure, includes a handle assembly having a power source; at least one motor coupled to the power source; and a controller configured to control the motor. The surgical device includes an adapter assembly having an electrical assembly having a proximal end in communication with the controller of the handle assembly. The surgical device includes a reload configured to selectively connect to a distal end of the adapter assembly. The reload includes an annular array of staples; an annular staple pusher for ejecting the staples; and a data storage device selectively connectable to a distal end of the electrical assembly. The data storage device receives and stores performance data of the surgical device from the controller of the handle assembly.

Abstract: A surgical device includes a handle assembly having a controller and a motor. The surgical device also includes an adapter assembly having: a tubular housing having a proximal end portion configured to couple to the handle assembly and a distal end portion; and an actuation assembly configured to couple to the motor. The surgical further includes a reload configured to couple to the distal end portion of the adapter assembly; and an anvil assembly including an anvil head pivotally coupled to an anvil shaft, the anvil assembly configured to couple to the actuation assembly and the reload. The controller of the surgical device is configured to control the motor to actuate the actuation assembly to move the anvil assembly in a distal direction for a distance based on a dimension of one of the reload or the anvil head, thereby pivoting the anvil head relative to the anvil shaft while maintaining engagement of the anvil assembly to the reload.

Abstract: A surgical staple includes first and second legs that are interconnected by a backspan. Each of the first and second legs defines a longitudinal leg axis and extends from the backspan along the leg axis to a tip. The tip is sharpened such that the tip is symmetrical about a longitudinal leg plane that includes the leg axis. In addition, a method of manufacturing a surgical staple includes sharpening a tip of a leg of the surgical staple such that the tip is symmetrical about a longitudinal leg axis that includes a longitudinal leg axis of the leg.

Abstract: An ingestion assembly is provided for a singulating apparatus having a conveyor system for moving a stack of sheet material along a feed path. The ingestion assembly is spatially positioned above the conveyor belt and includes at least one singulating roller driven in a direction opposing the motion of the conveyor belt. The ingestion assembly comprises an assembly support rotationally mounting the singulating roller at a downstream end portion and pivotally mounting to the singulating apparatus at an upstream end portion. A movable guide mounts to the assembly support and is positionable relative thereto as a function of a force vector imposed on the guide by the sheet material. Additionally, the moveable guide includes a surface operative to guide the sheet material into a singulating interface which is formed between the singulating roller and the conveyor system. In operation, sheet material enters the throat of the ingestion assembly and contact is made with the moveable guide.

Abstract: According to some embodiments a system and an apparatus comprise a registration wall, a weighing device located adjacent to the registration wall, a belt drive mechanism, a plurality of inboard skis, and a plurality of outboard skis. The belt drive mechanism extends across the weighing device for advancing a mail piece relative to the weighing device and the belt drive mechanism is located at a first distance from the registration wall. The plurality of inboard skis are located substantially at the first distance from the registration wall and are located beneath the belt drive mechanism for urging the mail piece upwardly toward the drive belt mechanism. The plurality of outboard skis is coplanar with the plurality of inboard skis for supporting an end of the mail piece. The plurality of outboard skis is located at a second distance from the registration wall. The second distance is greater than the first distance.

Abstract: According to some embodiments a system and an apparatus comprise a registration wall, a weighing device located adjacent to the registration wall, a belt drive mechanism, a plurality of inboard skis, and a plurality of outboard skis. The belt drive mechanism extends across the weighing device for advancing a mail piece relative to the weighing device and the belt drive mechanism is located at a first distance from the registration wall. The plurality of inboard skis are located substantially at the first distance from the registration wall and are located beneath the belt drive mechanism for urging the mail piece upwardly toward the drive belt mechanism. The plurality of outboard skis is coplanar with the plurality of inboard skis for supporting an end of the mail piece. The plurality of outboard skis is located at a second distance from the registration wall. The second distance is greater than the first distance.

Abstract: An ingestion assembly is provided for a singulating apparatus having a conveyor system for moving a stack of sheet material along a feed path. The ingestion assembly is spatially positioned above the conveyor belt and includes at least one singulating roller driven in a direction opposing the motion of the conveyor belt. The ingestion assembly comprises an assembly support rotationally mounting the singulating roller at a downstream end portion and pivotally mounting to the singulating apparatus at an upstream end portion. A movable guide mounts to the assembly support and is positionable relative thereto as a function of a force vector imposed on the guide by the sheet material. Additionally, the moveable guide includes a surface operative to guide the sheet material into a singulating interface which is formed between the singulating roller and the conveyor system. In operation, sheet material enters the throat of the ingestion assembly and contact is made with the moveable guide.

Abstract: A weighing apparatus and method for measuring the weight of articles fed along a processing path. The weighing apparatus includes multiple segments, i.e., a primary scale segment adapted to weigh articles of a first configuration, and at least one secondary scale segment adapted to cooperate with the primary segment to weigh articles of a second configuration. The articles of the second configuration are larger than those of the first configuration in at least one dimension or direction. Inasmuch as the articles are fed along a processing path, a conveyor or transport means is provided to feed the articles to the scale segments. The conveyor may be controlled to momentarily pause the articles over each scale segment to obtain an accurate weight measurement. The weight measurement apparatus is particularly well-suited for use in mailing machines to calculate the value of postage indicia.

Abstract: The present invention includes apparatus and methods for sealing an envelope. A sealing nip is formed by an upper roller and a lower roller. The upper roller is mounted on an upper shaft and the lower roller is mounted on a lower shaft. A mechanism associated with the lower shaft adjusts the orientation of the lower shaft to match the orientation of the upper shaft.

Abstract: The present invention includes apparatus and methods for sealing an envelope. A sealing nip is formed by an upper roller and a lower roller. The upper roller is mounted on an upper shaft and the lower roller is mounted on a lower shaft. A mechanism associated with the lower shaft adjusts the orientation of the lower shaft to match the orientation of the upper shaft.

Abstract: A method for weighing mailpieces while in motion in a mailpiece weighing system. The weigh pan in the mailpiece horizontal transport path generates a signal corresponding to a weight of the moving mailpiece, and the system controller compares the weight of the moving mailpiece to a postal weight break to determine if the postal weight break is within the margin of error of the weighing mechanism. If the postal weight break is within the margin of error of the weighing mechanism, the system controller stops transport of the moving mailpiece and reweighs the mailpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting and weighing articles while in motion including a base structure and a driving mechanism, connected to the base, for contacting an article along a first surface and transporting the article along a transport path. A vertical support baffle, connected to the base, is configured to contact the article along a second surface and guide said article along the transport path. A weighing mechanism is connected to the base, and the driving mechanism is configured to calculate the weight of the article as it is moved along the transport path. The present invention also includes a method for moving and weighing articles including the steps of moving the article along a transport such that the transport is coupled to weighing mechanisms. The weight of the article is then measured.

Abstract: A retard module in a mail separator having a floating, middle idler to change the ingestion angle of the mail separator. The retard module further has a downstream idler, an upstream pulley driven by a motor, and an endless belt forming a loop around the idlers and the pulley to provide a retarding force against a feed module. The downstream portion of the retard belt and the belt of the feed module form a nip to ingest incoming mail. The floating idler and the downstream idler are mounted on a bracket which, in turn, is pivotally mounted on a frame of the retard module. Initially, the ingestion angle at the nip is acute and thereby reduces damage to the incoming mailpieces. But when a thick mailpiece enters the separator, it causes the floating idler to move away further from the feed module and thereby increases the ingestion angle. A large ingestion angle allows thicker mailpieces to pass through the nip without substantially increasing the nipping forces.