Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes a removable or releasable cartridge assembly. The surgical stapling device and the cartridge assembly include engagement members for releasably securing a thrust bar of the stapling device to a knife assembly of the cartridge assembly. The stapling device also includes structure to prevent the knife assembly from being disengaged from a cartridge body of the cartridge assembly and for obstructing advancement of the knife assembly within the cartridge body after the stapling device has been fired.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes an end effector having an end effector frame with a cantilevered portion and an anvil assembly supported on the cantilevered portion of the end effector frame. The anvil assembly and the cantilevered portion of the end effector frame are adapted to be secured together in a manner to minimize weakening of the cantilevered portion of the end effector frame to minimize deflection of the anvil assembly during firing of the stapling device.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device (10) includes a tool assembly (16, 116) that is mounted for articulation between a non-articulated position and articulated positions. In order to minimize wobbling of the tool assembly (16, 116) in the non-articulated position of the tool assembly (16, 116), the surgical stapling device (10) includes a mounting assembly (20, 120) that includes retention structure to retain the tool assembly (16, 116) in the non-articulated position until a predetermined force is applied to the tool assembly (16, 116).

Abstract: A surgical stapling device (10) includes a drive assembly (70) and a tool assembly (16). The tool assembly (16) has a pair of jaws (29,31) supporting a cartridge assembly (32) and an anvil (30). The drive assembly (70) has a clamping member (74) that is movable through the tool assembly (16) to eject staples from the cartridge assembly (32) into the anvil (30) and to dissect tissue. The clamp member (74) includes an extension (84) that engages one of the jaws (29,31) to urge the distal end of the engaged jaw (29) in relation to the other jaw (31) to urge the tool assembly (16) towards an insertion position to minimize the diameter of the tool assembly (16) at a distal end of the tool assembly (16).

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes an anvil and a staple cartridge. The staple cartridge includes structure to prevent the staple cartridge from being inserted into a channel member that is not sized to receive the staple cartridge. The staple cartridge and the channel member are configured to minimize risk of loading the wrong size staple cartridge into the surgical stapling device.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument includes an elongate body portion defining a longitudinal axis, and an end effector supported on a distal portion of the elongated body portion. The end effector includes a housing having a base portion and a jaw portion, an anvil assembly supported on the jaw portion, and a cartridge assembly releasably supported on the base portion. A tissue guide member is operably secured relative to the cartridge assembly to facilitate alignment of the cartridge assembly through a firing stroke.

Abstract: An end effector includes a frame and a loading unit. The frame includes first and second transverse portions and a longitudinal portion interconnecting the first and second transverse portions. The longitudinal portion includes a coupling portion including a visual indicator. The loading unit includes an anvil plate supported on the first transverse portion of the frame, a base portion extending proximally from the anvil plate, and a cartridge assembly supported on the base portion and movable in relation to the anvil plate between spaced and clamped positions. The base portion includes a flange configured to engage the coupling portion of the longitudinal portion of the frame such that the visual indicator is concealed by the flange when the loading unit is in registration with the frame.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes an end effector frame and a replaceable reload assembly. The reload assembly includes a reload frame, a cartridge assembly, and an anvil assembly. The reload frame includes a longitudinal portion and a transverse portion that supports the anvil assembly. The longitudinal portion of the reload frame is engaged with the cartridge assembly via interlocking structure that facilitates movement of the cartridge assembly in relation to the anvil assembly between spaced and clamped positions. The reload frame is configured to be received on the end effector frame to properly position the cartridge and anvil assemblies in relation to each other.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes an anvil assembly and a replaceable cartridge assembly. The cartridge assembly includes a knife blade and upper and lower alignment pins for retaining tissue between anvil and cartridge assemblies to ensure that the knife blade cuts cleanly through tissue. The cartridge assembly includes a cartridge body having guide structure for guiding the cartridge assembly onto a clamp slide assembly of the stapling device.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes a tool assembly having a U-shaped frame, an anvil assembly, and a cartridge assembly. The cartridge assembly includes a knife that is movable between retracted and advanced positions. The anvil assembly is supported on the distal frame portion and includes a cutting plate and an anvil plate. The cutting plate is positioned between the distal frame portion and the anvil plate and is engaged by the knife as the knife moves from the retracted position towards the advanced position. The cutting plate is formed of a material that deforms locally and structurally upon engagement with the knife.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes a tool assembly having a U-shaped frame, an anvil assembly, and a cartridge assembly. The U-shaped frame has a proximal transverse portion, a longitudinal portion, and a distal transverse portion. The distal transverse portion and the proximal transverse of the U-shaped frame and the cartridge assembly have a common shape including a first linear portion defining a first axis, a second linear portion defining a second axis, and a third linear portion defining a third axis, the first axis being transverse to the longitudinal axis of the elongate body. In embodiments, a first radius of curvature is defined between the first linear portion and the second linear portion such that the first axis and the second axis define an angle ?, and a second radius of curvature is defined between the second linear portion and the third linear portion such that the second axis and the third axis define an angle ?.

Abstract: A cleaning device (100) enables cleaning of a lens (18) of an endoscope (10) during a surgical procedure to maintain a clear image without having to remove the endoscope (10) from the patient's body. The cleaning device (100) includes a suction ring (500) that selectively encloses the lens (18) of the endoscope (10) and retains the cleaning fluid during cleaning of the lens (18).

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes a frame, a jaw that is coupled to the frame, an end effector including an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly, and a clamp slide assembly. The jaw includes a transverse portion that supports the anvil assembly and a longitudinal portion that includes a guide member that is received within in the cartridge assembly when the cartridge assembly is supported on the clamp slide assembly. The guide member includes guide surfaces that engages a knife blade of the cartridge assembly and a body of the cartridge assembly to support and guide the cartridge assembly as the cartridge assembly moves between spaced and clamped positions to maintain alignment between the cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly.

Abstract: A trocar (10) is provided which permits cleaning of a medical device herein. In aspects, the trocar (10) has a seal (50) at a distal portion of the trocar (10). In use, a medical device, such as a laparoscope (200), passes through the seal (50) at the distal portion of the trocar (10). To clean a lens (210) at the end of the laparoscope (200), a vacuum is applied to the interior of the trocar (10), the laparoscope (200) is partially withdrawn so that it is proximal to the seal (50), and liquids and/or gases are introduced into the trocar (10) to clean the lens (210) while the laparoscope (200) remains within the trocar (10).

Abstract: A system for monitoring and cleaning a lens of a laparoscope interoperative includes a monitoring system having a laparoscope and software for monitoring clarity of an image provided by the laparoscope. The software being configured to provide a feedback signal when the image clarity falls below a predetermined threshold. The system further includes a cleaning system in operative connection with the monitoring system and configured to activate upon receipt of the feedback signal from the monitoring system. The cleaning system includes a source of pressurized liquid, a source of compressed air, and a source of suction. The sources of pressurized liquid and compressed air are configured to be activated simultaneously with the source of suction.

Abstract: A circular stapling device includes structure to position an anvil assembly in proper alignment with a cartridge assembly prior to firing of the stapling device. The stapling device includes an anvil assembly, a cartridge assembly including a staple cartridge and shell housing, and an anvil retainer that has a proximal portion including a longitudinal rib and a distal portion including at least one second longitudinal rib. The first longitudinal rib is received within a slot formed within the shell housing to prevent rotation of the anvil retainer in relation to the shell housing. The at least one second longitudinal rib is received within a longitudinal channel of the anvil assembly to prevent rotation of the anvil assembly in relation to the anvil retainer. The presently disclosed structure obviates the need for splines and the disadvantages associated with the use of splines.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes an anvil and a staple cartridge. The staple cartridge includes structure to prevent the staple cartridge from being inserted into a channel member that is not sized to receive the staple cartridge. The staple cartridge and the channel member are configured to minimize risk of loading the wrong size staple cartridge into the surgical stapling device.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes a removable or releasable cartridge assembly. The surgical stapling device and the cartridge assembly include engagement members for releasably securing a thrust bar of the stapling device to a knife assembly of the cartridge assembly. The stapling device also includes structure to prevent the knife assembly from being disengaged from a cartridge body of the cartridge assembly and for obstructing advancement of the knife assembly within the cartridge body after the stapling device has been fired.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes a cartridge assembly including a staple pusher, a knife holder, a knife supported on the knife holder, and a biasing member. The biasing member is positioned between the staple pusher and the knife holder to prevent re-advancement of the knife blade after the stapling device is fired.

Abstract: A trigger mechanism for a surgical instrument, particularly, a surgical stapling instrument provides significant mechanical advantages by increasing the length of the firing stroke of the surgical instrument while reducing the degree of movement of the trigger associated with the trigger mechanism. The trigger mechanism also reduces the forces required to actuate the trigger thereby enhancing usability and minimizing operator fatigue.