Abstract: An adjunct for use with a surgical stapling system is disclosed. The adjunct comprises a first region. The first region comprises a first composition. The adjunct comprises a second region. The second region is distal to the first region and comprises a second composition. The adjunct comprises a third region. The third region is distal to the second region. The third region comprises a third composition. The second composition differs from the first composition and the third composition.

Abstract: A surgical system is disclosed that includes a motor, a power source, a voltage sensor, and a control circuit. The motor is operable between an on state in which the motor drives a motion at the end effector and an off state in which the motor ceases to drive the motion at the end effector. The power source is electrically coupled to the motor. The control circuit is configured to transition the motor to the on state for a first period, detect a dropped voltage potential of the power source at the end of the first period, conduct a comparison between the dropped voltage potential and the power source lower threshold, and transition the motor to the off state for a second period based on the comparison.

Abstract: A method of assembling a staple cartridge is disclosed. In various embodiments, the method comprises attaching a pan to a cartridge body, the cartridge body comprising a proximal end, a distal end, a deck, longitudinal rows of staple cavities extending between the proximal end and the distal end, and a longitudinal slot extending from the proximal end toward the distal end. The method further comprises positioning staples in the staple cavities, positioning a support in the longitudinal slot such that an end of the support extends above the deck, and positioning a sled in the cartridge body proximal to the support such that the sled is longitudinally aligned with the support.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a motor, a regulator, a converter circuit, and a control circuit coupled to the regulator and the converter circuit. The control circuit is to couple either the regulator, or the converter circuit based on a pre-determined load voltage or current applied to the motor.

Abstract: A method for sequential firings of staple cartridges is disclosed. The sequential firings including a first firing that deploys first staples into a first tissue portion from a first staple cartridge and a second firing that deploys second staples into a second tissue portion from a second staple cartridge. The method comprises monitoring a parameter indicative of a tissue response associated with the first firing, assessing the tissue response based on the parameter, and adjusting an operational parameter associated with the second firing based on the tissue response during the first firing.

Abstract: A surgical system is configured to deploy staples from a staple cartridge reload into tissue. The surgical system includes a first sensor configured to measure a first parameter indicative of a force to form the staples, and a second sensor configured to measure a second parameter indicative of a position of a sled along a staple-forming distance. The system further includes a control circuit communicatively connected to a motor, the first sensor, and the second sensor, wherein the control circuit is configured to: receive a first signal from the first sensor indicative of the first parameter; receive a second signal from the second sensor indicative of the second parameter; and detect staple malformation of the staples based on the first signal and the second signals.

Abstract: A stapling assembly comprising a cartridge body, staple drivers, staples, and a sled assembly is disclosed. The cartridge body comprises a deck, a longitudinal slot, and staple cavities defined in the deck. The sled assembly is configurable in a first configuration and a second configuration. The sled assembly is movable distally in the first configuration during a staple firing stroke. The sled assembly is movable proximally in the second configuration during a retraction stroke. The sled assembly comprises a first component and a second component. The first component comprises a base and at least one rail extending from the base. The rail comprises a distal-facing ramp configured to engage the staple drivers to eject the staples from the staple cavities during the staple firing stroke. The rail is comprised of metal. The second component is movable within the longitudinal slot. The first component is movable relative to the second component.

Abstract: A surgical stapling system is disclosed. The stapling system comprises a motor, a drive assembly comprising a drive train coupled to the motor to actuate a function of a surgical end effector, wherein the drive train is actuatable by the motor through a drive stroke, and a control circuit coupled to the drive assembly. The control circuit is configured to monitor a first parameter of the drive assembly during the drive stroke, determine a stored kinetic energy of the drive assembly based on the first parameter, monitor a second parameter of the drive assembly during the drive stroke, wherein the first parameter and the second parameter are different, compare the monitored second parameter to a parameter threshold indicative of a motor stall condition, and determine a motor setting of the motor based on the determined stored kinetic energy and the comparison of the monitored second parameter to the parameter threshold.

Abstract: A surgical stapling system is disclosed that comprises a closure driver, a firing driver, and a control circuit. The control circuit is to set a firing force threshold, advance the closure driver, advance the firing driver, monitor a firing force as the firing driver is advanced, compare the firing force to the firing force threshold, and control movement of at least one of the closure driver or the firing driver based on results of the compare and a zone in which the firing driver is positioned.

Abstract: A surgical system for use in a surgical procedure to perform sequential firings of staple cartridges is disclosed. A control circuit is to monitor a parameter indicative of a tissue response associated with a first firing, assess the tissue response based on the parameter, and adjust an operational parameter associated with a second firing based on the tissue response during the first firing.

Abstract: A staple cartridge including a cartridge body and a first RFID feature. The cartridge body defines a longitudinal axis extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the cartridge body. The cartridge body is configured to be received within a jaw of a surgical stapler. The cartridge body also defines a plurality of staple apertures that are configured to house staples. The proximal portion of the cartridge body defines a pocket, and the pocket is proximal to a proximal most staple aperture of the plurality of staple apertures. The first RFID feature is fixed within the pocket. The first RFID feature is configured to communicate with a second RFID feature presented by the jaw of the surgical stapler.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an adjunct body and a plurality of movable members. The adjunct body defines an adjunct surface for contacting a tissue, and the adjunct body is configured to overlie and directly contact a deck of a surgical stapler. The plurality of movable members are coupled with the adjunct body, and each movable member of the plurality of movable members is individually operable to move from a first configuration to a second configuration in response to a firing operation of a surgical stapler. The movable members in the first configuration are configured to couple the adjunct body with the deck, and the movable members in the second configuration are configured to enable the adjunct body to separate from the deck.

Abstract: A surgical stapling system includes a motor, a gear reducer assembly, a drive train, and a motor controller. A method of controlling the motor includes applying a first signal to the motor, receiving drive train operational data, comparing the drive train data to baseline data, and applying a signal having a different shape than the first signal to the motor. A method of characterizing the motor includes transmitting a perturbation signal, receiving motor function parameters, determining stapler system characteristics, and adjusting a controller function. A method of controlling a stepper motor includes applying a signal to the stepper motor, receiving stepper motor operational data, comparing the data to baseline data, and adjusting the signal. Another method of controlling the motor includes receiving motor rotational data, receiving gear rotation data, calculating a mechanical transfer function, determining non-idealities of the stapling system, and modifying a control signal based on the non-idealities.

Abstract: Various systems and methods providing recommendations based on analysis of surgical procedure variables are disclosed. A computer system, such as a surgical hub, can be configured to be communicably coupled to a surgical device. The computer system can be programmed to determine contextual data related to the surgical procedure being performed based at least in part of perioperative data received from the surgical device paired with the computer system. Further, the computer system can determine a procedural variable associated with the determined surgical context and then compare the procedural variable to a baseline. Depending upon the outcome of the comparison, the computer system can provide intraoperative or postoperative recommendations to the surgical staff.

Abstract: A surgical stapling system includes an anvil, a blade, a motor and gear assembly, a motor power supply, and a motor controller. A method of controlling the motor includes receiving first and second data indicative of operations of the motor under first and second conditions, respectively, and adjusting a motor control signal based on a difference between the first and second data. Another method includes receiving initial manufacture motor and gear assembly data from a manufacture and operational data during an initial use of the system, and adjusting parameters of the control signal based on a difference between the manufacture data and the operational data. Another method includes controlling a pulse-width modulated (PWM) motor control signal, receiving data regarding an interaction between the blade and a tissue clamped by the anvil, and adjusting a frequency of the PWM signal based on the data related to the interaction.

Abstract: A method of surgical stapling that uses a surgical instrument operable to compress, staple, and cut tissue. The instrument includes a body, a shaft, and an end effector with a pair of jaws. A placement tip extends distally from one of the jaws of the end effector. The method includes positioning the end effector at a desired site for surgical stapling. The method also includes controlling one or more of the jaws of the end effector to place the end effector in an open position. The method also includes positioning the end effector such that tissue is located between the jaws. The method also includes clamping the tissue between the jaws by moving at least one of the jaws toward the other jaw. The method also includes advancing a firing beam of the apparatus from a proximal position to a distal position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of detecting a short circuit in the jaws of an end effector of a surgical instrument. The method includes applying a sub-therapeutic electrical signal to an electrode located in the jaws of the end effector. The sub-therapeutic electrical signal comprises a sequence of exploratory waveforms comprising pulsed current and voltage waveforms. The method includes detecting a shorted electrode when a measured electrical parameter in the jaws of the end effector is less than a predetermined value and modifying electrical current applied to the shorted electrode by the RF generator.

Abstract: A surgical stapling end effector comprising a cartridge channel jaw, an anvil jaw, and a surgical staple cartridge positioned within the cartridge channel jaw is disclosed. The surgical staple cartridge comprises a plurality of staples, a cartridge body comprising a plurality of staple cavities, a longitudinal slot, and an outer lateral cartridge wall comprising a recess defined therein.

Abstract: Surgical systems and methods are provided. The surgical systems include at least one manufacturer-sealed sterile surgical package containing a surgical instrument, and an electronic management system in electronic communication with the at least one manufacturer-sealed sterile surgical package. The electronic management system is configured to receive inventory data characterizing inventory information of the manufacturer-sealed sterile surgical package, update a master management list with the received inventory data, determine, based on the updated master management list, a procedure inventory list for a surgical procedure utilizing the surgical instrument, the procedure inventory list including surgical equipment needed for the surgical procedure, provide the procedure inventory list.

Abstract: Surgical systems and methods are provided. The surgical systems include a manufacturer-sealed sterile surgical package containing a surgical instrument configured to be used in a surgical procedure, at least one data processor, and memory storing instructions configured to cause the at least one data processor to perform operations. The operations include catalogue components of the surgical instrument, determine disposal procedures for each of the components of the surgical instrument, and provide the disposal procedures at the end of the surgical procedure.