Abstract: A staple cartridge is disclosed. The staple cartridge can comprise a cartridge body comprising a deck and a bottom surface opposite the deck. The staple cartridge can comprise a plurality of staple cavities, wherein each staple cavity extends into the cartridge body from the deck to the bottom surface. Additionally, a plurality of wells can be defined into the staple cartridge from the deck to a lowermost surface of the well. A plurality of staples can be removably positioned in the staple cavities. The staple cartridge can comprise a tissue thickness compensator releasably secured to the cartridge body, wherein the tissue thickness compensator comprises a compensator body and a plurality of extensions extending from the compensator body into the wells, wherein at least one extension is compressed within one of the wells. Each well can surround at least one staple cavity and/or can extend between at least two staple cavities.

Abstract: A surgical end effector includes a cartridge. The cartridge includes first and second sensor arrays disposed in the cartridge. The first sensor array is configured to sense a function of a first component located within the cartridge and the second sensor array is configured to sense a function of a second component located within the cartridge. The first and second sensor arrays are electrically coupled to an electronic circuit. The electronic circuit includes a control circuit configured to receive signal samples from the first sensor array, receive signal samples from the second sensor array, and process the signals samples received from the first and second sensor arrays to determine a status of the cartridge.

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: Various systems and methods for evaluating a surgical staff are disclosed. A computer system, such as a surgical hub, can be configured to be communicably coupled to a surgical device and a camera. The computer system can be programmed to determine contextual information pertaining to a surgical procedure based at least in part on perioperative data received from the surgical device during a surgical procedure. Further, the computer system can visually determine a physical characteristic of a surgical staff member via the camera and compare the physical characteristic to a baseline to evaluate the surgical staff member.

Abstract: Methods for forming an implantable layer onto a staple cartridge are disclosed.

Abstract: Surgical instruments with axially movable firing members that are driven by a series of drive components that are loosely linked to each other when traversing an articulation joint of the surgical instrument. The drive components are configured to serially engage a rotary drive member located distal to the articulation joint such that the rotary drive member causes the drive components to form an axially rigid series of said drive components configured to apply an axial drive motion to the firing member.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a stapling assembly and an anvil configured to cooperate to compress, staple, and cut tissue. The stapling assembly includes a deck member having a deck surface that faces distally and includes a plurality of staple openings configured to receive a plurality of staples, and a knife member having a distal end that defines a cutting edge. The anvil includes an anvil surface having a plurality of staple forming pockets configured to form the staples, and a washer positioned adjacent to the anvil surface and having a proximal face. The cutting edge of the knife member is configured to cut through the tissue and the proximal face when the surgical instrument is fired. The proximal face includes a tissue gripping feature configured to stabilize and inhibit the tissue from translating across the washer and the anvil surface during firing.

Abstract: A method for operating a surgical instrument is disclosed.

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: An adjunct configured for use with an end effector of a surgical stapler includes a tissue-effecting portion comprising a first material, and at least one movable attachment feature coupled to the tissue-effecting portion and comprising a second material different from the first material. The at least one movable attachment feature is configured to releasably attach the tissue-effecting portion to a stapling surface of the end effector. The tissue-effecting portion is configured to contact tissue clamped by the end effector during closure thereof. The tissue-effecting portion is further configured to be pierced and captured by staples ejected from the end effector into the clamped tissue and thereby reinforce the engagement between the ejected staples and the clamped tissue.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for evaluating a surgical staff are disclosed. A computer system, such as a surgical hub, can be configured to be communicably coupled to a surgical device and a camera. The computer system can be programmed to determine contextual information pertaining to a surgical procedure based at least in part on perioperative data received from the surgical device during a surgical procedure. Further, the computer system can visually determine a physical characteristic of a surgical staff member via the camera and compare the physical characteristic to a baseline to evaluate the surgical staff member.

Abstract: In general, devices, systems, and methods for control of one visualization with another are provided.

Abstract: In general, devices, systems, and methods for control of one visualization with another are provided.

Abstract: A situationally aware surgical system configured for use during a surgical procedure performed on a patient by an operating clinician is disclosed including a surgical instrument configured to generate a signal and a cloud-based analytics subsystem including a memory and a control circuit. The memory is configured to store a plurality of baseline variables. The control circuit is configured to receive the signal, determine a type of surgical procedure being performed, at least in part, on the received signal, determine that a baseline variable of the plurality of baseline variables corresponds to the determined type of surgical procedure, determine a procedural variable of the surgical procedure based, at least in part, on the received signal, compare the determined procedural variable to the corresponding baseline variable, and generate an alert for the operating clinician based, at least in part, on the comparison.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument comprising an end effector is disclosed. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw. At least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is movable to transition the end effector from an open configuration to a closed configuration to grasp tissue therebetween. The second jaw comprises linear portions cooperating to form an angular profile and a treatment surface comprising segments extending along the angular profile. The segments comprise different geometries and different conductivities. The segments are configured to produce variable energy densities along the treatment surface.

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: Biomarkers are collected and used to determine biological propensities of a patient, to determine the efficacy of medical devices, to select and administer therapeutic agents, to select medical devices, to make adjustments to medical devices, and/or to adjust surgical techniques. An apparatus includes a port to draw a biological fluid (e.g., a mist) from a surgical site. The apparatus includes a sensor having a cantilevered beam. The beam includes substances selected to attract certain biomarkers as the fluid is communicated across the beam. The same apparatus or another apparatus is used to administer a therapeutic agent based at least in part on collected biomarker data. The therapeutic agent delivery apparatus may include a device that is also used to create a wound at a surgical site. For instance, a harmonic surgical instrument may be used to both collect biomarkers and administer a therapeutic agent (e.g., gene therapy using sonoporation).

Abstract: A control system for a surgical instrument for use with a surgical system. The surgical system includes a first device and a second device, which can include a surgical hub, a visualization system, or a robotic system. The control system includes an RFID scanner and a control circuit coupled to the RFID scanner. The control circuit is configured to receive data from RFID tags associated with the devices, determine a communication protocol for communicating with the devices, and accordingly cause the surgical instrument to utilize the determined communication protocol to establish a communication link between the surgical instrument and the devices.

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 staple cartridge is disclosed. The staple cartridge can comprise a cartridge body comprising a deck and a bottom surface opposite the deck. The staple cartridge can comprise a plurality of staple cavities, wherein each staple cavity extends into the cartridge body from the deck to the bottom surface. Additionally, a plurality of wells can be defined into the staple cartridge from the deck to a lowermost surface of the well. A plurality of staples can be removably positioned in the staple cavities. The staple cartridge can comprise a tissue thickness compensator releasably secured to the cartridge body, wherein the tissue thickness compensator comprises a compensator body and a plurality of extensions extending from the compensator body into the wells, wherein at least one extension is compressed within one of the wells. Each well can surround at least one staple cavity and/or can extend between at least two staple cavities.