Abstract: A powered surgical stapler includes a motor unit, a movable member, a controller, a sensor assembly, an anvil, and an opposing deck surface. A method of operating the stapler includes controlling the motor unit to actuate the movable member to move from the open position towards the closed position. The method also includes sensing closure data using the sensor assembly. The closure data includes an initial tissue contact position, a gap formed between the anvil and the opposing deck surface, and an axial force on the anvil. The method also includes communicating the closure data to the controller. The method also includes determining at least one of an adjusted closure rate or an adjusted closure stroke using the closure data. The method also includes controlling the motor unit using at least one of the adjusted closure rate or the adjusted closure stroke.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a powered surgical stapler having a motor unit, a controller. and a stapling assembly having a closure member, a staple driver member, and a knife member. The controller receives a user input that indicates a tissue gap to be defined by the stapling assembly in a closed state. Based on the user input, the controller controls the motor unit to actuate the closure member to transition the stapling assembly to the closed state to define the tissue gap and clamp tissue therein. The controller then controls the motor unit to actuate the staple driver member to drive staples into the clamped tissue. In response to determining that the staple driver member has reached a predetermined longitudinal position, the controller controls the motor unit to initiate actuation of the knife member to cut the clamped tissue.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a powered surgical stapler having a motor unit, a controller, and a stapling assembly having a plurality of movable members that are actuatable longitudinally by the motor unit to clamp, staple, and cut tissue. The controller determines that a movable member of the stapling assembly is in a first predetermined position, and then executes an actuation algorithm to activate the motor unit to actuate the movable member longitudinally from the first predetermined position toward a second predetermined position. The controller observes an actual longitudinal displacement of the movable member between the first and second predetermined positions. The controller compares the actual longitudinal displacement to an expected longitudinal displacement and determines that the actual longitudinal displacement differs from the expected longitudinal displacement by a difference value. The controller then adjusts the actuation algorithm based on the difference value.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft, and an end effector. The end effector includes a staple cartridge unit having a housing and an anvil configured to form staples ejected from the housing into tissue. The end effector also includes a cartridge retaining member having an opposed pair of jaws configured to cooperate to grip the housing of the staple cartridge unit. The end effector further includes a deflectable retention member configured to removably secure the housing of the staple cartridge unit to the cartridge retaining member. The deflectable retention member is presented by one of the staple cartridge unit or the cartridge retaining member, and is configured to be deflected relative to a portion of the one of the staple cartridge unit or the cartridge retaining member from an undeflected state to a deflected state by the other of the staple cartridge unit or the cartridge retaining member.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a powered surgical stapler having a motor unit, a controller, and a stapling assembly having a plurality of movable members that are actuatable longitudinally by the motor unit to clamp, staple, and cut tissue. The controller determines that a movable member of the stapling assembly is in a first predetermined position, and then executes an actuation algorithm to activate the motor unit to actuate the movable member longitudinally from the first predetermined position toward a second predetermined position. The controller observes an actual longitudinal displacement of the movable member between the first and second predetermined positions. The controller compares the actual longitudinal displacement to an expected longitudinal displacement and determines that the actual longitudinal displacement differs from the expected longitudinal displacement by a difference value. The controller then adjusts the actuation algorithm based on the difference value.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a powered surgical stapler having a motor unit, a controller. and a stapling assembly having a closure member, a staple driver member, and a knife member. The controller receives a user input that indicates a tissue gap to be defined by the stapling assembly in a closed state. Based on the user input, the controller controls the motor unit to actuate the closure member to transition the stapling assembly to the closed state to define the tissue gap and clamp tissue therein. The controller then controls the motor unit to actuate the staple driver member to drive staples into the clamped tissue. In response to determining that the staple driver member has reached a predetermined longitudinal position, the controller controls the motor unit to initiate actuation of the knife member to cut the clamped tissue.

Abstract: A powered surgical stapler includes a motor unit, a movable member, a controller, a sensor assembly, an anvil, and an opposing deck surface. A method of operating the stapler includes controlling the motor unit to actuate the movable member to move from the open position towards the closed position. The method also includes sensing closure data using the sensor assembly. The closure data includes an initial tissue contact position, a gap formed between the anvil and the opposing deck surface, and an axial force on the anvil. The method also includes communicating the closure data to the controller. The method also includes determining at least one of an adjusted closure rate or an adjusted closure stroke using the closure data. The method also includes controlling the motor unit using at least one of the adjusted closure rate or the adjusted closure stroke.

Abstract: A powered surgical stapler includes a motor unit, a movable member, a controller, a sensor assembly, an anvil, and an opposing deck surface. A method of operating the stapler includes controlling the motor unit to actuate the movable member to move from the open position towards the closed position. The method also includes sensing closure data using the sensor assembly. The closure data includes an initial tissue contact position, a gap formed between the anvil and the opposing deck surface, and an axial force on the anvil. The method also includes communicating the closure data to the controller. The method also includes determining at least one of an adjusted closure rate or an adjusted closure stroke using the closure data. The method also includes controlling the motor unit using at least one of the adjusted closure rate or the adjusted closure stroke.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body assembly, a shaft assembly extending distally from the body assembly, an anvil, and a stapling head assembly. The stapling head assembly includes at least one annular array of staples, a staple driver, and a trocar. The trocar includes a shaft defining a longitudinal axis, an actuating feature coupled with a motor unit, and at least one coupling feature. The motor unit is configured to actuate the actuating feature to move the at least one coupling feature of the trocar in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft between a contracted position and an expanded position. In the contracted position, the shaft of the trocar is configured to move along the longitudinal axis relative to the anvil. In the expanded position, the shaft of the trocar is configured to move together with the anvil along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body assembly, a distally extending shaft assembly, and a distal stapling assembly configured to clamp, staple, and cut tissue. A first user feedback element is configured to visually inform a user of a first condition of the stapling assembly, and a second user feedback element is configured to visually inform the user of a second condition of the stapling assembly. A circuit board assembly includes a circuit board, a first light source configured to illuminate the first user feedback element, a second light source configured to illuminate the second user feedback element, and a light guide feature. The light guide feature is configured to direct light from the second light source toward the second user feedback element and simultaneously inhibit light emitted by the first light source from illuminating the second user feedback element.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a powered surgical stapler having a motor unit, a controller. and a stapling assembly having a closure member, a staple driver member, and a knife member. The controller receives a user input that indicates a tissue gap to be defined by the stapling assembly in a closed state. Based on the user input, the controller controls the motor unit to actuate the closure member to transition the stapling assembly to the closed state to define the tissue gap and clamp tissue therein. The controller then controls the motor unit to actuate the staple driver member to drive staples into the clamped tissue. In response to determining that the staple driver member has reached a predetermined longitudinal position, the controller controls the motor unit to initiate actuation of the knife member to cut the clamped tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft, and a stapling head assembly. The body includes a chassis, a bracket, a coupling, and a conical coil. The bracket is configured to move relative to the chassis between first and second positions when selectively activated by a user. The bracket includes an upright member. The conical coil spring is disposed between the bracket and the coupling. The conical coil spring includes a proximal end, a distal end, a conical helical body disposed between the proximal and distal ends, and at least one dead coil disposed at the distal end of the conical coil spring that is configured to prevent the distal end of the conical coil spring from being retained between the bracket and the chassis. The shaft extends distally from the body. The stapling head assembly is positioned at a distal end of the shaft.

Abstract: A surgical instrument and method for forming a plurality of staples in tissue of a patient includes a body having a firing mechanism, a shaft assembly, an end effector with an anvil, and a cartridge received within the end effector that is operatively connected to the firing mechanism. The cartridge includes a cartridge housing having a plurality of staple slots, a plurality of staples respectively positioned within the plurality of staple slots, and a driver assembly. The driver assembly has a plurality of drivers respectively supporting the plurality of staples within the plurality of staple slots. The firing mechanism is configured to selectively move the plurality of drivers distally toward the anvil for forming the plurality of staples therebetween. At least one driver of the plurality of drivers has a variable distal height relative to at least another driver of the plurality of drivers in a predetermined variable height pattern.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a powered surgical stapler having a motor unit, a controller. and a stapling assembly having a closure member, a staple driver member, and a knife member. The controller receives a user input that indicates a tissue gap to be defined by the stapling assembly in a closed state. Based on the user input, the controller controls the motor unit to actuate the closure member to transition the stapling assembly to the closed state to define the tissue gap and clamp tissue therein. The controller then controls the motor unit to actuate the staple driver member to drive staples into the clamped tissue. In response to determining that the staple driver member has reached a predetermined longitudinal position, the controller controls the motor unit to initiate actuation of the knife member to cut the clamped tissue.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body assembly, a shaft assembly extending distally from the body assembly, an anvil, and a stapling head assembly. The stapling head assembly includes at least one annular array of staples, a staple driver, and a trocar. The trocar includes a shaft defining a longitudinal axis, an actuating feature coupled with a motor unit, and at least one coupling feature. The motor unit is configured to actuate the actuating feature to move the at least one coupling feature of the trocar in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft between a contracted position and an expanded position. In the contracted position, the shaft of the trocar is configured to move along the longitudinal axis relative to the anvil. In the expanded position, the shaft of the trocar is configured to move together with the anvil along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A powered surgical stapler includes a motor unit, a movable member, a controller, a sensor assembly, an anvil, and an opposing deck surface. A method of operating the stapler includes controlling the motor unit to actuate the movable member to move from the open position towards the closed position. The method also includes sensing closure data using the sensor assembly. The closure data includes an initial tissue contact position, a gap formed between the anvil and the opposing deck surface, and an axial force on the anvil. The method also includes communicating the closure data to the controller. The method also includes determining at least one of an adjusted closure rate or an adjusted closure stroke using the closure data. The method also includes controlling the motor unit using at least one of the adjusted closure rate or the adjusted closure stroke.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a powered surgical stapler having a motor unit, a controller, and a stapling assembly having a plurality of movable members that are actuatable longitudinally by the motor unit to clamp, staple, and cut tissue. The controller determines that a movable member of the stapling assembly is in a first predetermined position, and then executes an actuation algorithm to activate the motor unit to actuate the movable member longitudinally from the first predetermined position toward a second predetermined position. The controller observes an actual longitudinal displacement of the movable member between the first and second predetermined positions. The controller compares the actual longitudinal displacement to an expected longitudinal displacement and determines that the actual longitudinal displacement differs from the expected longitudinal displacement by a difference value. The controller then adjusts the actuation algorithm based on the difference value.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body assembly, a distally extending shaft assembly, and a distal stapling assembly configured to clamp, staple, and cut tissue. A first user feedback element is configured to visually inform a user of a first condition of the stapling assembly, and a second user feedback element is configured to visually inform the user of a second condition of the stapling assembly. A circuit board assembly includes a circuit board, a first light source configured to illuminate the first user feedback element, a second light source configured to illuminate the second user feedback element, and a light guide feature. The light guide feature is configured to direct light from the second light source toward the second user feedback element and simultaneously inhibit light emitted by the first light source from illuminating the second user feedback element.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft, and a stapling head assembly. The body includes a chassis, a bracket, a coupling, and a conical coil. The bracket is configured to move relative to the chassis between first and second positions when selectively activated by a user. The bracket includes an upright member. The conical coil spring is disposed between the bracket and the coupling. The conical coil spring includes a proximal end, a distal end, a conical helical body disposed between the proximal and distal ends, and at least one dead coil disposed at the distal end of the conical coil spring that is configured to prevent the distal end of the conical coil spring from being retained between the bracket and the chassis. The shaft extends distally from the body. The stapling head assembly is positioned at a distal end of the shaft.

Abstract: Circular and curved surgical stapling instruments are disclosed comprising circular and curved stapling configurations. A circular staple cartridge comprises a plurality of staples arranged in an inner row, an intermediate row, and an outer row. Staples in certain rows can have different unformed heights. Some arrangements include deck features that protrude from the staple cartridge deck. Various anvil arrangements are also disclosed to attain staples having different formed heights.