Abstract: A surgical instrument can comprise a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, and an end effector rotatably coupled to the shaft by an articulation joint. The surgical instrument can further include a staple cartridge positioned within the end effector and a firing drive operably coupled with a trigger wherein the operation of the trigger can advance and/or retract a firing member of the firing drive relative to the end effector. The surgical instrument can further comprise an articulation drive which is selectively engageable with the firing drive. When the articulation drive is engaged with the firing drive, the operation of the firing drive can operate the articulation drive and articulate the end effector. When the articulation drive is not engaged with the firing drive, the firing drive can be operated independently of the articulation drive.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to battery unit for use with surgical instruments. The battery units may comprise a plurality of cells and include a translatable discharge drain. When attached to the surgical instrument, the discharge drain may electrically connect an anode of the battery unit to a cathode of the battery unit, for example, via a resistive element in order to drain the battery unit.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to battery unit for use with surgical instruments. The battery units may comprise a plurality of cells and include a translatable discharge drain. When attached to the surgical instrument, the discharge drain may electrically connect an anode of the battery unit to a cathode of the battery unit, for example, via a resistive element in order to drain the battery unit.

Abstract: A surgical instrument can comprise a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, and an end effector rotatably coupled to the shaft by an articulation joint. The surgical instrument can further include a staple cartridge positioned within the end effector and a firing drive operably coupled with a trigger wherein the operation of the trigger can advance and/or retract a firing member of the firing drive relative to the end effector. The surgical instrument can further comprise an articulation drive which is selectively engageable with the firing drive. When the articulation drive is engaged with the firing drive, the operation of the firing drive can operate the articulation drive and articulate the end effector. When the articulation drive is not engaged with the firing drive, the firing drive can be operated independently of the articulation drive.

Abstract: A surgical instrument can comprise a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, and an end effector rotatably coupled to the shaft by an articulation joint. The surgical instrument can further include a staple cartridge positioned within the end effector and a firing drive operably coupled with a trigger wherein the operation of the trigger can advance and/or retract a firing member of the firing drive relative to the end effector. The surgical instrument can further comprise an articulation drive which is selectively engageable with the firing drive. When the articulation drive is engaged with the firing drive, the operation of the firing drive can operate the articulation drive and articulate the end effector. When the articulation drive is not engaged with the firing drive, the firing drive can be operated independently of the articulation drive.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument can comprise a handle comprising a housing comprising a battery dock cavity, a proximal end, a distal end, a pistol grip comprising a proximal side and a distal side, and an electric motor positioned in the housing. The instrument further comprises a shaft extending distally from the distal end of the handle, and a staple cartridge extending distally from the shaft, wherein the staple cartridge comprises a plurality of staples removably stored therein. The instrument further comprises a battery extending proximally with respect to the proximal side of the pistol grip when the battery is removably seated in the battery dock cavity, wherein the battery comprises a counterbalance to the shaft and the staple cartridge about the pistol grip, and wherein the battery is configured to supply electrical power to the electric motor.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to battery unit for use with surgical instruments. The battery units may comprise a plurality of cells and include a translatable discharge drain. When attached to the surgical instrument, the discharge drain may electrically connect an anode of the battery unit to a cathode of the battery unit, for example, via a resistive element in order to drain the battery unit.

Abstract: A surgical instrument system comprising a handle and a shaft assembly is disclosed. The shaft assembly comprises an end effector, a release actuator, and a latch. The release actuator comprises a lock engaged with the handle when the release actuator is in a proximal position and disengaged from the handle when the release actuator is in a distal position. The latch is operably engaged with the release actuator and movable between a first position and a second position. The release actuator is configured to rotate the latch from the first position to the second position when the release actuator is moved toward the distal position. The latch comprises a catch configured to engage the handle when the latch is moved toward the second position. The catch is disengaged from the handle upon an additional manipulation of the release actuator. The additional manipulation is in a proximal direction.

Abstract: A surgical instrument can comprise a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, and an end effector rotatably coupled to the shaft by an articulation joint. The surgical instrument can further include a staple cartridge positioned within the end effector and a firing drive operably coupled with a trigger wherein the operation of the trigger can advance and/or retract a firing member of the firing drive relative to the end effector. The surgical instrument can further comprise an articulation drive which is selectively engageable with the firing drive. When the articulation drive is engaged with the firing drive, the operation of the firing drive can operate the articulation drive and articulate the end effector. When the articulation drive is not engaged with the firing drive, the firing drive can be operated independently of the articulation drive.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for treating tissue comprising a shaft, an end effector rotatably coupled to the shaft, and a firing member configured to be moved relative to the end effector is disclosed. The surgical instrument further comprises an articulation member operably coupled with the end effector, wherein the articulation member is selectively engageable with the firing member such that the articulation member is operably engaged with the firing member in an engaged configuration and such that the articulation member is operably disengaged from the firing member in a disengaged configuration, and wherein the firing member is configured to move the articulation member relative to the end effector to articulate the end effector when the articulation member and the firing member are in the engaged configuration.

Abstract: A surgical system is disclosed. The surgical system comprises a surgical device comprising a battery dock. The surgical system further comprises a battery unit comprising at least one battery cell and a battery drain. In a first state, the battery drain is not electrically coupled to the at least one battery cell. In a second state, the battery drain is electrically coupled to the at least one battery cell to discharge the at least one battery cell. The battery drain transitions from the first state to the second state upon attachment of the battery unit to the battery dock.

Abstract: An interchangeable shaft assembly for use with a surgical instrument. The surgical instrument may include a frame that operably supports a plurality of drive systems and defines an actuation axis. The shaft assembly may comprise a first shaft that is configured to apply first actuation motions to a surgical end effector that is operably coupled thereto. A proximal end of the first shaft is configured to be operably releasably coupled to a first one of the drive systems supported by the frame in a direction that is substantially transverse to the actuation axis.

Abstract: A surgical instrument can comprise a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, and an end effector rotatably coupled to the shaft by an articulation joint. The surgical instrument can further include a staple cartridge positioned within the end effector and a firing drive operably coupled with a trigger wherein the operation of the trigger can advance and/or retract a firing member of the firing drive relative to the end effector. The surgical instrument can further comprise an articulation drive which is selectively engageable with the firing drive. When the articulation drive is engaged with the firing drive, the operation of the firing drive can operate the articulation drive and articulate the end effector. When the articulation drive is not engaged with the firing drive, the firing drive can be operated independently of the articulation drive.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument may include at least one drive system that is configured to generate control motions upon actuation thereof. At least one drive system defines an actuation axis. The surgical instrument may further include at least one interchangeable shaft assembly that is configured to be removably coupled to the at least one drive system in a direction that is substantially transverse to the actuation axis and transmit the control motions from the at least one drive system to a surgical end effector operably coupled thereto. A lockout assembly may interface with the at least one drive system for preventing actuation of the drive system unless the at least one interchangeable shaft assembly has been operably coupled to the at least one drive system.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a method is provided. The method comprises obtaining a surgical tool configured to perform a surgical function, wherein the surgical tool comprises a firing member and a lockout, wherein an actuation movement of the firing member is configured to generate the surgical function, and wherein the lockout is configured to prevent the actuation movement of the firing member, engaging a test device with the surgical tool, permanently disabling the lockout while the test device is engaged with the surgical tool, and permanently preventing the surgical function while the test device is engaged with the surgical tool.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus is disclosed which comprises a shaft, an end effector, and an articulation joint, wherein the end effector is rotatable relative to the shaft about the articulation joint. The stapling apparatus further comprises a firing drive responsive to an input, an articulation drive, and a switch assembly configured to selectively couple the articulation drive to the input. In various instances, the switch assembly is configured to lock the articulation drive in position when the articulation drive is not coupled to the input.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a surgical instrument having a cutter and a stapler. The cutter is operable to sever a portion of tissue. The apparatus further comprises a plurality of staples where the stapler is operable to introduce the plurality of staples into tissue to form a staple line. The apparatus further comprises a reinforcement clip. The reinforcement clip is operable to be in selective communication with the staple line. The reinforcement clip comprises a crown, a leg portion, and a teeth portion. In some versions, the leg portion has a width operable to cover the area defined by the staple line. In some versions, the teeth portion is configured to anchor into tissue.

Abstract: A surgical instrument can comprise a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, and an end effector rotatably coupled to the shaft by an articulation joint. The surgical instrument can further include a staple cartridge positioned within the end effector and a firing drive operably coupled with a trigger wherein the operation of the trigger can advance and/or retract a firing member of the firing drive relative to the end effector. The surgical instrument can further comprise an articulation drive which is selectively engageable with the firing drive. When the articulation drive is engaged with the firing drive, the operation of the firing drive can operate the articulation drive and articulate the end effector. When the articulation drive is not engaged with the firing drive, the firing drive can be operated independently of the articulation drive.

Abstract: A surgical instrument can comprise a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, and an end effector rotatably coupled to the shaft by an articulation joint. The surgical instrument can further include a staple cartridge positioned within the end effector and a firing drive operably coupled with a trigger wherein the operation of the trigger can advance and/or retract a firing member of the firing drive relative to the end effector. The surgical instrument can further comprise an articulation drive which is selectively engageable with the firing drive. When the articulation drive is engaged with the firing drive, the operation of the firing drive can operate the articulation drive and articulate the end effector. When the articulation drive is not engaged with the firing drive, the firing drive can be operated independently of the articulation drive.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to battery unit for use with surgical instruments. The battery units may comprise a plurality of cells and include a translatable discharge drain. When attached to the surgical instrument, the discharge drain may electrically connect an anode of the battery unit to a cathode of the battery unit, for example, via a resistive element in order to drain the battery unit.