Abstract: An apparatus comprises a body assembly, a shaft, an acoustic waveguide, an articulation section, an end effector, and an articulation drive assembly. The shaft extends distally from the body assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. The acoustic waveguide comprises a flexible portion. The articulation section is coupled with the shaft. A portion of the articulation section encompasses the flexible portion of the waveguide. The articulation section comprises a plurality of body portions aligned along the longitudinal axis and a flexible locking member. The flexible locking member is operable to secure the body portions in relation to each other and in relation to the shaft. The end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the waveguide. The articulation drive assembly is operable to drive articulation of the articulation section to thereby deflect the end effector from the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm assembly. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with an acoustic waveguide of the shaft assembly. The clamp arm assembly is pivotable toward and away from the ultrasonic blade. The clamp arm assembly includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The first and second electrodes are operable to cooperate to apply bipolar RF energy to tissue.

Abstract: Methods and devices for controlling motorized surgical devices are provided. In general, the methods and devices can allow a surgical device to grasp and cut tissue. In some embodiments, the device's motor can begin providing power for grasping and/or cutting tissue in response to an output from the device's sensor, the device can adjust power provided by the motor based on whether the device is clamping tissue or is being fired, the device can adjust an amount of power provided by the motor based on an amount of user-applied force to the device's actuator and/or can control drive direction of the motor based on the amount of the force, the device can maintain a force applied to the device, the device can self-shift the motor, and/or the device can adjust an amount of power provided to the device's end effector based on a degree of the end effector's closure.

Abstract: A staple cartridge comprising a cartridge body, a surgical staple, and a compressible member is disclosed. The surgical staple is movable from an unfired position to a fired position. The surgical staple is deformable from a first shape in the unfired position to a second shape in the fired position during a firing stroke. The surgical staple is ejected from the cartridge body during the firing stroke. The surgical staple comprises a crown, a first deformable member extending from the crown, and a second deformable member extending from the crown. The compressible member is positioned intermediate the first deformable member, the second deformable member, and the crown after the surgical staple has been deformed into the second shape. The compressible member is at least partially positioned between the first deformable member and the second deformable member of the surgical staple when the surgical staple is in the unfired position.

Abstract: Various devices are provided for allowing multiple surgical instruments to be inserted through a single surgical access device at variable angles of insertion, allowing for ease of manipulation within a patient's body while maintaining insufflation. Safety shields and release mechanisms are also provided for use with various surgical access devices.

Abstract: A surgical stapler configured to clamp, staple, and cut tissue is disclosed. The surgical stapler comprises a housing, a shaft, a staple cartridge, an expandable anvil, and a distal head portion. The shaft extends from the housing and comprises three concentric actuators. The three concentric actuators are operable independently of each other. The three concentric actuators are actuatable relative to the housing and are configured to perform three separate and distinct end effector functions. The staple cartridge comprises a unitary cartridge body. The distal head portion is configured to rotate relative to the shaft. One of the separate and distinct end effector functions comprises rotating the distal head portion to expand the anvil.

Abstract: A first module configured to engage with a second module in a stacked configuration to define a modular energy system is provided. The first module comprises a first bridge connector portion and a second conductive portion. The first bridge connector portion is configured to engage with a second bridge connector portion of the second module as the first module and the second module are engaged. The first conductive portion is configured to engage with a second conductive portion of the second module as the first module and the second module are engaged, prior to engagement between the first bridge connector portion and the second bridge connector portion.

Abstract: An energy module is disclosed. The energy module includes a housing, a control circuit positioned within the housing, a port defined within the housing, and an interface circuit positioned within the housing. The control circuit is configured to communicate with a data storage device. The port is configured to engage an electrical connector of an instrument. The port includes a sensor configured to detect the engagement of the electrical connector, detect the engagement of the electrical connector, send a detection signal to the control circuit, and supply electrical power from the energy module to the instrument. The interface circuit is coupled to the port and the control circuit and is configured to establish communication between the port and the control circuit.

Abstract: A stapling system comprising an anvil, a channel, a firing member, a lock recess, a replaceable staple cartridge, and an articulation joint is disclosed. The firing member comprises a lock shoulder and a coupling portion configured to couple the anvil and the channel. The replaceable staple cartridge comprises staples and a sled movable between a proximal unfired position and a distal fired position during a firing stroke of the firing member to eject the staples. The lock shoulder is engageable with the lock recess when the sled is not in the proximal unfired position to block the firing stroke from being performed. The sled prevents engagement between the lock shoulder and the lock recess when the sled is in the proximal unfired position to permit the firing stroke to be performed. The staple cartridge is attached to the stapling system distal to the articulation joint.

Abstract: A stapling assembly comprising a cartridge jaw, a staple driving system, an anvil, and a firing member is disclosed. The cartridge jaw comprises a cartridge body comprising a deck, wherein the deck comprises a first longitudinal step having a first step height and a second longitudinal step having a second step height which is different than the first step height. The staple driving system comprises first staple supports configured to support first staples at a first unfired height, second staple supports configured to support second staples at a second unfired height, and third staple supports configured to support third staples. A first staple support, a second staple support, and a third staple support are interconnected in a first driver arrangement. A first staple support, a second staple support, and a third staple support are interconnected in a second driver arrangement which is different than the first driver arrangement.

Abstract: A method for deforming a staple comprising a base, a first staple leg, and a second staple leg, wherein the base, the first staple leg, and the second staple leg are positioned within a common plane prior to being deformed, the method comprising positioning the first staple leg within a first cup of a staple pocket, the first cup comprising a first inner surface, applying a first compressive force to the first staple leg to bend the first staple leg toward the base and the second staple leg, contacting the first inner surface with the end of the first staple leg to bend the end of the first staple leg toward a first side of the base, and deforming the first staple leg such that the end of the first staple leg crosses a mid-line of the staple defined between the first staple leg and the second staple leg.

Abstract: Staple cartridges for use with a surgical stapling instrument are disclosed. In various instances, a staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body, staples removably stored in the cartridge body, staple drivers configured to drive the staples out of the cartridge body during a staple firing stroke, a sled configured to engage the staple drivers during the staple firing stroke, and a pan attached to the cartridge body.

Abstract: A surgical severing and stapling instrument, suitable for laparoscopic and endoscopic clinical procedures, clamps tissue within an end effector of an elongate channel pivotally opposed by an anvil. Various embodiments are configured to be operably attached to a robotic system to receive actuation/control motions therefrom.

Abstract: A disposable end effector for use with a surgical fastening instrument is disclosed. The disposable end effector comprises a proximal end configured to be attached to a shaft of the surgical fastening instrument, a distal end, a first jaw, a second jaw, and a firing member. One of the first jaw and the second jaw is movable relative to the other one of the first jaw and the second jaw to transition the disposable end effector between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The firing member transitions the disposable end effector to the closed configuration. The firing member comprises a first flange configured to engage the first jaw, a second flange configured to engage the second jaw, and two engagement surfaces configured to engage the first jaw. The first flange and the second flange are comprised of a metal. Resilient material is inserted on the two engagement surfaces.

Abstract: A cannula sleeve for a surgical trocar assembly. The cannula sleeve includes a hollow shaft, at least a portion of which is made of a rigid material, and a seal at the distal end of the hollow shaft, the seal being movable between a first open position and a second closed position. The shaft defines a proximal end, a distal end, a periphery, and a longitudinal axis. The shaft further includes a channel at the periphery substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, the channel being in communication with the hollow shaft.

Abstract: A staple cartridge comprising a cartridge body is disclosed. The cartridge body comprises staple cavities defined in the cartridge body. The staple cavities are arranged in an inner longitudinal row of staple cavities, a middle longitudinal row of staple cavities, and an outer longitudinal row of staple cavities. The staple cartridge also comprises a proximal staple driver configured to eject a first quantity of staples. The staple cartridge also comprises an intermediate staple driver positioned distally to the proximal staple driver, wherein the intermediate staple driver is configured to eject a second quantity of staples. The staple cartridge further comprises a distal staple driver positioned distally to the intermediate staple driver, wherein the distal staple driver is configured to eject a third quantity of staples.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a gripping assembly, a shaft assembly, an end effector, and a pivoting member. The gripping assembly defines a first opening for receiving a finger or a thumb of a user. The gripping assembly includes a first deformable feature that is configured to be moved in order to increase or decrease a cross-sectional area of the first opening. The shaft assembly extends distally from the gripping assembly. The end effector is positioned at a distal end of the shaft assembly and includes a first member. The pivoting member is pivotably coupled with the shaft assembly. The pivoting member is pivotable with respect to the first member of the end effector between an open position and a closed position to thereby clamp tissue between the first member and the pivoting member.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a gripping assembly, a shaft assembly, an end effector, and a pivoting member. The gripping assembly defines a first opening for receiving a finger or a thumb of a user. The gripping assembly includes a first deformable feature that is configured to be moved in order to increase or decrease a cross-sectional area of the first opening. The shaft assembly extends distally from the gripping assembly. The end effector is positioned at a distal end of the shaft assembly and includes a first member. The pivoting member is pivotably coupled with the shaft assembly. The pivoting member is pivotable with respect to the first member of the end effector between an open position and a closed position to thereby clamp tissue between the first member and the pivoting member.

Abstract: A staple cartridge assembly comprising a tissue thickness compensator is disclosed. The tissue thickness compensator comprises a first fibrous, woven material and a second fibrous, woven material. The first fibrous, woven material comprises a density which is different than the density of the second fibrous, woven material. The tissue thickness compensator is configured to expand upon contact with a fluid in order to apply a compressive force to tissue captured within staples.

Abstract: A staple cartridge for use with a stapling device that has an actuator that is selectively actuatable in an axial direction and an anvil portion that is selectively movable between open and closed positions is disclosed. Various embodiments of the present invention include a cartridge body that movably supports first and second staple drivers. The staple drivers each support a staple thereon and serve to drive the staples into forming contact with the anvil upon actuation by the actuator. The various embodiments of the present invention enable the final formed heights of the staples to be varied so as to apply various clamping forces and pressures to soft tissue captured within the staples. In at least one embodiment, the staples can include crowns formed thereon which can be utilized to adjust or control the clamping force and/or pressure applied by the staples.