Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes a clamp slide assembly and an end effector that includes a cartridge module. The clamp slide assembly includes a distal portion that defines a curved slot and includes a linear section that defines linear channels. The cartridge module includes a curved module body that includes a linear section that includes linear ribs. The linear ribs are received within the linear channels to facilitate loading of the cartridge module into the distal portion of the clamp slide assembly in a linear fashion.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes an outer tube having a proximal body portion and a distal channel portion. A distal end of the proximal body portion defines a pair of cutouts. An anvil assembly includes an anvil body defining a tissue contact surface and a pair of pivot members which are supported within the cutouts. A staple cartridge is supported in the distal channel portion of the outer tube and defines a tissue contact surface. The cutouts are dimensioned to allow movement of the pivot members within the cutouts to allow the tissue contact surface of the anvil body to move in relation to the tissue contact surface of the staple cartridge from a “parked position” in which the tissue contact surfaces are in juxtaposed engagement to a “clamped position” in which the tissue contact surfaces defining a tissue gap.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes an end effector having an end effector frame with a cantilevered portion and an anvil assembly supported on the cantilevered portion of the end effector frame. The anvil assembly and the cantilevered portion of the end effector frame are adapted to be secured together in a manner to minimize weakening of the cantilevered portion of the end effector frame to minimize deflection of the anvil assembly during firing of the stapling device.

Abstract: A circular stapling device (10) includes a handle assembly (12) having an indicator assembly (80) that includes a clicker assembly (82) and a biasing member (84). The clicker assembly (82) provides an audible and/or tactile signal to a clinician when an anvil assembly (20) of the stapling device (10) is moved from a clamped position towards an open position a distance sufficient to allow an anvil head (56) of the anvil assembly (20) to pivot in relation to a reload assembly (18) of the stapling device (10) from an operative position to a tilted reduced profile position. The signal is provided to the clinician while the anvil assembly (20) is locked onto the stapling device (10).

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes an anvil assembly, a staple cartridge, and an outer tube having a proximal body portion and a distal channel portion. A distal end of the proximal body portion defines a pair of cutouts. The anvil assembly includes an anvil body having a pair of pivot members which are supported within the cutouts. The cutouts are dimensioned to allow movement of the pivot members within the cutouts to allow the tissue contact surface of the anvil body to move in relation to the tissue contact surface of the staple cartridge from a “parked position” in which the tissue contact surfaces are in juxtaposed engagement to a “clamped position” in which the tissue contact surfaces defining a tissue gap.

Abstract: A circular stapling apparatus including a stationary handle, a trigger pivotably coupled to the stationary handle, a trigger lock selectively engageable with the trigger, and a firing link coupled to the trigger. The firing link has a catch thereon. The trigger lock has a latch assembly that is selectively engageable with the catch.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes a clamp slide assembly and an end effector that includes a cartridge module. The clamp slide assembly includes a distal portion that defines a curved slot and includes a linear section that defines linear channels. The cartridge module includes a curved module body that includes a linear section that includes linear ribs. The linear ribs are received within the linear channels to facilitate loading of the cartridge module into the distal portion of the clamp slide assembly in a linear fashion.

Abstract: A superhydrophilic thick-film pH sensor based on chemical etching, and a preparation method thereof are provided. The superhydrophilic thick-film pH sensor includes: a substrate, and a working electrode and a reference electrode that cover surfaces of the substrate. The working electrode includes a titanium sheet attached to one side of the substrate; a front part of an outer surface of the titanium sheet is covered with a titanium dioxide sensitive layer; an electrically-conductive layer is attached to the other side of the substrate; the reference electrode is located on the electrically-conductive layer, and a surface of the reference electrode is coated with a naphthol layer; and an insulating gel wraps the substrate to expose only the working electrode and the reference electrode. The working electrode is obtained by soaking the titanium sheet in an 80° C. NaOH solution, and is integrated with the reference electrode to produce the thick-film pH sensor.

Abstract: A superhydrophilic thick-film pH sensor based on chemical etching, and a preparation method thereof are provided. The superhydrophilic thick-film pH sensor includes: a substrate, and a working electrode and a reference electrode that cover surfaces of the substrate. The working electrode includes a titanium sheet attached to one side of the substrate; a front part of an outer surface of the titanium sheet is covered with a titanium dioxide sensitive layer; an electrically-conductive layer is attached to the other side of the substrate; the reference electrode is located on the electrically-conductive layer, and a surface of the reference electrode is coated with a naphthol layer; and an insulating gel wraps the substrate to expose only the working electrode and the reference electrode. The working electrode is obtained by soaking the titanium sheet in an 80° C. NaOH solution, and is integrated with the reference electrode to produce the thick-film pH sensor.

Abstract: An anvil and delivery system assembly includes an anvil and a delivery system assembly. The delivery system includes a flexible guide member, an adapter, a tie down suture, and a retaining suture. The guide member is coupled to the center rod with the adapter. The tie down suture is secured to the adapter and to the anvil head to retain the anvil head in the tilted position during anvil delivery. The retaining suture is coupled to the anvil head via the tie down suture such that release of the tie down suture automatically releases the retaining suture from the anvil head.

Abstract: A manually operated surgical stapling device includes an end effector and a firing mechanism that is configured to reduce the torque required to fire staples from the end effector of the stapling device. The firing mechanism includes a trigger, a thrust bar, and a firing link that is secured to the trigger and engaged with the thrust bar. The trigger is coupled to a handle assembly of the stapling device and to the firing link to minimize the torque required to move the trigger between unactuated and actuated positions.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes an end effector that has a cartridge assembly with a stopper of simple construction that prevents advancement of a pusher and a knife assembly within a cartridge body of the cartridge assembly until the stapling device is fired, and/or prevents readvancement of the knife assembly of the cartridge assembly after the stapling device is fired.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes an end effector having a bottom guide member to confine tissue in the path of a cutting member and ensure that tissue is cleanly cut through. The bottom guide member can be supported on an end effector frame and be reusable or supported on the cartridge module and be disposable.

Abstract: An end effector includes a frame and a loading unit. The frame includes first and second transverse portions and a longitudinal portion interconnecting the first and second transverse portions. The longitudinal portion includes a coupling portion including a visual indicator. The loading unit includes an anvil plate supported on the first transverse portion of the frame, a base portion extending proximally from the anvil plate, and a cartridge assembly supported on the base portion and movable in relation to the anvil plate between spaced and clamped positions. The base portion includes a flange configured to engage the coupling portion of the longitudinal portion of the frame such that the visual indicator is concealed by the flange when the loading unit is in registration with the frame.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes an end effector frame and a replaceable reload assembly. The reload assembly includes a reload frame, a cartridge assembly, and an anvil assembly. The reload frame includes a longitudinal portion and a transverse portion that supports the anvil assembly. The longitudinal portion of the reload frame is engaged with the cartridge assembly via interlocking structure that facilitates movement of the cartridge assembly in relation to the anvil assembly between spaced and clamped positions. The reload frame is configured to be received on the end effector frame to properly position the cartridge and anvil assemblies in relation to each other.

Abstract: A circular stapling device includes a manually operated trigger (24) that is adapted to allow staple formation to occur prior to cutting of tissue during a single actuation of the firing trigger (24). The stapling device (10) minimizes stretching and movement of tissue during staple formation to improve staple formation. The stapling device (10) also reduces the amount of force required to move the firing trigger (24) through a firing stroke by separating the staple formation and tissue cutting functions of the stapling device (10) to reduce stress on a clinician's hand during actuation of the stapling device (10).

Abstract: A circular stapling apparatus including a stationary handle, a trigger pivotably coupled to the stationary handle, a trigger lock selectively engageable with the trigger, and a firing link coupled to the trigger. The firing link has a catch thereon. The trigger lock has a latch assembly that is selectively engageable with the catch.

Abstract: A circular stapling device includes structure to position an anvil assembly in proper alignment with a cartridge assembly prior to firing of the stapling device. The stapling device includes an anvil assembly, a cartridge assembly including a staple cartridge and shell housing, and an anvil retainer that has a proximal portion including a longitudinal rib and a distal portion including at least one second longitudinal rib. The first longitudinal rib is received within a slot formed within the shell housing to prevent rotation of the anvil retainer in relation to the shell housing. The at least one second longitudinal rib is received within a longitudinal channel of the anvil assembly to prevent rotation of the anvil assembly in relation to the anvil retainer. The presently disclosed structure obviates the need for splines and the disadvantages associated with the use of splines.

Abstract: A powered circular stapling device (10) includes a transfer switch assembly (90) for a transmission assembly (40) to selectively direct power between clamping and firing mechanisms of the stapling device (10). The transfer switch assembly (90) includes a carriage (92), a worm gear assembly (94), and first and second biasing mechanisms (96). The worm gear assembly (94) is supported on the carriage (92) and movable in relation to the carriage (92) to allow the worm gear assembly (94) to engage with a first or second gear (44, 46) of the transmission assembly (40). The biasing mechanisms (96) allow the worm gear assembly (94) to move in relation to the carriage (92) when the gear teeth of the worm gear (94) are misaligned with the gear teeth of one of the first and second gears (44, 46) of the transmission assembly (40), to allow the gear teeth of the worm gear (94) to move into alignment with the gear teeth of the other one of the first and second gears (44, 46) of the transmission assembly (40).

Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for adjusting a formed staple height of a suture staple in a stapler comprises a first handle portion and a second handle portion. The first handle portion comprises a cartridge support located at a distal end, a cartridge assembly, a drive assembly, and the adjustment mechanism for adjusting a formed staple height of a suture staple, and the second handle portion comprises an anvil located at a distal end. The cartridge assembly comprises suture staples, and the drive assembly can drive a suture staple to leave the cartridge assembly to reach the anvil to be pressed and formed. The adjustment structure adjusts a distance between the drive assembly and the anvil to adjust a formed staple height of a suture staple in a stapler. This application further relates to a stapler, comprising the adjustment mechanism for adjusting a formed staple height of a suture staple in a stapler.