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 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: A surgical stapling device includes a proximal handle assembly, an elongated central body portion that extends distally from the proximal handle assembly to a distal end portion, a tool assembly supported on the distal end portion of the elongated central body portion, and an audible indicator mechanism supported by the proximal handle assembly. The proximal handle assembly includes a contact arm and the audible indicator mechanism includes a cam member. The cam member contacts the contact arm of the proximal handle assembly as the cam member moves between distal and proximal positions to generate an audible sound that indicates that the tool assembly was fired.

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: A surgical stapling device includes an anvil assembly including an anvil shaft and an anvil head assembly that is supported on a distal end portion of the anvil shaft. The anvil shaft defines a longitudinal axis and supports a first spline, a second spline, and a third spline. Each of the first, second, and third splines includes a pair of tapered camming surfaces that meet at a proximal end of the respective spline to define an apex. The apex of the first spline is positioned on the anvil shaft at a location proximal of the apex of the second spline, and the apex of the second spline is positioned on the anvil shaft at a location proximal of the apex of the third spline. In embodiments, each of the splines includes an apex. The apex of the first spline is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the first spline and the apex of the second and third splines are aligned with a longitudinal axis of the second and third splines, respectively.

Abstract: An anvil assembly suitable for trans-oral delivery includes an anvil head configured to be tilted. An anvil delivery assembly includes the anvil assembly and a tubular guide assembly secured to the anvil assembly. The tubular guide assembly includes a flexible tube having an oblate cross-section.

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 universal surgical handle (10) includes a body (12) having a moveable handle (18), and elongate member (13) extending distally from the body (12), an actuation shaft (20), and a fire lock mechanism (60). The actuation shaft (20) defines first and second lock slots (24, 25) spaced axially apart. The moveable handle (18) is operatively associated with the actuation shaft (20) to effect longitudinal movement of the actuation shaft (20). The fire lock mechanism (60) has a lock pawl (62) that is received within the first lock slot (24) during a first mode of operation of the handle (10) to lock the actuation shaft (20) in first longitudinal position and is received within the second lock slot (25) during a second mode of operation of the handle (10) to lock the actuation shaft (20) in a second longitudinal position. The handle (10) is adapted to transition from a home position to the first or second mode of operation in response to a loading unit (110, 210) being coupled to the elongate member (13).

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes a proximal handle assembly, an elongated central body portion that extends distally from the proximal handle assembly to a distal end portion, a tool assembly supported on the distal end portion of the elongated central body portion, and an audible indicator mechanism supported by the proximal handle assembly. The proximal handle assembly includes a contact arm and the audible indicator mechanism includes a cam member. The cam member contacts the contact arm of the proximal handle assembly as the cam member moves between distal and proximal positions to generate an audible sound that indicates that the tool assembly was fired.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes an anvil assembly including an anvil shaft and an anvil head assembly that is supported on a distal end portion of the anvil shaft. The anvil shaft defines a longitudinal axis and supports a first spline, a second spline, and a third spline. Each of the first, second, and third splines includes a pair of tapered camming surfaces that meet at a proximal end of the respective spline to define an apex. The apex of the first spline is positioned on the anvil shaft at a location proximal of the apex of the second spline, and the apex of the second spline is positioned on the anvil shaft at a location proximal of the apex of the third spline. In embodiments, each of the splines includes an apex. The apex of the first spline is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the first spline and the apex of the second and third splines are aligned with a longitudinal axis of the second and third splines, respectively.

Abstract: A surgical loading unit (10) for use with a surgical handle assembly (1000) includes a handle mount (12) dimensioned for mounting to the handle assembly (1000), an outer member (56) extending from the handle mount (12), a staple cartridge assembly (16) mounted to the distal end of the outer member (56), and an anvil assembly (18) couplable relative to the staple cartridge assembly (16). A staple pusher (60) is at least partially disposed within the outer member (56) and operatively coupled to the staple cartridge assembly (16). The staple pusher (60) is adapted for longitudinal movement to eject staples from the staple cartridge assembly (16). An anvil approximator (94) is at least partially disposed within the outer member (56) and is operatively coupled to the anvil assembly (18). The anvil approximator (94) is adapted for movement between first and second positions corresponding to closed and open conditions of the anvil assembly (18) relative to the staple cartridge assembly (16).

Abstract: An anvil assembly suitable for trans-oral delivery includes an anvil head configured to be tilted. An anvil delivery assembly includes the anvil assembly and a tubular guide assembly secured to the anvil assembly. The tubular guide assembly includes a flexible tube having an oblate cross-section.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device (10) includes an outer tube (14) having a proximal body portion (70) and a distal channel portion (74). A distal end (80) of the proximal body portion (70) defines a pair of cutouts (82). An anvil assembly (22) includes an anvil body (26) defining a tissue contact surface (30) and a pair of pivot members (40) which are supported within the cutouts (82). A staple cartridge (44) is supported in the distal channel portion (74) of the outer tube (14) and defines a tissue contact surface (44a). The cutouts (82) are dimensioned to allow movement of the pivot members (40) within the cutouts (82) to allow the tissue contact surface (30) of the anvil body (26) to move in relation to the tissue contact surface (44a) of the staple cartridge (44) from a “parked position” in which the tissue contact surfaces (30, 44a) are in juxtaposed engagement to a “clamped position” in which the tissue contact surfaces (30, 44a) defining a tissue gap (G).

Abstract: A universal surgical handle (10) includes a body (12) having a moveable handle (18, and elongate member (13) extending distally from the body (12), an actuation shaft (20), and a fire lock mechanism (60. The actuation shaft (20) defines first and second lock slots (24, 25) spaced axially apart. The moveable handle (18is operatively associated with the actuation shaft (20to effect longitudinal movement of the actuation shaft (20). The fire lock mechanism (60has a lock pawl (62) that is received within the first lock slot (24) during a first mode of operation of the handle (10to lock the actuation shaft (20) in first longitudinal position and is received within the second lock slot (25) during a second mode of operation of the handle (10) to lock the actuation shaft (20) in a second longitudinal position. The handle (10) is adapted to transition from a home position to the first or second mode of operation in response to a loading unit (110, 210) being coupled to the elongate member (13).

Abstract: A surgical loading unit (10) for use with a surgical handle assembly (1000) includes a handle mount (12) dimensioned for mounting to the handle assembly (1000), an outer member (56) extending from the handle mount (12), a staple cartridge assembly (16) mounted to the distal end of the outer member (56), and an anvil assembly (18) couplable relative to the staple cartridge assembly (16). A staple pusher (60) is at least partially disposed within the outer member (56) and operatively coupled to the staple cartridge assembly (16). The staple pusher (60) is adapted for longitudinal movement to eject staples from the staple cartridge assembly (16). An anvil approximator (94) is at least partially disposed within the outer member (56) and is operatively coupled to the anvil assembly (18). The anvil approximator (94) is adapted for movement between first and second positions corresponding to closed and open conditions of the anvil assembly (18) relative to the staple cartridge assembly (16).

Abstract: Provided is an open diatom cultivation method where continuous production of one or more selected diatom species achieve dominancy in the production system and that dominancy is maintained. The algae culture solution containing diatoms is first introduced to an open microalgae culture system. Then, carbon dioxide and nutrient salts are added to form a culture solution for diatom cultivation. The method enables industrial scale cultivation of diatoms at economically competitive production cost, with a high cultivation density and for a high production volume. The method also enables continuous stable production of selected diatoms and solves the difficult problem of controlling invading algae by always using the most competitive of local diatoms without imposing a selected algae which may be superior in some localities and under some climate conditions.

Abstract: Provided is an open diatom cultivation method where continuous production of one or more selected diatom species achieve dominancy in the production system and that dominancy is maintained. The algae culture solution containing diatoms is first introduced to an open microalgae culture system. Then, carbon dioxide and nutrient salts are added to form a culture solution for diatom cultivation. The method enables industrial scale cultivation of diatoms at economically competitive production cost, with a high cultivation density and for a high production volume. The method also enables continuous stable production of selected diatoms and solves the difficult problem of controlling invading algae by always using the most competitive of local diatoms without imposing a selected algae which may be superior in some localities and under some climate conditions.