Abstract: An adjunct configured for use with an end effector of a surgical stapler includes a tissue-effecting portion comprising a first material, and at least one movable attachment feature coupled to the tissue-effecting portion and comprising a second material different from the first material. The at least one movable attachment feature is configured to releasably attach the tissue-effecting portion to a stapling surface of the end effector. The tissue-effecting portion is configured to contact tissue clamped by the end effector during closure thereof. The tissue-effecting portion is further configured to be pierced and captured by staples ejected from the end effector into the clamped tissue and thereby reinforce the engagement between the ejected staples and the clamped tissue.

Abstract: A surgical instrument assembly comprising a shaft assembly, an articulation actuator, a firing member, and an articulation joint is disclosed. The articulation joint comprises an articulation support member. The surgical instrument assembly further comprises an end effector assembly comprising, a first jaw, a second jaw, and a distal spine portion, wherein the articulation support member is configured to laterally support the firing member during articulation of the end effector assembly relative to the shaft assembly. The distal spine portion comprises a distal support structure comprising a firing member slot and a lateral channel defined therein. The surgical instrument assembly further comprises an electrical system comprising an electrical lead extending through the articulation support member and through the lateral channel into the end effector assembly.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument comprising a cartridge jaw configured to receive a staple cartridge, an anvil jaw, and a firing member configured to eject the staples from the staple cartridge during a firing stroke is disclosed. The anvil jaw comprises a stop extending into the cartridge jaw which prevents the staple cartridge from contacting the firing member when the staple cartridge is inserted into the cartridge jaw.

Abstract: Various example embodiments described herein are directed to articulating surgical instruments for treating tissue comprising an end effector and a shaft extending proximally from the end effector along a longitudinal axis. In certain embodiments, the shaft comprises a plurality of transverse spacer members as well as first and second rotatable members extending through at least a portion of the plurality of transverse spacer members. The first and second rotatable members may both be biased away from the longitudinal axis such that their respective directions of bias vary with rotation of the first rotatable member. When the respective directions of bias of the first and second rotatable members oppose one another, the shaft may be substantially straight. When the respective directions of bias of the first and second rotatable members are aligned with one another, the shaft may articulate away from the longitudinal axis in the direction of the alignment.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising an articulatable end effector and an articulation control system is disclosed. The articulation control system comprises actuators that, when actuated, cause the end effector to articulate in predetermined directions. When the end effector is rotated downwardly, the articulation control system flips, or switches, the response to the inputs from the actuators.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to articulatable surgical instruments and surgical systems comprising articulatable surgical instruments. Some embodiments comprise an end effector to comprising an ultrasonic blade. A hollow shaft may extend proximally from the end effector along a longitudinal axis. The hollow shaft may comprise a rigid portion and a flexible portion at a first position on the longitudinal axis distal from the rigid portion. A waveguide may extend through the shaft and may be acoustically coupled to the ultrasonic blade. The waveguide may comprise a flexible portion at the first position on the longitudinal axis such that the end effector is pivotable away from the longitudinal axis from the first position.

Abstract: A system for stapling tissue is disclosed. The system can include a channel and a compatible staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples. The channel and the compatible staple cartridge comprise mating or cooperating alignment features for permitting complete insertion of the compatible staple cartridge and for preventing an incompatible staple cartridge from being completely inserted in the channel.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising an end effector including a first jaw and a second jaw rotatable relative to the first jaw is disclosed. One or both of the first jaw and the second jaw comprise an arrangement for maintaining the alignment between the first jaw and the second jaw. The alignment arrangement can also provide tactile feedback to the operator of the surgical instrument that the surgical instrument is reaching a fully-closed position during a closure stroke.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising an articulatable end effector and a control system that controls the articulation of the end effector and provides feedback to the user of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a first jaw, a moveable second jaw, and one or more mounting brackets that retain said second jaw to said first jaw is disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising an end effector including a first jaw and a second jaw rotatable relative to the first jaw is disclosed. One or both of the first jaw and the second jaw comprise alignment features.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a staple, a body, a staple driver, and an alignment feature. The alignment feature is coupled to or formed with at least one of the staple driver or an inner surface of the staple aperture of the body. The alignment feature is configured to minimize rotation of the staple driver. The alignment feature includes at least one of a first contact feature, an alignment member, an alignment member, or an inwardly tapering portion. The first contact feature projects beyond a first lateral side of the staple driver. The alignment member extends through at least a portion of the staple driver. The first connecting portion rigidly connects the inner surface of the staple aperture with the staple driver in a connected state. The inwardly tapering portion of the inner surface or the staple driver is configured to guide the staple driver.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising an articulatable end effector and a control system that controls the articulation of the end effector and provides feedback to the user of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: Various example embodiments described herein are directed to articulating surgical instruments for treating tissue comprising an end effector and a shaft extending proximally from the end effector along a longitudinal axis. In certain embodiments, the shaft comprises a plurality of transverse spacer members as well as first and second rotatable members extending through at least a portion of the plurality of transverse spacer members. The first and second rotatable members may both be biased away from the longitudinal axis such that their respective directions of bias vary with rotation of the first rotatable member. When the respective directions of bias of the first and second rotatable members oppose one another, the shaft may be substantially straight. When the respective directions of bias of the first and second rotatable members are aligned with one another, the shaft may articulate away from the longitudinal axis in the direction of the alignment.

Abstract: A surgical stapler having an end effector, a firing drive electric motor, and a control circuit is disclosed. The firing drive electric motor is configured to actuate a staple firing stroke of the end effector. The control circuit can be configured to provide a pulse width modulated (PWM) electrical signal to the firing drive electric motor and adjust a duty cycle of the PWM electrical signal based at least in part on a speed of the staple firing stroke. The control circuit can further be configured to provide a pulse width modulated (PWM) electrical signal to the firing drive electric motor, adjust a duty cycle of the PWM electrical signal based at least in part on a target speed of a staple firing stroke, and lower the target speed in response to the duty cycle exceeding a safety threshold value.

Abstract: A system for stapling tissue is disclosed. The system can include a channel and a compatible staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples. The channel and the compatible staple cartridge comprise mating or cooperating alignment features for permitting complete insertion of the compatible staple cartridge and for preventing an incompatible staple cartridge from being completely inserted in the channel.

Abstract: A surgical instrument assembly comprising a shaft assembly, an articulation actuator, a firing member, and an articulation joint is disclosed. The articulation joint comprises an articulation support member. The surgical instrument assembly further comprises an end effector assembly comprising, a first jaw, a second jaw, and a distal spine portion, wherein the articulation support member is configured to laterally support the firing member during articulation of the end effector assembly relative to the shaft assembly. The distal spine portion comprises a distal support structure comprising a firing member slot and a lateral channel defined therein. The surgical instrument assembly further comprises an electrical system comprising an electrical lead extending through the articulation support member and through the lateral channel into the end effector assembly.

Abstract: An adjunct configured for use with an end effector of a surgical stapler includes a tissue-effecting portion comprising a first material, and at least one movable attachment feature coupled to the tissue-effecting portion and comprising a second material different from the first material. The at least one movable attachment feature is configured to releasably attach the tissue-effecting portion to a stapling surface of the end effector. The tissue-effecting portion is configured to contact tissue clamped by the end effector during closure thereof. The tissue-effecting portion is further configured to be pierced and captured by staples ejected from the end effector into the clamped tissue and thereby reinforce the engagement between the ejected staples and the clamped tissue.

Abstract: A surgical stapling system comprising an instrument interface comprising a control circuit and an RFID reader is disclosed. The surgical stapling system further comprises a shaft assembly comprising a shaft and an end effector. The end effector comprises a first jaw, a second jaw, an anvil, and a cartridge channel. The surgical stapling system further comprises a replaceable staple cartridge assembly removably positioned within the cartridge channel. The replaceable staple cartridge assembly comprises a cartridge body, a longitudinal slot, a plurality of staple cavities, a plurality of staples, and a staple cartridge retainer. The staple cartridge retainer comprises a rib, a body portion, and an RFID tag embedded within the body portion, wherein the RFID tag comprises a memory, wherein the memory comprises identifier information stored in the memory specific to the staple cartridge, and wherein the identifier information is accessible by the RFID reader.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a staple firing drive and an articulation drive is disclosed. The articulation drive is selectively engageable with said firing drive such that the articulation drive is driveable by the staple firing drive. The surgical instrument further comprises a sensor system configured to assess whether the articulation drive is engaged with the staple firing drive.