Abstract: An apparatus includes a body having an interior space sized and shaped to receive a surgical stapler end effector in an open state in combination with an adjunct applicator that includes an adjunct. The apparatus further includes a closure member movably coupled with the body. The closure member is actuatable to close the surgical stapler end effector onto the adjunct applicator so that the adjunct is applied to a stapling surface of the surgical stapler end effector.

Abstract: A buttress is applied to an end effector of a surgical stapler. The buttress is loaded on a platform of a buttress applier cartridge. The end effector is closed upon the platform. An adhesive layer of the buttress secures the buttress to the end effector. The buttress is thus adhered to the end effector when the end effector is opened. The end effector is then actuated on tissue of a patient, thereby stapling the buttress to the tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, a stapling head assembly, and an anvil. The stapling head assembly includes an annular deck member, a plurality of staples, and a driver. The deck member includes a deck surface that has a curved profile defined by a curve extending from the inner diameter of the deck member to the outer diameter of the deck member. The deck member further includes an outer array of staple openings and an inner array of staple openings. The driver is operable to drive the staples through the staple openings. The anvil is operable to compress tissue against the first deck surface.

Abstract: Surgical instruments with articulatable surgical end effectors and rotary driven flexible drive members.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes a tool assembly and a drive assembly for actuating the tool assembly. The tool assembly includes a cartridge assembly having a staple cartridge and an anvil assembly that supports a lockout mechanism. The staple cartridge includes a cartridge body and an actuation sled and knife assembly that includes an actuation sled and a knife. The actuation sled and knife assembly is movable in relation to the cartridge body to eject staples from the cartridge body and to cut tissue. The anvil assembly supports a lockout mechanism that includes a lockout member that is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The drive assembly is movable from a retracted position to an advanced position to move the actuation sled and knife assembly from its retracted position to its advanced position. In the locked position, the lockout member obstructs movement of the drive assembly from its retracted position towards its advanced position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument, such as a tissue sealing instrument, is provided with an end effector having first and second movable jaws that define a gap therebetween in the closed position for clamping, sealing and/or stapling tissue. The jaws are movable relative to each other in the closed position to reduce a thickness of least one portion of this gap. This configuration allows the jaws to be moved closer together to reduce the overall size of the instrument when, for example, the instrument is introduced and retracted through an opening in the patient, or maneuvered within a body cavity. The surgical instrument may also have multiple settings for use with different staple cartridges, while still maintaining a fixed dimension between the two jaws for clamping, stapling and/or sealing tissue, providing a more adaptable surgical instrument that allows the surgeon to use different staple cartridges without having to change surgical instruments.

Abstract: Systems and methods for image detection during grasping and stapling include an end effector having a first jaw and a second jaw, an imaging sensor mounted to the end effector and configured to capture images of a material graspable by the end effector, and one or more processors coupled to the end effector and the imaging sensor. The one or more processors are configured to receive the images from the imaging sensor, determine one or more properties of the material based on the images, and display the one or more properties of the material on an interface. In some embodiments, the end effector is part of a medical tool and the material is anatomical tissue. In some embodiments, the end effector further includes one or more of a stapling mechanism configured to staple the material or a cutting mechanism configured to cut the material.

Abstract: A surgical system comprising an end effector, a clamp driver, a motor, and a control circuit is disclosed. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw moveable relative to the first jaw toward a closed configuration. The clamp driver is movable toward a closure end position. The motor is operably coupled to the clamp driver. The control circuit comprises a processor and a memory, and the control circuit is to: advance, by the motor, the clamp driver to the closure end position; determine a distance between the first jaw and the second jaw in the closed configuration, wherein the closure end position corresponds to the closed configuration; receive a signal indicative of at least one of a staple cartridge identity, type, or characteristic from a corresponding staple cartridge; and detect that the distance is acceptable for staple firing by the end effector based on the received signal.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft, a stapling assembly, and a sequential logic device. The body includes a safety switch, a firing actuator, and a motor. The stapling assembly is disposed at a distal end of the shaft, wherein the stapling assembly is configured to selectively move from an open position to a closed position to clamp tissue. The sequential logic device is operatively coupled with the motor and configured to detect an actuation of the safety switch and of the firing actuator. The sequential logic device is further operable to detect an order in which the safety switch and the firing actuator are actuated, compare the detected order to a predetermined order, and in response to determining that the detected order is equivalent to the predetermined order, transmit a motor activation signal to the motor.

Abstract: An end effector for a surgical stapling apparatus includes a cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly. The cartridge assembly includes a cartridge channel supporting a reload. The cartridge assembly can include a cartridge channel that supports the reload. The cartridge assembly can include a hinge assembly that pivotally couples to the cartridge channel.

Abstract: A surgical fastener applier including a housing containing a compartment, an elongated member extending distally from the housing, first and second jaws and a firing mechanism. The firing mechanism is movable between a first position and a second position to effect firing of fasteners into the tissue clamped between the first and second jaws. A power pack is removably loadable into the compartment, the power pack having a motor and an engagement member removably engageable with the firing mechanism within the compartment when the power pack is loaded into the compartment to effect movement of the firing mechanism. An interchangeable battery pack is removably loadable into the power pack for powering the motor. Bearings restrict axial and radial movement of the firing and articulation assembly in the power pack.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a staple cartridge and at least two independent antenna arrays configured to communicate with the staple cartridge.

Abstract: A staple cartridge comprising a cartridge body, staples removably stored in the cartridge body, a sled configured to eject said staples from said cartridge body, and a deployable tissue cutting knife. During use, a firing member of a stapling instrument is advanced into the staple cartridge to deploy the tissue cutting knife and advance the sled distally through a staple firing stroke.

Abstract: An end effector includes an upper jaw, a lower jaw, and a staple cartridge assembly that is received within the lower jaw. The staple cartridge assembly includes an actuation sled and a knife sled. A drive beam is received within the lower jaw and is movable between a retracted beam position and an advanced beam position to move the actuation sled and the knife sled from retracted positions to advanced positions. The end effector includes a locking clip to releasably couple the drive beam to the knife sled.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes a reload assembly that includes a locking member to retain a knife carrier of the reload assembly in a retracted position after the stapling device is fired. The locking member may be supported on an inner housing portion of the shell housing or on a staple pusher assembly of the reload assembly.

Abstract: A surgical stapling assembly is disclosed. The assembly can include a cartridge body having cavities defined therein forming a pattern of openings in the deck of the cartridge body. The pattern can include longitudinally-repeating clusters of cavity ends. The assembly can also include fasteners removably positioned in the cavities. The pattern of openings can comprise openings on a first side of the cartridge body comprising inner openings each defining an inner proximal-to-distal axis oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis, outer openings each defining an outer proximal-to-distal axis obliquely-oriented relative to the longitudinal axis at an outer angle, and intermediate openings each defining an intermediate proximal-to-distal axis obliquely-oriented relative to the longitudinal axis at an intermediate angle, wherein the intermediate angle is different than the outer angle.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an end effector, a motor, and a processing unit. The processing unit is configured to activate the motor to distally advance a firing member within a body of the end effector. The processing unit is further configured to detect an initiation condition. In response to detecting the initiation condition, the processing unit is configured to activate an algorithmic bumping mode. The bumping mode includes activating the motor to advance the firing member distally with a first plurality starting and stopping motions at a first rate and a first power level. The bumping mode further includes activating the motor to retract the firing member proximally with a second plurality of starting and stopping motions at a second rate and a second power level. The first rate is different than the second rate. The first power level is different than the second power level.

Abstract: A buttress device includes an applicator assembly including an applicator body, the applicator body being flexible, and a release liner. The release liner is coupled to the applicator body. The buttress device includes a buttress positioned on the applicator body, and a buttress fastener, the buttress fastener configured to couple the buttress to an end effector. The buttress fastener is configured to be releasably fastened to the release liner. The buttress device has a first configuration in which the buttress is coupled to the applicator assembly, and a second configuration in which the buttress is uncoupled from the applicator assembly, wherein the sacrificial tab is removed from the applicator assembly in the second configuration.

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: Surgical end effectors and fastener cartridges having firing lockout arrangements for preventing or limit a firing stroke when a cartridge has not been operably installed in the end effector or a spent cartridge has not been replaced.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an electronic device includes a first near field communication module, at least one second communication module, at least one portion of a volatile memory, at least one register, and at least one first circuit configured to activate the near field communication module, wherein the at least one second communication module is configured to power the at least one portion of the volatile memory, the at least one register and the at least one first circuit with a first supply voltage when the electronic device is in an on state and when the first near field communication module is in a standby mode.

Abstract: A replaceable staple cartridge is disclosed which is seatable in a jaw of a surgical stapling instrument. If the staple cartridge is not fully seated in the jaw, the closure of the surgical stapling instrument will fully seat the staple cartridge.

Abstract: Stapler cartridges and surgical apparatus that include a stapler cartridge can include a knife that retracts into the stapler cartridge after cutting stapled tissue to prevent an operator being cut by the knife during replacement of the used stapler cartridge with a new stapler cartridge. A stapler cartridge includes a staple pushing shuttle, a knife member slidably coupled with the staple pushing shuttle, and a cartridge body. The staple pushing shuttle is slidably coupled to the cartridge body. The cartridge body includes a guide track engaged by the knife member and configured so that a cutting blade of the knife member protrudes from the cartridge body during a first portion of a distal movement of the staple pushing shuttle and the cutting blade is retracted into the cartridge body during a second portion of the distal movement of the staple pushing shuttle.

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 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: Surgical end effectors and fastener cartridges having firing lockout arrangements for preventing or limit a firing stroke when a cartridge has not been operably installed in the end effector or a spent cartridge has not been replaced.

Abstract: A replaceable staple cartridge for use with a surgical instrument is disclosed. The replaceable staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body, staple cavities defined in the cartridge body, staples removably positioned in the staple cavities, and staple drivers configured to support the staples in the staple cavities. The staple drivers are movable between an unfired position and a fired position. The staple cartridge further comprises a wedge sled, wherein the wedge sled is configured to motivate the staple drivers from the unfired position toward the fired position, and driver retention members extending into the staple cavities. The driver retention members are configured to retain the staple drivers in the unfired position.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus includes a handle assembly, an elongate tubular body, a loading unit including an anvil assembly and a staple cartridge assembly, and a reload assembly. The reload assembly includes a staple cartridge releasably disposed within the staple cartridge assembly of the loading unit, a cartridge buttress releasably secured to the staple cartridge, and an anvil buttress including a proximal portion releasably secured to the staple cartridge and a distal portion releasably coupled to the anvil assembly of the loading unit.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes a tool assembly including an anvil and a cartridge assembly that are movable in relation to each other between open and clamped positions. The cartridge assembly includes a staple cartridge that can be replaced after each firing of the stapling device to facilitate reuse of the stapling device. The anvil includes a lockout mechanism that prevents operation of the stapling device when the staple cartridge has been previously fired. The lockout mechanism is adapted to move from a locked position to an unlocked position when the staple cartridge is replaced and the tool assembly is moved from the open position to the clamped position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument that comprises an elongate shaft assembly that defines a shaft axis. A surgical end effector is pivotally coupled to the elongate shaft assembly for selective pivotal travel about an articulation axis that extends transversely relative to the shaft axis. The surgical instrument further includes an articulation system that comprises a single articulation driver that is supported for longitudinal travel along a path that is laterally offset from the shaft axis. A cross link is coupled to the articulation driver and extends transversely across the shaft axis to be coupled to the surgical end effector.

Abstract: An endoscopic stapling device for tissue resection has an asymmetrical tool assembly that delivers a greater number of staples, or rows of staples, to healthy tissue that remains in a patient, and fewer number of staples, or rows of staples, to diseased or damaged tissue to be resected and removed from the patient. The tool assembly includes an asymmetric cartridge assembly and an asymmetric anvil assembly for applying the staples to the resected and healthy tissues. The endoscopic stapling device also includes an asymmetric drive assembly for actuating the tool assembly.

Abstract: A powered endoscopic surgical apparatus is provided and includes a handle including a housing, a power source supported in the housing; an endoscopic portion extending distally from the housing of the handle; an end effector assembly coupled to a distal end of the endoscopic portion, the end effector assembly including a pair of jaws configured to perform a surgical function; a driving member; a drive source including a motor powered by the power source and connected to the driving member; and a gear assembly engaged with the motor. The gear assembly including a gear rack provided on the driving member; and a main gear operatively connected with the gear rack, the motor spinning the main gear such that rotary motion of the main gear moves the driving member in an axial direction such that the driving member actuates the end effector to perform the surgical function.

Abstract: A motor-driven surgical cutting and fastening instrument that comprises an end effector, an electric motor, and a motor control circuit. The motor control circuit is for monitoring a parameter of the electric motor that is indicative of movement of a moveable member of the end effector, and for adjustably controlling the electric motor based on the monitored parameter to thereby adjustably control movement of the moveable member of the end effector during forward rotation of the electric motor.

Abstract: Compressible adjuncts for use with a staple cartridge are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the compressible adjunct includes a non-fibrous adjunct material formed of at least one fused bioabsorbable polymer. The adjunct material is configured to be releasably retained on a staple cartridge and is configured to be delivered to tissue by deployment of staples in the cartridge The adjunct material includes a lattice macrostructure having at least one drug contained therein. The lattice macrostructure is formed of a plurality of unit cells, in which each unit cell is configured to eject a predetermined amount of drug from the adjunct material and the predetermined amount of the drug being a function of a compression profile of the respective unit cell.

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.

Abstract: A staple cartridge comprising a firing member and a sled releasably attachable to the firing member is disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical suturing system is disclosed. The surgical suturing system comprises a firing drive, an end effector, and a needle configured to be driven by said firing drive. The end effector comprises a track defined therein configured to guide the needle through a needle firing stroke. The surgical suturing system further comprises a needle driver configured to be driven by the firing drive and configured to drive the needle through the needle firing stroke.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes a tool assembly and a drive assembly. The tool assembly includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly that define longitudinal axes. The drive assembly is movable from a retracted position to move the tool assembly from an open position in which the longitudinal axes of the anvil and cartridge assemblies define an acute angle, to a partially clamped position in which the longitudinal axes of the anvil and cartridge assemblies are substantially parallel, and to a clamped position in which the longitudinal axes of the anvil and cartridge assemblies are substantially parallel.

Abstract: A surgical instrument can include a shaft, an end effector, and an articulation joint configured to permit the end effector to rotate relative to the shaft about the articulation joint. The surgical instrument can further comprise a first articulation actuator for rotating the end effector in a first direction and a second articulation actuator for rotating the end effector in a second direction. The articulation actuators can be configured to push the end effector. The articulation actuators can assume different configurations depending on whether they are experiencing a compressive load or a tensile load. The articulation joint can comprise an articulation frame which forms a proximal joint with the shaft and a distal joint with the end effector. The joints can comprise fixed axis joints and/or ball-and-socket joints, for example. The articulation joint can comprise links having different sizes to facilitate the articulation of the articulation joint.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a housing, an elongate shaft defining a longitudinal axis, an end effector, a firing member, and a laminate firing actuator connected to the firing member is disclosed. The elongate shaft comprises an articulation joint defining an articulation axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis, a first lateral buckling support positioned on a first side of the articulation joint, and a second lateral buckling support positioned on a second side of the articulation joint. The laminate firing actuator extends through the articulation joint. The laminate firing actuator extends intermediate the first lateral buckling support and the second lateral buckling support. The first lateral buckling support and the second lateral buckling support engage the laminate firing actuator when the end effector is articulated about the articulation joint.

Abstract: A surgical instrument system that includes a housing and a rotatable drive shaft, a motor operably coupled to the drive shaft, and a plurality of replaceable end effectors that can be connected to the housing. Each replaceable end effector includes a drive screw that is turned a fixed number of revolutions by the motor-driven rotatable drive shaft when the end effector is connected to the housing. Each end effector further comprises a firing member operably coupled with the drive screw of the end effector. The drive screw is configured to displace the firing member over a firing length as a result of the fixed number of revolutions. In certain embodiments, each replaceable end effector can include a drive screw with a thread pitch set to the firing length divided by the fixed number of revolutions.

Abstract: A staple cartridge for use with a surgical instrument is disclosed. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body comprising a tissue-supporting surface, a staple cavity defined within the cartridge body, a staple removably positioned in the staple cavity, and a staple driver movably positioned within the staple cavity, wherein the staple driver is configured to support the staple. The staple cartridge further comprises a wedge sled translatable between a proximal end and a distal end of the staple cartridge, wherein the wedge sled is configured to move the staple driver from an unfired position to a fired position during a staple firing stroke, and a driver retention member configured to retain the staple driver in a retention position that allows for the wedge sled to be retracted after the staple firing stroke.

Abstract: A surgical stapling attachment configured to be operably attached to and detached from a surgical robot is disclosed. The surgical stapling attachment comprises an attachment interface, a shaft extending from the attachment interface, and an end effector extending from the shaft. The end effector comprises a firing member, a first closure member, a second closure member, a staple cartridge comprising staples removably stored therein, a cartridge jaw, and an anvil jaw movable relative to the cartridge jaw. The first closure member is configured to be actuated by the surgical robot to move the anvil jaw relative to the cartridge jaw between an unclamped configuration and a first clamped configuration. The second closure member is configured to be actuated by the surgical robot independent of the first closure member to move the anvil jaw relative to the cartridge jaw between the first clamped configuration and a second clamped configuration.

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a housing, a shaft, a loading unit, a firing member configured to perform a firing stroke, a motor, a battery, a firing trigger, a control system, an electronic lockout, and a firing trigger lockout is disclosed. The electronic lockout is configured to prevent the firing member from performing the firing stroke when the loadinq unit is not attached to the shaft. The electronic lockout is further configured to prevent the firing member from performing the firing stroke when the loading unit is attached to the shaft and the loading unit has been at least partially fired. The firing trigger lockout is in a locked position when the loading unit is not attached to the elongate shaft. The firing trigger lockout is in the locked position when the loading unit is attached to the elongate shaft and the loading unit has been at least partially fired.

Abstract: Drive assemblies for surgical clamping and cutting instruments, as well as surgical clamping and cutting instruments using these drive assemblies, are disclosed. The drive assemblies may include a drive member, a locking member mounted to the drive member, and a spring. The drive member may be configured to releasably engage at least one of a knife or a shuttle of a surgical clamping and cutting instrument for translating the knife and/or shuttle in a distal direction through a firing stroke. The locking member may be movable from a first position permitting distal translation of the drive member through the firing stroke, and a second position inhibiting distal translation of the drive member through the firing stroke. The spring may be configured to bias the locking member toward the second position.

Abstract: A surgical circular stapler has a handle assembly, a shaft assembly, a stapling head assembly, and an anvil. Firing the stapler causes the stapling head assembly to drive a plurality of staples in a circular array to secure two lumens of tissue together. The stapling head assembly may further drive a blade to sever any excess tissue interior of the circular array of staples. The stapler further includes one or more sensors that detect the degree to which the anvil is uniformly loaded when compressing tissue prior to firing the stapler. The one or more sensors can provide signals to a processor with various logic rules that can be used to signal to the user whether uniform loading is achieved. In some instances, the signal may be used in an automated fashion to determine if a uniform loading precondition is satisfied such that firing the stapler is enabled.

Abstract: A surgical instrument system comprising an elongate shaft is disclosed. The elongate shaft comprises a proximal end, a distal end, a proximal region, a central region, and a distal region. The proximal region comprises a first diameter. The central region comprises a second diameter. The distal region comprises a third diameter. The first diameter is different than the second diameter, and the second diameter is different than the third diameter. The proximal region defines a central longitudinal axis and the central region is centered along the central longitudinal axis. The distal region is laterally offset with respect to the central longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Surgical stapling apparatuses have a buttress attached thereto. The buttress includes an elongate rectangular body having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and opposing lateral sides running along the elongate rectangular body from the proximal portion to the distal portion. The buttress possesses a layer of a therapeutic agent on at least the proximal portion. In embodiments the buttress possesses the therapeutic agent at both the proximal portion and the distal portion.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes a reload assembly that includes a locking member to retain a knife carrier of the reload assembly in a retracted position after the stapling device is fired. The locking member may be supported on an inner housing portion of the shell housing or on a staple pusher assembly of the reload assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured to apply an adjunct material to a stapling surface of a jaw of a surgical stapler. The jaw includes an outer surface disposed opposite the stapling surface. The apparatus includes a housing and an arm. The housing includes a first contact feature that is configured to contact one of the adjunct material or the outer surface of the jaw. The arm is operatively coupled with the housing. The arm includes a second contact feature that is configured to move relative to the first contact feature to contact the other of the adjunct material or the outer surface of the jaw. The first and second contact features are configured to cooperate to apply a compression force in a direction toward the first contact feature to pinch the adjunct material against the stapling surface to mount the adjunct material to the stapling surface.