Abstract: A surgical stapling device including a handle assembly, an endoscopic portion and an end effector is disclosed. The endoscopic portion extends distally from the handle assembly and defines a first longitudinal axis. The end effector defines a second longitudinal axis and includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly. The anvil assembly is supported adjacent a distal end of the endoscopic portion and includes a dissecting tip extending therefrom. The cartridge assembly is pivotably mounted adjacent the distal end of the endoscopic portion. The cartridge assembly is mounted for pivotal movement in relation to the anvil assembly between open and approximated positions.

Abstract: A staple cartridge includes outer and inner rows of retention slots that are adapted and configured to retain staples. The staple cartridge further includes a staple pusher including a plurality of pusher plates. A staple pusher includes pusher plates that are laterally spaced apart to engage staples within the outer rows of at least three rows of retention slots.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device and method for joining tissue portions are provided including a handle assembly, an elongate body extending from the handle assembly, a cartridge assembly supported on a distal end of the elongate body, and an anvil assembly at a distal end of the surgical stapling device. The anvil assembly includes a shaft for removably coupling the anvil assembly to the cartridge assembly and a head pivotally mounted to a distal end of the shaft. A sleeve member is slidably disposed about the shaft of the anvil assembly and is transitionable between a first position, where the sleeve member engages the head of the anvil assembly to secure the head in an un-tilted condition, and a second position, where the sleeve member is disengaged from the head of the anvil assembly to allow the head to tilt.

Abstract: A circular stapling instrument including a stapling forming assembly that is actuated independently from actuation of the cutting assembly is provided. The instrument includes a handle assembly, an elongate body extending from the handle assembly, a cartridge assembly mounted on a distal end of the elongate body. The cartridge assembly includes a pusher assembly and a knife assembly. The knife assembly is selectively fixed relative to the pusher assembly.

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: A surgical stapling system including a driver and a staple where the driver is connected to the staple. In previous surgical stapling systems, the driver and the staple were not connected. A surgical stapling system in accordance with the present invention may have fewer components, less assembly and manufacturing time, and may accommodate larger staples which are at least partially embedded in the driver. In various embodiments, a surgical stapling system comprises a staple, the staple including a deformable member, and a stapler, the stapler including an anvil, a staple cartridge for removably storing the staple, and a cam movable between a first position and a second position. In these embodiments, the surgical stapling system further comprises a driver attached to the staple, the driver being operatively engaged with the cam to move the staple toward the anvil when the cam is moved between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A surgical stapler instrument has surgical stapler jaws, at least one staple line reinforcement material, and a fastener including a hook and a loop. The hook can be disposed on one of the surgical stapler jaws and the loop can be disposed on the staple line reinforcement material. Alternatively, the hook can be disposed on the staple line reinforcement material and the look on one of the surgical stapler jaws.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for use with a robotic system that has a control unit and a shaft portion that includes an electrically conductive elongated member that is attached to a portion of the robotic system. The elongated member is configured to transmit control motions from the robotic system to an end effector.

Abstract: A method of performing anastomosis between a graft vessel and a target vessel, each having a circumferential wall and a lumen therethrough, may include providing an anastomosis tool including a tissue effector and a fluid-driven actuator operationally connected to that tissue effector; connecting the fluid-driven actuator to an energy source; placing an end of the graft vessel in proximity to the side of the target vessel; and actuating the fluid-driven actuator to connect the end of the graft vessel to the side of the target vessel.

Abstract: An end effector for a surgical fastener applying instrument including a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The second jaw member includes first and second cartridges each containing a plurality of surgical fasteners, wherein each of the first and second cartridges is configured to move independently with respect to the first jaw member between a proximal position and a distal position.

Abstract: A surgical fastening system can comprise a plurality of fasteners, wherein each fastener can comprise, one, a base and, two, a leg extending from the base, wherein each leg can comprise a tip. The fastener system can further comprise a retention matrix comprising a first side facing toward the bases of the fasteners, a second side facing away from the bases of the fasteners, and a plurality of retention members configured to engage the legs. The fastener system can further comprise a cover configured to cover the staple tips, wherein the cover can comprise a sheet of material and/or a plurality of caps.

Abstract: An apparatus for joining two hollow organ sections includes a staple cartridge component, an anvil component, a knife member, a buttress mount and a buttress member. The staple cartridge component includes a plurality of surgical staples in an annular array. The anvil component is movable relative to the staple cartridge component between spaced apart and approximated positions to adjustably clamp tissue. The knife member is movable relative to the staple cartridge component. The buttress mount is concentrically disposed at least partially within the lumen of the knife member. The buttress mount includes a plurality of spokes radially extending outward and a plurality of legs detachably secured with an inner wall of the knife member. The buttress member is secured with the plurality of spokes of the buttress mount. The buttress member is concentrically aligned with the plurality of surgical staples.

Abstract: An end effector assembly for use with a surgical stapler, the end effector comprises a staple cartridge assembly having a tissue contacting surface and an anvil assembly having a tissue contacting surface. A surgical buttress configured and dimensioned to substantially overlie at least a portion of the tissue contacting surface of at least one of the staple cartridge assembly and anvil assembly. A plurality of attachment pads secured to at least one of the tissue contacting surface of the at least one staple cartridge assembly and anvil assembly configured to retain the respective buttress material thereto, wherein the surgical buttress is ultrasonically welded to each of the plurality of attachment pads.

Abstract: An end effector assembly for use with a surgical instrument. The end effector assembly can include a fastener cartridge, a plurality of fasteners, a first connector, a second connector, and a layer of material releasably secured to the fastener cartridge by the first connector and by the second connector. The layer of material can have a mount that extends into a slot or notch in the fastener cartridge between the first connector and the second connector when the layer of material is secured to the fastener cartridge. The layer of material can be a buttress material and/or a tissue thickness compensator. Further, the layer of material can have a reinforcement feature and/or a scalloped edge around at least a portion of the perimeter thereof.

Abstract: A surgical stapler includes first and second tissue clamping members and a reservoir configured to hold a tissue treatment composition. The first tissue clamping member is configured to receive a plurality of staples. The second tissue clamping member comprises an anvil configured to form the staples. The reservoir may be provided in a handle portion of the surgical stapler, and a fluid conduit may be used to communicate the tissue treatment composition from the reservoir. An end effector lumen may selectively communicate with the fluid conduit. The lumen may also be in communication with openings to further communicate the tissue treatment composition to tissue or to a scaffold material positioned adjacent to tissue. A reservoir may alternatively be provided in one of the clamping members. A knife member may pierce a housing defining the reservoir, and a resilient member may then urge a tissue treatment composition from the housing.

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 without the need to use different sizes of staples.

Abstract: A surgical stapler, or fastening instrument, may generally comprise a layer, such as a tissue thickness compensator, for example, releasably attached to a fastener cartridge and/or anvil by a flowable attachment portion. The flowable attachment portion may be indefinitely flowable. The flowable attachment portion may be flowable from the time that layer is installed to the fastener cartridge to the time in which the layer is implanted to patient tissue. The flowable attachment portion may comprise a pressure sensitive adhesive. The flowable attachment portion may comprise an adhesive laminate comprising a base layer comprising the tissue thickness compensator and an adhesive layer on at least a portion of a surface of the base layer comprising the pressure sensitive adhesive. Articles of manufacture comprising flowable attachment portion and methods of making and using the flowable attachment portion are also described.

Abstract: A cutting and stapling device for use as an attachment to an electromechanical device driver comprises an upper jaw and a lower jaw which separate and close against one another in a continuously parallel alignment. The upper jaw includes a series of staple guides corresponding to one or more staples in a removable staple tray disposed within a lower jaw, whereby a blade and wedge having a threaded bore travel upon a matching threaded shaft in a channel disposed in the lower jaw below the staple tray, such that rotation of the threaded shaft causes movement of the wedge through the channel while a sloped surface of the wedge contacts the staples to push the staples against the staples guides, closing the staples.

Abstract: A surgical instrument, such as an endoscopic or laparoscopic instrument. The surgical instrument may comprise an end effector comprising at least one sensor. The surgical instrument may also comprise an electrically conductive shaft having a distal end connected to the end effector wherein the sensor is electrically insulated from the shaft. The surgical instrument may also comprise a handle connected to a proximate end of the shaft. The handle may comprise a control unit electrically coupled to the shaft such that the shaft radiates signals as an antenna from the control unit to the sensor and receives radiated signals from the sensor. Other components electrically coupled to the shaft may also radiate the signals.

Abstract: A surgical cutting and fastening instrument. The instrument comprises an end effector and a shaft connected to the end effector. The shaft comprises a drive train for powering the end effector. The instrument also comprises an electric, DC motor connected to the drive train for powering the drive train. The instrument also comprises a torque-limiting device connected between to an output pole of the motor and an input pole of the drive train.

Abstract: One exemplary surgical apparatus may include an anvil assembly to which a staple holder assembly detachably connected; feeder belts positioned at least partially within the staple holder assembly; staples separably attached to each feeder belt; a wedge assembly slidable within and along the staple holder assembly, the wedge assembly including an engagement feature; and a deployment handle, where, upon closure of the anvil assembly and staple holder assembly relative to one another, the deployment handle engages the engagement feature; where the deployment handle is movable along the anvil assembly to drive the wedge assembly relative to the staple holder assembly, feeder belts and staples in order to deform at least one staple to a closed state and separate at least one closed staple from the corresponding feeder belt.

Abstract: A buttressed anvil assembly is provided for use with a surgical stapling instrument. The buttressed anvil assembly generally includes an anvil member having a strip of buttress material attached thereto by a pair of sutures. A tensioning mechanism is provided to secure or tension the buttress material to the anvil member prior to use and allow for release of the buttress material after stapling of tissue. The tensioning mechanism includes a cinch track engageable with one of the pair of sutures.

Abstract: An end-effector assembly configured to be attached to a surgical instrument. The end-effector assembly comprises a first jaw and a second jaw comprising a staple cavity. At least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is movable relative to the other jaw. The end-effector assembly comprises a staple removably positioned within the staple cavity and an electrically-conductive driver configured to move the staple between a first stored position in which the staple is at least partially positioned within the staple cavity and a second position in which the staple is at least partially deployed from the staple cavity into tissue positioned intermediate the first jaw and the second jaw. The staple comprises an electrode.

Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a handle assembly, an elongated body portion extending distally from the handle assembly, and a head portion disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated body portion and including an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. The anvil assembly is movable in relation to the shell assembly between spaced and approximated positions. The shell assembly includes a pusher movable distally to advance staples from the shell assembly into contact with the anvil assembly. First and second alignment pins operatively associated with the pusher have distal ends positioned distally of the pusher, the alignment pins movable between a first non-engaged position spaced from the anvil assembly and a second position in engagement with the anvil assembly.

Abstract: A surgical device is described herein that can be used to fire different types and sizes of disposable loading units. In a preferred embodiment, the device applies parallel rows of surgical fasteners to body tissue and concomitantly forms an incision between the rows of staples during an endoscopic or laparoscopic surgical procedure. The device can be utilized with disposable loading units configured to apply linear rows of staples measuring from about 15 mm in length to about 60 mm in length and can be used to fire disposable loading units containing surgical clips and individual staples.

Abstract: An exemplary surgical apparatus for treating tissue may include an anvil; a jaw pivotally connected to the anvil; and a first cartridge detachably connected to the anvil, holding staples of a first size; where a first clamp gap between the anvil and first cartridge is set by the connection between the first cartridge and jaw. An exemplary cartridge for a surgical stapler may include a cartridge housing; a plurality of staples held within the cartridge housing; and a sled slidable within, and retained by, the cartridge housing, including a central platform, at least one wedge connected to the central platform, and a knife rotatable relative to the central platform.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for surgically joining tissue is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a handle assembly, an elongated portion extending distally from the handle assembly and defining a longitudinal axis, and an end effector disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion. The end effector includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The first jaw member defines a first axis, which is transverse to the longitudinal axis. The first jaw member is pivotable about the first axis. At least one of the first jaw member and the second jaw member is movable with respect to the other between a spaced-apart and an approximated position.

Abstract: Surgical systems and related methods verify the presence of an unfired surgical cartridge mounted to a surgical instrument. The cartridge includes an input that is actuated in a firing direction to operate the cartridge. An actuation input that is limited to less than or equal to a predetermined magnitude is generated. The actuation input includes at least one of a torque or a force. The actuation input is transferred to an output of a surgical instrument to attempt to actuate the output opposite to the firing direction by a predetermined amount. The output is drivingly coupled with the cartridge input when the cartridge is mounted to the surgical instrument. The resulting actuation of the output is measured and compared with a threshold actuation amount. A determination is made that the cartridge is present and unfired when the resulting actuation of the output is less than the threshold actuation amount.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus is provided including a cartridge assembly defining a tissue contacting surface; an anvil assembly defining a tissue contacting surface; and a surgical buttress releasably secured to at least one of the tissue contacting surface of the cartridge assembly and the tissue contacting surface of the anvil assembly by at least one anchor. A loading unit is provided including a surgical buttress releasably secured to an anvil assembly and/or a staple cartridge secured thereto by at least one anchor, and a drive assembly including a knife blade, wherein movement of the drive assembly from a proximal position to a distal position results in the knife blade cutting the at least one anchor and freeing each surgical buttress from the anvil assembly and/or cartridge assembly.

Abstract: A surgical fastening apparatus including a fastener receiving frame including a plurality of spaced apart openings formed therein and a fastener supporting member containing a plurality of surgical fasteners extending therefrom. The surgical fasteners are engagable with the plurality of openings to mate with the fastener receiving frame to fasten tissue therebetween. The fasteners are engageable with the openings in a plurality of positions dependent on a tissue thickness between the fastener receiving frame and the fastener supporting member.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an endoscopic surgical instrument and methods for performing a diverticulum treatment. The surgical instrument includes a handle assembly, an elongated member and a jaw assembly. The elongated member is operably coupled to the distal end of the handle assembly, while the jaw assembly is operably coupled to a distal end of the elongated member. The jaw assembly includes a knife slot that is defined therewithin and is adapted to receive a knife blade to thereby cut tissue that is disposed between the jaw assembly. The jaw assembly is configured to approximate an esophageal tract and a diverticulum.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an endoscopic surgical instrument and methods for performing a diverticulum treatment. The surgical instrument includes a handle assembly, an elongated member and a jaw assembly. The elongated member is operably coupled to the distal end of the handle assembly, while the jaw assembly is operably coupled to a distal end of the elongated member. The jaw assembly includes a knife slot that is defined therewithin and is adapted to receive a knife blade to thereby cut tissue that is disposed between the jaw assembly. The jaw assembly is configured to approximate an esophageal tract and a diverticulum.

Abstract: A surgical stapler comprising a handle assembly, an elongated body portion extending distally from the handle assembly, and a head portion disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated body portion and including an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. The anvil assembly is movable in relation to the shell assembly between spaced and approximated positions. The anvil assembly has an anvil head and a plurality of projections extending proximally of the anvil head, the projections engageable with a portion of the shell assembly.

Abstract: An end effector for use with a surgical instrument comprising an anvil shaft, a first anvil assembly disposed at a distal portion of the anvil shaft and a second anvil assembly mountable on the anvil shaft proximally of the first anvil assembly. Also, a method for performing a surgical procedure is provided including the steps of providing a surgical instrument including a first cartridge assembly and a first anvil assembly having an anvil shaft, approximating the first anvil assembly and first cartridge assembly and ejecting staples from the first cartridge assembly. The method further includes removing the first cartridge assembly from the tubular organ, and inserting a second anvil assembly into the tubular organ to engage the anvil shaft of the first anvil assembly and ejecting staples from a second cartridge assembly towards the second anvil assembly.

Abstract: A locking shipping wedge is provided and generally includes a body portion having an elongate transverse member projecting from the body portion which is engageable with a drive assembly of a loading unit. A locking mechanism is provided on the body portion of the shipping wedge which is engageable with locking structure movably mounted within the loading unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surgical stapling apparatus and method of use that includes a cartridge assembly which is capable of being reloaded during a surgical procedure without being removed from the surgical site. This allows a surgeon to continue a surgical operation without withdrawing or removing the surgical stapler for reloading and thus reduces the length of the surgery while allowing the physician to concentrate solely on the surgical procedure rather than dividing attention between the surgical procedure and reloading of the surgical stapler. The surgical stapling apparatus includes an elongate member having a plurality of fasteners arranged in a plurality of longitudinally extending rows which is longitudinally translatable through the cartridge to position the plurality of fasteners relative to a plurality of retention slots extending through an upper surface of the cartridge.

Abstract: A surgical fastening apparatus having a fastener retaining frame including a first annular portion having a plurality of retainers circumferentially disposed thereon and a second annular portion having a plurality of circumferentially arranged perforations. The fastener retaining frame is detachably secured to a supporting structure. After the plurality of surgical fasteners have been mated with the plurality of retainers, an annular blade severs the perforations.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus is provided including a cartridge assembly defining a tissue contacting surface; an anvil assembly defining a tissue contacting surface; and a surgical buttress releasably secured to at least one of the tissue contacting surface of the cartridge assembly and the tissue contacting surface of the anvil assembly by at least one anchor. A loading unit is provided including a surgical buttress releasably secured to an anvil assembly and/or a staple cartridge secured thereto by at least one anchor, and a drive assembly including a knife blade, wherein movement of the drive assembly from a proximal position to a distal position results in the knife blade cutting the at least one anchor and freeing each surgical buttress from the anvil assembly and/or cartridge assembly.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument (1) comprises a staple fastening assembly (4) in the distal region of said instrument, the staple fastening assembly (4) including a cartridge device (8) which comprises at least one closed row (17, 18) of staples and defines a wavy distal end surface (14), and an anvil (9) which defines a wavy proximal staple forming surface (20) substantially matching the distal end surface (14) and which is adapted to cooperate with the cartridge device (8) for forming the ends of the staples exiting from the cartridge device (8), wherein the distal end surface (14) and the staple forming surface (20) have a globally wavy shape including two opposite peaks (21) and two opposite valleys (22) angularly spaced at about 90° from the adjacent peaks (21) and in that said two-peaks-two-valleys wavy shape is formed by a stepped configuration of said surfaces (14, 20).

Abstract: A loading unit for use with a surgical stapling apparatus is provided and includes a tool assembly having a cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly that are movable in relation to one another; a surgical buttress releasably secured to a tissue contacting surface of the anvil assembly and/or the cartridge assembly, wherein each surgical buttress is secured to the anvil assembly and/or the cartridge assembly by at least one anchor; a release assembly associated with the anvil assembly and/or the cartridge assembly; and a drive assembly slidably translatable through the tool assembly between proximal and distal positions, wherein the drive assembly actuates the release assembly to thereby release the anchor to free the surgical buttress from the anvil assembly and/or the cartridge assembly.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical instrument can comprise an end effector including a channel configured to support a staple cartridge and, in addition, an anvil pivotable between open and closed positions relative to the staple cartridge channel. The surgical instrument can further comprise a closure tube configured to at least partially surround the anvil and the staple cartridge channel to hold the anvil in a closed position. The closure tube can extend around the anvil a greater distance than the staple cartridge channel. The surgical instrument can further comprise a shaft and, in addition, an articulation joint pivotably connecting the end effector to the shaft. The articulation joint can further comprise a floating guide member which can guidably support a knife bar extending into the end effector and, at the same time, move independently of the end effector and the shaft to provide such support.

Abstract: A surgical device comprising an anvil, a cartridge assembly, a dynamic clamping member, a clamp ring and a drive mechanism is disclosed. The cartridge assembly is configured to house a plurality of fasteners at least partially therein. The anvil and cartridge assembly are movable in relation to each other between open and approximated positions. The dynamic clamping member is slidably positioned to translate at least partially through the cartridge assembly to eject fasteners therefrom. The dynamic clamping member engages the anvil and the cartridge assembly. The clamp ring is movable from a retracted position to an advanced position at least partially encircling proximal portions of the anvil and cartridge assembly for preventing a gap between proximal portions of the anvil and cartridge assembly from exceeding a predetermined distance. The drive mechanism includes a single actuator for driving both the clamp ring and the dynamic clamping member.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handle portion, a shaft housing a firing bar, an end effector comprising an anvil, a lower jaw, and a stapling and severing assembly responsive to a longitudinal closing motion produced by the handle portion and the shaft. The lower jaw is configured to receive a removable cartridge. The cartridge includes a housing, a plurality of staples disposed in the housing, and a deck disposed over the plurality of staples. The deck defines apertures, with each aperture being substantially disposed over each staple. The cartridge further includes an agent. The firing bar is operable to assist with releasing the agent onto a severed line of tissue when the firing bar is advanced.

Abstract: A surgical device for applying a plurality of surgical staples is provided. The device includes a staple fastening assembly attached to a surgical instrument. The staple fastening assembly includes a pair of cooperating jaws, a jaw operating mechanism, and a gap sensor. A staple magazine having a plurality of staples and an anvil member having a plurality of staple pockets are attached to the jaws. The staple magazine includes a staple crimping cam and a staple dimpling cam that are operatively coupled to the surgical instrument. The jaw operating mechanism is operatively connected to a drive assembly in the surgical instrument for moving the jaws for automatically setting a tissue gap between the cooperating jaws. The gap sensor cooperates with the jaw operating mechanism for controlling staple formation.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handle portion, a shaft housing a firing bar, an end effector comprising an anvil, a lower jaw, and a stapling and severing assembly responsive to a longitudinal closing motion produced by the handle portion and the shaft. The lower jaw is configured to receive a cartridge when in an open position. The cartridge includes a housing, a plurality of staples disposed in the housing, and a deck disposed over the plurality of staples. The deck defines apertures, with each aperture being substantially disposed over each staple. The cartridge further receives a matrix including glue beads suspended in the matrix. The staples are driven through the matrix to secure the matrix to tissue. The glue beads are activated when the matrix is secured to the tissue, such that the activated adhesive further secures the staple line in the tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a surgical instrument having a cutter and a stapler. The cutter is operable to sever a portion of tissue. The apparatus further comprises a plurality of staples where the stapler is operable to introduce the plurality of staples into tissue to form a staple line. The apparatus further comprises a reinforcement clip. The reinforcement clip is operable to be in selective communication with the staple line. The reinforcement clip comprises a crown, a leg portion, and a teeth portion. In some versions, the leg portion has a width operable to cover the area defined by the staple line. In some versions, the teeth portion is configured to anchor into tissue.

Abstract: A surgical method for treating a tissue structure having a wall and a lumen may include providing a substantially rigid anvil and a flexible tip affixed to and extending from the distal end of that anvil; making an incision in the wall of the tissue structure; inserting the flexible tip and at least a portion of the rigid anvil through the incision into the lumen of the tissue structure; and deforming at least one connector, introduced from outside the wall of the tissue structure, against the portion of the rigid anvil located within the lumen of the tissue structure.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is designed for clamping, cutting, and/or joining tissue. This surgical instrument includes a handle portion, an elongate portion extending distally from the handle portion, first and second jaw members disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion, a shaft movable upon actuation of the handle portion, and a knife bar operatively coupled to the shaft. At least one of the jaw members is movable with respect to the other between an open position and an approximated position for engaging body tissue therebetween. The knife bar has a curved profile and moves along at least one of the jaw members upon movement of the shaft.

Abstract: A fastener cartridge can comprise a compressible, collapsible, and/or crushable cartridge body and fasteners embedded within the cartridge body which can be utilized to fasten tissue. In use, the fastener cartridge can be positioned in a first jaw of a surgical fastening device, wherein the first jaw can be positioned opposite a second jaw, or anvil. The anvil can be engaged with the fastener cartridge to compress, collapse, and/or crush the cartridge body and deform, or otherwise deploy, the fasteners contained therein. As the fasteners are deformed or deployed, the fasteners can capture at least a portion of the cartridge body therein along with at least a portion of the tissue being fastened. In various embodiments, the fastener cartridge and/or the first jaw can comprise retention features which can allow the fastener cartridge to be selectively inserted into the first jaw in a first orientation or a second orientation.

Abstract: A device for cutting, stapling and dividing the bowel allowing surgery to be performed laparoscopically and associated method of use. The device is inserted transanally and positioned within the bowel, ligatures secure the bowel to the device. The bowel is then cut by the device while securing the open end to minimize spillage and the bowel stapled. The bowel can be re-attached using additional staples and further cuts made to allow the device to be removed.