Abstract:
In various embodiments, a surgical end effector is disclosed. The surgical end effector comprises a staple cartridge comprising a proximal end and a distal end. The staple cartridge is configured to be used to staple tissue within an optimal tissue thickness range. An anvil is movably coupled relative to the staple cartridge. A tissue thickness sensing module is located adjacent to the distal end of the staple cartridge. The tissue thickness sensing module comprises a sensor and a controller. The sensor is configured to generate a tissue thickness signal indicative of a thickness of the tissue located between the anvil and the staple cartridge. The controller is in signal communication with the sensor. The controller comprises means for identifying a staple cartridge type. The staple cartridge type and the thickness measurement are used to determine if the thickness of the tissue is within the optimal tissue thickness range.
Abstract:
A tissue thickness compensator may generally comprise a first layer comprising a first medicament, a second layer comprising a second medicament, and a third layer comprising a third medicament. The tissue thickness compensator may comprise a first layer comprising a first medicament, a second layer comprising a second medicament, and a reservoir comprising a third medicament disposed within the reservoir. The medicaments may be independently selected from a haemostatic agent, an anti-inflammatory agent, an antibiotic agent, anti-microbial agent, an anti-adhesion agent, an anti-coagulant agent, a pharmaceutically active agent, a matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor, and combinations thereof. Articles of manufacture comprising the tissue thickness compensator and methods of making and using the tissue thickness compensator are also described.
Abstract:
A surgical instrument includes a drive member movable by a drive motor between a home position and an end of stroke. A mechanical stop is disposed at or near the end of stroke and is structured to increase resistance to movement of the drive member from a first position to a second position. A control system detects a current spike associated with the increased resistance and interrupts power to the drive motor.
Abstract:
A surgical instrument for acting on tissue. The surgical instrument comprises at least one processor, at least one motor in communication with the processor and at least one actuation device. The processor is programmed to receive from a removable implement portion a first variable describing the removable implement. The processor is also programmed to apply the first variable to an instrument control algorithm. Further, the processor is programmed to receive an input control signal from the actuation device and control the at least one motor to operate the surgical instrument in conjunction with the removable implement in accordance with the instrument control algorithm considering the input control signal.
Abstract:
A surgical instrument that includes a housing (12) that has an elongated shaft assembly (16) attached thereto that is configured to be rotated relative to the housing. The surgical instrument further includes a conductor arrangement (930, 932, 936, 944) that facilitates transfer of electrical power or current from a power source (200) which may be located in the housing or external to the housing to a distal portion of the elongated shaft assembly or to a surgical end effector coupled thereto. The surgical instrument may further include a travel limiting arrangement (950) for limiting the amount of rotary travel of the elongated shaft assembly relative to the housing to a predetermined range of rotary travel.
Abstract:
A power system, for powering a surgical instrument including an end effector and a motor configured to generate at least one motion to effectuate the end effector, includes a primary power source configured to supply a first power to operate the surgical instrument, wherein the primary power source is detachable from the surgical instrument, a secondary power source configured to supply a second power to operate the surgical instrument when the primary power source is detached from the surgical instrument, wherein the secondary power source is rechargeable, and wherein the primary power source is configured to charge the secondary power system, and a power management circuit configured to selectively transmit the first power from the primary power source and the secondary power from the secondary power source to operate the surgical instrument.
Abstract:
A circular stapler apparatus for stapling tissue has a circular stapling head operable to drive staples toward an anvil to form the staples in a circular array. The anvil includes an anvil head, a proximal shaft extending proximally from the anvil head and having a proximal end disposed in a first plane, and a first pivot connecting the anvil head to the proximal shaft. The first pivot is operable to be disposed in a second plane that is laterally offset from the first plane. The anvil is configured to rotate via movement through multiple pivot points. The anvil may be configured to rotate to a position in which a portion of the anvil head is disposed below the first pivot and between the first pivot and the proximal shaft such that the anvil head is acutely angled with respect to a longitudinal axis of the proximal shaft.
Abstract:
A surgical instrument system can comprise, one, a surgical instrument including a handle, a shaft comprising a distal end, and a trigger and, two, an end effector attachable to the shaft. The instrument can further include a firing member and a motor configured to move the firing member toward the distal end, wherein the trigger is configured to operate the motor. The surgical instrument system can further include a plurality of sensors configured to detect one or more error conditions, a plurality of indicators, and a controller in communication with the plurality of sensors and the indicators, wherein the controller is configured to selectively activate the indicators to indicate the error conditions detected. A surgical instrument can comprise a plurality of actuators and a plurality of actuator locks, wherein the controller can actuate one or more of the actuator locks to indicate the error condition detected.
Abstract:
A surgical instrument (4010) configured to relay a low-power signal from an end effector (4002) to a remote device (4014) is disclosed. The surgical instrument may comprise a handle, a shaft extending distally from the handle, and an end effector attached to the distal end of the shaft. A sensor (4116) may be disposed in the end effector. The sensor may generate a signal (4006) indicative of a condition at the end effector. A transmitter (4124) may be located in the end effector. The transmitter may transmit the signal from the sensor at a first power level. The signal may be received by a relay station (4008) located proximally to the shaft. The relay station is configured to retransmit the signal (4012) at a second power level, wherein the second power level is higher than the first power level.
Abstract:
Tissue thickness compensators for use with surgical staplers that are configured to form staples having different formed heights. Various tissue thickness compensators are disclosed that have non-uniform cross-sectional thicknesses or profiles. The tissue thickness compensators may be formed with a surface that matches a non-planar surface of the anvil or the staple cartridge deck. Methods of forming tissue thickness compensators with non-uniform crosssectional thicknesses or profiles are also disclosed.