Surgical instrument

A surgical stapler comprising an end effector is disclosed. The end effector comprises a firing member configured to move at least partially through the end effector, a stop configured to create a lockout condition by impeding an advancement of the firing member through the end effector, and a sensor configured to detect the lockout condition. The surgical stapler further comprises a handle. The handle comprises an electric motor configured to transmit a force to the firing member. The handle further comprises a control system configured to control the electric motor. The sensor is in communication with the control system. The control system controls the electric motor to adjust the force transmitted to the firing member when the lockout condition is communicated to the control system.

Motorized surgical cutting and fastening instrument having handle based power source

In various embodiments, a cordless instrument for cutting and coagulating tissue is provided. The cordless instrument comprises a handle comprising a power supply system, wherein the power supply system comprises a battery, an oscillator, and an amplifier. The cordless instrument further comprises an end effector comprising a battery-powered electrode and a moveable cutting member. The cordless instrument further comprises a conductor extending between the power supply system and the battery-powered electrode.

Staple cartridges for forming staples having differing formed staple heights

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.

Surgical instrument

A surgical stapling system is disclosed. The surgical stapling system comprises a housing comprising a motor and a battery configured to supply power to the motor. The surgical stapling system further comprises a firing actuator operably coupled with the motor and a stapling assembly comprising a plurality of staples and a distal end. The surgical stapling system further comprises a shaft configured to support the stapling assembly, a firing member configured to transmit a firing motion from the motor to the stapling assembly, and a firing member sensor system configured to detect the position of the firing member within a detectable range of positions relative to the end of the stapling assembly.

Surgical stapling device with a curved staple cartridge

In various embodiments, an end effector for use with a surgical instrument is disclosed. The end effector comprises a staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staple cavities arranged in staple cavity rows, a plurality of staples ejectably stored in the staple cavities, and a slot comprising a longitudinal curvature. The end effector further comprises a staple-ejecting sled configured to translate along the slot during a firing stroke, wherein the staple-ejecting sled comprises a ramp and an irreversibly curved guide, wherein the irreversibly curved guide is connected to the ramp within the staple cartridge and wherein the irreversibly curved guide comprises a longitudinal curvature that matches the longitudinal curvature of the slot.

Powered surgical instrument having a transmission system

A powered surgical apparatus for engaging tissue includes a housing assembly and a movable portion operatively connected to the housing assembly. The movable portion is movable with respect to the housing assembly. In addition, the surgical apparatus includes a power source configured to supply electrical power, and a transmission system configured to transfer at least one of a signal and electrical power between the handle assembly and the movable portion, the transmission system including a first electronic board disposed in the handle assembly and a second electronic board positioned in the movable portion, the second electronic board including a primary control circuit and a secondary control circuit wherein the movable portion is configured and adapted to rotate about a longitudinal axis defined by the powered surgical apparatus.

Curved guide member for articulating instruments

A loading unit is provided. The loading unit includes a housing defining a longitudinal axis, a mounting support pivotally connected to the housing and including a tool assembly operably connected thereto, a curved guide member extending between the housing and the support member, and a drive member extending through the curved guide member for actuating the tool assembly when the mounting support is articulated relative to the housing.

Portable surgical instrument

A surgical instrument is provided and includes a housing including an elongated shaft. The housing includes a docking portion that includes one or more apertures defined therein and electrical circuitry disposed therein. An end effector is operably supported at a distal end of the elongated shaft. A battery assembly is selectively and pivotably engageable with the docking portion of the housing and configured to generate electrical energy. The battery assembly includes one or more protrusions that are configured to releasably engage the aperture(s) on the docking portion and a latch mechanism that is movable from an initial position for latching the battery assembly to the docking portion to a subsequent position for unlatching the battery assembly from the docking portion. The battery assembly is adapted to communicate with the electrical circuitry of the docking member upon insertion of the battery assembly into the at least one aperture.

Automated CCHD screening and detection

Automated critical congenital heart defect (“CCHD”) screening systems and processes are described. A caregiver may be guided to use a single or dual sensor pulse oximeter to obtain pre- and post-ductal blood oxygenation measurements. A delta of the measurements indicates the possible existence or nonexistence of a CCHD. Errors in the measurements are reduced by a configurable measurement confidence threshold based on, for example, a perfusion index. Measurement data may be stored and retrieved from a remote data processing center for repeated screenings.

Method for depositing a chlorine-free conformal sin film

Described are methods of making silicon nitride (SiN) materials on substrates. Improved SiN films made by the methods are also included. One aspect relates to depositing chlorine (Cl)-free conformal SiN films. In some embodiments, the SiN films are Cl-free and carbon (C)-free. Another aspect relates to methods of tuning the stress and/or wet etch rate of conformal SiN films. Another aspect relates to low-temperature methods of depositing high quality conformal SiN films. In some embodiments, the methods involve using trisilylamine (TSA) as a silicon-containing precursor.