Surgical instrument system configured to evaluate the load applied to a firing member at the initiation of a firing stroke

A surgical instrument assembly disclosed herein can comprise an end effector configured to capture tissue, an electric motor couplable with a power supply, and a rotatable drive shaft operably coupled with the electric motor, wherein the rotatable drive shaft is configured to drive a firing drive during a firing stroke. The surgical instrument assembly can further comprise a sensing system configured to detect the load applied to the firing drive at the initiation of the firing stroke. The surgical instrument assembly can also comprise a lockout circuit configured to sense the current through the electric motor and to interrupt the current through the electric motor based on the sensed current at the initiation of the firing stroke.

TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR COMPRISING A CUTTING MEMBER PATH

A fastener cartridge can comprise a support portion, a tissue thickness compensator positioned relative to the support portion, and a plurality of fasteners. In use, the fastener cartridge can be arranged in a jaw of a surgical fastening device. To deploy the fasteners, a staple-deploying member is advanced through the fastener cartridge to move the fasteners toward an anvil wherein the fasteners can capture at least a portion of the tissue thickness compensator therein along with at least a portion of the tissue being fastened. The cartridge body can further comprise a first knife path configured to receive a cutting member and the tissue thickness compensator can further comprise a second knife path aligned with the first knife path. The second knife path can comprise different portions configured to apply different resistances to the cutting member as the cutting member is advanced through the fastener cartridge.

ROBOTICALLY-CONTROLLED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH SELECTIVELY ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTOR

Devices and systems are provided for controlling movement of a working end of a surgical device by means of a robotic system. In one embodiment, systems and devices are provided for moving an end effector on a distal end of a surgical fastening device. Movement can include rotational movement of the end effector about an axis of the shaft, articulation of the end effector relative to the shaft, and actuation of an end effector, e.g., closing, firing, and/or cutting.

Fastener cartridge comprising a tissue thickness compensator and a gap setting element

A fastener cartridge can comprise a support portion, a tissue thickness compensator positioned relative to the support portion, and a plurality of fasteners positioned within the support portion and/or the tissue thickness compensator which can be utilized to fasten tissue. In use, the fastener cartridge can be arranged in a first jaw of a surgical fastening device, wherein a second jaw, or anvil, can be positioned opposite the first jaw. To deploy the fasteners, a staple-deploying member is advanced through the fastener cartridge to move the fasteners toward the anvil. As the fasteners are deployed, the fasteners can capture at least a portion of the tissue thickness compensator therein along with at least a portion of the tissue being fastened. The fastener cartridge can further comprise a gap setting element which can be configured to control the distance between the anvil, the support portion, and/or the tissue thickness compensator.

Surgical instrument system configured to detect resistive forces experienced by a tissue cutting implement

A surgical instrument disclosed herein comprises an elongate channel, a staple cartridge operably supported in the elongate channel, and an anvil movably supported relative to the elongate channel. The instrument further comprises a tissue cutting implement movable relative to the elongate channel, a drive shaft operably interfacing with the tissue cutting implement for transmitting motion to the tissue cutting implement, and an electric motor comprising a rotatable output operably engaged with the drive shaft. The instrument further comprises, one, a controller configured to control the electric motor and, two, a sensor configured to detect resistive forces experienced by the tissue cutting implement as the tissue cutting implement is driven through tissue clamped between the staple cartridge and the anvil, wherein the sensor is in signal communication with the controller.

Fastener cartridge assemblies

A fastener cartridge assembly. The fastener cartridge assembly can comprise a fastener, a cartridge body, and a tissue thickness compensator. The fastener can comprise a base, a first leg extending from the base, and a second leg extending from the base. The cartridge body can comprise a fastener cavity for receiving the fastener and a trajectory control for controlling the trajectory of the first and second legs of the fastener. The fastener can be removable from the fastener cavity along a fastener axis. The trajectory control can extend inwardly toward the fastener axis and can bias the first leg and the second leg toward alignment with the fastener axis when the fastener is positioned in the fastener cavity.

Fastener cartridge comprising a tissue thickness compensator including openings therein

A fastener cartridge assembly. The fastener cartridge assembly can comprise a cartridge body, a tissue thickness compensator releasably secured relative to the cartridge body, and a fastener removably positioned in a staple cavity of the cartridge body. The tissue thickness compensator can comprise a first clearance aperture extending along a first predefined trajectory and a second clearance aperture extending along a second predefined trajectory. The fastener can comprise a first leg aligned with the first clearance aperture and moveable along the first predefined trajectory, a second leg aligned with the second clearance aperture and moveable along the second predefined trajectory. The first and second predefined trajectories can be parallel.

Surgical instrument system comprising a firing system including a rotatable shaft and first and second actuation ramps

An assembly for use with a surgical instrument system is disclosed which comprises a cartridge body removably positionable in a channel. The system further comprises staple cavities and a longitudinal slot defined in the cartridge body, staples positioned in the staple cavities, and pushers configured to eject the staples from the staple cavities. The system further comprises rotary drivers couplable to the pushers. The system further comprises a rotatable shaft comprising a threaded portion rotatable by a motor and, in addition, a firing member comprising a threaded aperture engaged with the rotatable shaft which is configured to displace the firing member longitudinally when the shaft is rotated. The firing member comprises a first ramp positioned on a first side of the slot configured to actuate a first row of pushers and a second ramp configured to actuate a second row of pushers disposed laterally with respect to the first ramp.

Disposable vitrectomy handpiece

Electric vitrectomy handpieces are provided. The handpiece includes a motor, a clutch mechanism, an oscillating drive mechanism, a cutting tip and a handle. The motor is attached to the clutch, and the clutch is attached to the oscillating drive mechanism. When the motor is operational, the clutch expands to engage the oscillating drive mechanism and the oscillating drive mechanism converts the rotational motion of the clutch to the reciprocating motion of the cutting tip. When the motor is at rest, the clutch retracts to allow aspiration.

Emitter driver for noninvasive patient monitor

Embodiments of the present disclosure include an emitter driver configured to be capable of addressing substantially 2N nodes with N cable conductors configured to carry activation instructions from a processor. In an embodiment, an address controller outputs an activation instruction to a latch decoder configured to supply switch controls to activate particular LEDs of a light source.