Surgical stapling apparatus including sensing mechanism

A surgical stapling device particularly suited for endoscopic procedures is described. The device includes a handle assembly and an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly. The distal end of the elongated body is adapted to engage a disposable loading unit. A control rod having a proximal end operatively connected to the handle assembly includes a distal end extending through the elongated body. A control rod locking member is provided to prevent movement of the control rod until the disposable loading unit is fully secured to the elongated body of the stapling device.

SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH WIRELESS COMMUNICATION BETWEEN CONTROL UNIT AND REMOTE SENSOR

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.

Surgical staple cartridge

A staple cartridge assembly for use with a surgical stapling instrument is disclosed. The staple cartridge assembly comprises a plurality of staples and a cartridge body. The cartridge body comprises an elongate slot extending along a first longitudinal axis between a proximal end and a distal end of the cartridge body. The cartridge body further comprises a plurality of first staple cavities arranged in a first row. Each first staple cavity defines a first axis and comprises a first proximal end portion and a first distal end portion. The cartridge body further comprises a plurality of second staple cavities arranged in a second row. Each second staple cavity defines a second axis and comprises a second proximal end portion and a second distal end portion. Each first axis and each second axis are transverse to the first longitudinal axis. Each first axis is transverse to each second axis.

Surgical instrument with wireless communication between control unit and remote sensor

A surgical instrument is disclosed including a housing and a tool assembly. The housing includes a power source configured to generate electrical power, a control unit in electrical communication with the power source, and a first element coupled with the control unit. The tool assembly includes a staple cartridge including a plurality of staples and a second element separate from the first element. The control unit is configured to effect wireless transmission of the electrical power from the first element to the second element. The wireless transmission of electrical power energizes the second element from a passive state to an energized state. When in an energized state, the second element is configured to selectively communicate data received from a sensor to the control unit. The tool assembly is remote from the housing. The second element includes a microchip that includes a dynamic memory device and a non-dynamic memory device.

SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH WIRELESS COMMUNICATION BETWEEN CONTROL UNIT AND REMOTE SENSOR

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.

Lateral securement members for surgical staple cartridges

An end effector for use with a surgical instrument is disclosed. The end effector comprises an anvil, a cutting member, and a staple cartridge. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body, an elongate slot, and a deck comprising a first deck surface and a second deck surface, where one of the deck surfaces is stepped up from the other deck surface. The staple cartridge further comprises a plurality of first staple cavities arranged in a first row, a plurality of second staple cavities arranged in a second row, and a plurality of third staple cavities arranged in a third row. The staple cartridge further comprises a driven element, a lateral securement member releasably positioned over the deck, and a plurality of staples. The plurality of staples comprises a first staple, a second staple, and a third staple.

Articulatable surgical device

A surgical device for stapling patient tissue is disclosed. The surgical device comprises a housing, a rotator operably supported in the housing, and an elongate shaft operably coupled to and extending from the housing. The elongate shaft defines a shaft axis and includes a flexible shaft portion. The surgical device further comprises an end effector operably coupled to the flexible shaft portion. The end effector comprises a staple cartridge and a firing member which is displaced distally to staple the patient tissue in response to at least one actuation motion applied at the housing. The surgical device further comprises a flexible actuator extending along the shaft axis such that selective actuation of the flexible actuator causes articulation of the end effector. The flexible actuator is operably coupled between the end effector and the rotator. The firing member extends through the elongate shaft.

Powered surgical instrument

A surgical instrument including a handle assembly, a first endoscopic portion, a motor, and a first end effector is disclosed. The first endoscopic portion is selectively connectable to a distal portion of the handle assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. The first endoscopic portion includes a housing adjacent its proximal portion and includes an actuation member. The motor is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the housing of the first endoscopic portion and is operatively connected to the actuation member for moving the actuation member substantially along the longitudinal axis. The first end effector is selectively connectable to a distal portion of the first endoscopic portion and is configured to perform a first stapling function.

Method and systems for online advertising to users using fictitious user idetities

Various methods, systems and apparatus for associating fictitious user identities (e.g. screen names, user names, email addresses, handles, etc.) used in electronic communications (e.g. over the internet or mobile network via instant messenger, e-mail, social networks, ecommerce, auction websites, etc.) with real personal information (e.g. the true identity of an individual such as their name, address, credit score, driving record, mobile number, etc.) are disclosed. One such method may include discovering, verifying and storing real personal information, associated with fictitious user identities and email addresses. The method may further include allowing a remote user or service to submit a fictitious user identity and a query requesting real-user information associated with the submitted fictitious user identity. In one possible embodiment, a targeted-advertising service may utilize real user information, associated with a fictitious user name, to target advertisements at the user of the fictitious user name.

Semiconductor structure and device and methods of forming same using selective epitaxial process

Semiconductor structures, devices, and methods of forming the structures and device are disclosed. Exemplary structures include multi-gate or FinFET structures that can include both re-channel MOS (NMOS) and p-channel MOS (PMOS) devices to form CMOS structures and devices on a substrate. The devices can be formed using selective epitaxy and shallow trench isolation techniques.