Surgical devices having controlled tissue cutting and sealing

Various surgical devices and methods are provided for monitoring and regulating tissue compression and cutting to improve tissue effect. In general, these devices include a handle portion, an elongate shaft, and an effector disposed at a distal end of the shaft and configured to engage tissue. In one embodiment, one or more sensors can be positioned at various locations on the device and can determine a force applied to tissue engaged by the end effector. When the force exceeds a threshold, a notification signal can be issued to a user. In another embodiment, a sensor can determine an amount of current moving between jaws of the end effector and a controller can slow a speed of the cutting element when the sensed current exceeds a threshold amount.

Methods to shorten calibration times for powered devices

A calibration method for a hand-held surgical instrument is disclosed. The hand-held instrument includes a drive motor, a firing rod controlled by the drive motor and having at least one indicator, and a sensor configured to detect the at least one indicator. A microcontroller includes a pulse modulation algorithm stored therein to control the drive motor. The microcontroller executes a calibration algorithm to adjust at least one program coefficient in the pulse modulation algorithm.

Staple cartridge comprising staples with different unformed heights

A staple cartridge comprising staples with different unformed heights is disclosed.

Surgical instrument drive systems

A surgical instrument for stapling the tissue of a patient is disclosed. The surgical instrument comprises a shaft and an end effector. The end effector comprises a staple cartridge body including staple cavities defined therein, staples removably positioned in the staple cavities, an anvil configured to deform the staples, and a knife configured to cut tissue positioned intermediate the staple cartridge body and the anvil. The surgical instrument further comprises a staple drive system configured to eject the staples from the staple cavities and a knife drive system configured to move the knife relative to the staple cartridge body independently of the staple drive system.

Surgical instrument comprising drive systems

A surgical instrument for treating the tissue of a patient is disclosed. The surgical instrument comprises a staple cartridge. The staple cartridge comprises staple cavities and a longitudinal slot. The surgical instrument further comprises staples removably positioned in the staple cavities, a cutting member movable within the longitudinal slot, a firing system configured to elect the staples from the staple cavities to staple the tissue, a cutting system configured to move the cutting member within the longitudinal slot to cut the tissue, and a control system configured to operate the firing system and the cutting system independently of one another.

Surgical apparatus

A surgical stapling apparatus is provided. The surgical stapling apparatus includes an actuating device including an elongated shaft. A tool assembly is disposed on a distal end of the shaft. The tool assembly includes a first jaw member supporting a cartridge assembly having a plurality of surgical fasteners, and a second jaw member supporting an anvil. The first jaw member is movable in relation to the second jaw member between a spaced position and an approximated position. One of the first and second jaw members includes a cantilever at a proximal end thereof. A firing cam bar assembly is slidably disposed within the tool assembly and includes a cam surface configured to engage the cantilever to move the first and second jaw member towards the approximated position and a distal end configured to deploy the plurality of surgical fasteners from the cartridge assembly.

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.

CIRCULAR STAPLER AND STAPLE LINE REINFORCMENT MATERIAL

A surgical stapling instrument includes a staple cartridge assembly having a plurality of rows of staple receiving slots and an anvil assembly having a plurality of rows of staple forming recesses. The staple cartridge assembly, the anvil assembly, or both have one or more attachment members overmolded thereon. A staple line reinforcement material is attached to the attachment members.

Surgical apparatus

A surgical stapling apparatus is provided. The surgical stapling apparatus includes an actuating device including an elongated shaft. A tool assembly is disposed on a distal end of the shaft. The tool assembly includes a first jaw member supporting a cartridge assembly having a plurality of surgical fasteners, and a second jaw member supporting an anvil. The first jaw member is movable in relation to the second jaw member between a spaced position and an approximated position. One of the first and second jaw members includes a cantilever at a proximal end thereof. A firing cam bar assembly is slidably disposed within the tool assembly and includes a cam surface configured to engage the cantilever to move the first and second jaw member towards the approximated position and a distal end configured to deploy the plurality of surgical fasteners from the cartridge assembly.

Substrate for wallboard joint tape and process for making same

A multi-ply paper substrate is provided, which comprises at least two plies bonded to one another by an adhesive; a basis weight of 80-200 gsm; an internal bond of 10-180 milli-ft.-lb/sq. in. as measured by TAPPI method 541; an MD tensile of 20-300 lbf/inch width as measured by TAPPI method 494; and a CD tensile of 10-300 lbf/inch width as measured by TAPPI method 494. Methods of making and using the paper substrate, products made therefrom, and uses of the paper substrate are also provided.