Stapling systems

A stapling system is disclosed. The stapling system comprises a housing comprising a rotary drive member, an elongate shaft extending from the housing, wherein the elongate shaft defines a longitudinal axis, and an end effector comprising a jaw configured to support a staple cartridge and an anvil rotatable relative to the jaw between an open position and a fully-closed position, wherein the anvil comprises a cam surface. The stapling system further comprises a closure cam operably coupled with the rotary drive member, wherein the closure cam is configured to move longitudinally to engage the cam surface and transmit a closing motion to the anvil to move the the into the fully-closed position and an opening member configured to move longitudinally to apply an opening force to the anvil at a location other than the cam surface to move the anvil into the open position.

Robotically-controlled shaft based rotary drive systems for surgical instruments

A stapling system comprising a housing is disclosed. The housing comprises a first rotatable drive disk. The stapling system further comprises a closure member configured to transmit a closing motion from the first rotatable drive disk to an anvil to move the anvil into a closed position. The stapling system further comprises a second rotatable drive disk, wherein the second rotatable drive disk is operable independently of the first rotatable drive disk and is configured to transmit a second operative motion. The stapling system further comprises a firing member configured to perform a firing stroke in response to the second operative motion. The stapling system further comprises a control system that assures that the closing motion and the firing stroke are separate and distinct and that prevents the firing stroke from occurring prior to the completion of the closing motion.

Motor-driven surgical cutting and fastening instrument

A stapling assembly comprising an end effector, a lockout circuit, a firing member, and a drive system is disclosed. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw. The second jaw is movable relative to the first jaw between an unclamped position and a clamped position. The lockout circuit is configured to detect if a staple cartridge is in the end effector. The firing member is movable between an unfired position and a fired position during a firing stroke. The drive system is configured to clamp the second jaw and advance the firing member through the firing stroke. The drive system comprises an electric motor, a selectively operable first planetary gear train, a selectively operable second planetary gear train, and a switching mechanism configured to switch between the operation of the first planetary gear train and the second planetary gear train.

Surgical guidance systems, devices, and methods

Surgical systems and methods for avoiding injury to an anatomical structure are disclosed. According to some aspects, an implantable device configured to emit a detectable field may be attached to the anatomical structure. A proximity sensor may be attached to a distal end of a surgical instrument and may be configured to detect the detectable field. A control unit in communication with the proximity sensor may be configured to use the proximity sensor to determine if the distal end of the surgical instrument is within a predetermined distance of the implantable device. If so, a notification such as a vibration or alarm may be provided to a user of the surgical instrument so that the user can maneuver the surgical instrument to limit or prevent contact with the anatomical structure.

Tissue thickness compensators

A two-part tissue thickness compensator assembly can include a first tissue thickness compensator configured to be positioned relative to an anvil of a surgical stapler, a second tissue thickness compensator configured to be positioned relative to a staple cartridge of the surgical stapler, and a hinge connecting the first tissue thickness compensator to the second tissue thickness compensator. The first and/or second tissue thickness compensators may include additional engagement features, such as a raised ridge that engages a slot in the anvil and/or the staple cartridge. In certain embodiments, the first and/or second tissue thickness compensators may include an encasement that contains a suitable biologic agent. An end effector assembly may be provided for attachment to a surgical instrument that includes, for example, a staple cartridge, an anvil, a first tissue thickness compensator positioned on the anvil, and a second tissue thickness compensator positioned on the staple cartridge.

Robotically-controlled shaft based rotary drive systems for surgical instruments

A stapling assembly for use with a robotic device is disclosed. The stapling assembly comprises a first jaw, a second jaw rotatable relative to the first jaw between an open position and a closed position, an elongate shaft coupled to the first jaw, and a housing coupled to the elongate shaft. The housing comprises rotatable inputs operably engageable with the robotic device. A first system is configured to position the second jaw relative to the first jaw at a first rate. A second system is configured to position the second jaw relative to the first jaw at a second rate which is faster than the first rate.

Motor-driven fastening assembly

In various embodiments, a fastening assembly comprising a first jaw, a second jaw, a closure member, a rotatable drive shaft, a firing member, an electric motor, a sensing device, and a control system is disclosed. The second jaw is movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the first jaw. The closure member is movable between a first position and a second position. The second jaw is in the closed position when the closure member is in the second position. The electric motor is operable to rotate the rotatable drive shaft and advance the firing member through a firing stroke. The sensing device is configured to sense when the closure member is in the second position. The control system is configured to prevent advancement of the firing member through the firing stroke until after the second jaw is in the closed position.

Stapling instrument including a sensing system

A stapling instrument comprising a staple cartridge jaw including staples removably stored therein, an anvil configurable in an unclamped condition and a clamped condition, a closing member configured to move the anvil to the clamped condition, a firing member movable to eject the staples from the staple cartridge jaw during a staple firing stroke, and a rotatable drive member coupled to the firing member is disclosed. The closing member is operably isolated from the rotatable drive member. The stapling instrument further comprises an electric motor operably engaged with the firing member, a battery electrically couplable to the electric motor, a handle, and a sensing system. The electric motor and the battery are positioned in the handle. The sensing system is responsive to the clamped condition of the anvil and the movement of the firing member. The sensing system comprises a lockout configured to prevent a function of the stapling instrument.

Dynamic virtual port provisioning

In a general aspect, a computer-implemented method can include provisioning a virtual network on a hypervisor server. The method can also include querying the hypervisor server to determine an allowable range for a number of virtual ports of a first port group of a virtual switch implemented on the hypervisor server, the first port group being associated with the virtual network. The method can further include provisioning at least one virtual machine on the virtual network including assigning a respective virtual port of the first port group to the virtual machine. The method can still further include monitoring usage of the virtual ports of the first port group and, in response to the usage of the virtual ports of the first port group exceeding a threshold, instructing the hypervisor server to provision a second port group on the virtual switch, the second port group being associated with the virtual network.

Selective deposition

Methods are provided for selectively depositing a surface of a substrate relative to a second, different surface. An exemplary deposition method can include selectively depositing a material, such as a material comprising nickel, nickel nitride, cobalt, iron, and/or titanium oxide on a first surface, such as a SiO2 surface, relative to a second, different surface, such as a H-terminated surface, of the same substrate. Methods can include treating a surface of the substrate to provide H-terminations prior to deposition.