Apparatus and methods are described allow the techniques of endoscopic and laparoscopic surgery to be combined into a minimally invasive hybrid surgical technique called NOTES-assisted laparoscopic surgery. Manual and robotic-controlled versions of a modular laparoscopic tool are described having a small diameter shaft that is delivered laparoscopically to a surgical site. Larger diameter working tips are delivered through a NOTES delivery tube inserted to the surgical site through a natural orifice and joined to the shaft of the modular laparoscopic tool. Larger diameter working tips improve the effectiveness of the modular laparoscopic tools and the number and size of laparoscopic ports used can also be reduced.

Embodiments relate to surgical devices, systems, and methods. The system includes a port assembly and surgical arm assembly. The port assembly includes a main body having a main channel. The main channel includes a left channel portion, right channel portion, left anchor channel portion, and right anchor channel portion. The left channel portion is shaped in such a way that, when a surgical arm of the surgical arm assembly is inserted through the left channel portion, a movement of the surgical arm is restricted to be a movement within the left channel portion and along a first central axis. The right channel portion is shaped in such a way that, when the surgical arm is inserted through the right channel portion, a movement of the surgical arm is restricted to be a movement within the right channel portion and along a second central axis.

A surgical instrument for use with a robotic system that has a control unit and a shaft portion that includes an electrically conductive elongated member that is attached to a portion of the robotic system. The elongated member is configured to transmit control motions from the robotic system to an end effector.

An apparatus and its method of use in delivering surgical tissue connectors into an area of the body and removing the surgical tissue connectors from the body area. The tissue connectors are connected to a base which allows for easy adjustment of the tissue connectors along a cord. The base includes a locking mechanism which impinges a sliding knot in the cord, and, in alternate configurations of the locking mechanism and knot, impinges on the sliding knot to prevent sliding in a loosening direction but allow sliding in a tightening direction, or allows sliding in a loosening direction.

A surgical instrument for use with a robotic system that has a control unit and a shaft portion that includes an electrically conductive elongated member that is attached to a portion of the robotic system. The elongated member is configured to transmit control motions from the robotic system to an end effector.

A replaceable staple cartridge for use with a surgical instrument is disclosed. The replaceable staple cartridge is stored in a packaging prior to being attached to the surgical instrument. The packaging includes a first layer, a second layer, and an RFID system. The first layer and the second layer form a seal around the replaceable staple cartridge. The RFID system includes an RFID tag and an insulator. The RFID tag includes an integrated battery, a tag antenna, and an RFID chip including stored information. The insulator electrically decouples the integrated battery from the RFID chip. The insulator is configured to detach from the integrated battery when the seal is broken between the first layer and the second layer. The RFID tag becomes active and transmits the stored information to an RFID scanner of the surgical instrument when the insulator is detached from the integrated battery.

In one example, a sterile container may include a tray having a plurality of walls at least partially defining a cavity. At least one of the plurality of walls may include an opening extending therethrough. The sterile container may further include a seal structure coupled to the tray. At least a portion of the seal structure may be received within the opening of the at least one of the plurality of walls. Additionally, the sterile container may include an extension structure coupled to the seal structure.

A surgical instrument comprising an end effector, a staple firing drive, and a motor control system is disclosed. The end effector includes a replaceable unspent staple cartridge comprising staples. The staple firing drive comprises an electric motor circuit including an electric motor. The staple firing drive further comprises a firing member movable through a firing stroke by the electric motor. The firing member comprises a tissue cutting knife. The staples are deployable from the staple cartridge based on movement of the firing member through the firing stroke. The motor control system comprises a current sensor and a position sensor. The motor control system is configured to change the operation of the electric motor based on an input from the current sensor. The motor control system is configured to change the operation of the electric motor based on an input from the position sensor.

A surgical tool for use with a robotic system is disclosed that includes a shaft, an end effector, a motor, an axially movable drive member, and a rotary drive shaft in operable communication with the motor. The end effector comprises a first jaw member and a second jaw member movable relative to the first jaw member between an open position and a closed position. The end effector is rotatable relative to the shaft. The axially movable drive member is in operable communication with the second jaw member. The rotary drive shaft is in operable engagement with the axially movable drive member. At least one rotational motion of the rotary drive shaft causes the axially movable drive member to move the second jaw member relative to the first jaw member from the closed position to the open position.

In one example, a sterile container may include a tray having a plurality of walls at least partially defining a cavity. At least one of the plurality of walls may include an opening extending therethrough. The sterile container may further include a seal structure coupled to the tray. At least a portion of the seal structure may be received within the opening of the at least one of the plurality of walls. Additionally, the sterile container may include an extension structure coupled to the seal structure.