The present invention is directed to a surgical instrument with a robotics system, a memory device and an end effector having an elongate channel, knife position sensor(s) and a firing bar coupled to a knife. In response to drive motions initiated by the robotics system, the firing bar may translate within the elongate channel. As the firing bar translates, the sensor(s) transmit a signal to the memory device. The position of the knife may be determined from the output signals and may be communicated to the robotics system or instrument user. The sensors may be Hall Effect sensors.

Embodiments of the invention include a tissue repair system and related components and associated methods that provide for suturing of tissue using three or more suture anchoring implants, including multiple pairs of connected implants in some embodiments, all of which may be deployed from a single device. Some embodiments achieve this by employing a push mechanism capable of being activated to advance the push mechanism incrementally to discrete positions within the device and deploy implants one at a time from the device.

The present invention provides a patch deployment device, the device comprising a pusher wire having a proximal end and a distal end; a plurality of deployment wires, wherein each deployment wire: has a first end and a second end, and the first end and the second end are connected to the distal end of the pusher wire; and is configured to be in an unexpanded state when positioned and constrained within a catheter, and configured to self-expand into an expanded state when positioned beyond a distal end of the catheter and not constrained, wherein in the expanded state at least a portion of the wire is positioned substantially within a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pusher wire and has an asymmetric form when viewed along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pusher wire.

Devices, systems, and methods to improve both the reliability of soft tissue repair procedures and the speed at which the procedures are completed are provided. The devices and systems include one or more tissue augmentation constructs, which include constructs that are configured to increase a footprint across which suture applied force to tissue when the suture is tied down onto the tissue. The tissue augmentation constructs can be quickly and easily associated with the repair suture, and can be useful in many different tissue repair procedures that are disclosed in the application. Tissue augmentation constructs can include various blocks and scaffolds, among other formations. The present disclosure includes, among other disclosures, methods for using tissue augmentation scaffolds, including folding scaffolds, and descriptions and methods associated with extra-wide tissue augmentation blocks.

In various embodiments, a tissue thickness compensator can comprise a compressible extracellular matrix and a bioabsorbable material dispersed within the extracellular matrix, wherein the bioapsorption of the bioabsorbable material is configured to leave behind channels in the extracellular matrix. The tissue thickness compensator can also comprise generation means for generating the ingrowth of tissue into the channels. In at least one embodiment, the tissue thickness compensator can comprise dissolvable wicking members which, when dissolved, can leave behind channels in the tissue thickness compensator. In certain embodiments, the tissue thickness compensator can comprise at least one rupturable capsule.

An interface for a surgical system includes an instrument drive unit and a surgical instrument. The instrument drive unit includes a connection hub and at least one drive shaft rotatably supported in the connection hub. The at least one drive shaft extends between a first end and a second end having an oblique end surface. The surgical instrument is releasably connectable to the instrument drive unit and includes a connecting member and at least one driven shaft rotatably supported in the connecting member. The at least one driven shaft extends between a first end and a second end. The second end has an oblique end surface corresponding to the oblique end surface of the at least one drive shaft. The oblique end surfaces are configured such that the connecting member is connectible with the connection hub via a first connection pathway and a second connection pathway.

A clip cartridge assembly for use with a reposable surgical clip applier includes a clip tray, a plurality of surgical clips, and a cover. The clip tray includes a plurality of distally oriented, deflectable, resilient fingers projecting from a base wall thereof. Each resilient finger terminates in a distal shoulder and a proximal end of the clip tray is configured for selective connection with a clip pusher bar of an endoscopic assembly of the reposable surgical clip applier. The cover includes a plurality of distally oriented, deflectable, resilient fingers projecting within a channel defined through proximal and distal ends thereof. Each resilient finger of the cover terminates in a distal shoulder and the cover includes a pair of opposed slots defined within sidewalls of the channel configured to slidably retain the clip tray and the plurality of surgical clips therein. A reposable surgical clip applier is also provided.

A surgical stapler, or fastening instrument, may generally comprise a layer, such as a tissue thickness compensator, for example, releasably attached to a fastener cartridge and/or anvil by a flowable attachment portion. The flowable attachment portion may be indefinitely flowable. The flowable attachment portion may be flowable from the time that layer is installed to the fastener cartridge to the time in which the layer is implanted to patient tissue. The flowable attachment portion may comprise a pressure sensitive adhesive. The flowable attachment portion may comprise an adhesive laminate comprising a base layer comprising the tissue thickness compensator and an adhesive layer on at least a portion of a surface of the base layer comprising the pressure sensitive adhesive. Articles of manufacture comprising flowable attachment portion and methods of making and using the flowable attachment portion are also described.

A surgical stapling device (10) includes an anvil (22) and a reload assembly (50) that includes a cartridge assembly (20) and a cutting plate (54). The reload assembly (50) is removably coupled to the stapling device (10) to facilitate replacement of the cartridge assembly (20) and the cutting plate (54) on the stapling device (10). In certain aspects of the disclosure, the reload assembly (50) also includes a shipping cap (52) that is supported on the cartridge assembly (20) and supports the cutting plate (54).

A knotless suture fastener installation system for securing medical devices such as cardiac implants. The knotless suture fasteners may be spring-biased so as to grip onto sutures passed therethrough. The system includes a fastener deployment tool with a proximal handle and a distal shaft to which a fastener cartridge attaches. A plurality of disposable cartridges are sequentially attached to the end of the deployment tool and used to secure the medical implant one fastener at a time. The deployment tool may also cut the sutures being fastened.