A method and device for reducing the damaging effects of a blast or concussive event includes applying pressure to at least one jugular vein to reduce the egress of blood from the cranial cavity during the incidence of the concussive event. Reducing blood out flow from the cranial cavity increases intracranial pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid to reduce the risk of traumatic brain injury and injuries to the spinal column. Reducing blood out flow further increases the intracranial pressure, and thereby increases the pressure of the cochlear fluid, the vitreous humor and the cerebrospinal fluid to thereby reduce the risk of injury to the inner ear, internal structure of the eye and of the spinal column. In addition, increasing intracranial pressure reduces the likelihood of brain injury and any associated loss of olfactory function.

A surgical end effector includes a cartridge. The cartridge includes first and second sensor arrays disposed in the cartridge. The first sensor array is configured to sense a function of a first component located within the cartridge and the second sensor array is configured to sense a function of a second component located within the cartridge. The first and second sensor arrays are electrically coupled to an electronic circuit. The electronic circuit includes a control circuit configured to receive signal samples from the first sensor array, receive signal samples from the second sensor array, and process the signals samples received from the first and second sensor arrays to determine a status of the cartridge.

An apparatus includes a body and a shaft assembly. The body includes a rotary drive output, a linear drive output, and a control module. The shaft assembly includes a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end includes a type of end effector configured to operate on tissue. The proximal end is configured to removably couple with the body assembly. The proximal end includes one or both of a rotary drive input configured to couple with the rotary drive output or a linear drive input configured to couple with the linear drive input. The shaft assembly is configured to actuate the end effector in response to movement of one or both of the rotary drive input or the linear drive input. The control module is configured to selectively actuate the rotary drive output or the linear drive output based on the type of end effector of the shaft assembly.

A method for controlling a powered surgical stapler that includes an end effector with jaws that are movable between an open and a closed position and a firing member that is movable between a starting position and an ending position within the end effector. The jaws and firing member are controlled by separate rotary systems and the end effector includes a firing member lockout system that prevents axial movement of the firing member unless the surgical staple cartridge is in ready to fire condition.

Powered drivers operable to insert an intraosseous device into a bone are disclosed. Some of the present powered drivers include a housing having a distal end and a proximal end. A driveshaft may be located near the distal end of the housing and configured to engage a portion of the intraosseous device. A motor may be disposed in the housing and operable to rotate the driveshaft. A power source may be disposed within the housing and configured to power the motor. The powered drivers may include a lockout operable to prevent activation of the driver for increased safety when handling the driver.

A surgical instrument comprising a housing, an elongate shaft defining a longitudinal axis, an end effector, a firing member, and a laminate firing actuator connected to the firing member is disclosed. The elongate shaft comprises an articulation joint defining an articulation axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis, a first lateral buckling support positioned on a first side of the articulation joint, and a second lateral buckling support positioned on a second side of the articulation joint. The laminate firing actuator extends through the articulation joint. The laminate firing actuator extends intermediate the first lateral buckling support and the second lateral buckling support. The first lateral buckling support and the second lateral buckling support engage the laminate firing actuator when the end effector is articulated about the articulation joint.

A system for controlling a robotic end-effector is disclosed. The system includes a robotic arm, a surgical tool including an end-effector with articulatable arm and a clamp jaw. A tool driver is coupled to the surgical tool and a motor is coupled to the tool driver and is configured to drive the surgical tool. A sensor is configured to sense external forces applied to the end-effector. A central control circuit is configured to control the tool driver. The central control circuit is configured to receive a sensed parameter from the sensor, receive a sensed motor current (I) from the motor, and control the tool driver based on the sensed parameter and the motor current (I).

A device for loading a trocar assembly with an adapter assembly of a surgical stapling instrument and a method of confirming that the trocar assembly is properly secured to the adapter assembly are provided. The device includes a base member and an engagement arm secured to the base member. The base member defines a longitudinal passage for receiving a trocar assembly and includes a proximal end surface. The engagement arm is configured to releasably secure a trocar assembly within the base member. The engagement arm includes a proximal end surface. The proximal end surface of the base member is configured to engage a distal end surface of a trocar housing of the trocar assembly when the trocar assembly is not properly secured within the adapter assembly.

A surgical instrument includes a power pack, an outer shell housing configured to selectively encase the power pack, and an adapter assembly configured to selectively couple the outer shell housing to a loading unit. The outer shell housing includes a motor and a drive shaft coupled to and rotatable by the motor. The outer shell housing includes a drive member supported in a distal portion thereof. The drive member is configured to selectively couple to the drive shaft. The adapter assembly has a drive member supported in its proximal end. The drive member of the adapter assembly is configured to selectively couple to the drive member of the outer shell housing such that rotation of the drive shaft actuates movement of the drive member of the adapter assembly via the drive member of the outer shell housing.

An apparatus comprises an electrically power surgical instrument having a handle assembly. The apparatus also comprises a communication device positioned within the handle assembly. The communication device is operable to communicate with at least a portion of the electrically powered surgical instrument. The apparatus further comprises an external device in wireless communication with the communication device. The external device is operable to receive information from the communication device and the external device is operable to provide an output viewable to the user.