A surgical system includes a tubular shaft having a wall defining an outer surface and an inner surface disposed about an inner space, the tubular shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. The surgical system also includes at least one light emitter and at least one light sensor disposed at the distal end of the tubular shaft, and one or more leads or conductors electrically coupled to the at least one light emitter or the at least one light sensor. The one or more leads may be disposed in clearances defined by first and second jaws. Alternatively or in addition, the one or more conductors may be formed on a flexible substrate, and the flexible substrate may have a deformed state in which the substrate is disposed in the inner space.

A surgical instrument comprising an end effector is disclosed. The end effector comprises a surgical dissector. The surgical dissector can apply mechanical and/or electrosurgical energy to treated tissue.

A surgical instrument comprising an end effector is disclosed. The end effector comprises a surgical dissector. The surgical dissector can apply mechanical and/or electrosurgical energy to treated tissue.

A surgical system includes a control circuit, a surgical instrument, and a user interface is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a plurality of components and a sensor. Each of the plurality of components of the surgical instrument includes a device parameter and is configured to transmit its respective device parameter to the control circuit. The sensor of the surgical instrument is configured to detect a tissue parameter associated with a proposed function of the surgical instrument, and transmit the detected tissue parameter to the control circuit. The control circuit is configured to analyze the detected tissue parameter in cooperation with each respective device parameter based on a system-defined constraint. The user interface is configured to indicate whether the surgical instrument comprising the plurality of components is appropriate to perform the proposed function.

A surgical system includes a control circuit, a surgical instrument, and a user interface is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a plurality of components and a sensor. Each of the plurality of components of the surgical instrument includes a device parameter and is configured to transmit its respective device parameter to the control circuit. The sensor of the surgical instrument is configured to detect a tissue parameter associated with a proposed function of the surgical instrument, and transmit the detected tissue parameter to the control circuit. The control circuit is configured to analyze the detected tissue parameter in cooperation with each respective device parameter based on a system-defined constraint. The user interface is configured to indicate whether the surgical instrument comprising the plurality of components is appropriate to perform the proposed function.

A surgical stapling instrument is disclosed. An end effector for the surgical stapling instrument comprises a staple cartridge assembly and an anvil. The staple cartridge assembly comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and a cartridge body comprising a shortened nose at the distal end. The staple cartridge assembly further comprises staples removably stored in the cartridge body, a driver configured to support at least one of the staples, and a sled movable toward the distal end. The sled comprises a ramp configured to lift the driver and at least one of the staples and a base, wherein the shortened nose of the cartridge body is shorter than the base of the sled. The anvil comprises a staple forming surface comprising a plurality of staple forming pockets and a blunt distal nose extending downward toward the staple cartridge assembly.

A surgical stapling instrument is disclosed. An end effector for the surgical stapling instrument comprises a staple cartridge assembly and an anvil. The staple cartridge assembly comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and a cartridge body comprising a shortened nose at the distal end. The staple cartridge assembly further comprises staples removably stored in the cartridge body, a driver configured to support at least one of the staples, and a sled movable toward the distal end. The sled comprises a ramp configured to lift the driver and at least one of the staples and a base, wherein the shortened nose of the cartridge body is shorter than the base of the sled. The anvil comprises a staple forming surface comprising a plurality of staple forming pockets and a blunt distal nose extending downward toward the staple cartridge assembly.

An end effector assembly for use with a surgical instrument is disclosed. The end effector assembly comprises a staple cartridge jaw, a threaded rod, and a replaceable staple cartridge configured to be seated in the staple cartridge jaw. The replaceable staple cartridge comprises a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal slot extending between the proximal end and the distal end, and a driver configured to support a staple, wherein the driver comprises a surface facing the threaded rod, wherein the surface comprises a clearance, and wherein at least a portion of the threaded rod is configured to be received in the clearance when the replaceable staple cartridge is seated in the staple cartridge jaw.

An end effector assembly for use with a surgical instrument is disclosed. The end effector assembly comprises a staple cartridge jaw, a threaded rod, and a replaceable staple cartridge configured to be seated in the staple cartridge jaw. The replaceable staple cartridge comprises a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal slot extending between the proximal end and the distal end, and a driver configured to support a staple, wherein the driver comprises a surface facing the threaded rod, wherein the surface comprises a clearance, and wherein at least a portion of the threaded rod is configured to be received in the clearance when the replaceable staple cartridge is seated in the staple cartridge jaw.

A surgical instrument that includes a surgical end effector that is articulatable relative to a proximal shaft segment of the surgical instrument. The surgical end effector is attached to the proximal shaft segment by an articulation joint that comprises a plurality of movably interconnected links that interface with a centrally disposed drive member to apply articulation motions thereto and which serve to provide improved lateral stability to the articulation joint.