A fastener cartridge can include, one, a cartridge body comprising a deck and a plurality of fastener cavities and, two, a plurality of fasteners positioned in the fastener cavities. The cartridge body can further comprise extensions extending from the deck having different sizes and/or configurations. The extensions can control the flow of tissue relative to the deck and/or support the fasteners as they are ejected from the fastener cavities.

Surgical stapler systems can include a jaw assembly with one jaw defining a reload support capable of receiving and firing multiple disposable reload cartridges in a single surgical procedure. The reload cartridge can be protected by a reload cover engageable therewith. The reload cover can include snap features configured to prevent manual removal of the reload cover from the reload cartridge before proper positioning and installation in the reload support. The reload cover can desirably maintain a plurality of staples within staple pockets in the reload cartridge and can maintain a staple deployment mechanism in an unfired position.

A staple cartridge including a cartridge body and a first RFID feature. The cartridge body defines a longitudinal axis extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the cartridge body. The cartridge body is configured to be received within a jaw of a surgical stapler. The cartridge body also defines a plurality of staple apertures that are configured to house staples. The proximal portion of the cartridge body defines a pocket, and the pocket is proximal to a proximal most staple aperture of the plurality of staple apertures. The first RFID feature is fixed within the pocket. The first RFID feature is configured to communicate with a second RFID feature presented by the jaw of the surgical stapler.

A surgical cart includes a base and a plurality of wheels coupled to the base such that the base is moveable. The surgical cart also includes a first device coupled to the base and moveable relative to the base, and a first docking feature coupled to the base and moveable relative to the base. The surgical cart further includes a second device coupled to the base and moveable relative to the base, and a second docking feature coupled to the second device and moveable with the second device relative to the base. The first docking feature is engageable with the second docking feature to selectively couple the first device and the second device together.

A cover member for a surgical staple cartridge. The cover member is configured to retain a wedge sled within the staple cartridge in a starting position when the cover member is attached to the body of the staple cartridge. The cover member includes a top portion that covers all of the fastener openings in the deck of the staple cartridge when the cover is attached to the cartridge.

A surgical instrument includes a handle having a handle frame, a microcontroller having at least one program and memory, and a handle interface supported by the handle frame and in electrical communication with the microcontroller. The instrument further includes a loading unit having a body configured for operative coupling to the handle frame of the handle, and an end effector coupled to a distal end of the body and configured to perform a surgical task. A bracket is mounted to the loading unit and includes a microchip having at least one of authentication data and identification data relating to the loading unit.

A surgical device includes a cartridge alignment mechanism that loads a cartridge onto an engagement portion without having to place the cartridge in proper orientation with the engagement portion.

A method for authenticating the compatibility of a staple cartridge with a surgical instrument is disclosed. The method can comprise inserting a staple cartridge into a surgical instrument, receiving a first signal from a first RFID tag on a first component of the staple cartridge with an RFID reader system, receiving a second signal from a second RFID tag on a second component of the staple cartridge with the RFID reader system, comparing the first signal and the second signal to stored data for a compatible staple cartridge, and locking a staple firing system of the surgical instrument if the first signal and the second signal do not match the stored data for a compatible staple cartridge.

A surgical staple cartridge is disclosed comprising a strip of staples removably stored within the surgical staple cartridge. The strip of staples comprises a plurality of staples, a base strip, and a plurality of connector portions joining the staples to the base strip.

A surgical stapling device includes a cartridge assembly including a cartridge body, a staple pusher, a knife assembly, and a locking device. The locking device is configured to prevent readvancement of the knife assembly.