A transseptal needle or punch is described wherein the distal end of the transseptal needle is able to articulate laterally out of the longitudinal axis of the steerable transseptal needle. The transseptal needle includes a blunted distal end configuration that is minimally traumatic. Under control by the user or a computer, the transseptal needle can be articulated to generate various curves with high bending force. The transseptal needle is configured for use with an introducer which can also include side windows.

A stapling device is provided that includes a reload assembly and an anvil assembly. The anvil assembly supports a cut ring. The reload assembly includes a knife assembly that has a distal knife portion and a proximal knife portion that are separate from each other. The distal knife portion includes a cutting edge and is movable with the proximal knife portion from a retracted position to an advanced position into engagement with the cut ring. In the advanced position, the distal knife portion is retained by the cut ring to shield the cutting edge of the distal knife portion.

A surgical handpiece system for performing measurement functions and surgical operations. The system includes a handpiece assembly. The handpiece has a handpiece housing and a drive cannula rotatably coupled to the handpiece housing. The drive cannula extends along an axis and is configured to receive torque from a motor. A surgical attachment module has an attachment housing removably coupleable to the handpiece housing. The surgical attachment module has a drive shaft rotatably coupled to the surgical attachment housing and configured to receive torque from the drive cannula to operate an end effector. A measurement module has a measurement housing removably coupleable to the handpiece housing. The measurement module is configured to perform measurement functions associated with operation of the handpiece assembly.

A staple cartridge assembly for use with a surgical stapler. The assembly has a cartridge body having a support portion with a plurality of staple cavities with openings. There is also a plurality of staples, wherein at least a portion of each the staple is removably stored within a staple cavity. Each the staple is movable between an unfired position and a fired position, and is deformable between an unfired configuration and a fired configuration. The assembly also includes a compressible tissue thickness compensator configured to be captured within the staples. The compressible tissue thickness compensator at least partially covers the staple cavity openings. The compressed tissue thickness compensator is configured to assume different compressed heights within different the staples. The compressible tissue thickness compensator comprising a lyophilized foam having an anti-microbial agent embedded therein.

Apparatus for placement in an incision or a natural body opening comprises a retractor having a sleeve (655, 656, 657) and a guard device comprising overlapping petals (662) depending from a mounting ring (661). The guard device is movable by the retractor from an insertion configuration to a deployed configuration as the retractor sleeve is moved to the retracting configuration.

A system includes a controller communicatively coupled to an illuminator and to a camera configured to capture a scene including tissue. The controller may change the output optical power of the illuminator from a first output optical power to a second output optical power so that a subsequently captured frame is captured by the camera from reflected light, the reflected light being light from the illuminator having the second output optical power prior to being reflected. The controller may determine that an endoscope contacted the tissue if the change of the output optical power of the illuminator results in a change of a reflected luminance that is less than a predetermined threshold, the change of the reflected luminance being a change from a first reflected luminance for the first output optical power to a second reflected luminance for the second output optical power.

The present disclosure relates generally to orthopaedic surgical tools used to cut and/or resect a bone of a patient during an orthopaedic surgical procedure such as, for example, a joint replacement procedure.

A method of operating a marking device includes defining an initial condition wherein a cannula is in an extended position and a stylet is in a ready position in the extended cannula, and, starting from the initial condition with the cannula in the extended position, sequentially: effecting movement of the stylet from a ready position to an implant position, ejecting an imaging marker through a distal opening in a cannula distal end of the cannula, and then; effecting a simultaneous unitary retraction of the cannula and stylet after ejection of the imaging marker from the distal opening in the cannula distal end.

A surgical apparatus comprises a transducer assembly and a shaft assembly. The transducer assembly is operable to convert electrical power into ultrasonic vibrations. The shaft assembly comprises an ultrasonic waveguide, a sheath, a shroud, and a torque transfer assembly. The waveguide is configured to couple with the transducer assembly. The waveguide is disposed within the sheath. The sheath extends through the shroud. The torque transfer assembly is contained within the shroud. The torque transfer assembly is configured to transfer a predetermined range of torque from the shroud to the waveguide to thereby couple the waveguide with the transducer assembly. The torque transfer assembly is further configured to prevent transfer of torque from the shroud to the waveguide beyond an upper limit of the predetermined range.

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.