A surgical stapler is provided that includes a spring loaded lift that automatically adjusts a staple cartridge and/or staple formation between a range of sizes. The lift is automatically released as the staple firing mechanism begins its forward translation of the firing sequence. The automatic one-way adjustment also adjusts the staple cartridge while maintaining the cartridge parallel to the anvil to provide consistent staple formations.

A medical device including a handle body having a proximal end and a distal end, a spool on the handle body and to move between the distal end and the proximal end of the handle body, a catheter extending from the distal end of the handle body, an actuator attached to the spool and extending through the catheter, such that the actuator is removably connected to one or more dispensable devices at a distal end of the catheter, a spool controller to prevent connection with another of the dispensable devices to the actuator after a predetermined number of dispensable devices have been dispensed by the medical device.

The disclosure relates to a stent assembly for placement of a stent within a ureter. In many embodiments, the stent assembly includes a band coupled to a proximal end of the stent. In many such embodiments, the band may extend into the urethra and facilitate removal of the catheter without the help of a medical professional or requiring a portion of the stent assembly (e.g., suture loop) to extend outside of the patient. In various embodiments, the band may include one or more features that promote patient comfort while the stent is positioned within a body, such as by being atraumatic and/or seamless.

A head stabilization system useable for stabilizing a head of a patient during a medical procedure includes a sensor assembly and a connection assembly connected with a head fixation device. The sensor assembly includes one or more sensors positioned on the head fixation device for detecting one or more characteristics of the head fixation device. The connection assembly receives and processes the detected characteristic to provide feedback of the detected characteristic. The head fixation device can be adjusted or modified based on the provided feedback.

A surgical apparatus comprising: a mechanism that is configured to perform an operational motion of the surgical apparatus; and at least one transformation member having an original shape and a deformed shape, the at least one transformation member connecting the mechanism together, when the at least one transformation member is in the deformed shape so that the mechanism is capable of performing the operational motion; and wherein after the transformation member is subject a transition temperature, the at least one transformation member changes from the deformed shape to the original shape and disengages a portion of the mechanism so that the mechanism is prevented from performing the operational motion.

A method of operating a medical device comprises electrically connecting a power device to the medical device. The method further comprises sensing at least one characteristic of the medical device with the power device. The method further comprises adjusting or maintaining one or more characteristics of an electrical connection feature of the power device according to the at least one observed characteristic such that the electrical connection feature of the power device is operationally compatible with an electrical connection feature of the medical device. The method further comprises operating the power device according to an operational profile associated with the medical device.

Surgical stapling instruments are disclosed comprising a staple cartridge, a firing member, and a cartridge lockout configured to prevent the firing member from being advanced through the staple cartridge if the staple cartridge has been already spent. The stapling instruments further comprise a lockout in the shaft that responds to the cartridge lockout blocking the firing member.

A single use integrated disposable rotational speed reduction assembly having a shaft assembly, a housing, an output assembly, and a plurality of planetary gears each having a plurality of gear teeth. The shaft assembly is configured to cause rotation of the planetary gears with a sun gear. The rotation of the planetary gears is configured to cause rotation of an output shaft, with a reduction of rotational speed relative to the rotation of the shaft assembly. One or more gear components or spacers can be configured to fail after a predetermined number of use cycles.

A method is disclosed. The method can comprise obtaining a first staple cartridge and obtaining a second staple cartridge, wherein the first staple cartridge and the second staple cartridge comprise the same length and the same width. The method can further comprise inserting the first staple cartridge into a channel comprising a keyed profile, wherein complete insertion of the first staple cartridge into the channel is prevented by the keyed profile. Additionally, the method can comprise inserting the second staple cartridge into the channel, wherein complete insertion of the second staple cartridge into the channel is permitted by the keyed profile.

An integrated disposable rotational speed reduction assembly having a shaft assembly, a housing, an output assembly, and a plurality of planetary gears each having a plurality of gear teeth. The shaft assembly is configured to cause rotation of the planetary gears with a sun gear. The rotation of the planetary gears is configured to cause rotation of an output shaft, with a reduction of rotational speed relative to the rotation of the shaft assembly.