Devices and methods for acquiring and fastening tissues folds within an internal organ, such as the stomach, and for applying the methods and devices to producing reductions in organ volume or repair of bariatric procedures, are disclosed. An exemplary method for forming a continuous laterally extending tissue fold involves forming a succession of laterally extending folds having adjacent overlapping fold portions. One exemplary tissue-acquisition device has an open-end roller-and-arm structure that allows individual tissue folds to be formed and fastened, then advanced to an adjacent region within the stomach, for capture of a new fold that will form an extension of the existing fold(s).

A method for creating a flexible fastener line is disclosed. The fastener line comprises fasteners oriented in directions which are transverse or oblique to a tissue incision created by a cutting member. The fasteners can translate and/or rotate within the tissue when the tissue is stretched thereby creating flexibility within the tissue.

An implant insertion device is adapted for use with a shape memory implant. The shape memory implant includes a bridge interconnecting first, second, and third legs. The shape memory implant is movable between a first shape in which at least the first leg is substantially non-parallel and a second shape in which at least the first leg is substantially parallel. The implant insertion device engages the shape memory implant to maintain the shape memory implant in its second shape until the delivery of the shape memory implant into tissue or bone.

An implant insertion device is adapted for use with a shape memory implant. The shape memory implant includes a bridge interconnecting first and second legs. The shape memory implant is movable between a first shape in which the first and second legs are substantially non-parallel and a second shape in which the first and second legs are substantially parallel. The implant insertion device engages the shape memory implant to maintain the shape memory implant in its second shape until the delivery of the shape memory implant into tissue or bone.

A stapling assembly for use with a robotic device is disclosed. The stapling assembly comprises a first jaw, a second jaw rotatable relative to the first jaw between an open position and a closed position, an elongate shaft coupled to the first jaw, and a housing coupled to the elongate shaft. The housing comprises rotatable inputs operably engageable with the robotic device. A first system is configured to position the second jaw relative to the first jaw at a first rate. A second system is configured to position the second jaw relative to the first jaw at a second rate which is faster than the first rate.

The invention relates to a device for connecting body tissues with a head part, which has a longitudinal axis and can be pushed into a body opening, wherein a plurality of tissue staples are accommodated in the head part in a storage position which tissue staples consist of a linear main section and two engagement sections projecting perpendicularly therefrom and are each aligned in a first plane which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Optimal usability in the human body is achieved in that a hydraulic cylinder and/or a cylinder rod are at least partially arranged in the interior of the space which lies between the engagement sections of the tissue staples in the storage position, and preferably that the cylinder rod is firmly connected to a slider.

Improved tissue fasteners are disclosed that can be inserted into (and optionally through) tissue structures underlying a tissue surface for affixing overlapping tissues and tissue planes together, and the like. In some embodiments, an elongate anvil body may protrude distally and/or laterally from a fastener support disposed along the base. The anvil body may have a sharpened end and be configured to penetrate into the tissue, with the elongate anvil body optionally having a bend from a more distal orientation adjacent the clip support to a more lateral orientation adjacent the sharpened end during at least a portion of the deployment. The first leg can be driven through a desired location on the surface of the first tissue and against a receptacle of the anvil body so as to deform the fastener and affix it to the first tissue.

A fastener cartridge assembly for use with a circular surgical fastening device. The fastener cartridge assembly includes a cartridge body that has a circular deck. A plurality of fastener cavities is provided in the circular deck. Each fastener cavity includes two cavity ends wherein one cavity end of each of the fastener cavities is positioned on a first circular axis having a first radius and wherein the other cavity end of each fastener cavity is positioned on a second circular axis that has a second radius that differs from the first radius.

A staple cartridge assembly comprising a cartridge body, a deck, a longitudinal row of staple cavities defined in the deck, a plurality of staples removably stored in the row of staple cavities, and a ramp is disclosed. The cartridge body comprises a proximal end and a distal end. Each staple comprises a base, a first leg extending from the base, and a second leg extending from the base. The base comprises a groove. The ramp is configured to move from the proximal end toward the distal end to eject the staples from the staple cavities. The ramp travels along a path aligned with the bases of the staples. The first legs are positioned on a first side of the path. The second legs are positioned on a second side of the path. The groove of the base is configured to receive the ramp as the ramp travels along the path.

A surgical stapling device comprising a housing, an elongated portion, an end effector, and a movable handle disposed in mechanical cooperation with the housing and movable between a first open position and a second approximated position for affecting a function of the end effector. A ratchet mechanism is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the movable handle and is configured to substantially prevent the movable handle from moving towards its first open position until the movable handle reaches a predetermined position.