A surgical instrument comprising a firing drive and a bailout retraction system is disclosed.

A surgical cutting and fastening instrument comprises an end effector, a shaft connected to the end effector, and a handle connected to the shaft. The handle comprises an electric, DC motor connected to a drive train for powering the drive train and a plurality of series-connected DC power source connected to the motor for supplying electrical power to the motor. The handle also comprises a power source selection switch for connecting, when in a first state, all of the DC power sources to the motor, and, when in a second state, a subset of the DC power sources to the motor. Also disclosed are control systems for actuating a RF electrode in the end effector and for indicating actuation of the RF electrode.

The present invention is directed to a surgical instrument with a robotics system, a memory device and an end effector having an elongate channel, knife position sensor(s) and a firing bar coupled to a knife. In response to drive motions initiated by the robotics system, the firing bar may translate within the elongate channel. As the firing bar translates, the sensor(s) transmit a signal to the memory device. The position of the knife may be determined from the output signals and may be communicated to the robotics system or instrument user. The sensors may be Hall Effect sensors.

A surgical instrument including an end effector, a shaft assembly defining a longitudinal axis extending proximally from the end effector, a first drive operatively connected to a first portion of at least one of the end effector or the shaft assembly, and an activating mechanism operatively connected to the first drive. The first drive longitudinally translates relative to the longitudinal axis from a first drive position toward a second drive position to respectively actuate the first portion from a first portion position toward a second portion. The activating mechanism selectively direct translation of the first drive from the first drive position toward the second drive position by rotating from a first rotational body position toward a second rotational body position or translating from a first translational body position toward a second translational body position.

A surgical instrument. The surgical instrument includes an end effector that comprises a staple channel and an anvil that is movably translatable relative to the staple channel. A tool mounting portion is configured to interface with a robotic system and operably communicate with the end effector. The instrument further includes a first sensor that has an output that represents a first condition of a portion of the robotic system. A second sensor has an output that represents a position of the anvil. A third sensor has an output that represents a position of a reciprocating knife within the end effector. An externally accessible memory device communicates with the first, second and third sensors.

A loading unit coupleable to a surgical stapling system is disclosed. The loading unit comprises an end effector, a firing system, and a shaft assembly extending proximally from the end effector. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw between an open position and a clamped position. The firing system comprises a firing assembly and an indicator. The firing assembly is movable toward a distal position through the end effector in response to a firing motion from the surgical stapling system. The indicator is configured to visually communicate a position of the firing assembly to a user of the surgical stapling system. The shaft assembly is removably couplable with the surgical stapling system and comprises an open slot region aligned with the firing assembly. The open slot region extends proximally with respect to the second jaw.

A device for forming a tissue fold includes a recess and an opening at the end of the recess. Tissue is drawn into the recess and through the opening using a tissue engaging element. As the tissue is drawn through the opening, the tissue layers are compressed together. A fastener is used to secure the tissue fold.

A surgical stapling apparatus. Various embodiments include a rotatable elongated body that extends from a rotatable shroud on handle assembly and has a distal end configured for attachment to a disposable loading unit. The apparatus further includes a lockable rotation system for selectively locking the rotatable shroud to prevent rotation thereof about a longitudinal axis.

A surgical stapler, a cartridge for a surgical stapler, a cutting mechanism for a surgical stapler, and a method of applying surgical staples in a patient are disclosed herein. The stapler may have an anvil movably coupled to a support jaw between a clamped configuration and a closed configuration. The cartridge may be configured to fit within an envelope diameter and to removably house a plurality of B-form staples, at least one of the plurality of B-form staples having a base length and a leg length, the leg length at least 53% of the envelope diameter. The cartridge may have slots shaped to house at least a second one of the plurality of staples at an angle oblique to the first one of the plurality of staples.

A surgical stapling apparatus includes a loading unit, a surgical buttress, and a buttress retention band. The loading unit includes an anvil assembly and a staple cartridge assembly. The staple cartridge assembly includes a staple cartridge having a tissue facing surface including staple pockets and a central longitudinal slot defined therethrough, and a protrusion extending outwardly therefrom. The surgical buttress includes a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The proximal end portion is positioned over the protrusion of the staple cartridge. The buttress retention band is disposed around the proximal end portion of the surgical buttress and the protrusion of the staple cartridge to releasably secure the proximal end portion of the surgical buttress to the staple cartridge assembly.