A flexible surgical stapler includes an adapter having a coupling assembly configured for securing the adapter assembly to a handle assembly, an elongate body extending from the coupling assembly, a first drive assembly extending through the elongate body, and a loading unit secured to a distal portion of the elongate body. The loading unit includes a firing assembly operably connected to the first drive assembly. The firing assembly includes a cycloid gear assembly for increasing an input torque from the first drive assembly to actuate the firing assembly. The flexible surgical stapler may include an introducer assembly to facilitate introduction of a stapling portion of the surgical stapler into a body cavity of a patient.

An end effector including an anvil and a staple cartridge assembly is disclosed. The staple cartridge assembly comprises a deck having steps defined thereon for compressing tissue positioned between the anvil and the staple cartridge assembly to different pressures. The staple cartridge assembly further comprises staples having different unformed heights removably stored therein. The staples are deformed against the anvil to different formed heights.

An end effector including an anvil and a staple cartridge assembly is disclosed. The staple cartridge assembly comprises a deck having steps defined thereon for compressing tissue positioned between the anvil and the staple cartridge assembly to different pressures. The staple cartridge assembly further comprises staples having different unformed heights removably stored therein. The staples are deformed against the anvil to different formed heights.

A surgical stapling device includes an elongated tool assembly having spaced first and second jaws positioned to receive a body organ. The length of the tool assembly (which may have a curved configuration) is selected to receive and staple and/or transect a body organ in a single actuation of the tool assembly.

An end effector including an anvil and a staple cartridge assembly is disclosed. The staple cartridge assembly comprises a deck having steps defined thereon for compressing tissue positioned between the anvil and the staple cartridge assembly to different pressures. The staple cartridge assembly further comprises staples having different unformed heights removably stored therein. The staples are deformed against the anvil to different formed heights.

The disclosed technology is directed to a treatment instrument comprises an end effector having a pair of clamping members configured to pivot with respect to one another. A sheath is attached to the end effector along a longitudinal axis so that the end effector can be bent or curved. A drive shaft is connected to the end effector so as to guide the end effector to open or close the pair of clamping members relative to one another when moved in a longitudinal direction relative to the sheath. An elongated member is connected to the end effector and is configured to make the end effector bend or curve with respect to the sheath when moved in the longitudinal direction relative to the sheath. First and second members are configured to produce first and second forces sufficient to open or close the pair of clamping members.

A surgical instrument for surgically joining a tissue includes a handle assembly, an elongate portion extending distally from the handle assembly, a pair of opposed jaw members, and a tissue stop. The tissue stop is mechanically engaged with a first jaw member and is configured to retain the tissue between the jaw members. The tissue stop is movable between a first position, where a stopping portion of the tissue stop is disposed between a tissue-contacting surface of the first jaw member and a tissue-contacting surface of the second jaw member, and a second position, where the stopping portion is between the tissue-contacting surface of the first jaw member and a lower surface of the first jaw member. A portion of the tissue stop is made of stamped metal section and a portion of the tissue stop is made of an overmolded plastic section.

A method for treating a patient includes a surgical instrument having a handle assembly, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The end effector includes an upper jaw and a lower jaw configured to pivot to receive a tissue of the patient therebetween. The upper and lower jaws respectively have upper and lower crush surfaces, which extends generally parallel with a centerline and are configured to receive the tissue thereagainst. The upper jaw also includes an anvil, whereas the lower jaw includes a staple cartridge and a deck facing the anvil. In addition, the lower jaw has a plurality of staple opening formed through the deck with a plurality of staples received therein. The upper and lower crush surfaces are configured to compress the tissue therebetween with a crush pressure configured to sever the tissue along the upper and lower crush surfaces.

A method of surgical stapling uses a surgical instrument operable to compress, staple, and cut tissue. The instrument includes a body, a shaft, and an end effector with a pair of jaws. A placement tip extends distally from one of the jaws of the end effector. The placement tip is elastically deformable when the placement tip is subject to a clamping force. In some instances the placement tip includes an arcuate bend, while in other instances the placement tip is straight. The placement tip can have a variety of non-rectangular lateral cross-sectional shapes. In some instances, the placement tip is made of a material of a specified durometer range and having a high color contrast. A distal end of the placement tip may change position based on the state of deflection of the placement tip in response to the clamping force.

A surgical instrument is disclosed comprising an end effector including a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein the first jaw is rotatable relative to the second jaw, and a closure system configured to close the first jaw during a closure stroke. The surgical instrument further comprises an articulation joint rotatably connecting the end effector to the shaft, an articulation system configured to articulate the end effector relative to the shaft, and a firing system operably engaged with the electric motor, wherein the firing member is configured to move through the end effector during a firing stroke. The surgical instrument further comprises a first rotatable member configured to selectively synchronize the motion of the firing system with the motion of the articulation system and a second rotatable member operably engageable with the articulation system, wherein the closure system is configured to stop the rotation of the second rotatable member.