A packaging assembly is designed for an applicator that contains a buttress assembly that is used with a surgical stapler to reinforce a cut and stapled tissue site. The packaging assembly protects the buttress assembly from damage due to physical contact as well as exposure to adverse environmental factors like excess moisture, etc. In one example the packaging assembly includes a dual tray design with an inner tray that holds the applicator. The combined inner tray and applicator are hermetically sealed within a foil assembly or foil pouch. The foil pouch with the inner tray and applicator within is placed within the outer tray to protect the foil from damage.

The present disclosure includes apparatuses for a surgical handle assembly. An example apparatus includes a reloadable cartridge assembly and a surgical handle assembly including a spring positioned in the surgical handle assembly at a proximal end of a toothed rack. Proximal movement of the toothed rack causes the spring to be compressed and allows for complete opening of the reloadable cartridge assembly.

Disclosed is an endoscopic device comprising an insertion tube, a distal tip, and at least one camera located at an initial location on or in the distal tip or the insertion tube. The endoscopic device is characterized in that it comprises a mechanical arrangement that is activated from the proximal end of the endoscopic device and is configured to do at least one of the following: (a) to move the at least one camera from the initial location to one or more different locations on, in or spaced away from the distal tip or the insertion tube; and (b) to change the direction of view of the at least one camera. Also disclosed are methods of performing endoscopic procedures using embodiments of the endoscopic device.

A surgical device comprising a first jaw member, a second jaw member, a clamping member and a clamp apparatus is disclosed. The clamping member is slidably positioned to translate at least partially through the first jaw member. The clamping member engages the first jaw member and the second jaw member, and has a knife blade for cutting tissue. A flange of the clamping member is configured to engage a cam surface to pivot the second jaw member with respect to the first jaw member from an open position toward an approximated position. The clamp apparatus is movable from a retracted position to an advanced position for preventing a gap between proximal portions of the first jaw member and the second jaw member from exceeding a predetermined distance. The clamping member and the clamp apparatus are separately movable.

A motor-driven surgical cutting and fastening instrument that comprises an end effector, an electric motor, and a motor control circuit. The motor control circuit is for monitoring a parameter of the electric motor that is indicative of movement of a moveable member of the end effector, and for adjustably controlling the electric motor based on the monitored parameter to thereby adjustably control movement of the moveable member of the end effector during forward rotation of the electric motor.

A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument can include an end effector, comprising an anvil and a staple cartridge. The surgical instrument can further include a shaft defining a longitudinal axis. The surgical instrument can also include an articulation joint, wherein the end effector is rotatably connected to the shaft about the articulation joint between an unarticulated position and at least one articulated position. The surgical instrument can include means for adjusting the length of a firing stroke as a function of the degree in which the end effector is articulated relative to the longitudinal axis. The surgical instrument can include a sensor configured to defect shifting of lateral portions of a flexible firing bar that extends through the articulation joint. Additionally or alternatively, the surgical instrument can include a relief feature configured to accommodate shifting of lateral portions of a flexible firing bar.

A fastener cartridge can include, one, a cartridge body comprising a deck and a plurality of fastener cavities and, two, a plurality of fasteners positioned in the fastener cavities. The cartridge body can further comprise extensions extending from the deck having different sizes and/or configurations. The extensions can control the flow of tissue relative to the deck and/or support the fasteners as they are ejected from the fastener cavities.

A cartridge of a surgical instrument includes a housing, a drive member, and a knife member. The knife member is driven distally by the drive member and is configured to cut when moved distally. During an initial distal movement of the drive member, the knife member is coupled with the housing to restrain the knife member from moving distally. Subsequent to the initial distal movement of the drive member, the drive member drives the knife member toward the distal end.

A slip ring assembly is used with a surgical shaft assembly. The slip ring assembly includes a slip ring, a first conductor mounted on the slip ring, a commutator rotatable relative to the slip ring, and a second conductor mounted on the commutator. The slip ring assembly further includes a flexible member disposed between the slip ring and the commutator. The flexible member comprises a body and flexible protrusions extending from the body, wherein the flexible protrusions are elastically deformed against the first slip ring.

A surgical instrument, operable to compress, staple, and cut tissue, includes a body, a shaft, and an end effector with a pair of jaws. A placement tip that is bent, angled, or curved and 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, such as when the end effector is closed with the jaws in contact or when tissue is clamped between the jaws of the end effector. When the placement tip deflects, relative angles defined in part by the placement tip vary compared to an initial state without the clamping force. Furthermore, 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.