A surgical stapling system comprising an end effector, a firing member, a firing beam, a motor configured to drive the firing beam, an elongate shaft, and an articulation region is disclosed. The end effector comprises a first jaw, a second jaw, and a staple cartridge comprising staples. The firing member is movable from a proximal position toward a distal position during a firing stroke. The staples are deployable from the staple cartridge based on the firing member moving toward the distal position during the firing stroke. The firing beam extends proximally from the firing member and is configured to drive the firing member between the proximal position and the distal position. The firing beam extends through the articulation region. The end effector is rotatable relative to the elongate shaft about the articulation region about an articulation axis.

A surgical instrument includes an end effector, a shaft assembly, and an axial location feature. The end effector includes an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm that can move between an open and closed position. The shaft assembly includes a proximal shaft portion, an acoustic waveguide extending proximally from the ultrasonic blade, a distal shaft portion extending along a distal axis, and an articulation section interposed between the proximal shaft portion and the distal shaft portion. The articulation section can deflect the distal shaft portion and the end effector relative to the longitudinal axis between a non-deflected position and a deflected position. The axial location feature can inhibit the ultrasonic blade from shifting relative to the clamp arm along the distal axis as the end effector is driven between the non-deflected position and the deflected position.

An endoscopic instrument containing a retractable tool at its end that is articulated by engaging an actuator that moves pull wires to angularly move the tip of the instrument along a plane for conducting a procedure at a target site. The tool of instrument is linearly move from an extension position to a retracted position by another actuator. The instrument provide rotational control of the tool and instrument tip portion with a rotational actuator for rotating housings that carry both pull wires and a conducting wire connected to the tool.

A method of dispensing surgical fasteners includes providing an applicator instrument having a housing with a cartridge opening, an elongated shaft extending from the housing, a firing system disposed within the housing for dispensing surgical fasteners, and an actuator for activating the firing system. The method includes forming a surgical opening in tissue, inserting a distal end of the elongated shaft into the surgical opening, inserting a cartridge containing a plurality of first surgical fasteners into the cartridge opening, and engaging the actuator for dispensing one of the first surgical fasteners from the distal end of the elongated shaft. While maintaining the distal end of the elongated shaft inside the surgical opening, the cartridge is removed from the cartridge opening, a second cartridge containing a plurality of second surgical fasteners is inserted into the cartridge opening, and the actuator is engaged for dispensing one of the second surgical fasteners from the distal end of the elongated shaft.

A surgical instrument that includes an elongate channel that is configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein. In at least one form, an anvil is pivotally coupled to a proximal end of the elongate channel such that the anvil is pivotal about a discrete, non-movable anvil axis defined by the elongate channel. A firing member is configured for axial travel within the elongate channel in response to an application of firing motions thereto. The firing member is configured to movably engage the anvil and the elongate channel to space the anvil relative to the elongate channel at a desired spacing as the firing member is axially driven through the elongate channel. A closure member is configured to move the anvil from an open position to closed positions relative to the elongate channel upon application of closure motions to the closure member.

This application provides an endoscopic device having at least one shaft with at least one portion deflectable, and having at least one deflection mechanism, which is configured to deflect the deflectable portion and includes at least one first connection member and at least one second connection member. When the connection members are arranged in a straight position relative to each other, a straight-position spacing exists defined by a shortest connection between a geometric midpoint of the first connection member and a geometric midpoint of the second connection member and, when the connection members are arranged in a deflection position relative to each other, a deflection-position spacing exists which is defined by a shortest connection between a geometric midpoint of the first connection member and a geometric midpoint of the second connection member, and the deflection-position spacing in the deflection position is greater than the straight-position spacing in the straight position.

A deployment device engageable with a movable component of a medical device to actuate the movable component with respect to another component of the medical device. The deployment device may be shifted among two or more configurations or stages to permit different movements of the movable component of the medical device. For instance, in one configuration the deployment device is fully engaged with the movable component such that a portion of the movable component is inhibited from engaging with an other portion of the medical device. In another configuration, the deployment device is partially withdrawn from engagement with the movable component to allow the movable component to engage with the other portion of the medical device.

A method of dispensing surgical fasteners includes providing an applicator instrument having a housing with a cartridge opening, an elongated shaft extending from the housing, a firing system disposed within the housing for dispensing surgical fasteners, and an actuator for activating the firing system. The method includes forming a surgical opening in tissue, inserting a distal end of the elongated shaft into the surgical opening, inserting a cartridge containing a plurality of first surgical fasteners into the cartridge opening, and engaging the actuator for dispensing one of the first surgical fasteners from the distal end of the elongated shaft. While maintaining the distal end of the elongated shaft inside the surgical opening, the cartridge is removed from the cartridge opening, a second cartridge containing a plurality of second surgical fasteners is inserted into the cartridge opening, and the actuator is engaged for dispensing one of the second surgical fasteners from the distal end of the elongated shaft.

Disclosed is a method of operating an electrosurgical instrument including an end effector with segmented electrodes.

A robotic surgical system comprises an instrument chassis assembly including an elongated member extending along a chassis axis, a proximal mounting section, a distal mounting section, and an instrument interface coupled to the proximal mounting section. The robotic surgical system further comprises an actuation system coupled to the proximal mounting section. The robotic surgical system further comprises a linkage system operably coupled between the actuation system and the distal mounting section. The linkage system includes an instrument guide. The robotic surgical system further comprises a surgical instrument including a proximal portion coupled with the instrument interface and a distal portion coupled with the instrument guide. The surgical instrument is pivotable via the instrument guide relative to the chassis axis.