A forceps having a first jaw and a second jaw, where at least one of the first and second jaws is capable of moving between an open position and a closed positions. The forceps including an inner shaft located within an outer shaft and extending along the longitudinal axis, and a drive bar coupled to and extending distally from the inner shaft. The drive bar including a pair of drive bar struts extending from a distal portion of the inner shaft and positioned laterally inward of at least one of first and second set of flanges of the first and second jaws. A drive pin is securable to the pair of drive bar struts and the drive bar is translatable within the outer shaft to translate the drive pin to move the first jaw and/or the second jaw between open and closed positions.

An apparatus includes an end effector, a shaft assembly, a closure jaw assembly, and an adjustment assembly. The end effector includes a first jaw and a second jaw capable to actuate between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The jaw closure assembly includes an elongated jaw closure member, a coupling body attached to the elongated jaw closure member, a yoke housing capable to actuate the coupling body and the elongated jaw closure member to thereby close the second jaw, and an engagement spring capable to bias the coupling body and the elongated jaw closure member into operative engagement with the yoke housing. The adjustment assembly is capable to adjust a spring length of the engagement spring to ensure the coupling body and the elongated jaw closure member remain in operative engagement with the yoke housing.

Apparatus for performing a minimally-invasive procedure, the apparatus comprising: a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end; a monopolar knife assembly attached to the distal end of the shaft, the monopolar knife assembly comprising a knife; a handle attached to the proximal end of the shaft; wherein the shaft comprises a flexible portion and an articulating portion, wherein the flexible portion extends distally from the handle and the articulating portion extends distally from the flexible portion; wherein at least one articulation cable extends from the handle to the articulating portion, such that when tension is applied to the at least one articulation cable, the articulating portion deflects; wherein an actuation element extends through the shaft from the handle to the knife, such that when the actuation element is moved, the knife is moved; and wherein the actuation element transmits electrical power from the handle to the knife.

A staple cartridge assembly for use with a surgical stapler. The assembly has a cartridge body having a support portion with a plurality of staple cavities with openings. There is also a plurality of staples, wherein at least a portion of each the staple is removably stored within a staple cavity. Each the staple is movable between an unfired position and a fired position, and is deformable between an unfired configuration and a fired configuration. The assembly also includes a compressible tissue thickness compensator configured to be captured within the staples. The compressible tissue thickness compensator at least partially covers the staple cavity openings. The compressed tissue thickness compensator is configured to assume different compressed heights within different the staples. The compressible tissue thickness compensator comprising a lyophilized foam having an anti-microbial agent embedded therein.

A fastener cartridge can comprise a support portion, a tissue thickness compensator positioned relative to the support portion, and a plurality of fasteners positioned within the support portion and/or the tissue thickness compensator which can be utilized to fasten tissue. In use, the fastener cartridge can be positioned in a first jaw of a surgical fastening device, wherein a second jaw, or anvil, can be positioned opposite the first jaw. To deploy the fasteners, a staple-deploying member is advanced through the fastener cartridge to move the fasteners toward the anvil. As the fasteners are deployed, the fasteners can capture at least a portion of the tissue thickness compensator therein along with at least a portion of the tissue being fastened.

A surgical instrument system is disclosed which comprises a distal end and a staple cartridge assembly comprising staples removably stored therein. The instrument system further comprises a firing drive including an electric motor and a firing member operably couplable with the electric motor. The electric motor is operable to advance the firing member toward the distal end during a staple firing stroke to eject the staples from the staple cartridge. The electric motor is operable to retract the firing member away from the distal end during a retraction stroke. The surgical instrument system further comprises a manually-operated bailout mechanism operable to perform the retraction stroke in lieu of the electric motor, a controller, and a display in communication with the controller. The controller is configured to display the progress of the retraction stroke when the firing member is being manually retracted by the bailout mechanism.

A surgical instrument comprising an end effector is disclosed. The end effector comprises a staple cartridge including a cartridge body comprising an annular array of staple cavities, staples removably stored in the staple cavities, a firing drive configured to eject the staples from the staple cavities, and a cutting member circumscribed by the staple cavities. The end effector further comprises an anvil including a tissue compression surface, forming surfaces configured to deform the staples and a tissue block for controlling the flow of tissue. The anvil is movable toward the cartridge body to compress tissue between the cartridge body and the tissue block during a closure stroke and the cutting member is configured to incise the tissue and the tissue block during a cutting stroke of the cutting member. The tissue block holds the tissue in position while it is being incised.

A staple cartridge assembly for use with a surgical stapler. The assembly has a cartridge body having a support portion with a plurality of staple cavities with openings. There is also a plurality of staples, wherein at least a portion of each the staple is removably stored within a staple cavity. Each the staple is movable between an unfired position and a fired position, and is deformable between an unfired configuration and a fired configuration. The assembly also includes a compressible tissue thickness compensator configured to be captured within the staples. The compressible tissue thickness compensator at least partially covers the staple cavity openings. The compressed tissue thickness compensator is configured to assume different compressed heights within different staples. The compressible tissue thickness compensator comprising a lyophilized foam having an anti-microbial agent embedded therein.

Methods and devices for using surgical devices with articulating end effectors are provided. Surgical devices with articulating end effectors can provide rotary driven pivoting of the end effector. In some embodiments, the device can include a handle, a first and a second tube extending from the handle, the second tube disposed within the first tube, and an end effector that includes a pair of distal jaws configured to move in response to rotation of the first tube about a longitudinal axis thereof and rotation of the second tube about a longitudinal axis thereof. The jaws can move in two different ways depending on whether the first and second tubes are rotating in a same direction as one another or in different ways than each other. The jaws can open/close and articulate using the same mechanical mechanism. The device can be powered, or the device can be non-powered.

A medical device includes a handle with a proximal arm and a distal arm. The proximal arm and the distal arm are pivotable via a joint. The medical device also includes a tube coupled to the distal arm and a drive wire. A distal portion of the drive wire includes an expandable end effector. A portion of the drive wire is positioned within the tube, and a different portion of the drive wire extends proximally of the distal arm and is coupled to the proximal arm.