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.

In various embodiments, a tissue thickness compensator can comprise a compressible extracellular matrix and a bioabsorbable material dispersed within the extracellular matrix, wherein the bioapsorption of the bioabsorbable material is configured to leave behind channels in the extracellular matrix. The tissue thickness compensator can also comprise generation means for generating the ingrowth of tissue into the channels. In at least one embodiment, the tissue thickness compensator can comprise dissolvable wicking members which, when dissolved, can leave behind channels in the tissue thickness compensator. In certain embodiments, the tissue thickness compensator can comprise at least one rupturable capsule.

A surgical instrument that includes a first jaw that has a pair of laterally aligned vertical slots formed in a proximal end portion thereof. Each vertical slot includes an open upper end. A second jaw is movably supported for selective pivotal travel relative to the first jaw between a fully open and a fully closed position. Pivot members protrude laterally from the second jaw and are each received in a corresponding one of the vertical slots in the first jaw such that the pivot members may pivot therein. A retainer member is configured to operably engage the proximal end portion of the first jaw and retain the pivot members in the corresponding vertical slots as the second jaw moves between the fully open and the fully closed positions.

A surgical stapler, or fastening instrument, may generally comprise a layer, such as a tissue thickness compensator, for example, releasably attached to a fastener cartridge and/or anvil by a flowable attachment portion. The flowable attachment portion may be indefinitely flowable. The flowable attachment portion may be flowable from the time that layer is installed to the fastener cartridge to the time in which the layer is implanted to patient tissue. The flowable attachment portion may comprise a pressure sensitive adhesive. The flowable attachment portion may comprise an adhesive laminate comprising a base layer comprising the tissue thickness compensator and an adhesive layer on at least a portion of a surface of the base layer comprising the pressure sensitive adhesive. Articles of manufacture comprising flowable attachment portion and methods of making and using the flowable attachment portion are also described.

A medical instrument for dislodging vertebral disc material from a vertebral disc in a vertebral disc space via a cannula has a pivoting scoop structure with a scoop that provides a 180° pivot sweep outside of the diameter of the cannula. The medical instrument has an elongate body defining a longitudinal axis with the pivoting scoop structure situated at a distal end of the elongate body. The elongate body has a first elongate shaft and a second elongate shaft situated on and configured for longitudinal axial translation relative to the first elongate shaft. Axial movement of the second elongate shaft controllably swivels the pivoting scoop structure from, through, and between 0° to 180° relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate body. The scoop structure may also allow for collection and removal of dislodged vertebral disc material.

A medical intervention device may include a distal end comprising a pair of jaws and a handle operably coupled to the distal end. The handle may include a pair of pivoting finger arms each having at least one finger loop, the pivoting finger arms being configured for opening and closing the pair of jaws at the distal end. The handle may also include at least one actuation interface arranged on the handle and in a position distal to the pair of finger arms.

A surgical forceps includes a housing having a movable handle coupled thereto and movable between an initial position and a compressed position. A drive bar is operably coupled to the movable handle such that movement of the movable handle between the initial and compressed positions effects longitudinal translation of the drive bar. The drive bar further includes a coupling member disposed at a distal end thereof. An end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members movable between spaced-apart and approximated positions. Each jaw member defines a cam slot. A cam pin is slidably disposed within the cam slot of each of the jaw members. The coupling member is configured to releasably engage the cam pin such that movement of the movable handle between the initial position and the compressed position effects movement of the jaw members between the spaced-apart position and the approximated position.

An end effector for a surgical clip applier includes a housing, and jaws that include opposed first and second jaw members each comprising an independent structure movable relative to the other, the first jaw member defining a first inner surface and the second jaw member defining a second inner surface opposite the first inner surface. An actuation mechanism is arranged within the housing and is operable to move the jaws between an open position and a closed position, the actuation mechanism including a linear drive that provides transition pins engageable with angled slots defined in the first and second jaw members. Linear movement of the linear drive moves the jaws between the open and closed positions, and the first and second inner surfaces remain substantially parallel to each other as the jaws move between the open and closed positions.

A surgical instrument comprising a handle, a shaft rotatable relative to the handle, and an articulation joint rotatable relative to the shaft. The surgical instrument further comprises a motor-driven articulation system including articulation controls which are flipped by a control system of the surgical instrument when the shaft is rotated upside down relative to the handle.

Methods for selectively attaching a shaft assembly to a handle of a surgical instrument and an arm of a surgical robot are disclosed.