In general, systems and methods described herein include active or passive sensing mechanisms, such as sensors, that can monitor at least one exposure condition of an adjunct and any medicant(s) retained therein. In some instances, the active or passive sensing mechanisms can also track the extent of the adjunct's and medicant(s)'s exposure, e.g., frequency, intensity, and/or duration).

In general, systems and methods described herein include active or passive sensing mechanisms, such as sensors, that can monitor at least one exposure condition of an adjunct and any medicant(s) retained therein. In some instances, the active or passive sensing mechanisms can also track the extent of the adjunct's and medicant(s)'s exposure, e.g., frequency, intensity, and/or duration).

In general, systems and methods described herein include active or passive sensing mechanisms, such as sensors, that can monitor at least one exposure condition of an adjunct and any medicant(s) retained therein. In some instances, the active or passive sensing mechanisms can also track the extent of the adjunct's and medicant(s)'s exposure, e.g., frequency, intensity, and/or duration).

One variation of a method for tracking objects within a surgical space during a surgery includes: based on a first image depicting the surgical space at a first time, detecting a first object and a constellation of objects in the surgical space, estimating distances from each object—in the constellation of objects—to the first object, and calculating a contamination risk of the first object based on contamination scores and distances to the first object for each object in the constellation of objects; calculating a contamination score of the first object based on a combination of the contamination risks of the first object during the surgery; and, in response to the contamination score of the first object exceeding a threshold contamination score prior to contact between the first object and a patient, serving a prompt within the surgical space to address sterility of the first object.

Surgical devices and surgical systems are disclosed. The surgical device can comprise an actuator and a control circuit configured to adjust one or more functions of the surgical device based on a signal from a situationally-aware surgical hub. A surgical system can comprise a screen and a control circuit configured to communicate a priority level of a recommendation to the clinician on the display.

An interchangeable shaft assembly for a surgical instrument that includes first and second drive systems. The interchangeable shaft assembly is configured for removable attachment to a housing of the surgical instrument. Various embodiments include a latch system that enables the interchangeable shaft assembly to be detached from the housing when the first drive system is unactuated but prevents the interchangeable shaft assembly from being detached from the housing when the first drive system is in an actuated position.

Provided are techniques for detecting contamination propagation and performing decontamination. In response to receiving a request to detect contaminants and perform decontamination, an entity is identified. Whether there are contaminants on the entity is detected using any combination of sensor data, one or more images, and one or more contamination propagation patterns. In response to determining that there are no contaminants, the entity is allowed to pass through an entry point. In response to determining that there are contaminants, one or more decontamination techniques are identified, decontamination of the entity is performed, using the one or more decontamination techniques, and, in response to determining that the decontamination has been successful, the entity is allowed to pass through the entry point.

A surgical stapling system including a shaft assembly transmits actuation motions from an actuator and an end effector compresses and staples tissue. The end effector comprises an elongated channel; an anvil having a staple forming surface is moveable relative to the elongated channel between an open position and a closed position; and a staple cartridge removably positioned within the elongated channel. The staple cartridge comprises a body having a tissue contacting surface in a confronting relationship with the staple forming surface; a plurality of staple drivers within the cartridge body each supporting a staple; and a tissue thickness compensator positionable between the anvil and the cartridge, the tissue thickness compensator is captured by the staples and assumes different compressed heights within the different staples. The tissue compensator comprises first conductive elements. The system determines properties of tissue compressed between the anvil and the cartridge.

A buttress is applied to an end effector of a surgical stapler. The buttress is loaded on a platform of a buttress applier cartridge. The end effector is closed upon the platform. An adhesive layer of the buttress secures the buttress to the end effector. The buttress is thus adhered to the end effector when the end effector is opened. The end effector is then actuated on tissue of a patient, thereby stapling the buttress to the tissue.

A surgical instrument includes a reusable assembly having an inner tube and an ultrasonic blade positioned within the inner tube. The inner tube includes at least one opening to receive a sterilization fluid therethrough for sterilizing the ultrasonic blade within the inner tube. The surgical instrument further includes a sterilization detection system to determine whether the reusable assembly has been sterilized during a sterilization cycle. A seal is selectively couplable with the at least one opening of the inner tube to fluidly seal the at least one opening for inhibiting bodily fluid from entering the at least one opening during a surgical procedure.