A surgical instrument. The surgical instrument includes an elongated channel, an anvil pivotably connected to the elongated channel, a closure member mechanically coupled to the anvil, an electric motor mechanically coupled to the closure member, a motor controller electrically coupled to the electric motor and a control circuit electrically connected to the motor controller. The control circuit is configured to monitor a first predefined event, monitor a second predefined event, provide a stop signal to the motor controller to stop a closing motion of at least one of the elongated channel and the anvil after an occurrence of the first predefined event, and provide a start signal to the motor controller to start the closing motion of the at least one of the elongated channel and the anvil after an occurrence of a second predefined event.

A surgical stapling attachment is disclosed. The surgical stapling attachment comprises an attachment portion, a shaft assembly, an articulation joint, and an end effector assembly. The end effector assembly comprises a drive system comprising a main drive and a lockout drive driven by a single rotary input. The main drive is configured to capture, clamp, and staple tissue. The lockout drive is configured to prevent the main drive from being driven in the event a staple cartridge is not installed within the end effector assembly. Another lockout is provided to prevent the drive system from being actuated when a spent staple cartridge is installed within the end effector assembly.

A method of operating an articulatable surgical instrument. The method includes providing a rotary drive motion to a rotary drive member of a surgical end effector and converting the rotary drive motion to an upper axial motion and a lower axial motion at locations that are distal to the articulation joint. The method further includes applying the upper axial motion to an upper portion of a firing member and applying the lower axial motion to a lower portion of the firing member such that the upper axial motion and lower axial motion drives the firing member distally through the surgical end effector from a starting position to an ending position.

The present disclosure relates generally to systems, medical devices, and methods for closing an opening in a target tissue using hydraulics and/or pneumatics. In some embodiments, a medical device may include an endoscopic device operable to close an opening in a target tissue, and an actuator operable with the endoscopic device, wherein the actuator includes a piston within a chamber. The piston may include a piston head engaged with an interior surface of the chamber, and a piston rod coupled to a tissue engagement component of the endoscopic device, wherein pressure from a fluid within the chamber actuates the tissue engagement component.

A circular stapling instrument is disclosed which comprises a replaceable staple cartridge. The circular stapling instrument and/or staple cartridge comprises a lockout configured to prevent a previously-fired staple cartridge from being re-used.

A surgical instrument system comprising an end effector, a staple cartridge, a cutting member, an electric motor, a sensing system, and a control system is disclosed. The end effector comprises a proximal portion, a distal end, a first iaw, and a second iaw movable relative to the first iaw to clamp tissue between the first and second iaw. The cutting member is configured to move within a longitudinal channel of the staple cartridge. The electric motor is couplable to the cutting member and configured to drive the cutting member. The sensing system comprises a plurality of sensing circuits. Each sensing circuit comprises first and second sensing elements positioned adjacent the longitudinal channel. The control system is configured to determine impedances of the tissue at multiple locations along a staple line as the cutting member progresses distally within the longitudinal channel and automatically control a speed of the electric motor.

A surgical stapler is provided that maintains the jaws of the stapler in an open position and prevents firing of staples when a cartridge is not loaded in one of the jaws. Distinct positioning and sequencing of the jaws, capture pin and firing of the staples are provided by a latch mechanism. Such locking and latching mechanisms ensure proper operation of the stapler.

A multi-function motor. The multi-function motor can operate in different operating states to perform different functions. For example, the motor can advance a firing element during a first operating state, retract the firing element during a second operating state, and generate amplified haptic feedback during a third operating state. The electric motor can rotate in a first direction to advance the firing element, can rotate in a second direction to retract the firing element, and can oscillate between the first direction and the second direction to generate the amplified haptic feedback. A resonator can be secured to the motor. The center of mass of the resonator can be balanced with respect to the axis of rotation of the resonator. Further, the resonator can comprise a natural frequency, and can oscillate within a range of amplifying frequencies inclusive of the natural frequency during the third operating state.

The present disclosure includes an extender for a surgical stapler. An example extender includes a proximal end configured to removably couple to a surgical handle assembly, a distal end configured to removably coupled to a reloadable cartridge assembly, and an extender drive rod configured to transfer power from the surgical handle assembly to the reloadable cartridge assembly.

In one general aspect, various embodiments of the present invention can include a motorized surgical cutting and fastening instrument having a drive shaft, a motor selectively engageable with the drive shaft, and a manual return mechanism configured to operably disengage the motor from the drive shaft and retract the drive shaft. In at least one embodiment, a surgeon, or other operator of the surgical instrument, can utilize the manual return mechanism to retract the drive shaft after it has been advanced, especially when the motor, or a power source supplying the motor, has failed or is otherwise unable to provide a force sufficient to retract the drive shaft.