CN110099620B

CN110099620B - Closure member arrangement for a surgical instrument

Info

Publication number: CN110099620B
Application number: CN201780079531.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: F·E·谢尔顿四世; A·D·亨塞尔; J·L·哈里斯; G·J·巴克斯
Original assignee: Ethicon LLC
Current assignee: Ethicon LLC
Priority date: 2016-12-21
Filing date: 2017-10-30
Publication date: 2022-07-29
Anticipated expiration: 2037-10-30
Also published as: JP2020501772A; MX2019007539A; JP7071372B2; BR112019012434A2; CN110099620A

Abstract

A closure member for applying a closure motion to a movable jaw of a surgical instrument. In at least one form, the closure member includes a closure body defining an outer surface and an inner surface. The closure body further defines an upper portion including an upper wall thickness between the outer surface and the inner surface and a lower portion including a lower wall thickness between the outer surface and the inner surface. The upper wall thickness is different from the lower wall thickness. A cam surface is formed on the upper portion for selectively camming contact with a portion of the movable jaw.

Description

Closure member arrangement for a surgical instrument

Background

The present invention relates to surgical instruments and, in various arrangements, to surgical stapling and cutting instruments designed to staple and cut tissue and staple cartridges for use therewith.

Drawings

Various features of the embodiments described herein, along with their advantages, may be understood from the following description in conjunction with the following drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a surgical system including a handle assembly and a plurality of interchangeable surgical tool assemblies usable therewith;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one of the interchangeable surgical tool assemblies of FIG. 1 operably coupled to the handle assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded assembly view of portions of the handle assembly and interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another one of the interchangeable surgical tool assemblies illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view, partially in section, of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is another partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIGS. 4 and 5;

FIG. 7 is an exploded assembly view of a portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIGS. 4-6;

FIG. 7A is an enlarged top view of a portion of the elastic spine assembly of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 7;

FIG. 8 is another exploded assembly view of a portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIGS. 4-7;

FIG. 9 is another cross-sectional perspective view of the surgical end effector portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIGS. 4-8;

FIG. 10 is an exploded assembly view of the surgical end effector portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly illustrated in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective, side elevational, and front elevational view of a firing member embodiment that may be employed in the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an anvil that may be employed in the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 4;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the anvil of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the anvil of FIGS. 12 and 13;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of a portion of the surgical end effector and shaft portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 4 with an uncorrupted or unfired surgical staple cartridge properly seated within the elongate channel of the surgical end effector;

FIG. 16 is another cross-sectional side elevational view of the surgical end effector and shaft portion of FIG. 15 after a surgical staple cartridge has been at least partially fired and its firing member retracted to a starting position;

FIG. 17 is another cross-sectional side elevational view of the surgical end effector and shaft portion of FIG. 16 after the firing member has been fully retracted to a starting position;

FIG. 18 is a top cross-sectional view of the surgical end effector and shaft portion illustrated in FIG. 15 with an empty or unfired surgical staple cartridge properly seated within the elongate channel of the surgical end effector;

FIG. 19 is another top cross-sectional view of the surgical end effector of FIG. 18 with a surgical staple cartridge installed therein having been at least partially fired and showing the firing member remaining in a locked position;

FIG. 20 is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the anvil and elongate channel of the interchangeable tool assembly of FIG. 4;

FIG. 21 is an exploded side elevational view of portions of the anvil and elongate channel of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a rear perspective view of an anvil mounting portion of the anvil embodiment;

FIG. 23 is a rear perspective view of an anvil mounting portion of another anvil embodiment;

FIG. 24 is a rear perspective view of an anvil mounting portion of another anvil embodiment;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of an anvil embodiment;

FIG. 26 is an exploded perspective view of the anvil of FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional end view of the anvil of FIG. 25;

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of another anvil embodiment;

FIG. 29 is an exploded perspective view of the anvil embodiment of FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 is a top view of a distal end portion of the anvil body portion of the anvil of FIG. 28;

FIG. 31 is a top view of a distal end portion of an anvil body portion of another anvil embodiment;

FIG. 32 is a cut-away end perspective view of the anvil of FIG. 31;

FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional end perspective view of another anvil embodiment;

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of a closure member embodiment including a distal closure tube segment;

FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the closure member embodiment of FIG. 34;

FIG. 36 is a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly showing the position of the anvil mounting portion with the anvil in the fully closed position and the firing member thereof in the starting position;

FIG. 37 is another partial cross-sectional view of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 36 at the beginning of the opening procedure;

FIG. 38 is another partial cross-sectional view of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 37 with the anvil in a fully open position;

FIG. 39 is a side elevational view of a portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 36;

FIG. 40 is a side elevational view of a portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 37;

FIG. 41 is a side elevational view of a portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 38;

FIG. 42 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of another closure member embodiment;

FIG. 43 is a cross-sectional end view of the closure member of FIG. 42;

FIG. 44 is a cross-sectional end view of another closure member embodiment;

FIG. 45 is a cross-sectional end view of another closure member embodiment;

FIG. 46 is a cross-sectional end view of another embodiment of a closure member;

FIG. 47 is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the surgical end effector of the interchangeable tool assembly illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 48 is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the surgical end effector of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 5;

FIG. 49 is another cross-sectional view of the surgical end effector of FIG. 48;

FIG. 50 is a partial perspective view of a portion of the underside of an anvil embodiment;

FIG. 51 is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 5 with the anvil of the surgical end effector in a fully open position;

FIG. 52 is another partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 51 with the anvil of the surgical end effector thereof in a first closed position;

FIG. 53 is another partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 51 at the beginning of the firing process with the anvil in the first closed position and the firing member of the surgical end effector thereof having moved distally out of the starting position;

FIG. 54 is another partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 51 with the anvil in the second closed position and the firing member having been advanced distally into the surgical staple cartridge of its surgical end effector;

FIG. 55 is a graphical comparison of firing energy versus time for different interchangeable surgical tool assemblies; and

FIG. 56 is a graphical depiction of the improvement in firing force and the comparison of firing load to the percentage of firing distance that its firing member has traveled for four different interchangeable surgical tool assemblies.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate various embodiments of the invention, in one form, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

Detailed Description

The applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on even date herewith and each incorporated herein by reference in its entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,185 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS AND REPLACEABLE TOOL ASSEMBLIES THEREOF";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,230 entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/386,221 entitled "LOCKOUT arragements FOR minor END efffectors";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/386,209 entitled "SURGICAL END EFFECTORS AND FIRING MEMBERS THEREOF";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,189 entitled "LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL END EFFECTORS AND REPLACEABLE TOOL ASSEMBLIES"; and is

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,240 entitled "SURGICAL END EFFECTORS AND ADAPTABLE FIRING MEMBERS THEREFOR".

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,939 entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGES AND ARRANGEMENTS OF STAPLES AND STAPLE CAVITIES THEREIN";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,941 entitled "SURGICAL TOOL ASSEMBLIES WITH CLUTCHING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SHIFTING BETWEEN CLOSURE SYSTEMS WITH CLOSURE STROKE REDUCTION FEATURES AND ARTICULATION AND FIRING SYSTEMS";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,943 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS AND STAPLE-FORMING ANVILS";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,950 entitled "SURGICAL TOOL ASSEMBLIES WITH CLOSURE STROKE REDUCTION FEATURES";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,945 entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGES AND ARRANGEMENTS OF STAPLES AND STAPLE CAVITIES THEREIN";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,946 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS AND STAPLE-FORMING ANVILS";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,951 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH JAW OPENING FEATURES FOR INCREASING A JAW OPENING DISTANCE";

U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,953 entitled "METHODS OF marking TISSUE";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,954 entitled "FIRING MEMBERS WITH NON-PARALLEL JAW ENGAGEMENT FEATURES FOR SURGICAL END EFFECTORS";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,955 entitled "SURGICAL END EFFECTORS WITH EXPANDABLE TISSUE STOP ARRANGEMENTS";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,948 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS AND STAPLE-FORMING ANVILS";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,956 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH POSITIVE JAW OPENING FEATURES";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,957 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR PREVENTING FIRING SYSTEM ACTION UNLESS AN UNSPENT STAPLE CARTRIDGE IS PRESENT"; and

U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,947 entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGES AND ARRANGEMENTS OF STAPLES AND STAPLE CAVITIES THEREIN".

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,896 entitled "METHOD FOR RESETTING A FUSE OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SHAFT";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,898 entitled "STAPLE FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENT TO ACCOMMODATE DIFFERENT TYPES OF STAPLES";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,899 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING IMPROVED JAW CONTROL";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,901 entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE AND STAPLE CARTRIDGE CHANNEL comprisingwindows DEFINED THEREIN";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,902 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A CUTTING MEMBER";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,904 entitled "STAPLE FIRING MEMBER COMPRISING A MISSING CARTRIDGE AND/OR SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,905 entitled "fixing ASSEMBLY assembling a locout";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,907 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM COMPLEMENTING AN END EFFECTOR LOCKOUT AND A FIRING ASSEMBLY";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,908 entitled "fixing ASSEMBLY assembling a FUSE"; and is

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,909 entitled "FIRING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A MULTIPLE FAILED-STATE FUSE".

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,920 entitled "stable formation POCKET arget argements";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,913 entitled "ANVIL ARRANGEMENTS FOR minor stages";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,914 entitled "METHOD OF DEFORMING STAPLES FROM TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF STAPLE CARTRIDGES WITH THE SAME SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,893 entitled "bialterall ASYMMETRIC STAPLE formatting POCKET pair";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,929 entitled "CLOSURE MEMBERS WITH CAM SURFACE ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH SEPARATE AND DISTINCT CLOSURE AND FIRING SYSTEMS";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,911 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLERS WITH INDEPENDENTLY ACTITABLE CLOSING AND FIRING SYSTEMS";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,927 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH SMART STAPLE CARTRIDGES";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,917 entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING STAPLES WITH DIFFERENT CLAMPING bredths";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,900 entitled "STAPLE FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENTS COMPRISING PRIMARY SIDEWALLS AND POCKET SIDEWALLS";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,931 entitled "NO-CARTRIDGE AND SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL STAPLERS";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,915 entitled "fixing MEMBER PIN ANGLE";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,897 entitled "STAPLE FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENTS COMPRISING ZONED FORMING SURFACE GROOVES";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,922 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MULTIPLE FAILURE RESPONSE MODES";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,924 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH PRIMARY AND SAFETY PROCESSORS";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,912 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH JAWS THAT ARE PIVOTABLE ABOUT A FIXED AXIS AND INCLUDE SEPARATE AND DISTINCT CLOSURE AND FIRING SYSTEMS";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,910 entitled "ANVIL HAVING A KNIFE SLOT WIDTH";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,903 entitled "CLOSURE MEMBER ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS"; and is

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,906 entitled "FIRING MEMBER PIN CONFIGURATIONS".

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/386,188 entitled "STEPPED STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH ASYMMETRICAL STAPLES";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/386,192 entitled "STEPPED STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH TISSUE RETENTION AND GAP SETTING featurs";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/386,206 entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH DEFORMABLE DRIVER replacement patents";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,226 entitled "DURABILITY FEATURES FOR END EFFECTORS AND FIRING ASSEMBLIES OF SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,222 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS HAVING END EFFECTORS WITH POSITIVE OPENING FEATURES"; and is

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,236 entitled "CONNECTION PORTION FOR DEPOSABLE LOADING UNIT FOR SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS".

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,887 entitled "METHOD FOR ATTACHING A SHAFT ASSEMBLY TO A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT AND, ALTERNATIVELY, TO A SURGICAL ROBOT";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,889 entitled "SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A MANUALLY-OPERABLE RETRACTION SYSTEM FOR USE WITH A MOTORIZED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,890 entitled "SHAFT association summary active AND reliable SYSTEMS";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,891 entitled "SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A CLUTCH CONGURED TO ADAPT OUTPUT OF A ROTARY FIRING MEMBER TO TWO DIFFERENT SYSTEMS";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,892 entitled "SURGICAL SYSTEM COMPRISING A FIRING MEMBER ROTATABLE INTO A ARTICULATION STATE TO ARTICULATE AN END EFFECTOR OF THE SURGICAL SYSTEM";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,894 entitled "SHAFT association comprisinga locout"; and is

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,895 entitled "SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING FIRST AND SECOND ARTICULATION LOCKOUTS".

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,916 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,918 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,919 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,921 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH MOVABLE CAMMING MEMBER CONGURED TO DISENGAGE FIRING MEMBER LOCKOUT FEATURES";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,923 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,925 entitled "JAW ACTUATED LOCK ARRANGEMENTS FOR PREVENTING ADVANCEMENT A FIRING MEMBER IN A SURGICAL END EFFECTOR UNFILES AN UNFIRED CARTRIDGE IS INSTALLED IN THE END EFFECTOR";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,926 entitled "AXIALLY MOVABLE CLOSURE SYSTEM ARRANGEMENTS FOR APPLYING CLOSURE MOTIONS TO JAWS OF SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,928 entitled "PROTECTIVE COVER ARRANGEMENTS FOR A JOINT INTERFACE BETWEEN A MOBILE JAW AND ACTUATOR SHAFT OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,930 entitled "SURGICAL END EFFECTOR WITH TWO SEPARATE COOPERATING OPENING FEATURES FOR OPENING AND CLOSING END EFFECTOR JAWS";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,932 entitled "article subaltern minor END EFFECTOR WITH ASYMMETRIC SHAFT ARRANGEMENT";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,933 entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH INDEPENDENT PIVOTABLE LINKAGE DISTAL OF AN ARTICULATION LOCK";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,934 entitled "ARTICULATION LOCK ARRANGEMENTS FOR LOCKING AN END EFFECTOR IN AN ARTICULATED POSITION IN RESPONSE TO ACTION OF A JAW CLOSURE SYSTEM";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,935 entitled "LATERALLY ACTUATABLE ARTICULATION LOCK ARRANGEMENTS FOR LOCKING AN END EFFECTOR OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT IN AN ARTICULATED CONFIGURATION"; and is

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,936 entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATION STROKE AMPLIFICATION FEATURES".

The applicants of the present application have the following U.S. patent applications filed on 24/6/2016 and each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety:

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/191,775 entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING WIRE STAPLES AND STAMPED STAPLES";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/191,807 entitled "STAPLING SYSTEM FOR USE WITH WIRE STAPLES AND STAMPED STAPLES";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/191,834 entitled "STAMPED STAPLES AND STAPLE CARTRIDGES USING SAME";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/191,788 entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE comprisingoverdriven stamps"; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/191,818 entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING OFFSET LONGITUDINAL STAPLE ROWS".

-U.S. design patent application serial No. 29/569,218 entitled "SURGICAL FASTENER";

-U.S. design patent application serial No. 29/569,227 entitled "SURGICAL FASTENER";

-U.S. design patent application serial No. 29/569,259 entitled "SURGICAL FASTENER CARTRIDGE"; and

U.S. design patent application serial No. 29/569,264 entitled "SURGICAL FASTENER CARTRIDGE".

The applicants of the present application have the following patent applications filed on 1/4/2016 and each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety:

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,325 entitled "METHOD FOR OPERATING A SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,321 entitled "MODULAR SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A DISPLAY";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/089,326 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A DISPLAY INCLUDING A RE-ORIENTABLE DISPLAY FIELD";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,263 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HANDLE ASSEMBLY WITH RECONFIGURABLE GRIP PORTION";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/089,262 entitled "rolling POWERED minor inserting WITH manual active ballout SYSTEM";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,277 entitled "SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING END EFFECTOR WITH ANVIL CONCENTRIC DRIVE MEMBER";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,296 entitled "INTERCHANGEABLE SURGICAL TOOL ASSEMBLY WITH A SURGICAL END EFFECTOR THAT IS SELECTIVELY ROTATABLE ABOUT A SHAFT AXIS";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/089,258 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A SHIFTABLE TRANSMISSION";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,278 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM CONFIGURED TO PROVIDE selection OF recording OF TISSUE";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,284 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A CONTOURABLE SHAFT";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,295 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A TISSUE COMPRESSION LOCKOUT";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,300 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING AN UNCLAMPING LOCKOUT";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,196 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A JAW CLOSURE LOCKOUT";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,203 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A JAW ATTACHMENT LOCKOUT";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/089,210 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/089,324 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A SHIFTING MECHANISM";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,335 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS COMPLEMENTING MULTIPLE LOCKOUTS";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/089,339 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/089,253 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM CONFIGURED TO applied ROWS OF STAPLES HAVING DIFFERENT HEIGHTS";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,304 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A GROOVED FORMING POCKET";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/089,331 entitled "artificial MODIFICATION machinery FOR minor platform";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/089,336 entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGES WITH atraumatc featurs";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,312 entitled "CIRCULAR STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING AN INCISABLE TISSUE SUPPORT";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/089,309 entitled "CIRCULAR STAPLING SYSTEM comprisingrotary FIRING SYSTEM"; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,349 entitled "CIRCULAR STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING LOAD CONTROL".

The applicant of the present application also has the following identified U.S. patent applications filed on 31/12/2015 and each incorporated herein by reference in its entirety:

-U.S. patent application serial No. 14/984,488 entitled "MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR BATTERY PACK FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 14/984,525 entitled "MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS"; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/984,552 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH SEPARABLE MOTORS AND MOTOR CONTROL CICUITS".

The applicant of the present application also owns the following identified U.S. patent applications filed on 9/2/2016 and each incorporated herein by reference in its entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,220 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH ARTICULATING AND AXIALLY TRANSLATABLE END EFFECTOR";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,228 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH MULTIPLE LINK ARTICULATION ARRANGEMENTS";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,196 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ARTICULATION MECHANISM WITH SLOTTED SECONDARY CONSTRAINT";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,206 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH AN END EFFECTOR THAT IS HIGHLY ARTICULATABLE RELATIVE TO AN ELONGATE SHAFT ASSEMBLY";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,215 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH NON-SYMMETRICAL ARTICULATION ARRANGEMENTS";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,227 entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH SINGLE ARTICULATION LINK ARRANGEMENTS";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,235 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH TESTIONING ARRANGEMENTS FOR CABLE DRIVEN ARTICULATION SYSTEMS";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,230 entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-AXIS FIRING BEAM ARRANGEMENTS"; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,245 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CLOSURE STROKE REDUCTION ARRANGEMENTS".

The applicant of the present application also owns the following identified U.S. patent applications filed on 12.2.2016, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety:

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/043,254 entitled "MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/043,259 entitled "MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/043,275 entitled "MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS"; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/043,289 entitled "MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS".

The applicants of the present application have the following patent applications filed on 18/6/2015 and each incorporated herein by reference in its entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,925 entitled "SURGICAL END EFFECTORS WITH POSITIVE JAW OPENING ARRANGEMENTS";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,941 entitled "SURGICAL END EFFECTORS WITH DUAL CAM ACTUATED JAW CLOSING FEATURES";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 14/742,914 entitled "MOVABLE filing bed SUPPORT FOR easy maintenance letters";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,900 entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH COMPOSITE FIRING BEAM STRUCTURES WITH CENTER FIRING SUPPORT MEMBER FOR ARTICULATION SUPPORT";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,885 entitled "DUAL ARTICULATION DRIVE SYSTEM ARRANGEMENTS FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS"; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,876 entitled "PUSH/PULL ARTICULATION DRIVE SYSTEMS FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS".

The applicants of the present application have the following patent applications filed 3/6/2015 and each incorporated herein by reference in its entirety:

U.S. patent application serial No. 14/640,746 entitled "POWERED minor instroment," now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0256184;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,795 entitled "MULTIPLE LEVEL THRESHOLDS TO MODIFY OPERATION OF POWER SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," now U.S. patent application publication 2016/02561185;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,832 entitled "ADAPTIVE time composition testing FOR ADAPTIVE close circuit testing FOR MULTIPLE time property TYPES", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0256154;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,935 entitled "OVERAID MULTI SENSOR RADIO FREQUENCY (RF) ELECTRODE SYSTEM TO MEASURE TISSUE COMPRESSION", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0256071;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,831 entitled "MONITORING SPEED CONTROL AND PRECISION INCREASING OF MOTOR FOR POWER SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0256153;

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,859 entitled "TIME DEPENDENT EVALUATION OF SENSOR DATA TO DETERMINE STATIONITY, CREPE, AND VISCELATIC ELEMENTS OF MEASURES", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0256187;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 14/640,817 entitled "INTERACTIVE FEEDBACK SYSTEM FOR POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0256186;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,844 entitled "CONTROL TECHNIQUES AND SUB-PROCESSOR CONTAINED WITHIN MODULAR SHAFT WITH SELECT CONTROL PROCESSING FROM HANDLE", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0256155;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,837 entitled "SMART SENSORS WITH LOCAL SIGNAL PROCESSING", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0256163;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,765 entitled "SYSTEM FOR DETECTING THE MIS-INSERTION OF A STAPLE CARTRIDGE INTO A SURGICAL STAPLER," now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0256160;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 14/640,799 entitled "SIGNAL AND POWER COMMUNICATION SYSTEM POSITIONED ON a rotable SHAFT", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0256162; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,780 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A LOCKABLE BATTERY HOUSING", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0256161.

The applicants of the present application have the following patent applications filed on day 27 of month 2 of 2015 and each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,576 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM COMPLISING AN INSPECTION STATION", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0249919;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,546 entitled "SURGICAL APPATUS CONFIRORRED TO ASSESS WHETHER A PERFORMANCE PARAMETER OF THE SURGICAL APPATUS IS WITHIN AN ACCEPTABLE PERFORMANCE BAND", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0249915;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,560 entitled "SURGICAL CHARGING SYSTEM THAT CHARGES AND/OR CONDITIONS ONE OR MORE BATTERIES," now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0249910;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 14/633,566 entitled "CHARGING SYSTEM THAT energy EMERGENCY resolution FOR CHARGING A BATTERY", now U.S. patent application publication No. 2016/0249918;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,555 entitled "SYSTEM FOR MONITORING WHETHER A SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS NEEDS TO BE SERVICED," now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0249916;

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,542 entitled "REINFORCED BATTERY FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0249908;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,548 entitled "POWER ADAPTER FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT," now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0249909;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 14/633,526 entitled "adaptive minor insert HANDLE", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0249945;

U.S. patent application serial No. 14/633,541 entitled "MODULAR station association" and now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0249927; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,562 entitled "SURGICAL APPATUS CONFIGURED TO TRACK AN END-OF-LIFE PARAMETER", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0249917.

The applicants of the present application own the following patent applications filed on 12/18/2014 and each incorporated herein by reference in its entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/574,478 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM COMPLEMENTS SYSTEM END EFFECTOR AND MEANS FOR ADJUSE THE FIRING STROKE OF A FIRING MEMBER", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0174977;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/574,483 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY COMPLEMENTING LOCKABLE SYSTEMS", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0174969;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 14/575,139 entitled "DRIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR article minor applications, now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0174978;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 14/575,148 entitled "LOCKING argemenets FOR detecting short SHAFT electromagnetic assembly WITH incorporated END effects", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0174976;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,130 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH AN ANVIL THAT IS SELECTIVELY MOVABLE ABOUT A DISCRETE NON-MOVABLE AXIS RELATIVE TO A STAPLE CARTRIDGE," now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0174972;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,143 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH IMPROVED CLOSURE ARRANGEMENTS", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0174983;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,117 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTORS AND MOVABLE FILING BEAM SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0174975;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,154 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATED END EFFECTORS AND IMPROVED FIRING BEAM SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0174973;

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/574,493 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY COMPLEMENTING A FLEXIBLE ARTICULATION SYSTEM"; now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0174970; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/574,500 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY COMPLISING A LOCKABLE ARTICULATION SYSTEM," now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0174971.

The applicant of the present application owns the following patent applications filed on 3/1 of 2013 and each incorporated herein by reference in its entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,295 entitled "Integrated Surgical Instruments With reduced Pathways For Signal Communication," now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0246471;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,323 entitled "Rotary Power engineering Joints For scientific Instruments," now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0246472;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,338 entitled "thumb Switch arrays For Surgical Instruments," now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0249557;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,499 entitled "Electrical scientific Device with Signal Relay Arrangement", now U.S. patent application publication 9,358,003;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,460 entitled "Multiple Processor Motor Control for Modular Surgical Instruments," now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0246478;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,358 entitled "journal Switch Assemblies For Surgical Instruments," now U.S. patent application publication 9,326,767;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,481 entitled "Sensor straight End Effect During Removal Through Trocar", now U.S. patent application publication 9,468,438;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,518 entitled "Control Methods for scientific Instruments with Removable implementation procedures", now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0246475;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,375 entitled "road Power Surgical Instruments With Multiple details of Freedom", now U.S. patent application publication 9,398,911; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,536 entitled "Surgical Instrument Soft Stop", now U.S. patent application publication 9,307,986.

The applicant of the present application also owns the following patent applications filed on 3/14 of 2013 and each incorporated herein by reference in its entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,097 entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A FIRING DRIVE," now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0263542;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,193 entitled "CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS FOR A DRIVE MEMBER OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT", now U.S. patent application publication 9,332,987;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,053 entitled "INTERCHANGEABLE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES FOR USE WITH A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT", now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0263564;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,086 entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPLISING AN ARTICULATION LOCK," now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0263541;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,210 entitled "SENSOR ARRANGEMENTS FOR ABSOLUTE POSITIONING SYSTEM FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0263538;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,148 entitled "Multi-functional Motor FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT," now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0263554;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,066 entitled "DRIVE SYSTEM LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0263565;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,117 entitled "ARTICULATION CONTROL FOR ARTICULATE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," now U.S. patent application publication 9,351,726;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,130 entitled "DRIVE TRAIN CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS FOR MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now U.S. patent application publication 9,351,727; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,159 entitled "METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPERATING A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT",

now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0277017.

The applicant of the present application also owns the following patent applications filed on 3/7/2014 and incorporated herein by reference in their entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/200,111 entitled "CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0263539.

The applicant of the present application also owns the following patent applications filed on 26/3/2014 and each incorporated herein by reference in its entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,106 entitled "POWER MANAGEMENT CONTROL SYSTEM FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now U.S. patent application publication 2015/0272582;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 14/226,099 entitled "serilization version CIRCUIT", now U.S. patent application publication 2015/0272581;

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,094 entitled "VERIFICATION OF NUMBER OF Battery improvements/Process COUNT", now U.S. patent application publication 2015/0272580;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,117 entitled "POWER MANAGEMENT THROUGH SLEEP OPTIONS OF SEGMENTED CIRCUIT AND WAKE UP CONTROL", now U.S. patent application publication 2015/0272574;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,075 entitled "MODULAR POWER SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH DETACHABLE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES", now U.S. patent application publication 2015/0272579;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,093 entitled "FEEDBACK ALGORITHMS FOR MANUAL BAILOUT SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now U.S. patent application publication 2015/0272569;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,116 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT UTILIZING SENSOR ADAPTATION", now U.S. patent application publication 2015/0272571;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,071 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT CONTROL CIRCUIT HAVING A SAFETY PROCESSOR," now U.S. patent application publication 2015/0272578;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 14/226,097 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING INTERACTIVE SYSTEMS," now U.S. patent application publication 2015/0272570;

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,126 entitled "INTERFACE SYSTEMS FOR USE WITH SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now U.S. patent application publication 2015/0272572;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,133 entitled "MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS SYSTEM," now U.S. patent application publication 2015/0272557;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,081 entitled "SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A SEGMENTED Circuit", now U.S. patent application publication No. 2015/0277471;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,076 entitled "POWER MANAGEMENT THROUGH SEGMENTED CIRCUIT AND VARIABLE VOLTAGE PROTECTION", now U.S. patent application publication 2015/0280424;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,111 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTT SYSTEM," now U.S. patent application publication 2015/0272583; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,125 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A ROTATABLE SHAFT," now U.S. patent application publication 2015/0280384.

The applicant of the present application also owns the following patent applications filed 2014, 9, 5 and each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety:

-U.S. patent application serial No. 14/479,103 entitled "CIRCUITRY AND SENSORS FOR POWERED MEDICAL DEVICE," now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0066912;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,119 entitled "ADJUNCT WITH INTEGRATED SENSORS TO QUANTIFY TISSUE COMPRESSION," now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0066914;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/478,908 entitled "MONITORING DEVICE classification BASED ON COMPONENT EVALUATION", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0066910;

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/478,895 entitled "MULTIPLE SENSORS WITH ONE SENSOR AFFECTING A SECOND SENSOR' S OUTPUT OR INTERPRETATION", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0066909;

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,110 entitled "polar OF HALL MAGNET TO DETECT MISLOADED CARTRIDGE", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0066915;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 14/479,098 entitled "SMART CARTRIDGE WAKE UP OPERATION AND DATA RETENTION", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0066911;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 14/479,115 entitled "MULTIPLE MOTOR CONTROL FOR power MEDICAL DEVICE," now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0066916; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,108 entitled "LOCAL DISPLAY OF TIMSSUE PARAMETER STABILIZATION", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0066913.

The applicant of the present application also owns the following patent applications filed on 9/4/2014 and each incorporated herein by reference in its entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,590 entitled "MOTOR DRIVEN SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH LOCKABLE DUAL DRIVE SHAFTS", now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0305987;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,581 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A CLOSING DRIVE AND A FIRING DRIVE OPERATED FROM THE SAME ROTATABLE OUTPUT", now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0305989;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,595 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SHAFT INCLUDING SWITCH FOR CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF THE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT", now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0305988;

U.S. patent application serial No. 14/248,588 entitled "POWERED LINEAR minor stable", now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0309666;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,591 entitled "TRANSMISSION ARRANGEMENT FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT", now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0305991;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,584 entitled "MODULAR MOTOR DRIVEN SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ALIGNMENT FEATURES FOR ALIGNING ROTARY DRIVE SHAFTS WITH SURGICAL END EFFECTOR SHAFTS", now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0305994;

U.S. patent application serial No. 14/248,587 entitled "POWERED minor platform," now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0309665;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,586 entitled "DRIVE SYSTEM DECOUPLING ARRANGEMENT FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT", now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0305990; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,607 entitled "MODULAR MOTOR DRIN SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH STATUS INDICATION ARRANGEMENTS," now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0305992.

The applicant of the present application also owns the following patent applications filed on 16.4.2013 and each incorporated herein by reference in its entirety:

U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 61/812,365 entitled "minor entering WITH MULTIPLE functional electronic BY a SINGLE MOTOR";

-U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 61/812,376 entitled "LINEAR CUTTER WITH POWER";

-U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 61/812,382 entitled "LINEAR CUTTER WITH MOTOR AND piston GRIP";

U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/812,385 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HANDLE WITH MULTIPLE ACTION MOTORS AND MOTOR CONTROL"; and

U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/812,372 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MULTI FUNCTION PERFORMED BY A SINGLE MOTOR".

Numerous specific details are set forth herein to provide a thorough understanding of the overall structure, function, manufacture, and use of the embodiments described in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Well-known operations, components and elements have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described in the specification. The reader will understand that the embodiments described and illustrated herein are non-limiting examples and that specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are representative and illustrative. Variations and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims.

The term "comprises" (and any form of "comprising", such as "comprises" and "comprising)", "has" (and "has)", such as "has" and "has)", "contains" (and any form of "containing", such as "comprises" and "containing)", and "containing" (and any form of "containing", such as "containing" and "containing", are open-ended verbs. Thus, a surgical system, device, or apparatus that "comprises," "has," "contains," or "contains" one or more elements possesses those one or more elements, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more elements. Likewise, an element of a system, apparatus, or device that "comprises," "has," "includes," or "contains" one or more features has those one or more features, but is not limited to having only those one or more features.

The terms "proximal" and "distal" are used herein with respect to a clinician manipulating a handle portion of a surgical instrument. The term "proximal" refers to the portion closest to the clinician and the term "distal" refers to the portion located away from the clinician. It will be further appreciated that for simplicity and clarity, spatial terms such as "vertical," "horizontal," "up," and "down" may be used herein with respect to the drawings. However, surgical instruments are used in many orientations and positions, and these terms are not intended to be limiting and/or absolute.

Various exemplary devices and methods are provided for performing laparoscopic and minimally invasive surgical procedures. However, the reader will readily appreciate that the various methods and devices disclosed herein may be used in a variety of surgical procedures and applications, including, for example, in conjunction with open surgical procedures. With continued reference to this detailed description, the reader will further appreciate that the various instruments disclosed herein can be inserted into the body in any manner, such as through a natural orifice, through an incision or puncture formed in tissue, and the like. The working portion or end effector portion of the instrument may be inserted directly into a patient or may be inserted through an access device having a working channel through which the end effector and elongate shaft of the surgical instrument may be advanced.

A surgical stapling system can include a shaft and an end effector extending from the shaft. The end effector includes a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw includes a staple cartridge. A staple cartridge is insertable into and removable from the first jaw; however, other embodiments are contemplated in which the staple cartridge is not removable or at least easily replaceable from the first jaw. The second jaw includes an anvil configured to deform staples ejected from the staple cartridge. The second jaw is pivotable relative to the first jaw about a closure axis; however, other embodiments are envisioned in which the first jaw is pivotable relative to the second jaw. The surgical stapling system further comprises an articulation joint configured to allow rotation or articulation of the end effector relative to the shaft. The end effector is rotatable about an articulation axis extending through the articulation joint. Other embodiments are contemplated that do not include an articulation joint.

The staple cartridge includes a cartridge body. The cartridge body includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a deck extending between the proximal end and the distal end. In use, the staple cartridge is positioned on a first side of tissue to be stapled and the anvil is positioned on a second side of the tissue. The anvil is moved toward the staple cartridge to compress and clamp the tissue against the deck. Staples removably stored in the cartridge body can then be deployed into tissue. The cartridge body includes staple cavities defined therein, wherein the staples are removably stored in the staple cavities. The staple cavities are arranged in six longitudinal rows. Three rows of staple cavities are positioned on a first side of the longitudinal slot and three rows of staple cavities are positioned on a second side of the longitudinal slot. Other arrangements of the staple cavities and staples are possible.

The staples are supported by a staple driving device in the cartridge body. The drive device is movable between a first, or unfired position and a second, or fired position to eject the staples from the staple cartridge. The drive is retained in the cartridge body by a retainer that extends around the bottom of the cartridge body and includes an elastic member configured to grip the cartridge body and retain the retainer to the cartridge body. The drive device is movable between its unfired position and its fired position by the sled. The slider is movable between a proximal position adjacent the proximal end and a distal position adjacent the distal end. The sled includes a plurality of ramp surfaces configured to slide under the drive device toward the anvil and lift the drive device, and the staples are supported on the drive device.

In addition to the above, the sled can be moved distally by the firing member. The firing member is configured to contact the sled and urge the sled toward the distal end. A longitudinal slot defined in the cartridge body is configured to receive a firing member. The anvil also includes a slot configured to receive the firing member. The firing member also includes a first cam that engages the first jaw and a second cam that engages the second jaw. The first and second cams can control a distance or tissue gap between a deck of the staple cartridge and the anvil as the firing member is advanced distally. The firing member also includes a knife configured to incise tissue captured intermediate the staple cartridge and the anvil. It is desirable that the knife be positioned at least partially adjacent to the ramp surface so that the staples are ejected prior to the knife.

Fig. 1 illustrates a motor-driven surgical system 10 that may be used to perform a variety of different surgical procedures. As can be seen in this figure, one example of the surgical system 10 includes four interchangeable surgical tool assemblies 100,200,300 and 1000, each adapted for interchangeable use with the handle assembly 500. Each interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100,200,300, and 1000 may be designed for use in association with the performance of one or more particular surgical procedures. In another surgical system embodiment, an interchangeable surgical tool assembly can be operatively used with a tool drive assembly of a robotically controlled or automated surgical system. For example, the SURGICAL tool assemblies disclosed herein may be used WITH various robotic systems, INSTRUMENTS, components, and methods such as, but not limited to, those disclosed in U.S. patent No. 9,072,535 entitled "SURGICAL station instrumentation WITH robot station design for multiple tools, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Fig. 2 illustrates one form of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 operably coupled to the handle assembly 500. Fig. 3 illustrates the attachment of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 to the handle assembly 500. The attachment devices and processes shown in fig. 3 may also be used in connection with the attachment of any of the interchangeable surgical tool assemblies 100,200,300, and 1000 to the tool drive portion or tool driver housing of a robotic system. The handle assembly 500 may include a handle housing 502, the handle housing 502 including a pistol grip portion 504 that may be held and manipulated by a clinician. As will be discussed briefly below, the handle assembly 500 operably supports a plurality of drive systems configured to generate and apply various control motions to corresponding portions of the interchangeable surgical tool assemblies 100,200,300, and/or 1000 operably attached thereto.

Referring now to fig. 3, the handle assembly 500 may further include a frame 506, the frame 506 operably supporting a plurality of drive systems. For example, the frame 506 may operably support a "first" or closure drive system (generally designated 510) that may be used to impart closing and opening motions to interchangeable surgical tool assemblies 100,200,300, and 1000 that are operably attached or coupled to the handle assembly 500. In at least one form, the closure drive system 510 can include an actuator in the form of a closure trigger 512 pivotally supported by the frame 506. This arrangement enables the closure trigger 512 to be manipulated by the clinician such that when the clinician grips the pistol grip portion 504 of the handle assembly 500, the closure trigger 512 can be easily pivoted from the activated or "unactuated" position to the "actuated" position and more specifically to the fully compressed or fully actuated position. In various forms, the closure drive system 510 also includes a closure linkage assembly 514, with the closure linkage assembly 514 being pivotably coupled to the closure trigger 512 or otherwise operably interfacing with the closure trigger 512. As will be discussed in further detail below, in the illustrated example, the closure linkage assembly 514 includes a transverse attachment pin 516 that facilitates attachment to a corresponding drive system on the surgical tool assembly. In use, to actuate the closure drive system, the clinician depresses the closure trigger 512 toward the pistol grip portion 504. As described in further detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,142 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPLEMENTING A SENSOR SYSTEM," which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, the closure drive SYSTEM is configured to lock the closure trigger 512 into a fully depressed or fully actuated position when the clinician fully depresses the closure trigger 512 to achieve a full closure stroke. When the clinician desires to unlock the closure trigger 512 to allow it to be biased to the unactuated position, the clinician simply actuates the closure release button assembly 518, which enables the closure trigger to return to the unactuated position. The closure release button 518 may also be configured to interact with various sensors that communicate with the microcontroller 520 in the handle assembly 500 to track the position of the closure trigger 512. Further details regarding the construction and operation of the closure release button assembly 518 can be found in U.S. patent application publication 2015/0272575.

In at least one form, the handle assembly 500 and the frame 506 can operably support another drive system, referred to herein as a firing drive system 530, that is configured to apply a firing motion to corresponding portions of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly attached thereto. As described in detail in U.S. patent application publication 2015/0272575, the firing drive system 530 may employ an electric motor (not shown in fig. 1-3) located in the pistol grip portion 504 of the handle assembly 500. In various forms, the motor may be, for example, a DC brushed driving motor having a maximum rotation of about 25,000 RPM. In other constructions, the motor may include a brushless motor, a cordless motor, a synchronous motor, a stepper motor, or any other suitable electric motor. The motor may be powered by a power source 522, which in one form, the power source 522 may comprise a removable power pack. The power pack may support a plurality of lithium ion ("LI") or other suitable batteries therein. Multiple batteries, which may be connected in series, may be used as a power source for the surgical system 10. Further, the power source 522 may be replaceable and/or rechargeable.

The electric motor is configured to axially drive the longitudinally movable drive member 540 in the distal and proximal directions depending on the polarity of the motor. For example, when the motor is driven in one rotational direction, the longitudinally movable drive member 540 will be driven axially in the distal direction "DD". When the motor is driven in the opposite rotational direction, the longitudinally movable drive member 540 will be driven axially in the proximal direction "PD". The handle assembly 500 may include a switch 513, and the switch 513 may be configured to reverse the polarity applied to the electric motor by the power source 522 or otherwise control the motor. The handle assembly 500 may also include one or more sensors (not shown) configured to detect the position of the drive member 540 and/or the direction in which the drive member 540 is moving. Actuation of the motor may be controlled by a firing trigger 532 (fig. 1) that is pivotally supported on the handle assembly 500. The firing trigger 532 may be pivotable between an unactuated position and an actuated position. The firing trigger 532 may be biased into an unactuated position by a spring or other biasing arrangement such that when the clinician releases the firing trigger 532, it may be pivoted or otherwise returned to the unactuated position by the spring or biasing device. In at least one form, the firing trigger 532 may be positioned "outboard" of the closure trigger 512 as described above. As discussed in U.S. patent application publication 2015/0272575, the handle assembly 500 may be equipped with a firing trigger safety button (not shown) to prevent inadvertent actuation of the firing trigger 532. When the closure trigger 512 is in the unactuated position, the safety button is housed in the handle assembly 500, in which case the safety button is not readily accessible to the clinician and moved between a safety position preventing actuation of the firing trigger 532 and a firing position in which the firing trigger 532 may be fired. As the clinician depresses the closure trigger 512, the safety button and firing trigger 532 pivot downward, which can then be manipulated by the clinician.

In at least one form, the longitudinally movable drive member 540 may have rack teeth (not shown) formed thereon for meshing engagement with a corresponding drive gear arrangement (not shown) that interfaces with the motor. Further details regarding those features can be found in U.S. patent application publication 2015/0272575. At least one form further includes a manually actuatable "rescue" assembly that can allow a clinician to manually retract the longitudinally movable drive member 540 in the event the motor becomes disabled. The rescue assembly can comprise a lever or rescue handle assembly that is stored within the handle assembly 500 below the releasable door 550. The lever is configured to be manually pivotable into engagement with a toothed ratchet in the drive member 540. Thus, the clinician can manually retract the drive member 540 by using the rescue handle assembly to ratchet the drive member 5400 in the proximal direction "PD". U.S. patent application serial No. 12/249,117, entitled "POWERED SURGICAL stapling AND STAPLING APPARATUS WITH manual retraction FIRING SYSTEM," now U.S. patent application publication 8,608,045 (the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein) discloses rescue devices and other components, devices and systems that may also be used WITH the various SURGICAL tool assemblies disclosed herein.

Turning now to fig. 2, the interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 includes a surgical end effector 110 that includes a first jaw and a second jaw. In one arrangement, the first jaw includes an elongate channel 112, the elongate channel 112 configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge 116 therein. The second jaw includes an anvil 114, and the anvil 114 is pivotally supported relative to the elongate channel 112. The interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 also includes a lockable articulation joint 120 that can be configured to releasably retain the end effector 110 in a desired position relative to the shaft axis SA. Details regarding the various configurations and operations of the end effector 110, ARTICULATION joint 120 and ARTICULATION LOCK are set forth in U.S. patent application serial No. 13/803,086 entitled "ARTICULATION joint locking system on ARTICULATION a ARTICULATION LOCK," now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0263541, which is hereby incorporated by reference. As can be further seen in fig. 2 and 3, the interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 can include a proximal housing or nozzle 130 and a closure tube assembly 140 that can be used to close and/or open the anvil 114 of the end effector 110. As discussed in U.S. patent application publication 2015/0272575, the closure tube assembly 140 is movably supported on a spine 145, the spine 145 supporting an articulation drive 147 for imparting articulation motions to the surgical end effector 110. The ridge 145 is configured to: first, the firing bar 170 is slidably supported therein; second, the closure tube assembly 140, which extends around the spine 145, is slidably supported. In various instances, the spine 145 includes a proximal end that is rotatably supported in the chassis 150. See fig. 3. In one arrangement, for example, the proximal end of the spine 145 is attached to a spine bearing (not shown) configured to be supported within the chassis 150. This arrangement facilitates the rotatable attachment of the spine 145 to the chassis 150 such that the spine 145 is selectively rotatable relative to the chassis 150 about the axis SA.

Referring primarily to fig. 3, the interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 includes a closure shuttle 160 that is slidably supported within the chassis 150 such that the closure shuttle 160 is axially movable relative to the chassis 150. As can be seen in fig. 3, the closure shuttle 160 includes a pair of proximally projecting hooks 162 configured for attachment to an attachment pin 516, the attachment pin 516 being attached to a closure link assembly 514 in the handle assembly 500. The proximal closure tube segment 146 of the closure tube assembly 140 is coupled to the closure shuttle 160 for rotation relative to the closure shuttle 160. Thus, when the hook 162 is hooked on the pin 516, actuation of the closure trigger 512 will result in axial movement of the closure shuttle 160 and ultimately the closure tube assembly 140 over the spine 145. A closure spring (not shown) may also be journaled on the closure tube assembly 140 and serve to bias the closure tube assembly 140 in the proximal direction "PD," which may serve to pivot the closure trigger 512 to an unactuated position when the shaft assembly 100 is operably coupled to the handle assembly 500. In use, the closure tube assembly 140 is translated distally (direction "DD") to close the anvil 114, for example, in response to actuation of the closure trigger 512. The closure tube assembly 140 includes a distal closure tube segment 142 that is pivotally pinned to a distal end of a proximal closure tube segment 146. The distal closure tube segment 142 is configured to move axially with the proximal closure tube segment 146 relative to the surgical end effector 110. When the distal end of the distal closure tube segment 142 strikes a proximal surface or ledge 115 on the anvil 114, the anvil 114 pivots closed. Further details regarding the closing of the anvil 114 may be found in the aforementioned U.S. patent application publication 2014/0263541, and will be discussed in further detail below. As also described in detail in U.S. patent application publication 2014/0263541, the anvil 114 is opened by translating the distal closure tube segment 142 proximally. The distal closure tube segment 142 has a horseshoe aperture 143 therein that defines a downwardly extending return tab (not shown) that cooperates with an anvil tab 117 formed on the proximal end of the anvil 114 to pivot the anvil 114 back to the open position. In the fully open position, the closure tube assembly 140 is in its most proximal or unactuated position.

Also as described above, the interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 also includes a firing bar 170, the firing bar 170 being supported for axial travel within the shaft spine 145. The firing bar 170 includes an intermediate firing shaft portion configured for attachment to a distal cutting portion or knife bar that is configured for axial travel through the surgical end effector 110. In at least one arrangement, the interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 includes a clutch assembly (not shown) that can be configured to selectively and releasably couple an articulation driver to the firing bar 170. Further details regarding the features and operation of the clutch assembly can be found in U.S. patent application publication 2014/0263541. As discussed in U.S. patent application publication 2014/0263541, when the clutch assembly is in its engaged position, distal movement of the firing bar 170 may move the articulation drive 147 distally and, correspondingly, proximal movement of the firing bar 170 may move the articulation drive 147 proximally. When the clutch assembly is in its disengaged position, the motion of the firing bar 170 is not transferred to the articulation drive 147 and, thus, the firing bar 170 may move independently of the articulation drive 147. Interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 can further comprise a slip ring assembly (not shown) that can be configured to conduct electrical power to end effector 110 and/or to conduct electrical power from end effector 110 and/or to transmit signals to end effector 110 and/or to transmit signals from end effector 110. Further details regarding slip ring assemblies may be found in U.S. patent application publication 2014/0263541. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/800,067 (now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0263552), entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM," is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. U.S. patent 9,345,481 entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM" is also hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Still referring to fig. 3, the chassis 150 has at least one (and preferably two) tapered attachment portions 152 formed thereon that are adapted to be received within corresponding dovetail slots 507 formed in the distal end of the frame 506. Each dovetail slot 507 may be tapered or, in other words, may be slightly V-shaped to seatingly receive the tapered attachment portion 152 therein. As can be further seen in fig. 3, a shaft attachment lug 172 is formed on the proximal end of the firing shaft 170. When the interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 is coupled to the handle assembly 500, the shaft attachment lug 172 is received in a firing shaft attachment cradle formed in the distal end of the longitudinally movable drive member 540. The interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 also employs a latch system 180 for releasably locking the shaft assembly 100 to the frame 506 of the handle assembly 500. For example, in at least one form, the latch system 180 includes a lock member or lock yoke 182 that is movably coupled to the chassis 150. The lock yoke 182 includes two proximally projecting lock lugs 184, the lock lugs 184 being configured for releasable engagement with corresponding lock detents or grooves 509 in the distal attachment flange of the frame 506. In various forms, the lock yoke 182 is biased in the proximal direction by a spring or biasing member (not shown). Actuation of the lock yoke 182 may be accomplished by a latch button 186 slidably mounted on a latch actuator assembly that is mounted to the chassis 150. The latch button 186 may be biased in a proximal direction relative to the lock yoke 182. As will be discussed in further detail below, the lock yoke 182 may be moved to the unlocked position by biasing the latch button in the distal direction DD, which also pivots the lock yoke 182 out of engagement with the distal attachment flange of the frame 506. When the lock yoke 182 is "held in engagement" with the distal attachment flange of the frame 506, the lock lugs 184 remain seated within corresponding lock detents or grooves 509 in the distal end of the frame 506. Further details regarding the latching system can be found in U.S. patent application publication 2014/0263541.

The attachment of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 to the handle assembly 500 will now be described with reference to fig. 3. To begin the coupling process, the clinician may position the chassis 150 of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 at or near the distal end 700 of the frame 506 such that the tapered attachment portion 152 formed on the chassis 150 is aligned with the dovetail slot 702 in the frame 506. The clinician may then move the surgical tool assembly 100 along the mounting axis IA, which is perpendicular to the shaft axis SA, to seat the tapered attachment portion 152 in "operative engagement" with a corresponding dovetail-shaped receiving slot 507 in the distal end of the frame 506. In doing so, the shaft attachment lug 172 on the firing shaft 170 will also seat in the bracket 542 in the longitudinally movable drive member 540 and the portion of the pin 516 on the closure link 514 will seat in the corresponding hook 162 in the closure shuttle 160. As used herein, the term "operably engaged" in the context of two components means that the two components are sufficiently engaged with one another such that, upon application of an actuation motion, the components can perform their intended action, function, and/or procedure.

Returning now to fig. 1, the surgical system 10 shown therein includes four interchangeable surgical tool assemblies 100,200,300, and 1000, each of which may be effectively used with the same handle assembly 500 to perform different surgical procedures. The construction of an exemplary form of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 is briefly discussed above and is discussed in further detail in U.S. patent application publication 2014/0263541. Various details regarding interchangeable

surgical tool assemblies

200 and 300 can be found in various U.S. patent applications filed on even date herewith and which are incorporated herein by reference. Various details regarding interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 are discussed in further detail below.

As shown in fig. 1, each of the surgical tool assemblies 100,200,300, and 1000 includes a pair of jaws, wherein at least one of the jaws is movable between an open position, wherein tissue can be captured or manipulated between the two jaws, and a closed position, wherein tissue is securely held therebetween. The movable jaws move between an open position and a closed position upon application of closing and opening motions to one or more movable jaws from a handle assembly or robotic or automated surgical system to which the surgical tool assembly is operably coupled. In addition, each of the illustrated interchangeable surgical tool assemblies includes a firing member configured to cut tissue and fire staples from a staple cartridge supported in one of the jaws in response to a firing motion applied thereto by the handle assembly or robotic system. Each surgical tool assembly may be uniquely designed to perform a particular procedure, for example, cutting and fastening a particular type and thickness of tissue within a particular region of the body. The closure, firing and articulation control systems in the handle assembly 500 or robotic system may be configured to generate axial control motions and/or rotational control motions depending on the type of closure, firing and articulation system configuration employed in the surgical tool assembly. In one arrangement, when a closure control system in a handle assembly or robotic system is fully actuated, one of the closure system control components (e.g., which may comprise a closure tube assembly as described above) is moved axially from an unactuated position to its fully actuated position. The axial distance that the closure tube assembly moves between its unactuated position and its fully actuated position may be referred to herein as its "closure stroke length". Similarly, when the firing system in the handle assembly or robotic system is fully actuated, one of the firing system control components, which may comprise a longitudinally movable drive member as described above, for example, is moved axially from its unactuated position to its fully actuated or fired position. The axial distance that the longitudinally movable drive member moves between its unactuated position and its fully fired position may be referred to herein as its "firing stroke length". For those surgical tool assemblies that employ articulatable end effector devices, the handle assembly or robotic system may employ an articulation control member that moves axially through an "articulation drive stroke length". In many cases, the closure stroke length, firing stroke length, and articulation drive stroke length are fixed for a particular handle assembly or robotic system. Accordingly, each of the surgical tool assemblies must be able to accommodate the controlled movement of the closure, firing and/or articulation components through each of their entire stroke lengths without placing undue stress on the surgical tool components, which can result in damage or catastrophic failure of the surgical tool assembly.

Turning now to fig. 4-10, interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 includes a surgical end effector 1100, surgical end effector 1100 including an elongate channel 1102 configured to operably support a staple cartridge 1110 therein. End effector 1100 may also include an anvil 1130 that is pivotally supported relative to elongate channel 1102. The interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 can further include an articulation joint 1200 and an articulation lock 1210 (fig. 5 and 8-10) that can be configured to releasably retain the end effector 1100 in a desired articulation position relative to the shaft axis SA. Details regarding the construction and operation of the ARTICULATION LOCK 1210 may be found in U.S. patent application serial No. 13/803,086 entitled "ARTICULATION motor locking AN ARTICULATION LOCK," now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0263541, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. Additional details regarding ARTICULATION locks can also be found in U.S. patent application serial No. 15/019,196 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ARTICULATION MECHANISM WITH SLOTTED SECONDARY CONSTRAINT," filed on 9.2.2016, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. As can be seen in fig. 7, interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 can further include a proximal housing or nozzle 1300 including

nozzle portions

1302,1304 and an actuator wheel portion 1306, the actuator wheel portion 1306 being configured to be coupled to the assembled

nozzle portions

1302,1304 by snaps, lugs, screws, or the like. The interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 can also include a closure tube assembly 1400, the closure tube assembly 1400 can be used to close and/or open an anvil 1130 of the end effector 1100, as will be discussed in further detail below. Referring now primarily to fig. 8 and 9, the interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 can include a spine assembly 1500, and the spine assembly 1500 can be configured to support an articulation lock 1210. In the illustrated arrangement, the spine assembly 1500 includes a "resilient" spine or frame member 1510 that will be described in further detail below. The distal end portion 1522 of the resilient spine member 1510 is attached to a distal frame segment 1560, the distal frame segment 1560 operably supporting the articulation lock 1210 therein. As shown in fig. 7 and 8, the spine assembly 1500 is configured: first, slidably supporting the firing member assembly 1600 therein; second, the closure tube assembly 1400 is slidably supported extending around the spine assembly 1500. The spine assembly 1500 may also be configured to slidably support the proximal articulation driver 1700.

As can be seen in fig. 10, the distal frame segment 1560 is pivotably coupled to the elongate channel 1102 by an end effector mounting assembly 1230. In one arrangement, for example, the distal end 1562 of the distal frame segment 1560 has a pivot pin 1564 formed thereon. The pivot pin 1564 is adapted to be pivotally received within a pivot hole 1234 formed in a pivot base portion 1232 of the end effector mounting assembly 1230. The end effector mounting assembly 1230 is attached to the proximal end 1103 of the elongate channel 1102 by a spring pin 1105 or other suitable member. The pivot pin 1564 defines an articulation axis B-B that is transverse to the shaft axis SA. See fig. 4. This arrangement facilitates pivotal travel (i.e., articulation) of the end effector 1100 relative to the spine assembly 1500 about an articulation axis B-B.

Still referring to fig. 10, in the illustrated embodiment, the articulation driver 1700 has a distal end 1702, the distal end 1702 being configured to operably engage the articulation lock 1210. The articulation lock 1210 includes an articulation frame 1212 adapted to operably engage a drive pin 1238 on a pivot base portion 1232 of an end effector mounting assembly 1230. Additionally, a cross-link 1237 may be coupled to the drive pin 1238 and the articulation frame 1212 to assist in articulation of the end effector 1100. As mentioned above, further details regarding the operation of the articulation lock 1210 and the articulation frame 1212 may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,086, now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0263541. Further details regarding the end effector mounting assembly and cross-link can be found in U.S. patent application serial No. 15/019,245 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CLOSURE STROKE REDUCTION ARRANGEMENTS," filed 2, 9, 2016, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. In various instances, the resilient spine member 1510 includes a proximal end 1514, the proximal end 1514 being rotatably supported in the chassis 1800. In one arrangement, for example, the proximal end 1514 of the resilient spine member 1510 has threads 1516 formed thereon for threaded attachment to a spine bearing (not shown) configured to be supported within the chassis 1800. This arrangement facilitates the rotatable attachment of the resilient spine member 1510 to the chassis 1800 such that the spine assembly 1500 may be selectively rotated relative to the chassis 1800 about the axis SA.

Referring primarily to fig. 7, the interchangeable shaft assembly 1000 includes a closure shuttle 1420, the closure shuttle 1420 being slidably supported within the chassis 1800 such that the closure shuttle 1420 is axially movable relative to the chassis 1800. In one form, the closure shuttle 1420 includes a pair of proximally projecting hooks 1421, the hooks 1421 being configured for attachment to the attachment pin 516, the attachment pin 516 being attached to the closure linkage assembly 514 of the handle assembly 500, as described above. The proximal end 1412 of the proximal closure tube segment 1410 is coupled to the closure shuttle 1420 for rotation relative to the closure shuttle 1420. For example, the U-shaped connector 1424 is inserted into the annular slot 1414 in the proximal end 1412 of the proximal closure tube segment 1410 and is retained within the vertical slot 1422 in the closure shuttle 1420. See fig. 7. This arrangement serves to attach the proximal closure tube segment 1410 to the closure shuttle 1420 for axial travel therewith while enabling the closure tube assembly 1400 to rotate relative to the closure shuttle 1420 about the shaft axis SA. A closure spring (not shown) is journaled on the proximal end 1412 of the proximal closure tube segment 1410 and serves to bias the closure tube assembly 1400 in the proximal direction PD, which can be used to pivot the closure trigger 512 on the handle assembly 500 (fig. 3) to an unactuated position when the interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 is operably coupled to the handle assembly 500.

As noted above, the illustrated interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 includes an articulation joint 1200. However, other interchangeable surgical tool assemblies may not be capable of articulation. As can be seen in fig. 10, the superior and

inferior tangs

1415, 1416 project distally from the distal end of the proximal closure tube segment 1410 to movably couple to the distal closure tube segment 1430 of the end effector closure sleeve or closure tube assembly 1400. As can be seen in fig. 10, the distal closure tube segment 1430 includes an upper tang 1434 and a lower tang 1436 that project proximally from the proximal end thereof. The upper double pivot link 1220 includes proximal and distal pins that engage corresponding holes in the

upper tangs

1415,1434 of the proximal and distal

closure tube segments

1410, 1430, respectively. Similarly, the lower double pivot link 1222 includes proximal and distal pins that engage corresponding holes in the

lower tangs

1416 and 1436 of the proximal and distal

closure tube segments

1410 and 1430, respectively. As will be discussed in further detail below, distal and proximal axial translation of the closure tube assembly 1400 will cause the anvil 1130 to close and open relative to the elongate channel 1102.

As described above, the interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 further includes a firing member assembly 1600, the firing member assembly 1600 being supported for axial travel within the spine assembly 1500. In the illustrated embodiment, the firing member assembly 1600 includes an intermediate firing shaft portion 1602 that is configured for attachment to a distal cutting portion or knife bar 1610. The firing member assembly 1600 may also be referred to herein as a "second shaft" and/or a "second shaft assembly". As can be seen in fig. 7-10, the intermediate firing shaft portion 1602 may include a longitudinal slot 1604 in a distal end thereof, the longitudinal slot 1604 may be configured to receive a tab (not shown) on a proximal end of the knife bar 1610. The longitudinal slot 1604 and the proximal end 1610 of the knife bar 1610 are sized and configured to allow relative movement therebetween and may include a slip joint 1612. The sliding joint 1612 can allow the intermediate firing shaft 1602 of the firing drive member 1600 to move to articulate the end effector 1100 without moving, or at least substantially without moving, the knife bar 1610. Once the end effector 1100 has been properly oriented, the intermediate firing shaft portion 1602 may be advanced distally until the proximal sidewall of the longitudinal slot 1604 contacts a tab on the knife bar 1610 to advance the knife bar 1610 and fire the staple cartridge 1110 positioned within the elongate channel 1102. As can be further seen in fig. 8 and 9, the resilient spine member 1520 has an elongated opening or window 1525 therein to facilitate assembly and insertion of the intermediate firing shaft portion 1602 into the resilient spine member 1520. Once the intermediate firing shaft portion 1602 has been inserted into the shaft frame, the top frame segment 1527 may be engaged with the shaft frame 1520 to enclose the intermediate firing shaft portion 1602 and the knife bar 1610 therein. Further description of the operation of the firing member 1600 may be found in U.S. patent application serial No. 13/803,086, now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0263541.

In addition to the above, the interchangeable tool assembly 1000 can include a clutch assembly 1620, which can be configured to selectively and releasably couple the articulation driver 1800 to the firing member assembly 1600. In one form, the clutch assembly 1620 includes a lock collar or lock sleeve 1622 positioned around the firing member assembly 1600, wherein the lock sleeve 1622 is rotatable between an engaged position in which the lock sleeve 1622 couples the articulation driver 1700 to the firing member assembly 1600 and a disengaged position in which the articulation driver 1700 is not operably coupled to the firing member assembly 1600. When the locking sleeve 1622 is in its engaged position, distal movement of the firing member assembly 1600 can move the articulation driver 1700 distally; and accordingly, proximal movement of the firing member assembly 1600 can move the articulation driver 1700 proximally. When the locking sleeve 1622 is in its disengaged position, movement of the firing member assembly 1600 is not transferred to the articulation driver 1700; and thus, the firing member assembly 1600 can move independently of the articulation driver 1700. In various circumstances, the articulation driver 1700 can be held in place by the articulation lock 1210 when the articulation driver 1700 is not moved in the proximal or distal direction by the firing member assembly 1600.

Referring primarily to fig. 7, the lock sleeve 1622 may include a cylindrical, or at least substantially cylindrical, body including a longitudinal bore 1624 defined therein configured to receive the firing member assembly 1600. The locking sleeve 1622 may include diametrically opposed, inwardly facing locking

tabs

1626,1628 and an outwardly facing locking member 1629. The

lock tabs

1626,1628 can be configured to be selectively engaged with the intermediate firing shaft portion 1602 of the firing member assembly 1600. More specifically, when the locking sleeve 1622 is in its engaged position, the locking

protrusion

1626,1628 is positioned within a drive notch 1605 defined in the intermediate firing shaft portion 1602 such that a distal pushing force and/or a proximal pulling force can be transmitted from the firing member assembly 1600 to the locking sleeve 1622. When the locking sleeve 1622 is in its engaged position, the second locking member 1629 is received within a drive notch 1704 defined in the articulation driver 1700 such that a distal pushing force and/or a proximal pulling force applied to the locking sleeve 1622 may be transmitted to the articulation driver 1700. Indeed, when the lock sleeve 1622 is in its engaged position, the firing member assembly 1600, the lock sleeve 1622, and the articulation driver 1700 will move together. On the other hand, when the locking sleeve 1622 is in its disengaged position, the locking

protrusion

1626,1628 may not be positioned within the drive notch 1605 of the intermediate firing shaft portion 1602 of the firing member assembly 1600; and, as such, distal pushing forces and/or proximal pulling forces may not be transmitted from the firing member assembly 1600 to the locking sleeve 1622. Accordingly, the distal pushing force and/or the proximal pulling force may not be transmitted to the articulation driver 1700. In such instances, the firing member assembly 1600 can slide proximally and/or distally relative to the locking sleeve 1622 and the proximal articulation driver 1700. The clutch assembly 1620 also includes a switch drum 1630 that interfaces with the locking sleeve 1622. Further details regarding the operation of the switch drum and locking sleeve 1622 can be found in U.S. patent application serial No. 13/803,086, now U.S. patent application publication No. 2014/0263541 and serial No. 15/019,196. The switch drum 1630 may also include an at least partially

circumferential opening

1632,1634 defined therein that may receive a circumferential mount 1305, the circumferential mount 1305 extending from the

nozzle halves

1302,1304 and allowing relative rotation (but not translation) between the switch drum 1630 and the proximal nozzle. See fig. 6. Rotation of the nozzle 1300 to the point where the mounts reach the ends of their

respective slots

1632,1634 in the switch drum 1630 will cause the switch drum 1630 to rotate about the shaft axis SA. Rotation of the switch drum 1630 will eventually cause the locking sleeve 1622 to move between its engaged and disengaged positions. Thus, in essence, nozzle 1300 may be used to operably engage and disengage an articulation drive system and a firing drive system in various manners described in further detail in U.S. patent application serial No. 13/803,086 (now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0263541) and U.S. patent application serial No. 15/019,196, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In the arrangement shown, the switching drum 1630 includes an L-shaped slot 1636 that extends into a distal opening 1637 in the switching drum 1630. Distal opening 1637 receives transverse pin 1639 of switch plate 1638. For example, the switch plate 1638 is received within a longitudinal slot (not shown) provided in the locking sleeve 1622 to facilitate axial movement of the locking sleeve 1622 when engaged with the articulation driver 1700. Further details regarding the operation of the switch plate and the shift drum arrangement can be found in U.S. patent application serial No. 14/868,718 entitled "motor station inertia acceleration WITH SHAFT RELEASE, POWERED FIRING AND POWERED operation," filed on 28.9.2015, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

As also shown in fig. 7 and 8, for example, the interchangeable tool assembly 1000 can include a slip ring assembly 1640 that can be configured to conduct electrical power to and/or from the end effector 1100 and/or to transmit signals to the end effector 1100 and/or from the end effector 1100 back to a microprocessor in the handle assembly or robotic system controller. For example, further details regarding the slip ring assembly 1640 and associated connectors can be found in U.S. patent application serial No. 13/803,086 (now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0263541) and U.S. patent application serial No. 15/019,196 (each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) and U.S. patent application serial No. 13/800,067 (now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0263552) entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE thickensor SYSTEM" (which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). As also described in further detail in the aforementioned patent applications incorporated by reference herein, the interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 can further include at least one sensor configured to detect the position of the switch drum 1630.

Referring again to fig. 7, the chassis 1800 includes at least one (and preferably two) tapered attachment portions 1802 formed thereon that are adapted to be received within corresponding dovetail slots 507 formed within the distal end portion of the frame 506 of the handle assembly 500, as described above. As can be further seen in fig. 7, a shaft attachment lug 1605 is formed on the proximal end of the intermediate firing shaft 1602. As will be discussed in further detail below, when the interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 is coupled to the handle assembly 500, the shaft attachment lug 1605 is received in the firing shaft attachment bracket 542, the firing shaft attachment bracket 542 being formed in the distal end of the longitudinal drive member 540. See fig. 3.

The various interchangeable surgical tool assemblies employ a latch system 1810 for removably coupling the interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 to the frame 506 of the handle assembly 500. As can be seen in fig. 7, for example, in at least one form, the latch system 1810 includes a locking member or locking yoke 1812 movably coupled to the chassis 1800. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the lock yoke 1812 is U-shaped having two spaced apart and downwardly extending legs 1814. The legs 1814 each have pivot lugs (not shown) formed thereon that are adapted to be received in corresponding holes 1816 formed in the chassis 1800. Such a configuration facilitates pivotal attachment of lock yoke 1812 to chassis 1800. The locking yoke 1812 may include two proximally projecting locking lugs 1818, the locking lugs 1818 configured to releasably engage with corresponding locking detents or grooves 509 in the distal end of the frame 506 of the handle assembly 500. See fig. 3. In various forms, the lock yoke 1812 is biased in a proximal direction by a spring or biasing member 1819. Actuation of the lock yoke 1812 may be accomplished by a latch button 1820 slidably mounted on a latch actuator assembly 1822, the latch actuator assembly 1822 being mounted to the chassis 1800. The latch button 1820 may be biased in a proximal direction relative to the locking yoke 1812. The locking yoke 1812 can be moved to the unlocked position by biasing the latch button 1820 in a distal direction, which also pivots the locking yoke 1812 out of retaining engagement with the distal end of the frame 506. When the lock yoke 1812 is "held in engagement" with the distal end of the frame 506, the lock lugs 1818 remain seated within the corresponding lock pawls or grooves 509 in the distal end of the frame 506.

In the illustrated arrangement, the lock yoke 1812 includes at least one and preferably two lock hooks 1824 adapted to contact corresponding lock lug portions 1426 formed on the closure shuttle 1420. When the closure shuttle 1420 is in the unactuated position, the lock yoke 1812 can be pivoted in the distal direction to unlock the interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 from the handle assembly 500. When in this position, the lock hook 1824 does not contact the lock lobe portion 1426 on the closure shuttle 1420. However, when the closure shuttle 1420 is moved to the actuated position, the lock yoke 1812 is prevented from pivoting to the unlocked position. In other words, if the clinician attempts to pivot the locking yoke 1812 to the unlocked position, or, for example, the locking yoke 1812 is inadvertently bumped or contacted in a manner that might otherwise cause it to pivot distally, the locking hooks 1824 on the locking yoke 1812 will contact the locking lugs 1426 on the closure shuttle 1420 and prevent the locking yoke 1812 from moving to the unlocked position.

Still referring to fig. 10, the knife bar 1610 may comprise a laminated beam structure comprising at least two beam layers. Such a beam layer may comprise, for example, stainless steel strips interconnected by, for example, welding or stapling together at their proximal ends and/or at other locations along their lengths. In an alternative embodiment, the distal ends of the bands are not connected together to allow the laminates or bands to splay relative to each other as the end effector articulates. This arrangement allows knife bar 1610 to be sufficiently flexible to accommodate articulation of the end effector. Various laminated knife bar arrangements are disclosed in U.S. patent application serial No. 15/019,245. As can also be seen in fig. 10, intermediate support member 1614 serves to provide lateral support to knife bar 1610 as it flexes to accommodate articulation of surgical end effector 1100. Further details regarding the intermediate support member and alternative knife bar support arrangement are disclosed in U.S. patent application serial No. 15/019,245. As can also be seen in fig. 10, a firing member or knife member 1620 is attached to the distal end of the knife bar 1610.

FIG. 11 illustrates one form of a firing member 1660 that may be used with the interchangeable tool assembly 1000. In one exemplary form, the firing member 1660 includes a body portion 1662, the body portion 1662 including a proximally extending connector member 1663, the connector member 1663 configured to be received in a correspondingly shaped connector opening 1614 in a distal end of the knife bar 1610. See fig. 10. The connector 1663 may be retained within the connector opening 1614 by friction and/or welding or a suitable adhesive or the like. The body portion 1662 protrudes through an elongated slot 1104 in the elongated channel 1102 and terminates in a foot member 1664 that extends laterally on each side of the body portion 1662. As the firing member 1660 is driven distally through the surgical staple cartridge 1110, the foot member 1664 rides within the passageway 1105 in the elongate channel 1102 beneath the surgical staple cartridge 1110. As can be seen in fig. 11, one form of the firing member 1660 can further include a laterally protruding central tab, pin, or retainer feature 1680. As the firing member 1660 is driven distally through the surgical staple cartridge 1110, the central retainer feature 1680 rides on the inner surface 1106. The body portion 1662 of the firing member 1660 also includes a tissue cutting edge or feature 1666 disposed between a distally projecting hook feature 1665 and a distally projecting top nose portion 1670. As can be further seen in fig. 11, the firing member 1660 can also include two laterally extending top tabs, pins, or anvil engagement features 1665. As the firing member 1660 is driven distally, a top portion of the body 1662 extends through the centrally-disposed anvil slot 1138, and the top anvil engagement features 1672 ride on corresponding flanges 1136 formed on each side of the anvil slot 1134. See fig. 13 and 14.

Returning to fig. 10, the firing member 1660 is configured to operably interface with a sled assembly 1120, the sled assembly 1120 being operably supported within the body 1111 of the surgical staple cartridge 1110. The slide assembly 1120 is slidably displaceable within the surgical staple cartridge body 1111 from a proximal end start position adjacent the proximal end 1112 of the cartridge body 1111 to an end position adjacent the distal end 1113 of the cartridge body 1111. The cartridge body 1111 operably supports a plurality of staple drivers (not shown) therein that are aligned in rows on each side of a centrally disposed slot 1114. The centrally disposed slot 1114 enables a firing member 1660 to pass therethrough and cut tissue clamped between the anvil 1130 and the staple cartridge 1110. The drivers are associated with corresponding recesses 1116 which 1116 pass through the upper deck surface 1115 of the cartridge body. Each of the staple drivers supports one or more surgical staples or fasteners (not shown) thereon. The slide assembly 1120 includes a plurality of angled or wedge-shaped cams 1122, wherein each cam 1122 corresponds to a particular row of fasteners or drivers located on the side of the slot 1114. In the illustrated example, one cam 1122 is aligned with one row of "dual" drivers each supporting two staples or fasteners thereon, and the other cam 1122 is aligned with another row of "single" drivers on the same side of the slot 1114 each supporting a single surgical staple or fastener thereon. Thus, in the example shown, when surgical staple cartridge 1110 is "fired", there will be three rows of staples on each side of the tissue cut line. However, other staple and driver configurations may be employed to fire other staple/fastener devices. The slide assembly 1120 has a central body portion 1124 configured to engage with a hook portion 1665 of a firing member 1660. Thus, when the firing member 1660 is fired or driven distally, the firing member 1660 also drives the slide assembly 1120 distally. As firing member 1660 is moved distally through staple cartridge 1110, tissue cutting features 1666 cut tissue clamped between anvil assembly 1130 and staple cartridge 1110, and sled assembly 1120 drives drivers upwardly in the cartridge, which drives corresponding staples or fasteners into contact with anvil assembly 1130.

In those embodiments where the firing member includes a tissue cutting surface, it is contemplated that the elongate shaft assembly can be configured in such a manner: accidental advancement of the firing member is prevented unless an unincued staple cartridge is properly supported in the elongate channel 1102 of the surgical end effector 1100. For example, if a staple cartridge were not present at all and the firing member was advanced distally through the end effector, the tissue would be severed, but not stapled. Similarly, if there is a spent staple cartridge in the end effector (i.e., a staple cartridge from which at least some staples have been fired) and the firing member is advanced, the tissue will be severed, but may not be fully stapled. It will be appreciated that this situation may lead to undesirable catastrophic results during the surgical procedure. U.S. Pat. No. 6,988,649 entitled "STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT", U.S. Pat. No. 7,044,352 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A SINGLE LOCKOUT MECHANISM FOR PREVENTION OF FIRING", U.S. Pat. No. 7,380,695 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A SINGLE LOCKOUT MECHANISM FOR PREVENTION OF FIRING", and U.S. Pat. No. 14/742,933 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT WITH LOCKOUT ARGEMENTS FOR PREVENTING FIRING SYSTEM ACTION WHEN A CARTRIDGE IS SPENT OR MISSING" each disclose various FIRING member LOCKOUT devices. Each of these references is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

By "unfired," unempted, "" fresh, "or" new "staples 1110 is meant herein that the staples 1110 have all of their fasteners in their" ready to fire position. When in this position, the slide assembly 1120 is in its starting position. The new cartridge 1110 sits within the elongate channel 1102 and can be retained therein by snap features on the cartridge body that are configured to retentively engage corresponding portions of the elongate channel 1102. Fig. 15 and 18 illustrate a portion of a surgical end effector 1100 with a new or unfired surgical staple cartridge 1110 seated therein. As can be seen in these figures, the slide assembly 1120 is in a starting position. To prevent the firing system from being activated, and more specifically, the firing member 1660 from being driven distally through the end effector 1110 unless an unfired or new surgical staple cartridge has been properly seated within the elongate channel 1102, the illustrated interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 employs a firing member lockout system, generally designated 1650.

Referring now to fig. 10 and 15-19, in one form, the firing member lockout system 1650 includes a movable locking member 1652 that is configured to retentively engage the firing member 1660 when the surgical staple cartridge 1110 is not properly seated within the elongate member. The lock member 1652 comprises at least one laterally moving lock portion 1654, the lock portion 1654 configured to retentively engage a corresponding portion of the firing member when the slide assembly 1120 is not present within the staples 1110 in its starting position. In the arrangement shown, the lock member 1652 employs two laterally moving lock portions 1654, wherein each lock portion 1654 engages a laterally extending portion of the firing member 1660.

In the illustrated embodiment, the locking member 1652 comprises a generally U-shaped spring member with each laterally movable leg or locking portion 1654 extending from the central spring portion 1653 and configured to be movable in a lateral direction indicated by "L" in fig. 18 and 19. It should be understood that the term "lateral" refers to a direction transverse to the axis SA. The spring or locking member 1652 may be made of high strength spring steel or similar material. Center spring portion 1653 can be seated within a slot 1236 in end effector mounting assembly 1230. See fig. 10. As can be seen in fig. 15-17, each of the laterally movable legs or locking portions 1654 has a distal end 1656 with a locking window 1658 therein. When the lock member 1652 is in the locked position, the central retainer feature 1680 on each lateral side extends into the corresponding lock window 1658 to retain the firing member from being advanced axially distally.

The operation of the firing member lockout system will be explained with reference to FIGS. 15-19. Fig. 15 and 18 illustrate a portion of a surgical end effector 1100 with new unfired staples 1110 properly installed therein. As can be seen in these figures, the slide assembly 1120 includes an unlocking feature 1126 that corresponds to each of the laterally movable locking portions 1654. In the arrangement shown, an unlocking feature 1126 is provided on or extends proximally from each of the central wedge cams 112. In an alternative arrangement, the unlocking features 1126 may comprise proximal protruding portions of the corresponding wedge cams 1122. As can be seen in fig. 18, when the slide assembly 1120 is in its starting position, the unlocking features 1124 laterally engage and bias the corresponding locking portions 1654 in a direction transverse to the shaft axis SA. When the locking portions 1654 are in those unlocked orientations, the central retainer features 1680 do not remain engaged with their corresponding locking windows 1658. When in these orientations, the firing member 1660 can be advanced (fired) axially distally. However, when the cartridge is not present in the elongate channel 1102 or the slide assembly has moved out of its starting position (meaning that the cartridge is partially or fully fired), the lockout portion 1654 remains laterally resiliently engaged with the firing member 1660. When in this position as shown in fig. 19, the firing member 1660 cannot be moved distally.

Fig. 16 and 17 illustrate the firing member 1660 retracted to a starting position after firing the cartridge 1110 and driving the sled assembly 1120 distally. Fig. 16 illustrates the initial reengagement of the retention features 1680 into their corresponding locking windows 1658. Fig. 17 shows the retention feature in its locked position when the firing member 1660 has been fully retracted to its starting position. To facilitate lateral displacement of the locking portions 1654 when the locking portions 1654 are each initially in contact with a proximally moving retention feature 1680, each of the retention features 1680 may be provided with a proximally facing laterally tapered end portion. Such lockout systems prevent actuation of the firing member 1660 when there is no new unfired cartridge or a new unfired cartridge is present but not yet properly seated in the elongate channel 1102. In addition, the lockout system may prevent the clinician from advancing the firing member distally in the event that an empty or partially fired cartridge has been inadvertently properly seated within the elongate channel. Another advantage that the lockout system 1650 can provide is that the firing member 1660 remains aligned with the cartridge channel when in the locked and unlocked positions, unlike other firing member lockout devices that require the firing member to be moved into and out of alignment with a corresponding slot/passageway in the staple cartridge. The lock portion 1654 is designed to move laterally in and out of engagement with a corresponding side of the firing member. Such lateral movement of one or more lockout portions may be distinguished from other lockout devices that move in a vertical direction to engage and disengage portions of the firing member.

Returning to fig. 13 and 14, in one form, anvil 1130 includes an elongate anvil body portion 1132 and a proximal anvil mounting portion 1150. The elongate anvil body portion 1132 includes an outer surface 1134, and the outer surface 1134 defines two downwardly extending tissue stop members 1136 adjacent the proximal anvil mounting portion 1150. The elongate anvil body portion 1132 also includes an underside 1135 defining an elongate anvil slot 1138. In the illustrated arrangement shown in fig. 14, the anvil slot 1138 is centrally disposed in the lower side 1135. The underside 1135 includes three

rows

1140,1141,1142 of

staple forming pockets

1143,1144 and 1145 located on each side of the anvil slot 1138. Adjacent each side of the anvil slot 1138 are two elongated anvil passages 1146. Each passage 1146 has a proximal ramp portion 1148. See fig. 13. As the firing member 1660 is advanced distally, the top anvil engagement features 1632 initially enter the corresponding proximal ramp portion 1148 and enter the corresponding elongate anvil passageway 1146.

Turning to fig. 12 and 13, the anvil slot 1138 and the proximal ramp portion 1148 extend into the anvil mounting portion 1150. In other words, the anvil slot 1138 divides or divides the anvil mounting portion 1150 into two anvil attachment flanges 1151. Anvil attachment flanges 1151 are coupled together at their proximal ends by a connecting bridge 1153. The connecting bridges 1153 serve to provide support for the anvil attachment flanges 1151 and may serve to make the anvil mounting portions 1150 more rigid than the mounting portions 1150 of other anvil devices, wherein the anvil attachment flanges are unconnected at their proximal ends. As can also be seen in fig. 12 and 14, the anvil slot 1138 has a wide portion 1139 to accommodate the top portion of the firing member 1660 and the top anvil engagement feature 1632.

As can be seen in fig. 13 and 20-24, each of the anvil attachment flanges 1151 includes a transverse mounting aperture 1156 that is configured to receive a pivot pin 1158 (fig. 10 and 20) therethrough. Anvil mounting portion 1150 is pivotally pinned to proximal end 1103 of elongate channel 1102 by a pivot pin 1158, pivot pin 1158 extending through a mounting hole 1107 in proximal end 1103 of elongate channel 1102 and a mounting hole 1156 in anvil mounting portion 1150. This arrangement serves to pivotally secure anvil 1130 to elongate channel 1102 for selective pivotal travel about a fixed anvil axis AA transverse to axis SA. See fig. 5. The anvil mounting portion 1150 further includes a cam surface 1152, the cam surface 1152 extending from the centralized firing member parking region 1154 to the outer surface 1134 of the anvil body portion 1132.

In the illustrated arrangement, the anvil 1130 is moved between the open and closed positions by axially advancing and retracting the distal closure tube segment 1430. As will be discussed in further detail below, the distal end portion of the distal closure tube segment 1430 has an internal cam surface formed thereon that is configured to cammingly engage the cam surface 1552 or a cam surface formed on the anvil mounting portion 1150. FIG. 22 shows a cam surface 1152a formed on the anvil mounting portion 1150 such that a single contact path 1155a is established with, for example, an inner cam surface 1444 on the distal closure tube segment 1430. FIG. 23 shows the cam surface 1152b, with the cam surface 1152b being configured relative to the inner cam surface 1444 on the distal closure tube segment to establish two separate and distinct arcuate contact paths 1155b between the cam surface 1152 on the anvil mounting portion 1150 and the inner cam surface 1444 on the distal closure tube segment 1430. In addition to other potential advantages discussed herein, this arrangement may be used to better distribute the closing force from the distal closure tube segment 1430 to the anvil 1130. FIG. 24 illustrates the cam surface 1152c, the cam surface 1152c being configured relative to an inner cam surface 1444 of the distal closure tube segment 1430 so as to establish three

distinct contact areas

1155c and 1155d between the cam surfaces on the anvil mounting portion 1150 and the distal closure tube segment 1430. The

regions

1155c,1155d establish a greater cam contact area between the distal closure tube segment 1430 and one or more cam surfaces on the anvil mounting portion 1150 and may be used to better distribute the closing force to the anvil 1130.

As the distal closure tube segment 1430 cammingly engages the anvil mounting portion 1150 of the anvil 1130, the anvil 1130 pivots about the anvil axis AA which results in pivotal movement of the distal end of the end 1133 of the elongate anvil body portion 1132 toward the surgical staple cartridge 1110 and the distal end 1105 of the elongate channel 1102. As the anvil body portion 1132 begins to pivot, it contacts the tissue to be cut and stapled, which is now positioned between the underside 1135 of the elongate anvil body portion 1132 and the deck 1116 of the surgical staple cartridge 1110. Anvil 1130 may experience a substantial amount of resistance as anvil body portion 1132 is compressed against the tissue. These resistances are overcome as the distal closure tube 1430 continues its distal advancement. Depending on their size and the point of application to anvil body portion 1132, however, these resistive forces may tend to cause portions of anvil 1130 to deflect, which may generally be undesirable. For example, such flexing can result in misalignment between the firing member 1660 and the

passageway

1148,1146 within the anvil 1130. In the event of excessive deflection, such deflection can significantly increase the amount of firing force required to fire the instrument (i.e., drive the firing member 1660 through tissue from a starting position to an ending position.

Fig. 25-27 illustrate an alternative anvil embodiment that includes features that can improve the stiffness of the anvil body and its resistance to deflection forces that may occur during the closure and/or firing process. Except for the differences discussed herein, the anvil 1130' may be otherwise identical in construction to the anvil 1130 described above. As can be seen in these figures, anvil 1130' has an elongate anvil body 1132', anvil body 1132' having an upper body portion 1165, with anvil cap 1170 attached thereto. In the embodiment shown in fig. 25-27, the anvil cap 1170 is generally rectangular in shape and has an outer cap perimeter 1172. The periphery 1172 of the anvil cap 1170 is configured to be insertable through a correspondingly shaped opening 1137 formed in the upper body portion 1165 and received on an axially extending inner flange portion 1139 formed therein. See fig. 27. The inner flange portion 1139 is configured to support a corresponding long edge 1177 of the anvil cap 1170. In an alternative embodiment, the anvil cap 1170 can be slid onto the inner flange 1139 through an opening (not shown) in the distal end 1133 of the anvil body 1132'. In another embodiment, no inner flange portion is provided. Anvil body 1132' and anvil cap 1170 may be made of a suitable metal to facilitate welding. The first weld 1178 can extend around the entire cap perimeter 1172 of the anvil cap 1170, or it can be located only along the long edge 1177 of the anvil cap 1170, rather than at its distal end 1173 and/or proximal end 1175. First weld 1178 may be continuous, or it may be discontinuous or intermittent. In those embodiments where the first weld 1178 is discontinuous or intermittent, the welded segments may be evenly distributed along the long edge 1177 of the anvil cap 1170, or the welded segments may be more densely spaced closer to the distal end of the long edge 1177 or more densely spaced closer to the proximal end of the long edge 1177. In other arrangements, the welded segments may be more densely spaced in the center region of the long side 1177 of the anvil cap 1170.

Fig. 28-30 illustrate anvil cap 1170 'configured to "mechanically interlock" with anvil body 1132' and weld to upper body portion 1165. In this embodiment, a plurality of retaining structures 1182 are formed in the wall 1180 of the upper body portion 1165 that defines the opening 1137. As used herein, for example, the term "mechanically interlocked" means that the anvil cap will remain secured to the elongate anvil body regardless of the orientation of the elongate anvil body, and without any additional retention or fastening such as welding and/or adhesives. The retaining structure 1182 may protrude inwardly from the opening wall 1180 into the opening 1137. The retaining structure 1182 may be integrally formed in the wall 1180 or otherwise attached thereto. The retention structure 1182 is designed to frictionally engage a corresponding portion of the anvil cap 1170 'when the retention structure 1182 is installed in the opening 1137 to frictionally retain the anvil cap 1170' therein. In the illustrated embodiment, the retention structure 1182 protrudes inwardly into the opening 1137 and is configured to be frictionally received within a correspondingly shaped engagement region 1184 formed in the outer periphery 1172 'of the anvil cap 1170'. In the arrangement shown, the retention structure 1182 corresponds only to the long side 1177' of the anvil cap 1170' and is not disposed in the portion of the wall 1180 that corresponds to the distal end 1173 or proximal end 1175 of the anvil cap 1170 '. In an alternative arrangement, the retention feature 1182 may also be provided in portions of the wall 1180 corresponding to the distal and

proximal ends

1173, 1175 of the anvil cap 1170 'and the long sides 1177' thereof. In other arrangements, the retaining structure 1182 may be provided only in portions of the wall 1180 corresponding to one or both of the distal end 1173 and the proximal end 1175 of the anvil cap 1170'. In other arrangements, the retention structure 1182 may be disposed in a portion of the wall 1180 corresponding to the long side 1177 'and only in one of the proximal and

distal ends

1173, 1175 of the anvil cap 1170'. It should also be understood that the retention tabs in all of the foregoing embodiments may alternatively be formed on the anvil cap with the engagement region formed in the elongate anvil body.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 28-30, the retention features 1182 are equally spaced or evenly distributed along the wall portion 1180, the wall portion 1180 corresponding to the long side 1177 'of the anvil cap 1170'. In alternative embodiments, retention features 1182 may be more densely spaced closer to the distal end of long side 1177', or more densely spaced closer to the proximal end of long side 1177'. In other words, the spacing between those retaining structures adjacent the distal end, the proximal end, or both the distal and proximal ends may be less than the spacing of the structures located in the central portion of the anvil cap 1170'. In other arrangements, the retention features 1182 may be more densely spaced in a central region of the long side 1177 'of the anvil cap 1170'. Also in alternative embodiments, a correspondingly shaped engagement region 1184 may not be provided in the outer perimeter 1172' or in a portion of the outer perimeter 1172' of the anvil cap 1170 '. In other embodiments, the retaining structure and correspondingly shaped engagement region may be provided with different shapes and sizes. In an alternative arrangement, the retaining formations may be dimensioned relative to the engagement regions such that there is no interference fit between them. In such an arrangement, the anvil cap may be held in place by welding, adhesives, or the like.

In the example shown, the weld 1178 'can extend around the entire perimeter 1172' of the anvil cap 1170 'or the weld 1178' can be located only along the long side 1177 'of the anvil cap 1170' rather than the distal end 1173 and/or proximal end 1175 thereof. Weld 1178' may be continuous, or it may be discontinuous or intermittent. In those embodiments where the weld 1178 is discontinuous or intermittent, the welded segments may be evenly distributed along the long edge 1177 of the anvil cap 1170, or the welded segments may be more closely spaced closer to the distal end of the long edge 1177 or more closely spaced closer to the proximal end of the long edge 1177. In other arrangements, the welded segments may be more densely spaced in the center region of the long side 1177 of the anvil cap 1170.

Fig. 31 and 32 illustrate another anvil device 1130 ", anvil device 1130" having anvil cap 1170 "attached thereto. In the example shown, the anvil cap 1170 "is generally rectangular in shape and has an outer cap perimeter 117". The outer cap periphery 1172 "is configured to be inserted through a correspondingly shaped opening 1137" in the upper body portion 1165 "of the anvil body 1132" and received over the axially extending inner flange portions 1139 "and 1190" formed therein. See fig. 32. The flange portions 1139 "and 1190" are configured to support the corresponding long side 1177 "of the anvil cap 1170". In an alternative embodiment, the anvil cap 1170 "can be slid onto the inner flanges 1139" and 1190 "through openings (not shown) in the distal end 1133" of the anvil body 1132'. Anvil body 1132 "and anvil cap 1170" may be made of a metallic material to facilitate welding. The first weld 1178 "may extend around the entire perimeter 1172" of the anvil cap 1170 "or it may be located only along the long side 1177" of the anvil cap 1170 "rather than the distal end 1173" and/or proximal end (not shown) thereof. Weld 1178 "may be continuous, or it may be discontinuous or intermittent. It will be appreciated that the continuous weld embodiment has a greater welding surface area due to the irregularly shaped perimeter of the anvil cap 1170 "as compared to embodiments having straight perimeter sides, such as the anvil cap shown in fig. 26. In those embodiments where the weld 1178 "is discontinuous or intermittent, the welded segments may be evenly distributed along the long edge 1177" of the anvil cap 1170 "or the welded segments may be more closely spaced closer to the distal end of the long edge 1177" or more closely spaced closer to the proximal end of the long edge 1177 ". In other arrangements, the welded segments may be more densely spaced in the center region of the long side 1177 "of the anvil cap 1170".

Still referring to fig. 31 and 32, anvil cap 1170 "can be additionally welded to anvil body 1132" by a second plurality of discrete "deep" welds 1192 ". For example, each weld 1192 "can be placed at the bottom of a corresponding hole or opening 1194" provided through the anvil cap 1170 "such that a discrete weld 1192" can be formed along the portion of the anvil body 1132 "between the flanges 1190" and 1139 ". See fig. 32. The weld beads 1192 "may be evenly distributed along the long side 1177" of the anvil cap 1170 "or the weld beads 1192" may be more closely spaced closer to the distal end of the long side 1177 "or more closely spaced closer to the proximal end of the long side 1177". In other arrangements, the welds 1192 "may be more densely spaced in the center region of the long sides 1177" of the anvil cap 1170 ".

Fig. 33 illustrates another anvil cap 1170 "'that is configured to mechanically interlock with anvil body 1132"' and welded to upper body portion 1165. In this embodiment, a "tongue-in-groove" arrangement is employed along each long side 1177 "'of anvil cap 1170"'. Specifically, laterally extending continuous or interrupted tabs 1195 "' protrude from each of the long sides 1177" ' of the anvil cap 1170 "'. Each tab 1195 "corresponds to an axial slot 1197" 'formed in the anvil body 1132 "'. Anvil cap 1170 "' is slid in from an opening (not shown) in a distal end of anvil body 1132" ' to "mechanically" secure anvil cap to anvil body 1132 "'. The tab 1195 "' and the slot 1197" may be sized relative to one another to establish a sliding friction fit therebetween. In addition, anvil cap 1170 "'may be welded to anvil body 1132"'. Anvil body 1132 "'and anvil cap 1170"' may be made of a metal to facilitate welding. The weld 1178 "' may extend around the entire perimeter 1172" ' of the anvil cap 1170 "', or it may only be located along the long side 1177" ' of the anvil cap 1170 "'. Weld 1178' "can be continuous, or it can be discontinuous or intermittent. In those embodiments where the weld 1178 "' is discontinuous or intermittent, the welded segments may be evenly distributed along the long sides 1177" ' of the anvil cap 1170 "', or the welded segments may be more densely spaced closer to the distal ends of the long sides 1177" ' or more densely spaced closer to the proximal ends of the long sides 1177 "'. In other arrangements, the welded segments may be more densely spaced in a central region of the long sides 1177 "'of the anvil cap 1170"'.

The anvil embodiments described herein having an anvil cap may provide several advantages. For example, one advantage may facilitate the anvil and firing member assembly process. That is, the firing member may be mounted through an opening in the anvil, which is attached to the elongate channel. Another advantage is that the upper cap improves the stiffness of the anvil and resistance to the above-mentioned flexing forces that may be experienced when clamping tissue. By resisting such flexing, the frictional forces typically encountered by the firing member 1660 may be reduced. Thus, the amount of firing force required to drive the firing member from its starting position to its ending position in the surgical staple cartridge may also be reduced.

As described above, as anvil 1130 begins to pivot, anvil body 1132 contacts the tissue to be cut and stapled, which is positioned between the lower surface of elongate anvil body 1132 and the deck of surgical staple cartridge 1110. Anvil 1130 may experience a substantial amount of resistance as anvil body 1132 is compressed against the tissue. To continue the closing process, the distal closure tube segment 1430 must overcome these resistances as it cammingly contacts the anvil mounting portion 1150. These resistances may be applied to the distal closure tube segment 1430 generally in the vertical direction V, which, if excessive, may cause the distal closure tube segment 1430 to expand or elongate in the vertical direction (the distance ID in fig. 31 may increase). If the distal closure tube 1430 is elongated in a vertical direction, the distal closure tube segment 1430 may not be able to effectively close the anvil 1130 and hold the anvil 1130 in a fully closed position. If this occurs, the firing member 1660 may encounter significantly higher resistance, which would require a higher firing force to advance the firing member distally.

Fig. 34 and 35 illustrate one form of a closure member for applying a closure motion to a movable jaw of a surgical instrument. In the arrangement shown, the closure member includes a distal closure tube segment 1430, for example, having a closure body portion 1470. As noted above, one form of interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 is configured to facilitate selective articulation of surgical end effector 1100. To facilitate this articulation, the distal closure tube segment 1430 is movably coupled to the proximal closure tube segment 1410 by way of upper and

lower tangs

1434 and 1436 and upper and lower

double pivot links

1220 and 1222. See fig. 10. In one arrangement, the distal closure tube section 1430 can be machined or otherwise formed from round bar stock made of, for example, a suitable metallic material. In the illustrated arrangement, the closure body 1470 has an outer surface 1431 and an inner surface 1433 that define an upper wall portion 1440 having an upper wall cross-sectional thickness UWT and a lower wall portion 1442 having a lower wall thickness LWT. The upper wall portion 1440 is located above the shaft axis SA and the lower wall portion 1442 is located below the shaft axis SA. The distal end 1441 of the upper wall portion 1440 has an inner cam surface 1444 formed thereon at a cam angle θ. Also in the illustrated embodiment, UWT > LWT is used to provide a longer inner cam surface 1444 than would be obtainable if the distal closure tube segment had a uniform wall thickness. A long inner cam surface may facilitate the transfer of the closing force to the cam surface on the anvil mounting portion 1150. As can also be seen in fig. 34 and 35, the

transition side walls

1446,1448 are located on each side of the shaft axis SA between the upper wall portions 1440, and the lower wall portions 1442 include generally flat, vertically extending inner side wall surfaces 1451,1453 that may be generally parallel to each other. The

transition side walls

1446,1448 each have a wall thickness that transitions from an upper wall thickness to a lower wall thickness.

In the illustrated arrangement, the distal closure tube section 1430 also includes a positive jaw or anvil opening feature 1462 that corresponds to and projects inwardly from each of the

sidewalls

1446 and 1448. As can be seen in fig. 34 and 35, the anvil opening feature 1462 is formed on the lateral mounting body 1460, the lateral mounting body 1460 being sized to be received within a correspondingly shaped

cavity

1447,1449, the

cavity

1447,1449 being machined or otherwise formed in the

transition sidewall

1446,1448 adjacent the distal end 1438 of the distal closure tube segment 1430. The positive anvil opening features 1462 extend inwardly through

corresponding openings

1450,1452 in the

transition side walls

1446,1448. In the arrangement shown, lateral mounting body 1460 is welded to distal closure tube segment 1430 by weld 1454. In addition to or in lieu of welds, the lateral mounting body 1460 may be held in place by a mechanical/friction fit, tongue and groove arrangement, adhesive, or the like.

36-41 illustrate one example of moving the anvil 1130 from a fully closed position to a fully open position using a distal closure tube segment 1430. Fig. 36 and 39 illustrate the position of the distal closure tube segment 1430, and more particularly the position of one of the positive anvil opening features 1462 when the distal closure tube segment 1430 is in a fully closed position. In the example shown, an anvil opening ramp 1162 is formed on the underside of each of the anvil attachment flanges 1151. When the anvil 1130 and distal closure tube segment 1430 are in their fully closed positions shown in fig. 36, each of the positive anvil opening features 1462 are located in the cavities 1164, with the cavities 1164 being established between the anvil opening ramps 1162 and the bottom of the elongate channel 1102. When in this position, positive anvil opening feature 1462 does not contact anvil mounting portion 1150 or at least does not exert any significant opening action or force thereon. Fig. 37 and 40 illustrate the position of the anvil 1130 and the distal closure tube segment 1430 when an opening motion is initially applied to the distal closure tube segment 1430 in the proximal direction PD. As can be seen in fig. 37, the positive jaw opening feature 1462 initially contacts the anvil opening ramp 1164 to begin pivoting the anvil 1130 to the open position. In the illustrated arrangement, each of the positive anvil opening features 1462 has a sloped or rounded distal end 1463 to facilitate better camming contact with the corresponding anvil opening ramp 1162. In fig. 38 and 41, the distal closure tube segment 1430 has been retracted back to its fully retracted position, which causes the positive anvil opening feature 1462 to be driven to the distal end of the anvil opening ramp 1162, which causes the anvil 1130 to pivot to its fully open position as shown therein. Other embodiments may not employ a positive jaw opening feature, but may rely on a spring or other biasing device to bias the anvil to the open position when the distal closure tube segment has been retracted to its proximal-most starting position.

Fig. 42 and 43 illustrate another closure member for applying a closure motion to a movable jaw of a surgical instrument. In this example, the closure member includes a distal closure tube segment 1430' that can be similar to the distal closure tube segment 1430 without the positive anvil opening feature. The distal closure tube segment 1430' has a closure body 1470', and the closure body 1470' has an outer surface 1440' and an inner surface 1433', which defines an upper wall portion 1440' and a lower wall portion 1442 '. As noted above, it may be desirable to employ an inner cam surface 1444' that is as large as possible to maximize camming contact with the cam surface on the anvil mounting portion 1150 to effectively transfer the closing force thereto. Thus, the upper wall portion 1440' of the distal closure tube segment 1430' may be provided with the thickest wall thickness UWT and the lower portion of the distal closure tube segment 1430' may have the thinnest wall thickness LWT. For reference purposes, UWT and LWT are measured along a common reference line that extends through the central axis or point C of the distal closure tube segment 1430'. Thus, with UWT diametrically opposed to LWT, UWT > LWT. This wall thickness arrangement is advantageous for forming a longer inner cam surface 1444'.

As can be seen in fig. 43, the distal closure tube segment 1430' has an outer surface 1431', the outer surface 1431' having a circular cross-sectional shape. The distal closure tube section 1430' may be machined from solid bar stock. In the example shown, an inner radius R from within the first central axis a ₁ Extends to an inner surface 1433' and has an outer radius R from outside the second central axis a ₂ To the outer surface 1431'. In the example shown, axis A is offset from axis A by a distance OR and R2>R1。

FIG. 44 illustrates another closure member for applying a closure motion to a movable jaw of a surgical instrument. In this example, the closure member includes a distal closure tube segment 1430 "having a closure body 1470". The closure body 1470 "has an outer surface 1431 'and an inner surface 1433" that define an upper wall portion 1440 "having an upper wall thickness UWT and a lower wall portion 1442" having a lower wall thickness LWT and two sidewall portions 1435' each having a sidewall thickness SWT. In the example shown, UWT > LWT. Furthermore, SWT > UWT. Thus, SWT > UWT > LWT. In the arrangement shown, the sidewall portions 1435' have the same sidewall thickness SWT. In other arrangements, the sidewall portion 1435' can have a different thickness. As can be seen in fig. 44, each side wall portion 1435 'defines an inner vertically extending inner surface portion 1437'. In the illustrated embodiment, the vertically extending inner surface portions are generally parallel to each other. Such thicker vertical sidewall portions 1435' can help prevent or at least minimize vertical elongation of the distal closure tube segment 1430 "during use.

In the example shown in FIG. 45, R ₁ And R ₂ Measured from a common central point or central axis C and R ₁ >R ₂ . Each of the sidewall portions 1435 "of the closure body portion 1470" 'of the distal closure tube segment 1430 "' extending between the upper portions 1431" and 1433 "has a sidewall thickness SWT that is approximately equal to UWT at a point along the horizontal reference line HR. The horizontal reference line HR is perpendicular to the vertical reference line VR, which extends through the central axis C, and UWT and LWT may be measured and compared along the vertical reference line VR. Therefore, SWT ═ UWT. In other examples, SWT may be slightly less than UWT when measured along the horizontal reference line HR. SWT may continue to decrease until the sidewall portion 1435 'transitions to a lower portion 1433' having a constant lower wall thickness LWT. Thus, the inner side wall 1437 "extends at an angle a2 when measured from a corresponding vertical reference axis VR', which is perpendicular to the horizontal reference axis HR and parallel to the vertical reference axis VR.

FIG. 46 illustrates another closure member for applying a closure motion to a movable jaw of a surgical instrument. In this example, the closure member includes a distal closure tube segment 1430 "having a closure body 1470", the closure body 1470 "having a circular outer surface 1431" and a rectangular interior passageway 1439 extending therethrough. The outer surface 1431 "is positioned at a distance R from the geometric center point or central axis C. The upper wall thickness UWT is equal to the lower wall thickness LWT, as measured along a vertical reference axis VR extending through the center point or axis C as shown. The thickness SWT of the sidewall portion 1437 "is greater than the upper wall thickness UWT and the lower wall thickness LWT, as measured along a horizontal reference axis HR extending through the center point or center axis C and perpendicular to the vertical reference axis VR. Therefore, SWT is greater than UWT and LWT. In other words, the portion of the distal closure tube segment 1430 "that is above the horizontal reference line HR is a mirror image of the portion of the distal closure tube segment 1430" that is below the horizontal reference line HR. In this example, the side portion 1437 "is thicker than the upper and lower wall portions, and may tend to prevent or minimize the tendency of the distal closure tube segment to elongate in the vertical direction. An inner cam surface may be formed on the distal end of the upper wall portion 1440 ".

In the illustrated arrangement, the anvil 1130 is moved between the open and closed positions by distally advancing the distal closure tube segment 1430. As can be seen in fig. 41, when the anvil 1130 is in the fully open position, the distal end 1163 of anvil attachment flange 1151 can extend above the deck surface 1116 of the staple cartridge 1110. When the closure process is initiated by advancing the distal closure tube segment distally in the distal direction DD, the distal end 1163 of the anvil attachment flange 1151 extends beyond the deck surface 1116 of the staple cartridge 1110, thereby preventing tissue infiltration therebetween, which may interfere with the closure process. See fig. 40. Once the anvil 1130 has been moved to the fully closed position by the distal closure tube segment 1430, the distal end 1461 of the lateral mounting body on the distal closure tube segment 1430 further acts as a tissue stop to prevent tissue infiltration therebetween. See fig. 41.

Fig. 47 illustrates a portion of a surgical end effector 110', which surgical end effector 110' may be similar to the surgical end effector 110 of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 of fig. 1 and 2. In the example shown in fig. 47, the anvil 114 includes an elongate body portion 190 and an anvil mounting portion 192. The anvil mounting portion 192 includes two spaced apart anvil mounting flanges 194 that project proximally from the elongate body portion 190. Each anvil mounting flange 194 has an outwardly extending trunnion 196 thereon. The trunnions 196 are each movably received in a corresponding kidney slot Or elongated arcuate trunnion slot 197 disposed in the elongated channel 112. The trunnions 196 generally seat within a bottom portion 198 of an elongated arcuate trunnion slot 197 when the anvil 114 is in the "fully open" position. The anvil 114 is movable to the closed position by advancing the distal closure tube segment 142 distally in the distal direction DD such that the end 148 of the distal closure tube segment 142 rides on a camming surface 193, the camming surface 193 being formed on the anvil mounting portion 192 of the anvil 114. As the distal end 148 of the distal closure tube segment 142 is advanced distally along the camming surface 193 on the anvil mounting portion 192, the distal closure tube segment 142 causes the body portion 190 of the anvil 114 to pivot and move axially relative to the surgical staple cartridge 116. When the distal closure tube segment 142 reaches the end of its closure stroke, the distal end 148 of the distal closure tube segment 142 abuts/contacts the protruding anvil flange 191 and serves to position the anvil 114 so that the forming pockets (not shown) on the underside of the body portion 190 are properly aligned with the staples in the cartridge. Anvil flange 191 is defined between a cam surface 193 on anvil mounting portion 192 and elongate anvil body portion 190. In other words, in this arrangement, the cam surface 193 does not extend to the outermost surface 195 of the anvil body 190. After the distal closure tube 142 has reached this fully extended position, further application of the closure motion/force to the anvil 114 may result in damage to the anvil and/or closure system components. As seen in fig. 47, in this arrangement, the closing force F _H Parallel to the shaft axis SA. An axis or plane T passing through the center of the trunnion 196 _A And closing force vector F _H Is represented as distance X _R . The distance X _R Multiplied by the closing force F _H Indicating the closing torque C applied to the anvil 114 _M 。

Fig. 48 and 49 illustrate the closing force configuration of the anvil 1130 of the surgical end effector 1100 of the interchangeable tool assembly 1000. Anvil trunnion 1158 is pivotally mounted within bore 1154 in elongate channel 1102, as described above. Unlike the anvil 114 described above, the anvil 1130 does not move axially. Rather, the anvil 1130 is constrained to pivot only about the anvil axis AA. When the distal closure tube segment 1430 is at the horizontal closure force F _H1 When advanced in the distal direction DD, the distal closure tube segment 1The interaction between the inner camming surface 1444 on 430 and the camming surface 1152 on the anvil mounting portion 1150 causes the distal closure tube segment 1430 to experience a vertical closure force component V _F . The resultant force vector F experienced by the cam surface 1152 on the anvil mounting portion 1150 _N "orthogonal" or perpendicular to the inner cam surface 1444. The angle θ in fig. 48 and 49 represents the angle of the cam surface 1152 and the inner cam surface 1440 from horizontal. The resultant force vector F _N And an axis or plane T extending through the center of the anvil trunnion 1158 _A The distance between is expressed as moment arm M _A . The moment arm distance M _A Multiplied by the resultant force vector F _N Representing a closing torque C applied to the anvil 1130 _M1 . Thus, in which the closing force F is horizontal _H ＝F _H1 In the application of (1), because M _A >X _R The actual amount of closure torque applied to the anvil 1130 will be greater than the amount of closure torque applied to the anvil 114 and, therefore, the closure torque applied to the anvil 114 will be greater than the closure torque applied to the anvil 114. FIG. 49 also shows the resistance that the tissue builds during the closing process. F _T Representing the force generated by the tissue as it is clamped between the anvil and the staple cartridge. This "counter" moment M applied to the anvil 1130 _T Equal to tissue force T _F And an axis or plane T extending through the center of the anvil trunnion 1158 _A A distance X between _T Multiplied by the tissue force T _F . Thus, to achieve a desired amount of anvil closure, C _M1 Must be greater than M _T 。

Returning to the example illustrated in fig. 47, it can be seen that the firing bar 170 is attached to the firing member 174, with the firing member 174 being located within the elongate channel 112 when in a starting or unfired position, and more particularly, completely distal to the distal closure tube segment 142 where the top portion 175 of the firing member 174 is in contact with a portion of the anvil 114. Because the firing member 174 is in a position where its top portion 175 may contact the anvil when the anvil 114 is moved to the closed position, this arrangement may result in a higher closing force being required to move the anvil 114 to a fully or fully closed position. Additionally, when the firing system is enabled, a higher firing force may be required to overcome the frictional interference between the top portion 175 of the firing member 174 and the anvil 114. Conversely, as can be seen in fig. 48, in the end effector 1100, the firing member 1660 is "parked" in a firing member parking region 1154 within the distal closure tube segment 1430. When the firing member 1660 is located within the firing member parking region 1154 within the distal closure tube segment 1430, it is not capable of generating significant frictional forces with the anvil. Thus, one of the advantages that may be realized by fully parking the firing member 1660 within the distal closure tube segment 1430 may be to reduce the amount of closure force required to close the anvil to a fully closed position and/or to reduce the amount of firing force required to advance the firing member from a starting position to an ending position within the end effector. In other words, parking the firing member 1660 such that the firing member 1660 is fully proximal to the distal end of the distal closure tube segment 1430 and the inner cam surface 1444 thereon, and in a starting position that eliminates or reduces any frictional contact between the firing member and the anvil, may ultimately require the generation of lower closure and firing forces for operation of the end effector.

As discussed above, excessive deflection of the anvil during the closing and firing process may result in the need for an undesirably higher firing force. Accordingly, stiffer anvil arrangements are generally desired. Returning to fig. 20 and 21, another advantage that may be provided by anvil 1130 and the elongate channel 1102 shown therein is that the anvil mounting portion 1150 of anvil 1130 is generally stronger and therefore stiffer than other anvil and elongate channel arrangements. Fig. 50 illustrates the use of stiffener gussets 199 between the anvil mounting flange 194 and the elongate anvil body portion 190. A similar gusset arrangement may also be employed between anvil attachment flange 1151 and anvil body 1132 of anvil 1130 to further enhance anvil stiffness.

As described above, the interchangeable surgical tool 1000 includes the resilient spine member 1520. As shown in fig. 6, 7A, 8, and 51-54, the distal end portion 1522 of the elastic spine member 1520 is separated from the proximal end portion 1524 of the elastic spine member 15 by a stretch feature 1530 formed in the elastic spine member 1520. Further, the stretch limiting insert 1540 is retentively supported between the distal end portion 1522 and the proximal end portion 1524. In a variety of arrangements, the various components of the device,the resilient spine member 1520 may be made of, for example, a suitable polymeric material, rubber, or the like, having the designation ME ₁ The modulus of elasticity of (a) is used for reference purposes. The stretch feature 1530 may include a plurality of stretch cavities 1532. As can be seen in fig. 7A, the illustrated stretch features 1530 include four triangular stretch cavities 1532 arranged to define some flexible wall segments 1534 therebetween. Other shapes and numbers of stretching cavities 1532 may be used. For example, the stretching cavity 1532 may be molded or machined into the elastic spine member 1520.

Still referring to fig. 6, 7, and 51-54, the stretch limiting insert 1540 includes a body portion 1541 having a shape labeled ME ₂ The modulus of elasticity of (a) is used for reference purposes. As can be seen in fig. 6, the body portion 1541 includes two downwardly extending mounting lugs 1542, each mounting lug 1542 configured to be seated in a mounting cavity 1535 formed in the resilient ridge member 1520. See also fig. 7A. To provide the stretch limiting insert 1540 with a desired amount of stretch capability and elasticity, the body portion 1541 in the illustrated arrangement is provided with a plurality of upper cavities 1543. The illustrated example includes four upper cavities 1543, the four upper cavities 1543 being relatively square or rectangular in shape and spaced apart to define a flexible wall 1544 therebetween. Other embodiments may include other numbers and shapes of upper chambers. The body portion 1541 of the illustrated stretch limiting insert 1540 also includes a centrally disposed, downwardly projecting central lug portion 1545 configured to sit in the central cavity 1536 above the stretch feature 1530. See fig. 7A. In the example shown, the central lug portion 1545 includes a pair of central passages 1546 with the central passages 1546 extending laterally therethrough to define flexible walls 1547 therebetween.

Also in the example shown, the stretch limiting insert 1540 includes an elongated lateral cavity 1548 positioned on each side of the body portion 1541. Only one lateral cavity 1548 is visible in fig. 6 and 51-54. Each elongated lateral cavity 1548 is configured to support a corresponding tension limiter 1550 therein. Thus, in the example, two stretch limiters 1550 are employed in the stretch limiting insert 1540. In at least one arrangement, the stretching is limitedThe post 1550 includes an elongated body portion 1552 that terminates at each end with a downwardly extending mounting lug 1554. The mounting lugs 1554 are received in corresponding lug cavities 1549 formed in the body portion 1541. The stretch limiter may have a length of ME ₃ The modulus of elasticity of (a) is used for reference purposes. In at least one arrangement, ME3<ME2<ME1。

Actuation of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 when operably attached to the handle assembly 500 will now be described in greater detail with reference to fig. 51-54. FIG. 51 illustrates anvil 1130 in an open position. As can be seen in this figure, the distal closure tube segment 1430 is in its starting or unactuated position and the positive anvil opening feature 1462 has pivoted the anvil 1130 to an open position. In addition, the firing member 1660 is in an unactuated or starting position with an upper portion including the top nose portion 1630 parked in the firing member parking region 1154 of the anvil mounting portion 1150. When the interchangeable tool assembly 1000 is in this un-actuated state, the stretch limiting insert 1540 is in an un-stretched state. When in an unstretched state, the axial length of the stretch limiting insert 1540 is indicated by L in FIG. 51 _us And (4) showing. L is a radical of an alcohol _us Represents the distance between a reference axis a corresponding to the proximal end of the main body portion 1541 of the stretch limiting insert 1540 and a reference axis B corresponding to the distal end of the main body portion 1541, as shown in fig. 51. The axis labeled F corresponds to the position of the distal end of staple cartridge 1110 that has been properly seated within elongate channel 1102. It should be appreciated that when the tool assembly 1000 is in this unactuated state, the elastic spine member 1520 is in a relaxed, unstretched state.

FIG. 52 illustrates the interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 after the drive system 510 has been closed to drive the distal closure tube segment 1430 distally in the distal direction DD, as described above. As the distal closure tube segment 1430 moves distally, the cam surfaces 1444 on the distal end 1441 of the upper wall portion 1440 of the distal closure tube segment 1430 cammingly contact the cam surfaces 1152 on the anvil mounting portion 1150 and pivot the anvil 1130 to the closed position as shown. The closure drive system 510 moves the distal closure tube segment 1430 through its full closure travel distance and then stopsIn use, and the distal closure tube segment is axially locked or otherwise held in this position by the closure drive system 510. When the distal closure tube segment 1430 contacts the anvil mounting portion 1150, the closing force generated by the distal advancement of the distal closure tube segment 1430 over the anvil 1130 also axially advances the anvil 1130 and elongate channel 1102 in the distal direction DD. The stretch features 1530 in the elastic spine 1520 will begin to stretch to accommodate this distal advancement of the elongate channel 1102 and anvil 1130. Axis B as shown in fig. 52 is a reference axis for the stretch limiting insert 1540 when in a relaxed or unstretched state. Axis C corresponds to the end of the stretch limiting insert 1540 after the stretch limiting insert has been stretched to its maximum elongation state. Distance L _s Indicating the maximum amount or length that the stretch limiting insert 1540 may extend. Axis G corresponds to the position of the distal end of the surgical staple cartridge 1110 after the anvil 1130 has been moved to the "first" closed position. Distance L between reference axes F and G _T Indicating the axial distance that the elongate channel 1102 and anvil 1130 have traveled during actuation of the closure drive system 510. The distance L _T May be equal to the distance L that the stretch limiting insert 1540 is limited to stretch by the stretch limiter 1550 during the closing process _S 。

Returning to fig. 51, it can be noted that there is a space S between each mounting lug 1554 of the tension limiter 1550 and the inner wall 1551 of each of the lug cavities 1549 prior to beginning the closing process. As can be seen in fig. 52, the space S disappears. That is, each of the mounting lugs 1554 abuts a corresponding cavity wall 1549 in the stretch limiting insert 1540. Accordingly, the stretch limiter 1550 acts to limit the amount of elongation experienced by the stretch limiting insert 1540, which in turn limits the amount of distal travel of the elongate channel 1102 and anvil 1130 relative to the proximal end portion 1524 of the elastic spine 1520. The distal closure tube 1430 is axially locked in place by the closure drive system 510. When in this position, anvil 1130 is maintained in a "first" closed position relative to surgical staple cartridge 1110. Since the firing drive system 530 has not been actuated, the firing member 1660 has not moved and remains parked in the firing member parking region 1154. The position of the underside of the anvil 1130 when in the "first" closed position is represented by axis K in fig. 52 and 53.

FIG. 53 illustrates the position of the firing member 1660 after the firing drive system 530 is initially actuated. As can be seen in this figure, the firing member 1660 has been pushed distally out of the firing member parking region 1154. A top portion of the firing member 1660, and more specifically, each of the top anvil engagement features 1672, has entered a proximal ramp portion 1138 of a corresponding axial passage 1146 in the anvil 1130. At this point in the process, the anvil 1130 may be under considerable bending stress caused by the tissue clamped between the underside of the anvil 1130 and the deck of the staple cartridge 1110. This bending stress and frictional resistance between various portions of the firing member and the anvil 1130 and elongate channel 1102 act to substantially maintain the elongate channel 1102 and distal closure tube segment in a stationary state when the firing member 1660 is initially advanced distally. During this period of time, the amount of force required to fire the firing member 1660, or in other words, to distally push the firing member 1660 through the tissue clamped between the anvil 1130 and the staple cartridge 1110, is increasing. See line 1480 in fig. 55. Also during this time period, the stretch limiting insert attempts to retract the elongate channel 1102 and anvil 1130 in the proximal direction PD into the distal closure tube segment 1430. Once the amount of friction between the firing member 1660 and the anvil 1130 and the elongate channel 1102 is less than the retraction force generated by the stretch limiting insert 1540, the stretch limiting insert 1540 will cause the elongate channel 1102 and anvil 1130 to be drawn further proximally into the distal closure tube segment 1430. After the elongate channel 1102 and anvil 1130 are advanced in the proximal direction PD, the position of the distal end 1113 of staple cartridge 1110 is represented in fig. 54 as position H. The axial distance traveled by the elongate channel 1102 and anvil 1130 in the proximal direction PD is represented in fig. 54 as distance I. This proximal movement of the anvil 1130 and elongate channel 1102 into the distal closure tube segment 1430 will cause the distal closure tube segment 1430 to apply additional closure force to the anvil 1130. Line M in fig. 54 represents the "second" closed position of the anvil 1130. The distance between position K and position M (denoted as distance N) comprises the vertical distance traveled by the distal end 1133 of the anvil body 1132 between the first and second closed positions.

When the anvil 1130 is in the second closed position, the distal closure tube segment 1430 applies an additional closing force to the anvil 1130 resisting the amount of deflection force applied to the anvil 1130 by tissue clamped between the anvil 1130 and the staple cartridge 1110. Such a condition may result in better alignment between the passageways in the anvil body 1130 and the firing member 1660, which may ultimately reduce the amount of frictional resistance experienced by the firing member 1660 as it continues to advance distally therethrough. Thus, the amount of firing force required to advance the firing member through its balance of firing travel to the end position may be reduced. The reduction in firing force can be seen in the graph of FIG. 55. The chart shown in FIG. 55 compares the firing force (energy) required to fire the members from the beginning of the firing process to the end of firing. Line 1480 represents the amount of firing force required to move the firing member 1660 from its starting position to its ending position when the end effector 1100 clamps tissue therein. For example, line 1482 represents the amount of firing force required to move the firing member to the interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 described above. Line 1482 represents the firing force required to move firing member 174 from its starting position through tissue clamped in end effector 110 or 110'. As can be seen from this graph, the firing forces required by the two

surgical tool assemblies

100,1000 are substantially the same or very similar until a point in time 1484 where the resilient spine assembly 1510 of the interchangeable tool assembly 1000 causes a second amount of closing force to be applied to the anvil. As can be seen in the graph of fig. 55, when the anvil 1130 is subjected to a second amount of closing force (point 1484), the amount of closing force required to complete the firing process is less than the amount of closing force required to complete the closing process in the tool assembly 100.

FIG. 56 compares the amount of firing load required to move the firing members of various surgical end effectors from the starting position (0.0) to the ending position (1.0). The vertical axis represents the firing load amount and the horizontal axis represents the percentage distance traveled by the firing member between the starting position (0.0) and the ending position (1.0). Line 1490 illustrates the firing force required to fire a firing member, such as the surgical tool assembly 100 or similar tool assembly. Line 1492 illustrates the firing force required to fire the firing member of the surgical tool assembly employing various firing member modifications and configurations, which may be disclosed, for example, in U.S. patent application serial No. __________, entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING STAPLES WITH DIFFERENT CLAMPING bredths"; attorney docket number END8047USNP/160195, as well as other aforementioned U.S. patent applications filed on even date herewith, are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. Line 1494 illustrates the firing force required to fire the firing member from its starting position to its ending position of the surgical tool assembly that employs at least some of the features and arrangements disclosed herein to reinforce the anvil. Line 1496 illustrates the firing force required to fire, for example, a surgical tool assembly that employs a resilient ridge device and at least some of the features and arrangements disclosed herein to reinforce the anvil. As can be seen in this figure, surgical tool assemblies employing at least some of the resilient ridge devices and anvil reinforcement devices disclosed herein have much lower firing force requirements.

Examples

Example 1-a surgical end effector comprising a first jaw configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge that operably supports a cam assembly therein. The cam assembly is axially movable through the surgical staple cartridge to eject surgical staples therefrom when the cam assembly is moved from an unfired position to a fired position. A firing member is supported for axial movement within the surgical staple cartridge between a starting position proximal of the surgical staple cartridge and an ending position within the staple cartridge when firing and retraction motions are applied. A lockout system is supported within the surgical end effector and is laterally biased into laterally retained engagement with the firing member when the firing member is in the starting position, thereby retaining the firing member in the starting position. The lockout system is configured to be laterally biased out of lateral retention engagement when contacted by the cam assembly of a surgical staple cartridge seated within the first jaw and the cam assembly thereof is in the unfired position.

Example 2-the surgical end effector of example 1, wherein the firing member comprises a body portion comprising lateral sides, and wherein the lockout system comprises a lockout member comprising at least one laterally moving locking portion configured to laterally retainingly engage a corresponding one of the lateral sides of the body portion when the firing member is in the starting position.

Example 3-the surgical end effector of example 2, wherein the lockout member comprises a spring comprising two laterally moving locking portions.

Example 4-the surgical end effector of example 3, wherein the firing member comprises a first retention feature that protrudes laterally from a first one of the lateral sides of the body portion and a second retention feature that protrudes laterally from a second one of the lateral sides of the body portion, and wherein the two laterally moving locking portions comprise a first laterally moving locking arm having a first distal end configured to retainingly engage the first retention feature and a second laterally moving locking arm having a second distal end configured to retainingly engage the second retention feature.

Example 5-the surgical end effector of example 4, wherein the first distal end comprises a first locking window configured to retentively receive at least a portion of the first locking feature therein, and wherein the second distal end comprises a second locking window configured to retentively receive at least a portion of the second locking feature therein.

Example 6-the surgical end effector of examples 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, further comprising a second jaw supported adjacent to the first jaw such that at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is selectively movable relative to the other of the first jaw and the second jaw upon application of opening and closing motions thereto.

Example 7-the surgical end effector of example 6, wherein the second jaw comprises an anvil.

Example 8-the surgical end effector of example 7, wherein the anvil comprises an anvil body having an axial slot therein to allow a portion of the firing member to pass axially therethrough. The anvil body also includes an axial passageway on each side of the axial slot.

Example 9-the surgical end effector of example 8, wherein the firing member comprises a foot configured to slidably pass within a corresponding passageway within the first jaw and a laterally extending anvil engagement feature extending laterally from a top portion of the firing member body and configured to pass through a corresponding one of the axial passageways within the anvil body, and wherein the first and second engagement features are located between the foot and the anvil engagement feature.

Example 10-a surgical stapling instrument comprising an elongate shaft defining a shaft axis. An elongate channel is operably coupled to the elongate shaft. The stapling instrument further comprises a surgical staple cartridge comprising a cartridge body configured to be removably seated in the elongate channel. A cam assembly is supported within the cartridge body and is axially movable therethrough between an unfired position and a fired position. The surgical stapling instrument further comprises a firing member supported for axial movement within a surgical staple cartridge between a starting position proximal of the surgical staple cartridge and an ending position within the surgical staple cartridge upon application of firing and retraction motions thereto. A lockout system is supported within the surgical stapling instrument and is laterally biased into laterally retaining engagement with the firing member when the firing member is in the starting position, thereby retaining the firing member in the starting position. The lockout system is configured to be laterally biased out of lateral retention engagement when contacted by the cam assembly when the cam assembly is in the unfired position.

Example 11-the surgical stapling instrument of example 10, wherein the firing member comprises a firing member body comprising two lateral sides. The firing member body includes a tissue cutting feature. The lockout system includes a lockout member including at least one locking portion movable in a lateral direction transverse to the shaft axis. At least one locking portion is configured to laterally retentively engage a corresponding one of the lateral sides of the firing member body portion when the firing member is in the starting position.

Example 12-the surgical stapling instrument of example 11, wherein the lockout member comprises a U-shaped spring comprising a central spring portion, and wherein at least one locking portion comprises a first movable locking portion extending from the central spring portion and corresponding to one of the lateral sides of the firing member body. A second movable locking portion extends from the central spring portion and corresponds to another lateral side of the firing member body.

Example 13-the surgical stapling instrument of example 12, wherein the firing member further comprises a first retention feature that protrudes laterally from a first of the lateral sides of the firing member body portion. A second retention feature projects laterally from a second of the lateral sides of the firing member body portion, and wherein the first movable locking portion comprises a first distal end configured to retainingly engage the first retention feature, and wherein the second movable locking portion comprises a second distal end configured to retainingly engage the second retention feature.

Example 14-the surgical stapling instrument of example 13, wherein the first distal end comprises a first locking window configured to retentively receive at least a portion of the first retention feature therein, and wherein the second distal end comprises a second locking window configured to retentively receive at least a portion of the second locking feature therein.

Example 15-the surgical stapling instrument of examples 10, 11, 12, 13, or 14, wherein the cam assembly comprises at least one unlocking feature configured to bias the lockout system laterally out of lateral retention engagement when the cam assembly is in the unfired position.

Example 16-the surgical stapling instrument of example 13, wherein the cam assembly comprises a first unlocking feature configured to bias the first distal end side laterally out of retaining engagement with the first retention feature when the cam assembly is in an unfired position. A second unlocking feature is configured to bias the second distal end side laterally out of retaining engagement with the second retention feature when the cam assembly is in the unfired position.

Example 17-a surgical end effector comprising a first jaw configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein. A firing member is supported for axial movement within the surgical staple cartridge between a starting position proximal of the surgical staple cartridge and an ending position within the staple cartridge when firing and retraction motions are applied. The surgical end effector further comprises means for retaining the firing member in the starting position unless an unfired surgical staple cartridge having a cam assembly therein in an unfired position has been seated within the first jaw such that the cam assembly is laterally biased for remaining out of the means for retaining engagement with the firing member, thereby allowing the firing member to be axially advanced through the surgical staple cartridge upon application of a firing motion thereto.

Example 18-the surgical end effector of example 17, wherein the surgical end effector defines a central axis, and wherein the means for holding moves laterally relative to the firing member in at least one direction laterally transverse to the central axis when the means for holding is biased out of holding engagement with the cam assembly.

Example 19-the surgical end effector of example 18, wherein the firing member comprises two lateral sides, and wherein the means for retaining engages features on both lateral sides of the firing member.

Example 20-the surgical end effector of example 19, wherein the means for retaining comprises a first retaining portion and a second retaining portion that are biased into engagement with corresponding ones of the lateral sides of the firing member when the firing member is in the starting position and until contacted by the cam assembly so as to bias the first retaining portion and the second retaining portion in opposite lateral directions out of retaining engagement with the firing member.

Example 21-an anvil for a surgical stapler. The anvil includes an elongated anvil body including an upper body portion and a staple forming undersurface. The anvil also includes an anvil mounting portion adjacent the elongate anvil body and configured to movably support the anvil on a portion of the surgical stapler. An anvil cap is configured to mechanically interlock to the upper body portion of the elongated anvil body. At least one weld is disposed between the anvil cap and the upper body portion of the elongated anvil body.

Example 22-the anvil of example 21, wherein the upper body portion defines an opening through an upper surface thereof, and the anvil cap mechanically interlocks within the opening.

Example 23-the anvil of example 22, further comprising a flange extending around at least a portion of the opening in the upper body portion, and wherein the anvil cap is supported on the flange.

Example 24-the anvil of examples 21, 22, or 23, wherein the anvil cap comprises a perimeter, and wherein the at least one weld extends around at least a portion of the perimeter.

Example 25-the anvil of examples 21, 22, 23, or 24, wherein the anvil cap comprises a proximal end and a distal end and two long sides extending therebetween, and wherein at least one weld corresponds to at least a portion of each of the long sides.

Example 26-the anvil of example 22, wherein the upper body portion forms an open perimeter, and wherein the upper body portion includes a plurality of retaining structures formed in the open perimeter and configured to frictionally engage corresponding portions of the anvil cap when the anvil cap is positioned within the opening.

Example 27-the anvil of example 26, wherein the corresponding portion of the anvil cap includes an engagement region formed in a cap perimeter of the anvil cap, and wherein each engagement region is shaped to frictionally engage each corresponding retention feature.

Example 28-the anvil of example 22, wherein the anvil cap includes proximal and distal ends and two long sides extending therebetween, and wherein the upper body portion forms an open perimeter and includes a plurality of retention features formed in portions of the open perimeter corresponding to at least a portion of each of the long sides of the anvil cap for frictional engagement therewith.

Example 29-the anvil of example 22, wherein the anvil cap includes a proximal end and a distal end and two long sides extending therebetween, and wherein the upper body portion defines an open perimeter, and wherein the anvil further includes at least one retention feature on each long side of the anvil cap and configured to frictionally engage a corresponding portion of the open perimeter for frictional engagement therewith.

Example 30-the anvil of examples 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, or 29, wherein the anvil cap is interlocked to the upper body portion of the elongate anvil body by at least one tongue and groove engagement configuration.

Example 31-the anvil of examples 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, or 30, wherein the anvil cap comprises a central cap body comprising a cap body perimeter, and wherein at least one weld comprises a first weld extending between at least a portion of the cap body perimeter and a corresponding portion of the upper body portion of the anvil body. At least one second discrete weld seam extends between the central cap body and the upper body portion of the anvil body.

Embodiment 32-the anvil of embodiment 31, wherein the at least one second discrete weld comprises a first plurality of spaced apart second discrete welds through the central cap body adjacent to a long side thereof, and a second plurality of spaced apart second discrete welds through the central cap body adjacent to another long side thereof.

Embodiment 33-the anvil of embodiment 32, wherein the first plurality of spaced apart second discrete welds are spaced closer to each other near a distal end of the central cap body, and wherein the second plurality of spaced apart second discrete welds are spaced closer to each other near the distal end of the central cap body.

Embodiment 34-the anvil of embodiment 32, wherein the first plurality of spaced apart second discrete welds are spaced closer to each other near a proximal end of the central cap body, and wherein the second plurality of spaced apart second discrete welds are spaced closer to each other near the proximal end of the central cap body.

Embodiment 35-the anvil of embodiment 32, wherein the first plurality of spaced apart second discrete welds are spaced closer to each other near a proximal end and a distal end of the central cap, and wherein the second plurality of spaced apart second discrete welds are spaced closer to each other near the proximal end and the distal end of the central cap.

Example 36-an anvil for a surgical stapler. The anvil includes an elongated anvil body including an upper body portion and a staple forming undersurface. An anvil mounting portion is disposed adjacent the elongate anvil body and is configured to movably support the anvil on a portion of the surgical stapler. The anvil also includes an anvil cap including a central anvil cap body and a cap perimeter extending therearound. A first weld is disposed between at least a portion of the cap perimeter and the upper portion of the elongated anvil body portion. At least one second discrete weld extends between the central cap and the upper body portion of the anvil body.

Example 37-the anvil of example 36, wherein the first weld bead extends intermittently around at least a portion of the cap perimeter.

Example 38-the anvil of examples 36 or 37, wherein the at least one second discrete weld comprises a first row of spaced apart second discrete welds through the central cap body and a second row of spaced apart second discrete welds through the central cap body.

Example 39-an anvil for a surgical stapler. The anvil includes an elongated anvil body including an upper body portion and a staple forming undersurface. The elongate anvil body defines an opening extending through an upper surface thereof. The anvil also includes an anvil mounting portion adjacent the elongate anvil body and configured to movably support the anvil on a portion of the surgical stapler. An anvil cap is configured to mechanically interlock to the upper body portion of the elongated anvil body to fill the opening. The anvil cap includes a central cap body and a cap perimeter extending therearound. At least one first weld is disposed between at least a portion of the cap perimeter and the upper body portion of the elongated anvil body. At least one second discrete weld extends between the central cap and the upper body portion of the anvil body.

Example 40-the anvil of example 39, wherein the anvil cap is mechanically interlocked to the upper body portion of the elongate anvil body by a tongue and groove engagement arrangement between a portion of the cap perimeter and the upper body portion of the elongate anvil.

Example 41-a closure member for applying a closure motion to a movable jaw of a surgical instrument. The closure member includes a closure body defining an outer surface and an inner surface. The closure body further defines an upper portion including an upper wall thickness between the outer surface and the inner surface and a lower portion including a lower wall thickness between the outer surface and the inner surface, wherein the upper wall thickness is different than the lower wall thickness. A cam surface is formed on the upper portion for selective camming contact with a portion of the movable jaw.

Example 42-the closure member of example 41, wherein the outer surface is a first radial distance from a first central axis, and wherein the inner surface is a second radial distance from a second central axis that is offset from the first central axis.

Example 43-the closure member of examples 41 or 42, wherein the upper wall thickness is greater than the lower wall thickness.

Example 44-the closure member of examples 41, 42, or 43, further comprising diametrically opposed sidewall portions extending between the upper portion and the lower portion, and wherein the sidewall portions each have a sidewall thickness that is different from the upper wall thickness and the lower wall thickness.

Example 45-the closure member of example 44, wherein the sidewall thickness is greater than the upper wall thickness and the lower wall thickness.

Example 46-the closure member of examples 44 or 45, wherein the sidewall portions define an inner sidewall, and wherein the inner sidewall of one sidewall portion is parallel to the inner sidewall of the other sidewall portion.

Example 47-the closure member of example 43, wherein the upper wall thickness and the lower wall thickness are both measured along a common vertical axis that extends through a central axis of the closure body.

Example 48-the closure member of examples 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, or 47, wherein when the closure body is moved in a first direction, the movable jaw is movable from an open position to a closed position when the closure body cammingly contacts the portion of the movable jaw, and wherein when the closure body is moved in a second direction, at least one other portion of the closure member is configured to move the movable jaw from the closed position to the open position.

Example 49-the closure member of example 48, further comprising at least one positive jaw opening feature extending inwardly from the inner surface and configured to contact another portion of the movable jaw to move the movable jaw to the open position when the closure member is moved in the second direction.

Example 50-the closure member of example 49, wherein each positive jaw opening feature comprises at least two positive jaw opening features that are diametrically opposed to each other and that protrude inwardly from the inner surface.

Example 51-the closure member of example 50, wherein at least one of the positive jaw opening features extends from a mounting plate attached to a corresponding sidewall portion of the closure body extending between the upper portion and the lower portion.

Example 52-a surgical instrument comprising a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is movable relative to the other of the first jaw and the second jaw between an open orientation and a closed orientation when a closing motion and an opening motion are applied. The closure body defines an outer surface and an inner surface, and an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion including an upper wall thickness between the outer surface and the inner surface, the lower portion including a lower wall thickness between the outer surface and the inner surface, wherein the upper wall thickness is different than the lower wall thickness, and wherein the closure body includes a camming surface formed on the upper portion for selectively camming contacting a portion of one of the movable at least one first jaw and second jaw.

Example 53-the surgical instrument of example 52, wherein the outer surface is located at a first radial distance from a central axis of the closure body, and wherein the inner surface is located at a second radial distance from the central axis, and wherein the first radial distance is greater than the second radial distance such that the upper wall thickness is greater than the lower wall thickness.

Example 54-the surgical instrument of examples 52 or 53, further comprising diametrically opposed side wall portions extending between the upper and lower portions, and wherein the side wall portions each have a side wall thickness that is different from the upper wall thickness and the lower wall thickness.

Example 55-the surgical instrument of examples 52, 53, or 54, wherein the side wall thickness is equal to the upper wall thickness and greater than the lower wall thickness.

Example 56-the surgical instrument of examples 52, 53, 54, or 55, wherein each sidewall portion defines an inner sidewall surface, and wherein the inner sidewall surfaces are non-parallel to each other.

Example 57-the surgical instrument of examples 52, 53, 54, 55, or 56, wherein the upper wall thickness and the lower wall thickness are both measured along a common vertical axis that extends through a center of the closure body.

Example 58-the surgical instrument of examples 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, or 57, wherein when the closing body is moved in a first direction, upon camming contact with the closing body, at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is movable from an open position to a closed position, and wherein at least one other portion of the closure member is configured to be capable of moving when the closure body is moved in a second direction, moving at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw from the closed position to the open position, and wherein the closure member further comprises at least one positive jaw opening feature extending inwardly from the inner surface and configured to contact another portion of at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw when the closure member is moved in a second direction.

Example 59-a closure member for applying a closure motion to a movable jaw of a surgical instrument. The closure member includes a hollow closure body defining an exterior surface and an interior surface. The closure body further defines an upper portion including an upper wall thickness between the outer surface and the inner surface and a lower portion including a lower wall thickness between the outer surface and the inner surface, wherein the upper wall thickness and the lower wall thickness are equal, and wherein the inner surface and the outer surface define sidewall portions each having a sidewall thickness greater than the upper wall thickness and the lower wall thickness. A cam surface is formed on the upper portion for selectively camming contact with a portion of the movable jaw.

Example 60-the closure member of example 59, wherein the inner surface defines a rectangular passageway extending through the closure body.

Example 61-a surgical instrument comprising a surgical end effector comprising a first jaw and a second jaw movably supported relative to the first jaw for selective movement between an open position and a closed position relative to the first jaw. The surgical instrument further comprises a hollow closure member configured to move axially between an unactuated position and a closed position, wherein the hollow closure member applies a closing motion to the movable second jaw. A closure system is configured to apply a closure actuation motion to the hollow closure member. A firing member is supported for axial travel between a starting position entirely within the hollow closure member and an ending position within the surgical end effector. A firing system is configured to selectively apply a firing motion to the firing member to move the firing member from the starting position to the ending position, and wherein the closure system is actuatable without actuating the firing system.

Example 62-the surgical instrument of example 61, wherein the second jaw comprises a mounting portion pivotably secured to the first jaw for selective pivotal travel relative to the first jaw.

Example 63-the surgical instrument of example 62, wherein the mounting portion on the second jaw comprises a first camming surface, and wherein the hollow closure member comprises a second camming surface configured for camming contact with the first camming surface.

Example 64-the surgical instrument of example 63, wherein the hollow closure member comprises a distal end, and wherein the second camming surface comprises an inner camming surface formed adjacent to the distal end.

Example 65-the surgical instrument of examples 61, 62, 63, or 64, wherein the second jaw comprises an anvil, and wherein the first jaw comprises a channel configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein.

Example 66-the surgical instrument of example 65, wherein the firing member comprises a firing member body having at least one channel engagement feature and at least one anvil engagement feature thereon.

Example 67-the surgical instrument of examples 63, 64, 65, or 66, wherein the anvil comprises an elongate anvil body protruding from the mounting portion, and wherein the elongate anvil body comprises an outer anvil surface, and wherein the first cam surface extends to the outer anvil surface.

Example 68-the surgical instrument of examples 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, or 67, wherein the hollow closure member is configured to apply an opening motion to the second jaw when the closure system applies an opening actuation motion to the hollow closure member.

Example 69-the surgical instrument of example 68, wherein the hollow closure member further comprises at least one positive jaw opening feature thereon for selectively contacting the second jaw when the opening actuation motion is applied to the closure member.

Example 70-a surgical instrument comprising an elongate shaft defining a shaft axis. A channel is operably coupled to the elongate shaft and is configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein. An anvil is movably coupled to the channel and is selectively movable relative to the channel between a fully open position and a fully closed position. The closure member is configured to move axially between an unactuated position and an actuated position wherein a distal end portion of the closure member cammingly contacts the anvil to apply a closing motion thereto. A closure system operably interfaces with the closure member to selectively apply closure control motions thereto. A firing member is supported for axial travel between a starting position in which the firing member is fully proximal to the distal end of the closure member and an ending position. A firing system is configured to selectively apply a firing motion to the firing member to move the firing member from the starting position to the ending position, and wherein the closure system is actuatable without actuating the firing system.

Example 71-the surgical instrument of example 70, wherein the anvil is attached to the channel and constrained to pivot relative to the channel about an anvil axis that is transverse to the shaft axis.

Example 72-the surgical instrument of examples 70 or 71, wherein the anvil comprises an anvil mounting portion pivotably coupled to the channel and comprising a first camming surface thereon, and wherein the closure member comprises a hollow closure tube comprising a distal end having a second inner camming surface thereon configured for camming contact with the first camming surface.

Example 73-the surgical instrument of examples 70, 71, or 72, wherein the firing member comprises a firing member body having at least one channel engagement feature and at least one anvil engagement feature thereon.

Example 74-the surgical instrument of example 72, wherein the anvil comprises an elongate anvil body protruding from the mounting portion. The elongate anvil body includes an outer anvil surface, and wherein the first cam surface extends to the outer anvil surface.

Example 75-the surgical instrument of examples 70, 71, 72, 73, or 74, wherein the closure member comprises a hollow closure tube, and wherein the firing member is fully located within the hollow closure tube when the firing member is in the starting position.

Example 76-the surgical instrument of examples 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, or 75, wherein the closure member further comprises at least one positive jaw opening feature formed thereon for selectively contacting the anvil when an opening actuation motion is applied to the closure member.

Example 77-a surgical instrument comprising a surgical end effector comprising a first jaw and a second jaw movably supported relative to the first jaw for selective movement relative to the first jaw between an open position and a closed position upon application of a closing motion to a cam surface thereon. The surgical instrument further comprises an axially movable closure member including a closure cam surface thereon configured to apply the closure motion to the cam surface on the second jaw. The firing member is supported for axial travel between a starting position with a tissue cutting surface thereon proximal of the closure cam surface on the closure member. The closure member and the firing member are selectively independently actuatable relative to one another.

Example 78-the surgical instrument of example 77, wherein the second jaw comprises a mounting portion pivotably coupled to the first jaw and the mounting portion comprises the cam surface thereon.

Example 79-the surgical instrument of examples 77 or 78, wherein the axially moveable closure member and the mounting portion define a firing member parking region therebetween, wherein at least a portion of the firing member is supported when the firing member is in the starting position.

Example 80-the surgical instrument of examples 77, 78, or 79, wherein the first jaw comprises a channel, and wherein the second jaw comprises an anvil. The firing member includes a firing member body having at least one channel engagement feature and at least one anvil engagement feature thereon.

Example 81-a surgical instrument comprising an elastic spine assembly comprising a proximal spine portion and a distal spine portion resiliently coupled to the proximal spine portion for axial movement relative thereto between a neutral position and an extended position. A first jaw is attached to the distal spine portion and a second jaw is movably supported relative to the first jaw to selectively move relative to the first jaw between an open position and a closed position. A closure system is configured to apply a closing motion to the second jaw and move the distal spine portion from the intermediate position to the extended position upon actuation thereof. A firing system is configured to axially advance a firing member from a starting position to an ending position within the first jaw and to return the distal spine portion to the intermediate position upon actuation thereof, thereby increasing the closing motion applied to the second jaw.

Example 82-the surgical instrument of example 81, wherein the closure system comprises a closure member configured to be axially advanced relative to the distal spine portion from an unactuated position corresponding to the intermediate position of the distal spine portion to a first closed position, wherein the distal spine portion is moved to the extended position and the second jaw is moved to a first of the closed positions.

Example 83-the surgical instrument of examples 81 or 82, wherein the closure member is hollow and configured to receive a mounting portion of the second jaw therein.

Example 84-the surgical instrument of example 83, wherein the mounting portion has a first camming surface thereon, and wherein the hollow closure member has a second camming surface thereon configured to cammingly contact the first camming surface upon actuation of the closure system to move the second jaw from the open position to the first closed position.

Example 85-the surgical instrument of example 84, wherein movement of the distal spine portion from the extended position to the intermediate position increases the camming contact between the first and second camming surfaces.

Example 86-the surgical instrument of examples 81, 82, 83, 84, or 85, wherein the distal spine portion is interconnected to the proximal spine portion by a stretchable center spine portion.

Example 87-the surgical instrument of example 86, wherein the elastic spine assembly further comprises means for limiting the stretchable central spine portion to a predetermined amount of stretch.

Example 88-the surgical instrument of example 87, wherein the means for limiting comprises a stretchable body member sized to span between the distal spine portion and the proximal spine portion, and means for constraining the stretchable body to a predetermined amount of elongation.

Example 89-the surgical instrument of example 88, wherein the stretchable body member comprises a first modulus of elasticity, and wherein the means for constraining comprises at least one stretch limiter member supported by the stretchable body and comprises a second modulus of elasticity less than the first modulus of elasticity.

Example 90-a surgical instrument comprising an elastic spine assembly configured to elongate between a first intermediate position and a second extended position. A first jaw is attached to the resilient spine assembly. A second jaw is movably supported relative to the first jaw for selective movement relative to the first jaw between an open position and a closed position. The surgical instrument further comprises a closure system comprising a closure member configured to apply a first amount of closure force to the second jaw to move the second jaw from the open position to a first closed position and to elongate the elastic spine assembly to the second extended position. A firing member is supported for axial travel between a starting position and an ending position within the first jaw. A firing system operably interfaces with the firing member to selectively advance the firing member from the starting position to the ending position such that movement of the firing member from the starting position to the ending position moves the resilient spine toward the first intermediate position which causes the closure member to apply a second amount of closure force to the second jaw to move the second jaw to a second closed position.

Example 91-the surgical instrument of example 90, wherein the second jaw comprises a mounting portion pivotably pinned to the first jaw for pivotal travel between the open position and the closed position.

Example 92-the surgical instrument of example 91, wherein the mounting portion has a first cam surface thereon, and wherein the closure member has a second cam surface thereon configured to cammingly contact the first cam surface upon actuation of the closure system to move the second jaw from the open position to the first closed position.

Example 93-the surgical instrument of examples 89, 90, or 91, wherein movement of the elastic spine assembly from the second elongated position to the first intermediate position increases the cam contact between the first and second cam surfaces.

Example 94-a surgical instrument comprising an elastic spine assembly comprising a proximal spine portion and a distal spine portion resiliently coupled to the proximal spine portion for axial movement relative thereto between a neutral position and an extended position. The elongate channel is configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein; the elongate channel is attached to the distal spine portion. An anvil is pivotally coupled to the elongate channel for selective pivotal travel about a fixed pivot axis between an open position and a closed position relative to the elongate channel. A closure system is configured to apply a closing motion to the anvil and move the distal spine segment from the intermediate position to the extended position. A firing system is configured to axially advance a firing member from a starting position to an ending position within the elongate channel upon actuation thereof to thereby enable the distal spine portion to return to the intermediate position to thereby increase the closing motion applied to the anvil.

Example 95-the surgical instrument of example 94, wherein the distal spine portion is interconnected to the proximal spine portion by a stretchable central spine portion.

Example 96-the surgical instrument of examples 94 or 95, wherein the elastic spine assembly further comprises a stretch limiting insert sized to span between the distal spine portion and the proximal spine portion, and means for limiting the body to a predetermined amount of elongation.

Example 97-the surgical instrument of example 96, wherein the body member is made of an elastic material, and wherein the means for restraining is made of metal.

Example 98-the surgical instrument of example 97, wherein the body member comprises a first mounting lug formed therein and a second mounting lug formed therein, the first mounting lug configured for mounting engagement with the proximal spine segment, the second mounting lug configured for mounting engagement with the distal spine segment, and wherein the means for restraining comprises at least one stretch limiter comprising an elongated body, the elongated body spans between the first and second mounting lugs and includes first and second mounting ends, wherein the first end is movably received within a cavity in the first mounting lug, and wherein the second end is movably received within a second cavity in the second mounting lug.

Example 99-the surgical instrument of examples 94, 95, 96, 97, or 98, wherein the mounting portion of the anvil is pivotally pinned to the elongate channel and includes a first camming surface thereon, and wherein the closure system comprises a closure member including a second camming surface thereon configured for camming contact with the first camming surface to move the second jaw from the open position to the first closed position upon actuation of the closure system.

Example 100-the surgical instrument of examples 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, or 99, wherein movement of the distal spine portion from the elongated position to the intermediate position increases cam contact between the first and second camming surfaces.

Example 101-a surgical instrument comprising a surgical end effector comprising a first jaw and a second jaw movably supported relative to the first jaw for selective pivotal travel relative to the first jaw about a fixed pivot axis between an open position and a closed position. A firing member is movably supported for selective axial travel between a starting position and an ending position within at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw. The firing member includes a body portion and a first flange assembly projecting from the body portion and configured to slidably engage the first jaw. A second flange assembly projects from the body portion and is configured to slidably engage the second jaw. The surgical instrument also includes an elongate shaft assembly operably coupled to the surgical end effector. An elongate shaft assembly includes a firing system operably interfacing with the firing member to selectively axially move the firing member between the starting and ending positions. A closure system operably interfaces with the second jaw to move the second jaw between the open position and the closed position without actuating the firing system and the firing member.

Example 102-the surgical instrument of example 101, wherein the elongate shaft assembly defines a shaft axis, and wherein the fixed pivot axis is transverse to the shaft axis.

Example 103-the surgical instrument of examples 101 or 102, wherein the closure system is configured to cam engage the second jaw when the closure system applies a closing motion thereto.

Example 104-the surgical instrument of example 103, wherein the second jaw comprises a first camming surface thereon, and wherein the closure system comprises an axially movable closure member supported for selective axial travel relative to the second jaw. The closure member includes a second cam surface configured for camming engagement with the first cam surface.

Example 105-the surgical instrument of example 102, wherein the second jaw comprises a mounting portion pivotably coupled to the first jaw about the pivot axis. The mounting portion includes the first cam surface thereon.

Example 106-the surgical instrument of examples 101, 102, 103, 104, or 105, wherein the axially moveable closure member and the mounting portion define a firing member parking region therebetween, wherein at least a portion of the firing member is supported when the firing member is in the starting position.

Example 107-the surgical instrument of example 104, wherein the closure member comprises a closure body defining an outer surface and an inner surface. The closure body further defines an upper portion including an upper wall thickness between the outer surface and the inner surface and a lower portion including a lower wall thickness between the outer surface and the inner surface, wherein the upper wall thickness is different than the lower wall thickness, and wherein the second cam surface is formed on the upper portion for selective cammed contact with the first cam surface.

Example 108-the surgical instrument of example 107, wherein the outer surface is a first radial distance from a first central axis, and wherein the inner surface is a second radial distance from a second central axis that is offset from the first central axis.

Example 109-the surgical instrument of example 107, wherein the upper wall thickness is greater than the lower wall thickness.

Example 110-the surgical instrument of example 107, wherein the closure member further comprises diametrically opposed side wall portions extending between the upper portion and the lower portion, and wherein the side wall portions each have a side wall thickness that is different than the upper wall thickness and the lower wall thickness.

Example 111-the surgical instrument of example 110, wherein the side wall thickness is greater than the upper wall thickness and the lower wall thickness.

Example 112-the surgical instrument of example 110, wherein each sidewall portion defines an inner sidewall, and wherein the inner sidewall of one of the sidewall portions is parallel to the inner sidewall of the other sidewall portion.

Example 113-the surgical instrument of examples 104, 106, or 107, wherein the closure member is hollow and configured to receive a mounting portion of the second jaw therein.

Example 114-the surgical instrument of examples 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, or 113, wherein the first jaw comprises a channel, and wherein the second jaw comprises an anvil.

Example 115-the surgical instrument of examples 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, or 114, wherein the firing member further comprises a tissue cutting surface on the body portion.

Example 116-a surgical instrument comprising a surgical end effector comprising a first jaw and a second jaw movably supported relative to the first jaw for selective pivotal travel relative to the first jaw about a fixed pivot axis between an open position and a closed position. A firing member is movably supported for selective axial travel between a starting position and an ending position within at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw. The firing member includes a body portion and a first flange assembly projecting from the body portion and configured to slidably engage the first jaw. A second flange assembly projects from the body portion and is configured to slidably engage the second jaw. An elongate shaft assembly is operably coupled to the surgical end effector and includes a firing device for selectively axially moving a firing member between a starting position and an ending position and a closure device for moving the second jaw between an open position and a closed position without actuating the firing device.

Example 117-the surgical instrument of example 116, wherein the elongate shaft assembly defines a shaft axis, and wherein the fixed pivot axis is transverse to the shaft axis.

Example 118-the surgical instrument of examples 116 or 117, wherein the first jaw comprises a channel, and wherein the second jaw comprises an anvil.

Example 119-a surgical instrument comprising an elongate channel configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein. An anvil is movably supported relative to the elongate channel for selective pivotal travel relative to the elongate channel about a fixed pivot axis between an open position and a closed position. A firing member is movably supported for selective axial travel within the elongate channel between a starting position and an ending position. The firing member includes a body portion and a first flange assembly projecting therefrom and is configured to slidably engage the elongate channel. A second flange assembly projects from the body portion and is configured to slidably engage the anvil. An elongate firing bar is coupled to the body portion and is configured to axially travel relative to the elongate channel in response to a firing motion applied thereto by a firing motion source. A closure member is supported for selective axial travel relative to the anvil to move the anvil between the open and closed positions in response to a closure motion applied thereto by a closure motion source such that the anvil can be moved between open and closed positions without moving the firing member.

Example 120-the surgical instrument of example 119, wherein the firing member further comprises a tissue cutting surface on the body portion.

Many of the surgical instrument systems described herein are actuated by an electric motor; the surgical instrument systems described herein may be actuated in any suitable manner. In various examples, for example, the surgical instrument systems described herein can be actuated by a manually operated trigger. In certain examples, the motors disclosed herein may comprise a portion or portions of a robotic control system. Further, any of the end effectors and/or tool assemblies disclosed herein may be used with a robotic surgical instrument system. For example, U.S. patent application serial No. 13/118,241 (now U.S. patent 9,072,535), entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH robotic SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," discloses several examples of robotic SURGICAL instrument systems in more detail.

The surgical instrument systems described herein have been described in connection with the deployment and deformation of staples; however, the embodiments described herein are not so limited. For example, various embodiments are contemplated in which fasteners other than staples, such as clamps or tacks, are deployed. Moreover, various embodiments are also contemplated that utilize any suitable means for sealing tissue. For example, an end effector according to various embodiments may include an electrode configured to heat and seal tissue. In addition, for example, an end effector according to certain embodiments may apply vibrational energy to seal tissue.

The entire disclosures of the following patents are hereby incorporated by reference:

-U.S. patent 5,403,312 entitled "ELECTROSURURGICAL HEMOSTATIC DEVICE" published on 4.4.1995;

-us patent 7,000,818 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING SEPARATE DISTINCT CLOSING AND FIRING SYSTEMS" published on 21.2.2006;

-U.S. patent 7,422,139 entitled "MOTOR-DRIVEN SURGICAL CUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT WITH TACTILE POSITION FEEDBACK" published 9/2008;

-U.S. patent 7,464,849 entitled "ELECTRO-MECHANICAL SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH CLOSURE SYSTEM AND ANVIL ALIGNMENT COMPONENTS" published on 16.12.2008;

-U.S. patent 7,670,334 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING AN ARTICULATING END EFFECTOR" published on 3, 2.2010;

-U.S. patent 7,753,245 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS" published on 13.7.2010;

-us patent 8,393,514 entitled "SELECTIVELY ORIENTABLE IMPLANTABLE FASTENER CARTRIDGE" published on 12.3.3.2013;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/343,803 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING RECORDING CAPABILITIES"; now us patent 7,845,537;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 12/031,573 entitled "SURGICAL CUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENTT HAVALING RF ELECTRORDES" filed on 14.2.2008;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 12/031,873 (now U.S. patent 7,980,443) entitled "END efffectors FOR a SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING INSTRUMENT" filed on 15.2.2008;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/235,782 entitled "MOTOR-DRIVEN SURGICAL CUTTING INSTRUMENT", now U.S. patent 8,210,411;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/249,117 entitled "POWER SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING APPATUS WITH MANUALLY RETRACTABLE FIRING SYSTEM", now U.S. patent 8,608,045;

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/647,100 entitled "MOTOR-DRIVEN SURGICAL CUTTING INSTRUMENT WITH ELECTRIC ACTUATOR DIRECTIONAL CONTROL ASSEMBLY" filed 24.12.2009; now us patent 8,220,688;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 12/893,461 entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE" filed on 9, 29 of 2012, now U.S. patent No. 8,733,613;

U.S. patent application serial No. 13/036,647 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT" filed on 28.2.2011, now U.S. patent No. 8,561,870;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/118,241 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DESYMENT ARRANGEMENTS", now U.S. patent 9,072,535;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 13/524,049 entitled "article useful sulfur based composition A FIRING DRIVE" filed on 15/6/2012; now us patent 9,101,358;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 13/800,025 entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE thickknoss SENSOR SYSTEM" filed on 3/13/2013, now U.S. patent application publication 2014/9,345,481;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 13/800,067 entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE thickknoss SENSOR SYSTEM" filed on 3/13/2013, now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0263552;

-U.S. patent application publication 2007/0175955 entitled "SURGICAL CUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENTT WITH CLOSURE TRIGGER LOCKING MECHANISM" filed on 31.1.2006; and

U.S. patent application publication 2010/0264194 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT WITH AN ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTOR" filed on 22.4.2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,308,040.

While various devices have been described herein in connection with certain embodiments, many modifications and variations to these embodiments may be implemented. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Thus, the particular features, structures, or characteristics shown or described in connection with one embodiment may be combined, in whole or in part, with the features, structures, or characteristics of one or more other embodiments, without limitation. In addition, where materials for certain components are disclosed, other materials may also be used. Further, according to various embodiments, a single component may be replaced with multiple components, and multiple components may also be replaced with a single component, to perform a given function or functions. The foregoing detailed description and the following claims are intended to cover all such modifications and variations.

The device disclosed herein may be designed to be disposed of after a single use, or it may be designed to be used multiple times. In either case, however, the device may be reconditioned for reuse after at least one use. Reconditioning can include any combination of the steps of disassembly of the device, followed by cleaning or replacement of particular pieces of the device, and subsequent reassembly of the device. Specifically, the repair facility and/or surgical team may remove the device and, after cleaning and/or replacing certain components of the device, may reassemble the device for subsequent use. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the finishing assembly may be disassembled, cleaned/replaced, and reassembled using a variety of techniques. The use of such techniques and the resulting prosthetic devices are within the scope of the present application.

The devices disclosed herein may be processed prior to surgery. First, new or used instruments may be obtained and cleaned as needed. The instrument may then be sterilized. In one sterilization technique, the instrument is placed in a closed and sealed container (such as a plastic or TYVEK bag). The container and instrument may then be placed in a field of radiation that can penetrate the container, such as gamma radiation, X-rays, and/or high energy electrons. The radiation may kill bacteria on the instrument and in the container. The sterilized instrument may then be stored in a sterile container. Sealing the container may keep the instrument sterile until the container is opened in a medical facility. The device may also be sterilized using any other technique known in the art, including, but not limited to, beta radiation, gamma radiation, ethylene oxide, plasma peroxide, and/or steam.

While this invention has been described as having an exemplary design, the present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles.

Any patent, publication, or other disclosure material, in whole or in part, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein is incorporated herein only to the extent that the incorporated material does not conflict with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth in this disclosure. Thus, and to the extent necessary, the disclosure as explicitly set forth herein supersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference. Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein, but which conflicts with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth herein will only be incorporated to the extent that no conflict arises between that incorporated material and the existing disclosure material.

Claims

1. A closure member for applying a closure motion to a movable jaw of a surgical instrument, the closure member comprising:

a closure body defining an outer surface and an inner surface, the closure body further defining an upper portion including an upper wall thickness between the outer surface and the inner surface and a lower portion including a lower wall thickness between the outer surface and the inner surface, wherein the upper wall thickness is different than the lower wall thickness; and

a cam surface formed on the upper portion for selective cam contact with a portion of the movable jaw;

wherein the closure member further comprises diametrically opposed sidewall portions extending between the upper portion and the lower portion, and wherein the sidewall portions each have a sidewall thickness that is different from the upper wall thickness and the lower wall thickness, wherein the sidewall thickness is greater than the upper wall thickness and the lower wall thickness.

2. The closure member of claim 1, wherein the outer surface is a first radial distance from a first central axis, and wherein the inner surface is a second radial distance from a second central axis that is offset from the first central axis.

3. The closure member of claim 1, wherein said upper wall thickness is greater than said lower wall thickness.

4. The closure member of claim 1, wherein each of said sidewall portions defines an inner sidewall, and wherein said inner sidewall of one of said sidewall portions is parallel to said inner sidewall of the other of said sidewall portions.

5. The closure member according to claim 3, wherein said upper wall thickness and said lower wall thickness are each measured along a common vertical axis extending through a central axis of said closure body.

6. The closure member according to claim 1, wherein the movable jaw is movable from an open position to a closed position when the closure body cammingly contacts the portion of the movable jaw when the closure body is moved in a first direction, and wherein at least one other portion of the closure member is configured to move the movable jaw from the closed position to the open position when the closure body is moved in a second direction.

7. The closure member of claim 6, wherein the closure member further comprises at least one positive jaw opening feature extending inwardly from the inner surface and configured to contact another portion of the moveable jaw to move the moveable jaw to the open position when the closure member is moved in the second direction.

8. The closure member of claim 7, wherein the at least one positive jaw opening feature comprises at least two positive jaw opening features that are diametrically opposed to each other and project inwardly from the inner surface.

9. The closure member of claim 7, wherein at least one of the positive jaw opening features extends from a mounting plate attached to a corresponding sidewall portion of the closure body extending between the upper and lower portions.