CN110099627B

CN110099627B - Firing member pin angle

Info

Publication number: CN110099627B
Application number: CN201780079773.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: F·E·谢尔顿四世; D·B·史密斯; A·D·亨塞尔; G·J·巴克斯; J·L·哈里斯
Original assignee: Ethicon LLC
Current assignee: Ethicon LLC
Priority date: 2016-12-21
Filing date: 2017-11-20
Publication date: 2022-08-09
Anticipated expiration: 2037-11-20
Also published as: BR112019012247A2; JP2020512052A; BR112019012247B1; CN110099627A; JP7035058B2; MX2019007431A

Abstract

A surgical instrument includes a first jaw, a second jaw, and a firing member. The firing member includes one or more cams configured to position the first jaw relative to the second jaw. In each case, one of the cams is oriented at a non-parallel angle with respect to the other cam so as to reduce strain within the cams. In some cases, at least one of the cams includes a front projection and a rear projection positioned rearward of the front projection, the front projection and the rear projection configured to engage the same jaw. The ends of the front and rear tabs are unattached to each other and movable relative to each other. In some cases, one or more of the cams have plastically deformable or wearable features configured to facilitate multiple uses of the surgical instrument.

Description

Firing member pin angle

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 used 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 that may be used 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 of the interchangeable surgical tool assemblies depicted 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 depicted 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 unused or unfired surgical staple cartridge properly seated with 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 wherein the surgical staple cartridge has been at least partially fired and its firing member has been 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 with the firing member fully retracted to a starting position;

FIG. 18 is a top cross-sectional view of the surgical end effector and shaft portion depicted in FIG. 15 with an unused or unfired surgical staple cartridge properly seated with 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 at least partially fired mounted therein and showing the firing member held 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 anvil mounting portion of the anvil in a fully closed position and the firing member thereof in a 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 closure member embodiment;

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 thereof 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;

FIG. 56 is a graphical depiction of force versus firing improvement and which compares firing load versus firing distance percentage that the firing member has traveled for four different interchangeable surgical tool assemblies;

FIG. 57 provides a comparison between a first embodiment of an anvil and a second embodiment of an anvil;

FIG. 58 is a cross-sectional view of an end effector including the second anvil embodiment of FIG. 57;

FIG. 59 is a partial cross-sectional view of the first anvil embodiment of FIG. 57 and a firing member configured to engage the first anvil embodiment;

FIG. 60 is a partial front view of the firing member of FIG. 59;

FIG. 61 is an illustration depicting a concentration of stress in the first anvil embodiment of FIG. 57 and the firing member of FIG. 59;

FIG. 62 is another illustration depicting a concentration of stress in the firing member of FIG. 59;

FIG. 63 is a perspective view of a firing member according to at least one embodiment;

FIG. 64 is a side elevational view of the firing member of FIG. 63;

FIG. 65 is a front elevational view of the firing member of FIG. 63;

FIG. 66 is a partial perspective view of a firing member according to at least one embodiment;

FIG. 67 is a partial side elevational view of the firing member of FIG. 66;

FIG. 68 is a partial front elevational view of the firing member of FIG. 66;

FIG. 69 is a partial perspective view of a firing member according to at least one embodiment;

FIG. 70 is a partial side elevational view of the firing member of FIG. 69;

FIG. 71 is a partial front elevational view of the firing member of FIG. 69;

FIG. 72 is a partial perspective view of a firing member according to at least one embodiment;

FIG. 73 is a partial side elevational view of the firing member of FIG. 72;

FIG. 74 is a partial front elevational view of the firing member of FIG. 72;

FIG. 75 is a partial perspective view of a firing member according to at least one embodiment;

FIG. 76 is a partial side elevational view of the firing member of FIG. 75;

FIG. 77 is a partial front elevational view of the firing member of FIG. 75;

FIG. 78 is a partial perspective view of a firing member according to at least one embodiment;

FIG. 79 is a partial side elevational view of the firing member of FIG. 78;

FIG. 80 is a partial front elevational view of the firing member of FIG. 78;

FIG. 81 is a partial perspective view of a firing member according to at least one embodiment;

FIG. 82 is a partial side elevational view of the firing member of FIG. 81;

FIG. 83 is a partial front elevational view of the firing member of FIG. 81;

FIG. 84 is a partial perspective view of a firing member according to at least one embodiment;

FIG. 85 is a partial side elevational view of the firing member of FIG. 84;

FIG. 86 is a partial front elevational view of the firing member of FIG. 84;

FIG. 87 is a partial perspective view of a firing member according to at least one embodiment;

FIG. 88 is a partial side elevational view of the firing member of FIG. 87;

FIG. 89 is another partial perspective view of the firing member of FIG. 87;

FIG. 90 is a partial front elevational view of the firing member of FIG. 87;

FIG. 91 is a schematic diagram depicting the energy required to advance a firing member disclosed herein through a staple firing stroke;

FIG. 92 is a detailed view of a lateral projection extending from the firing member of FIG. 66, schematically illustrating the interaction between the lateral projection and the anvil in a curved state;

FIG. 93 is a detailed view of a lateral projection extending from the firing member of FIG. 81, schematically illustrating the interaction between the lateral projection and the anvil in a curved state; and

FIG. 94 is a detailed view of a lateral projection extending from the firing member of FIG. 81, schematically illustrating the interaction between the lateral projection and the anvil in another curved state.

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"; attorney docket number END7980 USNP/160155;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,230 entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS"; attorney docket number END7981 USNP/160156;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/386,221 entitled "LOCKOUT arragements FOR minor END efffectors"; attorney docket number END7982 USNP/160157;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/386,209 entitled "SURGICAL END EFFECTORS AND FIRING MEMBERS THEREOF"; attorney docket number END7983 USNP/160158;

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,198 entitled "LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL END EFFECTORS AND REPLACEABLE TOOL ASSEMBLIES"; attorney docket number END7984 USNP/160159; and

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/386,240 entitled "SURGICAL END EFFECTORS AND ADAPTABLE FIRING MEMBERS THEREFOR"; attorney docket number END7985 USNP/160160.

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,939 entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGES AND ARRANGEMENTS OF STAPLES AND STAPLE CAVITIES THEREIN"; attorney docket number END7986 USNP/160161;

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"; attorney docket number END7987 USNP/160162;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,943 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS AND STAPLE-FORMING ANVILS"; attorney docket number END7988 USNP/160163;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,950 entitled "SURGICAL TOOL ASSEMBLIES WITH CLOSURE STROKE REDUCTION FEATURES"; attorney docket number END7989 USNP/160164;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,945 entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGES AND ARRANGEMENTS OF STAPLES AND STAPLE CAVITIES THEREIN"; attorney docket number END7990 USNP/160165;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,946 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS AND STAPLE-FORMING ANVILS"; attorney docket number END7991 USNP/160166;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,951 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH JAW OPENING FEATURES FOR INCREASING A JAW OPENING DISTANCE"; attorney docket number END7992 USNP/160167;

U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,953 entitled "METHODS OF marking TISSUE"; attorney docket number END7993 USNP/160168;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,954 entitled "FIRING MEMBERS WITH NON-PARALLEL JAW ENGAGEMENT FEATURES FOR SURGICAL END EFFECTORS"; attorney docket number END7994 USNP/160169;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,955 entitled "SURGICAL END EFFECTORS WITH EXPANDABLE TISSUE STOP ARRANGEMENTS"; attorney docket number END7995 USNP/160170;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,948 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS AND STAPLE-FORMING ANVILS"; attorney docket number END7996 USNP/160171;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,956 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH POSITIVE JAW OPENING FEATURES"; attorney docket number END7997 USNP/160172;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,958 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR PREVENTING FIRING SYSTEM ACTION UNLESS AN UNSPENT STAPLE CARTRIDGE IS PRESENT"; attorney docket number END7998 USNP/160173; and

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,947 entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGES AND ARRANGEMENTS OF STAPLES AND STAPLE CAVITIES THEREIN"; attorney docket number END7999 USNP/160174;

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,896 entitled "METHOD FOR RESETTING A FUSE OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SHAFT"; attorney docket number END8013 USNP/160175;

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,898 entitled "STAPLE FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENT TO ACCOMMODATE DIFFERENT TYPES OF STAPLES"; attorney docket number END8014 USNP/160176;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,899 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING IMPROVED JAW CONTROL"; attorney docket number END8016 USNP/160178;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,901 entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE AND STAPLE CARTRIDGE CHANNEL comprisingwindows DEFINED THEREIN"; attorney docket number END8017 USNP/160179;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,902 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A CUTTING MEMBER"; attorney docket number END8018 USNP/160180;

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,904 entitled "STAPLE FIRING MEMBER COMPRISING A MISSING CARTRIDGE AND/OR SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT"; attorney docket number END8019 USNP/160181;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,905 entitled "fixing ASSEMBLY assembling a locout"; attorney docket number END8020 USNP/160182;

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,907 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM COMPLEMENTING AN END EFFECTOR LOCKOUT AND A FIRING ASSEMBLY"; attorney docket number END8021 USNP/160183;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,908 entitled "fixing ASSEMBLY assembling a FUSE"; attorney docket number END8022 USNP/160184; and

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,909 entitled "FIRING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A MULTIPLE FAILED-STATE FUSE"; attorney docket number END8023 USNP/160185.

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,920 entitled "stable formation POCKET arget argements"; attorney docket number END8038 USNP/160186;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,913 entitled "ANVIL ARRANGEMENTS FOR minor stages"; attorney docket number END8039 USNP/160187;

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"; attorney docket number END8041 USNP/160189;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,893 entitled "bialterall ASYMMETRIC STAPLE formatting POCKET pair"; attorney docket number END8042USNP/160190

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"; attorney docket number END8043 USNP/160191;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,911 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLERS WITH INDEPENDENTLY ACTITABLE CLOSING AND FIRING SYSTEMS"; attorney docket number END8044 USNP/160192;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,927 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH SMART STAPLE CARTRIDGES"; attorney docket number END8045 USNP/160193;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,917 entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING STAPLES WITH DIFFERENT CLAMPING bredths"; attorney docket number END8047 USNP/160195;

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,900 entitled "STAPLE FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENTS COMPRISING PRIMARY SIDEWALLS AND POCKET SIDEWALLS"; attorney docket number END8048 USNP/160196;

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,931 entitled "NO-CARTRIDGE AND SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL STAPLERS"; attorney docket number END8050 USNP/160198;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,897 entitled "STAPLE FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENTS COMPRISING ZONED FORMING SURFACE GROOVES"; attorney docket number END8052 USNP/160200;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,922 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MULTIPLE FAILURE RESPONSE MODES"; attorney docket number END8053 USNP/160201;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,924 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH PRIMARY AND SAFETY PROCESSORS"; attorney docket number END8054 USNP/160202;

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"; attorney docket number END8056 USNP/160204;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,910 entitled "ANVIL HAVING A KNIFE SLOT WIDTH"; attorney docket number END8057 USNP/160205;

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,903 entitled "CLOSURE MEMBER ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS"; attorney docket number END8058 USNP/160206; and

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,906 entitled "fixing MEMBER PIN CONFIGURATIONS"; attorney docket number END8059 USNP/160207.

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/386,188 entitled "STEPPED STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH ASYMMETRICAL STAPLES"; attorney docket number END8000 USNP/160208;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/386,192 entitled "STEPPED STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH TISSUE RETENTION AND GAP SETTING featurs"; attorney docket number END8001 USNP/160209;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/386,206 entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH DEFORMABLE DRIVER replacement patents"; attorney docket number END8002 USNP/160210;

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,226 entitled "DURABILITY FEATURES FOR END EFFECTORS AND FIRING ASSEMBLIES OF SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS"; attorney docket number END8003 USNP/160211;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,222 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS HAVING END EFFECTORS WITH POSITIVE OPENING FEATURES"; attorney docket number END8004 USNP/160212; and

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,236 entitled "CONNECTION PORTION FOR DEPOSABLE LOADING UNIT FOR SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS"; attorney docket number END8005 USNP/160213.

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"; attorney docket number END8006 USNP/160214;

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"; attorney docket number END8007 USNP/160215;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,890 entitled "SHAFT association summary active AND reliable SYSTEMS"; attorney docket number END8008 USNP/160216;

-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"; attorney docket number END8009 USNP/160217;

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"; attorney docket number END8010 USNP/160218;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,894 entitled "SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LOCKOUT"; attorney docket number END8011 USNP/160219; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,895 entitled "SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING FIRST AND SECOND ARTICULATION LOCKOUTS"; attorney docket number END8012 USNP/160220.

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,916 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS"; attorney docket number END8024 USNP/160221;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,918 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS"; attorney docket number END8025 USNP/160222;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,919 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS"; attorney docket number END8026 USNP/160223;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,921 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH Movable CAMMING MEMBER CONGURED TO DISENGAGE FIRING MEMBER LOCKOUT FEATURES"; attorney docket number END8027 USNP/160224;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,923 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS"; attorney docket number END8028 USNP/160225;

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,925 entitled "JAW ACTITED LOCK ARRANGEMENTS FOR PREVENTING ADVANCEMENT OF A FIRING MEMBER IN A SURGICAL END EFFECTOR UNFILESS AN UNFIRED CARTRIDGE IS INSTALLED IN THE END EFFECTOR"; attorney docket number END8029 USNP/160226;

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,926 entitled "AXIALLY MOVABLE CLOSURE SYSTEM ARRANGEMENTS FOR APPLYING CLOSURE MOTIONS TO JAWS OF SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS"; attorney docket number END8030 USNP/160227;

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"; attorney docket number END8031 USNP/160228;

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"; attorney docket number END8032 USNP/160229;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,932 entitled "article subaltern minor END EFFECTOR WITH ASYMMETRIC SHAFT ARRANGEMENT"; attorney docket number END8033 USNP/160230;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,933 entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH INDEPENDENT PIVOTABLE LINKAGE DISTAL OF AN ARTICULATION LOCK"; attorney docket number END8034 USNP/160231;

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"; attorney docket number END8035 USNP/160232;

-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"; attorney docket number END8036 USNP/160233; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,936 entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATION STROKE AMPLIFICATION FEATURES"; attorney docket number END8037 USNP/160234.

The applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed 2016, 24/6 and each 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 serial No. 15/089,263 entitled "minor entering HANDLE association WITH robust GRIP support";

-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 Ser. No. 15/089,253 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM CONFIGURED TO APPLY ANNULAR 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 applicant of the present application owns the following patent applications filed on 27/2/2015 and each 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 Ser. No. 14/633,566 entitled "CHARGING SYSTEM THAT ENABLES 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 ASSEMBLING 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 serial No. 13/782,499 entitled "electrochemical Device with Signal Relay Arrangement", now U.S. patent 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. Pat. No. 9,326,767;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,481 entitled "Sensor straight End Effect During Removal Through Trocar", now U.S. Pat. No. 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. Pat. No. 9,398,911; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,536 entitled "Surgical Instrument Soft Stop", now U.S. Pat. No. 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, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,332,987, entitled "CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS FOR A DRIVE MEMBER OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT";

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. Pat. No. 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 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 serial No. 14/226,081 entitled "SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A SEGMENTED circui", now U.S. patent application publication 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 on 5/9/2014 and each 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 DEGRADATION 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 serial No. 61/812,372 entitled "minor entering WITH MULTIPLE functional 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"), "has" (and any form of "has)", such as "has" and "has"), "includes" (and any form of "includes)", such as "includes" and "includes)", and "contains" (and any form of "contains" (such as "contains" and "contains)", and "contains" (and any form of "contains" such as "contains" and "contains)", and "contains" (and "contains)" 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 may 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 to be interchangeably used with the handle assembly 500. Each interchangeable

surgical tool assembly

100, 200, 300, and 1000 may be designed for use in connection with the performance of one or more specific 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 surgical system or an automated surgical system. For example, the SURGICAL tool assemblies disclosed herein may be used WITH various robotic systems, INSTRUMENTS, components, and methods disclosed in, such as but not limited to, U.S. patent No. 9,072,535 entitled "SURGICAL station inserting INSTRUMENTS WITH robotic station systems and methods," 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 arrangement and method depicted 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 the robotic system. The handle assembly 500 may include a handle housing 502 including a pistol grip portion 504 that may be grasped 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 that operably supports a plurality of drive systems. For example, the frame 506 may operably support a "first" or closure drive system, generally designated 510, which may be used to impart closing and opening motions to interchangeable

surgical tool assemblies

100, 200, 300, and/or 1000 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. Such an 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 starting 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 pivotally coupled to or otherwise operably connected 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" (now U.S. patent application publication 2015/0272575, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety), when the clinician fully depresses the closure trigger 512 to achieve a full closure stroke, the closure drive SYSTEM is configured to lock the closure trigger 512 in a fully depressed or fully actuated position. When the clinician desires to unlock the closure trigger 512 to allow it to be biased to the unactuated position, the clinician simply activates 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 for tracking the position of the closure trigger 512. Further details regarding the configuration and operation of the closure release button assembly 518 may 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 may comprise a removable power pack. The power pack may support multiple lithium ion ("LI") or other suitable batteries therein. Multiple batteries, which may be connected in series, may be used as the power source 522 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, which 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 further 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) 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, the firing trigger may be pivoted or otherwise returned to the unactuated position by the spring or biasing arrangement. In at least one form, the firing trigger 532 may be positioned "outboard" of the closure trigger 512 as discussed 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 accidental 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. When the clinician depresses the closure trigger 512, the safety button and firing trigger 532 pivots downward, which may then be manipulated by the clinician.

In at least one form, the longitudinally movable drive member 540 may have a rack gear (not shown) formed thereon for meshing engagement with a corresponding drive gear arrangement (not shown) that interfaces with the motor. Further details regarding these features may be found in U.S. patent application publication 2015/0272575. At least one form further includes a manually actuatable "rescue" assembly configured to enable a clinician to manually retract the longitudinally movable drive member 540 with the motor disabled. The rescue assembly may comprise a lever or rescue handle assembly that is stored within the handle assembly 500 below the release door 550. The lever is configured to be manually pivoted 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 RETRACTABLE FIRING SYSTEM" (now U.S. patent 8,608,045, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein) discloses a rescue arrangement and other components, arrangements and systems that may also be employed 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 configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge 116 therein. The second jaw includes an anvil 114 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 (now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0263541, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety) entitled "ARTICULATION joint actuation assembly AN ARTICULATION LOCK". 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 that supports an articulation driver arrangement 147 for applying articulation motions to the surgical end effector 110. The ridge 145 is configured to: first, a 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 rotatably supported in the base 150. See fig. 3. In one arrangement, for example, the proximal end of the spine 145 is attached to a spine bearing (not shown) that is configured to be supported within the base 150. This arrangement facilitates rotatable attachment of the ridge 145 to the base 150 such that the ridge 145 can be selectively rotated relative to the base 150 about the axis SA.

Still referring to fig. 3, the interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 includes a closure shuttle 160 that is slidably supported within the base 150 such that it can move axially relative thereto. 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 that is attached to a closure linkage 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 thereto. Thus, when the hook 162 is hooked on the pin 516, actuation of the closure trigger 512 will cause the closure shuttle 160, and ultimately the closure tube assembly 140 on the spine 145, to move axially. 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 into the 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 flange 115 on the anvil 114, the anvil 114 pivots closed. Further details regarding the closing of the anvil 114 may be found in the above-mentioned 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 proximally translating the distal closure tube segment 142. The distal closure tube segment 142 has a horseshoe-shaped aperture 143 therein defining 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 that is 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 configured for axial advancement 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 may 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 can move the articulation driver arrangement 147 distally and, correspondingly, proximal movement of the firing bar 170 can move the articulation driver arrangement 147 proximally. When the clutch assembly is in its disengaged position, movement of the firing bar 170 is not transferred to the articulation driver arrangement 147, and thus, the firing bar 170 may move independently of the articulation driver arrangement 147. Interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 can further include a slip ring assembly (not shown) that can be configured to conduct electrical power to and/or from end effector 110 and/or transmit signals to and/or from end effector 110. More 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, entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM," now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0263552, incorporated 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 base 150 has formed thereon at least one and preferably two tapered attachment portions 152 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 ear 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 ears 172 are received in firing shaft attachment brackets 542 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. In at least one form, for example, the latch system 180 includes a locking member or yoke 182 movably coupled to the base 150. The lock yoke 182 includes two proximally projecting lock ears 184 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. Actuation of the lock yoke 182 may be accomplished by a latch button 186 slidably mounted on a latch actuator assembly mounted to the base 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 186 in the distal direction DD, which also pivots the lock yoke 182 out of retaining 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 ears 184 remain seated within corresponding lock pawls or grooves 509 in the distal end of the frame 506. More 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 base 150 of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 over or near the distal end of the frame 506 such that the tapered attachment portion 152 formed on the base 150 is aligned with the dovetail slot 507 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 place the tapered attachment portion 152 in "operable engagement" with a corresponding dovetail-shaped receiving slot 507 in the distal end of the frame 506. In doing so, the shaft attachment ears 172 on the firing shaft 170 will also seat in the brackets 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 thereto, the components may perform their intended action, function, and/or procedure.

Returning now to fig. 1, the surgical system 10 shown in this figure 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 a different surgical procedure. 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 may be found in various U.S. patent applications filed on even date herewith and incorporated herein by reference. Various details regarding interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 will be 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, in which tissue can be captured or manipulated between the two jaws, and a closed position; in the closed position, tissue is securely held between the jaws. The movable jaw or jaws move between an open position and a closed position upon application of closing and opening motions thereto by a robotic or automated surgical system to which the handle assembly or 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 jaw 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, for 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 robotic system or handle assembly is fully actuated, one of the closure system control components (e.g., which may include a closure tube assembly as described above) moves axially from an unactuated position to its fully actuated position. The axial distance that the closure tube assembly moves when moving from its unactuated position to 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 (e.g., which may include a longitudinally movable drive member as described above) moves axially from its unactuated position to its fully actuated or fired position. The axial distance that the longitudinally movable drive member moves when moving from its unactuated position to its fully fired position may be referred to herein as its "firing stroke length". For those surgical tool assemblies employing articulatable end effector arrangements, the handle assembly or robotic system may employ articulation control components that move 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 closing, firing, and/or controlled movement of the articulation components through each of all of their stroke lengths without placing undue stress on the surgical tool components, as this may result in damage or catastrophic failure of the surgical tool components.

Turning now to fig. 4-10, interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 includes a surgical end effector 1100 that includes an elongate channel 1102 configured to operably support a staple cartridge 1110 therein. End effector 1100 may also include an anvil 1130 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 articulated 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 system on exercise LOCK" (now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0263541, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference). Additional details regarding ARTICULATION locks may 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 seen in fig. 7, interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 may also include a proximal housing or nozzle 1300 comprised of

nozzle portions

1302, 1304 and an actuator wheel portion 1306 configured to couple to the assembled

nozzle portions

1302, 1304 by snaps, ears, screws, or the like. The interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 may also include a closure tube assembly 1400 that may 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 that 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 that operably supports the articulation lock 1210 therein. As seen in fig. 7 and 8, the spine assembly 1500 is configured to: first, a firing member assembly 1600 slidably supported 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 pivotally coupled to the elongate channel 1102 by an end effector mounting assembly 1230. For example, in one arrangement, 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 configured to operably engage the articulation lock 1210. The articulation lock 1210 includes an articulation frame 1212 that is adapted to operably engage a drive pin 1238 on a pivot base portion 1232 of the end effector mounting assembly 1230. In addition, a cross-link 1237 may be connected to the drive pin 1238 and the articulation frame 1212 to assist in articulation of the end effector 1100. As mentioned above, more 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). Additional details regarding the end effector mounting assembly and cross-connect may be found in U.S. patent application serial No. 15/019,245 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CLOSURE STROKE REDUCTION ARRANGEMENTS," filed on 9/2/2016, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. In various instances, the resilient spine member 1510 includes a proximal end 1514 rotatably supported in the base 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) that is configured to be supported within the base 1800. Such an arrangement facilitates rotatable attachment of resilient spine member 1510 to base 1800 such that spine assembly 1500 may be selectively rotated relative to base 1800 about axis SA.

Referring primarily to FIG. 7, the interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 includes a closure shuttle 1420 that is slidably supported within the base 1800 in an axially movable manner relative thereto. In one form, the closure shuttle 1420 includes a pair of proximally projecting hooks 1421 configured for attachment to an attachment pin 516 that is attached to the closure linkage assembly 514 of the handle assembly 500, as discussed above. The proximal end 1412 of the proximal closure tube segment 1410 is coupled to the closure shuttle 1420 for rotation relative thereto. 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. Such an 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 serve 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 for movable coupling to an end effector closure sleeve or distal closure tube segment 1430 of the closure tube assembly 1400. As can be seen in fig. 10, the distal closure tube segment 1430 includes upper and

lower tangs

1434, 1436 that project proximally from a 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

inferior 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 that is supported for axial travel within the spine assembly 1500. In the exemplified embodiment, the firing member 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 seen in fig. 7-10, the intermediate firing shaft portion 1602 may include a longitudinal slot 1604 in a distal end thereof, which 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 of the knife bar 1610 may be sized and configured such that they allow relative movement therebetween and may include a sliding joint 1612. The slide joint 1612 can allow the intermediate firing shaft portion 1602 of the firing member assembly 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 side wall of the longitudinal slot 1604 comes into contact with a tab on the knife bar 1610 in order to advance the knife bar 1610 and fire a 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 resilient spine member 1520, the top frame segment 1527 may be engaged with the resilient spine member to enclose the intermediate firing shaft portion 1602 and the knife bar 1610 therein. Further description of the operation of the firing member assembly 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 lock sleeve 1622 is in its engaged position, distal movement of the firing member assembly 1600 can move the articulation driver 1700 distally and, correspondingly, 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 may move independently of the articulation driver 1700. In various circumstances, when the firing member assembly 1600 does not move the articulation driver 1700 in the proximal or distal direction, the articulation driver 1700 can be held in place by the articulation lock 1210.

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 and configured to receive the firing member assembly 1600. The locking sleeve 1622 may include diametrically opposed inward facing locking

tabs

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

tabs

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

lock protrusions

1626, 1628 are positioned within a drive notch 1605 defined in the intermediate firing shaft portion 1602 such that distal pushing forces and/or proximal pulling forces may be transferred from the firing member assembly 1600 to the lock 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

tabs

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 lock 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 lock sleeve 1622 and the proximal articulation driver 1700. The clutch assembly 1620 also includes a shift barrel 1630 engaged with the locking sleeve 1622. Additional details regarding the operation of the switch drum and locking sleeve 1622 may be found in U.S. patent application serial No. 13/803,086 and serial No. 15/019,196. The switch barrel 1630 may also include at least partially

circumferential openings

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

nozzle halves

1302, 1304 and allow relative rotation, but not translation, between the switch barrel 1630 and the proximal nozzle 1300. See fig. 6. Rotation of the nozzle 1300 to the point where the mounting bracket reaches the end of its

respective slot

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, the nozzle 1300 may be used to operably engage and disengage an articulation drive system from a firing drive system in a variety of ways described in more detail in the following patent applications: 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 these patents is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

In the illustrated arrangement, the switching barrel 1630 includes an L-shaped slot 1636 that extends into a distal opening 1637 in the switching barrel 1630. The distal opening 1637 receives a transverse pin 1639 of the moving plate 1638. In one example, the moving 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 moving plate and moving cylinder arrangement may be found in U.S. patent application serial No. 14/868,718 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT WITH SHAFT RELEASE, POWERED FIRING AND POWER ARTICULATION," filed on 28.9.2015, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

As also shown in fig. 7 and 8, interchangeable tool assembly 1000 can include a slip ring assembly 1640 that can be configured to conduct electrical power to and/or from end effector 1100 and/or to transmit signals to and/or from end effector 1100 back to, for example, a microcontroller or robotic system controller in the handle assembly. Additional details regarding slip ring assembly 1640 and associated connectors may 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, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE thinhouse SENSOR SYSTEM". As also described in further detail in the aforementioned patent applications that have been 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 barrel 1630.

Referring again to fig. 7, the base 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 discussed above. As can be further seen in fig. 7, a shaft attachment ear 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 ears 1605 are received in the firing shaft attachment brackets 542 formed in the distal end of the longitudinal drive member 540. See fig. 3.

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 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 base 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 ears (not shown) formed thereon that are adapted to be received in corresponding holes 1816 formed in the base 1800. Such an arrangement facilitates pivotal attachment of lock yoke 1812 to base 1800. The locking yoke 1812 may include two proximally projecting locking ears 1818 configured for releasable engagement 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, a spring or biasing member 1819 biases the lock yoke 1812 in a proximal direction. Actuation of the locking yoke 1812 may be accomplished by a latch button 1820 slidably mounted on a latch actuator assembly 1822 that is mounted to the base 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 ears 1818 remain seated within the corresponding lock pawl or groove 509 in the distal end of the frame 506.

In the illustrated arrangement, the locking yoke 1812 includes at least one and preferably two locking hooks 1824 adapted to contact corresponding locking ear portions 1426 formed on the closure shuttle 1420. When the closure shuttle 1420 is in the unactuated position, the lock yoke 1812 may be pivoted in the distal direction to unlock the interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 from the handle assembly 500. When in this position, the locking hook 1824 does not contact the locking ear 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 lock yoke 1812 to the unlocked position, or, for example, the lock yoke 1812 is accidentally bumped or contacted in a manner that might otherwise cause it to pivot distally, the lock hooks 1824 on the lock yoke 1812 will contact the lock ears 1426 on the closure shuttle 1420 and prevent the lock 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 beam layers may comprise, for example, stainless steel strips interconnected by welding or pinning together, for example, at their proximal ends and/or at other locations along their lengths. In alternative embodiments, the distal ends of the bands are not connected together to allow the laminate or bands to expand relative to each other as the end effector articulates. Such an arrangement allows knife bar 1610 to be flexible enough 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 is used to provide lateral support to knife bar 1610 as it bends 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 also 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 that includes a proximally extending connector member 1663 configured to be received in a correspondingly shaped connector opening 1614 in the 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 elongate slot 1104 in the elongate channel 1102 and terminates in foot members 1664 that extend 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 in the elongate channel 1102 within the passageway 1105 positioned below the surgical staple cartridge 1110. As seen in fig. 11, one form of the firing member 1660 may also 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 of the elongate channel 1102. The body portion 1662 of the firing member 1660 also includes a tissue cutting edge or feature 1666 disposed between the distally projecting hook feature 1665 and the 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. When 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 over corresponding bosses 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 connect with a sled assembly 1120 that is operably supported within the body 1111 of the surgical staple cartridge 1110. The sled assembly 1120 is slidably displaceable within the surgical staple cartridge body 1111 from a proximal starting position adjacent the proximal end 1112 of the cartridge body 1111 to an ending 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 dimples 1116 which pass through the upper deck surface 1115 of the cartridge body. Each staple driver supports one or more surgical staples or fasteners (not shown) thereon. The slider assembly 1120 includes a plurality of ramped or wedge-shaped cams 1122, wherein each cam 1122 corresponds to a particular row of fasteners or drivers located on one side of the slot 1114. In the illustrated example, one cam 1122 is aligned with a row of "double" drivers that each support 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 that each operably supports a single surgical staple or fastener thereon. Thus, in the illustrated example, when the surgical staple cartridge 1110 is "fired," there will be three rows of staples on each side of the tissue cut line. However, other cartridge and driver configurations can be employed to fire other staple/fastener arrangements. The sled assembly 1120 has a central body portion 1124 configured to be engaged by 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 sled assembly 1120 distally. As the firing member 1660 is moved distally through the cartridge 1110, the tissue cutting features 1666 cut tissue clamped between the anvil assembly 1130 and the cartridge 1110, and the sled assembly 1120 drives the drivers in the cartridge upward that drive the corresponding staples or fasteners into contact with the anvil assembly 1130.

In those embodiments where the firing member includes a tissue cutting surface, it is desirable that the elongate shaft assembly be configured in such a way that: unless an unused staple cartridge is properly supported in the elongate channel 1102 of the surgical end effector 1100, the firing member is prevented from being accidentally advanced. 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. patent 6,988,649 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT", U.S. patent 7,044,352 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A SINGLE LOCKOUT MECHANISM FOR PREVENTION OF FIRING", U.S. patent 7,380,695 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A SINGLE LOCUT MECHANISM FOR PREVENTION OF FIRING", and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,933 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT WITH LOCATION KOUT ARRANGEMENT FOR PREVENTING FIRING SYSTEM ACTION WHEN A CARTRIDGE IS SPENT MISSING" each disclose various FIRING member LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS. Each of those references is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

An "unfired," "unused," "fresh," or "new" cartridge 1110 herein means that all of the fasteners of the cartridge 1110 are in their "ready to fire" positions. When in this position, the slider assembly 1120 is in its starting position. The new cartridge 1110 is seated within the elongate channel 1102 and can be retained therein by snap features on the cartridge body that are configured to remain engaged with 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 disposed therein. As can be seen in those figures, the slider assembly 1120 is in a starting position. To prevent the firing system from being activated, and more specifically, to prevent the firing member 1660 from being driven distally through the end effector 1110 in the event that an unfired or new surgical staple cartridge has not 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 lock member 1652 configured to remain engaged with the firing member 1660 when the surgical staple cartridge 1110 is not properly seated within the elongate channel 1102. The lock member 1652 comprises at least one laterally moving lock portion 1654 configured to remain engaged with a corresponding portion of the firing member when the sled assembly 1120 is not present within the cartridge 1110 in its starting position. In the illustrated arrangement, 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 shaft 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 seen in fig. 15-17, each of the laterally movable legs or locking portions 1654 has a distal end 1656 having a locking window 1658 therein. When the lock member 1652 is in the locked position, the central retainer feature 1680 on each 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 described with reference to FIGS. 15-19. Fig. 15 and 18 illustrate a portion of a surgical end effector 1100 with a new unfired cartridge 1110 properly installed therein. As can be seen in those figures, the slider assembly 1120 includes an unlocking feature 1126 corresponding to each of the laterally movable locking portions 1654. In the illustrated arrangement, an unlocking feature 1126 is provided on or extends proximally from each central wedge cam 1122. In an alternative arrangement, the unlocking feature 1126 may include a corresponding proximally projecting portion of the wedge cam 1122. As can be seen in fig. 18, when the slider assembly 1120 is in its home 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 portion 1654 is in those unlocked orientations, the central retainer feature 1680 does not remain engaged with its corresponding locking window 1658. When in those orientations, firing member 1660 may be advanced (fired) axially distally. However, when the cartridge is not present in the elongate channel 1102 or the sled assembly has moved out of its starting position (which means 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 retraction of the firing member 1660 to a starting position after firing the cartridge 1110 and driving the sled assembly 1120 distally. Fig. 16 depicts the initial re-engagement of a retention feature 1680 with its corresponding locking window 1658. Fig. 17 illustrates the retention feature in its locked position when the firing member 1660 has been fully retracted to its starting position. To assist in locking the lateral displacement of the locking portions 1654 when each is 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 the firing member 1660 from being actuated when a new unfired cartridge is not present or when a new unfired cartridge is present but not properly positioned in the elongate channel 1102. In addition, the lockout system may prevent the clinician from advancing the firing member distally if a used 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 passage when in the locked and unlocked positions, unlike other firing member lockout arrangements that require moving the firing member to align and misalign with a corresponding slot/passage in the staple cartridge. The lock portion 1654 is designed to be laterally movable into and out of engagement with a corresponding side surface of the firing member. Such lateral movement of one or more lockout portions may distinguish it from other lockout arrangements 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 that 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 that defines an elongate anvil slot 1138. In the example 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 positioned 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 connecting bridge 1153. The connecting bridge 1153 serves to provide support for the anvil attachment flanges 1151, which are not connected together at their proximal ends, and may serve to make the anvil mounting portion 1150 more rigid than the mounting portions of other anvil arrangements. As can also be seen in fig. 12 and 14, the anvil slot 1138 has a wider portion 1139 to accommodate the top portion of the firing member 1660 and the top anvil engagement feature 1632.

As seen in fig. 13 and 20-24, each of anvil attachment flanges 1151 includes a transverse mounting aperture 1156 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 that extends through mounting hole 1107 in proximal end 1103 of elongate channel 1102 and mounting hole 1156 in anvil mounting portion 1150. Such an arrangement serves to pivotally attach the anvil 1130 to the elongate channel 1102 for selective pivotal travel about a fixed anvil axis a-a transverse to the shaft axis SA. See fig. 5. The anvil mounting portion 1150 also includes a cam surface 1152 that extends from a concentrated firing member parking region 1154 to an 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 inner cam surface formed thereon that is configured to cam engage the cam surface 1552 or a cam surface formed on the anvil mounting portion 1150. FIG. 22 shows a cam surface 1152a that is formed on the anvil mounting portion 1150 to establish a single contact path 1155a with an internal cam surface 1444 on, for example, the distal closure tube segment 1430. FIG. 23 shows the cam surface 1152b 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. Such an arrangement may be used to better distribute the closing force from the distal closure tube segment 1430 to the anvil 1130, among other potential advantages discussed herein. Fig. 24 illustrates the cam surface 1152c configured relative to the inner cam surface 1444 of the distal closure tube segment 1430 to establish three

distinct contact zones

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 larger cam contact area between the distal closure tube segment 1430 and one or more cam surfaces on the anvil mounting portion 1150, and may serve 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 causes the distal end of the end 1133 of the elongate anvil body portion 1132 to pivotally move 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. As anvil body portion 1132 is compressed against the tissue, anvil 1130 may encounter considerable resistance. These resistances are overcome as the distal closure tube 1430 continues its distal advancement. However, depending on the magnitude of these resistive forces and their point of application to anvil body portion 1132, these resistive forces may tend to cause a portion of anvil 1130 to bend, which may generally be undesirable. For example, such bending may cause the firing member 1660 to be misaligned with the

passageways

1148, 1146 within the anvil 1130. In the event of over-bending, such bending can significantly increase the amount of firing force required to fire the instrument (i.e., drive the firing member 1660 from its starting position to its ending position through the tissue). Such excessive firing forces may cause damage to the end effector, and/or the firing member, and/or the knife bar, and/or firing drive system components, among others. Accordingly, it may be advantageous to configure the anvil to resist such bending.

Fig. 25-27 illustrate an alternative anvil embodiment that includes features that may improve the stiffness of the anvil body and its resistance to bending forces that may be generated during the closure and/or firing process. Except for the differences discussed herein, the anvil 1130' may be identical in construction to the anvil 1130 described above. As can be seen in those figures, anvil 1130 'has an elongate anvil body 1132' having an upper body portion 1165 with an anvil cap 1170 attached thereto. In the embodiment depicted 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 to be receivable on an axially extending inner boss portion 1139 formed therein. See fig. 27. The inner boss 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 ledge 1139 through an opening (not shown) in the distal end 1133 of the anvil body 1132'. In yet another embodiment, no internal boss 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 and not along its distal end 1173 and/or its 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 weld segments may be evenly distributed along the long edge 1177 of the anvil cap 1170, or the weld segments may be more closely spaced closer to the distal end of the long edge 1177, or may be more closely spaced closer to the proximal end of the long edge 1177. In further arrangements, the weld segments may be more densely spaced in the center region of the long side 1177 of the anvil cap 1170.

Fig. 28-30 illustrate an anvil cap 1170' configured to "mechanically interlock" with anvil body 1132 and to be welded to upper body portion 1165. In this embodiment, a plurality of retaining structures 1182 are formed in a wall 1180 of the upper body portion 1165 that defines the opening 1137. As used in this context, the term "mechanically interlocked" means that the anvil cap will remain attached to the elongate anvil body regardless of the orientation of the elongate anvil body and does not require any additional holding 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 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 corresponding formed engagement region 1184 formed in the outer periphery 1172 'of the anvil cap 1170'. In the illustrated arrangement, 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 structure 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 its long sides 1177'. In further 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 further arrangements, the retention feature 1182 may be disposed in a portion of the wall 1180 corresponding to the long side 1177 'and corresponding to only 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 an anvil cap with the engagement region formed in the elongate anvil body.

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

In the illustrated example, 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' and not along its distal end 1173 'and/or its proximal end 1175'. Weld 1178' may be continuous, or it may be discontinuous or intermittent. In those embodiments where the weld 1178' is discontinuous or intermittent, the weld segments may be evenly distributed along the long edge 1177' of the anvil cap 1170', or the weld segments may be more closely spaced closer to the distal ends of the long edges 1177', or more closely spaced closer to the proximal ends of the long edges 1177 '. In further arrangements, the weld segments may be more densely spaced in the center region of the long sides 1177 'of the anvil cap 1170'.

Fig. 31 and 32 show another anvil arrangement 1130 "with an anvil cap 1170" attached thereto. In the depicted example, the anvil cap 1170 "is generally rectangular in shape and has an outer cap perimeter 1172". 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 to be received on the axially extending inner ledge portions 1139 "and 1190" formed therein. See fig. 32. The boss 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 ledges 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 "and not along its distal end 1173" and/or its proximal end (not shown). Weld 1178 "may be continuous, or it may be discontinuous or intermittent. It will be appreciated that the continuous weld embodiment has a greater weld 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 weld segments may be evenly distributed along the long edge 1177" of the anvil cap 1170 ", or the weld segments may be more closely spaced closer to the distal end of the long edge 1177", or may be more closely spaced closer to the proximal end of the long edge 1177 ". In further arrangements, the weld 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 "may be additionally welded to anvil body 1132" by a second plurality of discrete "deep" welds 1192 ". For example, each weld 1192 "may be placed at the bottom of a corresponding hole or opening 1194" disposed through the anvil cap 1170 "such that a discrete weld 1192" may be formed along the portion of the anvil body 1132 "between the protrusions 1190" and 1139 ". See fig. 32. The welds 1192 "may be evenly distributed along the long side 1177" of the anvil cap 1170 "or the welds 1192" may be more densely spaced closer to the distal end of the long side 1177 "or more densely spaced closer to the proximal end of the long side 1177". In further 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 "'configured to mechanically interlock with anvil body 1132"' and to be welded to upper body portion 1165. In this embodiment, a "tongue in groove" arrangement is employed along each long side 1177 "'of the anvil cap 1170"'. In particular, laterally extending continuous or interrupted tabs 1195 "' protrude from each long side 1177" ' of the anvil cap 1170 "'. Each tab 1195 "corresponds with 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" attach the anvil cap to anvil body 1132 "'. The tabs 1195 "'and slots 1197"' may be sized relative to one another to establish a sliding friction fit therebetween. Additionally, anvil cap 1170 'may be welded to anvil body 1132'. Anvil body 1132 "'and anvil cap 1170"' may be made of metal to facilitate welding. The 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 "'. Weld 1178' "can be continuous, or it can be discontinuous or intermittent. In those embodiments where the weld 1178 "' is discontinuous or intermittent, the weld segments may be evenly distributed along the long sides 1177" ' of the anvil cap 1170 "', or the weld segments may be more closely spaced closer to the distal ends of the long sides 1177" ', or may be more closely spaced closer to the proximal ends of the long sides 1177 "'. In further arrangements, the weld 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 installed through an opening in the anvil body when the anvil is attached to the elongate channel. Another advantage is that the upper cover may improve the stiffness of the anvil and its resistance to the above-mentioned bending forces that may be encountered when clamping tissue. By resisting such bending, the frictional forces normally 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 anvil 1130 begins to pivot, anvil body 1132 contacts tissue to be cut and stapled, which is positioned between a lower surface of elongate anvil body 1132 and the deck of surgical staple cartridge 1110. Anvil 1130 may encounter significant resistance as anvil body 1132 is compressed against the tissue. To continue the closing process, these resistances must be overcome as the distal closure tube segment 1430 cams against the anvil mounting portion 1150. These resistance forces may be applied to the distal closure tube segment 1430 generally in the vertical direction V, and it is envisioned that if excessive, these resistance forces 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 section 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 exemplified arrangement, the closure member comprises 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 such articulation, the distal closure tube segment 1430 is movably coupled to the proximal closure tube segment 1410 with upper and

lower tangs

1434 and 1436 and upper and lower

double pivot connectors

1220 and 1222. See fig. 10. In one arrangement, the distal closure tube section 1430 may be machined or otherwise formed from a round bar material 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 defines 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 positioned above the shaft axis SA and the lower wall portion 1442 is positioned below the shaft axis SA. The distal end 1441 of the upper wall portion 1440 has an internal camming surface 1444 formed thereon at a camming angle Θ. Also in the exemplified embodiment, UWT > LWT, which is used to provide a longer inner cam surface 1444 than is available when the distal closure tube segment has a uniform wall thickness. The 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

transitional side walls

1446, 1448 positioned on each side of the shaft axis SA between the upper and

lower wall portions

1440, 1442 include generally flat, vertically extending inner side wall surfaces 1451, 1453, which may be generally parallel to each other. The

transitional sidewalls

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 segment 1430 also includes a forward jaw or anvil opening feature 1462 that corresponds with 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 a lateral mounting body 1460 that is sized to be received within a correspondingly shaped

cavity

1447, 1449 machined or otherwise formed in the

transition side walls

1446, 1448 adjacent the distal end 1438 of the distal closure tube segment 1430. Positive anvil opening feature 1462 extends inwardly through

corresponding openings

1450, 1452 in

transition side walls

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

Fig. 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 positive anvil opening feature 1462 when the distal closure tube segment 1430 is in the fully closed position. In the illustrated example, 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 the fully closed position shown in fig. 36, each of the forward anvil opening features 1462 are positioned in the cavity 1164 established between the anvil opening ramp 1162 and the bottom portion 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 apply any significant opening motion or force thereto. 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 forward 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 forward anvil opening features 1462 has a ramped 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 to its fully retracted position, which causes the forward anvil opening feature 1462 to be driven to the distal end of the anvil opening ramp 1162, thereby causing 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 arrangement 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 closing motion to a movable jaw of a surgical instrument. In this example, the closure member includes a distal closure tube segment 1430' that may be similar to the distal closure tube segment 1430, but without the positive anvil opening feature. The distal closure tube segment 1430 'has a closure body 1470' with an outer surface 1440 'and an inner surface 1433' that define an upper wall portion 1440 'and a lower wall portion 1442'. As noted above, it may be desirable to employ an inner cam surface that is as large as possible as inner cam surface 1444' in order to maximize cam contact with the cam surface on anvil mounting portion 1150 and thereby effectively transmit 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 extending 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' that has a circular cross-sectional shape. The distal closure tube segment 1430' may be machined from a solid bar material. In the illustrated example, from the first central axis a _{Inner part} Inner radius R of ₁ Extends to the inner surface 1433' and is from the second central axis a _{Outer cover} Outer radius R of ₂ To the outer surface 1431'. In the illustrated example, the axis A _{Inner part} Offset from axis A by a distance OR _{Outer cover} And R is ₂ >R ₁ 。

FIG. 44 illustrates another closure member for applying a closing 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, a lower wall portion 1442 having a lower wall thickness LWT, and two sidewall portions 1435' each having a sidewall thickness SWT. In the illustrated example, UWT > LWT. Furthermore, UWT > LWT. Thus, SWT > UWT > LWT. In the illustrated arrangement, the sidewall portions 1435' have the same sidewall thickness SWT. In other arrangements, sidewall portion 1435' can have a different thickness. As seen in fig. 44, each sidewall portion 1435 'defines an inner, vertically extending inner surface portion 1437'. In the exemplified embodiment, the vertically extending inner surface portions are substantially parallel to each other. Such a thicker vertical sidewall portion 1435' can help prevent or at least minimize vertical elongation of the distal closure tube segment 1430 "during use.

In the example depicted in FIG. 45, R is measured from a common center point or central axis C ₁ And R ₂ And R is 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 substantially equal to UWT at a point along the horizontal reference line HR. The horizontal reference line HR is perpendicular to a vertical reference line VR extending through the central axis C, and UWT and LWT can be measured and compared along this 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 into a lower portion 1433' having a constant lower wall thickness LWT. Thus, the inner side wall 1437 "is at an angle a when measured according to a corresponding vertical reference axis VR' perpendicular to the horizontal reference axis HR and parallel to the vertical reference axis VR ₂ And (4) extending.

FIG. 46 illustrates another closure member for applying a closing 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" with a circular outer surface 1431 "and a rectangular interior passage 1439 extending therethrough. The outer surface 1431 "is located a distance R from a 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 "positioned above the horizontal reference line HR is a mirror image of the portion of the distal closure tube segment 1430" positioned below the horizontal reference line HR. In this example, the side 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, the distal end 1163 of anvil attachment flange 1151 may extend above the deck surface 1116 of staple cartridge 1110 when anvil 1130 is in the fully open position. 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 past the deck surface 1116 of the staple cartridge 1110 to prevent infiltration of tissue therebetween (which may interfere with the closure process). See fig. 40. Once the distal closure tube segment 1430 has moved the anvil 1130 to the fully closed position, the distal end 1461 of the laterally mounted body on the distal closure tube segment 1430 further acts as a tissue stop to prevent tissue infiltration therebetween. See fig. 41.

Fig. 47 depicts a portion of a surgical end effector 110', which 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 within a corresponding kidney slot or elongated arcuate trunnion slot 197 provided in the elongate 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 may be moved to the closed position by distally advancing the distal closure tube segment 142 in the distal direction DD such that the end 148 of the distal closure tube segment 142 rides on a cam surface 193 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 travel, the distal closure tube segmentThe distal end 148 of 142 abuts/contacts the steep anvil lug 191 and serves to position the anvil 114 so that the forming pockets (not shown) in the underside of the body portion 190 are properly aligned with the staples in the cartridge. Anvil projection 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 any closing motions/forces to the anvil 114 may result in damage to the anvil and/or closure system components. As can be seen in FIG. 47, in this arrangement, the closing force F _H Parallel to the shaft axis SA. An axis or plane T that will pass 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 for 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 at horizontal closing force F _H1 As the distal closure tube segment 1430 is advanced in the distal direction DD, the interaction between the internal camming surface 1444 on the distal closure tube segment 1430 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 relative to horizontal. The resultant force vector F _N And an axis or plane T extending through the center of anvil trunnion 1158 _A 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, at horizontal closing force F _H ＝F _H1 Will be greater than the amount of closure torque applied to the anvil 114 because M _A >X _R And thus the closing torque applied to the anvil 1130 will be greater than the closing torque applied to the anvil 114. Fig. 49 also shows the resistance caused by the tissue 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 "reverse" torque 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 depicted in fig. 47, it can be seen that the firing bar 170 is attached to a firing member 174 that is positioned within the elongate channel 112 when in a starting or unfired position, and more particularly, fully distal of the distal closure tube segment 142, at a position where a top portion 175 of the firing member 174 is in contact with a portion of the anvil 114. Since the firing member 174 is positioned at a location where its top portion 175 may contact the anvil when the anvil 114 is moved to the closed position, this arrangement may require a greater closing force to move the anvil 114 to the fully or fully closed position. Additionally, when the firing system is activated, a greater firing force may be required to overcome the frictional interference between the top portion 175 of the firing member 174 and the anvil 114. In contrast, 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 positioned within the firing member parking region 1154 within the distal closure tube segment 1430, no significant frictional force can be generated 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 a reduction in the amount of closure force required to close the anvil to a fully closed position and/or a reduction in 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, the firing member 1660 is parked 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 is in a starting position in which any frictional contact between the firing member and the anvil is eliminated or reduced, which may ultimately require the generation of lower closure and firing forces to operate the end effector.

As noted above, excessive bending of the anvil during the closing and firing process may undesirably require a greater firing force. Thus, a more rigid anvil arrangement is generally desirable. Returning to fig. 20 and 21, another advantage that may be provided by the anvil 1130 and the elongate channel 1102 depicted therein is that the anvil mounting portion 1150 of the anvil 1130 is generally more robust and thus more rigid than other anvil and elongate channel arrangements. Fig. 50 illustrates the use of a more rigid gusset 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 can be seen 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. In addition, the stretch limiting insert 1540 is retentively supported between the distal end portion 1522 and the proximal end portion 1524. In various arrangements, the resilient spine member 1520 may be made of, for example, a suitable polymeric material, rubber, or the like, having a designation ME ₁ For reference elastic modulus. The stretching feature 1530 may include a plurality of stretching cavities 1532. As can be seen in fig. 7A, the illustrated stretching feature 1530 includes four triangular stretching cavities 1532 arranged to define, to some extent, flexible wall segments 1534 therebetween. Other shapes and numbers of the stretching cavity 1532 may be used. For example, the stretch 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 portion1541 with a label ME ₂ For reference elastic modulus. As can be seen in fig. 6, the body portion 1541 includes two downwardly extending mounting ears 1542 that are each 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 chambers 1543 that are relatively square or rectangular in shape and spaced apart to define flexible walls 1544 therebetween. Other embodiments may include other numbers and shapes of upper chambers. The body portion 1541 of the example stretch limiting insert 1540 also includes a centrally-disposed, downwardly projecting central ear portion 1545 configured to be positioned in the central cavity 1536 above the stretch feature 1530. See fig. 7A. In the example illustrated, the central ear portion 1545 includes a pair of central passages 1546 extending laterally therethrough to define a flexible wall 1547 therebetween.

Also in the illustrated example, 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 stretch limiter 1550 therein. Thus, in the depicted example, two stretch limiters 1550 are employed in stretch limiting insert 1540. In at least one arrangement, the stretch limiter 1550 includes an elongated body portion 1552 that terminates at each end with a downwardly extending mounting ear 1554. Each mounting ear 1554 is received in a corresponding ear cavity 1549 formed in the body portion 1541. For reference purposes, the stretch limiter may have an elastic modulus ME _3. . In at least one arrangement, ME ₃ <ME ₂ <ME ₁ 。

Actuation of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 operably attached to the handle assembly 500 will now be described in further detail with reference to fig. 51-54. FIG. 51 showsAnvil 1130 in the open position. As can be seen in this figure, the distal closure tube segment 1430 is in its starting or unactuated position and the forward 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 resting 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 _us The distance between a reference axis a corresponding to the proximal end of the body portion 1541 of the stretch limiting insert 1540 and a reference axis B corresponding to the distal end of the body portion 1541 is indicated, as shown in fig. 51. The axis labeled F corresponds to the position of the distal end of the staple cartridge 1110 that has been properly seated within the 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 closure drive system 510 has been actuated as described above to drive the distal closure tube segment 1430 distally in the distal direction DD. 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 cam 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 deactivates, and the distal closure tube segment is axially locked or otherwise held in that position by the closure drive system 510. When the distal closure tube segment 1430 contacts the anvil mounting portion 1150, the closure force generated by the distal advancement of the distal closure tube segment 1430 over the anvil 1130 will also axially advance 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 for pulling in a relaxed or unstretched stateThe reference axis of the insert 1540 is limited. 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 elongate. After the anvil 1130 has been moved to this "first" closed position, the axis G corresponds to the position of the distal end of the surgical staple cartridge 1110. Distance L between reference axis F and reference axis 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 stretches during the closing process, as limited by the stretch limiter 1550 _S 。

Returning to fig. 51, it can be noted that a space S exists between each mounting ear 1554 of the tension limiter 1550 and the inner wall 1551 of each ear cavity 1549 prior to beginning the closing process. As can be seen in fig. 52, the space S disappears. That is, each mounting ear 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 held 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 initial actuation of the firing drive system 530. As can be seen in this figure, the firing member 1660 has been advanced distally out of the firing member parking region 1154. The top portion of the firing member 1660, and more particularly, each top anvil engagement feature 1672 has entered the proximal ramp portion 1138 of the corresponding axial passage 1146 in the anvil 1130. At this point in the process, the anvil 1130 may be subjected to substantial bending stresses caused by the tissue clamped between the underside of the anvil 1130 and the deck of the staple cartridge 1110. This bending stress, along with frictional resistance between various portions of the firing member and the anvil 1130 and elongate channel 1102, serves 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 push the firing member 1660 distally through the tissue clamped between the anvil 1130 and the 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 to resist the amount of bending force applied to the anvil 1130 by tissue clamped between the anvil 1130 and the cartridge 1110. This condition can result in better alignment of the passageways in the anvil body 1130 with the firing member 1660, which can ultimately reduce the amount of frictional resistance experienced by the firing member 1660 as it continues to advance distally through the end effector 1100. Thus, the amount of firing force required to advance the firing member through the remainder of its firing stroke to reach the terminal position may be reduced. This reduction in firing force can be seen in the graph in fig. 55. The graph depicted in fig. 55 compares the firing (energy) required to fire the firing member from the beginning of the firing process to the end of the firing process. 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 members of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 described above. Line 1482 represents the firing force required to move firing member 174 from its starting position to its ending position through tissue clamped in end effector 110 or 110'. As can be seen in this figure, 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 at which the resilient spine assembly 1510 of the tool assembly 1000 is reversed such that a second amount of closing force is applied to the anvil. As can be seen in the graph of fig. 55, when the anvil 1130 experiences 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 amount of firing load and the horizontal axis represents the percentage distance the firing member travels between the starting (0.0) and ending (1.0) positions. Line 1490 depicts the firing force required to fire a firing member, such as the surgical tool assembly 100 or similar tool assembly. Line 1492 depicts the firing force required to fire the firing member of the surgical tool assembly, which employs various firing member modifications and configurations that may be disclosed in the following patents: for example, U.S. patent application Ser. No. __________ entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING STAPLES WITH DIFFERENT CLAMPING BREADTHS"; attorney docket number END8047USNP/160195, and other aforementioned U.S. patent applications filed on even date herewith, which have been incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. Line 1494 depicts the firing force required to fire the firing member from its starting position to its ending position in a surgical tool assembly that employs at least some of the features and arrangements disclosed herein for enhancing anvil rigidity. Line 1496 depicts the firing force required to fire the surgical tool assembly, e.g., employing at least some of the features and arrangements disclosed herein for enhancing anvil rigidity and the resilient ridge arrangements. As can be seen in this figure, surgical tool assemblies employing the resilient ridge arrangement and at least some of the anvil rigidity enhancement arrangements disclosed herein have much lower firing force requirements.

FIG. 57 provides a side-by-side comparison of two anvils. A portion of a first anvil 2030 of the end effector 2000 is depicted in the right half of fig. 57, and a portion of a second anvil 2030 'of the end effector 2000' is depicted in the left half of fig. 57. The anvil 2030 includes a first longitudinal row of forming pockets 2032a, a second longitudinal row of forming pockets 2032b, and a third longitudinal row of forming pockets 2032 c. The anvil 2030 further includes a longitudinal slot 2033 configured to receive a firing member, such as firing member 2040, for example, as the firing member is advanced through the staple firing stroke. The first longitudinal row of forming pockets 2032a is positioned intermediate the longitudinal slot 2033 and the second longitudinal row of forming pockets 2032b, and the second longitudinal row of forming pockets 2032b is positioned intermediate the first longitudinal row of forming pockets 2032a and the third longitudinal row of forming pockets 2032 c. Thus, the first longitudinal row of forming pockets 2032a comprises an inner row, the third longitudinal row of forming pockets 2032c comprises an outer row, and the second longitudinal row of forming pockets 2032b comprises a middle row.

Similar to above, the anvil 2030' includes a first longitudinal row of forming pockets 2032a, a second longitudinal row of forming pockets 2032b, and a third longitudinal row of forming pockets 2032 c. The anvil 2030' also includes a longitudinal slot 2033' configured to receive a firing member, such as the firing member 2040', for example, as the firing member is advanced through the staple firing stroke. The first longitudinal row of forming pockets 2032a is positioned intermediate the longitudinal slot 2033' and the second longitudinal row of forming pockets 2032b, and the second longitudinal row of forming pockets 2032b is positioned intermediate the first longitudinal row of forming pockets 2032a and the third longitudinal row of forming pockets 2032 c. Thus, the first longitudinal row of forming pockets 2032a comprises an inner row, the third longitudinal row of forming pockets 2032c comprises an outer row, and the second longitudinal row of forming pockets 2032b comprises a middle row.

The anvil 2030 includes a flat or at least substantially flat tissue engaging surface 2031.

Shaped depressions

2032a, 2032b, and 2032c are defined in the planar surface 2031. The flat surface 2031 has no step defined therein; however, embodiments are contemplated in which the anvil 2030 may include a stepped tissue engaging surface. For example, the anvil 2030 'includes a stepped tissue engaging surface 2031'. In this embodiment, the forming

pockets

2032a and 2032b are defined in the lower step and the forming pockets 2032c are defined in the upper step.

The firing member 2040 'includes a coupling member 2042' that includes a cutting portion 2041. The cutting portion 2041 is configured and arranged to incise tissue captured, for example, between the anvil 2030' and the staple cartridge 2010 (fig. 58). The firing member 2040' is configured to distally urge a sled having a sloped surface during a staple firing stroke. The ramped surfaces are configured to lift the staple drivers within the staple cartridge 2010 to form the staples 2020 against the anvil 2030' and eject the staples 2020 from the staple cartridge 2010. The coupling member 2042' includes a projection or cam 2043' extending laterally therefrom that is configured to engage the anvil 2030' during the staple firing stroke. Referring to fig. 60, the protrusion 2043 'is comprised of a longitudinally elongated shoulder extending from the coupling member 2042'. In other embodiments, the protrusion 2043 'comprises a barrel pin that extends through the coupling member 2042'. In any event, the protrusion 2043 'has a flat side or end 2047'.

The longitudinal slot 2033 'includes lateral portions 2033l' extending laterally from the central portion 2033c ', which are configured to receive the protrusions 2043'. As shown in fig. 57, the lateral portion 2033l 'of the longitudinal slot 2033' has a rectangular, or at least substantially rectangular, configuration with sharp corners. Each lateral portion 2033l 'of the slot 2033' includes a longitudinal cam surface 2035 'configured to engage the protrusion 2043' during the staple firing stroke. Each longitudinal cam surface 2035' is defined on an upper side of a protrusion 2037' that extends longitudinally along the slot 2033 '. Each longitudinal protrusion 2037 'comprises a beam comprising a fixed end attached to the body portion of the anvil 2030' and a free end configured to move relative to the fixed end. Thus, each longitudinal protrusion 2037' may comprise a cantilevered beam.

The coupling member 2042' also includes a foot or cam 2044 (fig. 58) configured to engage the staple cartridge 2010 or support the jaws of the staple cartridge 2010 during the staple firing stroke. In addition, the projections 2043 'and feet 2044 cooperate to position the anvil 2030' and the staple cartridge 2010 relative to one another. When the anvil 2030' is movable relative to the staple cartridge 2010, the coupling members 2042' can cam the anvil 2030' into position relative to the staple cartridge 2010. The coupling members 2042' can cam the staple cartridge 2010 into position relative to the anvil 2030' as the staple cartridge 2010, or the jaws supporting the staple cartridge 2010, are movable relative to the anvil 2030 '.

In addition to the above, the firing member 2040 includes a coupling member 2042 that includes a cutting portion 2041. The cutting portion 2041 is constructed and arranged to incise tissue captured between the anvil 2030 and the staple cartridge 2010 (fig. 58). Firing member 2040 is configured to distally urge a sled having a sloped surface during a staple firing stroke. The ramped surfaces are configured to lift the staple drivers within the staple cartridge 2010 to form the staples 2020 against the anvil 2030 and eject the staples 2020 from the staple cartridge 2010. The coupling member 2042 includes a projection or cam 2043 extending laterally therefrom that is configured to engage the anvil 2030 during the staple firing stroke. The projections 2043 have curved or rounded sides or ends 2047. The lateral ends 2047 of the projections 2043 are fully curved or fully rounded. Each lateral end 2047 includes an arcuate profile extending between a top surface of the protrusion 2043 and a bottom surface of the protrusion 2043. In other embodiments, the lateral ends 2047 of the projections 2043 are only partially curved.

The longitudinal slot 2033 includes lateral portions 2033l extending laterally from the central portion 2033c configured to receive the tabs 2043. Each lateral portion 2033l of the slot 2033 includes a longitudinal cam surface 2035 configured to engage the protrusions 2043 during the staple firing stroke. Each longitudinal cam surface 2035 is defined on an upper side of a protrusion 2037 that extends longitudinally along the slot 2033. Each longitudinal protrusion 2037 comprises a beam comprising a fixed end attached to the body portion of the anvil 2030 and a free end configured to move relative to the fixed end. Accordingly, each longitudinal protrusion 2037 may comprise a cantilevered beam. As shown in fig. 57, the lateral portions of the longitudinal slot 2033 include a curved or rounded profile that matches, or at least substantially matches, the curved end 2047 of the protrusion 2043.

The coupling member 2042 also includes a foot or cam 2044 (fig. 58) configured to engage the staple cartridge 2010 or support the jaws of the staple cartridge 2010 during the staple firing stroke. In addition, the projections 2043 and feet 2044 cooperate to position the anvil 2030 and the staple cartridge 2010 relative to one another. When the anvil 2030 is movable relative to the staple cartridge 2010, the link members 2042 can cam the anvil 2030 into position relative to the staple cartridge 2010. The coupling members 2042 can cam the staple cartridge 2010 into position relative to the anvil 2030 as the staple cartridge 2010, or a jaw supporting the staple cartridge 2010, is movable relative to the anvil 2030.

Referring again to fig. 57, the lateral portion 2033l 'of the longitudinal slot 2033' extends a distance 2034 'from the centerline CL of the anvil 2030'. The lateral portion 2033l 'extends above or behind a forming pocket 2032a in the anvil 2030'. As shown in fig. 57, the lateral ends of the lateral portions 2033l' are aligned with the outer edges of the forming pockets 2032 a. Other embodiments are contemplated in which, for example, the lateral portion 2033l' extends laterally beyond the forming pocket 2032 a. That is, referring to fig. 59, the protrusions 2037' of the anvil 2030' are long and, in some cases, the protrusions 2037' may deflect significantly under load. In some cases, protrusion 2037 'may deflect downward such that a majority of drive surface 2045' defined on the bottom of protrusion 2043 'is not in contact with cam surface 2035'. In this case, the contact between the protrusion 2043' and the cam surface 2035' may be reduced to one point, such as point 2047 '. In some cases, the contact between the protrusion 2043 'and the camming surface 2035' may be reduced to a longitudinally extending line, which may appear as a point when viewed from the distal end of the end effector, as shown in fig. 59.

Further, referring again to fig. 57, the projections 2043 'extend above or behind the forming pockets 2032a in the anvil 2030'. The lateral ends of the protrusions 2043' extend above the longitudinal centerline 2062a of the forming pockets 2032 a. Other embodiments are contemplated in which the lateral ends of the projections 2043' are aligned with the longitudinal centerline 2062a of the forming pockets 2032 a. Certain embodiments are contemplated in which the lateral ends of the projections 2043' do not extend to the longitudinal centerline 2062a of the forming pockets 2032 a. In any event, referring again to fig. 59, the protrusion 2043' may be deflected upward (particularly when the protrusion 2043' is longer) such that a majority of the drive surface 2045' of the protrusion 2043' is not in contact with the cam surface 2035 '. This situation may further exacerbate the situation discussed above in connection with the protrusion 2037'. That is, for example, when the protrusions 2043 'extend to or beyond the outer edge of the forming pockets 2032a, the protrusions 2043' are better able to control the staple forming process occurring in the forming pockets 2032a and/or the forming

pockets

2032b and 2032 c.

In addition to the above, the protrusion 2037' and the protrusion 2043' may deflect in a manner such that a load flowing between the firing member 2040' and the anvil 2030' is exerted at the inner end of the protrusion 2037 '. As shown in fig. 59, contact point 2048 'is positioned at or near the inner end of protrusion 2037'. The deflection of the protrusion 2037 'and the protrusion 2043' is the same or similar to the deflection of a cantilever beam. As the reader will appreciate, the deflection of a cantilever beam is proportional to the cube of the beam length when a load is applied at the end of the cantilever beam. In any event, a gap may be formed between the protrusion 2037 'and the protrusion 2043' as the protrusion 2037 'and/or the protrusion 2043' deflect. This clearance between the portions of the protrusion 2037 'and the protrusion 2043' means that the forces flowing therebetween will flow through a very small area, which will thereby increase the stress and strain experienced by the protrusion 2037 'and the protrusion 2043'. This interaction is represented by stress risers or stress concentrators 2039' and 2049' in fig. 61 and 62, where a stress riser 2039' is present in the flange 2037' and a stress riser 2049' is present at the interconnection between the protrusion 2043' and the coupling member 2042 '. Other stress risers or concentrators can be present, but as discussed below, it is desirable to reduce or eliminate such stress risers.

Referring again to fig. 57 and 58, the lateral portions 2033l of the longitudinal slot 2033 each extend a distance 2034 from the centerline CL of the anvil 2030. Distance 2034 is shorter than distance 2034'. Nevertheless, the lateral portion 2033l extends above or rearward of the forming pocket 2032a in the anvil 2030. As shown in fig. 57, the lateral ends of the lateral portions 2033l are not aligned with the outer edges of the forming pockets 2032 a. Further, the lateral ends of the lateral portions 2033l do not extend beyond the outer edge of the forming pockets 2032 a. However, the lateral portion 2033l extends above the longitudinal centerline 2062a of the forming pocket 2032 a. In addition to the above, the protrusion 2037 is shorter than the protrusion 2037'. Thus, for a given force applied thereto, protrusion 2037 will experience less deflection, stress, and strain than protrusion 2037'.

Other embodiments are contemplated in which the lateral portion 2033l of the slot 2033 does not extend to the longitudinal centerline 2062a of the forming pocket 2032 a. In certain embodiments, lateral portion 2033l does not extend laterally over or overlap forming pocket 2032 a. In addition to the above, such shorter lateral portions 2033l may reduce deflection, stress, and strain in the protrusions 2037. As the deflection of the protrusion 2037 is reduced, the drive surface 2045 defined on the bottom of the protrusion 2043 may remain in contact with the cam surface 2035 of the protrusion 2037. In this case, the contact area between the protrusion 2043 and the cam surface 2035 may be increased as compared to the contact area between the protrusion 2043 'and the cam surface 2035'.

In addition to the above, unlike the protrusion 2037' having a constant cross-sectional thickness, the cross-sectional thickness of the protrusion 2037 is not constant. The lobes 2037 have a gradually decreasing cross-sectional thickness, with the base of each lobe 2037 being wider than its inner end due to the rounded lateral ends of the lateral slot portions 2033 l. This configuration may be used to reinforce or strengthen protrusion 2037 and reduce deflection, stress, and strain of protrusion 2037 as compared to protrusion 2037'. In at least one instance, a portion of the protrusion 2037 is tapered, while another portion of the protrusion 2037 has a constant cross-sectional thickness. In at least one other instance, the entire protrusion 2037 can be tapered such that the cross-sectional thickness is constant everywhere.

Further, referring again to fig. 57 and 58, the projections 2043 extend over or behind the forming pockets 2032a in the anvil 2030. The lateral ends of the projections 2043 do not extend above the longitudinal centerline 2062a of the forming pockets 2032 a. Other embodiments are contemplated in which the lateral ends of the projections 2043 are aligned with the longitudinal centerline 2062a of the forming pockets 2032 a. Certain embodiments are contemplated in which the lateral ends of the projections 2043 do not extend over the forming pockets 2032a at all. In any event, the upward deflection of protrusion 2043 may be less than the deflection of protrusion 2043', and thus, a greater area of contact may exist between drive surface 2045 and cam surface 2035.

In addition to the above, the protrusion 2037 and the protrusion 2043 may deflect in a manner such that the load flowing between the firing member 2040 and the anvil 2030 is applied laterally along the length of the protrusion 2037 rather than at a single point and/or at the end of the protrusion 2037. Accordingly, the force flowing therebetween will flow through a greater area, which will thereby reduce the stress and strain experienced by the

protrusions

2037 and 2043, which in turn may reduce or eliminate the stress riser, such as discussed above in connection with the protrusions 2037 'and 2043'.

Referring again to fig. 58, the foot portions 2044 of the coupling members 2042 are wider than the protrusions 2033. In other words, the lateral width of the foot 2044 is wider than the width between the lateral ends of the protrusion 2033. In this case, the foot 2044 may deflect or tighten more than the protrusion, so that deflection of the protrusion 2033 may be reduced. Alternative embodiments are contemplated in which the lateral width of the foot 2044 is equal to or less than the width between the lateral ends of the protrusion 2033; however, these embodiments may be otherwise configured to provide a desired deflection and/or strain within the protrusion 2033.

As noted above, the end effector may comprise, for example, an anvil that is movable between an open position and a closed position. In some cases, for example, when a firing member, such as firing

member

2040 or 2040', is moved distally, the firing member moves the anvil toward its closed position. In other instances, the anvil is moved toward its closed position prior to advancing the firing member distally to perform a staple firing stroke. In any event, the anvil may not move to its fully closed position until the firing member approaches or reaches the end of its staple firing stroke. Thus, the anvil is progressively closed by the firing member. In at least one such instance, the anvil can progressively close due to thicker tissue captured between the anvil and the staple cartridge. In some instances, the anvil may actually deflect or deform during the staple firing stroke of the firing member. However, this condition is typically controlled by the upper protrusions and feet of the firing member.

Turning now to fig. 60, the drive surface 2045 'defined on the protrusion 2043' is flat or at least substantially flat. Further, the drive surface 2045 'is configured to pressingly engage a flat or at least substantially flat cam surface 2035' defined on the anvil 2030 'when the anvil 2030' is in the fully closed position. In other words, when the anvil 2030' is in a fully flat orientation, the drive surface 2045' engages the cam surface 2035' in a face-to-face relationship. The flat orientation of the anvil 2030' is depicted in phantom in fig. 60. In this instance, the drive surface 2045 'is parallel, or at least substantially parallel, to the longitudinal path of the firing member 2040' during the staple firing stroke. However, as described above, the anvil 2030 'may progressively close during the firing stroke, and thus, the anvil 2030' may not always be in a fully closed position. Thus, the drive surface 2045 'may not always be aligned with the cam surface 2035', and in such a case, the protrusion 2043 'may dig into the protrusion 2037' of the anvil 2030. Fig. 60 depicts such an example with a solid line.

In addition to the above, if the firing member 2040 'must progressively close the anvil 2030' to its fully closed position, the drive surface 2045 'of the protrusion 2043' and/or the cam surface 2035 'defined on the protrusion 2037' may plastically deform. In some instances, the cam surface 2035' may wear, for example, which may increase the force required to complete a staple firing stroke. More specifically, plastic strain of the protrusion 2043 'and/or the anvil protrusion 2037' may cause energy loss when the metal deforms beyond the plastic limit. At this time, wear occurs, and the friction coefficient of the coupling significantly increases. For example, the energy loss may be about 10% to 30%, which may increase the force required to fire the firing member by about 10% to 30%. Further, in such instances, if the end effector 2000 'is reused, the force required to complete a subsequent staple firing stroke with the end effector 2000' may increase.

Turning now to fig. 63-65, the firing member 2140 includes a firing bar and a coupling member 2142 attached to the firing bar. The coupling member 2142 includes a connector 2148 that connects the coupling member 2142 to the firing rod. The coupling member 2142 further includes a cutting member 2041 configured to incise tissue of a patient during a staple firing stroke. The coupling member 2142 further includes: a tab 2143 configured to engage an anvil, such as anvil 2030 or 2030'; and a foot 2144 configured to engage the staple cartridge jaw during a staple firing stroke. Each protrusion 2143 includes a drive surface 2145 defined on an underside thereof. Each protrusion 2143 further includes a proximally extending camming transition 2147 and a rounded corner transition 2149 extending around the perimeter of protrusion 2143. The coupling member 2142 further includes a middle protrusion 2146 extending laterally therefrom that is configured to prevent the firing member 2140 from executing a staple firing stroke when an unused staple cartridge is not positioned forward of the firing member 2140 at the beginning of the staple firing stroke.

In addition to the above, the drive surface 2145 of the protrusion 2143 is not parallel to the longitudinal path 2160 of the firing member 2140. Rather, the drive surface 2145 extends transverse to the longitudinal path 2160. In at least one instance, a distal end of each drive surface 2145 is positioned further from the longitudinal path 2160 than a proximal end. Such an arrangement may reduce or eliminate the problems described above in connection with the progressive closure of the anvil 2130. More specifically, in at least one instance, if the anvil 2130 were to move through a range of motion during progressive closure at an angle between about 4 degrees and about 0 degrees relative to the longitudinal path 2160, the drive surface 2145 may be oriented at about 2 degrees relative to the longitudinal path 2160, for example, which represents a midpoint of the progressive closure range. Other embodiments are also possible. For example, if the anvil 2130 were to move through a range of motion during progressive closure at an angle between about 1 degree to about 0 degrees relative to the longitudinal path 2160, the drive surface 2145 may be oriented at about 1 degree relative to the longitudinal path 2160, for example, which represents an upper limit of the progressive closure range. In various circumstances, for example, it may be desirable for the firing member 2140 to progressively close the anvil 2130 through a range of motion of 5 degrees. In other instances, for example, it may be desirable for the firing member 2140 to progressively close the anvil 2130 through a 10 degree range of motion. In some instances, the anvil 2130 may not reach its fully closed position and, therefore, the progressive closure of the anvil 2130 may not reach 0 degrees.

In addition to the above, the driving surface 2145 of the protrusion 2143 is not parallel to the driving surface of the foot 2144. Referring primarily to fig. 64, drive surface 2145 extends along an axis 2183, and the drive surface of foot 2144 extends along an axis 2184. In at least one instance, the drive surface 2145 is oriented at an angle of approximately 0.5 degrees relative to the drive surface of the foot 2144, for example. Examples are contemplated in which, for example, the drive surface 2145 is oriented at an angle of about 1 degree relative to the drive surface of the foot 2144. Certain examples are contemplated in which, for example, the drive surface 2145 is oriented at an angle between about 0.5 degrees to about 5 degrees relative to the drive surface of the foot 2144. The drive surface of foot 2144 is parallel to longitudinal path 2160; however, other embodiments are also contemplated in which the drive surface of foot 2144 is not parallel to longitudinal path 2160.

The examples provided above are discussed in connection with a movable anvil; however, it should be understood that the teachings of these examples may be applied to any suitable movable jaw, such as a movable cartridge jaw. Similarly, examples provided elsewhere in this application may apply to any movable jaw.

Turning now to fig. 66-68, the firing member 2240 includes a firing bar and a coupling member 2242 attached to the firing bar. The coupling member 2242 includes a connector 2148 that connects the coupling member 2242 to the firing bar. Coupling member 2242 further includes a cutting member 2041 configured to incise tissue of a patient during a staple firing stroke. The coupling member 2242 further includes: a protrusion 2243 configured to engage an anvil, such as anvil 2030 or 2030'; and a foot 2144 configured to engage the staple cartridge jaw during a staple firing stroke. Each tab 2243 includes a drive surface 2245 defined on an underside thereof. Each tab 2243 further includes a rounded transition 2249 extending around its perimeter. Coupling member 2242 further includes a medial projection 2146 extending laterally therefrom that is configured to prevent firing member 2240 from performing a staple firing stroke when an unused staple cartridge is not positioned forward of firing member 2240 at the beginning of the staple firing stroke.

In addition to the above, each tab 2243 includes a leading or proximal end 2251 configured to engage the anvil, and a trailing end. The front end of each tab 2243 is different from the tail or rear end of the tab 2243. The leading end 2251 includes a radius that extends from the bottom drive surface 2245 of the protrusion 2243 to a location that is positioned above the longitudinal centerline 2250 of the protrusion 2243. The leading end 2251 includes a single radius of curvature; however, the leading end 2251 may include more than one radius of curvature. Each protrusion 2243 also includes a rounded edge 2259 between the rounded front end 2251 and the top surface of the protrusion 2243. The radius of curvature of the edge 2259 is smaller than the radius of curvature of the leading end 2251. Other embodiments are also contemplated in which the entire front end 2251, or at least a portion thereof, is linear. In any event, the configuration of the front end 2251 may deflect forces or loads transmitted between the firing member 2240 and the anvil away from the front end 2251 toward the rear end of the protrusion 2243. In other words, the configuration of the leading end 2251 may prevent the leading end 2251 from becoming a focus of forces transmitted between the firing member 2240 and the anvil. Such an arrangement may prevent or reduce the likelihood of firing member 2240 from sticking to the anvil, and may reduce the force required to move firing member 2240 distally.

Turning now to fig. 69-71, the firing member 2340 includes a firing bar and a linking member 2342 attached to the firing bar. The link member 2342 includes a connector 2148 that connects the link member 2342 to the firing rod. The coupling member 2342 further includes a cutting member 2041 that is configured to incise tissue of the patient during the staple firing stroke. The coupling member 2342 further includes: a protrusion 2343 configured to engage an anvil, such as the anvil 2030 or 2030'; and a foot 2144 configured to engage the staple cartridge jaw during a staple firing stroke. Each tab 2343 includes a drive surface defined on a bottom side thereof. Each tab 2343 also includes a rounded transition 2349 extending around its perimeter. The coupling member 2342 further includes a middle protrusion 2146 extending laterally therefrom that is configured to prevent the firing member 2340 from executing a staple firing stroke when an unused staple cartridge is not positioned forward of the firing member 2340 at the beginning of the staple firing stroke.

In addition to the above, each tab 2343 includes a rounded front end 2351. The leading end 2351 is similar to the leading end 2251 and includes a curved surface that extends across a centerline 2350 of the tab 2343. The front end 2251 has a different configuration than the rear end of the protrusion 2243. Each tab 2343 also includes a lateral or side end 2352. Each lateral end 2352 includes a flat surface positioned intermediate a rounded or curved edge 2347. The first rounded edge 2347 is positioned intermediate the top surface of the tab 2343 and the lateral end 2352, and further, the second rounded edge 2347 is positioned intermediate the bottom surface of the tab 2343 and the lateral end 2352.

Turning now to fig. 72-74, the firing member 2440 includes a firing bar and a coupling member 2442 attached to the firing bar. The coupling member 2442 includes a connector 2148 that connects the coupling member 2442 to the firing bar. The coupling member 2442 further comprises a cutting member 2041 configured to incise tissue of the patient during the staple firing stroke. The coupling member 2442 further includes: a protrusion 2443 configured to engage an anvil, such as anvil 2030 or 2030'; and a foot 2144 configured to engage the staple cartridge jaw during a staple firing stroke. Each protrusion 2443 includes a drive surface 2445 defined on an underside thereof. Each protrusion 2443 further includes a rounded transition extending around its perimeter. The coupling member 2442 further includes a middle protrusion 2146 extending laterally therefrom that is configured to prevent the firing member 2440 from executing a staple firing stroke when an unused staple cartridge is not positioned forward of the firing member 2440 at the beginning of the staple firing stroke.

In addition to the above, the lateral or lateral end of each protrusion 2443 is defined by more than one radius of curvature. Each protrusion 2443 includes a first radius of curvature 2447a extending from the bottom drive surface 2445 and a second radius of curvature 2447b extending from the top surface of the protrusion 2443. The first radius of curvature 2447a is different from the second radius of curvature 2447 b. For example, the first radius of curvature 2447a is greater than the second radius of curvature 2447 b. However,

curvatures

2447a and 2447b may include any suitable configuration. Referring primarily to fig. 74, a first radius of curvature 2447a extends upward past a centerline 2450 of the protrusion 2443.

Turning now to fig. 75-77, the firing member 2540 includes a firing bar and a coupling member 2542 attached to the firing bar. The coupling member 2542 includes a connector 2148 that connects the coupling member 2542 to the firing bar. Coupling member 2542 further comprises a cutting member 2041 configured to incise tissue of the patient during the staple firing stroke. Coupling member 2542 further includes: a projection 2543 configured to engage an anvil, such as the anvil 2030 or 2030'; and a foot 2144 configured to engage the staple cartridge jaw during a staple firing stroke. Each projection 2543 includes a drive surface defined on an underside thereof. Each projection 2543 also includes a radiused transition extending around its perimeter. The coupling member 2542 further comprises a middle protrusion 2146 extending laterally therefrom that is configured to prevent the firing member 2540 from executing a staple firing stroke when an unused staple cartridge is not positioned forward of the firing member 2540 at the beginning of the staple firing stroke.

In addition to the above, each projection 2543 includes a side or lateral end 2552 that is flat or at least substantially flat. Each projection 2543 further includes a rounded transition 2547 extending about lateral end 2552. Each projection 2543 is symmetrical, or at least substantially symmetrical, about a longitudinal centerline extending through lateral end 2552. In addition, the top and bottom surfaces of each projection 2543 are parallel to each other.

Referring primarily to fig. 76, the leading end 2551 of each projection 2543 is positioned distally relative to the cutting edge 2042 of the cutting portion 2041. A rear end 2559 of each projection 2543 is positioned proximally relative to cutting edge 2042. Thus, the protrusion 2043 longitudinally spans the cutting edge 2042. In such a case, the firing member 2540 can hold the anvil and staple cartridge together directly at the location where the tissue is cut.

Turning now to fig. 78-80, the firing member 2640 includes a firing bar and a coupling member 2642 attached to the firing bar. The coupling member 2642 includes a connector 2148 that connects the coupling member 2642 to the firing rod. The coupling member 2642 further includes a cutting member 2041 configured to incise tissue of the patient during the staple firing stroke. The coupling member 2642 further includes: a protrusion 2643 configured to engage an anvil such as anvil 2030 or 2030'; and a foot 2144 configured to engage the staple cartridge jaw during a staple firing stroke. Each projection 2643 includes a drive surface 2645 defined on an underside thereof. Each projection 2643 also includes a rounded transition 2649 extending around its perimeter. The coupling member 2642 further includes a middle protrusion 2146 extending laterally therefrom that is configured to prevent the firing member 2640 from executing a staple firing stroke when an unused staple cartridge is not positioned forward of the firing member 2640 at the beginning of the staple firing stroke.

In addition to the above, each projection 2643 further includes a lateral end 2652, a bottom drive surface 2645, and a top surface 2647. The bottom drive surface 2645 is flat and parallel to the longitudinal firing path 2660 of the firing member 2640. Referring primarily to FIG. 80, the top surface 2647 is flat, but not parallel to the longitudinal firing path 2660. Further, top surface 2647 is not parallel to bottom surface 2645. Thus, each projection 2643 is asymmetric. In effect, the orientation of the top surface 2647 offsets the moment of inertia of the projection 2643 over the lateral end 2652. This arrangement may increase the bending stiffness of the projection 2643, which may reduce deflection of the projection 2643.

Turning now to fig. 81-83, the firing member 2740 includes a firing bar and a coupling member 2742 attached to the firing bar. The coupling member 2742 includes a connector 2148 that connects the coupling member 2742 to the firing bar. The coupling member 2742 further includes a cutting member 2041 that is configured to incise tissue of the patient during the staple firing stroke. The coupling member 2742 further includes: a tab 2743 configured to engage an anvil, such as anvil 2030 or 2030'; and a foot 2144 configured to engage the staple cartridge jaw during a staple firing stroke. Each tab 2743 includes a drive surface defined on an underside thereof. The coupling member 2742 further includes a middle protrusion 2146 extending laterally therefrom that is configured to prevent the firing member 2740 from executing a staple firing stroke when an unused staple cartridge is not positioned forward of the firing member 2740 at the beginning of the staple firing stroke.

In addition to the above, each tab 2743 includes a first portion or front portion 2753a and a second portion or back portion 2753b positioned distally behind front portion 2753 a. The forward portion 2753a includes a curved lead-in surface 2751 defined on a distal end thereof that is configured to initially engage the anvil. The front portion 2753a also includes a first or front drive surface 2745a defined on an underside thereof. Similarly, the rear portion 2753b includes a second or rear drive surface 2745b defined on an underside thereof. Each tab 2743 also includes a transition 2752 defined between the front portion 2753a and the back portion 2753 b.

As the firing member 2740 is advanced distally, the drive surfaces 2745a and 2745b can cooperate to engage and position the anvil, in addition to the above. In certain embodiments, during a staple firing stroke, the drive surfaces 2745a and 2745b define a drive plane that is parallel, or at least substantially parallel, to the longitudinal path 2760 of the firing member 2740. However, in some cases, only the front drive surface 2745a may engage a cam surface defined on the anvil. This may occur, for example, when the firing member 2740 progressively closes the anvil.

In other embodiments, referring to fig. 93 and 94, the front drive surface 2745a is positioned above the rear drive surface 2745 b. In other words, the front drive surface 2745a is positioned further away from the longitudinal path 2760 than the rear drive surface 2745b such that both drive

surfaces

2745a and 2745b remain in contact with the anvil during the staple firing stroke. In at least one instance, the drive surfaces 2745a and 2745b can define a drive plane that is transverse to the longitudinal path 2760. In some cases, an angle of, for example, 1 degree may be defined between the drive plane and the longitudinal path 2760. In various instances, the front drive surface 2745a is positioned vertically above the rear drive surface 2745b, for example, at a distance of approximately 0.001 ". In other embodiments, the front drive surface 2745a is positioned vertically above the rear drive surface 2745b, for example, at a distance of about 0.002 ". In some cases, the front drive surface 2745a is positioned above the rear drive surface 2745b at a distance of between about 0.001 "to about 0.002".

In certain instances, referring again to fig. 93, as the firing member 2740 progressively closes the anvil, only the rear drive surface 2745b may contact the cam surface of the anvil. In this case, the front drive surface 2745a does not contact the cam surface of the anvil. Such an arrangement may reduce plastic deformation of the projections 2743 and may reduce the force required to advance the firing member 2740 distally as compared to when only the front drive surface 2745a is in contact with the cam surface of the anvil. As the anvil begins to bend due to the staple forming load applied to the anvil, in some cases, the anvil may bend upward to contact the front drive surface 2745a, as shown in fig. 94.

The front portion 2753a is thicker than the back portion 2753 b. In other words, the front portion 2753a has a greater bending moment of inertia than the rear portion 2753b, which can resist upward bending of the tab 2743. Thus, the rear portion 2753b may deflect more upward than the front portion 2753 a. In such a case, even if the firing member 2740 is used to progressively close the anvil, the two

portions

2753a and 2753b of the projection 2743 are more likely to remain in contact with the anvil during the staple firing stroke. In addition, the front portion 2753a also has a greater shear thickness than the back portion 2753b, which may better resist shear forces transmitted through the projections 2743. The front portion 2753a tends to be exposed to greater shear forces than the back portion 2753b, and thus may benefit from increased shear thickness. If it is believed that the posterior portion 2753b can experience greater shear forces than the anterior portion 2753a, for example, the posterior portion 2753b can have a greater shear thickness than the anterior portion 2753 a.

Turning now to fig. 84-86, the firing member 2840 includes a firing bar and a coupling member 2842 attached to the firing bar. The coupling member 2842 includes a connector 2148 that connects the coupling member 2842 to the firing rod. The coupling member 2842 further includes a cutting member 2041 that is configured to incise tissue of the patient during the staple firing stroke. The coupling member 2842 further includes: a protrusion configured to engage an anvil, such as anvil 2030 or 2030'; and a foot 2144 configured to engage the staple cartridge jaw during a staple firing stroke. As described in more detail below, each projection includes a drive surface defined on an underside thereof. The coupling member 2842 further includes a middle protrusion 2146 extending laterally therefrom that is configured to prevent the firing member 2840 from executing a staple firing stroke when an unused staple cartridge is not positioned forward of the firing member 2840 at the beginning of the staple firing stroke.

In addition to the above, each side of the coupling member includes a first or front tab 2843d and a second or rear tab 2843p positioned rearward of the front tab 2843 d. The forward tab 2843d includes a curved lead-in surface 2851d defined on a distal end thereof that is configured to initially engage the anvil. The front tab 2843d also includes a first or front drive surface 2845d defined on an underside thereof. Similarly, the rear tab 2843p includes a curved lead-in surface 2851p defined on a distal end thereof that is configured to engage the anvil. The rear tab 2843p also includes a second or rear drive surface 2845p defined on an underside thereof.

As the firing member 2840 is advanced distally, the drive surfaces 2845d and 2845p may cooperate to engage and position the anvil, in addition to the above. In certain embodiments, the drive surfaces 2845d and 2845p define a drive plane that is parallel, or at least substantially parallel, to the longitudinal path 2860 of the firing member 2840 during a staple firing stroke. In other embodiments, front drive surface 2845d is positioned above rear drive surface 2845 p. In other words, the front drive surface 2845d is positioned further away from the longitudinal path 2860 than the rear drive surface 2845 p. In at least one instance, drive

surfaces

2845d and 2845p can define a drive plane that is transverse to longitudinal path 2860. In some cases, an angle of, for example, 1 degree may be defined between the drive plane and the longitudinal path 2860.

In addition to the above, the front and

rear tabs

2843d, 2843p may move relative to each other. In various circumstances, the front and

rear tabs

2843d, 2843p on one side of the link member 2842 can move independently of each other. This arrangement can allow the

tabs

2843d and 2843p to independently adapt to the orientation of the anvil, particularly when the firing member 2840 is used to progressively close the anvil. Thus, both the

protrusions

2843d and 2843p can remain engaged with the anvil such that force flows between the firing member 2840 and the anvil at multiple locations and such that plastic deformation of the protrusions is reduced.

FIG. 91 depicts the energy required by the first firing member to complete the firing stroke (labeled 2090') and the energy required by the second firing member to complete the firing stroke (labeled 3090). The firing stroke 2090' represents a condition where significant plastic deformation and wear occurs. The firing stroke 3090 represents an improvement to the firing stroke 2090', where the deformation of the firing member and anvil protrusions is mostly elastic. It is believed that in certain instances, for example, by employing the teachings disclosed herein, the plastic strain experienced by the firing member and/or anvil may be reduced by about 40% to 60%.

Various embodiments described herein may be used to balance loads transferred between the firing member and the anvil. These embodiments can also be used to balance loads transferred between the firing member and the staple cartridge jaw. In any event, the firing member can be designed to provide a desired result, but it will be appreciated that such a desired result may not be achieved in some circumstances due to, for example, manufacturing tolerances of the stapling instrument and/or variability in the thickness of the tissue captured within the end effector. In at least one instance, the upper protrusion and/or foot of the firing member can, for example, include a wearable feature configured to allow the firing member to define a balanced connection with the anvil.

In addition to the above, referring now to fig. 87-90, the firing member 2940 includes lateral projections 2943. Each projection 2943 includes a longitudinal ridge 2945 extending from the bottom thereof. The ridges 2945 are configured to plastically deform and/or smear when the firing member 2940 is advanced distally to engage the anvil. The ridges 2945 are configured to quickly wear in or establish an overbending posture to increase the contact area between the projections 2943 and the anvil and provide better load balancing between the firing member 2940 and the anvil. Such an arrangement may be particularly useful when the end effector is used to perform several staple firing strokes. In addition to or in lieu of the above, one or more wearable pads may be attached to a protrusion of a firing member that may be configured to plastically deform.

Examples

Example 1-a surgical instrument comprising a firing member, a cartridge jaw, and an anvil jaw. The firing member includes a longitudinal drive portion and a cam extending laterally from the longitudinal drive portion. The storehouse is kept silent and is included: a longitudinal cartridge slot configured to receive a longitudinal drive portion of a firing member; and an inner longitudinal staple row lumen adjacent the longitudinal cartridge slot. The cartridge jaw further comprises a lateral longitudinal staple line cavity, wherein the inner longitudinal staple line cavity is positioned intermediate the longitudinal cartridge slot and the lateral longitudinal staple line cavity. The cartridge jaw further comprises staples removably stored in the inner longitudinal staple ejection cavity and the lateral longitudinal staple ejection cavity, wherein the firing member is movable through the cartridge jaw to eject the staples from the inner longitudinal staple ejection cavity and the lateral longitudinal staple ejection cavity. The anvil jaw includes an inner longitudinal row of forming pockets configured to align with the inner longitudinal staple pockets and a lateral longitudinal row of forming pockets configured to align with the lateral longitudinal staple pockets. The anvil jaw further comprises a longitudinal anvil slot comprising: a central portion configured to receive a longitudinal drive portion of a firing member; and a lateral opening extending laterally from the central portion configured to receive the cam, wherein the lateral opening does not extend laterally beyond the inner longitudinal row forming pocket.

Example 2-the surgical instrument of example 1, wherein the cam does not extend laterally beyond the inner longitudinal row of forming pockets.

Example 3-the surgical instrument of example 1, wherein the cam does not extend laterally into the inner longitudinal row of forming pockets.

Example 4-the surgical instrument of examples 1 or 2, wherein the inner longitudinal row of shaped pockets comprises a centerline, and wherein the cam does not extend laterally beyond the centerline.

Example 5-the surgical instrument of examples 1 or 3, wherein the inner longitudinal row of shaped pockets comprises a centerline, and wherein the cam does not extend laterally to the centerline.

Example 6-the surgical instrument of example 1, wherein the firing member further comprises a second cam extending laterally from the longitudinal drive portion, wherein the longitudinal anvil slot further comprises a second lateral opening extending laterally from the central portion configured to receive the second cam.

Example 7-the surgical instrument of example 6, wherein the cartridge jaw further comprises a second inner longitudinal row of staple cavities, wherein the inner longitudinal row of staple cavities and the second inner longitudinal row of staple cavities are positioned on opposite sides of the longitudinal cartridge slot, wherein the anvil jaw further comprises a second inner longitudinal row of forming pockets configured to align with the second inner longitudinal row of staple cavities, and wherein the second lateral opening does not extend laterally beyond the second inner longitudinal row of forming pockets.

Example 8-the surgical instrument of examples 6 or 7, wherein the second cam does not extend laterally beyond the second inner longitudinal row of forming pockets.

Example 9-the surgical instrument of examples 6 or 7, wherein the second cam does not extend laterally into the second inner longitudinal row of forming pockets.

Example 10-the surgical instrument of example 7, wherein the second inner longitudinal row of shaped pockets comprises a centerline, and wherein the second cam does not extend laterally beyond the centerline.

Example 11-the surgical instrument of example 7, wherein the second inner longitudinal row of shaped pockets comprises a centerline, and wherein the second cam does not extend laterally to the centerline.

Example 12-the surgical instrument of examples 1, 2,3, 4,5, 6,7, 8,9, 10, or 11, wherein the anvil jaw is rotatable relative to the cartridge jaw between an open position and a closed position.

Example 13-the surgical instrument of examples 1, 2,3, 4,5, 6,7, 8,9, 10, 11, or 12, wherein the cartridge jaw is rotatable relative to the anvil jaw between an open position and a closed position.

Example 14-the surgical instrument of examples 1, 2,3, 4,5, 6,7, 8,9, 10, 11, 12, or 13, wherein at least a portion of the cartridge jaw is replaceable.

Example 15-a surgical instrument comprising a firing member, a cartridge jaw, and an anvil jaw. The firing member includes a longitudinal drive portion and a cam extending laterally from the longitudinal drive portion. The storehouse is kept silent and is included: a longitudinal cartridge slot configured to receive a longitudinal drive portion of a firing member; and an inner longitudinal staple row lumen adjacent the longitudinal cartridge slot. The cartridge jaw further comprises a lateral longitudinal staple line cavity, wherein the inner longitudinal staple line cavity is positioned intermediate the longitudinal cartridge slot and the lateral longitudinal staple line cavity. The cartridge jaw further comprises staples removably stored in the inner longitudinal staple ejection cavity and the lateral longitudinal staple ejection cavity, wherein the firing member is movable through the cartridge jaw to eject the staples from the inner longitudinal staple ejection cavity and the lateral longitudinal staple ejection cavity. The anvil jaw includes an inner longitudinal row of forming pockets configured to align with the inner longitudinal row of staple cavities and a lateral longitudinal row of forming pockets configured to align with the lateral longitudinal row of staple cavities, wherein the inner longitudinal row of forming pockets defines a centerline. The anvil jaw further comprises a longitudinal anvil slot comprising: a central portion configured to receive a longitudinal drive portion of a firing member; and a lateral opening extending laterally from the central portion configured to receive the cam, wherein the lateral opening does not extend laterally beyond the centerline.

Example 16-the surgical instrument of example 15, wherein the cam does not extend laterally into the inner longitudinal row of forming pockets.

Example 17-the surgical instrument of example 15, wherein the cam does not extend laterally to the centerline.

Example 18-the surgical instrument of example 15, wherein the firing member further comprises a second cam extending laterally from the longitudinal drive portion, and wherein the longitudinal anvil slot further comprises a second lateral opening extending laterally from the central portion configured to receive the second cam.

Example 19-the surgical instrument of example 18, wherein the cartridge jaw further comprises a second inner longitudinal staple line lumen, wherein the longitudinal staple line lumen and the second inner longitudinal staple line lumen are positioned on opposite sides of the longitudinal cartridge slot. The anvil jaw further comprises a second inner longitudinal row of forming pockets configured to align with the second inner longitudinal row of staple cavities, wherein the second inner longitudinal row of forming pockets defines a second centerline, and wherein the second lateral opening does not extend laterally beyond the second centerline.

Example 20-the surgical instrument of example 19, wherein the second cam does not extend laterally into the second inner longitudinal row of forming pockets.

Example 21-the surgical instrument of example 19, wherein the second cam does not extend laterally to the second centerline.

Example 22-the surgical instrument of examples 15, 16, 17, 18, 19,20, or 21, wherein the anvil jaw is rotatable relative to the cartridge jaw between an open position and a closed position.

Example 23-the surgical instrument of examples 15, 16, 17, 18, 19,20, 21, or 22, wherein the cartridge jaw is rotatable relative to the anvil jaw between an open position and a closed position.

Example 24-the surgical instrument of examples 15, 16, 17, 18, 19,20, 21, 22, or 23, wherein at least a portion of the cartridge jaw is replaceable.

Example 25-a surgical instrument comprising a firing member, a cartridge jaw, and an anvil jaw. The firing member includes a longitudinal drive portion and a cam extending laterally from the longitudinal drive portion. The storehouse is kept silent and is included: a longitudinal cartridge slot configured to receive a longitudinal drive portion of a firing member; and an inner longitudinal staple row lumen adjacent the longitudinal cartridge slot. The cartridge jaw further comprises a lateral longitudinal staple bar cavity, wherein the inner longitudinal staple bar cavity is positioned intermediate the longitudinal cartridge slot and the lateral longitudinal staple bar cavity, and staples are removably stored in the inner longitudinal staple bar cavity and the lateral longitudinal staple bar cavity; wherein the firing member is movable through the cartridge jaw to eject the staples from the inner and lateral longitudinal staple pockets. The anvil jaw includes an inner longitudinal row of forming pockets configured to align with the inner longitudinal row of staple cavities and a lateral longitudinal row of forming pockets configured to align with the lateral longitudinal row of staple cavities, wherein the inner longitudinal row of forming pockets defines a centerline. The anvil jaw further comprises a longitudinal anvil slot comprising: a central portion configured to receive a longitudinal drive portion of a firing member; and a lateral opening extending laterally from the central portion configured to receive the cam, wherein the lateral opening does not extend laterally to the centerline.

Example 26-the surgical instrument of example 25, wherein the anvil jaw is rotatable relative to the cartridge jaw between an open position and a closed position.

Example 27-the surgical instrument of examples 25 or 26, wherein the cartridge jaw is rotatable relative to the anvil jaw between an open position and a closed position.

Example 28-the surgical instrument of examples 25, 26, or 27, wherein at least a portion of the cartridge jaw is replaceable.

Example 29-a surgical instrument comprising a firing member and an anvil jaw. The firing member includes a longitudinal drive portion and a cam extending laterally from the longitudinal drive portion. The anvil jaw includes a longitudinal row of forming pockets and a longitudinal anvil slot. The longitudinal anvil slot includes: a central portion configured to receive a longitudinal drive portion of a firing member; and a lateral opening extending laterally from the central portion configured to receive the cam. The lateral opening includes a closed lateral end, wherein the closed lateral end is fully curved.

Example 30-the surgical instrument of example 29, wherein the closed lateral end is defined by a single radius of curvature.

Example 31-the surgical instrument of examples 29 or 30, wherein the cam comprises a lateral cam end, and wherein the lateral cam end is defined by a radius or curvature that matches the single radius of curvature.

Example 32-the surgical instrument of examples 29 or 30, wherein the cam comprises a lateral cam end, and wherein the lateral cam end is defined by a radius of curvature that is less than the single radius of curvature.

Example 33-the surgical instrument of example 29, wherein the closed lateral end is defined by more than one radius of curvature.

Example 34-the surgical instrument of examples 29, 30, 31, 32, or 33, wherein the firing member further comprises a second cam extending laterally from the longitudinal drive portion, wherein the longitudinal anvil slot comprises a second lateral opening extending laterally from a central portion configured to receive the second cam, wherein the second lateral opening comprises a second closed lateral end, and wherein the second lateral end is fully curved.

Example 35-the surgical instrument of examples 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, or 34, further comprising: a cartridge jaw comprising a cartridge body; and a longitudinal cartridge slot configured to receive a longitudinal drive portion of the firing member. The cartridge jaw also includes a longitudinal staple line cavity configured to align with the forming pocket and staples removably stored in the longitudinal staple line cavity. A firing member is movable through the cartridge body to eject the staples from the longitudinal staple ejection cavities.

Example 36-the surgical instrument of example 35, wherein the anvil jaw is rotatable relative to the cartridge jaw.

Example 37-the surgical instrument of examples 35 or 36, wherein the cartridge jaw is rotatable relative to the anvil jaw.

Example 38-the surgical instrument of examples 35, 36, or 37, wherein at least a portion of the cartridge jaws are replaceable.

Example 39-the surgical instrument of example 29, wherein the closed lateral end comprises a rounded profile.

Example 40-the surgical instrument of example 29, wherein the longitudinal drive portion comprises a first lateral width, wherein the cam comprises a second lateral width, and wherein the second lateral width is less than 3/4 of the first lateral width.

Example 41-the surgical instrument of example 29, wherein the longitudinal drive portion comprises a first lateral width, wherein the cam comprises a second lateral width, and wherein the second lateral width is less than 2/3 of the first lateral width.

Example 42-the surgical instrument of example 29, wherein the longitudinal drive portion comprises a first lateral width, wherein the cam comprises a second lateral width, and wherein the second lateral width is less than 1/2 of the first lateral width.

Example 43-a surgical instrument comprising a firing member and an anvil jaw. The firing member includes a longitudinal drive portion and a cam extending laterally from the longitudinal drive portion. The anvil jaw includes a longitudinal row of forming pockets and a longitudinal anvil slot. The longitudinal anvil slot includes: a central portion configured to receive a longitudinal drive portion of a firing member; and a lateral opening extending laterally from the central portion configured to receive the cam. The lateral opening includes a closed lateral end, wherein the closed lateral end is rounded.

Example 44-a surgical instrument comprising a firing member and an anvil jaw. The firing member includes a longitudinal drive portion and a cam extending laterally from the longitudinal drive portion, wherein the cam includes an arcuate lateral cam end. The anvil jaw includes a longitudinal row of forming pockets and a longitudinal anvil slot. The longitudinal anvil slot includes: a central portion configured to receive a longitudinal drive portion of a firing member; and a lateral slot extending laterally from the central portion configured to receive the cam. The lateral slot includes an arcuate slot end with an arcuate lateral cam end closely received therein.

Example 45-a surgical instrument comprising a firing system, a cartridge jaw, and an anvil jaw. The firing system includes a cutting member and a bottom cam extending laterally from the cutting member. The firing system also includes a top cam, wherein the top cam includes a base attached to the cutting member, a free end, and a tapered cross-section between the base and the free end. The bottom cam is configured to engage the cartridge jaw during a firing stroke of the firing system. The anvil jaw includes a longitudinal row of forming pockets and a longitudinal anvil slot. The longitudinal anvil slot includes: a central portion configured to receive a cutting member; and a lateral opening extending laterally from the central portion configured to receive the top cam during the firing stroke.

Example 46-the surgical instrument of example 45, wherein the anvil jaw is movable relative to the cartridge jaw between an open position and a closed position.

Example 47-the surgical instrument of examples 45 or 46, wherein the top cam is configured to engage and move the anvil jaw toward the closed position.

Example 48-the surgical instrument of examples 45 or 46, wherein the top cam is configured to engage and hold the anvil jaw in the closed position.

Example 49-the surgical instrument of example 45, wherein the cartridge jaw is movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the anvil jaw.

Example 50-the surgical instrument of example 49, wherein the bottom cam is configured to engage and move the cartridge jaws toward the closed position.

Example 51-the surgical instrument of example 49, wherein the bottom cam is configured to engage the cartridge jaws and hold the cartridge jaws in a closed position.

Example 52-the surgical instrument of examples 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, or 51, wherein the cartridge jaw comprises a replaceable staple cartridge comprising staples removably stored therein.

Example 53-the surgical instrument of example 52, wherein the staple cartridge further comprises a sled configured to eject the staples from the staple cartridge, the sled comprising at least one ramped surface.

Example 54-the surgical instrument of example 45, wherein the cartridge jaw further comprises a sled configured to eject the staples from the staple cartridge.

Example 55-the surgical instrument of examples 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, or 54, wherein the tapered cross-section comprises a linear taper.

Example 56-the surgical instrument of examples 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, or 55, wherein the tapered cross-section comprises a non-linear taper.

Example 57-a surgical instrument comprising a firing member, a cartridge jaw, and an anvil jaw. The firing member includes a bottom cam and a top cam extending laterally from the firing member. The top cam includes a base attached to the firing member, a free end, and an angled portion extending between the base and the free end. The bottom cam is configured to engage the cartridge jaw during a firing stroke of the firing member. The anvil jaw includes a longitudinal row of forming pockets and a longitudinal anvil slot. The longitudinal anvil slot includes: a vertical portion configured to receive a firing member; and a lateral opening extending laterally from the vertical portion configured to receive the top cam during the firing stroke.

Example 58-a surgical system comprising a shaft portion defining a shaft longitudinal axis and a firing member movable through a firing stroke. The firing member includes a first cam extending laterally from the firing member and a second cam extending laterally from the firing member, wherein the first cam defines a first longitudinal axis. The second cam defines a second longitudinal axis, and wherein the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis are non-parallel to each other. The surgical system further includes a first jaw, wherein the first cam is configured to engage the first jaw during a firing stroke of the firing member. The surgical system further includes a second jaw, wherein the second cam is configured to engage the second jaw during a firing stroke of the firing member, and wherein the first jaw is movable relative to the second jaw between an open position and a closed position.

Example 59-the surgical system of example 58, further comprising a replaceable staple cartridge comprising staples removably stored therein, wherein the firing member is configured to eject the staples from the staple cartridge during a firing stroke.

Example 60-the surgical system of examples 58 or 59, wherein the firing member further comprises a cutting portion configured to cut tissue clamped between the first jaw and the second jaw.

Example 61-the surgical system of examples 58, 59, or 60, wherein the first longitudinal axis is parallel to the shaft longitudinal axis, and wherein the second longitudinal axis is not parallel to the shaft longitudinal axis.

Example 62-the surgical system of examples 58, 59, or 60, wherein the first longitudinal axis is not parallel to the shaft longitudinal axis, and wherein the second longitudinal axis is parallel to the shaft longitudinal axis.

Example 63-the surgical system of examples 58, 59, 60, 61, or 62, wherein the first cam comprises a longitudinal ridge defined thereon configured to deform against the first jaw during a firing stroke.

Example 64-the surgical system of examples 58, 59, 60, 61, or 62, wherein the second cam comprises a longitudinal ridge defined thereon configured to deform against the second jaw during a firing stroke.

Example 65-the surgical system of examples 58, 59, 60, 61, or 62, wherein the first cam comprises a wear pad defined thereon configured to wear against the first jaw during a firing stroke.

Example 66-the surgical system of examples 58, 59, 60, 61, or 62, wherein the second cam comprises a wear pad defined thereon configured to wear against the second jaw during the firing stroke.

Example 67-the surgical system of examples 58, 59, 60, 61, or 62, wherein the first cam comprises an anterior projection comprising an anterior projection end. The first cam further includes a rear projection including a rear projection end, wherein the front projection end and the rear projection end are movable relative to each other.

Example 68-a surgical instrument comprising a firing member movable through a firing stroke, a cartridge jaw, and an anvil jaw. The firing member includes a first cam extending laterally from the firing member and a second cam extending laterally from the firing member. The second cam includes a front end, a rear end, and an intermediate portion extending between the front end and the rear end. The front end is positioned further away from the first cam than the rear end. The first cam is configured to engage the cartridge jaw during a firing stroke of the firing member. The anvil jaw includes a longitudinal row of forming pockets, wherein the second cam is configured to engage the anvil jaw during a firing stroke.

Example 69-the surgical instrument of example 68, wherein the intermediate portion is angled relative to the first cam.

Example 70-the surgical instrument of examples 68 or 69, wherein the firing member is configured to move along a firing path during a firing stroke, and wherein the intermediate portion is inclined relative to the firing path.

Example 71-the surgical instrument of example 70, wherein the first cam extends along a first longitudinal axis that is parallel to the firing path.

Example 72-the surgical instrument of examples 68, 69, 70, or 71, wherein the cartridge jaw comprises a replaceable staple cartridge comprising staples removably stored therein, and wherein the firing member is configured to eject the staples from the staple cartridge during a firing stroke.

Example 73-the surgical instrument of examples 68, 69, 70, or 71, wherein the first cam comprises a longitudinal ridge defined thereon configured to deform against the cartridge jaws during a firing stroke.

Example 74-the surgical instrument of examples 68, 69, 70, or 71, wherein the second cam comprises a longitudinal ridge defined thereon configured to deform against the anvil jaw during the firing stroke.

Example 75-the surgical instrument of examples 68, 69, 70, or 71, wherein the first cam comprises a longitudinal wear pad defined thereon configured to wear against the cartridge jaw during the firing stroke.

Example 76-the surgical instrument of examples 68, 69, 70, or 71, wherein the second cam comprises a longitudinal wear pad defined thereon configured to wear against the anvil jaw during the firing stroke.

Example 77-a surgical system comprising a firing member movable through a firing stroke, a first jaw, and a second jaw. The firing member includes a first cam extending laterally from the firing member and a second cam extending laterally from the firing member. The second cam includes a front tab including a front tab end and a rear tab including a rear tab end, wherein the front tab end and the rear tab end are unattached to each other. The first cam is configured to engage the first jaw during a firing stroke of the firing member, and the second cam is configured to engage the second jaw during a firing stroke of the firing member.

Example 78-the surgical system of example 77, wherein the first jaw is movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the second jaw.

Example 79-the surgical system of examples 77 or 78, wherein the second jaw is movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the first jaw.

Example 80-the surgical system of example 77, wherein the first jaw comprises a replaceable staple cartridge comprising staples removably stored therein, and wherein the second jaw comprises an anvil configured to deform the staples.

Example 81-the surgical system of example 77, wherein the second jaw comprises a replaceable staple cartridge comprising staples removably stored therein, and wherein the first jaw comprises an anvil configured to deform the staples.

Example 82-the surgical system of examples 77, 78, 79, 80, or 81, wherein the posterior projection is positioned closer to the first cam than the anterior projection.

Example 83-the surgical system of examples 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, or 82, wherein the first cam comprises a longitudinal ridge defined thereon configured to deform against the first jaw during a firing stroke.

Example 84-the surgical system of examples 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, or 83, wherein the first cam comprises a longitudinal wear pad defined thereon configured to wear against the first jaw during a firing stroke.

Example 85-the surgical system of examples 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, or 84, wherein the anterior and posterior tabs are movable relative to each other.

Example 86-the surgical system of examples 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, or 85, wherein the anterior and posterior projections extend to the same side of the firing member.

Example 87-a surgical system comprising a firing member movable through a firing stroke, a first jaw, and a second jaw. The firing member includes a first cam extending laterally from the firing member and a second cam extending laterally from the firing member. The second cam includes a front projection including a front projection end and a rear projection including a rear projection end, wherein the front projection end and the rear projection end are movable relative to each other. The first cam is configured to engage the first jaw during a firing stroke of the firing member, and the second cam is configured to engage the second jaw during a firing stroke of the firing member.

Example 88-a surgical system comprising a firing member movable through a firing stroke, a first jaw, and a second jaw. The firing member includes a first cam extending laterally from the firing member and a second cam extending laterally from the firing member. The second cam includes a longitudinal ridge defined thereon that is configured to deform against the second jaw during a firing stroke. The first cam is configured to engage the first jaw during a firing stroke of the firing member, and the second cam is configured to engage the second jaw during a firing stroke of the firing member.

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. Pat. No. 7,422,139 entitled "MOTOR-DRIVEN SURGICAL CUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT WITH TACTILE POSITION FEEDBACK" published on 9.9.2008;

-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 HAVAGING RF ELECTRODES" filed on 14.2.2008;

U.S. patent application serial No. 12/031,873 (now U.S. patent 7,980,443) entitled "END effects FOR a SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING INSTRUMENT" filed on 15/2/2008;

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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;

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While various devices have been described herein in connection with certain embodiments, many modifications and variations to these embodiments may be implemented. 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. In particular, 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 can 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 surgical system, comprising:

a shaft portion defining a shaft longitudinal axis;

a firing member movable through a firing stroke, the firing member comprising:

a first cam extending laterally from the firing member, wherein the first cam defines a first longitudinal axis; and

a second cam extending laterally from the firing member; wherein the second cam defines a second longitudinal axis, and wherein the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis are non-parallel to each other;

a first jaw, wherein the first cam is configured to engage the first jaw during the firing stroke of the firing member; and

a second jaw, wherein the second cam is configured to engage the second jaw during the firing stroke of the firing member, and wherein the first jaw is movable relative to the second jaw between an open position and a closed position,

wherein the first cam includes:

a front projection comprising a front projection end; and

a rear tab comprising a rear tab end, wherein the front tab end and the rear tab end are unattached and movable relative to each other.

2. The surgical system of claim 1, further comprising a replaceable staple cartridge comprising staples removably stored therein, wherein the firing member is configured to eject the staples from the staple cartridge during the firing stroke.

3. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the firing member further comprises a cutting portion configured to cut tissue clamped between the first jaw and the second jaw.

4. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the first longitudinal axis is parallel to the shaft longitudinal axis, and wherein the second longitudinal axis is non-parallel to the shaft longitudinal axis.

5. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the first longitudinal axis is not parallel to the shaft longitudinal axis, and wherein the second longitudinal axis is parallel to the shaft longitudinal axis.

6. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the first cam comprises a longitudinal ridge defined thereon configured to deform against the first jaw during the firing stroke.

7. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the second cam comprises a longitudinal ridge defined thereon configured to deform against the second jaw during the firing stroke.

8. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the first cam comprises a wear pad defined thereon configured to wear against the first jaw during the firing stroke.

9. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the second cam comprises a wear pad defined thereon configured to wear against the second jaw during the firing stroke.