JP2019513053A - Surgical stapling system with grooved formation pocket - Google Patents

Abstract

An end effector for use with a surgical fastener comprising a staple cartridge and an anvil is disclosed. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body including a deck and, in addition, fasteners removably stored within the cartridge body, each fastener comprising a base and legs extending from the base. The anvil includes a tissue compression surface and a formation pocket defined in the tissue compression surface. Each forming pocket has a first end configured to receive a staple leg, a second end, a central axis extending between the first end and the second end, and a first end The channel includes a concave rotating surface extending between the second end and a channel defined in the concave rotating surface, the channel being laterally offset from the central axis.

Description

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

The various features of the embodiments described herein, together with their advantages, may be understood as follows in the following description and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surgical instrument that includes a replaceable surgical tool assembly, according to at least one embodiment. FIG. 7 is another perspective view of the surgical instrument handle assembly of FIG. 1 with the portion of the handle housing omitted for exposure of components contained therein. FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a portion of the handle assembly of the surgical instrument of FIGS. 1 and 2; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the handle assembly of FIGS. 2 and 3; The partial cross section of the handle assembly of FIGS. 2-4 with the handle of the handle assembly shown as a solid line in one position relative to the basic housing portion and a very thin line in another position relative to the basic housing portion of the handle assembly. It is a side view. 6 is an end cross-sectional view of the handle assembly of FIGS. 2-5, taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 5; 7 is another end cross-sectional view of the handle assembly of FIGS. 2-6, taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 5; FIG. 8 is another end cross-sectional view of the handle assembly of FIGS. 2-7, showing the shift lever gear in meshing engagement with the drive gear in a rotational drive bearing; FIG. 9 is another end cross-sectional view of the handle assembly of FIGS. 2-8 showing the position of the shift lever solenoid when the shift lever gear is in meshing engagement with the drive gear in a rotational drive bearing. FIG. 10 is another perspective view of the handle assembly of FIGS. 2-9, with its particular portion shown in cross section and with its access panel portion shown in phantom; FIG. 12 is a top view of the handle assembly of FIGS. 2-11 with the first aid system shown in an operable position. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the first aid handle of the first aid system shown in FIGS. FIG. 13 is an exploded view of a portion of the first aid handle of FIG. 12 shown in cross section with a portion thereof. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional elevation view of the handle assembly of FIG. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surgical stapling attachment comprising a attachment device portion, a shaft assembly, an articulation joint, and an end effector assembly. FIG. 16 is a partial perspective view of the staple cartridge assembly, end effector assembly, and articulation joint of the surgical stapling attachment of FIG. 15; FIG. 16 is a partially exploded view of the end effector assembly, articulation joint, and shaft assembly of the surgical stapling attachment of FIG. 15; FIG. 16 is a partial perspective view of the accessory portion and shaft assembly of the surgical stapling instrument of FIG. 15; FIG. 16 is a partial perspective view of the end effector assembly, articulating joint and shaft assembly of the surgical stapling attachment of FIG. 15, with the shaft assembly capable of driving the closure drive and the firing drive; The shift assembly is configured to move between the sexes, and the shift assembly is illustrated in a position to drive the firing drive. FIG. 16 is a partial exploded perspective view of the end effector assembly, articulating joint, and shaft assembly of the surgical stapling attachment of FIG. 15 with the shift assembly shown in position to drive the closure drive; There is. FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the closure frame of the end effector assembly of the surgical stapling attachment of FIG. 15, the closure frame corresponding slots for engaging the tissue retention pin mechanism of the end effector assembly, and a staple cartridge assembly And a corresponding drive tab for engaging the Figure 22 is a bottom view of the closure frame shown in Figure 21; Figure 22 is a side view of the closure frame shown in Figure 21; FIG. 16 is a partially exploded view of the end effector assembly, articulating joint, and shaft assembly of the surgical stapling attachment of FIG. 15 with the shift assembly shown in position to drive the closure drive; . FIG. 16 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the end effector assembly, articulating joint and shaft assembly of the surgical stapling attachment of FIG. 15, wherein the shift assembly is in a first position for driving the closure drive, and the end effector The assembly is in the open configuration. FIG. 16 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the end effector assembly, articulating joint and shaft assembly of the surgical stapling attachment of FIG. 15 with the shift assembly in a first position and the end effector assembly partially closed; It is in the arrangement. FIG. 16 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the end effector assembly, articulating joint, and shaft assembly of the surgical stapling attachment of FIG. 15 with the shift assembly in a first position and the end effector assembly fully fixed; It is in an arrangement. FIG. 16 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the end effector assembly, articulating joint, and shaft assembly of the surgical stapling attachment of FIG. 15, wherein the shift assembly is moved from a first position to a second position to drive the firing drive; And the end effector assembly is in a completely fixed configuration. FIG. 16 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the end effector assembly, articulating joint and shaft assembly of the surgical stapling attachment of FIG. 15 with the shift assembly in a second position and the surgical stapling attachment fully; In launch configuration. FIG. 16 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the end effector assembly, articulating joint, and shaft assembly of the surgical stapling attachment of FIG. 15, wherein the shift assembly is moved from the second position to the third position to drive the firing drive; And simultaneously drive the closure drive, and the surgical stapling attachment is completely in the firing configuration. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a shaft assembly comprising a staple cartridge, according to at least one embodiment. FIG. 30C is a partial perspective view of the shaft assembly of FIG. 30A showing the staple cartridge removed from the shaft assembly. FIG. 30B is a partially exploded view of the shaft assembly of FIG. 30A. FIG. 30B is a partial cross-sectional view of the shaft assembly of FIG. 30A, shown in an open, non-fixed configuration. FIG. 30B is a partial cross-sectional view of the shaft assembly of FIG. 30A shown in a closed, fixed arrangement. FIG. 30B is a partial cross-sectional view of the shaft assembly of FIG. 30A shown in a launch configuration. FIG. 30B is a partial cross-sectional view of the shaft assembly of FIG. 30A showing a power harvesting system according to at least one embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surgical stapling attachment or a surgical stapling instrument comprising an attachment device portion, a shaft assembly, an articulation joint, and an end effector assembly. FIG. 32 is a partial cross-sectional view of the articulating joint and end effector assembly of the instrument of FIG. 31, the end effector assembly comprising an end effector frame, a closing frame, and a stapling cartridge assembly. FIG. 32 is a partial cross-sectional view of the shaft assembly, articulating joint, and end effector assembly of the instrument of FIG. 31, showing the stapling cartridge assembly mounted within the end effector assembly. FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the accessory device portion and shaft assembly of the device of FIG. 31, the accessory device portion transmitting the accessory device interface and rotational control motion passively received by the device interface to the main drive shaft of the shaft assembly. And a transmission configured as described above. FIG. 32 is an exploded view of the end effector assembly and shaft assembly of the device of FIG. 31. FIG. 32 is a partial perspective view of the end effector assembly of the device of FIG. 31. FIG. 32 is a partial perspective view of the end effector assembly and shaft assembly of the instrument of FIG. 31 with a portion of the end effector assembly completely or partially removed to provide a drive system for the end effector assembly; The locking arrangement and the tissue retention pin mechanism are exposed. FIG. 32 is a partial perspective view of the closure frame and a portion of the end effector frame with portions removed to expose the drive system, locking arrangement and tissue retention pin mechanism of the device of FIG. 31; FIG. 32 is a partial cross-sectional elevational view of the end effector assembly of the instrument of FIG. 31 shown in a non-captured, unlocked, unfired, unlocked configuration. FIG. 32 is a partial cross-sectional elevational view of the end effector assembly of the instrument of FIG. 31 shown in the arrangement of FIG. 39 uncaptured, unlocked, unfired, unlocked is there. At the line 41-41 in FIG. 40 of the end effector assembly of the instrument of FIG. 31 shown in the arrangement of FIG. 39 uncaptured, unlocked, unfired, unlocked FIG. FIG. 32 is a partial cross-sectional elevational view of the end effector assembly of the instrument of FIG. 31 shown in a captured, partially fixed, unfired arrangement; FIG. 32 is a partial cross-sectional elevational view of the end effector assembly of the instrument of FIG. 31 shown in the FIG. 42 configuration captured, partially fixed and unfired; FIG. 32 is a partial cross-sectional elevational view of the end effector assembly of the instrument of FIG. 31 shown in a fully fixed, unfired arrangement; FIG. 32 is a partial cross-sectional elevational view of the end effector assembly of the instrument of FIG. 31 shown fully seated and in a launch configuration. FIG. 32 is a partial cross-sectional elevational view of the end effector assembly of the instrument of FIG. 31 partially retracted and shown in a firing configuration. FIG. 32 is a partial cross-sectional elevation view of the end effector assembly of the instrument of FIG. 31 shown in a fully retracted, locked configuration, wherein the used stapling cartridge assembly is from the end effector assembly It has been removed. FIG. 32 is a partial cross-sectional elevation view of the end effector assembly of the instrument of FIG. 31 shown in the fully retracted and locked arrangement of FIG. 46, with the stapling cartridge assembly not yet used; , Is mounted within the end effector assembly. FIG. 32 is a partial cross-sectional elevation view of the end effector assembly of the instrument of FIG. 31 fully fixed and shown in a partial launch configuration, wherein the stapling cartridge assembly includes a launch status indicator system The present firing status indicator system indicates that the instrument is fully fixed and in a partial firing configuration. FIG. 32 is a partial cross-sectional elevation view of the end effector assembly of the instrument of FIG. 31 fully fixed and shown in a complete launch configuration, wherein the launch status indicator system has the instrument fully secured; Indicate that it is completely in launch configuration. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surgical stapling attachment or a surgical stapling instrument comprising an attachment device portion, a shaft assembly, an articulation joint, and an end effector assembly. FIG. 52 is a partial perspective view of an articulating transmission of the accessory portion of the device of FIG. 51; FIG. 52 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the end effector assembly of the device of FIG. 51 with portions of the device removed to expose the inner portion of the device. Fig. 52 is a partial exploded view of the device of Fig. 51; FIG. 52 is a partial perspective view of the cartridge support jaw of the instrument of FIG. 51 with a pivot pin defining a pivot axis about which the cartridge support jaw is rotatable. FIG. 52 is a partially exploded view of the accessory portion of the device of FIG. 51, the shaft assembly, and the articulation joint. FIG. 52 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of an articulation joint of the device of FIG. 51; FIG. 52 is a perspective view of the articulating joint and end effector assembly of the instrument of FIG. 51, the end effector assembly comprising a pair of moveable jaws, a staple cartridge, and a drive system. FIG. 52 is a cross-sectional elevation view of the device of FIG. 51 in a fixed, unfired configuration; FIG. 52 is a cross-sectional elevation view of the end effector assembly of the instrument of FIG. 51, shown in a fixed, fully stapled arrangement; FIG. 52 is a cross-sectional elevation view of the end effector assembly of the instrument of FIG. 51, shown in a retracted position; FIG. 62 is a cross-sectional elevation view of the end effector assembly of the instrument of FIG. 51 taken along line 62-62 in FIG. 61; FIG. 52 is a cross-sectional elevation view of the end effector assembly of the instrument of FIG. 51, shown in a fixed, fully stapled, and partially cut position; FIG. 52 is a partial cross-sectional elevational view of the end effector assembly of the instrument of FIG. 51, shown in an unlocked or open configuration; FIG. 52 is a partial top view of the end effector assembly, articulation joint and shaft assembly of the instrument of FIG. 51, shown in a fixed, non-articulated arrangement; FIG. 52 is a partial top view of the end effector assembly, articulation joint, and shaft assembly of the instrument of FIG. 51, shown unlocked and shown in an articulated configuration; FIG. 52 is a partial top view of the end effector assembly, articulation joint, and shaft assembly of the instrument of FIG. 51, shown in a fixed, articulated position; FIG. 52 is a cross-sectional elevation view of the closing frame of the end effector assembly of the instrument of FIG. 51; FIG. 52 is a cross-sectional elevation view of the end effector frame of the instrument of FIG. 51. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a portion of a surgical staple cartridge for use with a circular surgical stapling instrument, according to at least one embodiment. 7 illustrates a pair of staples in an unformed and formed configuration, according to at least one embodiment. FIG. 71 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the anvil for the portion of the surgical staple cartridge of FIG. 70 prior to operation of the staple formation process; FIG. 73 is another cross-sectional view of the anvil of FIG. 72 and the staple cartridge of FIG. 70 after the staples have been formed; FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a portion of a surgical staple cartridge for use with a circular surgical stapling instrument, according to at least one embodiment. FIG. 75 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the anvil for the portion of the surgical staple cartridge of FIG. 74 prior to operation of the staple formation process; FIG. 76 is another cross-sectional view of the anvil and staple cartridge of FIG. 75 after the staples have been formed; FIG. 5 is a top view of a staple cartridge, according to at least one embodiment. FIG. 10 is a bottom view of an anvil in accordance with at least one embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the anvil relative to a portion of a surgical staple cartridge. 3 shows three unformed surgical staples. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a portion of a surgical stapling apparatus, according to at least one embodiment. FIG. 81 is a top view of the surgical staple cartridge of the stapling apparatus of FIG. 81; FIG. 81 is a perspective view of a portion of the surgical stapling apparatus of FIG. 81; FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of a staple driver assembly in accordance with at least one embodiment. FIG. 10 is a bottom view of an anvil in accordance with at least one embodiment. FIG. 86 is a side elevational cross-sectional view of a portion of the surgical stapling apparatus using the anvil of FIG. 85; FIG. 86 is an enlarged view of the staple forming pocket of the anvil of FIG. 85 with corresponding formed staples. 7 illustrates a staple according to at least one embodiment in an unformed and formed configuration. FIG. 10 is a side elevational cross-sectional view of a portion of a surgical stapling apparatus, according to at least one embodiment. 7 illustrates a staple according to at least one embodiment in an unformed and formed configuration. FIG. 10 is a side elevational cross-sectional view of a portion of a surgical stapling apparatus, according to at least one embodiment. FIG. 10 is a top view of a portion of a surgical stapling apparatus, according to at least one embodiment. FIG. 93 is a bottom view of an anvil in accordance with at least one embodiment that may be used in connection with the surgical stapling apparatus of FIG. 92; FIG. 5 is a top view of a staple fovea with at least one embodiment and corresponding staples. 7 illustrates unformed staples according to at least one embodiment. FIG. 10 is a top view of a surgical stapling apparatus, according to at least one embodiment. FIG. 5 is a top view of a staple fovea with at least one embodiment and corresponding staples. FIG. 97 is a bottom view of an anvil in accordance with at least one embodiment that may be used in connection with the surgical stapling apparatus of FIG. 96; FIG. 98 is an enlarged view of the staple forming pocket of the anvil of FIG. 98 with corresponding formed staples. FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of a surgical stapling apparatus, according to at least one embodiment. 7 illustrates unformed staples according to at least one embodiment. FIG. 10 is a plan view of a staple cartridge, according to at least one embodiment. FIG. 5 is a top view of a staple fovea with at least one embodiment and corresponding staples. FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the anvil of the surgical stapling apparatus, according to at least one embodiment. FIG. 5 is a top view of a pair of staple fovea with at least one embodiment and corresponding staples. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an anvil assembly of a surgical stapler, according to at least one embodiment. FIG. 107 is a cross-sectional view of the anvil changing member of the anvil assembly of FIG. 106; FIG. 107 is a top view of the anvil changing member of the anvil assembly of FIG. 106; FIG. 10 is a top view of an anvil assembly of a surgical stapler, according to at least one embodiment. FIG. 110 is a top view of the staple cartridge of the surgical stapler of FIG. 109; Fig. 6 illustrates the forming pocket of the anvil changer and the staple formed by the forming pocket. FIG. 110 illustrates the staple fovea and unformed staples of the surgical stapler of FIG. 109. FIG. 110 is a perspective view of a staple driver supporting the three staples of the surgical stapler of FIG. 109; It is a top view of the staple drive part of FIG. FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an end effector including a staple cartridge, an anvil, and an anvil change member, according to at least one alternative embodiment. 3 illustrates three staples in unformed and formed shapes according to at least one embodiment.

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

The applicants of the present application own the following patent applications filed on the same date with the present application, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
-U.S. Patent Application No. _________, entitled "METHOD FOR OPERATING A SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM", Attorney Docket No. END 7821 USNP / 150 535,
-U.S. Patent Application No. _________, entitled "MODULAR SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A DISPLAY", Attorney Docket No. END 7822 USNP / 150 536,
U.S. Patent Application No. _________, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A DISPLAY INCLUDING A RE-ORIENTABLE DISPLAY FIELD", Attorney Docket No. END 7822 USNP 1 / 150536-1,
-U.S. Patent Application No. _________, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HANDLE ASSEMBLY WITH RECONFIGURABLE GRIP PORTION", Attorney Docket No. END 7823 USNP / 150537,
-U.S. Patent Application No. _________, Title: "ROTARY POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MANUALLY ACTUALS BAILOUT SYSTEM", Attorney Docket No. END 7824 USNP / 150538,
-U.S. Patent Application No. _________, entitled "SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING END EFFECTOR WITH ANVIL CONCENTRIC DRIVE MEMBER", Attorney Docket No. END7825USNP / 150539,
-U.S. Patent Application No. _________, Title: "CLOSURE SYSTEM ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING DEVICES WITH SEPARATE AND DDISTINCT FIRING SHAFTS", Attorney Docket No. END7826USNP / 150540,
-U.S. Patent Application No. _________, Title: "INTERCHANGEABLE SURGICAL TOOL ASSEMBLY WITH A SURGICAL END EFFECTOR THAT IS SELECTIVELY ROTATABLE ABOUT A SHAFT AXIS", Attorney Docket No. END 7827 USNP / 150541,
-U.S. Patent Application No. _________, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A SHIFTABLE TRANSMISSION", Attorney Docket No. END 7829 USNP / 150543,
-U.S. Patent Application No. _________, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM CONFIGURED TO PROVIDE SELECTIVE CUTTING OF TISSUE", Attorney Docket No. END 7830 USNP / 150544,
-U.S. Patent Application No. _________, Title: "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A CONTOURABLE SHAFT", Attorney Docket No. END 7831 USNP / 150545,
-U.S. Patent Application No. _________, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A TISSUE COMPRESSION LOCKOUT", Attorney Docket No. END 7832 USNP / 150 546,
-U.S. Patent Application No. _________, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING AN UNCLAMPING LOCKOUT", Attorney Docket No. END 7833 USNP / 150547,
-U.S. Patent Application No. _________, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A JAW CLOSURE LOCKOUT", Attorney Docket No. END 7834 USNP / 150548,
-U.S. Patent Application No. _________, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A JAW ATTACHEMENT LOCKOUT", Attorney Docket No. END 7835 USNP / 150549,
U.S. Patent Application No. _________, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT", Attorney Docket No. END 7836 USNP / 150550,
U.S. Patent Application No. _________, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A SHIFTING MECHANISM", Attorney Docket No. END 7837 USNP / 150551,
-U.S. Patent Application No. _________, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT COMPRISING MULTIPLE LOCKOUTS", Attorney Docket No. END 7838 USNP / 150552,
-U.S. Patent Application No. _________, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT", Attorney Docket No. END 7839 USNP / 150553,
-U.S. Patent Application No. _________, Title: "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM CONFIGURED TO APPLY ANNULAR ROWS OF STAPLES HAVING DIFFERENT HEIGHTS", Attorney Docket No. END 7840 USNP / 150 554,
-U.S. Patent Application No. _________, entitled "ANVIL MODIFICATION MEMBERS FOR SURGICAL STAPLES", Attorney Docket No. END7842USNP / 150556,
-U.S. Patent Application No. _________, entitled "STAPLE CARTGIDGES WITH ATRAUMATIC FEATURES", Attorney Docket No. END7843USNP / 150557,
-U.S. Patent Application No. _________, Title: "CIRCULAR STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING AN INCISABLE TISSUE SUPPORT", Attorney Docket No. END 7844 USNP / 150 558,
-U.S. Patent Application No. _________, Title: "CIRSULAR STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING PORTARY FIRING SYSTEM", Attorney Docket Number END 7845 USNP / 150559, and-U.S. Patent Application No. _______, Title: "CIRSULAR STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING LOAD CONTROL Attorney Docket No. END 7845 USNP 1 / 150559-1.

The applicant of this application also owns the following designated US patent applications filed on December 31, 2015, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 984,488, entitled "MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR BATTERY PACKURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT",
-US Patent Application No. 14/984, 525, Title: "MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVE TRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS",-United States Patent Application No. 14/984, 552, Title: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH SEPARABLE MOTORS AND MOTOR CONTROL CIRCUITS.

Applicants of the present application also own the following designated US patent applications, filed Feb. 9, 2016, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
-U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 019,220, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH ARTICULATING AND AXIALLY TRANSLATABLE END EFFECTOR",
-U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 019,228, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH MULTIPLE LINK ARTICULATION ARRANGEMENTS",
-U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 019,196, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ATICULATION MECHANISM WITH SLOTTED SECONDARY CONSTRAINT",
-U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 019,206, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH AN END EFFECT EFFECTOR THAT IS HIGHLY ARTICULATABLE RELATIVE TO AN ELONGATE SHAFT ASSEMBLY",
-U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 019,215, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH NON-SYMMETRICAL ARTIFICATION ARRANGEMENTS",
-U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 019,227, entitled: "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH SINGLE ARTICULATION LINK ARRANGEMENTS",
-U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 019,235, titled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH TENSIONING ARRANGEMENTS FOR CABLE DRIVEN ARTICULATION SYSTEMS",
-U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 019,230, Title: "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-AXIS FIRING BEAM ARRANGEMENTS",-U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 019,245, Title: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CLOSURE STROKE REDUCTION ARRANGEMENTS ".

Applicants of the present application also own the following designated US patent applications filed on February 12, 2016, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
-U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 043,254, entitled "MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS",
-U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 043,259, entitled "MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS",
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The applicant of this application owns the following patent applications filed on June 18, 2015, and each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 742,925, entitled "SURGICAL END EFFECTS WITH WITH POSITIVE JAW OPENING ARRANGEMENTS",
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 742,941, entitled "SURGICAL END EFFECTS WITH DUAL CAM ACTUATED JAW CLOSING FEATURES",
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 742,914, entitled "MOVABLE FIRING BEAM SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS",
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 742,900, entitled: "ARTICULA TABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH COMPOSITE FIRING BEAM STRUCTURES WITH CENTER FIRING SUPPORT MEMBER FOR ARTICULATION SUPPORT",
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 742,885, Title: "DUAL ARTICULATION DRIVE SYSTEMS ARRANGEMENTS FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", and-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 742,876, Title: "PUSH / PULL ARTICULATION DRIVE SYSTEMS" FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS ".

Applicants of the present application own the following patent applications filed on March 6, 2015, and each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 640,746, entitled "POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT",
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 640,795, entitled "MULTIPLE LEVEL THRESHOLDS TO MODIFY OPERATION OF POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS",
No. 14 / 640,832, entitled "Adaptive TISSUE COMPRESSION TECHNIQUES TO ADJUST CLOSURE RATE FOR MULTIPLE TISSUE TYPES", Attorney Docket No. END 7557 USNP / 140482,
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No. 14 / 640,859, entitled "TIME DEPENDENT EVALUATION OF SENSOR DATA TO DETERMINE STABILITY, CREEP, AND VISCOELASTIC ELEMENTS OF MEASURES",
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-US Patent Application No. 14 / 640,765, title: "SYSTEM FOR DETECTING THE MIS-INSERTION OF A STAPLE CARTRIDGE INTO A SURGICAL STAPLER",
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Applicants of the present application own the following patent applications filed on February 27, 2015, and each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 633,576, entitled: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM COMPRISING AN INSPECTION STATION",
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 633,546, entitled "SURGICAL APPARATUS CONFIGURED TO ASSESS WHETHER A PERFORMANCE PARAMETER OF THE SURGICAL APPARATUS IS WITHIN AN ACCEPTABLE PERFORMANCE BAND",
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-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 633,566, entitled "CHARGING SYSTEM THAT ENABLES EMERGENCY RESOLUTIONS FOR CHARGING A BATTERY",
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 633,555, entitled "SYSTEM FOR MONITORING WHETHER A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT NEEDS TO BE SERVICED";
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 633,542, entitled "REINFORCED BATTERY FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT",
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 633,548, entitled "POWER ADAPTER FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT",
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 633,526, entitled "ADAPTABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HANDLE",
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Applicants of the present application own the following patent applications filed on December 18, 2014, and each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 574,478, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS COMPRISING AN ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTOR AND MEANS FOR ADJUSTING THE FIRING STROKE OF A FIRING",
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 574,483, Title: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING LOCKABLE SYSTEMS",
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 575,139, entitled "DRIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS",
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 575,148, entitled "LOCKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR DETACHABLE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES WITH ARTICULA TABLE SURGICAL END EFFECTORS",
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",
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 575,143, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH IMPROVED CLOSURE ARRANGEMENTS",
-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14 / 575,117, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTS AND MOVABLE FIRING BEAM SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS",
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 575,154, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTS AND IMPROVED FIRING BEAM SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS",
-US Patent Application No. 14/574, 493, Title: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A FLEXIBLE ARTICULATION SYSTEM", and-United States Patent Application No. 14/574, 500, Title: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LOCKABLE ARTICULATION SYSTEM ".

Applicants of the present application own the following patent applications filed on March 1, 2013, and each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
-U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 782,295, entitled: "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CONDUCTIVE PATHWAYS FOR SIGNAL COMMUNICATION", currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0246471,
-U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 782,323, entitled: "ROTARY POWERED ARTICULATION JOINTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0246472,
-U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 782,338, entitled "THUMBWHEEL SWITCH ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0249557,
-U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 782,499, entitled "ELECTROMECHANICAL SURGICAL DEVICE WITH SIGNAL RELAY ARRANGEMENT", currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0246474,
No. 13 / 782,460, entitled "MULTIPLE PROCESSOR MOTOR CONTROL FOR MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0246478,
-U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 782,358, entitled "JOYSTICK SWITCH ASSEMBLIES FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0246477,
-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 782,481, entitled "SENSOR STRAIGHT ENDED EFFECT EFFECTOR DURING REMOVAL THROUGH TROCAR", now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0246479,
No. 13 / 782,518, entitled "CONTROL METHODS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH REMOVABLE IMPLEMENT PORTIONS", now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0246475,
No. 13 / 782,375, entitled "ROTARY POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH MULTIPLE DEGREES OF FREEDOM", now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0246473, and-U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 782,536. No. Title: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SOFT STOP", now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0246476.

Applicants of the present application also own the following patent applications, filed March 14, 2013, and each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
-U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 803,097, entitled: "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A FIRING DRIVE", now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014 / 026,354 ,.
No. 13 / 803,193, entitled "CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS FOR A DRIVE MEMBER OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT", now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0263537,
-U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 803,053, entitled: "INTERCHANGEABLE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES FOR USE WITH A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT", now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0263564,
-U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 803,086, entitled: "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION LOCK", now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0263541,
-U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 803,210, entitled "SENSOR ARRANGEMENTS FOR ABSOLUTE POSITIONING SYSTEM FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0263538,
-U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 803,148, entitled "MULTI-FUNCTION MOTOR FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT", now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0263554,
No. 13 / 803,066, entitled "DRIVE SYSTEM LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0263565,
-U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 803,117, entitled: "ARTICULATION CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0263553;
No. 13 / 803,130, entitled "DRIVE TRAIN CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS FOR MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0263543, and-U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 803,159. Publication title: "METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPERATING A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT", currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0277017.

The applicant of this application also owns the following patent application filed March 7, 2014, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 200,111, entitled "CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0263539.

Applicants of the present application also own the following patent applications filed on March 26, 2014, and each is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 226,106, entitled: "POWER MANAGEMENT CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015/0272582,
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 226,099, entitled: "STERILIZATION VERIFICATION CIRCUIT", now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015/0272581;
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 226,094, entitled "VERIFICATION OF NUMBER OF BATTERY EXCHANGES / PROCEDURE COUNT", now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015/0272580,
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 226,117, entitled "POWER MANAGEMENT THROUGH SLEEP OPTIONS OF SEGMENTED CIRCUIT AND WAKE UP CONTROL", currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015/0272574,
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 226,075, entitled: "MODULAR POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH DETACHABLE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES", now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015/0272579,
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 226,093, Title: "FEEDBACK ALGORITHMS FOR MANUAL BAILOUT SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015/0272569,
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 226,116, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT UTILIZING SENSOR ADAPTATION", currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015/0272571,
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 226,071, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT CONTROL CIRCUIT HAVING A SAFETY PROCESSOR", now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015/0272578,
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 226,097, entitled: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING INTERACTIVE SYSTEMS", now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015/0272570,
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 226,126, entitled: "INTERFACE SYSTEMS FOR USE WITH SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015/0272572,
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 226,133, entitled "MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM", now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015/0272557,
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 226,081, Title: "SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A SEGMENTED CIRCUIT", now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015/0277471,
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 226,076 Title: "POWER MANAGEMENT THROUGH SEGMENTED CIRCUIT AND VARIABLE VOLTAGE PROTECTION", now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015/0280424,
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 226,111, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT SYSTEM", now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015/0272583, and-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 226,125, entitled: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A ROTATABLE SHAFT", currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015/0280384.

Applicants of the present application also own the following patent applications filed on September 5, 2014, and each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 479,103, entitled "CIRCUITRY AND SENSORS FOR POWERED MEDICAL DEVICE", now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2016/0066912,
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 479,119, entitled: "ADJUNCT WITH INTEGRATED SENSORS TO QUANTIFY TISSUE COMPRESSION", now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0066914,
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 478,908, entitled "MONITORING DEVICE DEGRADATION BASED ON COMPONENT EVALUATION", now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0066910,
U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 478,895, entitled: "MULTIPLE SENSORS WITH ONE SENSOR AFFECTING A SECOND SENSOR'S OUTPUT OR INTERPRETATION", currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0066909,
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 479,110, entitled "USE OF POLARITY OF HALL MAGNET DETECTION TO DETECT MISLOADED CARTRIDGE", currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0066915,
No. 14 / 479,098, entitled "SMART CARTRIDGE WAKE UP OPERATION AND DATA RETENTION", now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0066911,
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 479,115, entitled "MULTIPLE MOTOR CONTROL FOR POWERED MEDICAL DEVICE", now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0066916, and-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 479,108 Title: "LOCAL DISPLAY OF TISSUE PARAMETER STABILIZATION", currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0066913.

The applicant of the present application also owns the following patent applications filed on April 9, 2014, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety:
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 248,590, Title: "MOTOR DRIVEN SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH LOCKABLE DUAL DRIVE SHAFTS", now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0305987,
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 248,581, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A CLOSING DRIVE AND A FIRING DRIVE OPERATED FROM THE SAME ROTA TABLE OUTPUT", now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0305989.
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 248,595, entitled: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SHAFT INCLUDING SWITCHES FOR CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF THE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT", now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0305988,
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 248,588, entitled "POWERED LINEAR SURGICAL STAPLER", now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0309666,
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 248,591, entitled "TRANSMISSION ARRANGEMENT FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT", now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0305991,
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 248,584, entitled: "MODULAR MOTOR DRIVEN SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ALIGNMENT FEATURES FOR ALIGNING ROTARY DRIVE SHAFTS WITH SURGICAL END EFFECTOR SHAFTS", currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0305994,
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 248,587, entitled "POWERED SURGICAL STAPLER", currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0309665,
-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 248,586, entitled "DRIVE SYSTEM DECOUPLING ARRANGEMENT FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT", now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/03 05 990, and-U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 248,607 Publication title: "MODULAR MOTOR DRIVEN SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH STATUS INDICATION ARRANGEMENTS", currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2014/0305992.

The applicant of the present application also owns the following patent applications filed on April 16, 2013, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety:
-U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 812,365, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS PERFORMED BY A SINGLE MOTOR",
-U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 812,376, entitled "LINEAR CUTTER WITH POWER",
-U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 812,382, entitled "LINEAR CUTTER WITH MOTOR AND PISTOL GRIP",
-U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 812,385, entitled: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HANDLE WITH MULTIPLE ACTUATION MOTORS AND MOTOR CONTROL", and-U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 812,372, entitled: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS PERFORMED BY A SINGLE MOTOR.

  Numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the overall structure, function, manufacture, and use of the embodiments described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Well-known operations, components and elements have not been described in detail in order not to obscure the embodiments described herein. It is understood by the reader that the embodiments described and illustrated herein are non-limiting examples, and accordingly, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are exemplary and exemplary. I understand that it is possible. Variations and modifications thereto can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

  The terms "comprise" (any form of comprise, such as "comprises" and "comprises"), "have" (any term of have, such as "has" and "having"), "include (including "include" (any form of include such as "includes" and "including") and "contain" (any form of contain such as "contains" and "containing") It is a verb. As a result, a surgical system, apparatus, or device that "includes", "includes", "includes" or "contains" one or more elements has one or more of those elements. Are not limited to having only one or more of them. Similarly, an element of a system, apparatus, or device that “includes”, “has”, “includes”, or “contains” one or more features has one or more of those features. However, it is not limited to having only one or more of these features.

  The terms "proximal" and "distal" are used herein as a reference to the clinician operating the handle portion of the surgical instrument. The term "proximal" means the part closest to the clinician and the term "distal" means the part at a distance from the clinician. It will be further understood that, for convenience and clarity, spatial terms such as "vertical", "horizontal", "above", and "below" may be used herein for 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, it is readily understood by the reader that the various methods and devices disclosed herein may be used in many surgical procedures and applications, including, for example, those associated with open surgical procedures. You see. By reading the "Forms for Carrying Out the Invention" herein, the reader can use the various instruments disclosed herein to create an incision or cut in the tissue, eg, through a natural opening. It will be further understood that it can be inserted into the body in any way, such as through a puncture hole. The working or end effector portion of these instruments can either be inserted directly into the patient's body or through an access device with an operating channel that can be advanced through the end effector of the surgical instrument and the elongate shaft. It can also be done.

  The surgical stapling system can include a shaft and an end effector extending from the shaft. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw comprises a staple cartridge. The staple cartridge is insertable into the first jaw and removable from the first jaw, but the staple cartridge is not removable from the first jaw, or at least other embodiments that are not easily replaceable. It is assumed. The second jaw includes an anvil configured to deform the staples ejected from the staple cartridge. Other embodiments are also envisaged, in which the second jaw is pivotable relative to the first jaw around the closure axis, but the first jaw is pivotable relative to the second jaw. ing. The surgical stapling system further comprises an articulating joint configured to allow the end effector to rotate or articulate relative to the shaft. The end effector is rotatable about an articulation axis extending through the articulation joint. Other embodiments that do not include articulating joints are also envisioned.

  The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body. The cartridge body includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a deck extending between the proximal and distal ends. In use, the staple cartridge is positioned on the first side of the tissue to be stapled and the anvil is positioned on the second side of the tissue. The anvil is moved toward the staple cartridge to compress and secure the tissue against the deck. Thereafter, the staples removably stored in the cartridge body can be placed in the tissue. The cartridge body includes a staple fossa defined therein, the staples being removably stored within the staple fovea. The staple fossae are arranged in six longitudinal rows. Three rows of staple fossae are positioned on the first side of the longitudinal slot, and three rows of staple fossae are positioned on the second side of the longitudinal slot. Other arrangements of staples and staples may also be possible.

  The staples are supported by the staple drive in the cartridge body. The drive is movable between a first or unfired position and a second or fired position for firing staples from the staple fovea. The drive member is held in the cartridge body by a holder extending around the bottom of the cartridge body, and is configured to grasp the cartridge body and hold the holder relative to the cartridge body including. The drives are movable by their threads between their unfired position and their fired position. The thread is movable between a proximal position adjacent to the proximal end and a distal position adjacent to the distal end. The sled comprises a plurality of ramps configured to slide under the drive and lift the drive, and the staples are supported thereon and directed towards the anvil.

  In addition to the above, the sled is moved distally by the firing member. The firing member is configured to contact the sled and push the sled towards the distal end. A longitudinal slot defined in the cartridge body is configured to receive the firing member. The anvil also includes a slot configured to receive the firing member. The firing member further comprises a first cam engaged to the first jaw and a second cam engaged to the second jaw. When advancing the firing member distally, the first and second cams can control the distance between the deck of the staple cartridge and the anvil, ie, the tissue clearance. The firing member also comprises a knife configured to dissect tissue captured intermediate the staple cartridge and the anvil. It is desirable that the knife be positioned at least partially proximal to the bevel so that the staples are ejected forward of the knife.

  FIG. 1 illustrates a motorized surgical system 10 that may be used to perform a variety of different surgical procedures. In the illustrated embodiment, the motorized surgical system 10 comprises a selectively reconfigurable housing or handle assembly 20 attached to one form of a replaceable surgical tool assembly 1000. For example, the system 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a replaceable surgical tool assembly 1000 with a surgical cutting and fastening instrument sometimes referred to as an end effector. As will be discussed in more detail below, the interchangeable surgical tool assembly may include end effectors adapted to support different sizes and types of staple cartridges, and also different shaft lengths. , Dimensions, and types. Such an arrangement may, for example, secure the tissue utilizing any suitable fastener or fastener (s). For example, a fastening cartridge comprising a plurality of fasteners removably stored therein can be removably inserted into an end effector of a surgical tool assembly and / or of a surgical tool assembly It can be removably attached to the end effector. Other surgical tool assemblies may be used interchangeably with the handle assembly 20. For example, replaceable surgical tool assembly 1000 may be removed from handle assembly 20 and replaced with a different surgical tool assembly configured to perform other surgical procedures. In other arrangements, the surgical tool assembly may not be interchangeable with other surgical tool assemblies, and may be non-removably attached to the handle assembly 20 or non-removable handle assembly It essentially comprises a dedicated shaft connected to the solid 20. The surgical tool assembly may also be referred to as an elongate shaft assembly. The surgical tool assembly may be reusable, or in other configurations, the surgical tool assembly may be designed to be disposed of after a single use.

  DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As we progress through the detailed description of the invention, the various forms of interchangeable shaft assemblies disclosed herein can be effectively used in conjunction with a robotically controlled surgical system. Things will also be understood. Thus, the terms "housing" and "housing assembly" as well as at least one control movement that may be used to actuate the elongate shaft assemblies and their corresponding equivalents disclosed herein. , Or may be part of a housing or similar robotic system that accommodates or otherwise operably supports at least one drive system configured to generate or apply a. The term "frame" may also mean part of a hand-held surgical instrument. The term "frame" may refer to a portion of a robotically controlled surgical instrument and / or a portion of a robotic system that may be used to operatively control the surgical instrument. For example, the shaft assembly disclosed herein is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, US Patent Application No. 13 / 118,241, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS". , Which may be used with the various robotic systems, instruments, components, and methods currently disclosed in US Patent Publication 2012/0298719.

  Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing assembly or handle assembly 20 may be formed from a pair of housing sections 40, 70 which may be made of plastic, polymeric material, metal or the like. And are joined together by suitable fastener arrangements, such as, for example, adhesives, screws, press fit features, snap fit features, latches, etc. As will be discussed in more detail below, the main housing portion 30 generates various control movements in response to a portion of the replaceable surgical tool assembly operably mounted thereto. It operatively supports a plurality of drive systems therein, configured to cause or apply. The handle assembly 20 further includes a grip portion 100 movably coupled to the main housing portion 30, and is configured to be gripped and manipulated by the clinician at various positions relative to the main housing portion 30. There is. The gripping portion 100 is made of a pair of gripping sections 110, 120 which may be made of plastic, polymeric material, metal etc. and also for the purpose of assembly and maintenance, eg adhesive, screw, press fit function, snap fit Bonded together by proper fastener arrangement such as function, latch etc.

  As can be seen in FIG. 2, the grip 100 defines a cavity 132 configured to operably support a drive motor and gearbox as will be discussed in more detail below. , Grip housing 130. An upper portion 134 of the grip housing 130 is configured to extend across the opening 80 in the main housing portion 30 and is pivotally pivoted on a pivot shaft 180. The pivot shaft 180 defines a pivot axis shown as "PA". See FIG. For reference purposes, the handle assembly 20 may be parallel to the shaft axis "SA" of the elongate shaft assembly of the replaceable surgical tool operably attached to the handle assembly 20, "HA Define the handle axis shown as "." The pivot axis PA is transverse to the handle axis HA. See FIG. Such an arrangement provides a grip on the main housing portion 30 around the pivot axis PA to a position best suited for the type of interchangeable surgical tool assembly connected to the handle assembly 20. Allows 100 to pivot. The gripping housing 130 defines a gripping axis generally designated as "GA". See FIG. If the replaceable surgical tool assembly coupled to the handle assembly 20 includes an end cutter, for example, the clinician may have the grip axis GA perpendicular or nearly perpendicular to the handle axis HA (angle “H1” It may be desirable to position the gripper 100 relative to the main housing portion 30 (as referred to herein as a "first gripping position"). See FIG. However, when using the handle assembly 20 to control a replaceable surgical tool assembly comprising a circular stapler, for example, a clinician may use the grip axis GA at 45 degrees or about 45 degrees to the handle axis HA It may be desirable to pivot the grip 100 relative to the main housing portion 30 to a position that is at an angle of, or any other suitable acute angle (angle "H2"). This position is referred to herein as the "second gripping position". FIG. 5 shows the gripping part 100 with a very thin line in the second gripping position.

  With reference now to FIGS. 3-5, the handle assembly 20 also includes a grip locking system, shown generally as 150, for selectively locking the grip 100 in a desired orientation with respect to the main housing portion 30. In one arrangement, the gripping locking system 150 comprises an arcuate series 152 of sharp teeth 154. The teeth 154 are spaced apart from one another and form a locking groove 156 therebetween. Each locking groove 156 corresponds to a particular angled locking portion for the gripper 100. For example, in at least one arrangement, the teeth 154 and the locking groove or "locking position" 156 are locked between the first gripping position and the second gripping position at intervals of 10 to 15 degrees of the gripping part 100 Arranged to make it possible. The arrangement may use two stop positions (shaft arrangement) tailored to the type of instrument used. For example, with regard to the shaft arrangement of the end cutter, it may be about 90 degrees to the shaft, and with respect to the circular stapler arrangement, the angle is about 45 degrees to the shaft while being swept forward towards the surgeon You may The gripping locking system 150 further includes a locking button 160 having a locking portion 162 configured to fixedly engage the locking groove 156. For example, locking button 160 is pivotally attached to main handle portion 30 at pivot pin 131 to allow locking button 160 to pivot into engagement with corresponding locking groove 156. The locking spring 164 serves to bias the locking button 160 into an engaged or locked position with the corresponding locking groove 156. The locking portion 162 and tooth structure help to allow the tooth 154 to slide past the locking portion 162 when the clinician presses the locking button 160. Thus, to adjust the angular position of the grip 100 relative to the main housing portion 30, the clinician presses the locking button 160 and then pivots the grip 100 to the desired angular position. Once the grip 100 has moved to the desired position, the clinician releases the locking button 160. The locking spring 164 then biases the locking button 160 towards the series of teeth 154 so that the locking portion 162 enters the corresponding locking groove 156 and holds the grip 100 in that position during use Do.

  The handle assembly 20 operably supports the first rotational drive system 300, the second rotational drive system 320, and the third axial drive system 400. The rotary drive systems 300, 320 are each powered by a motor 200 which is operatively supported by the gripper 100. As can be seen in FIG. 2, for example, the motor 200 has a gearbox assembly 202 supported within the fossa 132 in the grip 100 and having an output drive shaft 204 projecting therefrom. In various forms, motor 200 may be, for example, a DC brushed drive motor having a maximum rotation of about 25,000 RPM. In other configurations, the motor can include a brushless motor, a cordless motor, a synchronous motor, a stepper motor, or any other suitable electric motor. The motor 200 may be powered by a power source 210, which in one form may comprise a removable power pack 212. The power supply 210 may be, for example, the various power supplies disclosed in more detail in US Patent Publication No. Any of the arrangements may be provided. In the illustrated arrangement, for example, power pack 212 may comprise a proximal housing portion 214 configured for attachment to distal housing portion 216. The proximal housing portion 214 and the distal housing portion 216 are configured to operably support the plurality of batteries 218 therein. The cells 218 may each comprise, for example, lithium ion ("LI") or other suitable cell. The distal housing portion 216 is configured to be removably and operably attached to the handle circuit board assembly 220 that is also operatively coupled to the motor 200. The handle circuit board assembly 220 may also be generally referred to herein as a "control system or CPU 224." A plurality of cells 218, which may be connected in series, may be used as a power source for the handle assembly 20. It should be noted that the power supply 210 may be replaceable and / or rechargeable. In other embodiments, the surgical instrument 10 may be powered, for example, by alternating current (AC). The motor 200 may be controlled by a rocker switch 206 attached to the grip 100.

  As outlined above, motor 200 is operatively coupled to a gearbox assembly 202 that includes an output drive shaft 204. A drive portion bevel gear 230 is attached to the output drive shaft 204. Motor 200, gearbox assembly 202, output drive shaft 204 and drive bevel gear 230 may be collectively referred to herein as "motor assembly 231". The drive bevel gear 230, like the pivot bevel gear 238 journaled on the pivot shaft 180, is in engagement with a driven bevel gear 234 attached to the system drive shaft 232. The driven bevel gear 234 is in an engagement position (FIG. 5) at which the driven bevel gear 234 engages with the drive bevel gear 230 on the system drive shaft 232, and the driven gear 234 engages with the drive bevel gear 230 It is axially moveable between a non-engaging position (FIG. 14). Drive system spring 235 is pivotally supported between driven bevel gear 234 and a proximal end flange 236 formed on the proximal portion of system drive shaft 232. See Figures 4 and 14. Drive system spring 235 serves to bias follower bevel gear 234 out of meshing engagement with drive bevel gear 230, as will be discussed in further detail below. The pivot bevel gear 238 facilitates pivotal movement of the drive bevel gear 230 with the output drive shaft 204 and the grip 100 relative to the main handle portion 30.

  In the illustrated embodiment, system drive shaft 232 is generally interfaced with a rotary drive selector system shown as 240. In at least one form, for example, the rotary drive selector system 240 comprises a shift lever gear 250 that is selectively moveable between the first rotary drive system 300 and the second rotary drive system 320. As can be seen in FIGS. 6-9, for example, the drive selector system 240 comprises a non-movable shift lever attachment plate 242 mounted within the main handle portion 30. For example, the shift lever attachment plate 242 may be functionally retained between attachment projections (not shown) formed in the housing sections 40, 70 or otherwise, such as by screws, adhesives or the like. It may be held internally. Still referring to FIGS. 6-9, the system drive shaft 232 extends across the hole in the shift lever mounting plate 242 and has a central or system drive gear 237 non-rotatably attached thereto. For example, central drive gear 237 may be attached to system drive shaft 232 by keyway arrangement 233. See Figures 6-9. In other arrangements, system drive shaft 232 may be rotatably supported at shift lever mounting plate 242 by corresponding bearings (not shown) attached thereto. In any event, rotation of the system drive shaft 232 results in rotation of the central drive gear 234.

  As can be seen in FIG. 3, the first drive system 300 includes a first drive bearing 302 rotatably supported in a distal wall 32 formed in the main handle portion 30. The first drive bearing 302 may comprise a first body portion 304 having spline bearings formed therein. The first driven gear 306 is formed on the first body portion 304 or is non-movably attached to the first body portion 304. The first body portion 304 may be rotatably supported in corresponding holes or passageways provided in the distal wall 32 or within corresponding bearings (not shown) attached to the distal wall 32 And may be rotatably supported. Similarly, the second rotational drive system 320 includes a second drive bearing 322 which is also rotatably supported at the distal wall 32 of the main handle portion 30. The second drive bearing 322 may comprise a second body portion 324 having spline bearings formed therein. The second driven gear 326 is formed on the second body portion 324 or non-rotatably attached to the second body portion 324. The second body portion 324 may be rotatably supported in corresponding holes or passageways provided in the distal wall 32, or within corresponding bearings (not shown) attached to the distal wall 32. And may be rotatably supported. The first and second drive bearings 302, 322 are spaced apart from one another on each outer side of the handle axis HA. See, for example, FIG.

  As indicated above, in the illustrated embodiment, the rotary drive selector system 240 includes a shift lever gear 250. As can be seen in FIGS. 6-9, the shift lever gear 250 is rotatably mounted on an idler shaft 252 which is movably supported in the arcuate slot 244 of the shift lever mounting plate 242. The shift lever gear 250 is mounted for free rotation on the idler shaft 252 and is held in meshing engagement with the central drive gear 234. The idler shaft 252 is coupled to the end of the shaft 262 of the shift lever solenoid 260. The shift lever solenoid 260 is pinned or otherwise attached to the main handle housing 30 so that when the shift lever solenoid 260 is actuated, the shift lever gear 250 may It is moved into meshing engagement with one of the driven gear 306 or the second driven gear 326. For example, in one arrangement, when the solenoid shaft 262 is retracted (FIGS. 6 and 7), the shift lever gear 250 is in meshing engagement with the central drive gear 234 and the first driven gear 306, thereby causing the motor 200 to operate. This results in the rotation of the first drive bearing 302. As can be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the shift lever spring 266 may be used to bias the shift lever gear 250 into the first, first operating position. Thus, power should be dissipated in the surgical instrument 10 and the shift lever spring 266 will automatically bias the shift lever gear 250 to the first position. When the shift lever gear 250 is in the main position, the subsequent actuation of the motor 200 results in the rotation of the first drive bearing 302 of the first rotational drive system 300. When the shift lever solenoid is actuated, the shift lever gear 250 is moved into meshing engagement with the second driven gear 326 on the second drive bearing 322. Thereafter, actuation of the motor 200 results in actuation or rotation of the second drive bearing 322 of the second rotational drive system 320.

  As will be discussed in more detail below, on the various component parts of the replaceable surgical tool assembly coupled thereto using the first and second rotary drive systems 300, 320. , May be powered. As indicated above, in at least one arrangement, the shift lever spring 266 moves the shift lever gear 250 to the first position when power is consumed by the motor during operation of the replaceable surgical tool assembly. Energize. In response to the component parts of the replaceable surgical tool assembly being manipulated, the application of the rotational drive motion is reversed to the first drive system 300 to remove the replaceable surgical tool assembly from the patient It may be necessary to make things possible. The handle assembly 20 of the illustrated embodiment, for example, a manually actuatable "emergency" generally indicated as 330, for manually applying rotational drive motion to the first rotational drive system 300 in the above scenario. The “treatment” system is used.

  Referring now to FIGS. 3, 10 and 11, the illustrated first aid system 330 comprises a first aid drive transmission system 332 that includes a planetary gear assembly 334. In at least one form, planet gear assembly 334 includes a planet gear housing 336 that houses a planet gear arrangement (not shown) that includes planet bevel gear 338. Planetary gear assembly 334 includes a first aid drive shaft 340 operably coupled to the planetary gear arrangement within planetary gear housing 336. The rotation of the planetary bevel gear 338 rotates the planetary gear arrangement that ultimately rotates the first aid drive shaft 340. The first aid drive gear 342 is pivotally mounted on the first aid drive shaft 340 so that the first aid drive gear 342 can move axially on the first aid drive shaft 340 and still rotate with it. . The first aid drive gear 342 is movable between a spring stop flange 344 formed on the first aid drive shaft 340 and a shaft end stop 346 formed on the distal end of the first aid drive shaft 340 It is. The first aid shaft spring 348 is pivotally mounted on the first aid drive shaft 340 between the first aid drive gear 342 and the spring stop flange 344. First aid shaft spring 348 biases first aid drive gear 342 distally on first aid drive shaft 340. When the first aid drive gear 342 is at its most distal position on the first aid drive shaft 340, the first aid drive gear 342 may be a first aid driven gear 350 non-rotatably attached to the system drive shaft 232, Engaging engagement. See FIG.

  Referring now to FIGS. 12 and 13, the first aid system 330 facilitates the first application of a first aid drive exercise to the first aid drive transmission system 332, a first aid actuator assembly or first aid handle assembly. Including 360. As can be seen in these figures, the first aid handle assembly 360 includes a first aid bevel gear 362 comprising a first aid bevel gear 364 and a ratchet gear 366. The first aid handle assembly 360 further includes a first aid handle 370 movably coupled to the first aid bevel gear assembly 362 by a pivot yoke 372 pivotally attached to a ratchet gear 366. The first aid handle 370 is pivotally coupled to the pivot yoke 372 by a pin 374 for selective pivoting movement between the storage position "SP" and the actuation position "AP". See FIG. Handle spring 376 is used to bias the first aid handle 370 to the actuated position AP. In at least one arrangement, the angle between the axis SP representing the storage position and the axis AP representing the working position may be, for example, approximately 30 degrees. See FIG. As can also be seen in FIG. 13, the first aid handle assembly 360 further includes a ratchet pawl 378 rotatably mounted in the fovea or hole 377 at the pivot yoke 372. The ratchet pawl 378 is configured to meshingly engage the ratchet gear 366 when rotated in the actuating direction (AD) and then disengages the ratchet gear 366 from meshing engagement when rotated in the opposite direction. Rotate as you want. The ratchet spring 384 and ball member 386 are movably supported at the fossae 379 in the pivot yoke 372 and also lock the detents 380, 382 in the ratchet pawl 378 when the first aid handle 370 is actuated Function to engage as possible.

  Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 10, the first aid system 330 further includes a first aid access panel 390 operable between an open position and a closed position. In the illustrated arrangement, the first aid access panel 390 is configured to removably couple to the housing section 70 of the main housing portion 30. Thus, at least in the present embodiment, the first aid access panel 390 may be said to be in the "open" position, as illustrated, as it is in the "open" position when it is removed or separated from the main housing portion 30. When the access panel 390 is attached to the main housing portion 30, it can be said to be in the "closed position". Although other embodiments are contemplated, the access panel is movably coupled to the main housing portion such that the access panel remains attached thereto when the access panel is in the open position. For example, in such embodiments, the access panel may be pivotally attached to the main housing portion, or may be pivotally attached to the main housing portion, and between the open and closed positions. And may be operable. In the illustrated embodiment, the first aid access panel 390 is configured to quickly engage a portion of the corresponding housing section 70 to releasably retain it in the "closed" position. Other forms of mechanical fastening such as screws, pins etc may also be used.

  Whether the first aid access panel 390 is removable from the main housing portion 30 or whether the first aid access panel 390 remains movably attached to the main housing portion 30, the first aid access panel 390 drives A system locking member or yoke 392 and a first aid locking member or yoke 396, each projecting or otherwise formed on their back. Drive system locking yoke 392 incorporates a portion of system drive shaft 232 therein when first aid access panel 390 is mounted within main housing portion 30 (ie, first aid access panel is in the "closed" position). A drive shaft notch 394 configured to be received. When the first aid access panel 390 is positioned in the closed position or attached to the closed position, the drive system locking yoke 392 drives the drive bevel gear 234 (with respect to the bias of the drive system spring 235) the drive umbrella It helps to bias the gear 230 into meshing engagement. It should be noted that the first aid locking yoke 396 is configured to receive a portion of the first aid drive shaft 340 therein when the first aid access panel 390 is attached or positioned in the closed position. Including a notch 397. As can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 10, the first aid locking yoke 396 is also out of mesh engagement with the first aid driven gear 350 (with respect to the bias of the first aid shaft spring 348). Help to urge to release. Thus, the first aid locking yoke 396 prevents the first aid drive gear 342 from blocking rotation of the system drive shaft 232 when the first aid access panel 390 is mounted in the closed position. It should be noted that the first aid locking yoke 396 includes a handle notch 398 for engaging the first aid handle 370 and holding the first aid handle 370 in the storage position SP.

  Figures 4, 5 and 10 illustrate the arrangement of drive system components and first aid system components when the first aid access panel 390 is mounted in the closed position or in the closed position. As can be seen in these figures, the drive system locking member 392 biases the follower bevel gear 234 into meshing engagement with the drive bevel gear 230. Thus, when the first aid access panel 390 is attached or in the closed position, actuation of the motor 200 results in rotation of the drive bevel gear 230 and ultimately the system drive shaft 232. The first aid locking yoke 396 also helps bias the first aid drive gear 342 out of meshing engagement with the first aid driven gear 350 on the system drive shaft 232. Thus, when the first aid access panel 390 is attached or in the closed position, the drive system can be actuated by the motor 200 and the first aid system 330 is blocked from any actuation movement to the system drive shaft 232, or It is prevented. To activate the first aid system 330, the clinician may first remove the first aid access panel 390 or otherwise move the first aid access panel 390 to the open position. This action removes the drive system locking member 392 from engagement with the driven bevel gear 234 such that the drive system spring 235 releases the driven bevel gear 234 from meshing engagement with the drive bevel gear 230. It is possible to energize. It should be noted that removal of the first aid access panel 390 or movement of the first aid access panel to the open position also results in disengaging the first aid locking yoke 396 and the first aid drive gear 342, thereby providing first aid. A shaft spring 348 allows biasing of the first aid drive gear 342 into meshing engagement with the first aid drive spring 350 on the system drive shaft 232. Thus, rotation of the first aid drive gear 342 may result in rotation of the first aid follower bevel gear 350 and the system drive shaft 232. Removal of the first aid access panel 390 or otherwise movement of the first aid access panel 390 to the open position causes the handle spring 376 to bias the first aid handle 370 into the actuated position shown in FIGS. It also makes it possible. When in this position, the clinician can manually ratchet the first aid handle 370 in the ratcheting direction RD, thereby causing the ratchet bevel gear 364 (eg, in the clockwise direction of FIG. 14). The result is a rotation, which ultimately results in the application of a pull-in rotational motion to system drive shaft 232 via first aid drive transmission system 332. The clinician may perform the first aid handle 370 multiple times until the system drive shaft 232 has rotated sufficiently many times to retract the components of the surgical end effector portion of the surgical tool assembly attached to the handle assembly 20. You may ratchet it. Once first aid system 330 is fully actuated manually, the clinician then replaces first aid access panel 390 (ie, returns first aid access panel 390 to the closed position), thereby locking the drive system. A member 392 may bias the driven bevel gear 234 into meshing engagement with the drive bevel gear 230, and the first aid locking yoke 396 engages the first aid drive gear 342 from the first aid driven umbrella 350. It may be urged to release the engagement. As discussed above, power must be lost or disconnected and shift lever spring 266 can bias shift lever solenoid 260 to the first actuated position. In this way, actuation of the first aid system 330 may result in the application of a reversing or retracting motion to the first rotational drive system 300.

  As mentioned above, the surgical stapling instrument may comprise, for example, a manually operated first aid system configured to retract a staple firing drive. In many cases, it may be necessary to operate and / or crank the first aid system one or more times to fully retract the staple firing drive. In such cases, users of stapling instruments may lose track of what first aid they have cranked, or if they are further confused as to how much the firing drive needs to be retracted. There is. A system configured to sense the position of the launch member of the launch drive, determine the distance required for the launch member to be retracted, and indicate the distance to the user of the surgical instrument Various embodiments are envisaged for the provision of the fastening device.

  In at least one embodiment, the surgical stapling instrument comprises one or more sensors configured to detect the position of the firing member. In at least one case, for example, the sensor comprises a Hall effect sensor and the sensor can be positioned on the shaft of the stapling instrument and / or the end effector. The sensor is in signal communication with a controller of the surgical stapling instrument and, in turn, in signal communication with an indicator on the surgical stapling instrument. The controller comprises a microprocessor configured to compare the reference position or the actual position of the launch member relative to the standard position-including the fully retracted position of the launch member-and also the distance or Calculate the remaining distance between the actual position and the standard position.

  In addition to the above, the display comprises, for example, an electronic display, and the controller is configured to display the remaining distance on the electronic display in any suitable manner. In at least one case, the controller displays a progress bar on the display. In such cases, the empty travel bar may indicate that the firing member has ended its firing stroke, and a complete travel bar may, for example, indicate that the launch member has been fully retracted. In at least one case, 0% may indicate that the firing member has ended its firing stroke, and 100% may, for example, indicate that the firing member has been fully retracted. In certain cases, the controller is configured to indicate on the indicator how many times the first aid mechanism operation is required to pull the firing member into its fully retracted position. There is.

  In addition to the above, actuation of the first aid mechanism can operatively disconnect the battery, power supply of the surgical stapling instrument from the electric drive motor of the firing drive. In at least one embodiment, activation of the first aid mechanism flips the switch, thereby electrically disconnecting the battery from the electric motor. Such systems prevent the electric motor from resisting manual retraction of the firing member.

  The illustrated handle assembly 20 also generally supports a third axial drive system, shown as 400. As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the third axial drive system 400 comprises, in at least one form, a solenoid 402 having a third driver member or rod 410 projecting therefrom. The distal end 412 of the third drive actuator member 410 is formed therein for receiving a corresponding portion of the drive system component of the replaceable surgical tool assembly operatively attached thereto. And a third drive cradle or socket 414. The solenoid 402 is wired or otherwise communicates with the handle circuit board assembly 220 and the control system or CPU 224. In at least one arrangement, the solenoid 402 is "spring-loaded" such that when the solenoid 402 is inactive, its spring component returns the third drive actuator 410 to the inactive start position. Energize as you like.

  As indicated above, the reconfigurable handle assembly 20 may advantageously be used to actuate a variety of different replaceable surgical tool assemblies. The handle assembly 20 includes, for that purpose, a tool mount, generally designated 500, for operably coupling the replaceable surgical tool assembly to its end. In the illustrated embodiment, the tool mount 500 is configured with two inwardly facing members configured to engage corresponding portions of the tool mount module portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly. Including a dovetail receiving slot 502. Each dovetail receiving slot 502 may be tapered or, in other words, somewhat V-shaped. Dovetail receiving slot 502 is configured to releasably receive a corresponding tapered attachment or protrusion formed on a portion of the tool attachment nozzle portion of the replaceable surgical tool assembly . Each interchangeable surgical tool assembly may also be attached to a latching system configured to releasably engage a corresponding retention pocket 504 formed in the tool attachment 500 of the handle assembly 20. .

  The various replaceable surgical tool assemblies may have a "main" rotational drive system configured to operably couple or join with the first rotational drive system 310, as well as a second rotational drive system. A "secondary" rotational drive system may be included that is configured to operatively couple or join drive system 320. The primary and secondary rotational drive systems may be configured to provide various rotational motions to a portion of a particular type of surgical end effector that comprises a portion of a replaceable surgical tool assembly. The tool mount 500 of the handle assembly 20 is also for facilitating the operative connection of the primary rotational drive system to the first rotational drive system, as well as the operative connection of the secondary drive system to the second rotational drive system 320. Also, portions of the major and minor rotational drive systems of the replaceable surgical tool assembly may be biased distally during the coupling process, thereby causing the first rotational drive system 300 on the handle assembly 20 to And configured for facilitating alignment and operable coupling of the primary rotational drive system to the secondary rotational drive system 320 on the handle assembly 20 and , A pair of insertion lamps 506.

  The replaceable surgical tool assembly also includes a "third" axial drive system for applying axial motion (s) to a corresponding portion of the surgical end effector of the replaceable surgical tool assembly. May be included. A protrusion or other portion of the third axial drive system is internal to facilitate operable coupling of the third axial drive system to the third axial drive system 400 on the handle assembly 20. A third drive actuator member 410 is provided, along with a socket 414 configured to be operably received therein.

  A surgical stapling tool assembly or accessory device 11100 is shown in FIGS. Tool assembly 11100 is configured to capture, secure, staple and cut tissue during a surgical procedure. Referring mainly to FIG. 15, the tool assembly 11100 includes an accessory device portion 11200, a shaft assembly 11300, an articulation joint 11400, and an end effector assembly 11500. Tool assembly 11100 is configured to be attached to an instrument interface by attachment device portion 11200. The instrument interface may comprise a surgical instrument handle such as that disclosed herein. Other embodiments assume that the tool assembly 11100 is not easily attachable to the instrument interface and is not easily removable from the instrument interface, but instead is part of a single instrument It is assumed that there is. Accessory device portion 11200 is configured to receive rotational control movement from the instrument interface, tool assembly 11100 is attached, and rotational control movement is transmitted to shaft assembly 11300. Shaft assembly 11300 transmits these rotational control motions to end effector assembly 11500 via articulating joint 11400.

  An accessory device portion 11200, shown in more detail in FIG. 18, is configured to be attached to the instrument interface to provide rotational control motion that is generated by the instrument interface to the shaft assembly 11300. Accessory device portion 11200 includes a main mounting interface 11210 and a secondary mounting interface 11220 supported by accessory device portion housing 11201. The mounting interface 11210, 11220 is configured to engage or couple with the corresponding mounting interface of the instrument interface. The corresponding attachment interface of the surgical instrument handle can comprise, for example, a gear transmission configured to rotate by one or more motors when actuated by the user, and when rotated, the main attachment The interface 11210 and the secondary attachment interface 11220 are rotated.

  The user may select to rotate both interfaces 11210, 11220 simultaneously, or alternatively, to rotate interfaces 11210, 11220 independently. The main mounting interface 11210 is configured to rotate the input drive shaft 11211 and the input drive gear 11213 attached thereto. The input drive shaft 11211 comprises a housing bearing 11212 configured to be adjacent to the housing 11201 and prevents the shaft 11211 from being translated distally. The input drive gear 11213 is operatively meshed with the moveable gear 11313 of the shaft assembly 11300, which is attached to the main drive shaft 11311. As a result, the rotation of interface 11210 is transmitted to shaft 11311. A similar arrangement is used for the secondary attachment interface 11220. The secondary mounting interface 11220 is configured to rotate the input drive shaft 11221 and the input drive gear 11223 attached thereto. The input drive shaft 11221 includes a housing bearing 11222 configured to be adjacent to the housing 11201 and prevents the shaft 11221 from translating distally. The input drive gear 11223 is operatively meshed with the move gear 11323 of the shaft assembly 11300, which is attached to the secondary drive shaft 11321. As a result, the rotation of the interface 11220 is transmitted to the shaft 11321. The main drive shaft 11311 is housed within a shaft assembly housing 11301. Drive shaft 11311 transmits rotational control motion from accessory device interface 11210 to end effector assembly 11500 via articulating joint 11400. The secondary drive shaft 11321 is also housed within the shaft assembly housing 11301. Secondary drive shaft 11321 transmits rotational control motion from accessory device interface 11220 to end effector assembly 11500 via articulation joint 11400.

  Articulating joint 11400 allows for passive articulation of end effector assembly 11500 relative to shaft assembly housing 11301. Referring primarily to FIGS. 19 and 20, the articulation joint 11400 includes a proximal yoke 11410 attached to the shaft housing 11301, a distal yoke 11430 attached to the end effector assembly 11500, and a proximal yoke 11410 and a distal end. An articulating pin 11420 pivotably connects the yoke 11430. The articulating pin 11420 is rotatably received within an opening 11411 of the proximal yoke and an opening 11431 of the distal yoke defined by the proximal yoke 11410 and the distal yoke 11430, respectively. End effector assembly 11500 includes an articulating axis defined by articulating pin 11420 transversely to tool assembly 11100, and more specifically, to the longitudinal tool axis LT defined by shaft housing 11301. It is configured to articulate around the AA. The proximal yoke 11410 includes a longitudinally extending aperture 11419 therein that allows the coaxial main drive shaft 11311 and the secondary drive shaft 11321 to extend therein. The articulating pin 11420 also includes a longitudinally extending aperture 11421 therein that allows the secondary drive shaft 11321 to extend through the articulating pin 11420.

  The articulation joint 11400 utilizes a passive articulation system comprising an articulation lock 11440 and a detent 11413. A user may manually pivot end effector assembly 11500 around articulating pin 11420 to move distal yoke 11430 to articulating lock 11440. The articulating lock 11440 moves relative to the proximal yoke 11410 and rotates around the articulating pin 11420, and the articulating lock 11440 grips or incrementally moves the detent 11413 defined in the proximal yoke 11410. And lock the distal yoke 11430 in the proper position, thereby locking the end effector assembly 11500 into place. As stated otherwise, in rotating the end effector assembly 11500 around the articulating pin 11420, the passive articulation system incrementally articulates the end effector assembly 11500 about the articulation axis AA. Promote.

  The articulation joint 11400 is further configured to transmit and communicate rotation of the main drive shaft 11311 to the end effector assembly 11500. In order to transmit rotational movement of the main drive shaft 11311 via the articulation 11400 or across the articulation 11400, the articulation 11400 comprises an idler bevel gear 11416 rotatable around the main drive shaft 11311, the articulation pin 11420, And an input bevel gear 11415 attached to an output bevel gear 11417 attached to an input drive shaft 11518. As the main drive shaft 11311 rotates, the input bevel gear 11415 rotates and the idler bevel gear 11416 rotates. The rotation of idler bevel gear 11416 causes output bevel gear 11417 to rotate, thus rotating input drive shaft 11518, such that output bevel gear 11417 is coupled. This arrangement allows the output bevel gear 11417 to rotate about the articulating pin 11420 when the end effector assembly 11500 is articulated while maintaining driving engagement with the main input drive shaft 11518 .

  The main input drive gear 11519 is attached to the main input drive shaft 11518 and rotates when the main input drive shaft 11518 rotates. The main input drive gear 11519 is configured to operate as a single rotational input of the drive system 11510, discussed in more detail below.

  The articulation joint 11400 is further configured to allow the secondary drive shaft 11321 to pass therethrough, whereby the drive screw 11325 of the secondary drive shaft 11321 is discussed in more detail below in the drive system 11510. Shift assembly 11550 may be engaged. Each of the input bevel gear 11415, the output bevel gear 11417, and the main input drive shaft 11518 comprises an opening configured to allow the secondary drive shaft 11321 to extend therethrough. The secondary drive shaft 11321 can be flexible, for example, so that the end effector assembly 11500 curves as it articulates about the articulation axis AA. Thrust bearing 11326 is mounted on the secondary drive shaft 11321 to prevent the secondary drive shaft 11321 from being pulled through the primary input drive shaft 11518 when the end effector assembly 11500 is articulated. The bearing 11326 is bounded or bounded by the main input drive gear 11519.

  The articulation joint 11400 supports the end effector frame 11600 by attaching the proximal jaw 11610 of the end effector frame 11600 to the distal yoke 11430. The distal yoke 11430 comprises a sleeve portion 11433 having an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the outer surface is engaged by the end effector frame 11600 and the inner surface is configured to pivotally support the shift assembly 11550 ing.

  Referring primarily to FIGS. 17 and 19, end effector assembly 11500 is mounted into drive system 11510, end effector frame 11600, closing frame 11700 movable relative to end effector frame 11600, and into end effector frame 11600. A replaceable staple cartridge assembly 11800 configured as described above. Drive system 11510 comprises a single rotational input configured to receive rotational control motion from shaft assembly 11300, articulating joint 11400, and closed drive 11530 and firing drive 11540 of drive system 11510. Drive selectively. The closure drive 11530 interacts with the closure frame 11700 and a portion of the staple cartridge assembly 11800 to capture tissue within the end effector assembly 11500 relative to the end effector frame 11600 relative to the closure frame 11700 and It is configured to move the staple cartridge assembly 11800 to the capture stage position. The capture step involves automatically positioning the tissue retention pin mechanism 11870 with the tissue retention pin 11871. The closure drive can then be used to move the closure frame 11700 to the stationary phase position to secure the tissue using the staple cartridge assembly 11800. Once the tool assembly 11100 is in a completely fixed position, the firing drive 11540 can be operated to eject a plurality of staples 11880 from the staple cartridge assembly 11800 and from the staple cartridge body 11810 of the staple cartridge assembly. The knives 11840 can be deployed to cut the tissue captured and secured by the staple cartridge assembly 11800. The shift assembly 11550 moves between the driveability of the closure drive 11530 and the driveability of the launch drive 11540 and also the simultaneous driveability of both the closure drive 11530 and the launch drive 11540 Provide capabilities to the user.

  Staple cartridge assembly 11800 is configured to be replaceable. The staple cartridge assembly 11800 can be mounted within the end effector frame 11600 such that upon installation, the staple assembly 11800 operatively engages the closing frame 11700 and the drive system 11510. Referring now to FIG. 16, the end effector frame 11600 comprises a proximal jaw 11610, a distal jaw 11630, and a connection 11620 that connects the proximal jaw 11610 and the distal jaw 11630. The proximal jaw 11610 is configured to operatively support the drive system 11510 and the closure frame 11700 and to pivotally receive and movably support the staple cartridge body 11810. The distal jaw 11630 is configured to pivotally receive and securely support the anvil portion 11830 of the staple cartridge assembly 11800. Anvil portion 11830 includes a staple forming surface 11831 configured to form staples 11880 and a knife slot 11835 configured to at least partially receive knife 11840 therein. Connecting portion 11620 is configured to receive and support anvil frame 11820 of staple cartridge assembly 11800 having locator pin arrangement 11821. Locating pin arrangement 11821 allows for quick and / or easy loading of staple cartridge assembly 11800 into end effector assembly 11500. The locating pin function portion 11821 corresponds to the recess of the locating pin at the connection portion 11620 of the end effector frame 11600. The staple cartridge assembly 11800 further comprises a guide pin 11823. The cartridge body 11810 is configured to move relative to the end effector frame 11600 using a knife and cartridge guide pins 11823 for support and guidance purposes.

  Cartridge body 11810 has a cartridge deck 11811 having a plurality of staple sockets 11818 configured to removably store staples 11880, a knife slot 11815 in which the knife 11840 is movably positioned, and pins 11823 and 11871 A pair of pin slots 11812 configured to be received therein is provided. The cartridge deck 11811 further comprises a closure stop 11813 configured to abut the anvil portion 11830 as the cartridge body 11810 advances toward the staple forming surface 11831. The closure stop 11813 defines the shortest reachable distance between the deck 11811 and the staple forming surface 11831 when the closure stop is adjacent to the staple forming surface 11831. However, it is envisioned that the closure stop 11813 may not contact the staple forming surface 11831 if, for example, thick tissue is being stapled.

  The closure frame 11700 engages the cartridge drive tab 11701, the cartridge gripping recess, or the cartridge body 11810 and also allows the closure frame 11700 to push the cartridge body 11810 towards the distal jaw 11630 And a feature 11703 configured to pull the cartridge body 11810 away from the distal jaw 11630. The cartridge drive tab 11701 engages the drive surface 11801 of the staple cartridge body 11810 such that the closure frame 11700 anvils the cartridge body 11810 when the closure frame 11700 is moved distally by the closure drive 11530 It can be pushed or driven towards 11830. The cartridge gripping feature 11703 operates as a hook or arm and is configured to pull the cartridge 11810 proximally when the closure frame 11700 is moved proximally by the closure drive 11530.

  Turning now to FIG. 17, staple cartridge assembly 11800 further comprises a plurality of drives 11851 supported by staple drive base 11850. The drive 11851 is configured to support the staples 11880 and to push the staples 11880 out of their respective staple fovea 11818. The staple drive base 11850 and the knife 11840 are driven by the main drive 11860, which interacts with the firing bar 11560 of the drive system 11510. The knife 11840 is attached to the main drive 11860 by means of a knife support 11843. The firing drive 11540 interacts with the main drive 11860 so that when the firing drive 11540 is actuated, the firing bar 11560 pushes the main drive 11860 distally and ultimately the staple cartridge set Eject staples 11880 from solid 11800 and position knife 11840. The firing drive 11540 is operable to retract the firing bar 11560, which retracts the main drive 11860 using a knife reaction arm 11561 engaged with the firing bar 11560 and the main drive 11860. The main drive 11860 is a slot 11863 configured to receive the knife reaction arm 11561 and further a firing bar guide configured to operate as an alignment interface between the firing bar 11560 and the main drive 11860 The pin 11865 is provided.

  As mentioned above, the drive system 11510 of the end effector assembly 11500 engages a single rotational input or main input drive gear 11519 to affect the combined functionality of the tool assembly 11100. Referring now to FIG. 24, the drive system 11510 comprises a closing drive 11530, a firing drive 11540, and a shift assembly 11550 to enable the driveability of the closing drive 11530 and the driveability of the firing drive 11540. It also provides the user with the ability to selectively move between and also the simultaneous driveability of both the closing drive 11530 and the firing drive 11540. As described above, interface 11220 can be selectively rotated to operate shaft 11321. Shaft 11321 comprises a threaded portion or drive screw, 11325, threadably engaged with shift assembly 11550. The shift assembly 11550 is longitudinally moveable along the longitudinal tool axis LT using a drive screw 11325 of the secondary drive shaft 11321. As secondary attachment device interface 11220 rotates, shift assembly 11550 moves relative to distal yoke 11430. Instead of the shaft 11321, it is envisioned that a motor and / or solenoid is positioned within the end effector assembly 11500 to move the shift assembly 11550 between the described position.

  The closure drive 11530 comprises an input drive shaft having an input drive gear 11539 and an input spline portion 11538. The input drive gear 11539 is operatively meshed with the main input drive gear 11519. The closure drive 11530 further comprises an output shaft having an output splined portion 11537 and a threaded portion 11536. The output shaft of the closure drive 11530 is aligned with the input drive shaft of the closure drive 11530. When the main input drive gear 11519 rotates, the output shaft of the closure drive 11530 rotates in unison with the input drive shaft of the closure drive 11530 only when the splines 11538, 11537 are connected by the shift assembly 11550. The threaded portion 11536 of the output shaft of the closure drive 11530 is threadably received by the threaded hole 11736 of the closure frame 11700. When the output shaft of the closure drive 11530 rotates, the closure frame 11700 moves relative to the end effector frame 11600 causing the staple cartridge body 11810 to move distally towards the anvil portion 11830 and into the end effector assembly 11500. To fix the tissue to

  Launch drive 11540 also includes an input drive shaft having an input drive gear 11549 and an input spline portion 11548. The input drive gear 11549 is also operatively meshed with the main input drive gear 11519. Launch drive 11540 further comprises an output shaft having an output spline portion 11547 and an input spline portion 11546. The output shaft of the firing drive 11540 further comprises a tubular firing shaft 11545 that receives the input splined portion 11546 in the firing shaft hole 11545B. The tubular firing shaft 11545 rotatably engages the rib 11546S of the input spline portion 11546, thereby maintaining the rotatable driveable relationship with the input spline portion 11546 while the tubular firing shaft 11545 acts as the input spline portion 11546. Move in the longitudinal direction. The output shaft of launch drive 11540 is aligned with the input drive shaft of launch drive 11540. When the main input drive gear 11519 rotates, the output shaft of the firing drive 11540 rotates in unison with the input drive shaft of the firing drive 11540 only when the splines 11548, 11547 are connected by the shift assembly 11550.

  The tubular firing shaft 11545 further comprises a firing shaft surface 11544 and further a threaded output shaft 11543 screwably received by the firing bar 11560. When the closure frame 11700 is advanced distally by the closure drive 11530, the closure frame 11700 pushes the firing bar 11560 distally. As the firing bar is advanced distally by the closure frame 11700, the tubular firing shaft 11545 is at least in threaded engagement with the output shaft 11543 and the firing bar 11560 to allow the firing bar 11560 to engage the input splined portion 11546 It is drawn to the distal end. The tubular firing shaft 11545 is pivotally received by firing holes 11745 defined in the closing frame 11700 to allow rotation of the tubular firing shaft 11545 within the closing frame 11700. When the splines 11548, 11547 are connected, the input splines 11546 cause the tubular firing shaft 11545 of the firing drive 11540 to rotate, and similarly, the firing shaft surface 11544 of the tubular firing shaft 11545 fires the closure frame 11700. Press the tapered portion 11744. Utilizing the tang 11744 as a movable facing mechanism, the tubular firing shaft 11545 drives the firing bar 11560 distally by means of the threaded output shaft 11543, thus positioning the knife 11840 and stapling The staple 11880 is ejected from the fossa 11818.

  Connecting and uncoupling the set of splines 11537, 11538 and the set of 11547, 11548 allows the user to move shift assembly 11550 between the driveability options described above. Do. The shift assembly 11550 threadably receives the drive screw 11325 of the secondary drive shaft 11321 so that when the drive screw 11325 rotates, the shift assembly 11550 sets the splines 11537, 11538 and 11547, 11548 A threaded opening 11555 is moved longitudinally relative to the set of The shift assembly 11550 further comprises a spline closing connection or clutch ring 11553 corresponding to the closing drive 11530 and a spline firing connection or clutch ring 11554 corresponding to the firing drive 11540. Spline connections 11553, 11554 are cylindrical, tubular-like connections pivotally supported within shift assembly 11550 and capable of rotating within shift assembly 11550. The spline connections 11553, 11554 each have an inner shell with a spline arrangement, such that the connections 11553, 11554 connect or set the set of spline shaft portions 11537, 11538 and the set of 11547, 11548 respectively It can be adjusted. The closure connection 11553 engages the splines 11537, 11538 as the shift assembly 11550 moves to place the end effector assembly 11500 in a tissue securing configuration. The closure connection 11553 transmits the rotation of the splined shaft portion 11538 to the splined shaft portion 11537, thus rotating the output shaft of the closure drive 11530. The firing connection 11554 engages the splines 11547, 11548 when the shift assembly 11550 is moved to place the end effector assembly 11500 in a tissue cutting and stapling arrangement. The launch connection 11554 transmits the rotation of the input spline shaft portion 11548 to the output spline portion 11547, thus rotating the output shaft of the launch drive 11540. The shift assembly 11550 also allows the shift assembly 11550 to nest relative to the thrust bearing 11326 of the secondary drive shaft 11321 when moved proximally to the second position. Prepare.

  The user of the tool assembly 11100 can perform what function between the fixed state and the staple forming state via the instrument interface to which the controller self-contained tool assembly 11100 and / or the tool assembly 11100 is attached. The tool assembly 11100 can be moved depending on what is desired. The controller may be in communication with the motor to simultaneously activate either the primary accessory interface 11210, the secondary accessory interface 11220, or both the primary accessory interface 11210 and the secondary accessory interface 11220. Referring now to FIGS. 25-30, the interaction and engagement between the drive system 11510 and the end effector assembly 11500 is possible with the tool assembly 11100 including capture, fixation, stapling and cutting of tissue. The functions will be discussed here.

  FIG. 25 shows the tool assembly 11100 in a release or initial configuration. The shift assembly 11550 is such that the closure connection 11553 couples the splined shaft portions 11538, 11537 of the closure drive 11530 to drive the output shaft of the closure drive 11530 upon rotation of the main input drive gear 11519 In the first position to enable. The launch connection 11554 is in a position where it engages only the output shaft of the launch drive 11540. In this case, the launch connection 11554 is not in the position configured to engage the splined shaft portions 11538, 11537. In this position, the firing connection 11554 does not rotate within the shift assembly 11550 as the output shaft of the firing drive 11540 is not driven when the main input drive gear 11519 rotates.

  Actuation of the closure drive 11530 performs two functions, pinning (capturing) tissue in the end effector assembly 11500 and securing tissue in the end effector assembly 11500. In order to capture tissue within tissue retention pin 11871, main accessory interface 11210 is activated while shift assembly 11550 is in the first position. Because the main input drive gear 11519 is driven and the closing connection engages both splines 11538 and 11537 of the closing drive 11530, the output shaft of the closing drive 11530 is rotated to move the closing frame 11700 far Advance to a position. This initial distal movement of the closure frame 11700 automatically positions the tissue retention pin mechanism 11870 with the lever 11770. A coupling portion 11873 having a coupling recess 11876 is configured to receive the lever tip 11774 extending from the pair of lever arms 11772 to couple the tissue holding pin mechanism 11870 and the lever 11770. Cartridge cap 11878 having cap window 11877 and cap base 11875 allows lever 11770 to engage staple cartridge assembly 11800 to interact with pin mechanism 11870. The cap base 11875 defines a face position for the pin, the connector portion 11873 and thus the pin mechanism 11870. A lever 11770 interacts with the end effector frame 11600, the closure frame 11700, and the tissue retention pin mechanism 11870 to position the pin 11871. The lever 11770 comprises a contact pin 11771 supported in a frame opening 11671 of the end effector frame 11600 and a frame slot 11741 of the closing frame 11700. The contact pin 11771 defines a lever rotation axis. The lever 11770 also comprises a lever arm 11772 having an actuation tine 11773 configured for engagement with the closing frame cam slot 11743 of the closing frame 11700. The lever further comprises a lever tip 11774 configured for engagement with the connector portion 11873 of the pin mechanism 11870.

  As best seen in FIGS. 21-23, the closing frame cam slot 11743 of the closing frame 11700 drives the actuation tine 11773 distally to rotate the lever 11770 about the lever rotation axis, thus the lever There is an initial cam slot portion 11743A configured to pull up the tip 11774 to disengage the pin 11871 from the corresponding pin slot 11812 and to drive it towards the distal jaw 11630. The closing frame cam slot 11743 also includes a final cam slot portion 11743B to allow clearance in the closing frame 11700 for the actuation tine 11773 during the fixation phase discussed in more detail below. The actuation tine 11773 prevents retraction of the tissue retention pin 11871 adjacent the final cam slot portion 11743B during the fixation phase or prevents opening during the fixation and / or firing / stapling phase. The frame slot 11741 also provides clearance, but the contact pin 11771 is different during the fixation phase. The initial actuation phase of the closure drive 11530 is an initial capture phase in which the tissue retention pin 11871 is positioned for engagement with the distal jaw 11630 and / or the anvil portion 11830 of the staple cartridge assembly 11800. To complete. This initial capture phase may be sufficient to capture tissue using tool assembly 11100, as can be seen in FIG.

  During the initial capture phase, the closure frame 11700 also advances a portion of the staple cartridge assembly 11800 and advances the firing bar 11560 towards the distal jaw 11630. Cartridge drive tab 11701 drives cartridge body 11810 and closure frame 11700 drives tubular firing shaft 11545 and firing bar 11560. Other and / or additional contact points may be provided between the closure frame 11700, the firing drive 11540 and the staple cartridge assembly 11800 to assist in advancing certain portions of the end effector assembly 11500. . As mentioned above, the tubular firing shaft 11545 and the input spline portion 11546 of the firing drive 11540 can be moved longitudinally relative to one another while maintaining a rotatable drive relationship. This facilitates extension of the output shaft of the firing drive 11540 so that the tubular firing shaft 11545 may be driven when the input spline portion 11546 is driven after the closure frame 11700 is advanced.

  FIG. 27 shows the tool assembly 11100 in a fully fixed configuration after the final actuation phase of the closing drive 11530. The closure stop 11813 is bounded by the anvil portion 11830 and the tissue retention pin mechanism 11870 is fully deployed. To fully position the tissue retention pin mechanism 11870, the closing frame cam slot 11743 includes the final cam slot end 11743C to advance the actuation tine 11773 to the final position. The arrangement of tool assembly 11100 is considered to be a completely fixed position. The user may actuate the closing drive in the opposite direction to decide to retract the closing drive, so that the tissue is not fixed and not captured or the user can see the shift assembly in FIG. It may be moved to the second position shown to decide to fire the tool assembly 11100.

  In order to move the shift assembly to the second position shown in FIG. 28, the user can actuate the secondary attachment device interface 11220, thereby rotating the drive screw 11325 to shift the shift assembly 11550 to a second position. Move proximally to position. The shift assembly 11550 is configured to nest relative to the thrust bearing 11326 when moving to the second position. In the second position, the firing coupling 11554 of the shaft assembly 11550 couples the splined shaft portions 11548, 11547 of the firing drive 11540 to output shaft of the firing drive 11540 upon rotation of the main input drive gear 11519. Allows to drive. Moving the shift assembly 11550 to the second position also uncouples the splined shaft portions 11538, 11537 of the closing drive 11530. Although the closure connector 11553 rotates within the shift assembly 11550 when the main input drive gear 11519 is driven, the output shaft of the closure drive 11530 does not rotate because the closure connector 11553 only engages with the input spline portion 11548 .

  The user can now actuate the firing drive 11540 by driving the main accessory interface 11210 to drive the main drive shaft 11311. Actuation of firing drive 11540 causes output spline portion 11546 to rotate, thereby rotating tubular firing shaft 11545. The tubular firing shaft 11545 rotates within the firing hole 11745 of the closing frame 11700. When the tubular firing shaft 11545 is rotated, the firing shaft facing surface 11544 of the tubular firing shaft 11545 pushes the firing portion 11744 of the closing frame 11700 or faces by the firing portion 11744 of the closing frame 11700. Rotation of the tubular firing shaft 11545 rotates the threaded output shaft 11543, which drives the firing bar 11560 distally. The distal movement of the firing bar 11560 positions the knife 11840 out of the cartridge body 11810 and drives the staple 11880 out of the staple fossa 11818 with the staple drive 11851 and the drive base 11850. The knife 11840 cuts the tissue secured by the end effector assembly 11500, and the staples 11880 staple the tissue secured by the end effector assembly.

  At the stage shown in FIG. 29, the user can pull on the firing bar 11560 in the opposite direction by activating the main accessory interface 11210, thereby pulling the drive bar 11560 and the knife 11840 proximally. The firing bar 11560 is configured to axially support the firing bar guide pin 11865 and maintain alignment of the firing bar 11560 and the main drive 11860 during movement of the firing bar 11560 and the main drive 11860 In addition, an opening 11565 is provided. The firing bar 11560 also includes a slot 11563 configured to receive the knife retraction arm 11561 so that the firing bar 11560 pulls the knife 11840 proximally as the firing bar 11560 moves proximally. Can or can be Another option for the user may involve moving shift assembly 11550 to a third position intermediate the first and second positions by activating secondary attachment device interface 11220. This third position, shown in FIG. 30, positions both couplers 11553, 11554 into interlocking engagement with their respective sets of splines 11538, 11537 and 11548, 11547. The user then actuates the main accessory interface 11210 in the reverse direction, actuates the main drive gear 11519 and simultaneously drives both the output shaft of the closing drive 11530 and the output shaft of the firing drive 11540 it can. The user desires this simultaneous driveability at any time to provide a quick pull-in method when the user desires to withdraw the tool assembly 11100 from the surgical site during use of the tool assembly 11100 May. The controller incorporating the fixture interface is programmed to automatically move the shift assembly 11550 to the third position and simultaneously operate the accessory interface 11210, 11220 simultaneously to reverse the main input drive gear 11519. It can be done.

  The tool assembly 11100 'is shown in FIGS. 30A-30G. Tool assembly 11100 'is similar to tool assembly 11100 in many respects. Referring primarily to FIG. 30A, tool assembly 11100 'provides articulation for connecting accessory device portion 11200, shaft 11300 extending from accessory device portion 11200, end effector 11500', and end effector 11500 'to shaft 11300. A unit 11400 'is provided. Referring primarily to FIG. 30B, end effector 11500 'is insertable into end effector frame 11600', end effector frame 11600 'and anvil jaw 11630', and from end effector frame 11600 'and anvil jaw 11630'. And a removable staple cartridge 11800 '. The staple cartridge 11800 'includes a cartridge body 11810' that is slidable relative to the anvil jaw 11630 'between an open, unlocked position (Fig. 30D) and a closed, locked position (Fig. 30E). As described in more detail below, the tool assembly 11100 'includes a closure drive 11530' configured to move the cartridge body 11810 'between its non-fixed and fixed positions. Referring primarily to FIG. 30F, the tool assembly 11100 ′ is also configured to releasably eject the staples stored in the staple cartridge 11800 ′ after the cartridge body 11810 ′ has been moved to its fixed position. A launch driver 11540 'is described in more detail below.

  As mentioned above, the articulation joint 11400 comprises a proximal yoke 11410 and a distal yoke 11430 rotatably connected by a pin 11420. The articulation joint 11400 'has a similar arrangement that includes a proximal yoke 11410' and a distal yoke 11430 '. Also, as noted above, articulation joint 11400 includes bevel gears 11415, 11416, and 11417 operably engaged to transmit rotation of drive shaft 11311 to drive system 11510. Articulating joint 11400 'comprises a similar arrangement of bevel gears configured to transmit the rotational movement of shaft 11311 to drive system 11510'. In addition, the articulating portion 11400 'includes second meshed bevel gears 11495' and 11496 'nested in bevel gears 11415, 11416 and 11417 configured to articulate end effector 11500' with respect to shaft 11300. With a set of Bevel gear 11495 'is rotatably supported by proximal yoke 11410' and operatively engages articulating input shaft 11391 '(FIG. 30D) and bevel gear 11496'. The bevel gear 11496 'is fixedly attached to the distal yoke 11430'. A portion of bevel gear 11496 'extends into a notch 11439' of distal yoke 11430 '. Rotation of the input shaft 11391 'in the first direction rotates the end effector 11500' in the first direction, and similarly, rotation of the input shaft 11391 'in the second direction, or the opposite direction, occurs in the second direction, or The end effector 11500 'is rotated in the opposite direction. The tool assembly 11100 'may be actuated by the electric motor of the instrument interface to which the assembly 11100' is attached to rotate the input shaft 11391 '. However, tool assembly 11100 'may be actuated by any suitable means.

  Similar to drive system 11510 of end effector 11500, drive system 11510 'of end effector 11500' operably engages bevel gear 11417 and operably drives drive gear 11539 and firing drive of closed drive 11530 '. An input gear 11519 meshing with the drive gear 11549 of 11540 'is provided. Also, similar to drive system 11510, drive system 11510 'is in a first position (FIGS. 30D and 30E) and a first position to move shaft assembly 11100' between a closed or stationary operating mode and a firing operating mode. It comprises a shift lever block or assembly, 11550 ', movable between two positions (FIG. 30F). Drive gear 11539 is attached to spline shaft 11538 'and, when shift lever block 11550' is in its first position (FIGS. 30D and 30E), spline shaft 11538 'is a spline of closed drive 11530'. It rotatably couples with the shaft 11537 '. The splined shaft 11537 'includes a threaded distal end 11536 that threadably engages the closing frame 11700', and the closing frame 11700 when the splined shaft 11537 'is rotated in the first direction by the splined shaft 11538'. And the cartridge body 11810 'is disposed distally as shown in FIG. 30E to close the end effector 11500'. Specifically, the rotation of drive gear 11549 of firing drive 11540 'causes the distal portion of firing drive 11540' to move through shift lever block 11550 'when shift lever block 11550' is in its first position. Not transmitted to. As a result, the closing drive 11530 'operates the firing drive 11540' independently and further operates the firing drive 11540 'until the shift lever block 11550' is moved to its second position. I can not

  In addition to the above, drive gear 11549 is attached to spline shaft 11548 'and, when shift lever block 11550' is in its second position (FIG. 30F), shift lever block 11550 'is a spline shaft. 11548 'is rotatably coupled to the spline shaft 11547' of the firing drive 11540 '. The splined shaft 11547 'comprises a distal end 11546 fixed to the rotatable drive shaft 11545 of the firing drive 11540', whereby the splined shaft 11547 'and the drive shaft 11545 rotate together. The drive shaft 11545 includes a threaded distal end 11543 threadedly engaged with the firing block 11560 ', and the firing block 11560' rotates when the spline shaft 11547 'is rotated in the first direction by the spline shaft 11548'. Disposed distally, the staples are fired from the staple cartridge 11800 'to cut the captured tissue between the staple cartridge body 11810' and the anvil jaws 1630 '. Similar to the firing drive 11540 described above, the firing drive 11540 'comprises a staple drive 11850', a knife block 11860 ', and a knife 11840', which fire during the firing stroke of the firing drive 11540 '. Pushed distally by block 11560 '. In particular, the rotation of the drive gear 11539 of the closing drive 11530 'causes the distal portion of the closing drive 11530' to shift via the shift lever block 11550 'when the shift lever block 11550' is in its second position. Not transmitted to. As a result, launch drive 11540 'operates closure drive 11530' independently.

  In addition to the above, when comparing FIGS. 30D and 30E, when the closing drive 11530 'operates to close the end effector 11550', the firing drive 11540 'extends or snaps in , Readers must understand. As a result, the distal end 11546 of the splined shaft 11547 'rotatably maintains engagement with the drive shaft 11545. Referring mainly to FIG. 30C, the closing frame 11700 ′ is adjacent to the shaft collar 11544 defined on the drive shaft 11545 when the closing frame 11700 ′ is driven distally to close the end effector 11550 ′. , Hooks 11744 'configured to pull the drive shaft 11545 closer. As described below, when the closure drive 11530 'operates to reopen the end effector 11500', the drive shaft 11545 is pushed proximally to fold the firing drive 11540 '.

  After the firing stroke of firing drive 11540 ', spline shaft 11548' rotates in a second or opposite direction, pulling firing block 11560 ', knife block 11860', and knife 11840 'proximally. In particular, the staple driver 11850 'is not retracted into the firing block 11560'. However, in other embodiments, the staple driver 11850 'can be retracted. Once the knife 11840 'is fully retracted under the deck of the cartridge body 11810', the shift lever block 11550 'can move back to its first position to move the firing drive 11540' out of the drive shaft 11311 The possible disconnection and likewise the closure drive 11530 'are operatively re-connected in the drive shaft 11311. In such a position, spline shaft 11538 'can rotate in a second or opposite direction, pulling cartridge body 11810' and closing frame 11700 'proximally, and reopening end effector 11500'. Do.

  The end effector 11500 'includes a motor 11322' configured to move the shift lever block 11550 'between its first and second positions, as described above. The motor 11322 'comprises a housing positioned within a motor support 11329' attached to the closing frame 11700 '. The housing of the motor 11322 'is completely mounted within the motor support 11329' such that the housing does not move relative to the motor support 11329 '. The motor 11322 'further comprises a rotatable output shaft 11325' threadably engaged with a threaded opening 11555 defined in the shift lever block 11550 '. When motor 11322 'operates in a first direction, threaded output shaft 11325' moves shift lever block 11550 'to its first position. When motor 11322 'operates in the second direction, threaded output shaft 11325' moves shift lever block 11550 'to its second position.

  Referring primarily to FIG. 30G, the battery and controller system 11324 'is configured to communicate with the motor 11322' to provide power to the motor 11322 '. When the user and / or computer of the surgical instrument interface to which the instrument 11100 'is attached desires to move the shift block 11550', for example, a signal is transmitted to the battery and controller system 11324 wirelessly. In other cases, signals can be communicated to system 11324 'via the conductors. This signal is then communicated to motor 11322 'to operate motor 11322'. In at least one alternative embodiment, a solenoid can be utilized to move shift lever block 11550 '.

  The reader should understand that it may be important to extend battery life for such systems. The instrument 11100 'is configured to introduce kinetic energy during various stages of operation. The instrument 11100 'comprises an energy harvesting system that can convert the motion of the drive system 11510' into electrical energy and store that energy in the battery. The energy intake system comprises a coil 11327 'housed within the distal yoke 11430' and positioned proximate to the proximal portion of the closure drive 11530. The coil 11327 'is electrically coupled to the battery and controller system 11324' via the conductor 11326 '. The shaft extending proximally from drive gear 11539 comprises a magnetic disk 11328 'mounted thereon. As the closing drive 11530 'rotates, the magnetic disk 11328' rotates in close proximity to the coil 11327 'to generate a current in the energy harvesting system.

  The energy intake system may act as a generator when the shift lever block 11550 'is in the neutral position (FIG. 30G). In this neutral position, spline connector 11554 only engages spline shaft 11547 'and, similarly, spline connector 11553 engages only spline shaft 11537'. Thus, when drive input 11519 rotates, the energy harvesting system is configured to generate energy to recharge the battery without performing any instrument functions. Specifically, the energy harvesting system may also operate as a generator when the shift lever block 11550 'is in its first position and its second position. During fixation and / or firing, in such a case, the magnetic disk 11328 'is rotated by the input 11539 regardless of which instrument function is activated. The energy introduced may be supplied to the battery and / or motor 11322 'during the fixing and / or firing operation of the end effector 11500'.

  A surgical stapling attachment or tool assembly, 12100, is shown in FIGS. The tool assembly or instrument 12100 is configured to capture, secure and staple tissue during a surgical procedure. Referring primarily to FIGS. 31-33, tool assembly 12100 includes accessory device portion 12200, shaft assembly 12300, articulating portion 12400, and end effector assembly 12500. Tool assembly 12100 is configured to be attached to the instrument interface by attachment device portion 12200. The instrument interface may comprise a surgical instrument handle such as that disclosed herein. Other embodiments assume that the tool assembly 12100 is not easily attachable to the instrument interface and is not easily removable from the instrument interface, but instead is part of a single instrument It is assumed that there is. Accessory device portion 12200 is configured to receive rotational control movement from the instrument interface, tool assembly 12100 is attached, and rotational control movement is transmitted to shaft assembly 12300. Shaft assembly 12300 transmits these rotational control motions through articulation joint 12400 and end effector assembly 12500.

  Accessory device portion 12200 includes a conductive device system 12210. As shown in FIG. 34, the conductive device system 12210 housed within the ancillary device part housing 12201 comprises an ancillary device interface 12220 comprising a connector portion 12223. The coupler portion 12223 is configured to operably couple to the instrument interface. The transmission device further comprises a housing bearing 12221, an input shaft 12211 coupled to the coupler portion 12223, and an input drive gear 12213 attached to the input shaft 12211. Upon actuation of the coupler portion 12223 by the instrument interface, the input drive gear 12213 drives the main drive shaft gear 12313 to drive the main drive shaft 12311 attached to the main drive shaft gear 12313.

  Referring primarily to FIGS. 35-38, end effector assembly 12500 is mounted into drive system 12510, end effector frame 12600, closure frame 12700 movable relative to end effector frame 12600, and into end effector frame 12600. A replaceable staple cartridge assembly 12800 configured as described above. Drive system 12510 comprises a single rotational input configured to receive rotational control motion from shaft assembly 12300 and drives main drive 12520 to secure tissue within tool assembly 12100 Do. The main drive 12520 is configured to interact with the end effector assembly 12500 to move the closure frame 12700 and, consequently, to move the staple cartridge assembly 12800 distally. The distal movement of the closure frame 12700 also results in the automatic placement of the tissue retention pin 12860 of the staple cartridge assembly 12800 to capture tissue. The main drive 12520 is further configured to cause the tool assembly 12100 to fire once the tool assembly 12100 has reached a fully fixed orientation. Firing the tool assembly 12100 includes placing a plurality of staples from the staple cartridge assembly 12800 to staple the captured tissue and secure with the tool assembly 12100.

  End effector frame 12600 contains the various components of end effector assembly 12500. End effector frame 12600 houses closing frame 12700 of staple cartridge 12800. Mutual movement of the closure frame 12700 and the staple cartridge assembly 12800 within the end effector frame 12600 is enabled. The end effector 12600 includes a proximal neck 12610, a first side frame 12620A, and a second side frame 12620B. The proximal neck 12610 is attached to or coupled to the articulating joint 12400. Articulated joint 12400 includes a flexible neck 12401 configured to allow a user of tool assembly 12100 to passively articulate end effector assembly 12500 relative to shaft housing 12301. . An embodiment is envisioned in which the tooling assembly 12100 does not include an articulation joint and the proximal neck 12610 is directly attached to the shaft housing 12301 of the shaft assembly 12300.

  The proximal neck 12610 and the first and second side frames 12620A, 12620B house certain components of the end effector assembly 12500 that includes the drive system 12510. The first and second side frames 12620A, 12620B respectively include proximal jaws 12621A, 12621B, middle jaws 12622A, 12622B, and distal jaws 12623A, 12623B. The distal jaws 12623A, 12623B are held together by an anvil 12640 having at least a staple forming surface 12641. An arrangement of bolts, screws and / or rivets can be used, for example, to attach the side frames 12620A, 12620B to one another. The end effector frame 12600 is positioned between the intermediate jaws 12622A, 12622B to provide clearance for a portion or portions of the staple cartridge assembly 12800 and to move relative to the end effector frame 12600. It further comprises a spacer member 12630 which slides between the middle parts 12622A, 12622B of the frame 12620A, 12620B.

  The closure frame 12700 is configured to push the staple cartridge assembly 12800 distally towards the anvil 12640 upon actuation of the main drive 12510. The closure frame 12700 includes a cartridge body drive surface 12708 for contacting and driving the staple cartridge body 12810 of the staple cartridge assembly 12800. The staple cartridge body 12810 comprises a deck 12811, a plurality of staple sockets 12813, and a closure stop 12815. The staple cartridge assembly 12800 also includes a plurality of staples 12830 removably stored in the staple fovea 12813. A plurality of staples 12830 are configured to be formed against staple forming surface 12641. The tool assembly 12100 is envisioned to reach a fully fixed configuration when the closure stop 12815 abuts the staple forming surface 12641 and / or within the recess defined in the anvil 12640. The closure stop 12815 never reaches the anvil 12640 or the staple forming surface 12641 when the staple cartridge assembly 12800 reaches its fully locked position, and instead the closure stop 12815 is adjacent to the staple forming surface 12641 Embodiments positioned to do so are also envisioned. Control of the distance between the deck 12811 and the staple forming surface 12641 in a fully fixed arrangement can be performed using a drive system 12510, described in more detail below.

  36-38, the end effector assembly 12500 is shown in an unlocked configuration prior to actuation of the drive system 12510. The end effector assembly 12500 is configured to capture, secure and staple tissue within the tool assembly 12100 utilizing the rotational motion provided by the main drive shaft 12311. The closure frame 12700 is advanced or actuated to actuate the pin actuation mechanism 12560 to capture tissue using the tool assembly 12100. Actuation of the pin actuation mechanism 12560 places the tissue retention pin 12860 of the staple cartridge assembly 12800. The pin actuation mechanism 12560 includes a pin lever 12561 and a contact pin 12565 fixedly extending from the end effector frame 12600. The contact pin 12565 defines a retaining pin axis around which the pin lever 12561 rotates. The closing frame 12700 comprises a pair of facing pin slots 12706 defined on their opposite side to provide clearance for the facing pins 12565 such that the closing frame 12700 is against the facing pins 12565 Can move. The pin lever 12561 comprises a pair of lever arms 12562 comprising a pair of actuation protrusions or tines 12563 received within a pair of cam slots 12702 defined in the closing frame 12700. The cam slot 12702 displaces the actuating protrusion 12563 distally and laterally as the closing frame 12700 moves longitudinally within the end effector frame 12600 to rotate the pin actuation mechanism 12560 around the retaining pin axis. Is configured as. The pin lever 12561 further comprises a lever tip 12564 extending from the lever arm 12562. The lever tip 12564 extends to the coupler portion 12861 of the tissue retention pin 12860 to couple the pin actuation mechanism 12560 with the pin 12860. Tissue retention pin 12860 further comprises a pin shaft or rod, 12863, and a manual override knob 12865. When the pin actuation mechanism 12560 is actuated by the closure frame 12700, the lever tip 12564 advances the pin shaft 12863 towards the anvil 12640.

  The manual override knob 12865 of the pin 12860 allows the user of the tool assembly 12100 to manually retract the pin shaft 12863 into the staple cartridge assembly 12800, for example, if the drive system 12510 fails or if there is a power loss. It is configured to make it possible to return. The actuating protrusion 12563 provides the user with the ability to shear the protrusion 12563 from the lever arm 12562, thus allowing the pin lever 12561 to rotate freely around the contact pin 12565. It may be composed of more fragile materials and / or forms than 12562. As a result of this free rotation, the coupler portion 12861 can be moved proximally relative to the staple cartridge body 12810 with little resistance so that the pin shaft 12863 can be manually retracted. Make it Additionally or alternatively, the actuating protrusion 12563 is substantially thin to allow the lever arm 12562 to fold in or flex inward when the manual override knob 12865 is pulled proximally. It may be configured or configured to urge the actuating protrusion 12563 inward to disengage it from the cam slot 12702 to provide the free rotation described above.

  If unused or not fired, the cartridge may be mounted within the end effector assembly 12500 and the main drive 12520 may be actuated. As discussed in more detail below, the end effector assembly 12500 comprises one or more lockouts that are discarded when the unused staple cartridge is inserted into the end effector assembly 12500. In any case, the main drive 12520 moves the closure frame 12700 and the staple cartridge assembly 12800 towards the anvil 12640 to capture and secure tissue using the end effector assembly 12500 as well as the tool assembly It is responsible for firing the 12100 to staple the tissue. The main drive 12520 comprises an input drive gear 12521 drivingly meshing with the main input gear 12310. The input drive gear 12521 is attached to the main drive shaft 12523 which comprises a drive screw portion 12525. Main drive 12520 also includes a thrust bearing arrangement 12524 configured to support shaft 12523. The drive screw portion 12525 is threadably received in the closed nut tube or in the threaded opening 12531 of the closed drive, 12530. The closed nut tube 12530 comprises a plurality of tabs 12533 movably supported in the mechanism holes 12653 of the inner frame structure 12650 and received in a plurality of longitudinally extending slots 12653S in the frame holes 12653 , Prevent the closure nut tube 12530 from rotating with the drive screw portion 12525. Although the illustrated embodiment includes four tabs 12533, only one tab 12533 and corresponding slot 12653S may be sufficient. When the drive screw portion 12525 rotates in the first direction, the closed nut tube 12530 moves or slides in the longitudinal direction in the frame hole 12653 but does not rotate in the frame hole 12653. As a result of this distal movement, the ridge 12537 of the closure nut tube 12530 pushes the closure frame 12700 causing the closure frame 12700 to move distally. When the drive screw portion 12525 rotates in the second position, the drive screw portion 12525 pulls the closure nut tube 12530 proximally.

  When the closure nut tube 12530 reaches the most distal position associated with the fully fixed position of the staple cartridge 12800, the tab 12533 enters the distal annular recess 12653AD defined in the closure tube 12530. Annular recess 12653AD provides clearance for tab 12533. The tab 12533 no longer prevents rotation of the closing nut tube 12530 when the tab 12533 is aligned with the annular recess 12653AD. As a result, rotation of the drive screw portion 12525 when the closure nut tube 12530 reaches this most distal position results in simultaneous rotation of both the closure nut tube 12530 and the drive screw portion 12525.

  At this stage, further actuation of drive system 12510 in the same direction results in the firing of tool assembly 12100. In various cases, drive system 12510 may simultaneously generate fixed to launch translation without interference. In various other cases, tool assembly 12100 may be configured to prevent actuation of drive system 12510 when closing nut tube 12530 reaches its most distal position. In any case, the tool assembly 12100 is configured to fire after the drive system 12510 has moved the cartridge assembly 12800 completely into a fixed position. The closing nut tube 12530 further comprises a firing screw portion or a firing drive, 12535, threadably received by the firing nut portion 12555 of the drive bar 12550. Since the closed nut tube 12530 is now free to rotate, as the drive screw 12525 is rotated to rotate the drive bar 12550 distally, the firing screw portion 12535 is now rotated. The drive bar 12550 pushes the staple cartridge drive 12820 distally, thereby ejecting the staples 12830 from the staple cartridge assembly 12800. The staple driver 12820 supports the plurality of staples 12830 by a plurality of staple drivers 12823 each having a support cradle 12824. The staple driver 12820 moves distally within the staple cartridge body 12810 towards the anvil 12640 to eject the staples 12830 from the staple fossa 12813 towards the staple forming surface 12641. Although only two rows of staples are shown, any suitable number of rows may be used. The drive bar 12550 is guided by the closing frame 12700 using the guide pins 12553 and the corresponding guide pin slots 12703.

  As described above, the main drive 12520 is actuated to advance and lock the tissue within the end effector assembly 12500 by advancing the closure frame 12700 and then advancing the drive bar 12550 distally. The tissue is stapled by However, as noted above, the main drive 12520 can not operate until the unused staple cartridge assembly is mounted within the end effector assembly 12500. A lockout drive 12540 is provided that provides this type of lock arrangement. More specifically, the lockout drive 12540 utilizes the same input as the main drive 12520 and prevents the primary drive 12520 from driving when the lockout drive 12540 is in a locked configuration. . When the lockout drive 12540 is in the release position, the main drive 12520 can be driven.

  Referring to FIGS. 38-41, the lockout drive 12540 comprises an outer drive gear 12541 operatively engaged with a main input gear mounted on the main drive shaft 12311 or with a common drive input 12310. The lockout drive 12540 is configured to be engaged by the shaft 12542, the spring loaded interference gear 12545 facing the inner frame structure 12650 of the end effector frame 12600, and the key portion 12817 of the staple cartridge assembly 12800 The distal lock portion 12547 is further provided. The closure frame 12700 includes a window 12707 (FIG. 35) that allows relative movement between the closure frame 12700 and the distal lock 12547. The outer drive gear 12541 includes an inner spline or serrated portion 12541S configured to pivotally support and engage the inner drive gear 12543 attached to the shaft 12542. Thereby, while maintaining the drive relationship between the inner drive gear 12543 and the outer drive gear 12541, relative longitudinal movement of the shaft 12542 and the outer drive gear 12541 can be permitted. For example, interference gear 12545, which has a press-fit relationship with shaft 12542, is held in place by spring 12544 relative to inner frame structure 12650 of end effector frame 12600. The spring 12544 may, for example, be comprised of a compression spring. The shaft 12542 is always urged distally by the spring 12544 urging the interference gear 12545 towards the lockout slot 12704S of the lockout window 12704 at the closing frame 12700. When the interference gear 12545 is in the lockout slot 12704S, the shaft 12542 is in the locking arrangement. This locking arrangement prevents rotation of the shaft 12542 and prevents drive of the outer drive gear 12541. This prevents the drive of the outer drive gear 12541 and prevents the actuation of the drive system 12510. In the locked configuration, drive system 12510 may be, for example, in a bonded state. The instrument handle controller and / or the on-board controller may detect junctional relationships, for example by measuring energy spikes, and then figure out the power delivered to the motor when energy reaches a limit .

  The staple cartridge assembly must be mounted within the end effector assembly 12500 in order to place the lockout drive 12540 in the unlocked configuration. The key portion 12817 of the staple cartridge assembly 12800 is configured to contact the ramp surface 12548 of the distal lock 12547 to push the distal lock 12547 proximally. Pushing the distal lock 12547 proximally urges the shaft 12542. Pushing the shaft 12542 proximally moves the interference gear 12545 from the lockout slot 12704S to a free rotational position within the lockout window 12704. The shaft 12542 can also rotate if the interference gear 12545 can rotate freely. If the shaft 12542 is rotatable, the lockout drive 12540 is in the unlocked configuration, which allows the input gear 12310 to drive the main drive 12520 and the lockout drive 12540 simultaneously. In the non-locked arrangement, drive system 12510 is no longer in contact.

  Distal lock 12547 is pinned to shaft 12542 by pin 12547P. The pin 12547P is received within the shaft opening 12549P of the shaft 12542 so that, for example, when the lockout drive 12540 is actuated, the shaft 12542 and the pin 12547P rotate together due to the interference fit. This allows the pin 12547P to rotate within the distal lock 12547. Thus, in addition to the spring-loaded interference gear 12545 urging the shaft 12542 distally when shifting to the locking configuration, the distal locking portion 12547 pushes the pin head of the pin 12547P distally, and the distal locking portion The result is that 12547 similarly pulls shaft 12542 distally (see FIG. 41). The distal locking portion 12547 is sandwiched or nested with the lever arm 12562. The drive bar 12550 comprises a clearance slot 12547 for the distal lock 12557.

  When the used staple cartridge assembly is installed in the end effector assembly 12510, another lockout is provided to prevent actuation of the drive system 12500. A used cartridge lockout member or cartridge driver engagement arm, 12660, is positioned between the side frames 12620A, 12620B. The lockout member 12660 comprises a spring member 12661 and a drive bar fastener mechanism or hook 12663. In the unlocked configuration of FIGS. 35-38, the lockout member 12660 is shown. The staple cartridge assembly 12800 mounted within the end effector assembly 12500 is unused in FIGS. 35-37. The unused cartridge includes a staple driver 12820 that is unfired and in its most proximal position. In various embodiments, a staple driver, such as staple driver 12820, is not retracted after firing so that when fired, the staple driver in the used cartridge remains in the most distal position. This causes the lockout member 12660 to be urged by the spring member 12661 to catch the drive bar 12550 in the absence of the staple drive, but the absence of the staple cartridge assembly or the existing cartridge is used It is whether or not. At any rate, when stopped by the cartridge drive stop mechanism 12663, the drive system 12510 is activated. The lockout arrangement also places the drive system 12510 in a jointed state.

  Referring primarily to FIGS. 39-46, the operation of drive assembly 12100 will now be described with respect to a surgical stapling procedure or operation. The tool assembly 12100 is shown in the non-capturing, non-fixing, non-firing, non-locking arrangement of Figures 39-41. The tool assembly 12100 is unlocked because the unused staple cartridge assembly 12800 is mounted within the end effector assembly 12500. The interference gear 12545 is pushed out of the lockout slot 12704S and is free to rotate within the lockout window 12704 and the window or fossa 12655 of the inner frame structure 12650. The lockout member 12660 is pushed away from the drive bar 12550 by the staple drive 1220 of the unused staple cartridge assembly 12800, thereby providing a non-closed path for the drive bar 12550 for movement. The actuation tine 12563 of the pin actuation mechanism 12560 is in the first portion of the cam slot 12702. The user of the instrument may now place tissue between the cartridge deck 12811 of the instrument and the anvil 12640 to prepare for capture of the tissue.

  Referring now to FIGS. 42-43, drive system 12510 is activated to capture tissue by tool assembly 12100. The closing frame 12700 automatically positions the pin actuation mechanism 12560 and the pin 12860 by caming the actuation projection 12563 with the cam slot 12702. The pin 12860 contacts the anvil 12640 which defines the completed tissue capture process. The closure frame 12700 also advances the staple cartridge assembly 12800 distally towards the anvil. At this time, the tool assembly 12100 may operate the main drive 12520 continuously to completely fix the tissue. However, if it is desired that the user not capture the tissue currently captured (the tissue not shown), the user actuates drive system 12510 in the opposite direction to reverse drive system 12510 thereby pinning it. The actuation mechanism 12560 may be rotated about the pin holding axis to retract the pin shaft 12863. For example, when the pin shaft 12863 has reached a fully deployed position, the instrument may be fitted into the sensor for detection. Detecting the complete placement of the pin provides a temporary cessation of actuation, allowing the user to decide whether to lock the tissue captured at this stage, and finally to staple it. It can be Once the user decides to lock the captured tissue and finally to staple it, the user may further activate the main drive system 12510 to trigger the start of the locking process.

  In FIGS. 42 and 43, the shaft 12542 of the lockout drive 12540 spring back to its original position when it loses contact with its biasing member, which is the key portion 12817 of the staple cartridge body 12810. In other words, spring 12544 is in its neutral, uncompressed state. The interference gear 12545 is still in the free rotational position, one because of the lockout window 12655 of the inner frame structure 12650, and two because of the distal movement of the closing frame 12700. The inner drive gear 12543 moves longitudinally within the meshing relationship with the inner spline portion 12541 S, which allows the lockout drive 12540 to rotate when the drive system 12510 is actuated, but the meshing relationship To support. The closed nut tube 12530 tab 12533 is positioned within the slot 12653S to translate the closed nut tube 12530 within the frame hole 12653 as the drive screw portion 12525 rotates.

  Turning now to FIG. 44, the tool assembly 12100 is shown in a fully fixed arrangement. The tabs 12533 of the closure nut tube 12530 reach their distal position, where the closure nut tube 12530 is allowed to rotate. The tool assembly 12100 temporarily deactivates the main drive 12510 when the fully fixed position is reached, whereby the tissue of the user of the tool assembly 12100 is captured and fixed there. It may further be configured to be able to verify whether the tissue is the target tissue to be stapled. If the user of the tool assembly 12100 desires not to secure tissue, the drive system 12510 may be inverted to position the tab 12533 of the closure nut tube 12530 back into the slot 12653S of the hole 12653, thereby The drive screw portion 12525 may pull back the closure nut tube 12530 and, as a result, pull back the closure frame 12700 proximally. If the user determines that the tissue being captured and anchored here is the tissue intended to be stapled, then the user can trigger further actuation of the manual drive 12510 to fire the tool assembly 12100 You may

  FIG. 45 shows tool assembly 12100 in a full launch configuration. The firing screw 12535 rotates to advance the drive bar 12550 to the anvil 12640 and push the staple drive 12820 distally within the staple cartridge body 12810. This distal advancement of the staple driver 12820 results in the placement of the staple 12830 from the staple fossa 12813. Guide pins 12553 partially advance from their corresponding guide pin slots 12703 in the closure frame 12700. Upon complete firing of the tool assembly 12100, the tool assembly 12100 automatically reverses the drive system 12510 and retracts the staple cartridge assembly 12800 to unclamp and unacquire tissue just stapled. You may This automatic retraction may be, for example, any suitable sensor configured to confirm that the staples 12830 have been fully fired. In one case, full actuation of the drive bar 12550 may be detected. In another case, the firing screw 12535 can be configured to rotate the designated number of revolutions to advance the staple drive to the designated distance, and when rotation of the designated number of revolutions is completed, the tool The instrument interface to which assembly 12100 and / or tool assembly 12100 is attached may initiate automatic retraction. This may be advantageous, for example, if different staple cartridge assemblies are used and the distance required for the drive bar 12550 to move is changed to accommodate different staple heights.

  Referring now to FIG. 46, the tool assembly 12100 is shown in a non-captured, non-fixed, full launch configuration. The lock member 12660 is pushed outward by the drive bar 12550. The locking member 12660 also directly pokes its drive bar fastener mechanism 12663 under the staple drive 12820. The fastener mechanism 12663 alone may prevent the staple driver 12820 of the used staple cartridge assembly 12800 from moving proximally for any reason. The tabs 12533 of the closing nut tube 12530 are in their most proximal position. This most proximal position places the tab 12533 in the proximal annular recess 12653AP in the firing hole 12653. The annular recess 12653AP allows the closure tube to rotate simultaneously with the drive screw portion 12525 to retract the drive portion bar 12550.

  FIG. 47 shows tool assembly 12100 with staple cartridge assembly 12800 not mounted in end effector assembly 12500. FIG. Prior to unattachment of the staple cartridge assembly 12800, the fastener mechanism 12663 of the locking member 12660 is urged inward by the spring member 12661 to clamp the drive bar 12550. In this position, drive system 12510 is in a mated state because drive bar 12550 can not be advanced. When the used staple cartridge assembly 12800 is removed from the tool assembly 12100, the locking member 12660 remains in this position. Upon removal of the staple cartridge assembly 12800, the lockout drive 12540 activates its locking function. The spring 12544 induces the interference gear 12545 so that the distal lock portion 12547 is not pushed proximally by the cartridge body key member so that the shaft 12542 interferes in the lockout slot 12704S of the lockout window 12704 Position gear 12545 distally. Without the staple cartridge assembly mounted within the end effector assembly 12500, the lock member 12660 and the lockout drive 12540 provide two actuation prevention devices or mechanisms to prevent actuation of the drive system 12510 Do.

  Referring now to FIG. 48, unused cartridge assembly 12800 is shown as not being mounted within end effector assembly 12500. The base portion 12821 of the staple driver 12820 is configured to unlock the locking member 12660 by contacting the fastener 12663 and pushing the fastener 12663 away from the driver bar 12550. As discussed above, the key portion 12817 is configured to engage the ramp surface 12548 of the distal lock portion 12547 to push the interference gear 12545 out of the lockout slot 12704S to a free rotational position.

  The staple cartridge assembly 12800 further comprises a status indicator system that visually displays the status of the staples 12830 to the user of the tool assembly 12100. Referring now to FIGS. 49 and 50, the staple cartridge assembly 12800 is in a fully fixed position and partially extended such that the staple drive portion 12823 of the staple drive portion 12820 partially over the deck 12811 of the cartridge body 12810. Is shown in the launch configuration. A cartridge window 12853 is provided in the staple cartridge body 12810 to indicate movement of the staple driver 12823. Movement of the staple drive is indicated by the visual display 12823A, 12823B on the staple drive 12823 itself. For example, the visual indicators 12823A, 12823B may comprise, for example, a single color indicating a progression of the staple driver 12823 within the cartridge body 12810 with varying brightness or tint. Higher brightness may indicate that the staple driver 12823 is approaching a full firing position or has reached a full firing position. In other cases, staple driver 12823 includes two colors, and a first color 12823A such as blue indicates, for example, that the progression of staple driver 12823 is intermediate, and a second color such as red 12823B may indicate, for example, that the staple driver 12823 has reached a full firing position.

  A surgical stapling attachment or tool assembly, 13100, is shown in FIGS. The tool assembly or instrument 13100 is configured to secure, staple and cut tissue during a surgical procedure. Referring primarily to FIGS. 51-55, tool assembly 13100 includes accessory device portion 13200, shaft assembly 13300, articulation joint 13400, and end effector assembly 13500. Accessory device portion 13200 is configured to be attached to the interface of the surgical instrument. The instrument interface can include, for example, a handle as disclosed herein. Other embodiments assume that the tool assembly 13100 is not easily attachable to the instrument interface and is not easily removable from the instrument interface, but instead is part of a single instrument It is assumed that there is. Accessory device portion 13200 is configured to receive rotational control movement from the instrument interface, tool assembly 13100 is attached, and rotational control movement is transmitted to shaft assembly 13300. As discussed in more detail below, the shaft assembly 13300 transmits these rotational control motions to the end effector assembly 13500 via the articulation 13400.

  The accessory section 13200 comprises a housing 13201 and an articulated transmission, and additionally a transmission 13205 comprising an end effector transmission. Referring to FIG. 56, the articulation transmission includes an articulation drive coupler 13210 (FIG. 52), an input shaft 13212 and a housing bearing 13211 configured to receive rotational movement from the instrument. The bearing 13211 rotatably supports the input shaft 13212. The input shaft 13212 includes a worm gear portion 13213 meshed with the worm wheel 13214. The worm wheel 13214 translates or couples with the pinion gear 13215 to actuate the articulating shaft or rod, 13320 of the shaft assembly 13300. The gear 13215 rotates with the worm wheel 13214. The articulating shaft 13320 comprises racks 13325 disposed on their proximal portions that mesh with the pinion gear 13215, such that when the pinion gear 13215 is rotated by the input shaft 13212 an articulating shaft or link, 13320 Moves longitudinally to actuate the end effector assembly 13500.

  End effector assembly 13500 is shown in FIG. 65 in a non-articulated or neutral configuration. As shown in FIG. 66, the articulating shaft 13320 can be pushed distally to actuate the end effector assembly 13500 in a first direction. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 67, the articulating shaft 13320 can be pulled proximally to actuate the end effector 13500 in a second or opposite direction. As shown in FIGS. 65-67, articulating shaft 13320 is not attached directly to end effector 13500, rather, articulating shaft 13320 is attached to end effector 13500 via articulating link 13324 . In the neutral or non-articulating arrangement of the end effector 13500, as shown in FIG. 55, the articulating link 13324 extends from the area proximal to the articulating axis A-A to the area distal to the articulating axis A-A. Extend to Also, in the neutral position of the end effector 13500, the articulation link 13324 is positioned only on one side of the longitudinal axis LA defined by the tool assembly 13100 and / or the shaft housing 13301. The articulating link 13324 provides an end effector assembly 13500 about the articulating axis A-A when the articulating shaft or drive, 13320 translates proximally and / or distally by the articulating gear. With a curved arrangement configured to assist in articulating the

  End effector assembly 13500 includes a frame or spline 13501 extending distally from articulation joint 13400. Articulating joint 13400 includes a proximal yoke 13401 fixedly attached to shaft housing 13301, a lower distal arm 13402 fixedly attached to end effector spine 13501, and an upper end effector spine 13501 The distal yoke arm 13403 is fixedly attached. The yoke arms 13402, 13403 are configured to rotate relative to the yoke 13401 about the articulation axes A-A. Although not shown, the pins or rods may be positioned along the articulation axis A-A such that the proximal yoke 13401 and the yoke arms 13402, 13403 pivot about the periphery. The articulating link 13324 is connected to the upper, distal yoke arm 13403 by a pin 13404 so that the articulating shaft 13320 can move longitudinally relative to the shaft housing 13301 relative to the shaft housing 13301. Can push or pull the upper yoke arm 13403 to actuate the end effector assembly 13500 about the articulation axis A-A.

  The end effector transmission of transmission 13205 comprises a drive input or main drive coupling 13220 configured to receive rotational movement from the instrument interface. The end effector transmission further comprises a housing bearing 13221 rotatably supporting the input shaft 13222 and the input shaft 13222. The input shaft 13222 is disposed between the closing drive gear 13223 pivotally supported thereon, the firing drive gear 13224 pivotally supported thereon, and the closing drive gear 13223 and the firing drive gear 13224 And a spline shaft portion 13225. The firing drive gear 13224 meshes with the corresponding output firing drive gear 13344 of the shaft assembly 13300 while the closing drive gear 13223 meshes with the corresponding output closing drive gear 13333 of the shaft assembly 13300.

  The shift lever mechanism 13230 of the end effector transmission is capable of movement between the drivability of the closing drive gear 13223 and the drivability of the firing drive gear 13224. The closing drive gear 13223 and the firing drive gear 13224 do not rotate unless they are engaged by the shift lever mechanism 13230. The closing drive gear 13223 comprises a set of teeth or protrusions 13226 arranged on the side of the set of closing drive gears 13223 facing the firing drive gear 13224. The firing drive gear 13224 comprises a set of teeth or protrusions, 13227, disposed on the side of the set of firing drive gears 13224 facing the closing drive gear 13223. The shift lever body or disc 13235 is arranged on the first side of the disc 13235 facing the closing drive gear 13223, the teeth or protrusions 13236 and the second of the disc 13235 facing the firing drive gear 13224 The teeth or protrusions, 13237, arranged on the side. The shift disk 13235 meshes with the spline shaft portion 13225 and is slidable relative to the spline shaft portion 13225. The shift disc 13235 is held by the shift lever arm 13233 operable by the shift solenoid 13231 so that the disc 13235 is in meshing engagement with the closing drive gear 13223 and the disc 13235 is in meshing engagement with the firing drive gear 13224 The shift lever arm 13233 is moved between a certain second position. When the disc 13235 engages the closing drive gear 13223, rotation of the drive coupling 13220 causes rotation of the closing drive gear 13223, thereby rotating the closing shaft 13330. Similarly, when the disc 13235 engages the firing drive gear 13224, rotation of the drive coupling 13220 causes rotation of the firing drive gear 13224 thereby rotating the firing shaft 13340. Actuation of the shift solenoid 13231 may be accomplished via an on-board controller 13203 configured to receive signals from the instrument interface and deliver those signals to the shift solenoid 13231.

  Turning now to FIG. 57, articulation joint 13400 receives rotational control motion from shaft assembly 13300 and transmits or transmits these rotational control motion to end effector assembly 13500, as described above. It is configured to The rotational motion of the closure shaft 13330 of the shaft assembly 13300 to the closure shaft or drive of the end effector assembly 13500, or drive, 13530, while maintaining the ability to operate the end effector assembly 13500 relative to the shaft assembly 13300. In order to transmit and also to transmit the rotational movement of the firing shaft 13340 to the firing shaft or drive 13540 of the end effector assembly 13500, the articulation 13400 comprises a bevel gear arrangement. The firing shaft 13340 is in meshing engagement with the input bevel gear 13441 attached to the distal end of the firing shaft 13340, the idler bevel gear 13442 in meshing engagement with the input bevel gear 13441, and the idler bevel gear 13442, and an end effector An output bevel gear 13443 is mounted on the launch shaft 13540 of the drive system of the assembly 13500. The idler bevel gear gear 13442 has a common axis of rotation with respect to the articulation axes A-A. In addition to the above, the closure shaft 13330 has an input bevel gear 13431 attached to the distal end of the closure shaft 13330, a common rotational axis with respect to the articulation axes A-A, and with the input bevel gear 13431 An idler bevel gear 13432 in meshing engagement and an output bevel gear 13433 in meshing engagement with the idler bevel gear 13432 and attached to the closure shaft 13530 of the drive system of the end effector assembly 13500. Bevel gears 13441, 13442, 13443 are nested within the bevel gears 13431, 13432, 13433 so that (inside) firing bevel gears 13441, 13442, 13443 are (outside) closing bevel gears 13431, 13432, 13433 It is possible to rotate against it and vice versa.

  The output bevel gears 13433, 13443 are rotatable about the articulation axes A-A. Because the end effector assembly 13500 articulates, the output bevel gears 13433, 13443 are configured to reverse both idler bevel gears 13432, 13442. Reverse rotation of idler bevel gears 13432, 13442 causes reverse rotation of input bevel gears 13431, 13441, which also causes rotation of closure shaft 13330 and firing shaft 13340. In order to prevent joining at the end effector while the end effector assembly 13500 is articulated, the on-board controller 13203 of the accessory section 13200 signals the shift solenoid 13231 when the user actuates the articulation drive coupler 13210 To position the shift disc 13235 in a neutral position in which the shift disc 13235 does not engage with either of the pivotally supported drive gears 13223, 13224. As a result, the drive gears 13223, 13224 can rotate freely with respect to the input shaft, thereby diffusing the rotation of the bevel gear assembly due to articulation.

  The end effector assembly 13500 further comprises first and second jaws 13510 and 13520 movable relative to one another. Turning now to FIG. 58, the end effector assembly 13500 includes a closure system configured to move the jaws 13510, 13520 between an open position and a closed position. The closure system comprises a closure frame 13535 having a closure nut 13536 threadably engaged with the closure screw portion 13531 of the closure shaft 13530. The closing frame 13535 is movable relative to the end effector frame 13501 upon actuation or rotation of the closing shaft 13530. Rotation of the closure shaft 13530 in a first rotational direction causes distal movement of the frame 13501. Rotation of the closure shaft 13530 in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction causes proximal movement of the frame 13501. Thrust bearings 13533 positioned at the distal end of the closure shaft 13530 are supported within the frame support 13503 of the end effector frame 13501. As discussed in more detail below, the end effector assembly 13500 also includes a launch system 13550 that is actuated by the launch drive gear 13541 of the launch shaft 13540. The closure shaft 13530 and the firing shaft 13540 are configured to rotate independently of one another.

  FIG. 64 is a partial view of the end effector assembly 13500 in an open or non-fixed position. In order to secure the tissue by the tool assembly 13100, actuation of the closure drive 13530 moves both jaws 13510, 13520 from the open position to the closed position. The rotation of the closure drive 13530 causes the closure screw portion 13531 to rotate. Rotation of the closure screw portion 13531 causes rotation of the closure nut 13536, which also translates the closure frame 13535 relative to the end effector frame 13501. The closure nut 13536 is configured to be received within the recess defined between the yoke arms 13402, 13403 when the closure frame 13535 is fully retracted.

  The end effector frame 13501 is at least partially positioned within the closing frame 13535 such that the two lateral sides of the end effector frame 13501 are received in corresponding slots of the closing frame 13535. Such a configuration allows the end effector frame 13501 to extend through the closure frame 13535 and also allows the closure frame 13535 to move relative to the end effector frame 13501. End effector assembly 13500 further includes an anvil portion 13521 disposed on jaws 13520 configured to form staples 13575. Jaws 13520 are at least partially positioned within end effector frame 13501. The jaws 13520 comprise a pair of closure frame slots 13537 defined in the closure frame 13535 and a pair of actuation pins 13527 movable within a pair of end effector frame slots 13507 defined in the end effector frame 13501 . The jaws 13520 further comprise a proximal hook portion 13522 comprising a pair of slots 13522S positioned therein. Proximal hook portion 13522 is configured to hook or latch to frame pin 13502 of end effector frame 13501. The jaws 13520 are pivotable around the frame pin 13502. The open slot arrangement of the hook portion 13522 allows the jaws 13520 to be removed from the end effector assembly 13500 if the user desires to replace the jaws 13520 for any reason.

  The jaws 13520 faced by the pin 13502 and rotatable by the pin 13502 are rotated to the closed position by advancing the closing frame 13535 distally, and the pair of closing cam surfaces 13537 C of the closing frame slot 13537 Causes cam pin 13527 of jaw 13520 to cam towards jaw 13510. The closure of the closure frame 13535 is moved to the rotational position by advancing the closure frame 13535 distally, which is pivoted about the pin axis which is faced by the pin 13515 and defined by the pin 13515 The cam surface 13532 cams the bottom surface 13512 of the jaws 13510 towards the jaws 13520. Similarly, proximal movement of the closure frame 13535 moves the jaws 13520 into the open position, causing the pair of open cam surfaces 13537O (see FIG. 68) of the closure frame slot 13537 to move the jaws 13520. Cam pin 13527 upward. End effector frame slot 13507 is a clearance slot for pin 13527 when pin 13527 is cammed upward and downward with respect to frame 13501. The jaws 13510 are moved to the open position by moving the closure frame 13535 proximally and the closure cam surface 13532 moves proximally to lower and open the jaws 13510 relative to the frame 13501 Make it possible. The jaws 13510 comprise a pair of curved recesses 13517 that provide clearance for the pins 13527.

  In addition to the above, as can be seen in FIG. 69, the axis around which the jaws 13510 rotate and the axis around which the jaws 13520 rotate are not identical. The axes complement each other vertically and horizontally. The axis of rotation around which the jaws 13510 rotate is distal to the axis of rotation around which the jaws 13520 rotate. The vertical distance between the axes may define a predetermined tissue gap distance and / or a fixed distance between the cartridge 13570 and the anvil 13521.

  In addition to the above, when the tool assembly 13100 is in the non-fixed arrangement (FIG. 66), the closure nut 13536 is in its most proximal position, which is a recess defined between the yoke arms 13402, 13403. In the non-fixed configuration, the top surface of the jaws 13520 is completely exposed, allowing the user of the tool assembly 13100 to remove the jaws 13520 from the instrument. This provides an easily replaceable anvil arrangement.

  End effector frame 13501 supports a firing system 13550 configured to staple and / or cut tissue secured by tool assembly 13100. The launch system 13550 is configured to be actuated by the launch drive gear 13541 of the launch shaft 13540, as discussed in more detail below. The jaws, or cartridge support channel, 13510 comprises a pair of pivot pins 13515 extending outwardly with respect to the jaws 13510 configured to be received within a pair of corresponding frame openings 13505 The jaws 13510 thus allow pivoting of the staple cartridge 13570 relative to the end effector frame 13501 about the pivot axis defined by the pins 13515.

  The launch system 13550 comprises a drive gear 13551 that meshes with the launch drive gear 13541. Drive gear 13551 is positioned on a proximal firing shaft 13552 that is rotatably supported by frame support 13504 of end effector frame 13501. The launch system 13550 includes a proximal thrust bearing 13554 supported within the thrust bearing support 13514 of the jaws 13510 and a distal thrust bearing 13556 supported within the upper and lower bushing assemblies 13573. Further comprising The bushing assembly 13573 is positioned within the distal cartridge fossa 13572. The launch system 13550 further comprises a U-joint 13553 operably connecting the launch shaft 13552 and the launch screw shaft 13555. The U-joint 13553 allows the jaws 13510 to rotate about the pivot axis defined by the pin 13515 while maintaining the driving relationship between the proximal firing shaft 13552 and the firing screw shaft 13555 Do. In various cases, the U-junction 13553 is located at the axis defined by the pivot pin 13515, but the U-junction 13553 may be located at any suitable position.

  The launch system 13550 further comprises a launch member or sled, 13560. The thread 13560 comprises a threaded opening extending therethrough that threadably engages the firing screw shaft 13555. The thread 13560 is rotationally and at least substantially rotationally inhibited by the firing screw shaft 13555, and as a result, the firing screw shaft 13555 when the firing screw shaft 13555 rotates about its longitudinal axis. Shifts the thread 13560 longitudinally. When used, sled 13560 is distally displaced as firing screw shaft 13555 rotates in the firing direction, and sled 13560 is proximally displaced as firing screw shaft 13555 rotates in the second direction.

  While the staple firing stroke ejects the staples 13575 from the staple cartridge 13570 and staples the captured tissue between the anvil portion 13521 and the staple cartridge 13570, as described in further detail below. The sled 13560 is distally offset between the unfired position (FIG. 59) and the fired position (FIG. 60). From FIGS. 59 and 60, the reader should understand that no tissue is cut while being stapled. More specifically, the sled 13560 comprises a knife or cutting member, 13561, which remains in the unarranged or lower position during the staple firing stroke. After the staple firing stroke is complete, and referring now to FIG. 61, sled 13560 is retracted proximally. The sled 13560 is pulled proximally until the cutting member 13561 contacts the pin or cam, 13516, which extends from the frame of the staple cartridge 13570. The cutting member 13561 is rotatably attached to the sled 13560 and, when the cutting member 13561 contacts the pin 13516, the cutting member 13561 rotates upward to the deployed position. At this point, as shown in FIG. 63, sled 13560 can be advanced distally once more to sever the stapled tissue during the cutting stroke.

  The cutting member 13561 moves within the longitudinal slot 13571 defined in the staple cartridge 13570. A pin 13516 extends from the thrust bearing support 13514 and is aligned with the longitudinal slot 13571. The cutting member 13561 does not contact the pin 13516 when the sled 13560 is in the unfired position (FIG. 59), but as shown in FIG. The cutting member 13561 contacts the pin 13516 and rotates to its deployed position. More specifically, cam arm 13566 of cutting member 13561 engages pin 13516 to rotate upwardly from its non-cutting position to its cutting position.

  As mentioned above, FIG. 59 shows tool assembly 13100 in an unfired or initial configuration. In such an unfired arrangement of tool assembly 13100, as also described above, sled 13560 is in its unfired position, and cutting member 13561 is in its uncut position. Tool assembly 13100 may be configured to detect whether sled 13560 is in its unfired position and / or whether cutting member 13561 is in its non-cutting position. In at least one case, the staple cartridge 13570 can comprise a first sensor configured to detect the presence of the sled 13560 when the sled 13560 is in the unfired position. Similarly, staple cartridge 13570 can include a second sensor configured to detect the presence of cutting member 13561 when cutting member 13561 is in its cutting position. The first and second sensors may, for example, comprise proximity sensors and may be in signal communication with a controller of the tool assembly 13100.

  When the thread 13560 reaches its most distal position of its firing stroke, all the staples 13575 can be deployed from the staple cartridge 13570, as shown in FIG. In various cases, the sensor is disposed distal of the end effector assembly and is configured to detect whether the sled 13560 has reached its most distal position. The sensor may comprise, for example, a proximity sensor in signal communication with the controller of the tool assembly 13100. Once all the staples 13575 have been fired, the instrument controller can send a signal to the user that the firing stroke is complete. At this point, the user can manipulate tool assembly 13100 to retract sled 13560 to prepare tool assembly 13100 for the treatment cut. Alternatively, tool assembly 13100 can be configured to automatically retract sled 13560 after the firing stroke is complete.

  As mentioned above, FIG. 61 shows the tool assembly 13100 in an arrangement in which all the staples are fired and the firing member is retracted to the proximal or mode switch position. Similarly, as described above, the present mode switch position allows pin 13516 to engage cam arm 13566 of cutting member 13561 and rotate cutting member 13561 to the cutting position. In various cases, sled 13560 may prevent reaching this mode switch position until the instrument controller receives a signal that the staple firing stroke is complete. In at least one such case, if the instrument controller does not receive a completion confirmation signal of the firing stroke by the firing stroke end sensor, once the sled 13560 reaches its unfired position, the instrument controller controls the firing drive to Power supply to the motor can be shut off. When the controller of the instrument receives a signal that the staple firing stroke is complete, the controller of the instrument allows the sled 13560 to be pulled proximally beyond its unfired position to its mode switch position Can.

  Once sled 13560 has moved to the mode switch position, the controller of the instrument may allow sled 13560 to be advanced distally once more. In various cases, the instrument, when depressed, can reactivate the firing drive 13540 to drive the sled 13560 through the staple cartridge 13570 for a second or cutting stroke. Can be provided. The cutting member 13561 can now be lifted to its cutting position, and the cutting member 13561 can incise the stapled tissue.

  In addition to the above, tool assembly 13100 is configured to lower cutting member 13561 to its non-cutting position after sled 13560 has completed its tissue cutting stroke. More specifically, referring primarily to FIG. 63, the cam portion 13566 of the cutting member 13561 is configured to contact the distal pin, or cam, 13574 at the end of the tissue cutting stroke, such interaction , Rotates the cutting member 13561 downward to its non-cutting position. As a result, the thread 13560 can be retracted without the cutting member 13561 being exposed to tissue. Similarly, as a result, the jaws 13510, 13520 can be unlocked from the tissue after the cutting stroke without the cutting member 13561 being exposed. The reader should understand that at the end of the firing stroke, the cutting member 13561 does not interact with the distal pin 13574 because the cutting member 13561 is already in its lower position during the firing stroke.

  As outlined above, the tool assembly 13100 cuts the tissue secured by the tool assembly 13100 until all the staples 13575 are fired or until all the staples 13575 are fully formed. It is configured to block. Also as outlined above, branching of this function is possible when the cutting member 13561 is pivotable between the non-cutting position and the cutting position.

  FIG. 70 is a perspective view of a portion of a staple cartridge 4410 for use with a circular surgical stapling instrument according to at least one embodiment. Various circular surgical stapling instruments are known. For example, US Patent Application No. 14 / 836,110, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING CONFIGURATIONS FOR CURVED AND CIRCULAR STAPLING INSTRUMENTS", filed August 26, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. An arrangement of various circular surgical stapling instruments is disclosed. No. 14 / 498,070, entitled "CIRCULAR FASTENER CARTRIDGES FOR APPLYING RADIALLY EXPANDING FASTENER LINES" (filed September 26, 2014), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. An arrangement of various circular surgical stapling instruments is disclosed. As discussed in these references, a circular surgical stapling instrument generally comprises a frame assembly that includes an accessory portion configured to operably couple an anvil to a circular surgical stapler.

  In general, the anvil includes an anvil head that supports an annular line or a line of staple forming pockets. The anvil stem or trocar portion is attached to the anvil head and is configured to releasably couple to the anvil attachment portion of the circular stapling instrument. Various circular surgical stapling instruments selectively move the anvil to the surgical staple cartridge so that the tissue of interest may be secured between the anvil and the deck of the surgical staple cartridge, and Means are included for selectively moving away from the surgical staple cartridge. The surgical staple cartridge releasably stores therein a plurality of surgical staples arranged in one or more annular arrays corresponding to staple forming pockets provided in the anvil. The staples are removably stored in corresponding staple cavities formed in the staple cartridge and supported on corresponding portions of the selectively movable extrusion assembly operably received within the circular stapler Be done. The circular stapler further comprises an annular knife or cutting member configured to cut tissue fixed between the anvil and the staple cartridge.

Referring again to FIG. 70, staple cartridge 4410 includes a cartridge body 4411 that defines an annular cartridge deck surface 4412. Cartridge body 4411 includes an annular row 4420 of spaced apart inner staple fossae 4422 and an annular row 4440 of spaced apart outer staple fossa 4442. As can be seen in FIG. 70, the inner staple fossa 4422 is offset relative to the outer staple fossa 4442. Supported within each inner staple socket 4422 is an inner surgical staple 4430, and supported within each outer staple socket 4442 is an outer surgical staple 4450. Outer staples 4450 in outer annular row 4440 may have different features than inner staples 4430 in inner annular row 4420. For example, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 71, the outer staple 4450 has an unformed "gull wing" configuration. In particular, each outer staple 4450 includes a pair of legs 4454, 4464 extending from a staple crown 4452. Each leg 4454, 4464 includes a vertical portion 4456, 4466 respectively extending from the crown 4452. The vertical portions 4456, 4466 may be parallel to one another in one embodiment. However, in the illustrated arrangement, the vertical portions 4456, 4466 are not parallel to one another. For example, in the arrangement shown, the angle _{A 1} between the crown 4452 and the vertical portion 4456,4466 is greater than 90 degrees. See Figure 71. Further details regarding staple placement may be found in US patent application Ser. No. 14 / 319,008, entitled "FASTENER CARTRIDGE COMPRISING NON-UNIFORM FASTENERS", June 30, 2014, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Day), can be found in US Patent Application No. 2015/0297232. However, with respect to the crown 4452 other vertical portions 4456, 4466 may be arranged at other angles. One advantage of having the vertical portions 4456, 4466 oriented at an angle greater than 90 degrees with respect to the crown 4452 is that such an arrangement can assist in the temporary retention of staples within its corresponding staple fovea. ,That's what it means.

At least one leg 4454, 4464 includes an inwardly extending end. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 71, for example, each leg 4454, 4464 includes an inwardly extending leg. In the illustrated arrangement, legs 4458 extend inwardly from vertical legs 4456 and legs 4468 extend inwardly from vertical legs 4466. As can be seen in FIG. 71, the legs 4458 are shorter than the legs 4468. In other words, the distance _HA between the staple crown 4452 and the point at which the leg 4458 is angled inward from the vertical leg 4456 is the angle inward of the staple crown 4452 and the leg 4468 from the vertical leg 4466 it exceeds the distance H _C between the point to be attached. Subordinately, the distance H _B in at least one embodiment is less than the length H _D. Angle _{A 2} of the legs 4458 are angled with respect to the vertical leg 4556 may correspond to the angle _{A 3} legs 4468 are angled with respect to the vertical leg 4466, or the angle _{A 2} and _{A 3} It may be different from each other. Further details regarding staple placement are incorporated herein by reference, US patent application Ser. No. 14 / 319,008, entitled: "FASTENER CARTRIDGE COMPRISING NON-UNIFORM FASTENERS", filed Jun. 30, 2014. It can be found in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0297232.

In at least one embodiment, each inner surgical staple 4430 may have the configuration shown in FIG. As can be seen in FIG. 71, the inner surgical staple 4430 has a crown 4432 and two legs 4434, 4436 extending therefrom. Vertical leg 4434,4436 may extend relatively perpendicularly from the crown 4432, or vertical leg 4434,4436 may extend at or angle _{A 4} to more than 90 degrees. Such an arrangement may assist in the temporary retention of staples 4430 within their corresponding staple socket 4422. However, the vertical legs 4434, 4436 may extend from the crown 4432 at different angles. In some embodiments, the angles A ₄ are equal to one another. In other embodiments, the angle A ₄ are different from each other. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner staples 4430 and the outer staples 4450 each have the same unformed height UFH. The inner and outer staples 4430, 4450 are formed from conventional surgical staple wires. In at least one embodiment, the diameter of the staple wire used to form the outer staple 4450 exceeds the diameter of the staple wire used to form the inner staple 4430. In other embodiments, the inner and outer staples may have the same diameter and may be formed from wires of other diameters. In some arrangements, the inner and outer staples may be formed from the same type of staple wire. In such an arrangement, the wire diameters of the inner and outer staples may be identical. In still another embodiment, however, the inner and outer staples may have the same unformed shape / arrangement, and may still be formed from two different staple wires having different wire diameters. Similarly, in at least one arrangement, the crown width CW _O of each outer staple 4450 is greater than the crown width CW _I of each inner staple 4430. Further details regarding staple placement are incorporated herein by reference, US patent application Ser. No. 14 / 319,008, entitled: "FASTENER CARTRIDGE COMPRISING NON-UNIFORM FASTENERS", filed Jun. 30, 2014. It can be found in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0297232.

  Referring to FIG. 70, staple cartridge 4410 includes an outer rim 4414 extending above deck surface 4412. During surgery, the clinician can adjust the position of the anvil relative to the cartridge of the circular stapler. In at least one such embodiment, staple cartridge 4410 further comprises deck features 4416 and 4418 extending from deck surface 4412. As can be seen in FIG. 70, a series of inner deck features 4416 are centrally located knives with the staple row 4422 via the passage of a knife or cutting member during the firing process. It is provided between the opening 4413 and the opening 4413. The deck feature 4416 may be shaped and positioned relative to the inner staple fossa and opening 4413 as shown in FIGS. 70, 72 and 73. For example, the inner deck features 4416 each have a flat wall 4415 that co-extens with the conical or angled body 4417 adjacent the wall of the knife opening 4413 and / or the row of inner staple fossa 4422 You may See Figures 72 and 73. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 70, the deck features 4416 are oriented at the gap between the two adjacent inner staple fossae 4422, as shown, and offset between the pair of staple fossae 4422. The foveal extension arrangement or deck feature in the present system can generally help to lower the pressure than encountered in flat deck cartridges. The arrangements of the present disclosure may also help to mitigate tissue migration and misalignment. Because tissue misalignment is generally undesirable, the outer diameter retention mechanism may be larger and more numerous. The inner diameter mechanism may help to increase tissue tension / strain as the blade passes next to the inner inner diameter, which may allow the system to cut better. However, the deck features 4416 may have different shapes and arrangements, and may be located at different locations on the deck surface 4412.

  As can be seen in FIGS. 70, 72, and 73, every other outer staple fossa 4442 includes an outer deck feature 4418 associated with each end thereof. The outer deck feature 4418 extends over the deck feature 4412 and guides the outer staple 4450 towards the anvil when the staple 4450 is ejected from the staple cartridge 4410. In such embodiments, the outer staples 4450 may not extend over the outer deck feature 4418 until they are moved toward the anvil by the firing member. Referring primarily to FIG. 70, in at least one embodiment, the outer deck feature 4418 does not extend around the entire corresponding outer staple fovea 4442. The first outer deck feature 4418 is positioned adjacent to the first end of the corresponding outer fossa 4442 and the second outer deck feature 4418 is adjacent to the second end of the outer fossa 4442 Be positioned. As can be seen in FIG. 70, outer deck features 4418 are associated with every other outer staple fossa 4442. Such an arrangement can help to lower the overall pressure and minimize tissue tension and movement. However, in other embodiments, the first and second outer deck features 4418 may be associated with each of the outer staple fovea 4442. In still other embodiments, the outer deck features may extend around the entire circumference of the corresponding outer fossa. As can be seen in FIG. 72, the inner deck feature 4416 is shorter than the outer deck feature 4418. In other words, each inner deck feature protrudes above deck surface 4412 and is a distance that is less than the distance each outer deck feature 4418 protrudes above deck surface 4412. Each outer deck feature may project above deck surface 4412 and is the same distance that outer rim 4414 projects above deck surface 4412. Further, as can be seen in FIG. 72, each outer deck feature 4418 generally helps to prevent tissue sag on the deck feature during insertion of the staple head across the patient's colon and rectum. Having a conical or tapered outer contour.

  The aforementioned deck feature arrangements may provide one or more advantages. For example, an upright outer rim can help prevent tissue sliding along the cartridge deck. The upstanding rim may also be provided with a repeating pattern of elevations rather than in one continuous lip configuration. The inner uprighting mechanism can also help hold the tissue adjacent to the blade and can also provide enhanced cutting. The inner deck feature may be in an alternate arrangement with all the fovea, and the deck feature (s) may comprise a continuous upright lip. It may be desirable to balance the number of deck features in order to minimize the number of high strength / compression zones while achieving the desired amount of tissue fixation. The foveal co-axial feature may serve the additional purpose of minimizing tissue flow in the area where the staple legs project. Such an arrangement also promotes desirable staple formation as the staple legs are ejected and translate and receive an anvil pocket which may be comprised of a corresponding formed pocket. Such localized pocket features increase the low compression zone while promoting leg support from the cartridge as the staples exit the cartridge. This arrangement thereby minimizes the distance that the staples have to "pop out" before they contact the anvil pocket. Tissue flow tends to increase as it progresses radially outward from the center of the cartridge.

72 and 73 illustrate the use of a surgical staple cartridge 4410 in connection with anvil 4480. The anvil 4480 includes an anvil head 4482 and a knife washer 4490 that operably support a staple forming insert or portion 4484. The knife washer 4490 is supported against the knife 4492 supported by the stapler head. In the illustrated embodiment, the staple forming insert 4484 is made of, for example, steel, stainless steel, etc. and includes an inner row of inner staple forming pockets 4486 and an outer row of outer staple forming pockets 4488. Each inner staple forming pocket 4486 corresponds to one of the inner staple recesses 4422 and each outer staple forming pocket 4488 corresponds to one of the outer staple recesses 4442. In the illustrated arrangement, the inner staple forming pocket 4486 approaches the cartridge deck surface 4412 more than the outer staple forming pocket 4488 when the anvil 4480 is moved to its firing position relative to the cartridge deck surface 4412. In other words, the first staple forming distance between the first gap _{g 1} or the first staple forming portion 4485 and the cartridge deck surface 4412, a second gap _{g 2} or the second staple forming portion 4487 and the cartridge deck surface 4412 Less than the second staple forming distance between

As can further be seen in FIGS. 72 and 73, the inner staples 4430 are each supported within their corresponding inner staple fossa 4422 at the corresponding inner drive portion 4502 of the pusher assembly 4500 and the outer staples 4450. Each is supported within their corresponding outer staple fossa 4442 in corresponding drive portion 4504. The advancement of the pusher assembly 4500 towards the anvil 4480 can be driven to bring the inner and outer staples 4430 4450 into contact with their respective corresponding staple forming pockets 4486 4488 as shown in FIG. Note that the knife 4492 is advanced distally through the tissue fixed between the anvil 4480 and the deck surface 4412 and the non-metallic button 4491 of the knife washer 4490. Such an arrangement serves to provide the outer staple 4450 with a formed height FH _O that is less than the formed height FH _I of the inner staple 4430. In other words, the outer rows 4440 of the outer staples 4450 are formed into a larger "B" shape, which results in greater capture and / or higher formed height that reduces tissue compression near the outer rows of staples 4440. Ru. Larger B shapes may also improve blood flow towards the inner row. In various cases, the outer rows 4440 of the outer staples 4450 have greater resistance developed by utilizing larger staple crowns, longer staple leg widths, and / or thicker staple leg thicknesses. .

The number of staples used in each row can be changed. In one embodiment, for example, the outer staples 4450 are more than the inner staples 4430. In another embodiment, more inner staples 4430 than outer staples 4450 are used. In various cases, the wire diameter of the outer staple 4450 is larger than the wire diameter of the inner staple 4430. The inner and outer staples 4430, 4450 may have the same unformed height UFH. The crown width CW _O of the outer row 4440 of the outer staples 4450 is greater than the crown width CW _I of the inner row 4420 of the inner staples 4430. The gull-wing configuration of the outer staples 4450 uses bends located at different distances from their respective crowns. Using a stepped anvil arrangement with a flat (non-stepped) cartridge deck surface 4412 with a similar drive or extrusion movement results in staples having different formed heights.

  FIG. 74 shows another staple cartridge embodiment 4610. FIG. As can be seen in FIG. 74, the staple cartridge 4610 includes a cartridge deck 4612 including an inner annular row 4620 of spaced apart inner staple fossae 4622 and an outer annular row 4640 of spaced apart outer staple fossa 4642 Including. As can be seen in FIG. 74, the inner staple fossa 4622 is offset relative to the outer staple fossa 4642. Supported within each inner staple socket 4622 is an inner surgical staple 4630 and supported within each outer staple socket 4642 is an outer surgical staple 4650. The outer rim 4614 extends over the deck surface 4612. In various embodiments, further to the above, the staples 4630, 4650 do not project on the deck surface 4612 until they are moved by the firing member towards the anvil. Such embodiments may utilize small staples frequently as compared to the depth of each staple foveal of the staples in which the staples are stored. In other embodiments, the legs of the staples project over the deck surface 4612 when the staples are in their unfired position. In at least one such embodiment, staple cartridge 4610 further comprises deck features 4616 and 4618 extending from deck surface 4612.

  As can also be seen in FIG. 74, the staple fossae 4622 includes, on alternate sides, inner deck features 4616 associated with their respective ends. The inner deck feature 4616 extends above the deck surface 4612 and guides the corresponding inner staple 4630 towards the anvil when the corresponding inner staple 4630 is ejected from the staple cartridge 4610. In such embodiments, the inner staple 4630 may not extend over the inner deck feature 4616 until the firing member moves the staple towards the anvil. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner deck feature 4616 does not extend around the entire corresponding inner staple socket 4622. The first inner deck feature 4616 is positioned adjacent to the first end of the corresponding inner fossa 4622 and the second inner deck feature 4616 is adjacent to the second end of the inner fossa 4622 It is positioned. However, in other embodiments, the inner deck feature 4416 may be associated with each of the inner staple fossa 4622. In still other embodiments, the inner deck feature may extend around the entire circumference of the corresponding inner staple fovea. By using deck features having different heights in a coaxial pattern, associated with every other fovea, as many of them as possible, and as long as possible, staples, balancing them as desired A lower pressure tissue clearance area may be provided while guiding the legs. In other words, such an arrangement may minimize the amount of tissue flow and reduce the overall amount of pressure applied to the tissue of interest.

  Still referring to FIG. 74, each outer staple socket 4642 includes an outer deck feature 4618 associated with each end thereof. Outer deck feature 4618 extends over deck feature 4612 and guides outer staple 4650 towards the anvil when staple 4650 is ejected from staple cartridge 4610. In such embodiments, the inner staples 4650 may not extend over the inner deck feature 4618 until the firing members move the staples towards the anvil. As can be seen in FIG. 74, in the illustrated embodiment, the outer deck mechanism 4618 does not extend around the entire corresponding outer staple socket 4642. The first outer deck feature 4618 is positioned adjacent to the first end of the corresponding outer fossa 4642 and the second outer deck feature 4618 is positioned adjacent to the second end of the outer fossa 4642 . As can be seen in FIG. 74, the outer decking mechanism 4618 is associated with each of the outer staple fossa 4642. However, in other embodiments, every other first and second outer deck feature 4618 may be associated with the outer staple fossa 4642. In still other embodiments, the outer deck features may extend around the entire circumference of the corresponding outer fossa. As can be seen in FIGS. 75 and 76, the inner and outer deck features 4616 and 4618 extend above the deck surface 4612 at the same distance. In other words, they have the same height. As can also be seen in FIGS. 75 and 76, each inner deck feature 4416 and each outer deck feature 4618 are generally on the deck feature during insertion of the staple head across the patient's colon and rectum Has a conical or tapered outer contour that can help prevent tissue from sagging.

75 and 76 illustrate the use of a surgical staple cartridge 4610 in connection with anvil 4680. FIG. The anvil 4680 includes an anvil head 4682 and a knife washer 4690 operably supporting a staple forming insert or portion 4684. Knife washer 4690 is supported in an antipodal relationship to knife 4692 supported by the staple head. In the illustrated embodiment, the staple forming insert 4684 is made of, for example, steel, stainless steel, etc., and includes an inner row of inner staple forming pockets 4686 and an outer row of outer staple forming pockets 4688. Each inner staple forming pocket 4686 corresponds to one of the inner staple recesses 4622 and each outer staple forming pocket 4688 corresponds to one of the outer staple recesses 4642. In the illustrated arrangement, the inner staple forming pockets 4686 are from the deck surface 4612 is disposed on the outside staple forming pockets 4688 and the same distance _{g 1.}

As can further be seen in FIGS. 75 and 76, the inner staples 4630 are supported within the corresponding inner staple fossa 4622 on the corresponding inner drive portion 4702 of the pusher assembly 4700. Outer staples 4650 are supported within corresponding outer staple fossa 4642 in corresponding outer drive portion 4704. Advancement of the pusher assembly 4700 towards the anvil 4680 can be driven so that the inner and outer staples 4630, 4650 form contact with their respective staple forming pockets 4686, 4688 as shown in FIG. . Note that the knife 4692 is advanced distally through the tissue secured between the anvil 4680 and the deck surface 4612 and the non-metallic button 4691 of the knife washer 4690. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 75 and 76, each inner staple 4630 may be formed from a first first staple wire having a wire diameter D _1, and having a first unformed height L _1. For example, the first wire diameter _{D 1} is about 0.020cm~0.038cm (0.0079 "~0.015") (increment, typically 0.023, 0.024Cm, and 0.00368cm (0.0089 "0.0094", and 0.00145 ")) and may be, also the first unformed height _{L 1} about to about 0.503cm~0.635cm (0.198" by 0.250 ") there may. each outside staple 4650, in the embodiment shown the second being formed of a second staple wire having a wire diameter D _2, and. Figure 75 and 76 having a second unformed height L _2, D ₁ <D ₂ and L ₁ <L _2. However, as can be seen in Fig. 76, the inner and outer staples 4630, 4650 are formed with the same forming height FH. Wire staples tend to provide higher tear strength and higher burst strength as compared to the inner row of smaller diameter staples which tend to hold hemostatically better. The tighter inner row of staples may provide better hemostasis retention while the outer row of teeth promotes better healing and blood flow, yet the staples with longer legs are shorter Longer-legged staples that are more likely to be formed more rigidly, even if formed at the same height as the staples with the legs, but still stronger and still in high-load situations More B-curves can be ensured which can result in: The number of staples used in each row of staples can be changed, In one embodiment, for example, the inner row 620 has the same number of inner staples 4630 as the outer row 4640 of outer staples 4650. In various arrangements, the crown width of the staples 4650 is greater than the crown width of the inner staples 4630. In other embodiments, The staples 4630, 4650 may have the same crown width In other arrangements, the staples 4630, 4650 may be of the gull-wing type design described above, eg at least one leg of the staple is inside The ends may be curved, or both legs may include ends curving inwardly towards each other, such staples may be formed by an inner annular row or an outer annular row, or an inner and outer annular ring. It may be used in both of the columns.

FIG. 77 shows another circular staple cartridge embodiment 4810 that includes a cartridge deck 4812 that includes three annular rows 4820, 4840, 4860 of spaced apart staple fovea. The inner side of the first row 4820 includes a plurality of first medial fossae or first staple fossae 4822 disposed at a first angle, respectively. Each inner staple fossa 4822 operably supports a corresponding inner staple or first staple 4830 therein. The medial fossa 4822 orients the first staple 4830 at the same uniform angle with respect to the tangential direction. In the illustrated embodiment, each inner staple 4830 is formed from a first staple wire having a first staple diameter D _1. In one example, the first staple wire diameter _{D 1} is about 0.020cm~0.038cm (0.0079 "~0.015") (increment, typically 0.023, 0.024Cm, and 0.00368cm (0 .0089 ′ ′, 0.0094 ′ ′ and 0.00145 ′ ′)). With reference to FIG. 80, each inner staple 4830 includes a first crown 4832 and two first legs 4834. First crown the first has a crown width _{C 1,} and each first leg 4834 is. an embodiment having a first unformed leg length _{L 1,} the first crown width _{C 1} is approximately 0.254cm~ It may be 0.762 cm (0.100 "-0.300") and the first unformed leg length L ₁ is about 0.503 cm-0.635 cm (0.198 "-0.250") It may be. First leg 4834, each, the first staple crown 4832 may be disposed at an angle _{A 1.} Angle _{A 1} may be about 90 degrees, or slightly may be greater than 90 degrees This, in turn, causes the first leg 4834 to extend slightly outward, helping to hold the first staple 4830 in its corresponding first staple recess 4822.

  Turning to FIGS. 78 and 79, a staple cartridge 4810 is connected with an anvil 4900 including two inner or first rows 4902 of a first pair 4903 of staggered or angled first staple forming pockets 4904. It is intended to be used for. Each first pair 4903 of the first staple forming pocket 4904 corresponds to one first staple 4830. One first staple forming pocket 4904 corresponds to one first staple leg 4834 and the other first staple forming pocket 4904 of the pair 4903 corresponds to the other first staple leg 4834 There is. Such an arrangement helps to establish a forming staple arrangement wherein the first staple leg 4834 of the first staple 4830 is formed out of plane by the first crown 4832 of that particular first staple 4830, thereby A first leg 4834 is formed on one side of the first crown 4832 and another first leg 4834 is formed on the other side of the first crown 4832. This “three-dimensional” forming staple arrangement is shown with respect to some first staple forming pockets 4904 of FIG.

As can be seen most particularly in FIG. 79, the cartridge deck 4812 is a "step" configuration. The cartridge deck 4812 includes an inner or first cartridge deck portion 4814 that corresponds to the inner or first annular row 4820 of the inner or first staple socket 4822. As can further be seen in FIG. 79, when the anvil 4900 is moved to the closed or locked position, a portion of the anvil 4900 including the first formed pocket 4904 is a first gap distance g ₁ from the deck portion 4814 Are spaced apart.

Referring again to FIGS. 77, 79 and 80, the middle row or second row 4840 includes a second plurality of middle staple fossa or second staple fossa 4842 each disposed at a second angle. Each middle staple fossa 4842 operably supports a corresponding middle staple or second staple 4850 therein. The medial fossa 4842 orients the intermediate staple or second staple 4850 at the same uniform second angle relative to the tangential direction. However, the second angle is different from the first angle. In other words, if the first and second staples are supported in their respective first and second fossae, the axis of the first crown of each first staple 4830 will eventually extend, if it extends It may intersect the extending axis of the second crown of an adjacent second staple 4850. As can be seen in FIGS. 79 and 80, each second staple or middle staple 4850 comprises a second staple crown or base 4852 and two second legs 4854. The staple base 4852 may have some rectangular cross-sectional shape and is formed from flat sheet material. The second staple leg 4854 may, for example, have a circular cross-sectional profile. Second staples or intermediate staples are described, for example, in US patent application Ser. No. 14 / 836,110, entitled “SURGICAL STAPLING CONFIGURATIONS FOR CURVED AND CIRCULAR STAPLING INSTRUMENTS,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The various staple arrangements disclosed in co-pending August 26) can be provided. By having a circular staple leg extending from the staple base having a rectangular cross-sectional profile, a staple base portion and staple leg without a preferential curved plane can be provided. The second staple 4850 comprises a curved portion 4856 with a staple leg 4854 extending from the staple base portion 4852. Curved portion 4856 may have a substantially square cross-sectional profile. The square and rectangular contours of the flexures 4856 and the staple base portion 4852 provide a rigid connection and stem to the circular staple legs 4854, respectively. The circular staple legs 4854 eliminate the preferential curvature plane that the staple legs with cross section, square, rectangular or any shape with nodal points or non-uniform shapes may have. Each of the second staple leg 4854, a second diameter _{D 2.} In at least one embodiment, D ₂ > D ₁ . The second base portion or crown 4852 has a second crown width _{C 2.} In one arrangement, C ₂ > C ₁ . Second leg 4854, to the second base portion or crown 4852 may be arranged at an angle _{A 2.} Angle A ₂ may be about 90 degrees, or slightly better than 90 degrees, thereby, the second leg 4854 is slightly outwardly flared, its corresponding second staple fossa the second staple 4850 Assist in holding in 4842.

  Turning to FIGS. 78 and 79, the anvil 4900 further comprises two intermediate rows or rows 4912 of a staggered or angled second pair 4913 of second staple forming pockets 4914. Each second pair 4913 of second staple forming pockets 4914 corresponds to one second staple 4850. One second staple forming pocket 4914 corresponds to one second staple leg 4854, and the other second staple forming pocket 4914 of the pair 4913 corresponds to the other second staple leg 4854. Such an arrangement helps establish a forming staple arrangement, and the second leg 4854 is formed out of plane by the second base 4852 of the particular second staple 4850. This “three-dimensional” forming staple arrangement is shown with respect to some second staple forming pockets 4914 of FIG.

As can be seen most particularly in FIG. 79, the cartridge deck 4812 further comprises a second cartridge deck portion 4816 corresponding to the middle annular row or second annular row 4840 of the middle staple fossae or second staple fossa 4842. As can further be seen in FIG. 79, when the anvil 4900 is moved to the closed or locked position, a portion of the anvil 4900 including the second formed pocket 4914 is a second gap distance g ₂ from the deck portion 4816 Are spaced apart. In the illustrated embodiment, g ₂ > g ₁ .

Referring again to FIGS. 77, 79 and 80, the outer row or third row 4860 includes a third plurality of outer staple fossa or third staple fossa 4862 dimensioned relative to the second staple fossa 4842 The outer staple fossa or third staple fossa 4862 spans the distance between two adjacent second fossa 4842. Each outer staple fossa 4862 operably supports a corresponding outer staple or third staple 4870 therein. The lateral fossa 4862 orients the outer staple or third staple 4870 to be tangent to the circumferential direction. As can be seen in FIGS. 79 and 80, each third staple or outer staple 4870 comprises a third staple crown or base 4872 and two third legs 4874. The staple base 4872 may have some rectangular cross-sectional shape and is formed from flat sheet material. The third staple leg 4874 may, for example, have a circular cross-sectional profile. Third staple or outer staple 4870 is, for example, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING CONFIGURATIONS FOR CURVED AND CIRCULAR STAPLING INSTRUMENTS" (2015). , And may be provided with various staple arrangements as disclosed on Aug. 26, 2006. By having a circular staple leg extending from the staple base having a rectangular cross-sectional profile, a staple base portion and staple leg without a preferential curved plane can be provided. The third staple 4870 includes a curved portion 4876 in which a staple leg 4874 extends from a staple base 4872. Curved portion 4876 may have a substantially square cross-sectional profile. The square and rectangular contours of the flexures 4876 and the staple base portion 4872 provide a rigid connection and stem to the circular staple legs 4874, respectively. The circular staple legs 4874 eliminate the preferential curvature plane that the staple legs with cross-sections may have, square, rectangular or any shape with nodal points or non-uniform shapes. In at least one embodiment, D ₃ > D ₂ . The third base or the crown 4872 having a third crown width _{C 3,} also the third leg portion 4874 has a third unformed leg length _{L 3.} In one arrangement, C ₃ > C ₂ and L ₃ > L ₂ . The third leg 4874, to the third base or the crown 4872 may be arranged at an angle _{A 3.} Angle A ₃ may be about 90 degrees, or slightly better than 90 degrees, thereby, the third leg portion 4874 is slightly outwardly flared, third staple fossa its corresponding third staple 4870 Help keep within 4862

Turning to FIGS. 78 and 79, the anvil 4900 further comprises an outer row 4916 of outer or third staple forming pockets 4918. Each third staple forming pocket 4918 corresponds to one third staple 4870. As can be seen most particularly in FIG. 79, the cartridge deck 4812 further comprises a third cartridge deck portion 4818 corresponding to the outer row or third row 4860 of the outer staple fossae or third staple fossa 4862. As can further be seen in FIG. 79, when the anvil 4900 is moved to the closed or locked position, a portion of the anvil 4900 including the third forming pocket 4918 is a third gap distance g ₃ from the deck portion 4818. Are spaced apart. In the illustrated embodiment, g ₃ > g ₂ . As can further be seen in FIG. 79, in at least one embodiment, a tissue thickness compensation element 4920 is used in conjunction with each outer staple or third staple 4870. The tissue thickness compensation element may comprise a woven material embedded in oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC) to promote hemostasis. Tissue thickness compensation element 4920 is described in US patent application Ser. No. 14 / 187,389, entitled "IMPLANTABLE LAYER ASSEMBLIES" (filed on Feb. 24, 2014), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Any of a variety of tissue thickness compensation element arrangements may be provided as disclosed in Patent Application Publication No. As can be seen in FIG. 79, tissue thickness compensating element 4920 has a thickness represented as “a”. In one embodiment, the tissue thickness compensation element has a thickness of about 0.035 cm to 0.11 cm (0.015 ′ ′ to 0.045 ′ ′). However, other thicknesses may be used.

  Thus, in at least one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 77-80, staple cartridge 4810 may use a different number of staples in each of the three staple rows. In one arrangement, the inner row of staples comprises conventional staples with the smallest wire diameter and the shortest unformed leg length. Each first staple has the shortest crown width, and each first staple is oriented at a uniform angle with respect to the tangential direction. The intermediate staples have a different arrangement than the first staple arrangement. Each leg of the intermediate staple has medium wire diameter and uniform leg length. Each intermediate staple has a crown width slightly larger than the crown width of the inner staples, and each intermediate staple is at a uniform angle to the tangential direction but at a different angle to the inner row of inner staples. Is oriented. Each outer staple has an arrangement similar to that of the intermediate staples. Each third leg of each outer staple comprises the largest wire diameter as compared to the wire diameter of the legs of the inner and intermediate staples. The crown width of each outer staple is significantly greater than the crown width of the inner and intermediate staples. Each outer staple is tangentially oriented in the circumferential direction of the cartridge. The outer row of staples uses a woven tissue thickness compensation element (spacer fabric) embedded in the ORC to promote hemostasis. The anvils on the steps and the cartridge cartridges on the steps provide different formed staple heights with staples having the shortest forming height in the inner row and staples having the longest forming height in the outer row. Anvil pockets corresponding to the inner and middle rows of staples are "tilted" to create three dimensional staples in the inner and middle rows. The "tub type" anvil pocket corresponds to the outer row of staples. In at least one embodiment, the staples may be fired sequentially. For example, the staples in the inner and middle rows may be fired first and the staples in the outer row may be fired thereafter. The annular knife cuts fixed tissue during the firing process.

  81-84 show a portion 5000 of a curved stapling instrument according to at least one embodiment configured to capture, cut and staple tissue. The curved stapling instrument 5000 comprises a frame assembly 5010, a staple cartridge 5020, and an anvil (not shown) configured to be supported in an antipodal relationship to the deck of the staple cartridge. As receiving the first actuation force, staple cartridge 5020 is driven toward the anvil to capture tissue therebetween as will be discussed in more detail below. Curved stapling instrument 5000 further includes a knife assembly that includes a cutting member (not shown) configured to cut tissue captured between staple cartridge 5020 and the anvil. The staple cartridge 5020 includes a deck 5022 including a cutting slot 5024 configured to receive a cutting member, a plurality of staple fossae 5030A and 5030B, and a plurality of staples 5040 removably stored within the staple fovea 84). The curved stapling instrument 5000 further comprises a drive assembly 5100 comprising a main drive 5102 configured for axial placement within the frame assembly 5010. During actuation of the launch system, the main drive 5102 moves axially in a direction towards the anvil. In at least one arrangement, axial movement of the main drive 5102 also advances the cutting member of the cutting slot 5024 to cut tissue secured between the cartridge 5020 and the anvil.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cartridge 5020 is longitudinally partitioned into three sections, a "high" section 5030, an "intermediate" section 5050, and a "low" section 5070. The cutting slots 5024 cause each of the high, middle and low sections 5030, 5050, 5070 to bifurcate, thereby placing two rows of staple fossa on each side of the cutting slot 5024. As can be seen in FIG. 82, for example, staple cartridge 5020 comprises two inner rows 5080A, 5080B of inner staple fossa 5082 and two outer rows 5090A, 5090B of outer staple fossa 5092. Staple cartridge 5020 further includes a plurality of deck features extending from deck 5022. For example, referring to FIGS. 81 and 82, the outer rows 5090A, 5090B of the staple fossas 5092 have sets of deck features with them. In the illustrated embodiment, these staple fossas 5092 associated with the high section 5030 include deck features 5032 that extend over the deck surface 5022 at feature height H _h . These staple fossas 5092 associated with the mediating section 5050 include deck features 5052 that extend on the deck surface 5022 of feature height H _m . These staple fossas 5092 associated with the low section 5070 include deck features 5072 of feature height H _L extending above the deck surface 5022. H _h > H _m > H _L. In at least one embodiment, for example, H _h is about 0.05 cm (0.020 ′ ′), H _m is about 0.038 cm (0.015 ′ ′), and H _L is about 0.025 cm (0.010 ′ ′) The deck features 5032, 5052, and 5072 may be molded into the deck surface 5022. In an embodiment, the deck features 5032, 5052, 5072 may be attached to the deck surface 5022. While the deck features 5032, 5052, and 5072 are loaded with staples into the cartridge 5020, the deck features 5032, 5052, and 5072 may contain or support the staples 5112 prior to firing the staples. And / or support, guide, and / or / or staples during ejection of the staples 5112 from the cartridge 5020. It may be an extension of the staple fossa 5092 for control, a single deck feature 5032, 5052, 5072 supports two different staple legs of an adjacent staple 5112. Deck feature 5032, 5052, 5072 may include a plurality of support walls configured to support one or more sides, faces, and / or edges of each staple leg, hi embodiments, on the outer staple rows 5090A, 5090B. It is assumed that the deck features 5032, 5052, 5072 are associated only with any other staple fossa 5092 in each outer row 5090 A, 5090 B. In the embodiment shown in Figure 83, the inner rows 5080 A, 5080 B (figure In 83, only row 5080B can be seen) staple fovea 5082 At the same having a deck features associated. For example, high classification of these associated with 5030 staple fossa 5082, the feature height H _h, including deck features 5034 extending above the deck surface 5022. Mediated These staple fossas 5082 associated with section 5050 include deck features 5054 of feature height H _m extending onto deck surface 5022. These staple fossas 5082 associated with low section 5070 , Includes a deck feature 5074 that extends over the deck surface 5022 at a feature height H _L.

  The staple cartridge 5020 includes a drive assembly 5100 configured to drive the staples supported in the staple fossas 5082, 5092 toward the anvil upon application of an actuation force. In the arrangement shown in FIGS. 83 and 84, for example, the drive assembly 5100 moves toward the anvil upon application of the actuating movement thereto and from the anvil upon application of the retraction movement thereto. It includes a main drive 5102 configured to move away. The drive assembly 5100 includes a pair of high drive portions 5104 (one on each side of the cutting slot 5024), a pair of intermediate drive portions 5106 (one on each side of the cutting slot 5024), and a pair of high drive portions 5104 (one on each side of the cutting slot 5024). It further comprises a low drive part 5108, one on each side of the cutting slot 5024. Each of the drive portions 5104, 5106, 5108 has a plurality of staple support drives 5110 associated therewith. The staple support drive 5110 is supported on each of the staple recesses 5082, 5092 and supports the staples 5112 thereon. See Figure 84. As such, when the stapling apparatus is fired, the staples 5112 can be formed at different formed staple heights. For example, the forming height of the staples 5112 associated with the high section 5030 may have a forming height less than the forming height of these staples associated with the media section 5050 and also be associated with the media section 5050 The forming height of the staples 5112 may be shorter than the forming height of the staples 5112 associated with the low section 5070. It should be noted that by driving the staples, different distances may help to accommodate the deflection of the anvil. However, in the absence of deflection of the anvil, such an arrangement provides a staple with an area-changing formation height. Actuation of the driver assembly 5100 also results in the cutting member being driven across the fixed tissue. The reader may use different staples with different leg and / or crown arrangements and / or different wire diameters and / or different formed heights in different sections 5030, 5050, 5070 to each side of the tissue cutting line It will be appreciated that the desired formed staple height and placement may be obtained above.

  85-88 show a portion of another curved stapling instrument 5200 configured to capture, cut, and staple tissue according to at least one embodiment. Referring first to FIG. 86, the curved stapling instrument 5200 includes an anvil 5260 configured to be supported against the frame assembly 5210, the staple cartridge 5220, and the deck 5222 of the staple cartridge 5220 in an antipodal relationship. Prepare. Curved stapling instrument 5200 further includes a knife assembly that includes a cutting member (not shown) configured to dissect tissue captured between staple cartridge 5220 and anvil 5260. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 86, the deck 5222 comprises a "stepped" deck that includes a centrally disposed cutting slot 5228 configured to receive a cutting member. The deck 5222 further comprises a high deck portion 5224 centrally located over the lower deck portion 5226 where the cutting slot 5228 extends. An inner row of inner staple fossas 5230 A is provided on the high deck portion 5224 on each side of the cutting slot 5228. Each lower deck portion 5226 has on its inside a corresponding row of outer staple fossas 5230B. As can be seen in FIG. 86, the deck features 5231 of the various arrangements disclosed herein may, in each outer row of outer staple fossas 5230B, with each of the outer staple fossas 5230B or any other It may be associated with one of the outer staple fossas 5230B. In other arrangements, the deck features may be further associated with each of the inner staple fossas 5230A, or with any other inner staple fossae 5230A, in each row of inner staple fossas 5230A. Still in other arrangements, the deck features may not be used in conjunction with any of the inner and outer staple fossas 5230A, 5230B.

  86 and 88, in at least one arrangement, each staple fossa 5230A releasably stores inner staples 5240 therein, and each staple fossa 5230B removes outer staples 5250 therein. Store as possible. Each inner staple 5240 is supported on a corresponding drive 5214 and each outer staple 5250 is supported on a corresponding drive 5216. Drives 5214, 5216 form part of a moveable drive assembly 5218 operatively supported on stapling instrument 5200. It will be appreciated that application of the actuating motion to the drive assembly 5218 advances each staple 5240, 5250 to provide contact formation with the anvil 5260.

The inner row of inner staples 5240 may have different features than the outer row of outer staples 5250. For example, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 88, the legs of the inner staple 5240 have a "gull wing" configuration. In particular, each outer staple 5240 includes a pair of legs 5244, 5246 extending from a staple crown 5242. Each leg 5244, 5246 includes a vertical portion 5245, 5247 respectively extending from a crown 5242. The vertical portions 5245, 5247 may be parallel to one another in one embodiment. However, in the illustrated arrangement, the vertical portions 5245, 5247 are not parallel to one another. See Figure 88. However, the vertical legs 5245, 5247 may be arranged at other angles relative to the crown 5242. Further details regarding staple placement are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, US Patent Application No. 14 / 319,008, entitled "FASTENER CARTRIDGE COMPRISING NON-UNIFORM FASTENERS" (June 30, 2014). Application), U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0297232. One advantage of having vertical portions 5245, 5247 oriented at an angle of greater than 90 degrees with respect to crown 5242 is that such an arrangement can assist in the temporary retention of staples within its corresponding staple fovea. ,That's what it means. Still referring to FIG. 88, each leg 5244, 5246 further includes an inwardly extending leg. In the illustrated arrangement, legs 5248 extend inwardly from vertical legs 5244 and legs 5249 extend inwardly from vertical legs 5246. As can be seen in the figure, the legs 5248 are shorter than the legs 5244. Each inside staple 5240 has unformed height _{L 1.}

As can also be seen in FIG. 88, the legs of the outer staple 5250 also have a “gull wing” configuration. In particular, each outer staple 5250 includes a pair of legs 5254, 5256 extending from a staple crown 5252. Each leg 5254, 5256 includes a vertical portion 5255, 5257 extending from a crown 5252, respectively. The vertical portions 5255, 5257 may be parallel to one another in one embodiment. However, in the illustrated arrangement, the vertical portions 5255, 5257 are not parallel to one another. See Figure 88. Further details regarding staple placement are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, US Patent Application No. 14 / 319,008, entitled "FASTENER CARTRIDGE COMPRISING NON-UNIFORM FASTENERS" (June 30, 2014). Application), U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0297232. However, the vertical legs 5245, 5247 may be arranged at other angles relative to the crown 5242. One advantage of having the vertical portions 5255, 5257 oriented at an angle greater than 90 degrees with respect to the crown 5252 is that such an arrangement may assist in the temporary retention of staples within its corresponding staple fovea. ,That's what it means. Still referring to FIG. 88, each leg 5254, 5256 further includes an inwardly extending leg. In the illustrated arrangement, legs 5258 extend inwardly from vertical legs 5254 and legs 5259 extend inwardly from vertical legs 5256. As can be seen in the figure, the legs 5258 are shorter than the legs 5254. Each outer staple 5250 has unformed height _{L 2.} In the illustrated arrangement, L ₂ > L ₁ . In the illustrated embodiment, the inner staple and outer staple 5240,5250 have the same wire diameter _{D 1.} However, in other embodiments, the inner and outer staples 5240, 5250 have different wire diameters. In still other embodiments, staples 5240 may provide staple fossas 5230B, and staples 5250 may provide staple fossas 5230A, such that longer unformed staples are in the inner line of staple fossae, and The shorter staples are in the outer line of the staple fovea.

The stapling attachment 5200 may use an anvil 5260, as shown in FIGS. Referring first to FIG. 85, anvil 5260 may include two inserts 5264 supported by anvil body 5260 so that a staple with one insert 5264 disposed on one side of cutting slot 5228 And the other insert 5264 corresponds to a staple disposed on the other side of the cutting slot 5228. As can be seen in FIG. 86, the insert 5264 provides the anvil 5260 with a stepped staple forming inner surface 5261. Each insert 5264 includes an inner portion 5265 and an outer portion 5267. When the anvil 5260 is positioned in the closed orientation for a fixed tissue, a gap _{G 1} is provided between the deck portion 5224 corresponding to the inner portion 5265 of the insertion portion 5264, also the gap _{G 2} is inserted It is formed between the outer portion 5267 of the portion 5264 and the corresponding deck portion 5226. In the illustrated arrangement, G ₂ > G ₁ . The inner portion 5265 comprises an inner row 5266A of a pair of inner staples 5268A of the staple forming fossa 5270. The outer portion 5267 of each insert 5264 comprises an outer row 5266B of outer pockets 5258B of the outer staple forming pockets 5270.

Turning now to FIG. 87, in at least one embodiment, each staple forming pocket 5270 of each pair 5268A, 5268B of staple forming pockets 5270 has a triangular shape. The forming pockets 5270 in the single pair 5268A, 5268B are spaced apart from one another and are configured to receive and form the corresponding legs of a particular staple. Such an arrangement helps to provide a formed staple with a three-dimensional structure. That is, each leg of the formed staple is not coplanar with the staple crown. See Figure 87. In one arrangement, formed heights _{F 2} of each outer staple 5250, as shown in FIG. 88, more than formed heights _{F 1} of each inner staple 5240. In alternative arrangements, for example, the various types of similar staple formations disclosed herein may not be in a step arrangement and are at the same distance from the corresponding portion of the cartridge deck. It contains the line of the pocket essentially. In such an arrangement, the cartridge deck may not be stepped and may or may not include the various types of deck features disclosed herein. In at least one variation, the line of inner staples may have a shorter unformed length than the staples in the outer line (farthest from the slot accommodating the cutting member) and vice versa. The staples in the inner and outer lines may be of the gull wing type arrangement disclosed herein, or they may be of a standard U-shaped design. The staples in each line may have a wire diameter that is different or identical to the wire diameter of the staples in adjacent lines.

  89 and 90 show a stapling instrument 5300 configured to capture, cut, and staple tissue according to at least one embodiment. Referring initially to FIG. 89, the stapling instrument 5300 includes a frame assembly 5310, a staple cartridge 5320, and an anvil 5360 configured to be supported in an opposed relationship to the deck 5322 of the staple cartridge 5320. Staple cartridge 5320 and anvil 5360 may be curved or linear. The stapling instrument 5300 further includes a knife assembly that includes a cutting member 5312 configured to dissect tissue captured between the staple cartridge 5320 and the anvil 5360. Staple cartridge body 5320 includes a deck 5322 including a centrally disposed cutting slot 5328 configured to receive the cutting member 5312. An inner row of spaced apart inner staple fossas 5330 A is provided on each side of the cutting slot 5228. Outer rows of spaced outer staple fossas 5330B are provided adjacent to each of the inner rows of inner staple fossas 5330A. As can be seen in FIG. 89, the various arrangements of deck features 5331 disclosed herein may be associated with each of the inner staple fovea and the outer staple fovea 5330A, 5330B. In other embodiments, every other inner and / or outer staple fossa 5330A, 5330B in each respective row has a deck feature 5331 associated therewith. In still other arrangements, the deck features may not be used in conjunction with any of the inner and outer staple fossas 5330A, 5330B.

In at least one arrangement, each inner staple fossa 5330A releasably stores an inner staple 5340 therein, and each outer staple fossa 5330B releasably stores an outer staple 5350 therein. Each inner staple 5340 is supported on a corresponding drive 5314 and each outer staple 5350 is supported on a corresponding drive 5316. The drives 5314, 5316 form part of a moveable drive assembly 5318 operatively supported on the stapling instrument 5300. It will be appreciated that application of the actuating motion to the drive assembly 5318 causes each staple 5340, 5350 to be advanced to provide contact formation with the anvil 5260. In the illustrated arrangement, the inner staple 5340 is provided with a leg portion of the gull-wing design, and may have a unformed height L _1. The outer staples 5350 may have a leg portion of the gull-wing design, and may have a unformed height L _2. In the illustrated arrangement, L ₁ > L ₂ . However, other staple arrangements disclosed herein may also be used.

The stapling attachment 5300 may use an anvil 5360 as shown in FIG. As can be seen in FIG. 89, anvil 5360 may include two inserts 5364 supported by anvil body 5362 such that one insert 5364 is positioned on one side of cutting slot 5328 The other insertion portion 5364 corresponds to the staple disposed on the other side of the cutting slot 5328. As can be seen in FIG. 89, the insert 5364 is disposed at an unformed distance G ₁ from the cartridge deck 5322 when the anvil 5360 is closed. Each insert 5364 comprises an inner row of inner staple forming pockets 5368A and an outer row of outer staple forming pockets 5368B. Staple forming pockets 5368A, 5368B may be provided in any of the various staple forming pocket arrangements disclosed herein. When the device 5300 is fired, formed heights _{F 2} of each outer staple 5350, as shown in FIG. 90, more than formed heights _{F 1} of each inner staple 5240.

  FIG. 91 shows a curved stapling instrument 5400 configured to capture, cut and staple tissue according to at least one embodiment. The stapling instrument 5400 includes a frame assembly 5410, a staple cartridge 5420, and an anvil 5470 configured to be supported against the deck 5422 of the staple cartridge 5420 in an antipodal relationship. Staple cartridge 5420 and anvil 5470 may be curved or linear. The stapling instrument 5400 further includes a knife assembly including a cutting member 5412 configured to dissect tissue captured between the staple cartridge 5420 and the anvil 5470. Staple cartridge body 5420 includes a deck 5422 including a centrally disposed cutting slot 5428 configured to receive cutting member 5412. An inner row of spaced apart inner staple fossas 5430 A is provided on each side of the cutting slot 5428. An intermediate row of spaced apart middle staple fossas 5430B is provided on each side of the cutting slot 5428 adjacent each inner row of spaced apart inner staple fossas 5430A. An outer row of spaced apart outer staple fossas 5430C is provided adjacent to each of the spaced apart middle rows of middle staple fossa 5430B. The deck features are not shown for this embodiment. However, other embodiments relate to some or all of the inner staple fossae and / or some or all of the intermediate staple fossae and / or some or all of them. The deck features of the various arrangements disclosed herein are used in connection with the outer staple fossa of the.

  In at least one arrangement, each inner staple fossa 5430A removably stores an inner staple 5440 therein. Each intermediate staple fossa 5430B removably stores an intermediate staple 5450 therein. Each outer staple fossa 5430C releasably stores an inter-lateral staple 5460 therein. Each inner staple 5440 is supported on a corresponding drive 5414. Each intermediate staple 5450 is supported on a corresponding intermediate staple drive 5416. Each outer staple 5460 is supported on a corresponding outer drive 5418. The drives 5144, 5416, 5418 form part of a movable drive assembly 5419 operatively supported on the stapling instrument 5400. It will be appreciated that application of the actuating motion to the drive assembly 5419 causes each staple 5440, 5450, 5460 to be advanced to provide contact formation with the anvil 5470. In the illustrated arrangement, the inner staples, the intermediate staples, and the outer staples 5440, 5450, 5460 may have the same configuration and may have the same unformed height.

The stapling attachment 5400 may use an anvil 5470 as shown in FIG. As can be seen in FIG. 91, anvil 5470 may include two inserts 5474 supported by anvil body 5472 such that one insert 5474 is disposed on one side of cutting slot 5428 The other insertion portion 5474 corresponds to the staple disposed on the other side of the cutting slot 5428. As can be seen in FIG. 89, when the anvil 5470 is closed, the insert 5474 is positioned at an unformed distance G ₁ from the cartridge deck 5422. Each insert 5474 comprises an inner row of inner staple forming fossas 5478A, an intermediate row of middle staple forming fossas 5478B, and an outer row of outer staple forming fossas 5478C. The staple forming fossas 5478A, 5478B, and 5478C may comprise any of the various staple forming pocket arrangements disclosed herein. When drive 5400 is fired, each of staples 5440, 5450, 5460 have the same formation height and placement. However, other staple arrangements and staple forming pocket arrangements disclosed herein may also be used to create staples with different forming heights and arrangements.

  FIG. 92 shows another stapling instrument 5500 configured to capture, cut and staple tissue, according to at least one embodiment. The stapling instrument 5500 includes a frame assembly 5510, a staple cartridge 5520, and an anvil 5570 (FIG. 93) configured to be supported against the deck 5522 of the staple cartridge 5520. The stapling instrument 5500 further includes a knife assembly including a cutting member 5512 configured to dissect tissue captured between the staple cartridge 5520 and the anvil 5570. Staple cartridge 5520 includes a deck 5522 that includes a centrally located cutting slot 5528 configured to receive a cutting member 5512. An inner row of spaced inner staple fossas 5530 A is provided on each side of the cutting slot 5528. An intermediate row of spaced apart middle staple fossas 5530B is provided on each side of the cutting slot 5528 adjacent to each inner row of spaced apart inner staple fossas 5530A. Outer rows of spaced apart outer staple fossas 5530C are provided adjacent to each of the middle rows of middle staple fossas 5530B. The deck features are not shown for this embodiment. However, other embodiments relate to some or all of the inner staple fossae and / or some or all of the intermediate staple fossae and / or some or all of them. The deck features of the various arrangements disclosed herein are used in connection with the outer staple fossa of the. Still in other arrangements, the staple fovea placed in any other row may have deck features associated with it.

  In at least one arrangement, each inner staple fossa 5530A releasably stores an inner staple 5540 therein. Each intermediate staple fossa 5530B removably stores an intermediate staple 5550 therein. Each outer staple fossa 5530C releasably stores an inter-outer staple 5560 therein. Each staple 5540, 5550, 5560 is supported on a corresponding drive which forms part of a movable drive assembly which is operatively supported on the stapling instrument 5500. It will be appreciated that application of the actuation motion to the drive assembly causes each staple 5540, 5550, 5560 to be advanced to provide contact formation with the anvil 5570. In the illustrated arrangement, as shown in FIG. 95, the inner staples, the intermediate staples, and the outer staples 5440 5450 5460 may have the same configuration and may have the same unformed height. In one arrangement, for example, staples 5540, 5550, and 5560 are described in US Patent Application No. 14 / 836,110, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING CONFIGURATIONS FOR CURVED AND CIRCULAR, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. STAPLING ISTRUMENTS (filed on August 26, 2015) may be of the disclosed type and arrangement.

  In addition to the above, the staples of the staple cartridge disclosed herein can include one or more mechanisms configured to hold the staples in the staple fovea of the staple cartridge. Turning now to FIGS. 94 and 95, the staples 5540, 5550, 5560 each include a base 5542 and staple legs 5544, 5546 extending from the base 5542. The base 5542 includes a protrusion 5543 extending therefrom which engages a corresponding detent or groove 5531 at the side wall of the corresponding staple fossa 5530A, 5530B, and 5530C. The interaction between the protrusion 5543 and the detent or groove 5531 on the sidewall of the staple fove prevents the staples 5540, 5550, 5560 from falling out of the bottom of the cartridge 5520. The interaction between the protrusion 5543 and the staple foveal wall comprises an interference fit, but such interference fit causes the staples 5540, 5550, 5560 to be ejected from the respective fovea 5530A, 5530B, and 5530C. Do not prevent that. Protrusions 5543 may be formed at base 5542, for example, during the punching process. The stamping process can form the protrusion 5543 by making a recess on the opposite side of the base 5542. Alternative embodiments are envisaged without the groove or detent 5531.

  The stapling attachment 5500 may use an anvil 5570 as shown in FIG. As can be seen in FIG. 93, the anvil 5570 includes two inner rows of pairs 5578A of inner staple forming pockets 5579, two middle rows 5577B of pairs 5578B of middle staple forming pockets 5579, and an outer staple forming pocket 5579. It includes two outer rows 5577C of pair 5578C. The staple forming pockets 5579 in the single pair 5578A, 5578B and 5578C are spaced apart from one another and configured to receive and form the corresponding legs 5454, 5546 of a particular staple 5540, 5550, and 5560 There is. However, staple forming pockets 5579 may be provided in any of the various staple forming pocket arrangements disclosed herein.

  FIG. 96 shows another stapling instrument 5600 configured to capture, cut, and staple tissue according to at least one embodiment. The stapling instrument 5600 includes a frame assembly 5610, a staple cartridge 5620, and an anvil 5670 (FIG. 97) configured to be supported against the deck 5622 of the staple cartridge 5620 in an antipodal relationship. The stapling instrument 5600 further includes a knife assembly that includes a cutting member 5612 configured to dissect tissue captured between the staple cartridge 5620 and the anvil 5670. Staple cartridge body 5620 includes a deck 5622 that includes a centrally located cutting slot 5628 configured to receive a cutting member 5612. An inner row 5630 A of spaced apart staple fossas 5632 is provided on each side of the cutting slot 5528. Outer rows 5630B of spaced apart staple fossas 5632 are provided adjacent to each of the inner rows 5630A of staple fossas 5632. The deck features are not shown for this embodiment. However, other embodiments are disclosed herein in connection with some or all of the inner staple fossae and / or some or all of the outer staple fossae. Use deck features in an arrangement.

In at least one arrangement, each staple socket 5632 removably stores staples 5640 therein. Each staple 5640 is supported on a corresponding drive 5650 that forms part of a movable drive assembly operatively supported on the stapling instrument 5600. It will be appreciated that application of the actuating motion to the drive assembly causes each staple 5640 to be advanced to provide a contact formation with the anvil 5670. In the illustrated arrangement, each staple 5640 comprises a crown 5642 and two spaced apart legs 564, 5646. As discussed herein, the legs 5464, 5646 may be perpendicular to the crown 5642 or they may not be perpendicular to the crown 5642. As can be seen in FIG. 97, each staple driver 5650 comprises a central portion 5652 having a _first width W ₁ and two ends 5644 each having a narrower width W ₂ . Ends 5564 support the respective ends of the corresponding staples 5642. Each fossa 5632 is shaped similar to the central portion 5634 and the two ends 5636. Narrow end 5636 provides lateral support for staple legs 564, 5646 as staples 5642 are ejected out of fossa 5632.

The stapling attachment 5600 may use an anvil 5670, as shown in FIG. As can be seen in this figure, the anvil 5670 includes staple forming pockets 5680, two inner rows 5678A of pairs 5679A of 5690, and two outer rows 5678B of pairs of staple forming pockets 5680, 5690 B of 5690. Staple forming pockets 5680, 5690 in a single pair 5679A, 5679B are spaced apart from one another and configured to receive and form corresponding legs 5454, 5546 of a particular staple 5640. As can be seen in FIG. 99, each staple pocket 5680 is an outer pocket portion 5682 formed to be contacted initially by the end of the corresponding leg 5644, and the forming process formed therein. , And includes an inner pocket 5684 configured to capture the legs 5644. Similarly, each staple pocket 5690 is an outer pocket 5692 formed to be contacted initially by the end of the corresponding leg 5646, and the leg as it is formed internally to complete the forming process. Includes an inner pocket 5694 configured to capture 5646. Outer pocket portion 5682 has a width _{S 1,} also inside the pocket portion 5684 has a width _{S 2.} In the illustrated embodiment, S ₁ > S ₂ . Such an arrangement helps to provide a wider initial contact area for the legs and also holds the legs by the staple crown in a planar arrangement during the forming process as shown in FIG. , Serve to provide staples 5640 with formed staples.

  FIG. 100 shows a portion of another stapling instrument 5700 configured to capture, cut, and staple tissue, according to at least one embodiment. The stapling instrument 5700 comprises an elongate channel 5710, a staple cartridge 5720, and an anvil 5770 configured to be supported in an antipodal relationship to the deck 5722 of the staple cartridge 5720. The stapling instrument 5700 further comprises a knife assembly 5780 comprising a cutting member 5782 configured to cut tissue captured between the staple cartridge 5720 and the anvil 5770. In the illustrated arrangement, the knife assembly 5780 is suspended from a rotary drive shaft 5770 operatively supported within the anvil 5772. Rotation of rotational drive shaft 5772 in a first rotational direction causes knife assembly 5780 to be driven distally via staple cartridge 5720. Rotation of drive shaft 5772 in the second opposite direction causes knife assembly 5780 to be retracted proximally. The knife assembly 5780 serves to drive the wedge sled (not shown) distally in communication with the staple drive resulting in ejection of the staples from the staple cartridge 5720.

  Staple cartridge body 5720 includes a deck 5722 including a centrally disposed cutting slot 5728 configured to receive cutting member 5782. An inner row of spaced apart inner staple fossas 5730A is provided on each side of the cutting slot 5728. An intermediate row of spaced apart middle staple fossas 5730B is provided on each side of the cutting slot 5728 adjacent to each inner row of spaced apart inner staple fossas 5730A. Outer rows of spaced apart outer staple fossas 5730C are provided adjacent to each of the middle rows of middle staple fossa 5730B. As can be seen in FIG. 100, the various arrangements of deck features 5731 disclosed herein may be associated with each of the staple fossas 5730A, 5730B, 5730C. In other embodiments, one of any other inner staple fossa 5730A, and / or one of any other intermediate staple fossa 5730B, and / or one of any other outer staple fossa 5730C, It has associated deck features 5731. Still in other arrangements, the deck features may not be used in conjunction with any of the staple fossas 5730A, 5730B, and 5730C.

As can be seen in FIG. 100, anvil 5770 may include two inserts 5774 supported by anvil body 5771, whereby one insert 5774 is positioned on one side of cutting slot 5728 The other insertion portion 5774 corresponds to the staple disposed on the other side of the cutting slot 5728. As can be seen in FIG. 100, when the anvil 5770 is closed, the insertion portion 5774 is disposed at unformed distance _{G 1} from the cartridge deck 5722. Each insert 5774 comprises an inner row of inner staple forming fossas 5778A, an intermediate row of middle staple forming fossas 5778B, and an outer row of outer staple forming fossas 5778C. The staple forming fossas 5778A, 5778B, and 5778C may comprise any of the various staple forming pocket arrangements disclosed herein. When drive 5700 is fired, each of staples 5740 gets the same formed height and placement. However, other staple arrangements and staple forming pocket arrangements disclosed herein may also be used, thereby creating staples with different forming heights and arrangements.

  Referring now to FIG. 101, the staple 5740 comprises a base 5742 and staple legs 5744, 5548 extending from the base 5542. In the illustrated arrangement, the legs 5744 may have a gull wing arrangement. That is, the legs 5744 have a vertical extension 5745 and an inwardly angled end 5746. In another embodiment, US patent application Ser. No. 14 / 836,110, entitled “SURGICAL STAPLING CONFIGURATIONS FOR CURVED AND CIRCULAR STAPLING INSTRUMENTS,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, Aug. 26, 2015. The types and staple arrangements disclosed in the application may be used.

  FIG. 102 shows a surgical staple cartridge 5820, for example, associated with the stapling apparatus 5700 described above or one of the similar stapling apparatus arrangements disclosed in the various references incorporated herein by reference. May be used. Staple cartridge 5820 includes a deck 5822 including a centrally disposed cutting slot 5828 configured to receive a cutting member therethrough. An inner row 5830A of spaced apart staple fovea 5832 is provided on each side of the cutting slot 5828. An intermediate row 5830A of spaced apart staple fovea 5832 is provided adjacent each inner row 5830A on each side of the cutting slot 5828. Outer rows 5832C of spaced apart fossas 5832 are provided adjacent to each of middle rows 5830B of staple fossas 5832. The deck features are not shown for this embodiment. However, other embodiments relate to some or all of the inner staple fossae and / or some or all of the intermediate staple fossae and / or some or all of them. The deck features of the various arrangements disclosed herein are used in connection with the outer staple fossa of the.

  In at least one arrangement, each staple socket 5832 removably stores a staple 5840 therein. In one arrangement, for example, staple 5840 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING CONFIGURATIONS FOR CURVED AND CIRCULAR STAPLING INSTRUMENTS" (2015). Type and staple arrangement disclosed in US. In addition to the above, the staples of the staple cartridge disclosed herein can include one or more mechanisms configured to hold the staples in the staple fovea of the staple cartridge. Turning now to FIG. 103, a staple 5840 includes a base 5842 and staple legs 5844, 5846 extending from the base 5842. The base 5842 includes a protrusion 5843 extending therefrom and engages a corresponding detent or groove 5833 on the side wall of the corresponding staple fossa 5832. The interaction between the protrusions 5843 and the detents or grooves 5833 on the side walls of the staple fove prevents the staples 5840 from falling out of the bottom of the cartridge 5820. The interaction between the protrusion 5843 and the staple foveal wall comprises a tight fit, but such a tight fit does not prevent the staples 5840 from being ejected from their respective fovea 5832. The protrusions 5843 can be formed at the base 5842, for example, during the punching process. The stamping process can form the protrusion 5843 by making a recess on the opposite side of the base 5842. Alternative embodiments are envisaged, which do not comprise grooves or detents 5833.

  FIG. 104 shows an anvil 5970 that includes a rotary drive shaft 5972 for driving the knife in the manner described above. Anvil 5970 may include two inserts 5974 supported by anvil body 5971 such that one insert 5974 is disposed on one side of the cutting slot in the corresponding staple cartridge (not shown) The other insert 5974 corresponds to the staple located on the other side of the cutting slot. Each insert 5974 comprises an inner row 5978A of staple formations 5980, a middle row 5978B of staple formations 5980, and an outer row 5978C of pair 5979C of staple formations 5980. The staple forming pockets 5980 in the single pair 5979A, 5979B, 5979C are spaced apart from one another and configured to receive and form corresponding legs 5944, 5946 of the corresponding staple 5940.

  The various staple cartridges and staple arrangements disclosed herein may be used in connection with various drug eluting arrangements. Each of the following references is individually incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 840,613, entitled: "DRUG ELUTING ADJUNCTS AND METHODS OF USING DRUG ELUTING" (filed on August 31, 2015), U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 667,874, entitled: " MALLEABLE BIOABSORBABLE POLYMER ADHESIVE FOR RETALAB ABLY ATTACHING A STAPLE BUTTRESS TO A SURGICAL STAPLER (filed on March 25, 2015), U.S. patent application no. STATIC AGENT "(filed on June 25, 2012), U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0318842, U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 531,623, Title:" TISSUE STAPLER HAVING A THICKNESS COMPENSATOR INCORPORATING AN OXYGEN GENERATING AGENT " (Filed June 25, 2012), U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0318843, U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 531,627, Title: "TISSUE STAPLER HAVING A THICKNESS COMPENSATOR INCORPORATING AN ANTI-MICROBLAL AGENT" (2012) Filed on June 25, 2012), US Patent Application Publication No. 2012 / No. 312860, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 531,630, entitled "TISSUE STAPLER HAVING A THICKNESS COMPENSATOR INCORPORATING AN ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AGENT" (filed June 25, 2012), U.S. patent application publication 2012/0318844 No. 13 / 763,161, entitled "RELEASABLE LAYER OF MATERIAL AND SURGICAL END EFFECTOR HAVING THE SAME" (filed on Feb. 8, 2013), U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0153641, U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 763,177, Title: "ACTUATOR FOR RELEASING A LAYER OF MATERIAL FROM A SURGICAL END EFFECTOR (February 8, 2013), U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0146641, U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 763,192, Title: "MULTIPLE THICKNESS IMPLANTABLE LAYERS FOR SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES "(February 8, 2013), U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0146642, U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 763,028, entitled" ADHESIVE FILM LAMINATE "(February 8, 2013), United States of America Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0146643, U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 763,035, titled: "ACTUATOR FOR RELEASE. G A TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR FROM A FASTENER CARTRIDGE (February 8, 2013), U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0214030, U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 763,042 Title: "RELEASABLE TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR AND FASTENER CARTRIDGE HAVING THE SAME (February 8, 2013), U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0221063, U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 763,048, Title: "FASTENER CARTRIDGE COMPRISING A RELEASABLE TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR" (2013) February 8) U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0221064, U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 763,054, entitled: "FASTENER CARTRIDGE COMPRISING A CUTTING MEMBER FOR RELEASING A TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR" (February 8, 2013), U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0097227, U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 763,065 Title: "FASTENER CARTRIDGE COMPRISING A RELEASABLY ATTACHED TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR" (February 8, 2013), U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0221065 U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 763,078, Table "ANVIL LAYER ATTACHED TO A PROXIMAL END OF AN END EFFECTOR" (February 8, 2013), U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0256383, U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 763,094, Title: "LAYER COMPRISING DEPLOYABLE ATTACHMENT MEMBERS (February 8, 2013), U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0256377, U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 763,106, Title: "END EFFECTOR COMPRISING A DISTAL TISSUE ABUTMENT MEMBER" (2013) Feb. 8), U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0256378, U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 532,825, Table Title: "TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR HAVING IMPROVED VISIBILITY" (June 26, 2012), U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0256376, U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 300,954 Title: "ADJUNCT MATERIALS AND METHODS OF USING “SAME IN SURGICAL METHODS FOR TISSUE SEALING” (filed on June 10, 2014), US Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0351758, US Patent Application Publication No. 14 / 926,027, Title: “SURGICAL STAPLER BUTTRESS ASSEMBLY WITH GEL ADHESIVE RETAINER "(Oct. 29, 2015 out No. 14 / 926,029, entitled "FLUID PENETRABLE BUTTRESS ASSEMBLY FOR A SURGICAL STAPLER" (filed on October 29, 2015), U.S. patent application no. 14 / 926,072, entitled: “SURGICAL STAPLER BUTTRESS ASSEMBLY WITH FEATURE TO INTERACT WITH MOVABLE END EFFECTOR COMPONENTS” (filed on October 29, 2015), US Patent Application No. 14 / 926,090, Title: “EXTENSIBLE BUTTRESS ASSEMBLY FOR SURGICAL STAPLER” (2015 Filed on October 29, and US patent application no. 4 / 926,160 discloses, title: "MULTI-LAYER SURGICAL STAPLER BUTTRESS ASSEMBLY" (October 29, 2015 application).

  The various anvil arrangements disclosed herein may use a relatively flat forming insert including staple forming pockets formed therein, or various anvil arrangements may be formed therein It may have a "stepped" forming surface with corresponding staple forming pockets. The various staple cartridge arrangements herein may have flat deck surfaces, or the deck surfaces may be stepped (including deck surfaces that lie on different planes). In some embodiments, the deck features may be associated with all staple foveals in the staple cartridge. In other arrangements, the deck features may be used in connection with all staple foveals in the outer row of any other staple fovea. Still other embodiments assume that the deck feature is associated with every other staple fovea in a particular row, with alternate rows of fovea configured. Still in other embodiments, it is contemplated that no deck features are used.

  In various embodiments disclosed herein, staples having a "U" shaped unformed configuration may be used, or the staples may be different unformed shapes, eg, the base or crown is rectangular The cross-sectional shape of The various staples may be formed from a wire having a circular cross-sectional shape, a square cross-sectional shape, a combination of circular and square cross-sectional shapes, and the like. The staple may provide one or more legs having a gull wing or tapered arrangement. The staples may have different wire diameters and different maximum cross-sectional areas. The staple legs may be symmetrical, or they may be non-symmetrical (with and without curved ends). The legs of certain staples may be parallel to one another, or they may not be parallel to one another. The staples in a particular cartridge may have the same unformed height, or they may have different unformed heights. The staples in a particular cartridge or region may have the same crown width, or they may have different crown widths. The staples and their corresponding staple pockets may be configured such that the legs lie flush with the staple crown or base when the staples are formed, or they are when the staples are formed The legs may be configured not to lie flush with the staple crown or base. All the staple features described above can be changed from staple to staple between the area of the staple and the cartridge selection.

  In a circular staple anvil arrangement, the staple forming pockets may be tangent to the circumference of the anvil. In other arrangements, or in addition to the tangentially arranged staple forming pockets, other staple forming pockets may be provided at an angle to the tangential direction. Such changes in staple forming pocket orientation may be provided within a particular row of staple forming pockets or in different rows of staple forming pockets. Different types of staple forming pocket shapes may be used. Conventional symmetrical staple forming pocket configurations may be used. Additionally or alternatively, an asymmetric staple forming pocket shape may be used. Other staple forming pockets may have a bowtie shape, with a wide landing zone for each staple leg passing the corresponding leg into a narrower outlet pocket. The features of all the staple forming pockets described above can be changed from pocket to pocket, between the area or line of the pocket and the particular anvil selection.

  The various stapling devices disclosed herein provide different amounts of movement of the drive, adjusted to achieve the desired formed staple height relative to the corresponding gap provided between the anvil and the cartridge. It may be configured to provide. For example, in some arrangements, the staple drive may be driven to control the formed staple height just past the cartridge deck or reasonably well past the cartridge deck. By aligning the total movement of the drive with a particular staple having the desired unformed length or height, a staple with the desired formed height can be obtained.

  As described in various embodiments of the present disclosure, a surgical stapling and severing instrument includes a cartridge channel configured to receive an anvil and a staple cartridge. One or both of the anvil and the staple cartridge are movable relative to one another between the open and closed positions and capture tissue therebetween. The staples are placed from the staple fovea in the staple cartridge into the captured tissue. The staples are formed against the forming pocket at the anvil. After the staples have been placed, the staple cartridge can be replaced.

  In order to properly form the staples, the staple fossa and the forming pocket need to be closely aligned in the closed configuration. The limitation with this one type of anvil is that it can only be used with one type of staple cartridge. Different staples with differently positioned staple fossae can not be used on the same anvil because the staple fossae can not be properly aligned with the forming pocket of the anvil. The present disclosure includes various embodiments that change the anvils that can be used with different staple cartridges. Another limitation occurs when the anvil includes one or more components that are configured to be changed or used during placement of the staples. The present disclosure modifies the anvil to replenish components or features that are altered or used during placement of staples, and / or present novel features and / or components. Including.

  Referring to FIG. 106, anvil assembly 15000 includes anvil changer 15004 attached to anvil 15002. Anvil modification member 15004 includes tissue contacting surface 15006 and anvil contacting surface 15008. The tissue contacting surface 15006 comprises a pocket 15010 different from the forming pocket 15012 of the anvil 15002. When the anvil changer 15004 is not attached to the anvil 15002, the forming pocket 15012 can be aligned with the staple fossa of the first staple cartridge. While the anvil changer 15004 is attached to the anvil 15002, it is different from the staple fossa of the first staple cartridge, but the forming pocket 15010 can be aligned with the staple fossa of the second staple cartridge.

  As illustrated in FIG. 106, anvil change member 15004 comprises non-stepped deck 15015 while anvil 15002 comprises stepped deck 15013. Alternatively, the anvil may be provided with a non-stepped deck, which can be modified by an anvil changer provided with a stepped deck. The stepped deck 15013 includes an outer row of forming pockets 15012 'that step up from an inner row of forming pockets 15012. The non-stepped deck 15015 includes a formation pocket 15010 defined by a flat tissue contacting surface 15006. In at least one case, the anvil change member may include one or more rows of forming pockets 15010 that step up from the outer rows of forming pockets 15010.

  In at least one case, anvil changer 15004 can be used if one or more components or features of the anvil have been changed or used during prior use of the anvil. In this case, the anvil altering member can replace the used or altered tissue contacting surface of the anvil with a new tissue contacting surface with a new component or feature. For example, shaped pocket 15012 of anvil 15002 may include circuitry that can be cut during placement of the staples. Instead of repairing the cut circuit element each time the anvil is used, the anvil changer can be used to present a replacement tissue contacting surface that includes an anvil pocket with an intact circuit element. In another embodiment, the anvil may include an implantable layer positioned against the tissue contacting surface of the anvil. Instead of attaching a new embedded layer to the anvil each time the anvil is used, the anvil changing member is used to present a replacement tissue contacting surface with the embedded layer attached to the replacement tissue contacting surface be able to.

  In at least one case, anvil changer 15004 can be used to introduce one or more new components and features into the anvil. As shown in FIG. 107, anvil changer 15004 comprises an implantable layer 15014. Although the anvil 15002 does not have to include the embedded layer in itself, as shown in FIG. can do. For example, the implantable layer 15014 can be attached to the anvil change member 15004 using various attachment means such as a biocompatible adhesive and / or straps. The implantable layer 15014 is released from the anvil changer 15004 during placement of the staples. In certain cases, the formed staple defines an uptake area that may include tissue and a portion of the implantable layer 15014. In such a case, the incorporated portion of the implantable layer 15014 may function as a tissue thickness compensation element. Implantable layer 15014 may comprise a polymeric composition. The polymeric composition may comprise one or more synthetic polymers and / or one or more non-synthetic polymers. Synthetic polymers may comprise synthetic absorbable polymers and / or synthetic non-absorbable polymers.

  During the staple formation process, the anvil is subjected to considerable force. The gap between the anvil and the anvil changing member can result in reduced stability and / or an increased risk of breakage during the staple formation process. As shown in FIGS. 106 and 107, anvil changer 15004 includes a gap filter 15016 that extends from anvil contact surface 15008 of anvil changer 15004. The gap filter 15016 is configured to provide additional support between the anvil 15002 and the anvil changer 15004, and the gap filter 15016 is particularly useful in situations where the anvil includes a stepped deck.

  As shown in FIG. 106, the stepped deck 15013 of the anvil 15002 has one or more gaps between the anvil 15002 and the anvil changer 15004. The gap filter 15016 is strategically positioned with respect to the outer row of forming pockets 15012 'of the stepped deck 15013 so that when the anvil changer 15004 is attached to the anvil 15002, the anvil changer 15004 and the anvil 15002 are Minimize the gap between In at least one case, the anvil contact surface 15008 of the anvil modification member 15004 is configured to fill or substantially fill the corresponding anvil pocket of the anvil that is attached to the anvil modification member 15004. including.

  Anvil changer 15004 includes one or more attachment mechanisms 15018. In at least one case, the attachment mechanism 15018 is configured to releasably attach the anvil changer 15004 to the anvil 15002. As shown in FIGS. 106 and 107, the attachment mechanism 15018 of the anvil changer 15004 is comprised of side walls that are sufficiently separated from one another to snugly grip the outer wall 15020 of the anvil 15002. The attachment mechanism 15018 is configured to form a continuous or flat surface by the anvil 15002 when the anvil changer 15004 is attached to the anvil 15002 and is angled, curved, curved, and / or ground. End 15022 is included. The resulting surface is intended to reduce or prevent damage to tissue.

  In at least one case, the anvil change member can be designed to snap into engagement with the anvil. For example, the anvil can include one or more slits configured to functionally receive one or more upstanding tabs extending from the anvil contacting surface of the anvil change member. For example, a biocompatible adhesive and / or other attachment means such as screws may be utilized to position the anvil changer relative to the anvil.

  106 and 107, anvil change member 15004 includes a transverse cut 15024 extending longitudinally between two side surfaces 15028 and 15030 of anvil change member 15004. As shown in FIG. 106, when the anvil changer 15004 is attached to the anvil 15002, the cross cutting portion 15024 extends longitudinally between the two sides 15032 and 15034 of the stepped deck 15013 of the anvil 15002. Aligned along slot 15026. Transverse cut 15024 is cut by a cutting member that travels distally along longitudinal slot 15026. When the anvil changer 15004 is attached to the anvil 15002, the cross cutting portion 15024 stabilizes the anvil changer 15004. In at least one case, the sides 15028 and 15030 of the anvil change member 15004 are completely cut and separated by the cutting member as the cutting member is advanced distally along the longitudinal slot 15026. In other cases, the side surfaces 15028 and 15030 of the anvil change member 15004 are only partially cut by the cutting member as the cutting member is advanced distally along the longitudinal slot 15026.

  Referring to FIG. 108, anvil changer 15104 is shown. Anvil changer 15104 is similar in many respects to anvil changer 15004. For example, anvil changer 15104 is removably attached to anvil 15002. Unlike anvil changer 15004, anvil changer 15104 lacks a transversal cut. Instead, anvil change member 15104 includes an elongated slot 15124 extending between the two sides 15128 and 15130 of anvil change member 15104. In other cases, however, the anvil changer 15104 may be equipped with a transversal cut in place of the elongated slot 15124.

  Anvil modification member 15104 includes proximal end 15136 and distal end 15138. Elongated slot 15124 can be defined via proximal end 15136 and / or distal end 15138. It should be noted that the elongated slot 15124 defines a longitudinal axis 15140 between the two sides 15128 and 15130. As shown in FIG. 109, when the anvil changer 15104 is attached to the anvil 15002, the elongated slot 15124 is aligned with the elongated slot 15026 of the anvil 15002. During alignment, the elongated slots 15124 and 15026 are configured to receive, for example, a cutting member adapted to cut soft tissue.

  Anvil changer 15104 includes three rows of forming pockets 15110a, 15110b, and 15110c on sides 15128 and 15130, respectively. As shown in FIG. 109, the plurality of first formation pockets 15110a may be parallel to one another, or at least substantially parallel. Similarly, the plurality of second formation pockets 15110b may be parallel to one another, or at least substantially parallel, and / or the plurality of third formation pockets 15110c may be parallel to one another, or at least substantially parallel to one another. It can be. In at least one case, "substantially parallel" can mean, for the purposes of this specification, within about 15 degrees of parallel to either direction.

  In certain cases, at least one first formed pocket 15110a, at least one second formed pocket 15110b, and at least one third formed pocket 15110c are defined in the tissue contacting surface 15108 of the anvil modification member 15004. The first formation pocket 15110a, the second formation pocket 15110b, and the third formation pocket 15110c can be located on the side surface 15128 and / or the side surface 15130. As shown in FIG. 109, the first formed pocket 15110a defines a first axis 15142 extending across the proximal and distal ends of the first formed pocket 15110a. Similarly, the second formed pocket 15110 b defines a second axis 15144 extending across the proximal and distal ends of the second formed pocket 15110 b. Also, the third formation pocket 15110c defines a third axis 15146 that extends across the proximal and distal ends of the third formation pocket 15110c. The second axis 15144 is transverse to the first axis 15142 so that the axes 15144 and 15142 create an acute or obtuse angle between them. Note that the second axis 15144 is transverse to the third axis 15146 so that the axes 15144 and 15146 create an acute or obtuse angle between them.

  As shown in FIG. 109, for example, while the second axis 15144 is perpendicular or at least substantially perpendicular to the first axis 15142 and / or the third axis 15146, the first axis 15142 is , Parallel to the third axis 15146, or at least substantially parallel. In at least one case, "substantially perpendicular" can mean, for the purposes of this specification, within about 15 degrees of perpendicular to either direction.

  109-112, the first forming pocket 15110a, the second forming pocket 15110b, and the third forming pocket 15110c of the anvil change member 15104 are the first staple fossa 15210a, the second staple fossa 15210b, and The third staple fossa 15210 c is configured to form a positionable staple or to bend the staple. For example, the first formation pocket 15110a includes two formation pockets 15152 configured to receive and form the staple legs 15254 of the staples 15256 when the staples 15256 are disposed from the first staple fossa 15210a. .

  In the closed configuration, the anvil 15002 is at least substantially aligned with the staple cartridge 15200 such that tissue is captured between the tissue contacting surface 15108 of the anvil change member 15200 and the tissue contacting surface 15208 of the staple cartridge 15104. . The first formation pocket 15110a, the second formation pocket 15110b, and the third formation pocket 15110c of the anvil change member 15104 are respectively aligned with the first staple fossa 15210a, the second staple fossa 15210b, and the third staple fossa 15210c. Or at least substantially aligned, capture and form staple legs 15254 of the disposed staples 15256.

  Staple cartridge 15200 includes a first side 15228 and a second side 15230. An elongated slot 15224 extends between the first side 15228 and the second side 15230. An elongated slot 15224 can extend for movement between and / or through the proximal end 15236 and the distal end 15238 of the staple cartridge 15200. Staple cartridge 15200 includes three rows of staple fossas 15210a, 15210b, and 15210c at sides 15228 and 15230, respectively. In the closed configuration, the elongated slots 15224 are aligned, or at least substantially aligned, between the elongated slots 15002 of the anvil 15026 and the elongated slots 15104 of the anvil change member 15124. During alignment, the elongate slots 15224, 15124 and 15026 are configured to receive, for example, a cutting member adapted to cut soft tissue.

  As shown in FIG. 110, the plurality of first staple recesses 15210a are parallel or at least substantially parallel to one another. Similarly, the plurality of second staple fossaes 15210b are parallel or at least substantially parallel to one another, and / or the plurality of third staple fossaes 15210c are parallel or at least substantially parallel to one another.

  In certain cases, at least one first staple fossa 15210a, at least one second staple fossa 15210b, and at least one third staple fossa 15210c are defined in tissue contacting surface 15208 of staple cartridge 15200. The first staple fossa 15210a, the second staple fossa 15210b, and the third staple fossa 15210c can be located on the side surface 15228 and / or the side surface 15230. As shown in FIG. 110, the first staple fossa 15210a defines a first axis 15242 extending across the proximal and distal ends of the first staple fossa 15210a. Similarly, the second staple fossa 15210b defines a second axis 15244 extending across the proximal and distal ends of the second staple fossa 15210b. The third staple fossa 15210 c also defines a third axis 15246 extending across the proximal and distal ends of the third staple fossa 15210 c. The second axis 15244 is transverse to the first axis 15242 so that the axes 15244 and 15242 create an acute or obtuse angle between them. Note that the second axis 15244 is transverse to the third axis 15246 so that the axes 15244 and 15246 create an acute or obtuse angle between them. As shown in FIG. 110, for example, while the second axis 15244 is perpendicular or at least substantially perpendicular to the first axis 15242 and / or the second axis 15246, the first axis 15242 is , Parallel to the second axis 15246, or at least substantially parallel.

  In various cases, further to the above, the anvil can comprise an array of staple forming pockets aligned along the first set of longitudinal axes. The anvil changer attachable to the anvil can comprise a row of staple forming pockets aligned along a second set of longitudinal axes not aligned with the first set of longitudinal axes. As a result, the staple forming pocket on the anvil changing member is not longitudinally aligned with the staple forming pocket on the anvil. In some instances, the longitudinal direction of the forming pockets on the anvil change member is aligned with the longitudinal rows that form the pockets on the anvil, and the other longitudinal rows on the anvil change member are on the anvil Not consistent with the longitudinal row of pockets formed.

  113 and 114, at least one first staple 15256a from at least one first staple fossa 15210a, at least one second staple 15256b from at least one second staple foveula 15210b, and at least one third At least one third staple 15256c from staple fovea 15210c can be simultaneously disposed into the captured tissue between anvil changer 15104 and staple cartridge 15200. The triple staple drive 15260 is configured to cooperate with the cam sled of the staple cartridge 15200 to simultaneously place three staples 15256a, 15256b and 15256c from their respective staple fossas 15210a, 15210b and 15210c. obtain. The cam slot allows the staple drive 15260 to be lifted or slide upward within the staple fossas 15210a, 15210b, and 15210c, whereby the upward movement of the staple drive 15260 is the staple 15256a, The 15256b and 15256c can be ejected or placed.

  As shown in FIGS. 113 and 114, each of the three staples 15256a, 15256b, and 15256c includes a base 15253 positioned relative to the cradle 15255 of the staple driver 15260. Staple drive 15260 is configured to co-locate three staples 15256a, 15256b, and 15256c from their respective staple fossas 15210a, 15210b, and 15210c in cooperation with the cam sled of staple cartridge 15200, Two lamps 15257 are provided.

  Three staples 15256a, 15256b, and 15256c define common surfaces 15272, 15274, and 15276, respectively. The three staples 15256a, 15256b, and 15256c are oriented with respect to the staple drive 15260 so that the second common surface 15274 traverses the first common surface 15272, thereby causing the common surface 15274 and 15272 generate an acute or obtuse angle between them. It should be noted that the second common plane 15274 is transverse to the third common plane 15276 so that the common planes 15274 and 15276 produce an acute or obtuse angle between them. As shown in FIG. 114, while the second common surface 15274 is perpendicular or at least substantially perpendicular to the first common surface 15272 and the third common surface 15276, the first common plane 15272 is , Parallel to the third common plane 15276, or at least substantially parallel.

  Referring to FIG. 115, the end effector 15300 includes a staple cartridge 15301 shown in a closed configuration with an anvil assembly 15303 including an anvil change member 15304 attached to an anvil 15002. Anvil changer 15304 is similar in many respects to anvil changer 15004. For example, anvil change member 15304 includes transversal cutaway portion 15024 and formation pockets 15010 disposed on two sides 15028 and 15030 of anvil change member 15304. The buried layer 15314 is disposed against the forming pocket 15010 of the side 15028 and the buried layer 15315 is disposed relative to the forming pocket 15010 of the side 15030. Implantable layers 15314 and 15315 are spaced apart to define a gap 15317 therebetween. The gap 15317 extends with the transversal portion 15024 parallel to the longitudinal direction or at least substantially parallel. The embedded layers 15318 and 15319 are disposed relative to the stepped deck 15321 of the staple cartridge 15301. The staples 15323 are supported by the cradle 15355 within the staple fossae 15325 of the staple cartridge 15301. The staples 15323 are configured to be formed against the forming pocket 15010 when the anvil changer 15304 is attached to the anvil 15002 as shown in FIG. Alternatively, when the anvil changer 15304 is not attached to the anvil 15002, the staples 15323 are configured to be formed against the forming pockets 15012 and 15012 'of the anvil 15002.

  FIG. 116 shows three non-formed staples 15323a, 15323b, and 15323c that are similar to one another and positioned similarly within the staple fossa 15325 of the staple cartridge 15301. Staples Staples 15323a, 15323b, and 15323c have identical or at least substantially identical unformed height H of about 0.038 cm (0.150 ") In various cases, unformed height H is For example, it can be selected from the range of about 0.254 cm to about 0.508 cm (0.100 "-0.200") As shown in Figure 116, the staples 15323a, 15323b, and 15323c are different. Staples 15323a, 15323b, and 15323c were formed on the inner, middle, and outer rows of staple cartridge 15301. The formed height of the staples was equal to the height H1, H2, and H3, respectively. A corresponding cradle supporting the staples in the corresponding staple fovea Depending on the forming distance, which is defined between the forming pocket, the forming distance can be changed by positioning the forming pocket closer from the corresponding cradle or by talking further from the corresponding cradle. The anvil changer can be used to change the forming distance For example, as shown in Figure 115, the second forming distance D2, which is longer than the first forming distance D1, is identical to the forming pocket 15012 'of the anvil 15002. While being defined between the cradle 15355, a first forming distance D1 is defined between the forming pocket 15010 of the anvil change member 15304 and the forming cradle 15355.

  Referring to FIG. 116, staple 15323b has a formed height H2 that is greater than the formed height H1 of staple 15323a because the second formed distance D2 is greater than the first formed distance D1. In the alternative method, staples 15323 a were formed against the forming pocket 15010 of anvil change member 15304 while staples 15323 b were formed against the forming pocket 15012 ′ of anvil 15002. As shown in FIG. 116, the formed height H3 of the staple cartridge 15323c of the outer row of staples of the staple cartridge 15301 is less than the formed height of the second staple leg of the staple 15323c, 1 is the formed height of the staple leg. Staples such as staples 15323 may comprise staple legs formed to different staple heights, as shown in FIG.

  In various cases, the anvil changer may include a stepped tissue contacting surface, for example, at least one row of forming pockets may be lowered or lowered relative to the other rows of forming pockets. In certain cases, the anvil changing member may be positioned relative to a particular portion of the anvil to modify that portion. For example, the anvil modification member may be positioned relative to the proximal portion of the anvil to modify the proximal portion while not modifying the distal and central portions. In another example, the anvil change member may be positioned relative to the central portion of the anvil to modify the central portion while not altering the distal and proximal portions. In yet another embodiment, the anvil change member may be positioned relative to the distal portion of the anvil to modify the distal portion while not modifying the proximal and central portions.

  In various cases, the anvil changing member may be configured to modify a subset of the forming pocket of the anvil. For example, one or more rows of forming pockets may be positioned while positioning the anvil changer member relative to one or more rows of forming pockets of the anvil to maintain the remaining rows of forming pockets of the anvil not changing. It can be corrected. In at least one case, an anvil changer, such as anvil changer 15304, corrects or changes the compression exerted on tissue captured between a staple cartridge, eg, staple cartridge 15301, and an anvil, eg, anvil 15002 can do. Anvil changer 15304 can increase the compression exerted on captured tissue by reducing the tissue compression gap between staple cartridge 15301 and anvil 15002. By positioning the anvil changer 15304 relative to the anvil 15002, the size of the tissue compression gap is effectively reduced by the size of the anvil changer 15304 that increases the compression on the captured tissue. The tissue compression gap comprises a height of about 0.11 cm (0.045 ′ ′) In various cases, for example, the tissue compression gap may be about 0.07 cm to 0.25 cm (0.03 ′ ′) to about 0. A height selected from the range of 10 ′ ′) may be provided. Other values of the height of the tissue compression gap are contemplated by the present disclosure.

  While many surgical instrument systems described herein operate with an electric motor, the surgical instrument systems described herein can be operated in any suitable manner. In various cases, the surgical instrument system described herein can be operated, for example, by a manually operated trigger. In certain cases, the motor disclosed herein may comprise a portion or portions of a robotic control system. Also, any end effector and / or tool assembly disclosed herein may be utilized with a robotic surgical instrument system. U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 118,241, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS", currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0298719, for example, implements some implementations of robotic surgical instrument systems Examples are disclosed in more detail.

  Although the surgical instrument system described herein is described in connection with deployment and deformation of staples, the embodiments described herein are not limited thereto. Various embodiments are also envisioned that deploy fasteners other than staples, such as clamps or tacks. Furthermore, 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. Also for example, end effectors according to certain embodiments can apply vibrational energy to seal tissue.

The following disclosure is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
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  Although various devices have been described herein with particular embodiments, modifications and variations may be implemented to those embodiments. Also, although materials are disclosed for specific components, other materials may be used. Further, in accordance with various embodiments, a single component may be replaced by multiple components and multiple components may be replaced by a single component to perform a given function. . The above description and the following claims are intended to cover all such modifications and variations.

  The devices disclosed herein can be designed to be disposed of after a single use, or they can be designed to be used multiple times. However, in any case, the device may be reconditioned for reuse after at least one use. Reconditioning may include, but is not limited to, any combination of the steps of disassembly of the device, followed by cleaning or replacement steps of particular parts of the device, and subsequent reassembly of the device. In particular, reconditioning equipment and / or a surgical team can disassemble the device, and after cleaning and / or replacing certain parts of the device, can be reassembled for later use. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that reconditioning of the device can utilize various techniques for disassembly, cleaning / replacement, and reassembly. The use of such techniques, and the resulting reconditioned device, are all within the scope of the present invention.

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

  Although the invention has been described as having a representative design, the invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the present invention that use its general principles.

  All patents, publications, or other disclosures, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety or in part, represent the existing definitions, descriptions, or others for which the incorporated material is described in this disclosure. Only to the extent not inconsistent with the disclosure content of U.S. Pat. As such, and to the extent necessary, the disclosure content as explicitly set forth herein supersedes any conflicting description incorporated herein by reference. Any documents that conflict with the existing definitions, descriptions, or other disclosed documents described herein, or portions thereof, which are hereby incorporated by reference, will be incorporated from the incorporated documents and existing documents. It shall be incorporated only to the extent that no contradiction arises with the disclosed contents.

[Aspect of embodiment]
(1) an end effector of a surgical stapling instrument,
A staple cartridge,
A cartridge body including a deck,
Staples removably stored in the cartridge body, the staples comprising a base and legs extending from the base;
Being an anvil,
A tissue compression surface,
Forming pockets defined in the tissue compression surface, each forming pocket being
A first end configured to receive the leg;
The second end,
A central longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end;
A concave rotating surface extending between the first end and the second end;
An anvil comprising: a groove defined in said concave surface of rotation, said groove comprising a groove laterally offset from said central longitudinal axis; Effector.
The end effector of claim 1, wherein the groove is parallel to the central longitudinal axis.
The end effector of claim 1, wherein the groove extends between the first end and the second end of the formed pocket.
The end effector of claim 1, wherein the rotational surface comprises a bottom of the forming pocket and the groove is deeper than the bottom.
The end effector of claim 1, wherein the grooves of the formation pocket are aligned with one another.

The end effector of claim 1, wherein the formation pockets are arranged in an annular array, and the grooves of each formation pocket are circumferentially positioned.
(7) An end effector for use with a surgical fastener, comprising:
A staple cartridge,
A cartridge body including a deck,
A fastener removably stored in the cartridge body, the fastener comprising a base and legs extending from the base;
Being an anvil,
A tissue compression surface,
Forming pockets defined in the tissue compression surface, each forming pocket being
A first end configured to receive the leg;
The second end,
A central axis extending between the first end and the second end;
A concave rotating surface extending between the first end and the second end;
An anvil comprising: a channel defined in the concave surface of rotation, the channel comprising a channel offset laterally from the central axis, and a forming pocket.
The end effector of claim 7, wherein the channel is parallel to the central axis.
The end effector of claim 7, wherein the channel extends between the first end and the second end of the formation pocket.
The end effector of claim 7, wherein the rotational surface comprises a bottom of the forming pocket and the channel is deeper than the bottom.

The end effector of claim 7, wherein the channels of the formation pocket are aligned with one another.
The end effector of claim 7, wherein the formation pockets are arranged in an annular array, and the channels of each formation pocket are circumferentially positioned.
(13) An anvil of a surgical fastener,
A tissue compression surface,
Forming pockets defined in the tissue compression surface, each forming pocket being
A first end configured to receive the leg;
The second end,
A central axis extending between the first end and the second end;
A concave rotating surface extending between the first end and the second end;
Forming a channel defined in the concave surface of rotation, the channel being laterally offset from the central axis.
The anvil according to claim 13, wherein the channel is parallel to the central axis.
The anvil according to claim 13, wherein the channel extends between the first end and the second end of the formation pocket.

The anvil according to claim 13, wherein the rotational surface comprises a bottom of the forming pocket and the channel is deeper than the bottom.
The anvil according to claim 13, wherein the channels of the formation pocket are aligned with one another.
The anvil according to claim 13, wherein the formation pockets are arranged in an annular array, and the channels of each formation pocket are circumferentially positioned.

Claims (18)

An end effector of a surgical stapling instrument;
A staple cartridge,
A cartridge body including a deck,
Staples removably stored in the cartridge body, the staples comprising a base and legs extending from the base;
Being an anvil,
A tissue compression surface,
Forming pockets defined in the tissue compression surface, each forming pocket being
A first end configured to receive the leg;
The second end,
A central longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end;
A concave rotating surface extending between the first end and the second end;
An anvil comprising: a groove defined in said concave surface of rotation, said groove comprising a groove laterally offset from said central longitudinal axis; Effector.   The end effector of claim 1, wherein the groove is parallel to the central longitudinal axis.   The end effector of claim 1, wherein the groove extends between the first end and the second end of the formation pocket.   The end effector of claim 1, wherein the rotational surface comprises a bottom of the forming pocket and the groove is deeper than the bottom.   The end effector of claim 1, wherein the grooves of the formation pocket are aligned with one another.   The end effector of claim 1, wherein the forming pockets are arranged in an annular array, and the grooves of each of the forming pockets are circumferentially positioned. An end effector for use with a surgical fastener, comprising:
A staple cartridge,
A cartridge body including a deck,
A fastener removably stored in the cartridge body, the fastener comprising a base and legs extending from the base;
Being an anvil,
A tissue compression surface,
Forming pockets defined in the tissue compression surface, each forming pocket being
A first end configured to receive the leg;
The second end,
A central axis extending between the first end and the second end;
A concave rotating surface extending between the first end and the second end;
An anvil comprising: a channel defined in the concave surface of rotation, the channel comprising a channel offset laterally from the central axis, and a forming pocket.   The end effector of claim 7, wherein the channel is parallel to the central axis.   The end effector of claim 7, wherein the channel extends between the first end and the second end of the formation pocket.   The end effector of claim 7, wherein the rotational surface comprises a bottom of the forming pocket and the channel is deeper than the bottom.   The end effector of claim 7, wherein the channels of the forming pocket are aligned with one another.   The end effector of claim 7, wherein the formation pockets are arranged in an annular array, and the channels of each of the formation pockets are circumferentially positioned. An anvil of a surgical fastener,
A tissue compression surface,
Forming pockets defined in the tissue compression surface, each forming pocket being
A first end configured to receive the leg;
The second end,
A central axis extending between the first end and the second end;
A concave rotating surface extending between the first end and the second end;
Forming a channel defined in the concave surface of rotation, the channel being laterally offset from the central axis.   The anvil according to claim 13, wherein the channel is parallel to the central axis.   The anvil according to claim 13, wherein the channel extends between the first end and the second end of the formation pocket.   The anvil according to claim 13, wherein the rotating surface comprises a bottom of the forming pocket and the channel is deeper than the bottom.   The anvil according to claim 13, wherein the channels of the formation pocket are aligned with one another.   The anvil according to claim 13, wherein the formation pockets are arranged in an annular array, and the channels of each formation pocket are circumferentially positioned.

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