JP7039596B2 - Surgical stapler with independently operable closure and launch system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to surgical instruments and, in various situations, to surgical staples and cutting instruments designed for stapled and cutting tissue and staple cartridges for use with them.

The various features of the embodiments described herein, along with their advantages, can be understood by the following description in conjunction with the following accompanying drawings.
FIG. 6 is a side view of a surgical system comprising a handle assembly and a plurality of compatible surgical tool assemblies that can be used with it. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one of the compatible surgical tool assemblies of FIG. 1 operably coupled to the handle assembly of FIG. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a portion of the compatible surgical tool assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2 and a portion of the handle assembly. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of another of the compatible surgical tool assemblies illustrated in FIG. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the compatible surgical tool assembly of FIG. 4 is another partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the compatible surgical tool assembly of FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a portion of the compatible surgical tool assembly of FIGS. 4-6. FIG. 7 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the elastic spine assembly of the compatible surgical tool assembly of FIG. Another exploded view of a portion of the compatible surgical tool assembly of FIGS. 4-7. FIG. 4 is another cross-sectional perspective view of the surgical end effector portion of the compatible surgical tool assembly of FIGS. 4-8. FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the surgical end effector portion of the compatible surgical tool assembly illustrated in FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view, a side view, and a front view of an embodiment of a launching member that may be used in the compatible surgical tool assembly of FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an anvil that can be used in the compatible surgical tool assembly of FIG. FIG. 12 is an elevation view of the cross-sectional side of the anvil of FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the anvil of FIGS. 12 and 13. Transverse side standing illustrated with a portion and shaft portion of the surgical end effector of the compatible surgical tool assembly of FIG. 4 with unused or unlaunched surgical staples properly seated in the elongated channel of the surgical end effector. It is a top view. FIG. 15 is another transverse elevation view of the surgical end effector and shaft portion of FIG. 15 after the surgical staple cartridge has been fired at least partially and the firing member retracted to the starting position. FIG. 16 is another transverse elevation view of the surgical end effector and shaft portion of FIG. 16 after the launch member has completely retracted to the starting position. FIG. 15 is a top sectional view of a surgical end effector and shaft portion shown in FIG. 15 with unused or unlaunched surgical staples properly seated in an elongated channel of the surgical end effector. Another top sectional view of the surgical end effector of FIG. 18 with at least partially fired surgical staples internally attached, showing a firing member held in a locked position. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of an anvil portion and an elongated channel portion of the compatible tool assembly of FIG. It is an exploded side view which showed the part of anvil and the part of an elongated channel of FIG. 20. It is a rear perspective view of the anvil attachment part of the embodiment of anvil. It is a rear perspective view of the anvil attachment part of another embodiment of anvil. It is a rear perspective view of the anvil attachment part of another embodiment of anvil. It is a perspective view of one Embodiment of anvil. It is an exploded perspective view of the anvil of FIG. 25. FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the end of the anvil of FIG. It is a perspective view of another embodiment of anvil. FIG. 28 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the anvil of FIG. 28. FIG. 28 is a top view of the distal end portion of the anvil body portion of the anvil of FIG. 28. It is a top view of the distal end portion of the anvil body portion of another anvil embodiment. FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional perspective view of an end portion of the anvil of FIG. It is an end sectional perspective view which shows another embodiment of anvil. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a closure member comprising a distal closure tube segment. FIG. 34 is an elevation view of the cross-sectional side of the closing member of FIG. 34. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a compatible surgical tool assembly showing a launching member of a compatible surgical tool assembly at the position of the anvil attachment and the starting position of the anvil in a fully closed position. FIG. 36 is another partial cross-sectional view of the compatible surgical tool assembly of FIG. 36 at the beginning of the opening process. Another partial cross-sectional view of the compatible surgical tool assembly of FIG. 37, in a fully open position of the anvil. FIG. 36 is a side view of a portion of the compatible surgical tool assembly of FIG. FIG. 37 is a side view of a portion of the compatible surgical tool assembly of FIG. 37. FIG. 38 is a side view of a portion of the compatible surgical tool assembly of FIG. 38. FIG. 3 is a transverse elevation view of another embodiment of the closing member. FIG. 42 is a cross-sectional view of an end of the closing member of FIG. 42. It is an end sectional view of the embodiment of another closing member. It is an end sectional view of the embodiment of another closing member. It is an end sectional view of the embodiment of another closing member. FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the surgical end effector of the compatible tool assembly illustrated in FIG. FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the surgical end effector of the compatible surgical tool of FIG. FIG. 48 is another cross-sectional view of the surgical end effector of FIG. It is a partial perspective view of a part of the lower surface of the embodiment of the anvil. FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the compatible surgical tool assembly of FIG. 5 with the surgical end effector anvil in a fully open position. Another partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the compatible surgical tool assembly of FIG. 51, in which the anvil of the surgical end effector is in the first closed position. Compatible surgery at the beginning of the firing process, with the anvil in the first closed position and the launching member of the surgical end effector of the compatible surgical tool assembly moving distally from the starting position. Another partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the tool assembly for. The compatible surgical tool of FIG. 51, wherein the anvil is in the second closed position and the launch member is advanced distally into the surgical staple cartridge of the surgical end effector of the compatible surgical tool assembly. It is another partial sectional view of the part of an assembly. Graphs comparing firing energy vs. time for different compatible surgical tool assemblies. It is a graph showing the improvement of firing against force for four different compatible surgical tool assemblies and comparing the ratio of the firing distance traveled by each launching member to the firing load.

Throughout the drawings, the corresponding reference numerals indicate the corresponding parts. The illustrations described herein illustrate various embodiments of the invention in one form, and such illustrations should be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any way. do not have.

The applicant of the present application owns the following US patent applications filed on the same day as the present application, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference:
-US Pat.
-US Patent Application No. _____, Invention Title "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS", Agent Reference No. END7981USNP / 160156,
-US Patent Application No. _____, Invention Name "LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL END EFFECTORS", Agent Reference No. END7982USNP / 160157,
-US Patent Application No. _____, Invention Title "SURGICAL END EFFECTORS AND FIRING MEMBERS THEREOF", Agent Reference No. END7983USNP / 160158,
-US Patent Application No. _____, title of invention "LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL END EFFECTORS AND REPLACEABLE TOOL ASSIMBLEES", agent reference number END7984USNP / 160159, and-US Patent Application No. _ AND ADAPTABLE FIRING MEMBERS THEREFOR ", agent reference number END7985USNP / 160160.

The applicant of the present application owns the following US patent applications filed on the same day as the present application, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference:
-US Pat.
- U.S. Patent Application No. _____ No., entitled "SURGICAL TOOL ASSEMBLIES WITH CLUTCHING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SHIFTING BETWEEN CLOSURE SYSTEMS WITH CLOSURE STROKE REDUCTION FEATURES AND ARTICULATION AND FIRING SYSTEMS", Attorney Docket No. END7987USNP / 160162,
-US Patent Application No. _____, Invention Title "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS AND STAPLE-FORMING ANVILS", Agent Reference No. END7988USNP / 160163,
-US Pat.
-US Pat.
-US Patent Application No. _____, Invention Title "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS AND STAPLE-FORMING ANVILS", Agent Reference No. END7991USNP / 160166,
-US Pat.
-US Patent Application No. _____, Invention Name "METHODS OF STAPLING TISSUE", Agent Reference No. END9793USNP / 160168,
-US Pat.
-US Pat.
-US Patent Application No. _____, Invention Title "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS AND STAPLE-FORMING ANVILS", Agent Reference No. END7996USNP / 160171,
-US Patent Application No. _____, Invention Title "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH POSITIVE JAW OPENING FEATURES", Agent Reference No. END7997USNP / 160172,
-US patent application No. _____, title of invention "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR PREVENTING FOR PRIVENTING SYSTEM ACTION SYSTEM ACTUATION UNLESS AN UNSPENT _ The title of the invention "STAPLECARTRIDGES AND ARRANGEMENTS OF STAPLES AND STAPLE CAVITIES THEREIN", agent reference number END7999USNP / 160174.

The applicant of the present application owns the following US patent applications filed on the same day as the present application, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference:
-US Patent Application No. _____, Invention Title "METHOD FOR RESETTING A FUSE OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SHAFT", Agent Reference No. END8013USNP / 160175,
-US Pat.
-US Patent Application No. _____, Invention Title "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING IMPROVEED JAW CONTROLL", Agent Reference Number END8016USNP / 160178,
-US Pat.
-US Patent Application No. _____, Invention Title "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A CUTTING MEMBER", Agent Reference No. END8018USNP / 160180,
-US Pat.
-US Patent Application No. _____, Invention Title "FIRING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LOCKOUT", Agent Reference No. END8020USNP / 160182,
-US Pat.
-US Patent Application No. _____, title of invention "FIRING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A FUSE", agent reference number END8022USNP / 160184, and-US Patent Application No. _____, title of invention "FIRING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A FUSE" FUSE ”, agent reference number END8023USNP / 160185.

The applicant of the present application owns the following US patent applications filed on the same day as the present application, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference:
-US Patent Application No. _____, Invention Title "STAPLE FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENTS", Agent Reference No. END8038USNP / 160186,
-US Patent Application No. _____, Invention Title "ANVIL ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL STAPLERS", Agent Reference No. END8039USNP / 160187,
-US Patent Application No. _____, Title of Invention "METHOD OF DEFORMING STAPLES FROM TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF STAPLE CARTRIDGES WITH THE SAME SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT No.
-US Pat.
-US Patent Application No. _____, Title of Invention "CLOSER MEMBERS WITH CAM SURFACE ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH SEPARATE AND DISTINCT CLOSURE AND FIRING
-US Patent Application No. _____, Invention Title "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH SMART STAPLE CARTRIDGES", Agent Reference No. END8045USNP / 160193,
-US Pat.
-US Patent Application No. _____, Invention Title "STAPLE FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENTS COMPRISING PRIMARY SIDEWALLS AND POCKET SIDEWALLS", Agent Reference No. END8048USNP / 160196,
-US Pat.
-US Patent Application No. _____, Invention Name "FIRING MEMBER PIN ANGLE", Agent Reference No. END8051USNP / 160199,
-US Patent Application No. _____, Invention Title "STAPLE FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENTS COMPRISING ZONED FORMING SURFACE GROOVES", Agent Reference No. END8052USNP / 160200,
-US Patent Application No. _____, Invention Title "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MULTIPLE FAIRURE RESPONSE MODES", Agent Reference No. END8053USNP / 160201,
-US Patent Application No. _____, Invention Title "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH PRIMARY AND SAFETY PROCESSORS", Agent Reference No. END8054USNP / 160202,
-US Patent Application No. _____, Title of Invention "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH JAWS THAT ARE PIVOTABLE ABOUT A FIXED AXIS AND INCLUDE SEPARATE AND DISTINT CLOSE
-US Patent Application No. _____, Invention Title "ANVIL HAVING A KNIFE SLOT WIDTH", Agent Reference No. END8057USNP / 160205,
-US Patent Application No. _____, title of invention "CLOSE MEMBER ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", agent reference number END8058USNP / 160206, and-US Patent Application No. _____, title of invention "FIRING MEMBER" Person reference number END8059USNP / 160207.

The applicant of the present application owns the following US patent applications filed on the same day as the present application, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference:
-US Pat.
-US Pat.
-US Pat.
-US Pat.
-US Patent Application No. _____, title of invention "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS HAVING END EFFECTORS WITH POSITIVE OPENING FEATURES", agent reference number END8004USNP / 160212, and-US patent application No. END8004USNP / 160212, and-US patent application DEPOSABLE LOADING UNITS FOR SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS ", agent reference number END8005USNP / 160213.

The applicant of the present application owns the following US patent applications filed on the same day as the present application, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference:
-US Patent Application No. _____, Invention Title "METHOD FOR ATTACCHING A SHAFT ASSEMBLY TO A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT AND, ALTERNTIVELY, TO A SURGICAL ROBOT", Agent Reference No. 160US
-US Patent Application No. _____, Title of Invention "SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A MANUALLY-OPERABLE RETRATION SYSTEM FOR USE WITH A MOTORIZED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT No.
-US Pat.
-US Patent Application No. _____, Title of the Invention "SHAFT ASMEMBLY COMPRISING A CLUTCH CONFIGURED TO ADAPT THE OUTPUT OF A ROTARY FIRING MEMBER TO TWO DIFFERENT IX
-US Patent Application No. _____, Invention Name "SURGICAL SYSTEM COMPRISING A FIRING MEMBER ROTATABLE INTO AN ARTICULATION STATE TO ARTICULATE AN END EFFECTOR OFSTEN
-US Patent Application No. _____, title of invention "SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LOCKOUT", agent reference number END8011USNP / 160219, and-US Patent Application No. _____, title of invention "SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LOCKOUT" , Agent reference number END8012USNP / 160220.

The applicant of the present application owns the following US patent applications filed on the same day as the present application, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference:
-US Patent Application No. _____, Invention Name "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS", Agent Reference No. END8024USNP / 160221,
-US Patent Application No. _____, Invention Name "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS", Agent Reference No. END8025USNP / 160222,
-US Patent Application No. _____, Invention Name "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS", Agent Reference No. END8026USNP / 160223,
-US Patent Application No. _____, Title of Invention "SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH MOVABLE CAMMING MEMBER CONFIGURED TO DISENGAGE FIRING MEMBER LOCKOUT FEATURES", Agent No. 24
-US Patent Application No. _____, Invention Name "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS", Agent Reference No. END8028USNP / 160225,
- U.S. Patent Application No. _____ No., entitled "JAW ACTUATED LOCK ARRANGEMENTS FOR PREVENTING ADVANCEMENT OF A FIRING MEMBER IN A SURGICAL END EFFECTOR UNLESS AN UNFIRED CARTRIDGE IS INSTALLED IN THE END EFFECTOR" of the invention, Attorney Docket No. END8029USNP / 160226,
-US Patent Application No. _____, Title of Invention "AXIALLY MOVABLE CLOSE SYSTEM ARRANGEMENTS FOR APPLYING CLOSURE MOTIONS TO JAWS OF SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", Agent No. 27
-US Patent Application No. _____, Title of Invention "PROTEXTIVE COVER ARRANGEMENTS FOR A JOINT INTERFACE BETWEEEN A MOVABLE JAW AND ACTUATOR SHAFT OF A SURGICAL INST.
-US Patent Application No. _____, Title of Invention "SURGICAL END EFFECTOR WITH TWO SEPARATE COOPERATING OPENING FEATURES FOR OPENING AND CLOSEING END EFFECTOR JAWS", No.
-US Patent Application No. _____, Invention Title "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL END EFFECTOR WITH ASYMMETRIC SHAFT ARRANGEMENT", Agent Reference No. END8033USNP / 160230,
-US Pat.
-US Patent Application No. _____, title of invention "ARTICULATION LOCK ARRANGEMENTS FOR LOCKING AN END EFFECTOR IN AN ARTICULATED POSITION IN RESPONSE TO ACTION NO.
-US patent application No. _____, title of invention "LATERRALLY ACTUATABLE ARTICULATION LOCK ARRANGEMENTS FOR LOCKING AN END EFFECTOR OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT , The name of the invention "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATION STROKE AMPLIFICATION FEATURES", agent reference number END8037USNP / 160234.

The applicant of this application owns the following US patent applications filed June 24, 2016, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference:
-US Patent Application No. 15 / 191,775, Invention title "STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING WIRE STAPLES AND STAMPED STAPLES",
-US Patent Application No. 15 / 191,807, Invention title "STAPLING SYSTEM FOR USE WITH WIRE STAPLES AND STAMPED STAPLES",
-US Patent Application No. 15 / 191,834, title of invention "STAMPED STAPLES AND STAPLE CARTRIDGES USING THE SAME",
-US Patent Application No. 15 / 191,788, invention name "STAPLE CARTRIGGE COMPRISING OVERDRIVEN STAPLES", and-US Patent Application No. 15 / 191,818, invention name "STAPLE CARTRIGGE COMPRISING OFFSET LONGITUDINAL".

The applicant of this application owns the following US patent applications filed June 24, 2016, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference:
-US Design Patent Application No. 29 / 569,218, Title of Invention "SURGICAL FASTENEER",
-US Design Patent Application No. 29 / 569,227, Title of Invention "SURGICAL FASTENEER",
-US Design Patent Application No. 29 / 569,259, invention name "SURGICAL FASTENEER CARTRIDGE",-US Design Patent Application No. 29 / 569,264, invention name "SURGICAL FASTENEER CARTRIDGE".

The applicant of the present application owns the following patent applications filed on April 1, 2016, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference:
-US Patent Application No. 15 / 089,325, title of invention "METHOD FOR OPERATING A SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM",
-US Patent Application No. 15 / 089,321, Title of Invention "MODULAR SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A DISPLAY",
-US Patent Application No. 15 / 089,326, title of invention "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A DISPLAY INCLUDING A RE-ORIENTABLE DISPLAY FIELD",
-US Patent Application No. 15 / 089,263, title of invention "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HANDLE ASSEMBLY WITH RECONFIGURABLE GRIP PORTION",
-US Patent Application No. 15 / 089,262, title of invention "ROTARY POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MANUALLY ACTUATABLE BAILOUT SYSTEM",
-US Patent Application No. 15 / 089,277, title of invention "SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING END EFFECTOR WITH ANVIL CONCENTRIC DRIVE MEMBER",
-US Patent Application No. 15 / 089,296, title of invention "INTERCHANGE SURGICAL TOOL ASSEMBLY WITH A SURGICAL END EFFECTOR THAT IS SELECTIVELY ROTATABLE ABOUT ASH"
-US Patent Application No. 15 / 089,258, Invention Title "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A SHIFTABLE TRANSMISSION",
-US Patent Application No. 15 / 089,278, Invention Title "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM CONFIGURED TO PROVIDE SELECTIVE CUTTING OF TISSUE",
-US Patent Application No. 15 / 089,284, Invention Title "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A CONTOURABLE SHAFT",
-US Patent Application No. 15 / 089,295, title of invention "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A TISSUE COMPRESSION LOCKOUT",
-US Patent Application No. 15 / 089,300, Invention Title "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING AN UNCLAMPING LOCKOUT",
-US Patent Application No. 15 / 089,196, Title of Invention "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A JAW CLOSE LOCKOUT",
-US Patent Application No. 15 / 089,203, Title of Invention "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A JAW ATTACHMENT LOCKOUT",
-US Patent Application No. 15 / 089,210, Invention Title "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT",
-US Patent Application No. 15 / 089,324, Title of Invention "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A SHIFTING MEMHANISM",
-US Patent Application No. 15 / 089,335, title of invention "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT COMPRISING MULTIPLE LOCKOUTS",
-US Patent Application No. 15 / 089,339, Invention Title "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT",
-US Pat.
-US Patent Application No. 15 / 089,304, Title of Invention "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A GROOVED FORMING POCKET",
-US Patent Application No. 15 / 089,331, Title of Invention "ANVIL MODEFIRATION MEMBERS FOR SURGICAL STAPLERS",
-US Patent Application No. 15 / 089,336, Invention Title "STAPLE CARTRIDGES WITH ATRAUMATIC FEATURES",
-US Patent Application No. 15 / 089,312, Invention Title "CIRCULAR STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING AN INCISABLE TISSUE SUPPORT",
-US Patent Application No. 15 / 089,309, invention name "CIRCULAR STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING ROTARY FIRING SYSTEM", and-US Patent Application No. 15 / 089,349, invention name "CIRCULAR STAPLING SYSTEM".

The applicant of this application also owns the US patent applications specified below, filed December 31, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference:
-US Patent Application No. 14 / 984,488, Invention Title "MECHANIMSS FOR COMPENSATING FOR BATTERY PACK FAIRURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS",
-US Patent Application No. 14 / 984,525, title of invention "MECHANIMSS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAIRURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", and-US Patent Application No. 14 / 984,552, title of invention "SURGICAL" AND MOTOR CONTROL CIRCUITS ".

The applicant of this application also owns the US patent applications specified below, filed February 9, 2016, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference:
-US Patent Application No. 15 / 019,220, Title of Invention "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH ARTICULATING AND AXIALLY TRANSLATABLE END EFFECTOR",
-US Patent Application No. 15 / 019,228, Invention Title "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH MULTIPLE LINK ARTICULATION ARRANGEMENTS",
-US Patent Application No. 15 / 019,196, Invention Title "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ARTICULATION MEMHANISM WITH SLOTTED SECONDARY CONSTRAINT",
-US Patent Application No. 15 / 019,206, title of invention "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH AN END EFFECTOR THAT IS HIGHLY ARTICULATABLE RELATIVE TO AN ELONGATE SHAFT ASSEMBLY",
-US Patent Application No. 15 / 019,215, Title of Invention "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH NON-SYMMETRICAL ARTICULATION ARRANGEMENTS",
-US Patent Application No. 15 / 019,227, title of invention "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH SINGLE ARTICULATION LINK ARRANGEMENTS",
-US Patent Application No. 15 / 019,235, Invention Title "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH TENSIONING ARRANGEMENTS FOR CABLE DRIVEEN ARTICULATION SYSTEMS",
-US Patent Application No. 15 / 019,230, title of invention "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-AXIS FIRING BEAM ARRANGEMENTS", and-US Patent Application No. 15 / 019,245, title of invention "SURGICAL" REDUCTION ARRANGEMENTS ".

The applicant of this application also owns the US patent applications specified below, filed February 12, 2016, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference:
-US Patent Application No. 15 / 043,254, title of invention "MECHANIMSS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAIRURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS",
-US Patent Application No. 15 / 043,259, title of invention "MECHANIMSS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAIRURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS",
-US Pat. FAIRURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS ".

The applicant of the present application owns the following patent applications filed on June 18, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference:
-US Patent Application No. 14 / 742,925, Invention title "SURGICAL END EFFECTORS WITH POSITIVE JAW OPENING ARRANGEMENTS",
-US Patent Application No. 14 / 742,941, Title of Invention "SURGICAL END EFFECTORS WITH DUAL CAM ACTUATED JAW CLOSEING FEATURES",
-US Patent Application No. 14 / 742,914, Invention Title "MOVABLE FIRING BEAM SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS",
-US Patent Application No. 14 / 742,900, title of invention "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH COMPOSITE FIRING BEAM STRUCTURES WITH CENTER FIRING SUPPORT MEMBER FORT PORT"
-US Patent Application No. 14 / 742,885, title of invention "DUAL ARTICULATION DRIVE SYSTEM ARRANGEMENTS FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", and-US Patent Application No. 14 / 742,876, title of invention "PURST" FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS ".

The applicant of this application owns the following patent applications filed on March 6, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference:
-US Patent Application No. 14 / 640,746, title of invention "POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT", currently published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0256184,
-US Pat.
-US Patent Application No. 14 / 640,832, title of invention "ADAPTIVE TISSUE COMPRESSION TECHNIQUES TO ADJUST CLOSURE RATES FOR MULTIPLE TISSUE TYPES", currently published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2016/02564
-US Patent Application No. 14 / 640,935, title of invention "OVERLAID MULTI SENSOR RADIO FREFQUENCY (RF) ELECTRODE SYSTEM TO MEASURE TISSUE COMPRESSION", now published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0256071.
-US Patent Application No. 14 / 640,831, title of invention "MONITORING SPEED CONTROLL AND PRECISION INCREMENTING OF MOTOR FOR FOR POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0256153
-US Patent Application No. 14 / 640,859, title of invention "TIME DEPENDENT EVALUATION OF SENSOR DATA TO DETERMINE STABILITY, CREEP, AND VISCOELASTIC ELEMENTS OF MEASURES", currently published as US Patent No. 16/06
-US Patent Application No. 14 / 640,817, Invention Title "INTERACTIVE FEEDBACK SYSTEM FOR POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0256186,
-US Patent Application No. 14 / 640,844, title of invention "CONTROL TECHNIQUES AND SUB-PROCESSOR COUNTAINED WITHIN MODULAR SHAFT WITH SELECT CONTROLL PROCESSING WO20
-US Patent Application No. 14 / 640,837, title of invention "SMART SENSORS WITH LOCAL SIGNAL PROCESSING", now published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0256163,
-US Pat.
-US Patent Application No. 14 / 640,799, title of invention "SIGNAL AND POWER COMMUNICATION SYSTEM POSITIONED ON A ROTATABLE SHAFT", now published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0256162, and-US Patent Application No. 14 / No. 640,780, the title of the invention "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A LOCKABLE BATTERY HOUSING", currently published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0256161.

The applicant of this application owns the following patent applications filed on February 27, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference:
-US Patent Application No. 14 / 633,576, invention title "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM COMPRISING AN INSTECTION STATION", now published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0249919,
-US Patent Application No. 14 / 633,546, title of invention "SURGICAL APPARATUS CONFIGURED TO ASSESS WHERTHER A PERFORMANCE PARAMETER OF THE SURGICAL APPARATUS IS WITHIN PAN ,
-US Pat.
-US Pat.
-US Pat.
-US Patent Application No. 14 / 633,542, title of invention "REINFORCED BATTERY FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT", now published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0249908,
-US Patent Application No. 14 / 633,548, title of invention "POWER ADAPTER FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT", now published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0249909,
-US Patent Application No. 14 / 633,526, Invention Title "ADAPTABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HANDLE", now published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0249945,
-US Patent Application No. 14 / 633,541, title of invention "MODULAR STAPLING ASSEMBLY", now published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0249927, and-US Patent Application No. 14 / 633,562, invention. Named "SURGICAL APPARATUS CONFIGURED TO TRACK AN END-OF-LIFE PARAMETER", currently published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0249917.

The applicant of the present application owns the following patent applications filed on 18 December 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference:
-US Patent Application No. 14 / 574,478, title of invention "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS COMPRISING AN ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTOR AND MENS FOR ADJUSTING THE FIRING STORKE ,
-US Pat.
-US Patent Application No. 14 / 575,139, title of invention "DRIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0174978,
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-US Patent Application No. 14 / 575,117, title of invention "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTORS AND MOVABLE FIRING BEAM SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS", currently published as US Patent Application No. 4975/2016
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-US Pat. No. 500, the title of the invention "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ASMEMBLY COMPRISING A LOCKABLE ARTICULATION SYSTEM", currently published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0174911.

The applicant of the present application owns the following patent applications filed on March 1, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference:
-US Patent Application No. 13 / 782,295, title of invention "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CONDUCIVE PATHWAYS FOR SIGNAL COMMUNICATION", now published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0246471.
-US Patent Application No. 13 / 782,323, title of invention "ROTARY POWERED ARTICULATION JOINTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0246472,
-US Patent Application No. 13 / 782,338, title of invention "THUMBWHEEL SWITCH ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0249557,
-US Pat.
-US Patent Application No. 13 / 782,460, title of invention "MULTRIPLE PROCESSOR MOTOR CONTROLL FOR MODEDULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0246478,
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-US Pat. , 536, the title of the invention "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SOFT STOP", currently issued as US Pat. No. 9,307,986.

The applicant of the present application also owns the following patent applications filed on March 14, 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference:
-US Patent Application No. 13 / 803,097, title of invention "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A FIRING DRIVE", now published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263542,
-US Patent Application No. 13 / 803,193, title of invention "CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS FOR A DRIVE MEMBER OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT", currently issued as US Patent No. 9,332,987,
-US Pat.
-US Patent Application No. 13 / 803,086, title of invention "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION LOCK", now published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263541,
-US Patent Application No. 13 / 803,210, invention title "SENSOR ARRANGEMENTS FOR ABSOLUTE POSTIONING SYSTEM FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263538,
-US Patent Application No. 13 / 803,148, title of invention "MULTI-FUNCTION MOTOR FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT", now published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263554,
-US Patent Application No. 13 / 803,066, title of invention "DRIVE SYSTEM LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR MODEDULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263565,
-US Pat. No., title of invention "DRIVE TRAIN CONTROLL ARRANGEMENTS FOR MODELAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now issued as US Patent No. 9,351,727, and-US Patent Application No. 13 / 803,159, title of invention "METHOD AND SYSTEM" FOR OPERATING A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ”, currently published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0277017.

The applicant of the present application also owns the following patent application filed on March 7, 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference:
-US Patent Application No. 14 / 200,111, the title of the invention "CONTROLL SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263539.

The applicant of the present application also owns the following patent applications filed on March 26, 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference:
-US Patent Application No. 14 / 226,106, Invention Title "POWER MANAGEMENT CONTOROL SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0272582,
-US Patent Application No. 14 / 226,099, title of invention "STERILIZETION VERIFICATION CIRCUIT", now published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0272581,
-US Patent Application No. 14 / 226,094, title of invention "VERIFICATION OF NUMBER OF BATTERY EXCHANGE COUNT", now published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0272580,
-US Pat.
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-US Patent Application No. 14 / 226,093, title of invention "FEEDBACK ALGORITHMS FOR MANUAL BAILOUT SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0272569,
-US Patent Application No. 14 / 226,116, Invention Title "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT UTILIZING SENSOR ADAPPATION", now published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0272571,
-US Pat.
-US Patent Application No. 14 / 226,097, title of invention "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING INTERACTIVE SYSTEMS", now published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0272570,
-US Patent Application No. 14 / 226,126, title of invention "INTERFACE SYSTEMS FOR USE WITH SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0272572,
-US Patent Application No. 14 / 226,133, title of invention "MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM", now published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0272557,
-US Patent Application No. 14 / 226,081, title of invention "SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A SEGMENTED CIRCUIT", now published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0277471
-US Pat.
-US Patent Application No. 14 / 226,111, title of invention "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT SYSTEM", now published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0272583, and-US Patent Application No. 14 / 226,125, Invention Name "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A ROTATABLE SHAFT", currently published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0280384.

The applicant of the present application also owns the following patent applications filed on September 5, 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference:
-US Patent Application No. 14 / 479,103, title of invention "CIRCUITRY AND SENSORS FOR POWERED MEDICAL DEVICE", now published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0066912,
-US Patent Application No. 14 / 479,119, title of invention "ADJUNCT WITH INTERGRATED SENSORS TO QUANTIFY TISSUE COMPRESSION", now published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0066914,
-US Patent Application No. 14 / 478,908, invention title "MONITORING DEVICE DEGRADATION BASED ON COMPONENT EVALUATION", now published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0066910,
-US Pat.
-US Pat.
-US Pat.
-US Pat. No., the title of the invention "LOCAL DISPLAY OF TISSUE PARAMETER STABILIZATION", currently published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0066913.

The applicant of the present application also owns the following patent applications filed on April 9, 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference:
-US Pat.
-US Patent Application No. 14 / 248,581, Title of Invention "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A CLOSEING DRIVE AND A FIRING DRIVE OPERATED FROM THE SAME ROTATABLE OUTPUT", US Patent Application Publication No. 30/09/20
-US Patent Application No. 14 / 248,595, title of invention "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SHAFT INCLUDING SWITCHES FOR CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF THE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT", currently published in the US as 14/20
-US Patent Application No. 14 / 248,588, title of invention "POWERED LINEAR SURGICAL STAPLER", now published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0309666,
-US Patent Application No. 14 / 248,591, title of invention "TRANSMISSION ARRANGEMENT FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT", now published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/03059191,
-US Patent Application No. 14 / 248,584, title of invention "MODULAR MOTOR DRIVERN SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ALIGNMENT FEATURES FOR ALIGNING ROTARY DRIVE SHOFTS
-US Patent Application No. 14 / 248,587, title of invention "POWERED SURGICAL STAPLER", now published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0309665,
-US Pat. No. 607, the title of the invention "MODULAR MOTOR DRIVEN SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH STATUS INDICATION ARRANGEMENTS", currently published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0305992.

The applicant of the present application also owns the following patent applications filed on April 16, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference:
-US Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 812,365, Title of Invention "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS PERFORMED BY A SINGLE MOTOR",
-US Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 812,376, Invention Title "LINEAR CUTTER WITH POWER",
-US Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 812,382, Title of Invention "LINEAR CUTTER WITH MOTOR AND PISTOL GRIP",
-US provisional patent application No. 61 / 812,385, title of invention "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HANDLE WITH MULTIPLE ACTION MOTORS AND MOTOR CONTOR", and-US provisional patent application No. 61 / 812,372, title of invention "SURGICAL". MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS PERFORMED BY A SINGLE MOTOR ".

Numerous specific details are described to provide a complete understanding of the overall structure, function, manufacture, and use of embodiments, as described in the specification and shown in the accompanying drawings. Well-known behaviors, components, and elements are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the embodiments described herein. The reader is aware that the embodiments described and illustrated herein are non-limiting examples, and thus the particular structural and functional details disclosed herein may be representative and exemplary. , Will understand. Modifications and changes can be made to it without departing from the claims.

The terms "comprise" (any form of comprise, such as "comprises" and "comprising"), "have" (any form of have, such as "has" and "having"), "include ( ”(Any form of include, such as“ includes ”and“ inclusion ”), and“ contain ”(any form of content, such as“ context ”and“ connecting ”) are open-ended concatenations. It is a verb. As a result, a surgical system, device, or device that "equipped", "has", "contains", or "contains" one or more elements has one or more of them, but one of them. Not limited to having only one or more. Similarly, an element of a system, device, or apparatus that "includes", "has", "contains", or "contains" one or more features has one or more of them, but one of them. It is not limited to having only the above characteristics.

The terms "proximal" and "distal" are used herein with reference to the clinician operating the handle portion of the surgical instrument. The term "proximal" refers to the part closest to the clinician and the term "distal" refers to the part located away from the clinician. It will be further appreciated that for convenience and clarity, spatial terms such as "vertical", "horizontal", "top", and "bottom" may be used for drawings herein. However, surgical instruments are used in many orientations and positions, and these terms are not intended to be limited and / or absolute.

Various exemplary devices and methods are provided for performing laparoscopic and minimally invasive surgery. However, it will be readily appreciated by the reader that the various methods and devices disclosed herein can be used in many surgical procedures and applications, including those associated with, for example, open surgery. By reading "forms for carrying out the invention" herein, the reader may read that the various instruments disclosed herein are incisions or punctures formed in the tissue, eg, through a natural opening. You will further understand that it can be inserted into the body in any way, such as through a hole. The working part or end effector portion of these instruments can be inserted directly into the patient's body or through an access device with a passage of action capable of advancing the end effector and elongated shaft of the surgical instrument. You can also do it.

The surgical staple system can include a shaft and an end effector extending from the shaft. The end effector includes a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw comprises a staple cartridge. The staple cartridge is removable from the first jaw and is removable from the first jaw, but the staple cartridge is not removable from the first jaw, or at least not easily replaceable. Other embodiments are also conceivable. The second jaw comprises an anvil configured to deform the staple ejected from the staple cartridge. The second jaw is pivotable about the closed axis with respect to the first jaw, while the first jaw is pivotable with respect to the second jaw. Embodiments are also envisioned. The surgical staple system further comprises a joint that is configured to allow the end effector to rotate, ie, range of motion, with respect to the shaft. The end effector is rotatable about a range of motion that extends through the joint. Other embodiments that do not include joints are also conceivable.

The staple cartridge includes 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 stapled tissue and the anvil is located on the second side of the tissue. The anvil is moved towards the staple cartridge to compress and clamp the tissue against the deck. Subsequently, staples detachably stored in the cartridge body can be subsequently deployed in the tissue. The cartridge body includes a staple cavity defined therein, and the staples are detachably stored in the staple cavity. The staple cavities are arranged in six longitudinal rows. The three rows of staple cavities are located on the first side of the longitudinal slot and the three rows of staple cavities are located on the second side of the longitudinal slot. Staple cavities and other arrangements of staples are also possible.

The staples are supported by a staple driver inside the cartridge body. The driver can move between the first, i.e., unlaunched position and the second, i.e., the firing position, which ejects the staples from the staple cavity. The driver includes an elastic member that is held within the cartridge body by a retainer that extends around the bottom of the cartridge body and is configured to grip the cartridge body and hold the holder against the cartridge body. .. Drivers can be moved between their unlaunched positions and their launched positions by threads. The thread is mobile between the proximal position adjacent to the proximal end and the distal position adjacent to the distal end. The thread slides under the driver and has multiple ramps configured to lift the driver, on which the staples are supported and towards the anvil.

In addition to the above, the thread is moved distally by the launcher. The launcher is configured to contact the thread and push the thread towards the distal end. Longitudinal slots defined within the cartridge body are configured to receive the launching member. The anvil also includes a slot configured to receive the launching member. The launching member further comprises a first cam that engages the first jaw and a second cam that engages the second jaw. As the launcher is advanced distally, the first and second cams can control the distance between the deck of the staple cartridge and the anvil, i.e. the tissue gap. The launcher also comprises a knife configured to incise the tissue trapped between the staple cartridge and the anvil. It is desirable that the knife be positioned at least partially proximal to the slope so that the staple is ejected forward of the knife.

FIG. 1 shows a motor driven surgical system 10 that can be used to perform a variety of different surgical procedures. As shown in the figure, an example of the surgical system 10 includes four compatible surgical tool assemblies 100, 200, 300 and 1000, which are used together with the handle assembly 500 and interchangeably. Each is adapted as such. Each compatible surgical tool assembly 100, 200, 300, and 1000 may be designed to be used in association with performing one or more specific surgical procedures. In another surgical system embodiment, compatible surgical tool assemblies can be effectively used with tool-driven assemblies for robot-controlled or automated surgical systems. For example, the surgical tool assembly disclosed herein is, for example, US Pat. No. 9,072,535, the title of the invention "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATTBLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENT ARRANGENTS", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Can be used with various robotic systems, instruments, components, and methods, but not limited to, disclosed in.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a compatible surgical tool assembly 100 operably coupled to a handle assembly 500. FIG. 3 shows the attachment of the compatible surgical tool assembly 100 to the handle assembly 500. The mounting configurations and processes shown in FIG. 3 may also be used in connection with the mounting of any of the compatible surgical tool assemblies 100, 200, 300 and 1000 to a tool-driven portion or tool-driven housing of a robotic system. good. The handle assembly 500 may include a handle housing 502 that includes a pistol grip portion 504 that can be gripped and manipulated by the clinician. As briefly discussed below, the handle assembly 500 operably supports multiple drive systems, which are compatible surgical tool assemblies 100, 200, 300 operably mounted on the handle assembly. , And / or 1000, are configured to generate and apply various control movements to the corresponding portions.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the handle assembly 500 may further include a frame 506 that operably supports a plurality of drive systems. For example, the frame 506 can operably support a "first" or closed drive system, represented by reference numeral 510 as a whole, the closed drive system 510 being operably attached to the handle assembly 500. Alternatively, it may be used to apply open / close movements to the connected compatible surgical tool assemblies 100, 200, 300, and 1000. In at least one embodiment, the closure drive system 510 may include an actuator in the form of a closure trigger 512 pivotally supported by a frame 506. Such a configuration allows the clinician to operate the closure trigger 512, and when the clinician grips the pistol grip portion 504 of the handle assembly 500, the closure trigger 512 is "inactive" from the starting position or "inactive" position. It can be easily pivoted to the "actuated" position, more specifically to the fully compressed or fully actuated position. In various embodiments, the closure drive system 510 further comprises a closure linkage assembly 514 that is pivotally coupled to the closure trigger 512 or otherwise operably interfaced. As described in more detail below, in the illustrated example, the closed linkage assembly 514 includes a lateral mounting pin 516 that facilitates mounting to the corresponding drive system on the surgical tool assembly. In use, to activate the closure drive system, the clinician pushes the closure trigger 512 down towards the pistol grip portion 504. U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 226,142, the title of the invention "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A SENSOR SYSTEM", which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, is now referred to as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0272575. As described in more detail in the published literature, when the clinician fully depresses the closure trigger 512 to complete the closure stroke, the closure drive system fully depresses or completely depresses the closure trigger 512. It is configured to lock to the activated position. If the clinician wishes to unlock the closure trigger 512 and urge the closure trigger 512 to the inactive position, the clinician simply activates the closure release button assembly 518 and the closure trigger is not. Allows you to return to the working position. The closure release button 518 may also be configured to interact with various sensors communicating with the microcontroller 520 in the handle assembly 500 to track the location of the closure trigger 512. The configuration and operation of the closure / release button assembly 518 can be described in more detail in US Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0272575.

In at least one embodiment, the handle assembly 500 and frame 506 may operably support another drive system, referred to herein as the launch drive system 530, where the launch drive system 530 is an attached compatible surgery. It is configured to apply a firing motion to the corresponding part of the tool assembly. As described in detail in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0272575, the launch drive system 530 is an electric motor located within the pistol grip portion 504 of the handle assembly 500 (shown in FIGS. 1-3). No) may be used. In various embodiments, the motor may be, for example, a brushed DC drive motor having a maximum rotation speed of about 25,000 RPM. In other configurations, the motor may include a brushless motor, a cordless motor, a synchronous motor, a stepper motor, or any other suitable electric motor. The motor may be powered by a power source 522, which may include a removable power pack in one form. The power pack may support a plurality of lithium ion (“LI”) batteries or other suitable batteries within it. A large number of batteries may be used as the power source 522 for the surgical system 10, and the batteries may be connected in series with each other. Further, the power supply 522 may be replaceable and / or rechargeable.

The electric motor is configured to drive the drive member 540, which is movable in the longitudinal direction, in the distal direction and the proximal direction in the axial direction, depending on the polarity of the motor. For example, when the motor is driven in one direction of rotation, the drive member 540 that is movable in the longitudinal direction is driven in the distal direction "DD" in the axial direction. When the motor is driven in the opposite rotational direction, the drive member 540 is driven in the proximal direction "PD" in the axial direction. The handle assembly 500 may include a switch 513 that may be configured to reverse the polarity imparted to the motor by the power source 522 or to control the motor in some other way. The handle 500 may also include one or more sensors (not shown) configured to detect the position of the drive member 540 and / or the direction in which the drive member 540 is being moved. The operation of the motor can be controlled by a firing trigger 532 (see FIG. 1) pivotally supported on the handle assembly 500. The firing trigger 532 can be pivoted between the non-actuated position and the actuated position. The firing trigger 532 is a spring or other so that when the clinician releases the firing trigger 532, it can be pivoted to a non-actuated position by a spring or other urging configuration or otherwise returned. It may be urged to a non-operating position by the urging configuration of. In at least one form, the firing trigger 532 can be placed "outside" the closing trigger 512, as described above. As described in US Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0272575, the handle assembly 500 may include a firing trigger safety button (not shown) to prevent accidental activation of the firing trigger 532. When the closure trigger 512 is in the non-actuated position, the safety button is housed within the handle assembly 500 and the clinician cannot easily access the safety button with a safety position to prevent activation of the firing trigger 532. Also, the safety button cannot be moved to and from the firing position where the firing trigger 532 can be fired. When the clinician depresses the closure trigger 512, the safety button and firing trigger 532 are pivoted downwards, which in turn allows the clinician to operate the safety button and firing trigger 532.

In at least one embodiment, the drive member 540, which is movable in the longitudinal direction, may have a rack having a large number of teeth (not shown) formed on the drive member 540, and the rack is connected to a motor. Engages and engages with the corresponding drive gear configuration (not shown). These mechanisms can be described in more detail in US Patent Application No. 2015/0272575. Also, in at least one form, a manually actuable "emergency withdrawal" assembly is configured to allow the clinician to manually retract the longitudinally movable drive member 540 in the event of a motor failure. Can be included. The emergency withdrawal assembly may include a lever or emergency withdrawal handle assembly stored under the releasable door 550 within the handle assembly 500. The lever is configured to be manually pivoted to ratchet engage with the teeth of the drive member 540. Therefore, the clinician can manually retract the drive member 540 by ratcheting the drive member 5400 in the proximal direction "PD" using the emergency withdrawal handle assembly. U.S. Patent Application No. 12 / 249,117, the title of the invention "POWERED SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING APPARATUS WITH MANUALLY RETRACTABLE FIRING SYSTEM", currently published as U.S. Patent No. 8,608,045. The literature, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, discloses emergency withdrawal configurations and other components, configurations, and systems that can be used with the various surgical tool assemblies disclosed herein.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the compatible surgical tool assembly 100 includes a surgical end effector 110 with a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw comprises an elongated channel 112, the elongated channel 112 configured to operably support the surgical staple cartridge 116 within it. The second jaw comprises an anvil 114 that is pivotally supported with respect to the elongated channel 112. The compatible surgical tool assembly 100 also includes a lockable joint 120 that may be configured to releasably hold the end effector 110 in a desired position relative to the shaft axis SA. US Pat. No. 13,803,086, title of the invention, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in detail regarding the various structures and operations of the end effector 110, the joint joint 120, and the joint lock. It is described in the document "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION LOCK", which is currently published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263541. As further seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the compatible surgical tool assembly 100 is a closed tube assembly that can be used to close and / or open the proximal housing or nozzle 130 and the anvil 114 of the end effector 110. 140 and can be included. As described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0272575, the closed tube assembly 140 is movably on a spine 145 supporting a joint drive mechanism 147 for applying joint movement to the surgical end effector 110. It is supported. The spine 145 is configured to (1) slidably support the launch bar 170 inside and (2) slidably support the closed tube assembly 140 extending around the spine 145. It is composed. Under various circumstances, the spine 145 has a rotatably supported proximal end within the chassis 150. See FIG. In one configuration, for example, the proximal end of the spine 145 is attached to a spine bearing (not shown) configured to be supported inside the chassis 150. Such a configuration makes it easy to rotatably attach the spine 145 to the chassis 150 so that the spine 145 can be selectively rotated about the shaft axis SA with respect to the chassis 150. Become.

Still referring to FIG. 3, the compatible surgical tool assembly 100 includes a closure shuttle 160 that is slidably supported in the chassis 150 so that it can be moved axially. As can be seen from FIG. 3, the closure shuttle 160 includes a pair of hooks 162 protruding proximally, which are configured to be attached to attachment pins 516 attached to the closure linkage assembly 514 within the handle assembly 500. Has been done. The proximal closed tube segment 146 of the closed tube assembly 140 is rotatably connected to the closed shuttle 160 relative to the closed shuttle 160. Thus, when the hook 162 is hooked on the pin 516, the actuation of the closure trigger 512 causes the closure shuttle 160, and finally the closure tube assembly 140 on the spine 145, to move axially. The closing spring (not shown) is axially supported on the closing tube assembly 140 and serves to urge the closing tube assembly 140 in the proximal direction "PD", whereby the shaft assembly 100 can be operated by the handle assembly 500. When coupled to, it can serve to pivot the closure trigger 512 to the inactive position. In use, the closure tube assembly 140 is moved distally (direction "DD") to close the anvil 114, eg, in response to the activation of the closure trigger 512. The closed tube assembly 140 includes a distal closed tube segment 142 pivotally pinned to the distal end of the proximal closed tube segment 146. The distal closed tube segment 142, along with the proximal closed tube segment 146, is configured to move axially with respect to the surgical end effector 110. When the distal end of the distal closed tube segment 142 collides with the proximal surface or bulge 115 on the anvil 114, the anvil 114 is pivotally closed. The closure of the anvil 114 is described in more detail in the aforementioned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263541, and will be described in more detail below. As described in detail in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263541, the anvil 114 is opened by moving the distal closed tube segment 142 proximally. The distal closed tube segment 142 has a horseshoe-shaped opening 143 inside, the horseshoe-shaped opening 143 defining a downwardly extending return tab (not shown), with the return tab on the proximal end of the anvil 114. In cooperation with the formed anvil tab 117, the anvil 114 is pivoted back to the open position. In the fully open position, the closed tube assembly 140 is in its most proximal position, i.e. the non-actuated position.

Also, as mentioned above, the compatible surgical tool assembly 100 further includes a firing bar 170 that is supported to move axially within the shaft spine 145. The launch bar 170 includes an intermediate launch shaft portion, the intermediate launch shaft portion configured to be attached to a distal cut or knife bar configured to move axially through the surgical end effector 110. Has been done. In at least one configuration, the compatible surgical tool assembly 100 includes a clutch assembly (not shown) that may be configured to selectively and releasably connect the joint drive to the launch bar 170. The clutch assembly can be described in more detail in US Patent Application No. 2014/0263541. Distal movement of the firing bar 170 displaces the joint drive mechanism 147 distally when the clutch assembly is in its engaged position, as described in US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263541. Similarly, the proximal movement of the launch bar 170 can cause the joint drive mechanism 147 to be moved proximally. When the clutch assembly is in its disengaged position, the movement of the launch bar 170 is not transmitted to the joint drive mechanism 147 so that the launch member 170 can move independently of the joint drive mechanism 147. .. The compatible surgical tool assembly 100 may also include a slip ring assembly (not shown), which may supply power to and / or be supplied from the end effector 110. And / or the signal is configured to be transmitted to and / or transmitted from the end effector 110. The slip ring assembly can be described in more detail in US Patent Application No. 2014/0263541. U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 800,067, the title of the invention "STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM", now published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263552, is hereby in its entirety by reference. Will be incorporated into. U.S. Pat. No. 9,345,481, entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM", is also incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Still referring to FIG. 3, the chassis 150 is fitted to accommodate a dovetail slot 507 formed within the distal end of the frame 506 and at least one, preferably two, formed on the chassis 150. It has a corresponding tapered attachment portion 152. Each dovetail slot 507 may be tapered, or in other words, may be somewhat V-shaped so that the tapered mounting portion 152 is fitted and received. As further seen from FIG. 3, a shaft mounting lug 172 is formed at the proximal end of the launch shaft 170. When the compatible surgical tool assembly 100 is connected to the handle assembly 500, the shaft mounting lug 172 is received by a shaft mounting cradle 542 formed at the distal end of a longitudinally movable drive member 540. .. The compatible surgical tool assembly 100 also uses a latch system 180 for releasably latching the shaft assembly 100 to the frame 506 of the handle assembly 500. In at least one embodiment, for example, the latch system 180 includes a locking member or lock yoke 182 that is movably coupled to the chassis 150. The lock yoke 182 has two proximally projecting lock lugs 184 configured to disengageably engage the corresponding lock stop or lock groove 509 within the distal mounting flange of the frame 506. It may be included. In various forms, the lock yoke 182 is proximally urged by a spring or urging member. The actuation of the lock yoke 182 may be performed by a latch button 186 slidably mounted on a latch actuator assembly mounted on the chassis 150. The latch button 186 may be urged proximally to the lock yoke 182. As will be described in more detail later, the lock yoke 182 may be moved to the unlocked position by urging the latch button 186 to the distal DD, whereby the lock yoke 182 is also pivoted. The frame 506 disengages from the holding engagement with the distal mounting flange. When the lock yoke 182 is "holding engaged" with the distal mounting flange of the frame 506, the lock lug 184 is held in the corresponding lock stop or lock groove 509 within the distal end of the frame 506. It fits. The latch system can be described in more detail in US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263541.

The attachment of the compatible surgical tool assembly 100 to the handle assembly 500 will now be described with reference to FIG. To initiate the coupling process, the clinician will ensure that the tapered attachment 152 formed on the chassis 150 of the compatible surgical tool assembly 100 is aligned with the dovetail slot 507 of the frame 506. The 150 may be positioned above or adjacent to the distal end of the frame 506. The clinician then moves the surgical tool assembly 100 along the installation axis IA perpendicular to the shaft axis SA and the tapered attachment portion 152 at the distal end of the frame 506 to accept the corresponding dovetail. It may be "operably engaged" with slot 507. At that time, the shaft mounting lug 172 on the launch shaft 170 is also housed in the cradle 542 of the drive member 540 which is movable in the longitudinal direction, and the portion of the pin 516 on the closure link 514 corresponds to the portion in the closure shuttle 160. It fits in the hook 162. As used herein, the term "manipulable engagement" in the context of two components means that the two components are fully engaged with each other, thereby applying actuating motion to them. It means that a component can perform the intended action, function, and / or procedure.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the surgical system 10 shown in this figure comprises four compatible surgical tool assemblies 100, 200, 300 and 1000, each of which is effectively combined with the same handle assembly 500. It can be used to perform different surgical procedures. An example of the configuration of the form of the Compatible Surgical Tool Assembly 100 is briefly discussed above, but is described in more detail in US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263541. Various details of compatible surgical tool assemblies 200 and 300 are described in detail in various US patent applications filed at the same time as this specification and incorporated herein by reference. Various details of the Compatible Surgical Tool Assembly 1000 are discussed in more detail below.

As shown in FIG. 1, each of the surgical tool assemblies 100, 200, 300 and 1000 comprises a pair of jaws, at least one of which is tissue trapped between the two jaws or It is movable between an open position that can be manipulated and a closed position where the tissue is firmly held between them. One or more movable jaws are between the open and closed positions when open / closed movements are applied from the handle assembly or from a robotic system or surgical automation system to which the surgical tool assembly is operably connected. It works with. In addition, each of the illustrated compatible surgical tool assemblies includes a launch member, which responds to the application of launch motion to the launch member by the handle assembly or robotic system at the jaw. It is configured to fire staples from a staple cartridge supported by one of them. Each surgical tool assembly is uniquely designed to perform a particular procedure, for example, cutting and fastening a particular type of tissue within a particular area of the body, and a particular thickness of tissue. It may have been done. The closure motion control system, launch motion control system, and joint motion control system in the handle assembly 500 or robotic system are the types of closure motion system configuration, launch motion system configuration, and joint motion system configuration used in the surgical tool assembly. Accordingly, it may be configured to generate axial control motion and / or rotation control motion. In one configuration, when the closed motion control system in the handle assembly or robotic system is fully activated, it comprises one of the components of the closed motion system control (eg, the closed tube assembly as described above). May) move axially from the non-actuated position to the fully actuated position. The axial distance that the closed tube assembly travels between the non-working position and the fully working position can be referred to herein as the "closed stroke length". Similarly, when the launch system within the handle assembly or robotic system is fully activated, even with one of the launch system control components (eg, a drive member that is longitudinally movable as described above). Good) moves axially from the non-actuated position to the fully actuated or fired position. The axial distance that the longitudinally movable drive member travels between the non-actuated position and the fully launched position can be referred to herein as the "launch stroke length". In a surgical tool assembly with a range of motion end effector configuration, the handle assembly or robotic system may use a range of motion control component that moves axially over a "range of motion drive stroke length". In many situations, the closed stroke length, the firing stroke length, and the range of motion driven stroke length are fixed to a particular handle assembly or robot system. Here, each of the surgical tool assemblies is closed and fired over their respective stroke lengths without undue stress on the surgical tool components, which can result in damage or catastrophic failure of the surgical tool assembly. And / or containment of control movements of joint components shall be possible.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-10, the compatible surgical tool assembly 1000 includes a surgical end effector 1100, the surgical end effector 1100 comprises an elongated channel 1102, and the elongated channel 1102 contains a staple cartridge 1110. It is configured to be operably supported by. The end effector 1100 may further include anvil 1130 that is pivotally supported for elongated channels 1102. The compatible surgical tool assembly 1000 may further include a joint joint 1200 and a joint lock 1210 (see FIGS. 5 and 8-10), whereas the joint joint 1200 and the joint lock 1210 are desired for the shaft axis SA. The end effector 1100 can be configured to be releasably held at the joint movement position. Regarding the configuration and operation of the joint lock 1210, the entire disclosure is incorporated herein by reference to U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 803,086, the title of the invention "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION LOCK". Can be described in detail in the document currently published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263541. With respect to joint locks, further, US Patent Application No. 15 / 019,196, the title of the invention, "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ARTICULATION MEMHANISM WITH SLOTTED SECONDARY," filed February 9, 2016, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. It is also explained in detail in "CONTRAINT". As can be seen in FIG. 7, the compatible surgical tool assembly 1000 has a proximal housing or nozzle 1300 consisting of nozzles 1302 and 1304, as well as snaps, protrusions and screws on the assembled nozzles 1302 and 1304. It may further include an actuator wheel portion 1306 configured to be connected by such as. The compatible surgical tool assembly 1000 may further include a closed tube assembly 1400 that can be used to close and / or open the anvil 1130 of the end effector 1100, as discussed in more detail below. Here, primarily with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the compatible surgical tool assembly 1000 may include a spine assembly 1500 that may be configured to support the joint lock 1210. In the illustrated configuration, the spine assembly 1500 comprises an "elastic" spine member or an "elastic" frame member 1510 described in more detail below. The distal end 1522 of the elastic spine member 1510 is attached to the distal frame segment 1560, which internally operably supports the joint lock 1210. As seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, the spine assembly 1500 is configured to (1) slidably support the launcher assembly 1600 inside and (2) extend around the spine assembly 1500. It is configured to slidably support the closed tube assembly 1400. The spine assembly 1500 can also be configured to slidably support the proximal joint drive unit 1700.

As seen in FIG. 10, the distal frame segment 1560 is pivotally connected to the elongated channel 1102 by the end effector mounting assembly 1230. In one configuration, for example, the distal end 1562 of the distal frame segment 1560 has a pivot pin 1564 formed on it. The pivot pin 1564 is adapted to be pivotally received within the pivot hole 1234 formed in the pivot base 1232 of the end effector mounting assembly 1230. The end effector mounting assembly 1230 is attached to the proximal end 1103 of the elongated channel 1102 by a spring pin 1105 or other suitable member. Pivot pin 1564 defines the range of motion BB across the shaft axis SA. See FIG. Such a configuration facilitates pivotal movement (ie, range of motion) of the end effector 1100 about the range of motion BB with respect to the spine assembly 1500.

Still referring to FIG. 10, in the illustrated embodiment, the joint drive unit 1700 has a distal end 1702 configured to operably engage the joint lock 1210. The joint lock 1210 includes a joint frame 1212 adapted to operably engage drive pins 1238 on the pivot base 1232 of the end effector mounting assembly 1230. In addition, the cross link 1237 may be coupled to the drive pin 1238 and the joint frame 1212 to support the joint movement of the end effector 1100. As mentioned above, the operation of the joint lock 1210 and the joint frame 1212 can be further described in the literature published as U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 803,086, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263541. .. For end effector mounting assemblies and crosslinks, US Patent Application No. 15 / 019,245, filed February 9, 2016, the title of the invention "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH", the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. CLOSE STROKE REDUCTION ARRANGEMENTS ”can be described in more detail. In various situations, the elastic spine member 1510 has a proximal end 1514 that is rotatably supported within the chassis 1800. In one configuration, for example, the proximal end 1514 of the elastic spine member 1510 was formed above for screwing onto a spine bearing (not shown) configured to be supported within the chassis 1800. It has a thread of 1516. With such a configuration, it becomes easy to rotatably attach the elastic spine member 1510 to the chassis 1800, and the spine assembly 1500 can selectively rotate about the shaft axis SA with respect to the chassis 1800.

Here, primarily with reference to FIG. 7, the compatible surgical tool assembly 1000 includes a closure shuttle 1420, which is slidably supported within the chassis 1800 and moves axially relative to the chassis 1800. You can do it. In one embodiment, the closure shuttle 1420 comprises a pair of proximally projecting hooks 1421 configured to be attached to the attachment pin 516, the attachment pin 516 being the closure linkage assembly 514 of the handle assembly 500 as described above. It is attached to. The proximal end 1412 of the proximal closed tube segment 1410 is coupled to the closed shuttle 1420 so as to rotate relative to the closed shuttle 1420. For example, the U-connector 1424 is inserted into the annular slot 1414 at the proximal end 1412 of the proximal closed tube segment 1410 and held in the vertical slot 1422 of the closed shuttle 1420. See FIG. 7. With such a configuration, the proximal closed tube segment 1410 is attached to the closed shuttle 1420 so that both move in the axial direction, while the closed tube assembly 1400 is attached to the closed shuttle 1420 about the shaft axis SA. It becomes rotatable. A closed spring (not shown) is pivotally supported on the proximal end 1412 of the proximal closed tube segment 1410, which serves to urge the closed tube assembly 1400 to the proximal PD. This may serve to pivot the closure trigger 512 on the handle assembly 500 (see FIG. 3) to the inactive position when the compatible surgical tool assembly 1000 is operably coupled to the handle assembly 500. ..

As mentioned above, the illustrated compatible surgical tool assembly 1000 includes a joint joint 1200. However, other compatible surgical tool assemblies do not have to be flexible. As seen in FIG. 10, the upper tongue 1415 and lower tongue 1416 project distally from the distal end of the proximal closed tube segment 1410 to the distal end effector closure sleeve or distal closure of the closure tube assembly 1400. It is movably connected to the tube segment 1430. As seen in FIG. 10, the distal closed tube segment 1430 includes an upper tongue 1434 and a lower tongue 1436 that project proximally from its proximal end. The upper double pivot link 1220 includes the proximal and distal pins, the proximal and distal pins being the upper tongues 1415 and 1434 of the proximal closed tube segment 1410 and the distal closed tube segment 1430, respectively. Engage with the corresponding hole in. Similarly, the lower double pivot link 1222 includes a proximal pin and a distal pin, where the proximal and distal pins are the lower tongues of the proximal closed tube segment 1410 and the distal closed tube segment 1430, respectively. Engage in the corresponding holes in 1416 and 1436. As discussed in more detail below, the axial movement of the closed tube assembly 1400 distally and proximally causes the anvil 1130 to be closed and opened with respect to the elongated channel 1102.

As mentioned above, the compatible surgical tool assembly 1000 further includes a launcher assembly 1600 that is supported to move axially within the spine assembly 1500. In the illustrated embodiment, the launch member assembly 1600 comprises an intermediate launch shaft portion 1602 configured to be attached to a distal cut section or knife bar 1610. The launch member assembly 1600 may also be referred to herein as a "second shaft" and / or a "second shaft assembly". As seen in FIGS. 7-10, the intermediate launch shaft portion 1602 may include a longitudinal slot 1604 at its distal end, which is a tab at the proximal end of the knife bar 1610 (not shown). Can be configured to accept. The longitudinal slot 1604 and the proximal end of the knife bar 1610 can be sized and configured to allow relative movement between them and can form a slip joint 1612. The slip joint 1612 can move the intermediate launch shaft portion 1602 of the launch member assembly 1600 without moving the knife bar 1610, or at least substantially, to allow the end effector 1100 to be articulated. .. Once the end effector 1100 is suitably oriented, the intermediate launch shaft portion 1602 is advanced distally until the proximal side wall of the longitudinal slot 1604 touches the tab on the knife bar 1610 to advance the knife bar 1610. Staple cartridges located within channel 1102 can be fired. As further shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the elastic spine member 1520 has an elongated opening or window 1525 therein, the elongated opening or window 1525 assembling the intermediate launch shaft portion 1602. Or, the intermediate launch shaft portion 1602 can be easily inserted into the elastic spine member 1520. Once the intermediate launch shaft portion 1602 is inserted, the top frame segment 1527 may engage the elastic spine member 1520 to encapsulate the intermediate launch shaft portion 1602 and the knife bar 1610 inside. The operation of the launch member assembly 1600 can be further described in the literature published as US Patent Application No. 13 / 803,086, currently published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263541.

In addition to the above, the compatible tool assembly 1000 may include a clutch assembly 1620, which may be configured to selectively and detachably connect the joint drive unit 1800 to the launch member assembly 1600. can. In one embodiment, the clutch assembly 1620 comprises a lock collar or lock sleeve 1622 disposed around the launch member assembly 1600, wherein the lock sleeve 1622 connects the joint drive unit 1700 to the launch member assembly 1600. The joint drive unit 1700 can rotate between the engagement position and the disengagement position where the joint drive unit 1700 is not operably coupled to the launch member assembly 1600. When the lock sleeve 1622 is in the engaged position, the launch member assembly 1600 can be moved distally by moving the joint drive 1700 distally, as is the launch member assembly 1600 proximally. By moving in the direction, the joint drive unit 1700 can move in the proximal direction. When the lock sleeve 1622 is in the disengaged position, even if the launch member assembly 1600 moves, the movement is not transmitted to the joint drive unit 1700, so that the launch member assembly 1600 is independent of the joint drive unit 1700. Can be moved. In various situations, the joint drive 1700 can be held in place by the joint lock 1210 when the joint drive 1700 has not been moved proximally or distally by the launcher assembly 1600.

Primarily with reference to FIG. 7, the lock sleeve 1622 can include a cylindrical or at least substantially cylindrical body, the body comprising a longitudinal opening 1624 defined therein and longitudinally. The directional opening 1624 is configured to accommodate the launch member assembly 1600. The lock sleeve 1622 may include lock protrusions 1626 and 1628 facing in the radial direction and facing inward, respectively, and a locking member 1629 facing outward. Lock protrusions 1626 and 1628 may be configured to selectively engage the intermediate launch shaft portion 1602 of the launch member assembly 1600. More specifically, when the lock sleeve 1622 is in its engaged position, the lock protrusions 1626 and 1628 are located within the drive notch 1605 defined within the intermediate launch shaft portion 1602 and thus distally. Pushing and / or proximal pulling forces can be transmitted from the launcher assembly 1600 to the lock sleeve 1622. When the lock sleeve 1622 is in its engaging position, the second locking member 1629 is received within the drive notch 1704 defined within the joint drive unit 1700, thereby the distal direction added to the lock sleeve 1622. The pushing force and / or the proximal pulling force can be transmitted to the joint drive unit 1700. In fact, when the lock sleeve 1622 is in the engaged position, the launcher assembly 1600, the lock sleeve 1622, and the joint drive 1700 will move together. On the other hand, when the lock sleeve 1622 is in the disengaged position, the lock protrusions 1626 and 1628 cannot be placed in the drive notch 1605 of the intermediate launch shaft portion 1602 of the launch member assembly 1600, resulting in a distance. Pushing force and / or pulling force in the proximal direction cannot be transmitted from the launcher assembly 1600 to the lock sleeve 1622. Correspondingly, the distal pushing force and / or the proximal pulling force cannot be transmitted to the joint drive unit 1700. Under such circumstances, the launcher assembly 1600 may be slid proximally and / or distally to the lock sleeve 1622 and the proximal joint drive 1700. The clutch assembly 1620 further includes a switch drum 1630 that interfaces with the lock sleeve 1622. With respect to the operation of the switch drum and lock sleeve 1622, further, U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 803,086, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263541, and U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 019,196 Can be explained in detail in the issue. The switch drum 1630 may further comprise at least partially circumferential openings 1632 and 1634 defined therein, the openings 1632 and 1634 extending from the nozzle halves 1302 and 1304. It is possible to accept the circumferential mounting seat 1305 to allow relative rotation between the switch drum 1630 and the proximal nozzle 1300 but not translational movement. See FIG. However, when the nozzle 1300 is rotated to the point where the mounting seat reaches the ends of the respective slots 1632 and 1634 in the switch drum 1630, the switch drum 1630 will rotate about the shaft axis SA. As the switch drum 1630 rotates, the lock sleeve 1622 will eventually move between its engaged and disengaged positions. Thus, in essence, the nozzle 1300 is U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 803,086, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and is currently published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263541. To operably engage and disengage a joint drive system and a launch drive system in various ways as described in more detail in the literature and US Patent Application No. 15 / 019,196. It may be used.

In the configured configuration, the switch drum 1630 includes an L-shaped slot 1636 extending into the distal opening 1637 within the switch drum 1630. The distal opening 1637 receives the lateral pin 1639 of the shifter plate 1638. In one example, the shifter plate 1638 is received in a longitudinal slot (not shown) provided in the lock sleeve 1622 so that the lock sleeve 1622 is axial when the lock sleeve 1622 is engaged with the joint drive 1700. Make it easy to move to. Further, with respect to the operation of the shifter plate and shift drum mechanism, US Patent Application No. 14 / 868,718, filed September 28, 2015, the title of the invention "SURGICAL," the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. It can be described in detail in "STAPLING INSTRUMENT WITH SHAFT RELEASE, POWERED FIRING AND POWERED ARTICULATION".

As also shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the compatible tool assembly 1000 conducts power to and from the end effector 1100 and / or communicates signals to and from the end effector 1100, eg, a handle assembly or A slip ring assembly 1640 can be provided that can be configured to return a signal to the microprocessor in the robotic system controller. With respect to the slip ring assembly 1640 and related connectors, further published as U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 803,086, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263541, the entire of which is incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 019,196, and U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 800,067, title of invention "STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM", currently published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263552. Can be explained in detail in the literature provided. As described in more detail in the aforementioned patent application document incorporated herein by reference, the compatible surgical tool assembly 1000 is also configured to detect the position of the switch drum 1630 at least. It may also have one sensor.

Referring again to FIG. 7, the chassis 1800 includes at least one, preferably two tapered attachments 1802 formed on the chassis 1800, which is a handle assembly as described above. It is formed within the distal end of the frame 506 of the 500 and is adapted to be accommodated in the corresponding dovetail slot 507 above. As further illustrated in FIG. 7, a shaft mounting lug 1605 is formed at the proximal end of the intermediate launch shaft 1602. As described in more detail below, when the compatible surgical tool assembly 1000 is coupled to the handle assembly 500, the shaft mounting lug 1605 is attached to a launch shaft mounting cradle 542 formed at the distal end of the longitudinal drive member 540. Accepted. See FIG.

Various compatible surgical tool assemblies use a latch system 1810 for detachably connecting the compatible surgical tool assembly 1000 to the frame 506 of the handle assembly 500. As can be seen from FIG. 7, for example, in at least one embodiment, the latch system 1810 includes a locking member or lock yoke 1812 that is movably coupled to the chassis 1800. In an exemplary embodiment, for example, the lock yoke 1812 has a U-shape with two mutually spaced, downwardly extending legs 1814. Each leg 1814 is formed with a pivot lug (not shown) formed in the chassis 1800 and adapted to be accommodated in the corresponding hole 1816. Such a configuration facilitates pivotally mounting the lock yoke 1812 to the chassis 1800. The lock yoke 1812 may include two lock lugs 1818 that project proximally, the lock lugs 1818 being releasably engaged with the corresponding lock stop or groove 509 at the distal end of the frame 506 of the handle assembly 500. It is configured to fit. See FIG. In various forms, the lock yoke 1812 is proximally urged by a spring or urging member 1819. The lock yoke 1812 may be actuated by a slidably mounted latch button 1820 on a latch actuator assembly 1822 mounted on chassis 1800. The latch button 1820 may be urged proximally to the lock yoke 1812. The lock yoke 1812 may be moved to the unlocked position by urging the latch button 1820 distally, whereby the lock yoke 1812 is also pivoted to the distal end of the frame 506. Disengage from the holding engagement. When the lock yoke 1812 is "holding engaged" with the distal end of the frame 506, the lock lug 1818 is held and contained within the corresponding lock stop or groove 509 at the distal end of the frame 506. ..

In the configuration shown, the lock yoke 1812 comprises at least one, preferably two lock hooks 1824, such that the lock hook 1824 contacts the corresponding lock lug portion 1426 formed on the closed shuttle 1420. It has been adapted. When the closure shuttle 1420 is in the inactive position, the lock yoke 1812 may be pivoted distally to unlock the compatible surgical tool assembly 1000 from the handle assembly 500. In that position, the lock hook 1824 does not contact the lock lug portion 1426 on the closed shuttle 1420. However, when the closed shuttle 1420 is moved to the actuating position, the lock yoke 1812 is prevented from being pivoted to the unlocked position. In other words, if the clinician attempts to pivot the lock yoke 1812 to the unlocked position, or, for example, the lock yoke 1812 may otherwise be pivoted distally. If something inadvertently hits or touches the lock yoke 1812, the lock hook 1824 on the lock yoke 1812 will come into contact with the lock lug 1426 on the closing shuttle 1420 and the lock yoke 1812 will move to the unlocked position. To prevent.

Still referring to FIG. 10, the knife bar 1610 may include a laminated beam structure comprising at least two beam layers. Such beam layers may include, for example, stainless steel bands, which are welded to each other, eg, at their proximal ends and / or elsewhere in their longitudinal direction. They are interconnected by either doing or pinning. In an alternative embodiment, the distal ends of the band are not connected to each other, allowing the laminate or band to spread significantly relative to each other when the end effector is in range of motion. With such a configuration, the knife bar 1610 makes it possible to have sufficient flexibility to cope with the joint movement of the end effector. Various laminated knife bar configurations are disclosed in US Patent Application No. 15 / 019,245. As also seen in FIG. 10, a central support member 1614 is used to provide lateral support to the knife bar 1610 as the knife bar 1610 flexes to adapt to the range of motion of the surgical end effector 1100. .. Further details regarding the central support member and the alternative knife bar support configuration are disclosed in US Patent Application No. 15 / 019,245. As also seen in FIG. 10, a launching member or knife member 1620 is attached to the distal end of the knife bar 1610.

FIG. 11 shows one form of launching member 1660 that can be used with the compatible tool assembly 1000. In one exemplary embodiment, the launching member 1660 comprises a body portion 1662, the body portion 1662 comprising a connector member 1663 extending proximally, the connector member 1663 being at the distal end of the knife bar 1610. , It is configured to be received within the correspondingly shaped connector opening 1614. See FIG. The connector 1663 may be held within the connector opening 1614 by frictional force and / or by welding or suitable adhesive or the like. The body portion 1662 projects through an elongated slot 1104 within the elongated channel 1102 and terminates with a laterally extending foot member 1664 on both sides of the body portion 1662. When the launch member 1660 is driven distally through the surgical staple cartridge 1110, the foot member 1664 rides into the passage 1105 in the elongated channel 1102 located beneath the surgical staple cartridge 1110. As seen in FIG. 11, one form of launching member 1660 may further include a laterally projecting central tab, pin, or holding mechanism 1680. When the launch member 1660 is driven distally through the surgical staple cartridge 1110, the central holding mechanism 1680 rides onto the inner surface 1106 of the elongated channel 1102. The body portion 1662 of the launching member 1660 further comprises a tissue cutting edge or feature portion 1666 disposed between the distally projecting hook mechanism 1665 and the distally projecting upper nose portion 1670. .. As further seen in FIG. 11, the launching member 1660 may further include two laterally extending top tabs, pins, or anvil engaging mechanisms 1665. As the launch member 1660 is driven distally, the upper portion of the body 1662 extends through a centrally located anvil slot 1138 and the upper anvil engagement mechanism 1672 is located on both sides of the anvil slot 1134. Ride on the corresponding bulge 1136 formed in. See FIGS. 13 and 14.

Returning to FIG. 10, the launch member 1660 is configured to operably interface with the thread assembly 1120, which is operably supported within the body 1111 of the surgical staple cartridge 1110. The thread assembly 1120 is slidable within the surgical staple cartridge body 1111 from the proximal start position adjacent to the proximal end 1112 of the cartridge body 1111 to the end position adjacent to the distal end 1113 of the cartridge body 1111. It can be displaced. The cartridge body 1111 operably supports a plurality of staple drive units (not shown) aligned in rows on both sides of a centrally arranged slot 1114 inside the cartridge body 1111. The centrally located slot 1114 allows the launching member 1660 to pass through the slot, thereby cutting the tissue clamped between the anvil 1130 and the staple cartridge 1110. The drive unit is associated with a corresponding pocket 1116, which is open through the upper deck surface 1115 of the cartridge body. Each of the staple drives supports one or more surgical staples or fasteners (not shown) on it. Thread assembly 1120 includes a plurality of slanted or wedge-shaped cams 1122, each cam 1122 corresponding to a particular row of fasteners or drives located on one side of slot 1114. In the illustrated example, one cam 1122 is aligned with a row of "double" drives, each drive supporting two staples or fasteners on it, while another cam 1122 is a slot. Aligned with another row of "single" drives on the same side of 1114, each drive operably supports a single surgical staple or fastener on it. Thus, in the illustrated example, when the surgical staple cartridge 1110 is "launched", there will be three rows of staples on each outer side of the tissue cutting line. However, other cartridge and driver configurations can also be used to fire other staple / fastener configurations. The thread assembly 1120 has a central body portion 1124 configured to be engaged by a hook portion 1665 of the launch member 1660. Thus, when the launching member 1660 is launched or driven distally, the launching member 1660 also drives the thread assembly 1120 distally. As the launch member 1660 moves distally through the cartridge 1110, the tissue cutting mechanism 1666 cuts the tissue clamped between the anvil assembly 1130 and the cartridge 1110, and the thread assembly 1120 drives the drive unit into the cartridge. Drive upwards within to drive the corresponding staples or fasteners into forming contact with the anvil assembly 1130.

In embodiments where the launch member comprises a tissue cut surface, such as preventing the launch member from accidentally advancing if the unused staple cartridge is not properly supported within the elongated channel 1102 of the surgical end effector 1100. It may be desirable to construct an elongated shaft assembly in a manner. For example, if there are no staple cartridges and the launcher is advanced distally through the end effector, the tissue is cut but not stapled. Similarly, if a used staple cartridge (ie, a staple cartridge in which at least some of the staples have already been fired) is present in the end effector and the firing member is advanced, the tissue will be cut. , Staple fastening may not be complete, if at all. It will be understood that such a phenomenon can lead to undesired and worst consequences during surgery. U.S. Pat. No. 6,988,649, Invention title "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT", U.S. Pat. No. 7,044,352, Invention title "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING OUT , U.S. Pat. No. 7,380,695, title of invention "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A SINGLE LOCKOUT MECHANISM FOR PREVENTION OF FIRING", and U.S. patent application No. 14 / 742, 933 Each of "WITH LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR PREVENTING FOR PRIVENTING FIRING SYSTEM ACTION WHEN A CARTRIDGE IS SPENT OR MISSING" discloses various launch member lockout configurations. Each of these documents is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In the present specification, when the cartridge 1110 is referred to as "unfired", "unused", "new", or "new", the cartridge 1110 has all of its fasteners in the "launch ready position". Means that. When in that position, the thread assembly 1120 is in its starting position. The new cartridge 1110 may be held within the elongated channel 1102 by a snap mechanism on the cartridge body configured to sit within the elongated channel 1102 and hold and engage the corresponding portion of the elongated channel 1102. 15 and 18 show a portion of the surgical end effector 1100, along with a new or unfired surgical staple cartridge 1110 seated inside. As can be seen from these figures, the thread assembly 1120 is in the starting position. Until the unlaunched or new surgical staple cartridge is properly seated in the elongated channel 1102, the launch system will not operate, or more precisely, the launch member 1660 will be distant through the end effector 1110. To avoid being driven in the positive direction, the illustrated compatible surgical tool assembly 1000 uses the launcher lockout system specified by 1650 as a whole.

Referring here to FIGS. 10 and 15-19, in one embodiment, the launch member lockout system 1650 comprises a movable lock member 1652, wherein the movable lock member 1652 has a surgical staple cartridge 1110 in an elongated channel 1102. It is configured to hold and engage with the launcher 1660 when not properly seated. The locking member 1652 comprises at least one locking portion 1654 that moves laterally, the locking portion 1654 holding the corresponding portion of the launching member when the thread assembly 1120 is not present in the cartridge 1110 at its starting position. It is configured to engage with each other. In the illustrated configuration, the locking member 1652 uses two laterally moving locking portions 1654, each locking portion 1654 engaging with a laterally extending portion of the launching member 1660.

In the illustrated embodiment, the locking member 1652 comprises a generally U-shaped spring member, each laterally movable leg or each locking portion 1654 extending from the central spring portion 1653, FIG. In FIG. 19, it is configured to move laterally, represented by "L". It will be appreciated that the term "lateral" refers to the direction across the shaft axis SA. The spring or locking member 1652 can be made of high strength spring steel or similar material. The central spring portion 1653 may be seated in slot 1236 within the end effector mounting assembly 1230. See FIG. As seen in FIGS. 15-17, each of the laterally movable legs or locking portions 1654 has a distal end 1656 with a locking window 1658 inside. When the locking member 1652 is in the locked position, the lateral central holding mechanism 1680 extends into the corresponding locking window 1658 to allow the launching member to advance distally in the axial direction. Hold and prevent.

The operation of the launch member lockout system will be described with reference to FIGS. 15-19. 15 and 18 show a portion of the surgical end effector 1100, in which a new unfired cartridge 1110 is properly fitted. As can be seen in these figures, the thread assembly 1120 includes an unlocking mechanism 1126 corresponding to each of the laterally movable locking portions 1654. In the illustrated configuration, the unlocking mechanism 1126 is provided on top of each of the central wedge cams 1122 or extends proximally from it. In an alternative configuration, the unlocking mechanism 1126 may include a proximally projecting portion of the corresponding wedge-shaped cam 1122. As seen in FIG. 18, when the thread assembly 1120 is in its starting position, the unlocking mechanism 1124 engages with the corresponding locking portion 1654 and laterally crosses the corresponding locking portion in a direction across the shaft axis SA. To be urged to. When the locking portions 1654 are in their unlocked orientation, the central holding mechanism 1680 is not holding engaged with their corresponding lock window 1658. When in these orientations, the launching member 1660 can be advanced (launched) distally in the axial direction. However, if the cartridge is not present in the elongated channel 1102, or if the thread assembly has been moved from its starting position (meaning that the cartridge has been partially or fully fired), the locking portion 1654 will be lateral. Bounces back and holds and engages with the launching member 1660. When in the position shown in FIG. 19, the launching member 1660 cannot move distally.

16 and 17 show the retreat as the launching member 1660 returns to the starting position after firing the cartridge 1110 and driving the thread assembly 1120 distally. FIG. 16 shows the initial reengagement of the holding mechanism 1680 with respect to the corresponding lock window 1658. FIG. 17 shows a holding mechanism in the locked position when the launching member 1660 is completely retracted to its starting position. Each of the retaining mechanisms 1680 faces the proximal side to assist lateral displacement of the locking portion 1654 when the locking portions 1654 are initially contacted by the retaining mechanism 1680 moving in the proximal direction, respectively. It may be provided with a laterally tapered end. Such a lockout system prevents the launch member 1660 from operating when there are no new unfired cartridges, or when new unfired cartridges are present but not properly seated in the elongated channel 1102. In addition, the lockout system prevents the clinician from advancing the launcher distally if the used or partially fired cartridge is unintentionally but properly seated in the elongated channel. Can be. Another advantage that can be provided by the lockout system 1650 is that the launcher locks other launchers that require movement of the launcher to align and disalign with the corresponding slot / passage in the staple cartridge. Unlike the out configuration, the launching member 1660 may remain aligned with the cartridge passage while in the locked and unlocked positions. The locking portion 1654 is designed to move laterally to engage and disengage on each corresponding side of the launching member. This lateral movement of one or more locking portions is distinguishable from other locking configurations that move vertically to engage and disengage parts of the launching member.

Referring again to FIGS. 13 and 14, in one embodiment, the anvil 1130 includes an elongated anvil body portion 1132 and a proximal anvil attachment portion 1150. The elongated anvil body portion 1132 includes the outer surface 1134, which defines two downwardly extending tissue stop members 1136 adjacent to the proximal anvil attachment portion 1150. The elongated anvil body portion 1132 also includes a lower surface 1135 defining an elongated anvil slot 1138. In the exemplary configuration shown in FIG. 14, the anvil slot 1138 is centrally located within the bottom surface 1135. The bottom surface 1135 includes three rows 1140, 1141, 1142 of stapled pockets 1143, 1144 and 1145 located on both sides of the anvil slot 1138. Two elongated anvil passages 1146 are provided adjacent to both sides of the anvil slot 1138. Each passage 1146 has a proximal flank portion 1148. See FIG. As the launching member 1660 advances distally, the upper anvil engagement mechanism 1632 first enters the corresponding proximal tilted portion 1148 and then enters the corresponding elongated anvil passage 1146.

Referring here to FIGS. 12 and 13, the anvil slot 1138 and the proximally inclined portion 1148 extend into the anvil mounting portion 1150. In other words, the anvil slot 1138 divides or branches the anvil mounting portion 1150 into two anvil mounting flanges 1151. The anvil mounting flanges 1151 are connected and integrated with each other by connecting bridges 1153 at their proximal ends. The connecting bridge 1153 functions to provide support for the anvil mounting flange 1151 and makes the anvil mounting portion 1150 more rigid than other anvil structure mounting parts where the anvil mounting flange is not connected at the proximal end. Can function to. As also seen in FIGS. 12 and 14, the anvil slot 1138 has a wide portion 1139 for accommodating the upper part of the launching member 1660 and the upper anvil engaging mechanism 1632.

As seen in FIGS. 13 and 20-24, each of the anvil mounting flanges 1151 includes lateral mounting holes 1156 and is configured to receive pivot pins 1158 through the holes (FIGS. 10 and 20). .. The anvil mounting portion 1150 is pivotally pinned to the proximal end 1103 of the elongated channel 1102 by a pivot pin 1158, which is the mounting hole 1107 and anvil at the proximal end 1103 of the elongated channel 1102. It extends through the mounting holes 1156 in the mounting section 1150. Such a configuration helps to pivotally attach the anvil 1130 to the elongated channel 1102 such that it causes selective pivoting around a fixed anvil axis AA across the shaft axis SA. See FIG. The anvil mounting portion 1150 also includes a cam surface 1152 extending from the centered launch member stop region 1154 to the outer surface 1134 of the anvil body portion 1132.

In the illustrated configuration, the anvil 1130 is moved between the open and closed positions by advancing and retracting the distal closed tube segment 1430 in the axial direction. As discussed in more detail below, the distal end portion of the distal closed tube segment 1430 has an internal cam surface formed above, which internal cam surface is formed on the anvil mount 1150. It is configured to engage the cam with one or more cam surfaces 1552. FIG. 22 shows a cam surface 1152a formed on the anvil attachment 1150, eg, to establish a single contact path 1155a with an internal cam surface 1444 on the distal closed tube segment 1430. FIG. 23 is far away to establish two separate arched contact paths 1155b between the cam surface 1152 on the anvil attachment 1150 and the internal cam surface 1444 on the distal closed tube segment 1430. The cam surface 1152b configured with respect to the internal cam surface 1444 on the position side closed tube segment is shown. In addition to the other potential advantages discussed herein, such configurations may serve to better distribute the closing force from the distal closed tube segment 1430 to the anvil 1130. FIG. 24 shows the distal closed tube segment 1430 so as to establish three different contact zones 1155c and 1155d between the cam surface on the anvil attachment 1150 and the cam surface on the distal closed tube segment 1430. The cam surface 1152c configured with respect to the internal cam surface 1444 of the above is shown. Zones 1155c, 1155d establish a larger area of cam contact between one or more cam surfaces on the distal closed tube segment 1430 and the cam surface on the anvil attachment 1150 and close to the anvil 1130. It can serve the function of better distributing power.

As the distal closed tube segment 1430 cam engages the anvil attachment portion 1150 of the anvil 1130, the anvil 1130 is pivoted about the anvil axis AA, resulting in the distance of the end 1133 of the elongated anvil body portion 1132. The position ends pivot towards the distal end 1105 of the surgical staple cartridge 1110 and the elongated channel 1102. As the anvil body portion 1132 begins to pivot, the anvil body portion 1132 is a tissue that is cut and stapled, at which time with the lower surface 1135 of the elongated anvil body portion 1132 and the deck 1116 of the surgical staple cartridge 1110. Contact the tissue located between. As the anvil body portion 1132 is pressed onto the tissue, the anvil 1130 can receive a considerable amount of resistance. These resistances are overcome as the distal closure tube 1430 continues to advance in its distal direction. However, depending on the magnitude of their resistance applied to the anvil body portion 1132 and the points to which it is applied, these resistances may tend to bend some parts of the anvil 1130, which is generally the case. It can be undesirable. For example, such bending can cause misalignment between the launching member 1660 and the passages 1148, 1146 in the anvil 1130. If the flexion is excessive, such flexion can significantly increase the magnitude of the firing force required to perform the launch of the instrument (ie, the launching member 1660 is in its starting position. Can be driven through the tissue from to the end position). Such excessive firing force can result in damage to end effectors and / or firing members, and / or knife bars, and / or firing drive system components and the like. Therefore, it may be advantageous for the anvil to be configured to resist such bending.

FIGS. 25-27 show alternative anvil embodiments that include features that can improve the stiffness of the anvil body and the resistance of the anvil body to bending forces that may be generated during the closing and / or firing processes. .. The anvil 1130'can have the same structure as the anvil 1130 described above, except for the differences described herein. As seen in these figures, the anvil 1130'has an elongated anvil body 1132' with an upper body portion 1165, and the upper body portion has an anvil cap 1170 attached thereto. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 25-27, the anvil cap 1170 has a substantially rectangular shape and has a cap outer circumference 1172. The outer circumference 1172 of the anvil cap 1170 is inserted through a correspondingly shaped opening 1137 formed in the upper body portion 1165 and extends in the axial direction inside the upper body portion 1165. It is configured to be accepted above. See FIG. 27. The internal shelf portion 1139 is configured to support the corresponding long side 1177 of the anvil cap 1170. In an alternative embodiment, the anvil cap 1170 may slide onto the internal shelf portion 1139 through an opening (not shown) provided at the distal end 1133 of the anvil body 1132'. In yet another embodiment, the internal shelf portion is not provided. The anvil body 1132'and the anvil cap 1170 can be made of suitable metal having the conductivity required for welding. The first welded portion 1178 may extend around the entire cap circumference 1172 of the anvil cap 1170, or may be located only along the long side 1177 of the anvil cap 1170 and the distal end 1173 of the anvil cap 1170. And / or may not be located at the proximal end 1175. The first weld 1178 may be continuous, discontinuous or intermittent. In embodiments where the first weld 1178 is discontinuous or intermittent, the weld segments may be evenly distributed along the long side 1177 of the anvil cap 1170, or the weld segment may be on the long side 1177. It may be placed closer to the distal end and more closely spaced, or it may be placed closer to the proximal end of the long side 1177. In yet other configurations, the weld segments may be more closely spaced in the central region of the long side 1177 of the anvil cap 1170.

FIGS. 28-30 show anvil caps 1170'that are "mechanically coupled" to the anvil body 1132'and configured to be welded to the upper body portion 1165. In this embodiment, a plurality of holding formations 1182 are formed within the wall 1180 of the upper body portion 1165 that defines the opening 1137. When used in this context, the term "mechanically connected" is used regardless of the orientation of the elongated anvil body and without any additional holding or fastening means such as welding and / or adhesive. It means that the cap remains fixed to the elongated anvil body. The holding formation 1182 may project inward from the opening wall 1180 into the opening 1137. The holding formation 1182 may be integrally formed with the wall 1180, or if not, it may be attached to the wall 1180. The holding formation 1182 is frictionally engaged with the corresponding portion of the anvil cap 1170'when the anvil cap 1170'is mounted in the opening 1137 and the anvil cap 1170' is held in the opening 1127 by friction. Designed to do. In the illustrated embodiment, the holding formation 1182 projects inwardly into the opening 1137 and rubs into the correspondingly shaped engaging region 1184 formed on the outer circumference 1172'of the anvil cap 1170'. It is configured to be accepted by. In the illustrated configuration, the retaining formation 1182 corresponds only to the long side 1177'of the anvil cap 1170'and is provided on the portion of the wall 1180 corresponding to the distal end 1173 or the proximal end 1175 of the anvil cap 1170'. I can't. In an alternative configuration, the retention formation 1182 also corresponds to the distal end 1173 and proximal end 1175 of the anvil cap 1170', in addition to the portion of the wall 1180 corresponding to the long side 1177' of the anvil cap 1170'. It can also be provided on a portion of the wall 1180. In yet another configuration, the retention formation 1182 may be provided only on the portion of the wall 1180 corresponding to one or both of the distal end 1173 and the proximal end 1175 of the anvil cap 1170'. In yet another configuration, the retention formation 1182 is a portion of the wall 1180 corresponding to the long side 1177'and a wall 1180 corresponding to only one of the proximal and distal ends 1175 of the anvil cap 1170'. Can be provided on a portion. It will be further appreciated that the retaining protrusions in all of the aforementioned embodiments may be alternatively formed on the anvil cap with the engaging region formed within the elongated anvil body.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 28-30, the holding formations 1182 are evenly spaced or evenly distributed along the wall portion 1180 corresponding to the long side 1177'of the anvil cap 1170'. In an alternative embodiment, the retention formation 1182 may be placed closer to the distal end of the long side 1177', or closer to the proximal end of the long side 1177'. They may be spaced apart. In other words, the spacing between these retention formations adjacent to the distal end, the spacing between these retention formations adjacent to the proximal end, or these retention adjacent to both the distal and proximal ends. The spacing between the formations may be smaller than the spacing between the formations located in the central portion of the anvil cap 1170'. In yet another configuration, the holding formations 1182 may be more closely spaced within the central region of the long side 1177'of the anvil cap 1170'. Also, in an alternative embodiment, the correspondingly shaped engagement region 1184 may not be provided on the outer circumference 1172'of the anvil cap 1170'or on a portion of the outer circumference 1172' of the anvil cap 1170'. In other embodiments, the retaining formation and the engaging region of the corresponding shape may have different shapes and sizes. In an alternative configuration, the retaining formation may be sized with respect to the engaging region so that there is no tight fit with the engaging region. In such a configuration, the anvil cap may be held in place by welding, adhesive, or the like.

In the illustrated example, the welded portion 1178'may extend around the entire outer circumference 1172' of the anvil cap 1170', or the welded portion 1178' may extend along the long side 1177' of the anvil cap 1170'. It is only placed and may not be placed at its distal end 1173 and / or its proximal end 1175. The weld 1178'may be continuous, discontinuous or intermittent. In embodiments where the welds 1178'are discontinuous or intermittent, the weld segments may be evenly distributed along the long side 1177' of the anvil cap 1170', or the weld segments are of the long side 1177'. It may be placed closer to the distal end and more closely spaced, or it may be placed closer to the proximal end of the long side 1177'. In yet other configurations, the weld segments may be more closely spaced in the central region of the long side 1177'of the anvil cap 1170'.

31 and 32 show another anvil configuration 1130 "with an anvil cap 1170" attached. In the illustrated embodiment, the anvil cap 1170 "has a substantially rectangular shape and has a cap outer circumference 1172". The cap outer circumference 1172 "is inserted through a correspondingly shaped opening 1137" in the upper body portion 1165 of the anvil body 1132 "on the internal shelf portions 1139" and 1190 "that extend in the axial direction. Configured to be accepted. See FIG. 32. Shelf portions 1139 "and 1190" are configured to support the corresponding long side 1177 "of anvil cap 1170". Alternative implementation. In the embodiment, the anvil cap 1170 "can be slid onto the internal shelf portions 1139" and 1190 "through an opening (not shown) provided at the distal end 1133" of the anvil body 1132'. The 1132 "and the anvil cap 1170" can be made from a metal material having the conductivity required for welding, even if the first welded portion 1178 "extends around the entire outer circumference 1172" of the anvil cap 1170 ". Well, or only along the long side 1177 "of the anvil cap 1170", it may not be located at the distal end 1173 "and / or the proximal end (not shown) of the anvil cap 1170". The welded portion 1178 "may be continuous, discontinuous or intermittent. The embodiment of the continuous welded portion is linear, for example, as in the anvil cap shown in FIG. 26. It will be appreciated that the irregularly shaped perimeter of the anvil cap 1170 "has more welded surface area as compared to embodiments with outer perimeters. In embodiments where the welds 1178 "are discontinuous or intermittent, the weld segments may be evenly distributed along the long sides 1177" of the anvil cap 1170 "or the weld segments are of the long sides 1177". It may be closer to the distal end and more closely spaced, or it may be closer to the proximal end of the long side 1177 "and more closely separated. In yet other configurations, the weld segment may be more closely spaced. It may be more closely spaced in the central region of the long side 1177 "of the anvil cap 1170".

Still referring to FIGS. 31 and 32, the anvil cap 1170 "may be additionally welded to the anvil body 1132" by a plurality of second "deep" individual welds 1192 ". For example, each weld 1192 "may be located at the bottom of a corresponding hole or opening 1194" provided through the anvil cap 1170 ", whereby the individual weld 1192" is a shelf portion 1190 ". Can be formed along the portion of the anvil body 1132 "between 1139" and 1139 ". See FIG. 32. Welds 1192" are evenly distributed along the long side 1177 "of the anvil cap 1170". Alternatively, the weld 1192 "may be closer to the distal end of the long side 1177" and more closely spaced, or closer to the proximal end of the long side 1177 ". In yet other configurations, the welds 1192 "may be more closely spaced in the central region of the long side 1177" of the anvil cap 1170 ".

FIG. 33 shows another anvil cap 1170 ″ which is mechanically coupled to the anvil body 1132 ″ and configured to be welded to the upper body portion 1165. In this embodiment, the "Sanehagi" configuration is used along each long side 1177 "" of the anvil cap 1170 ". Specifically, laterally extending continuous or intermittent tabs 1195 "" project from each of the long sides 1177 "" of the anvil cap 1170 "". Each tab 1195 "corresponds to an axial slot 1197''' formed within the anvil body 1132''. The anvil cap 1170'''is an opening at the distal end of the anvil body 1132'''. Sliding in from (not shown), the anvil cap is "mechanically" fixed to the anvil body 1132'''. The tabs 1195 ″ and slot 1197 ″ may be sized relative to each other to establish a sliding friction fit between them. In addition, the anvil cap 1170 "" may be welded to the anvil body 1132 "". The anvil body 1132 ″ and anvil cap 1170 ″ may be made of a metal having the conductivity required for welding. The weld 1178''' may extend around the entire outer circumference of the anvil cap 1170''', or is placed only along the long side 1177''' of the anvil cap 1170'''. May be done. The welded portion 1178 ″ may be continuous, discontinuous or intermittent. In embodiments where the welds 1178''' are discontinuous or intermittent, the weld segments may be evenly distributed along the long sides 1177''' of the anvil cap 1170'', or the weld segments are , May be closer to the distal end of the long side 1177'''' and more closely spaced, or may be closer and closer to the proximal end of the long side 1177''''. In yet another configuration, the weld segments may be more closely spaced in the central region of the long side 1177 ″ of the anvil cap 1170 ″ ″.

Anvil embodiments with anvil caps described herein may provide several advantages. For example, one advantage can make the process of assembling anvils and launchers easier. That is, the launcher may be installed through the opening of the anvil body while the anvil is attached to the elongated channel. Another advantage is that the top cap can improve the stiffness and resistance of the anvil to the aforementioned bending forces that can be experienced when clamping tissue. By resisting such bending, the frictional forces normally encountered by the launching member 1660 can be reduced. Therefore, the amount of firing force required to drive the launching member from its start position to its ending position within the surgical staple may also be reduced.

As described above, as the anvil body 1130 begins to pivot, the anvil body 1132 is placed between the underside of the elongated anvil body 1132 and the deck of the surgical staple cartridge 1110 and comes into contact with the tissue to be cut and stapled. .. As the anvil body 1132 is pressed onto the tissue, the anvil 1130 can receive a considerable amount of resistance. In order to continue the closure process, these resistances must be overcome by the distal closure segment 1430 as the distal closure segment 1430 comes into cam contact with the anvil attachment 1150. These resistances may generally be applied to the distal closed tube segment 1430 in the vertical direction V, and if these forces are excessive, the distal closed tube segment 1430 may be vertically expanded or extended. It is conceivable that the distance ID in FIG. 31 can be increased. If the distal closure tube 1430 extends vertically, the distal closure tube segment 1430 may not be able to effectively close the anvil 1130 and hold the anvil 1130 in a completely closed position. When that condition occurs, the launching member 1660 may encounter a dramatically higher resistance force, resulting in the need for a higher launching force in order to advance the launching member distally.

34 and 35 show one form of a closing member for applying a closing motion to the movable jaw of a surgical instrument. In the illustrated configuration, the closure member comprises, for example, a distal closure tube segment 1430 having a closure body portion 1470. As mentioned above, one form of the compatible surgical tool assembly 1000 is configured to facilitate selective range of motion of the surgical end effector 1100. To facilitate such joint movement, the distal closed tube segment 1430 is proximally closed by the upper tongue 1434 and lower tongue 1436 and the upper double pivot link 1220 and lower double pivot link 1222. It is movably connected to the tube segment 1410. See FIG. In one configuration, the distal closed tube segment 1430 may be machined from, for example, a round bar material made from a suitable metal material, or may be formed in another way. In the illustrated configuration, the closed body 1470 has an outer surface 1431 and an inner surface 1433, the inner surface 1433 having an upper wall portion 1440 with an upper wall cross section thickness UWT and a lower wall cross section thickness LWT. Determine the lower wall portion 1442 to have. The upper wall portion 1440 is located above the shaft axis SA, and the lower wall portion 1442 is located below the shaft axis SA. The distal end 1441 of the upper wall portion 1440 has an internal cam surface 1444 formed on it at a cam angle Θ. Also, in the illustrated embodiment, the UWT is larger than the LWT (ie, UWT> LWT), that is, if the distal closed tube segment has a uniform wall thickness, then UWT> LWT. It serves to provide an internal cam surface 1444 that is longer than what can be obtained. The long internal cam surface may be advantageous in transmitting the closing force to one or more cam surfaces on the anvil mounting portion 1150. As also seen in FIGS. 34 and 35, the transition side walls 1446 and 1448 located on both sides of the shaft axis SA between the upper wall portion 1440 and the lower wall portion 1442 are generally flat and vertically extending. The inner side wall surfaces 1451 and 1453 are provided, and the inner side wall surfaces 1451 and 1453 can be substantially parallel to each other. The transition side walls 1446 and 1448 each have a wall thickness that transitions from the upper wall thickness to the lower wall thickness.

In the configured configuration, the distal closed tube segment 1430 also includes a positive jaw or anvil opening mechanism 1462 that corresponds to each of the sidewalls 1446 and 1448 and projects inward from it. As seen in FIGS. 34 and 35, the anvil opening mechanism 1462 is formed on the lateral mounting body 1460, which is a transition adjacent to the distal end 1438 of the distal closed tube segment 1430. It is sized to be received within the correspondingly shaped cavities 1447 and 1449 machined or otherwise formed within the sidewalls 1446 and 1448. The positive anvil opening mechanism 1462 extends inward through the corresponding openings 1450 and 1452 in the transition sidewalls 1446 and 1448. In the illustrated configuration, the lateral mounting body 1460 is welded to the distal closed tube segment 1430 at the weld 1454. In addition to or in place of the weld, the lateral mounting body 1460 may be held in place using mechanical / friction fits, tongues, adhesives, and the like.

FIGS. 36-41 show an example of how the distal closed tube segment 1430 is used to move the anvil 1130 from a fully closed position to a fully open position. 36 and 39 show the position of the distal closed tube segment 1430, more specifically one of the positive anvil opening mechanisms 1462 when the distal closed tube segment 1430 is in the completely closed position. Indicates the position. In the illustrated example, an anvil open slope 1162 is formed on the lower surface of each anvil mounting flange 1151. When the anvil 1130 and the distal closure segment 1430 are in the fully enclosed position shown in FIG. 36, each of the positive anvil opening mechanisms 1462 is established between the anvil opening slope 1162 and the bottom of the elongated channel 1102. It is located in the cavity 1164. When in the above position, the positive anvil opening mechanism 1462 does not contact the anvil mounting portion 1150, or at least does not exert a significant opening motion or force on it. 37 and 40 show the location of the anvil 1130 and the distal closed tube segment 1430 when the opening motion of the proximal PD was first applied to the distal closed tube segment 1430. As seen in FIG. 37, the positive jaw opening mechanism 1462 first contacts the anvil opening tilt portion 1164 to initiate pivoting of the anvil 1130 to the open position. In the illustrated configuration, each of the positive anvil opening mechanisms 1462 has an inclined or rounded distal end 1463 to facilitate better cam contact with the corresponding anvil opening inclined surface 1162. In FIGS. 38 and 41, the distal closed tube segment 1430 is retracted to a fully retracted position, which drives the positive anvil opening mechanism 1462 to the distal end of the anvil open inclined surface 1162. This causes the anvil 1130 to be pivoted to its fully open position as shown in the figure. Other embodiments do not require the use of a positive jaw opening mechanism, but urge the anvil to the open position when the distal closed tube segment is retracted to its most recent starting position. Therefore, it may depend on a spring or other urging configuration.

42 and 43 show another closing member for applying a closing motion to the movable jaw of a surgical instrument. In this example, the closure member comprises a distal closure segment 1430', which has no positive anvil opening mechanism and is similar to the distal closure segment 1430. obtain. The distal closed tube segment 1430'has a closed body 1470', the closed body 1470'has an outer surface 1440' and an inner surface 1433', and the outer surface 1440'and the inner surface 1433' are on top. The wall portion 1440'and the lower wall portion 1442' are defined. As mentioned above, it may be desirable to use the largest possible internal cam surface 1444'in order to maximize cam contact with the cam surface on the anvil mount 1150 and thereby effectively transmit the closing force. be. Therefore, the upper wall portion 1440'of the distal closed tube segment 1430' may be provided with the thickest wall thickness UWT, and the lower portion of the distal closed tube segment 1430' has the thinnest wall thickness LWT. You may. For reference purposes, UWTs and LWTs are measured along a common reference line extending through the central axis or point C of the distal closed tube segment 1430'. Thus, when the UWT faces the LWT in the radial direction, UWT> LWT. Such a wall thickness configuration facilitates the formation of a longer internal cam surface 1444'.

As seen in FIG. 43, the distal closed tube segment 1430'has an outer surface 1431' with a circular cross-sectional shape. The distal closed tube segment 1430'may be machined from a solid rod material. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner radius R ₁ from the first central axis A _inner extends to the inner surface 1433'and the outer radius R ₂ from the second central axis A _outer extends to the outer surface. It extends to 1431'. In the illustrated embodiment, the axis A _inner is offset from the axis A _outer by a distance OR and R ₂ > R ₁ .

FIG. 44 shows another closing member for applying a closing motion to the movable jaw of a surgical instrument. In this embodiment, the closure member comprises a distal closure tube segment 1430 "with a closure body 1470". The closed body 1470 "has an outer surface 1431'and an inner surface 1433', and the outer surface 1431'and the inner surface 1433' have an upper wall portion 1440 with an upper wall thickness UWT and a lower wall thickness LWT. Demarcates a lower wall portion with 1442'and two side wall portions 1435', each having a side wall thickness SWT. In the illustrated embodiment, UWT> LWT, and therefore SWT> UWT. SWT> UWT> LWT. In the illustrated configuration, the plurality of side wall portions 1435'have the same side wall thickness SWT. In other configurations, the plurality of side wall portions 1435'have different thicknesses. Maybe, as seen in FIG. 44, each side wall portion 1435'defines a vertically extending inner surface portion 1437'. In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of vertically extending inner surfaces. The portions are approximately parallel to each other. Such a thicker vertical sidewall portion 1435'helps prevent or at least minimize the distal closed tube segment 1430 "longitudinal extension during use. Can be done.

In the example shown in FIG. 45, R ₁ and R ₂ are measured from a common center point or center axis C, and R ₁ > R ₂ . Each of the side wall portions 1435 "of the closed body portion 1470"'' of the distal closed tube segment 1430'''' extending between the upper 1431 "and 1433" is UWT at a point along the horizontal reference line HR. The horizontal reference line HR extends through the central axis C and is perpendicular to the vertical reference line VR through which the UWT and LWT can be measured and compared. Therefore, SWT = UWT. In other embodiments, the SWT may be slightly smaller than the UWT when measured along the horizontal reference line HR. The SWT has a lower wall with a constant side wall portion 1435'. It may continue to decrease until it transitions to the lower 1433'with a thickness LWT. Therefore, the inner side wall 1437 "is perpendicular to the horizontal reference axis HR and parallel to the vertical reference axis VR'. When measured from, it extends at angle A ₂ .

FIG. 46 shows another closing member for applying a closing motion to the movable jaw of a surgical instrument. In this embodiment, the closing member comprises a distal closing tube segment 1430 "with a closing body 1470" having a round outer surface 1431 "and a rectangular shaped internal passage 1439 extending through the member. The outer surface 1431 "is located at a geometric center point or a distance R from the center axis C. The upper wall thickness UWT is equal to the lower wall thickness LWT when measured along the vertical reference axis VR extending through the center point or center axis C as shown. When measured along the horizontal reference axis HR, which extends through the center point or center axis C and is perpendicular to the vertical reference axis VR, the thickness SWT of the side wall portion 1437 "is the upper wall thickness UWT and the lower wall thickness. The SWT is larger than the UWT and LWT, in other words, the portion of the distal closed tube segment 1430 ”located above the horizontal reference line HR is below the horizontal reference line HR. It is a mirror image of the portion of the distal closed tube segment 1430 "located. In this embodiment, the side portion 1437" is thicker than the upper and lower wall sections, and the distal closed tube segment is vertically elongated. There may be a tendency to prevent or minimize the tendency to become. The inner cam surface may be formed on the distal end of the upper wall portion 1440 ".

In the illustrated configuration, the anvil 1130 is moved between the open and closed positions by advancing the distal closed tube segment 1430 distally. As seen in FIG. 41, when the anvil 1130 is in the fully open position, the distal end 1163 of the anvil mounting flange 1151 may extend above the deck surface 1116 of the staple cartridge 1110. When the closure process is initiated by advancing the distal closure segment in the distal DD, the distal end 1163 of the anvil mounting flange 1151 extends beyond the deck surface 1116 of the staple cartridge 1110. Prevents tissue from intervening, which can interfere with the closure process. See FIG. 40. When the anvil 1130 is moved to a completely closed position by the distal closed tube segment 1430, the distal end 1461 of the laterally mounted body on the distal closed tube segment 1430 is to prevent tissue from getting in between. It also acts as a tissue stop in the. See FIG. 41.

FIG. 47 shows a portion of a surgical end effector 110'that may be similar to the surgical end effector 110 of the compatible surgical tool assembly 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 47, the anvil 114 includes an elongated body portion 190 and an anvil mounting portion 192. The anvil mounting portion 192 comprises two spaced apart anvil mounting flanges 194 that project proximally from the elongated body portion 190. Each anvil mounting flange 194 has an outwardly extending trunnion 196 on it. Each trunnion 196 is movably received within a corresponding kidney-shaped slot or elongated arched trunnion slot 197 provided within the elongated channel 112. When the anvil 114 is in the "fully open" position, the trunnion 196 is approximately located at the bottom 198 of the elongated arched trunnion slot 197. The anvil 114 can be moved to the closed position by advancing the distal closed tube segment 142 in the distal DD so that the end 148 of the distal closed tube segment 142 is anvil of the anvil 114. It rides on the cam surface 193 formed on the mounting portion 192. As the distal end 148 of the distal closed tube segment 142 advances distally along the cam surface 193 on the anvil attachment 192, the distal closed tube segment 142 pivots the body portion 190 of the anvil 114. And move in the axial direction with respect to the surgical staple cartridge 116. When the distal closed tube segment 142 reaches the end of its closure stroke, the distal end 148 of the distal closed tube segment 142 abuts / contacts the sheer anvil shelf portion 191 under the body portion 190. It serves to position the anvil 114 so that the side molding pockets (not shown) are properly aligned with the staples in the cartridge. The anvil shelf portion 191 is defined between the cam surface 193 on the anvil mounting portion 192 and the elongated anvil body portion 190. In other words, in this configuration, the cam surface 193 does not extend to the outermost surface 195 of the anvil body 190. Any further closing motion / closing force applied to the anvil 114 after the distal closure tube 142 has reached this fully extended position can cause damage to the anvil and / or closure system components. In this configuration, as seen in FIG. 47, the closing force _HF is parallel to the shaft axis SA. The distance from the axis or plane _TA passing through the center of trunnion 196 to the closing force vector F _H is expressed as the distance X _{R. Multiplying} this distance X _R by the closing force _HF represents the closing moment CM applied to the anvil 114.

48 and 49 show the closing force configuration of the surgical end effector 1100 of the compatible tool assembly 1000 with respect to the anvil 1130. As mentioned above, the anvil trunnion 1158 is pivotally mounted within the hole 1154 of the elongated channel 1102. Unlike the anvil 114, the anvil 1130 does not move in the axial direction. Instead, the anvil 1130 is constrained to only pivot around the anvil axis AA. As the distal closure segment 1430 advances in the distal DD under horizontal closure force _HF1 , between the internal cam surface 1444 on the distal closure segment 1430 and the cam surface 1152 on the anvil mount 1150. As a result of the interaction of, the distal closed tube segment ₁₄₃₀ is subject to the closing force vertical component VF. The resulting force vector F _N received by the cam surface 1152 on the anvil mount 1150 is "perpendicular" to the internal cam surface 1444, i.e. orthogonal to the internal cam surface 1444. The angle Θ shown in FIGS. 48 and 49 represents the angle between the cam surface 1152 and the internal cam surface 1440 with respect to the horizontal plane. The distance between the resulting force vector _{F N} and the axis or plane TA extending through the center of the anvil trunnion 1158 is expressed as the moment arm _MA . Multiplying this moment arm distance MA by the obtained force vector _{F N} represents the closing moment _CM1 applied to the anvil 1130. Therefore, in applications where the horizontal closing force _{F H} = _{F H1} , in addition to the anvil 1130, the closing moment applied to the anvil 1130 is greater than the closing moment applied to the anvil 114 because MA> XR. The actual amount of closing torque applied will be greater than the amount of closing torque applied to the anvil 114. FIG. 49 also shows the resistance established by the tissue during the closure process. _FT represents the force generated by the tissue when it is clamped between the anvil and the staple cartridge. This "counter" moment MT applied to the anvil 1130 is the organizational force _TF at the distance _XT between the organizational force _TF and the axis or plane _TA extending through the center of the anvil _trunnion 1158. Equal to multiply. Therefore, _CM1 must be _greater than MT to achieve the desired amount of anvil closure.

Returning to the example shown in FIG. 47, the launch bar 170 is attached to the launch member 174, which, when in its starting or unlaunched position, is located within the elongated channel 112, more specifically. , It can be seen that the position completely distal to the distal closed tube segment 142, i.e., where the upper 175 of the launching member 174 is in contact with a portion of the anvil 114. As the anvil 114 moves to the closed position, the launch member 174 is located at a position where the upper portion 175 of the launch member 174 can come into contact with the anvil, so that in such a configuration, the anvil 114 is fully or sufficiently Higher closing forces may be required to move to a closed position. In addition, when the launch system is activated, higher launch forces may be required to overcome frictional interference between the top 175 of the launch member 174 and the anvil 114. Conversely, as seen in FIG. 48, within the end effector 1100, the launcher 1660 is "stopped" within the launcher stop region 1154 within the distal closed tube segment 1430. When the launching member 1660 is located within the launching member stop region 1154 within the distal closed tube segment 1430, it is not possible to generate a significant amount of frictional force with the anvil. Therefore, one of the benefits that can be achieved by stopping the launcher 1660 entirely within the distal closed tube segment 1430 is the reduction in the amount of closing force required to close the anvil to the fully closed position, and / Or it could be a reduction in the amount of firing force required to advance the launching member from the start position to the ending position in the end effector. In other words, the launcher 1660 is completely proximal to the distal end of the distal closed tube segment 1430 and the internal cam surface 1444 above it, and the launcher and anvil. Stopping the launching member 1660 so that any frictional contact between them is in a starting position where it is eliminated or reduced, ultimately, the necessary closing and launching forces generated for the operation of the end effector. Can be smaller.

As mentioned above, excessive bending of the anvil during the closure and firing process may require an undesired, higher firing force. Therefore, a more rigid anvil configuration is generally desirable. Returning to FIGS. 20 and 21, another advantage that can be provided by the illustrated anvil 1130 and elongated channel 1102 is that the anvil mounting portion 1150 of the anvil 1130 is generally more robust, and thus other anvil and elongated channels. It is more rigid than the configuration of. FIG. 50 shows the use of a reinforcing gusset 199 between the anvil mounting flange 194 and the elongated anvil body portion 190. Similar gusset configurations can be used between the anvil mounting flange 1151 of the anvil 1130 and the anvil body 1132 to further improve the anvil rigidity.

As mentioned above, the compatible surgical tool 1000 includes an elastic spine member 1520. As seen in FIGS. 6, 7, 7A, 8 and 51-54, the distal end portion 1522 of the elastic spine member 1520 is the elastic spine member 15 due to the telescopic mechanism 1530 formed on the elastic spine member 1520. Separated from the proximal end 1524 of. In addition, the stretch limiting insert 1540 is held and supported between the distal end 1522 and the proximal end 1524. In various configurations, the elastic spine member 1520 may be made of, for example, suitable polymeric materials, rubber, etc., which have the modulus of elasticity indicated by ME ₁ for reference purposes. The telescopic mechanism 1530 may include a plurality of stretchable cavities 1532. As seen in FIG. 7A, the illustrated telescopic mechanism 1530 comprises four triangular stretchable cavities 1532, the stretchable cavities 1532 having some between the stretchable cavities 1532. It is arranged so as to define a flexible wall segment 1534. Other shapes and numbers may be used for the stretchable cavities 1532. The stretchable cavity 1532 may be formed, for example, in the elastic spine member 1520 by molding or machining.

Still referring to FIGS. 6, 7 and 51-54, the stretch limiting insert 1540 comprises a body portion 1541 having a modulus of elasticity represented by ME ₂ for reference purposes. As seen in FIG. 6, the body portion 1541 includes two downwardly extending mounting lugs 1542, each configured to sit within a mounting cavity 1535 formed in the elastic spine member 1520. See also FIG. 7A. In order to provide the stretch limiting insert 1540 with the desired amount of stretch capacity and elasticity, the body portion 1541 in the illustrated configuration is provided with a plurality of upper cavities 1543. The illustrated embodiment has a relatively square or rectangular shape and includes four upper cavities 1543 spaced apart so as to define a flexible wall 1544 between them. Other embodiments may include upper cavities of other numbers and shapes. The body portion 1541 of the exemplary telescopic limiting insert 1540 is also centrally located and includes a downwardly projecting central lug portion 1545 such that the central protruding portion 1545 is seated in the central cavity 1536 above the telescopic mechanism 1530. It is configured in. See FIG. 7A. In the illustrated embodiment, the central lug portion 1545 includes a pair of central passages 1546 extending laterally through them, with a flexible wall 1547 defined between the pair of central passages 1546. There is.

Also, in the illustrated example, the stretch limiting insert 1540 includes an elongated lateral cavity 1548 disposed laterally laterally of the body portion 1541. Only one lateral cavity 1548 may be shown in FIGS. 6 and 51-54. Each elongated lateral cavity 1548 is configured to support a corresponding telescopic limiter 1550 therein. Therefore, in the described embodiments, two telescopic limiters 1550 are used within the stretch limiting insert 1540. In at least one configuration, the telescopic limiter 1550 includes an elongated body portion 1552 at each end that terminates with a downwardly extending mounting lug 1554. Each mounting lug 1554 is received within the corresponding lug cavity 1549 formed in the body portion 1541. The stretch limiter may have a modulus of elasticity represented by ME ₃ for reference purposes. In at least one configuration, ME ₃ <ME ₂ <ME ₁ .

Here, the operation of the compatible surgical tool assembly 1000 when operably attached to the handle assembly 500 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 51-54. FIG. 51 shows anvil assembly 1130 in the open position. As can be seen in this figure, the distal closed tube segment 1430 is in its starting or inactive position and the positive anvil opening mechanism 1462 pivots the anvil 1130 to the open position. In addition, the launching member 1660 is in the non-actuated or starting position and the upper portion including the upper nose portion 1630 is stopped within the launching member stop area 1154 of the anvil mounting portion 1150. When the compatible tool assembly 1000 is in this inactive state, the stretch limiting insert 1540 is in the non-stretchable state. The axial length of the stretch limiting insert 1540 when in the unstretched state is represented by the reference numeral _Lus in FIG. _Lus is the distance between the reference axis A corresponding to the proximal end of the body portion 1541 of the telescopic limiting insert 1540 and the reference axis B corresponding to the distal end of the body portion 1541, as shown in FIG. Represents. The axis represented by the symbol F corresponds to the position of the distal end of the staple cartridge 1110 properly seated in the elongated channel 1102. It will be appreciated that when the tool assembly 1000 is in this inactive state, the elastic spine member 1520 is in a relaxed, unstretched state.

FIG. 52 shows a compatible surgical tool assembly 1000 after the closure drive system 510 has been activated as described above and the distal closure tube segment 1430 has been driven into the distal DD. As the distal closed tube segment 1430 moves distally, the cam surface 1444 on the distal end 1441 of the upper wall portion 1440 of the distal closed tube segment 1430 is with the cam surface 1152 on the anvil mount 1150. The cam contacts and the anvil 1130 is pivoted to the closed position shown. The closed drive system 510 moves the distal closed tube segment 1430 over the closed stroke distance and then stops, and the distal closed tube segment is axially locked by the closed drive system 510. Or otherwise, it is held axially at that position. When the distal closed tube segment 1430 contacts the anvil attachment 1150, the closing force generated by the distal advancement of the distal closed tube segment 1430 on the anvil 1130 is also axial along the anvil 1130 and the elongated channel 1102. Advance to the distal DD. The telescopic mechanism 1530 within the elastic spine 1520 begins to expand and contract to accommodate this distal advance of the elongated channels 1102 and anvil 1130. The axis B shown in FIG. 52 is the reference axis of the expansion / contraction limiting insert 1540 when it is in the relaxed state or the unstretched state. The axis C corresponds to the end of the stretch limiting insert 1540 after the stretch limiting insert 1540 has been stretched to its maximum length. The distance L _s represents the maximum amount or length that the stretch limiting insert 1540 can be stretched. The axis G corresponds to the position of the distal end of the surgical staple cartridge 1110 after the anvil 1130 has been moved to its "first" closed position. The distance _LT between the reference axes F and G represents the axial distance traveled by the elongated channels 1102 and the anvil 1130 during the operation of the closed drive system 510. This distance _LT may be equal to the distance _LS at which the stretch limiting insert 1540 is stretched and contracted by limiting the stretch limiting insert 1540 by the stretch limiter 1550 during the closing process.

Returning to FIG. 51, it can be noted that prior to the start of the closure process, there is a space S between each mounting lug 1554 of the telescopic limiter 1550 and each inner wall 1551 of the lug cavity 1549. As can be seen in FIG. 52, the space S disappears. That is, each of the mounting lugs 1554 abuts on the corresponding cavity wall 1549 in the stretch limiting insert 1540. Thus, the stretch limiter 1550 serves to limit the amount of stretch received by the stretch limiting insert 1540, which in turn serves to limit the stretch limiting insert 1540 in the distal direction of the elongated channels 1102 and the anvil 1130 with respect to the proximal end 1524 of the elastic spine 1520. Limit the amount. The distal closure tube 1430 is axially locked in place by the closure drive system 510. When the anvil 1130 is in that position, the anvil 1130 is held in the "first" closed position with respect to the surgical staple cartridge 1110. Since the launch drive system 530 has not yet been activated, the launch member 1660 has not moved and remains stopped within the launch member stop region 1154. The position of the underside of the anvil 1130 when in the "first" closed position is represented by the axis K in FIGS. 52 and 53.

FIG. 53 shows the position of the launch member 1660 after the launch drive system 530 was first activated. As can be seen in this figure, the launching member 1660 exits the launching member stop region 1154 and advances distally. Each of the upper parts of the launch member 1660, more specifically the upper anvil engagement mechanism 1672, has entered the proximal inclined portion 1138 of the corresponding axial passage 1146 in the anvil 1130. At this point in the process, the anvil 1130 may be under considerable bending stress caused by the structure clamped between the underside of the anvil 1130 and the deck of the staple cartridge 1110. This bending stress, as well as the frictional resistance between the various parts of the launching member and the anvil 1130 and the elongated channel 1102, causes the elongated channel 1102 and the distal side closure while the launching member 1660 first advances distally. It serves to essentially hold the tube segment in a static state. During this period, the amount of force required to launch the launching member 1660, or in other words, pushing the launching member 1660 distally through the tissue clamped between the anvil 1130 and the cartridge 1110. Increases the amount of force required for. See line 1480 in FIG. 55. Also during this period, the telescopic limiting insert attempts to retract the elongated channel 1102 and anvil 1130 into the distal closed tube segment 1430 by retracting into the proximal PD. When the amount of friction between the launcher 1660 and the anvil 1130 and the elongated channel 1102 is less than the retracting force generated by the stretch limiting insert 1540, the stretch limiting insert 1540 distally displaces the elongated channel 1102 and the anvil 1130. It will be pulled further proximally into the closed tube segment 1430. The position of the distal end 1113 of the staple cartridge 1110 after the elongated channel 1102 and the anvil 1130 have moved to the proximal direction PD is represented in FIG. 54 as position H. The axial distance that the elongated channels 1102 and anvil 1130 have moved in the proximal direction PD is represented in FIG. 54 as the distance I. As a result of the proximal movement of the anvil 1130 and the elongated channel 1102 into the distal closed tube segment 1430, the distal closed tube segment 1430 exerts an additional closing force on the anvil 1130. The line M in FIG. 54 represents the "second" closure position of the anvil 1130. The distance between position K and position M, represented as distance N, includes the vertical distance at which the distal end 1133 of the anvil body 1132 travels between the first closed position and the second closed position.

When the anvil 1130 was in the second closure position and an additional closure force was applied to the anvil 1130 by the distal closure tube segment 1430, the closure force was clamped between the anvil 1130 and the cartridge 1110. It resists the amount of bending force applied to the anvil 1130 by the tissue. Such a condition may result in better alignment between the passageway within the anvil body 1130 and the launching member 1660, which ultimately results in the launching member 1660 distally through the end effector 1100. As it continues to move forward, the amount of frictional resistance that the launching member 1660 receives can be reduced. Therefore, the amount of firing force required to advance the launching member through the rest of its firing stroke to the end position can be reduced. This reduction in firing power can be seen in the chart of FIG. The chart shown in FIG. 55 compares the firing forces (energy) required to drive the launching member from start to finish of the firing process. Line 1480 represents the amount of firing force required to move the launching member 1660 from its starting position to its ending position when the end effector 1100 clamps tissue into it. Line 1482 represents, for example, the amount of firing force required to move the launching member when using the compatible surgical tool assembly 1000 described above. Line 1482 represents the firing force required to move the launching member 174 from its start to end position through the tissue clamped within the end effector 110 or 110'. As can be seen from this chart, the firing force required by both the surgical tool assembly 100 and 1000 is that the elastic spine assembly 1510 of the compatible tool assembly 1000 adds a second amount of closing force to the anvil. Up to time 1484 are substantially the same or very similar. As seen in the chart of FIG. 55, when the anvil 1130 receives a second amount of closing force (point 1484), the amount of closing force required to complete the firing process is the closing force in the tool assembly 100. Less than the amount of closing force required to complete the process.

FIG. 56 compares the amount of launch load required to move the launch members of various surgical end effectors from the start position (0.0) to the end position (1.0). The vertical axis represents the amount of launch load, and the horizontal axis represents the distance traveled by the launch member between the start position (0.0) and the end position (1.0) as a percentage. Line 1490 indicates, for example, the firing force required to launch the firing member of the surgical tool assembly 100 or similar tool assembly. Line 1492 is, for example, U.S. Patent Application No. ________, the title of the invention "STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING STAPLES WITH DIFFERENT CLAMPING BREADTHS", the agent reference number END8047USNP / 160195, respectively, and the same application herein. To launch a launch member of a surgical tool assembly that employs various launch member improvements and configurations that may be disclosed in other U.S. patent applications described above, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Shows the required firing power. Line 1494 is required to launch the launching member of the surgical tool assembly from its starting position to its ending position, using at least some of the features and configurations disclosed herein to reinforce the anvil. Shows a high firing power. The wire 1496 is required to launch a surgical tool assembly that employs, for example, an elastic spine configuration and employs at least some of the features and configurations disclosed herein to reinforce the anvil. Shows the firing power. As can be seen in the figure, surgical tool assemblies that employ elastic spine configurations and at least some of the anvil reinforcement configurations disclosed herein have much lower force vs. firing requirements.

Example 1: A surgical end effector comprising a first jaw configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge that operably supports a cam assembly therein. The cam assembly is axially movable through the surgical staple cartridge and ejects the surgical staple from the surgical staple cartridge as the cam assembly is moved from the unfired position to the fired position. The launching member is axially within the surgical staple cartridge between the start position proximal to the surgical staple cartridge and the end position within the staple cartridge when launch and retreat motions are applied. It is supported to move. The lockout system is supported within the surgical end effector and, when the launching member is in the starting position, is laterally urged to laterally hold engage with the launching member, thereby holding the launching member in the starting position. .. The lockout system contacts the cam assembly of the surgical staple cartridge seated in the first jaw and is laterally urged to hold laterally when the surgical staple cartridge cam assembly is in the unlaunched position. It is configured to disengage from engagement.

Example 2: The launch member comprises a body portion with lateral sides and the lockout system comprises a lockout member with at least one laterally moving lock portion, when the launch member is in the starting position. The surgical end effector of Example 1, configured to laterally hold and engage with one of the lateral sides of the body portion.

Example 3: The surgical end effector of Example 2, wherein the lockout member comprises a spring with two laterally moving locking portions.

Example 4: A first holding mechanism in which the launching member laterally projects from the first lateral side surface of the lateral side surface of the main body portion, and a second lateral direction of the lateral side surface of the main body portion. A first distal that comprises a second holding mechanism that projects laterally from the side surface and is configured such that the two laterally moving locking portions engage the first holding mechanism in a retaining manner. A second lateral movement with an end-equipped first laterally moving lock arm and a second distal end configured to holdfully engage the second holding mechanism. The surgical end effector of Example 3, comprising a locking arm.

Example 5: The first distal end comprises a first locking window configured to retentively receive at least a portion of the first retention mechanism internally and the second distal end. The surgical end effector of Example 4, comprising a second locking window internally configured to retain at least a portion of the second locking mechanism.

Example 6: Further comprising a second jaw supported adjacent to the first jaw and applying open and closed movements to at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw. , At least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is selectively movable with respect to the other of the first jaw and the second jaw, Examples 1, 2 3, 4 or 5 surgical end effectors.

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

Example 8: A surgical end effector of Example 7, comprising an anvil body, wherein the anvil has an axial slot inside to allow a portion of the launching member to pass axially through it. The anvil body further includes an axial passage on each side of the axial slot.

Example 9: Anvil body extending laterally from a foot portion configured to slidably pass through a corresponding passage in a first jaw and a top of the launching member body. It comprises a laterally extending anvil engagement mechanism configured to pass through one of the inner axial passages, the first and second engagement mechanisms being the foot and the foot. The surgical end effector of Example 8 located between the anvil engagement mechanism.

Example 10: A surgical staple fastening device comprising an elongated shaft defining a shaft axis. The elongated channel is operably connected to the elongated shaft. The staple fastener further comprises a surgical staple cartridge with a cartridge body configured to be removablely seated within an elongated channel. The cam assembly is supported within the cartridge body and is axially movable through the cartridge body from the unlaunched position to the fired position. Surgical staple fasteners are also provided within the surgical staple cartridge between the start position proximal to the surgical staple cartridge and the end position within the surgical staple cartridge when firing and retreat movements are applied. It comprises a launching member that is supported to move in the axial direction. The lockout system is supported within a surgical staple fastener that is laterally urged and laterally held engaged with the launching member when the launching member is in the starting position, thereby holding the launching member in the starting position. do. The lockout system is configured so that when the cam assembly is in the unfired position, when the cam assembly comes into contact, it is laterally urged to disengage from the lateral holding engagement.

Example 11: The surgical staple fastening device of Example 10, wherein the launching member comprises a launching member body with two lateral sides. The launching member body includes a tissue cutting mechanism. The lockout system comprises a lockout member comprising at least one lock portion that is laterally movable across the shaft axis. The at least one locking portion is configured to laterally hold and engage one of the corresponding lateral sides of the launching member body portion when the launching member is in the starting position.

Example 12: A third lockout member comprising a U-shaped spring comprising a central spring portion, wherein at least one lock portion extends from the central spring portion and corresponds to one of the lateral sides of the launching member body. The surgical staple fastening device of Example 11 comprising the movable locking portion of 1. A second movable lock portion extends from the central spring portion and corresponds to the other of the lateral sides of the launching member body.

Example 13: The surgical staple fastening device of Example 12, further comprising a first holding mechanism in which the launching member laterally projects from the first lateral side surface of the lateral side surface of the launching member body portion. The second holding mechanism laterally projects from the second lateral side surface of the lateral side surface of the launching member body portion, and the first movable locking portion holds and engages the first holding mechanism. It comprises a first distal end that is configured and a second movable locking portion includes a second distal end that is configured to hold and engage a second holding mechanism.

Example 14: The first distal end comprises a first locking window configured to retentively receive at least a portion of the first retention mechanism within the second distal end. The surgical staple fastening device of Example 13, comprising a second locking window configured therein to hold and receive at least a portion of the second locking mechanism.

Example 15: The cam assembly comprises at least one unlocking mechanism configured to laterally urge the lockout system to disengage from the lateral holding engagement when the cam assembly is in the unfired position. The surgical staple fastening device of Example 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14 provided.

Example 16: The cam assembly is configured to laterally urge the first distal end to disengage from the holding engagement with the first holding mechanism when the cam assembly is in the unlaunched position. The surgical staple fastening device of Example 13, comprising a first unlocking mechanism. The second unlocking mechanism is configured to laterally urge the second distal end to disengage from the holding engagement with the second holding mechanism when the cam assembly is in the unlaunched position. There is.

Example 17: A surgical end effector comprising a first jaw configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge internally. The launcher moves axially within the surgical staple cartridge between the start position proximal to the surgical staple cartridge and the end position within the staple cartridge when launch and retreat motions are applied. It is supported to do. The surgical end effector further provides a means for holding the launching member in the starting position unless an unlaunched surgical staple cartridge with an internal unlaunched surgical staple cartridge is seated in the first jaw. When a firing motion is applied to the launching member, the cam assembly laterally urges the means for holding to disengage the holding engagement with the launching member, whereby the launching member disengages the surgical staple cartridge. Allows you to move forward in the axial direction through.

Example 18: When the surgical end effector defines the central axis and the means for holding are urged by the cam assembly and disengaged from the holding engagement, the means for holding at least cross the central axis. The surgical end effector of Example 17, which moves laterally with respect to the launching member in one direction.

Example 19: The surgical end effector of Example 18, wherein the launching member comprises two lateral sides and the means for holding it engages with mechanisms on both lateral sides of the launching member.

Example 20: When the launching member is in the starting position, and until the first and second holding portions are laterally urged relative to each other and come into contact with the cam assembly to disengage the launching member from the holding engagement. The surgical end effector of Example 19, wherein the first and second holding portions are urged to engage the corresponding one of the lateral sides of the launching member.

Example 21: Anvil for a surgical stapler. The anvil comprises an elongated anvil body with an upper body portion and a staple molded lower surface. The anvil is adjacent to the elongated anvil body and further comprises an anvil attachment configured to movably support the anvil on a portion of a surgical stapler. The anvil cap is configured to be mechanically connected to the upper body portion of the elongated anvil body. At least one weld is provided between the anvil cap and the upper body portion of the elongated anvil body.

Example 22: Anvil of Example 21, wherein the upper body portion defines an opening through the upper surface thereof and an anvil cap is mechanically connected within the opening.

23: Anvil of Example 22, further comprising a shelf extending around at least a portion of the opening in the upper body portion, the anvil cap being supported on the shelf.

Example 24: Anvil of Example 21, 22 or 23, wherein the anvil cap comprises an outer circumference and at least one weld extends around at least a portion of the outer circumference.

Example 25: Anvil caps include a proximal end, a distal end, and two long sides extending between them, with at least one weld corresponding to at least a portion of each of the long sides. , Anvil of Examples 21, 22, 23 or 24.

Example 26: The upper body portion forms an opening peripheral portion, the upper body portion is formed in the opening peripheral portion, and when the anvil cap is positioned in the opening, frictionally engages with the corresponding portion of the anvil cap. 22nd Anvil, comprising a plurality of retaining formations configured to do so.

Example 27: Corresponding portions of the anvil cap include engagement regions formed around the cap of the anvil cap, each of which is formed to frictionally engage with each of the corresponding holding formations. Anvil of Example 26.

Example 28: Anvil caps include a proximal end, a distal end, and two long sides extending between them, the upper body portion forming an opening periphery and frictional engagement. The anvil of Example 22, comprising a plurality of retaining formations formed in the portion of the perimeter of the opening corresponding to at least a portion of each of the long sides of the anvil cap of interest.

Example 29: Anvil caps include a proximal end, a distal end, and two long sides extending between them, an upper body portion defining an opening periphery, and anvil anvil caps. 22 further comprises at least one holding formation that is above each of each long side of the sword and is configured to be frictionally engaged with the corresponding portion of the perimeter of the opening for frictional engagement. Anvil.

Example 30: Anvil of Examples 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28 or 29, wherein the anvil cap is connected to the upper body portion of the elongated anvil body by at least one tongue-and-groove configuration.

Example 31: Anvil cap comprises a central cap body comprising a cap body periphery, and at least one weld is between at least a portion of the cap body periphery and a corresponding portion of the upper body portion of the anvil body. Anvil of Example 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 or 30 including an extending first weld. At least one second individual weld extends between the central cap body and the upper body portion of the anvil body.

Example 32: At least one second individual weld with a first plurality of separated second individual welds penetrating the central cap body at positions adjacent to one long side of the central cap body. The anvil of Example 31, comprising a second plurality of separated second individual welds that penetrate the central cap body at positions adjacent to the other long side of the central cap body.

Example 33: The first plurality of separated second individual welds are spaced closer to each other at positions adjacent to the distal end of the central cap body and the second plurality of spaced second individual welds. 32. The anvil of Example 32, wherein the individual welds are located closer to each other and spaced apart from each other at positions adjacent to the distal end of the central cap body.

Example 34: The first plurality of separated second individual welds are spaced closer to each other at positions adjacent to the proximal end of the central cap body and the second plurality of spaced second individual welds. 32. The anvil of Example 32, wherein the individual welds are located closer to each other and spaced apart from each other at positions adjacent to the proximal end of the central cap body.

Example 35: The first plurality of separated second individual welds are spaced closer to each other at positions adjacent to the proximal and distal ends of the central cap body and the second plurality. The anvil of Example 32, wherein the separated second individual welds are located closer to each other at positions adjacent to the proximal and distal ends of the central cap body.

Example 36: Anvil for a surgical stapler. The anvil comprises an elongated anvil body with an upper body portion and a staple molded lower surface. The anvil attachment is provided adjacent to the elongated anvil body and is configured to movably support the anvil on a portion of the surgical stapler. The anvil further comprises an anvil cap comprising a central anvil cap body and a cap periphery extending around it. The first weld is provided between at least a portion of the periphery of the cap and the top of the elongated anvil body. At least one second individual weld extends between the central cap body and the upper body portion of the anvil body.

Example 37: Anvil of Example 36, wherein the first weld extends intermittently around at least a portion of the perimeter of the cap.

Example 38: A second row of second individual welds penetrating the central cap body and separated from each other and a second row of second individual welds penetrating the central cap body and separated from each other by at least one second individual weld. Anvil of Example 36 or 37, comprising a second row of individual welds of.

Example 39: Anvil for a surgical stapler. The anvil comprises an elongated anvil body with an upper body portion and a staple molded lower surface. The elongated anvil body defines an opening that extends through its top surface. The anvil is adjacent to the elongated anvil body and further comprises an anvil attachment configured to movably support the anvil on a portion of a surgical stapler. The anvil cap is configured to be mechanically connected to the upper body portion of the elongated anvil body so as to fill the opening. The anvil cap includes a central cap body and a peripheral portion of the cap extending around the central cap body. At least one first weld is provided between at least a portion of the periphery of the cap and the upper body portion of the elongated anvil body. At least one second individual weld extends between the central cap body and the upper body portion of the anvil body.

Example 40: The anvil cap is mechanically connected to the upper body portion of the elongated anvil body by a tongue-and-groove configuration between the portion around the cap and the upper body portion of the elongated anvil body, Example 39. Anvil.

Example 41: A closing member for applying a closing motion to a movable jaw of a surgical instrument. The closing member comprises a closing body that defines the outer and inner surfaces. The closed body further defines an upper portion having an upper wall thickness between the outer surface and the inner surface and a lower portion having a lower wall thickness between the outer surface and the inner surface, and the upper wall thickness. Is different from the lower wall thickness. The cam surface is formed on the upper part so as to selectively make cam contact with a part of the movable jaw portion.

Example 42: The outer surface is at a first radial distance from the first central axis and the inner surface is at a second radial distance from a second central axis offset from the first central axis. , The closing member of Example 41.

Example 43: The closing member of Example 41 or 42, wherein the upper wall thickness is thicker than the lower wall thickness.

Example 44: Further comprising diametrically opposed side wall portions extending between the upper portion and the lower portion, the side wall portions having a side wall thickness different from the upper wall thickness and the lower wall thickness, respectively. Closing member of Example 41, 42 or 43.

Example 45: Closing member of Example 44, wherein the side wall thickness is thicker than the upper wall thickness and the lower wall thickness.

Example 46: Closing member of Example 44 or 45, wherein the side wall portion defines the inner side wall and one of the side wall portions is parallel to the inner side wall of the other side wall portion.

Example 47: The closing member of Example 43, wherein the upper wall thickness and the lower wall thickness are each measured along a common vertical axis extending through the central axis of the closing body.

Example 48: When the closed body is moved in the first direction, the movable jaw can be moved from the open position to the closed position when the closed body comes into cam contact with a part of the movable jaw. Examples 41, 42, 43, wherein at least one other portion of the closing member is configured to move the movable jaw from the closed position to the open position when the closing body is moved in the second direction. , 44, 45, 46 or 47 closing member.

Example 49: Extending inward from the medial surface, configured to contact another portion of the movable jaw as the closing member moves in a second direction to move the movable jaw to the open position. The closing member of Example 48, further comprising at least one positive jaw opening mechanism.

Example 50: Closing member of Example 49, wherein each of the positive jaw opening mechanisms comprises at least two positive jaw opening mechanisms that are diametrically opposed to each other and project inward from the medial surface.

Example 51: At least one of the positive jaw opening mechanisms extends from a mounting plate attached to the corresponding side wall portion of the closed body extending between the upper and lower portions, Example 50. Closing member.

Example 52: A surgical instrument comprising first and second jaws, wherein at least one of the first and second jaws is the first when the closing and releasing movements are applied. A surgical instrument capable of moving between the open and closed directions with respect to the other of the jaw and the second jaw. The closed body defines the outer and inner surfaces with an upper portion having an upper wall thickness between the outer and inner surfaces and a lower portion having a lower wall thickness between the outer and inner surfaces. The upper wall thickness is different from the lower wall thickness, and the closed body is movable with at least one part of one of the first jaw and the second jaw. It is provided with a cam surface formed on the upper portion so as to selectively contact the cam.

Example 53: The outer surface is located at a first radial distance from the central axis of the closed body, the inner surface is located at a second radial distance from the central axis, and the first radial distance is second. The surgical instrument of Example 52, which is greater than the radial distance and therefore the upper wall thickness is greater than the inferior wall thickness.

Example 54: Further comprising diametrically opposed side wall portions extending between the upper portion and the lower portion, the side wall portions having a side wall thickness different from the upper wall thickness and the lower wall thickness, respectively. The surgical instrument of Example 52 or 53.

Example 55: The surgical instrument of Example 52, 53 or 54, wherein the side wall thickness is equal to the upper wall thickness and thicker than the lower wall thickness.

Example 56: The surgical instrument of Example 52, 53, 54 or 55, wherein each of the side wall portions defines an inner side wall surface and the inner side wall surfaces are not parallel to each other.

Example 57: Surgery of Example 52, 53, 54, 55 or 56, where upper wall thickness and lower wall thickness are measured along a common vertical axis extending through the center of the closed body, respectively. Equipment.

Example 58: At least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is cam-contacted by the closing body when the closing body is moved in the first direction, from the open position to the closed position. At least one other part of the closing member closes at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw when the closing body is moved in the second direction. Configured to move from position to open position, the closing member extends inward from the medial surface and when the closing member is moved in the second direction, the first jaw and the second jaw. 52, 53, 54, 55, 55 or 57 surgical instruments further comprising at least one positive jaw opening mechanism configured to contact at least one of the other parts of the jaw.

Example 59: A closing member for applying a closing motion to the movable jaw of a surgical instrument. The closing member comprises a hollow closing body defining the outer and inner surfaces. The closed body further defines an upper portion having an upper wall thickness between the outer surface and the inner surface and a lower portion having a lower wall thickness between the outer surface and the inner surface, and the upper wall thickness. And the lower wall thickness is equal to each other, and the inner surface and the outer surface define a side wall portion having a side wall thickness thicker than the upper wall thickness and the lower wall thickness, respectively. The cam surface is formed on the upper part so as to selectively make cam contact with a part of the movable jaw portion.

Example 60: Closing member of Example 59, wherein the inner surface defines a rectangular passage extending through the closing body.

Example 61: A first jaw movably supported with respect to the first jaw so as to selectively move between an open position and a closed position with respect to the first jaw. A surgical instrument comprising a surgical end effector comprising two jaws. The surgical instrument further comprises a hollow closure member configured to move axially between the non-actuated position and the closed position, the hollow closure member applying a closing motion to the movable second jaw. .. The closure system is configured to apply a closure actuation motion to the hollow closure member. The launching member is supported to move axially between a starting position fully located within the hollow closure member and an ending position within the surgical end effector. The launch system is configured to move the launch member from the start position to the end position by selectively applying the launch motion to the launch member, allowing the closure system to operate without activating the launch system.

Example 62: Example 61 comprising a mounting portion pivotally fixed to the first jaw so that the second jaw selectively pivots with respect to the first jaw. Surgical instruments.

Example 63: A mounting portion on the second jaw comprises a first cam surface and a hollow closure member comprises a second cam surface configured to make cam contact with the first cam surface. , The surgical instrument of Example 62.

Example 64: The surgical instrument of Example 63, wherein the hollow closure member comprises a distal end and a second cam surface comprises an internal cam surface formed adjacent to the distal end.

Example 65: Examples 61, 62, 63, wherein the second jaw comprises an anvil and the first jaw comprises a channel configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein. Or 64 surgical instruments.

Example 66: The surgical use of Example 65, wherein the launching member comprises a launching member body comprising at least one channel engaging mechanism on the launching member body and at least one anvil engaging mechanism on the launching member body. Instrument.

Example 67: The anvil comprises an elongated anvil body protruding from the mounting portion, the elongated anvil body comprises an outer anvil surface, and a first cam surface extends to the outer anvil surface, Examples 63, 64, 65 or 66 surgical instruments.

Example 68: When an open working motion is applied to a hollow closing member by a closing system, the hollow closing member is configured to apply the opening motion to the second jaw, Examples 60, 61, 62, 63. 64, 65, 66 or 67 surgical instruments.

Example 69: The hollow closure member further comprises at least one positive jaw opening mechanism for selective contact with the second jaw when an opening actuation motion is applied to the closing member. 68 surgical instruments.

Example 70: A surgical instrument comprising an elongated shaft defining a shaft axis. The channel is operably connected to an elongated shaft, and the channel is configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge inside. The anvil is movably coupled to the channel and is selectively movable between the fully open and fully closed positions with respect to the channel. The closing member is configured to move axially between the non-working position and the working position, and the distal end portion of the closing member is cam-contacted with the anvil to apply the closing motion to the anvil. The closure system operably interfaces with the closure member to selectively apply the closure control movement to the closure member. The launching member is supported to move axially between a starting and ending position in which it is located completely proximal to the distal end of the closing member. The launch system is configured to selectively apply the launch motion to the launch member and move the launch member from the start position to the end position, allowing the closure system to operate without activating the launch system.

Example 71: The surgical instrument of Example 70, wherein the anvil is attached to the channel and constrained to pivot with respect to the channel about the anvil axis across the shaft axis.

Example 72: The anvil is pivotally coupled to the channel, comprising an anvil mounting portion above which includes a first cam surface, the closing member being configured to cam contact the first cam surface. The surgical instrument of Example 70 or 71, comprising a hollow closed tube with a distal end, with a second internal cam surface on top.

Example 73: Of Example 70, 71 or 72, wherein the launching member comprises a launching member body having at least one channel engaging mechanism on the launching member body and at least one anvil engaging mechanism on the launching member body. Surgical instruments.

Example 74: The surgical instrument of Example 72, wherein the anvil comprises an elongated anvil body protruding from the attachment portion. The elongated anvil body includes the outer anvil surface and the first cam surface extends to the outer anvil surface.

Example 75: Surgical of Example 70, 71, 72, 73 or 74, wherein the closing member comprises a hollow closing tube and the launching member is completely located within the hollow closing tube when the launching member is in the starting position. Instrument.

Example 76: The closing member further comprises at least one positive jaw opening mechanism formed above to selectively contact the anvil when the opening actuation motion is applied to the closing member. 70, 71, 72, 73, 74 or 75 surgical instruments.

Example 77: When the first jaw and the closing movement are applied to the cam surface on the second jaw, it selectively moves between the open and closed positions with respect to the first jaw. A surgical instrument comprising a surgical end effector with a second jaw that is movably supported with respect to the first jaw. The surgical instrument is an axially movable closing member, further comprising a closing member having a closing cam surface on top that is configured to apply a closing motion to the cam surface on the second jaw. .. The launching member is supported so that the tissue cutting surface above it moves axially to and from the starting position located proximal to the closing cam surface on the closing member. The closing member and the launching member can operate selectively and independently of each other.

Example 78: The surgical instrument of Example 77, wherein the second jaw comprises a mounting portion pivotally coupled to the first jaw, wherein the mounting portion comprises a cam surface on top.

Example 79: An axially movable closing member and attachment portion define a launching member stop region in which at least a portion of the launching member is supported when the launching member is in the starting position between the two. Or 78 surgical instruments.

Example 80: The surgical instrument of Example 77, 78 or 79, wherein the first jaw comprises a channel and the second jaw comprises an anvil. The launching member comprises a launching member body having at least one channel engaging mechanism on the launching member body and at least one anvil engaging mechanism on the launching member body.

Example 81: A distance elastically connected to the proximal spine portion so as to move axially between the neutral position and the extended position with respect to the proximal spine portion and the proximal spine portion. A surgical instrument with an elastic spine assembly with a position side spine portion. The first jaw is attached to the distal spine portion, the second jaw is movably supported with respect to the first jaw, and the open and closed positions with respect to the first jaw. It is designed to move selectively between and. The closure system is configured to apply a closure movement to the second jaw and move the distal spine portion from the neutral position to the extension position during operation. The launch system allows the launch member to advance axially from the start position to the end position in the first jaw during activation, allowing the distal spine portion to return to the neutral position, thereby in the second jaw. It is configured to increase the closing movements applied.

Example 82: In the closure system, the distal spine portion is moved from the inactive position corresponding to the neutral position of the distal spine portion to the extension position, and the second jaw portion is the first of the closed positions. The surgical instrument of Example 81, comprising a closing member configured to move axially relative to the distal spine portion to a first closing position that is moved to the closing position.

Example 83: The surgical instrument of Example 81 or 82, wherein the closure member is hollow and is configured to internally receive the attachment portion of the second jaw.

Example 84: The attachment portion has a first cam surface on top and the hollow closure member is first actuated when the closure system is actuated to move the second jaw from the open position to the first closure position. The surgical instrument of Example 83, having a second cam surface configured to make cam contact with the cam surface of.

Example 85: The surgical instrument of Example 84, wherein as the distal spine portion moves from the extended position to the neutral position, the cam contact between the first cam surface and the second cam surface increases.

Example 86: The surgical instrument of Example 81, 82, 83, 84 or 85, wherein the distal spine moiety is interconnected to the proximal spine moiety by an elastic central spine moiety.

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

Example 88: The means for limiting the stretchable body member sized to extend between the distal spine portion and the proximal spine portion, and limiting the stretchable body to a predetermined amount of extension. The surgical instrument of Example 87, comprising:

Example 89: The stretchable body member has a first elastic modulus, the limiting means comprises at least one stretchable limiter member supported by the stretchable body, and the limiting means is more than the first elastic modulus. The surgical instrument of Example 88, which also has a low second modulus.

Example 90: A surgical instrument comprising an elastic spine assembly configured to extend between a first neutral position and a second extension position. The first jaw is attached to the elastic spine assembly. The second jaw is movably supported with respect to the first jaw and selectively moves between the open and closed positions with respect to the first jaw. The surgical instrument applies a first amount of closing force to the second jaw to move the second jaw from the open position to the first closed position and the elastic spine assembly into the second extended position. It further comprises a closure system with closure members configured to extend. The launching member is supported within the first jaw to move axially between the start and end positions. The launch system is operably interfaced to the launch member, selectively advancing the launch member from the start position to the end position, and the movement of the launch member from the start position to the end position puts the elastic spine in the first neutral position. The closing member applies a second amount of closing force to the second jaw, thereby moving the second jaw to the second closing position.

Example 91: The second jaw comprises a pivotally pinned attachment to the first jaw to pivotally move between an open position and a closed position. Example 90 surgical instrument.

Example 92: The mounting portion has a first cam surface on top, the closing member has a second cam surface on top, and the second cam surface is from the open position to the first closed position. The surgical instrument of Example 91, configured to make cam contact with the first cam surface when the closure system is actuated to move the jaw of 2.

Example 93: Movement of the elastic spine assembly from the second extension position to the first neutral position increases cam contact between the first cam surface and the second cam surface, Examples 89, 90. Or 91 surgical instruments.

Example 94: A distance elastically connected to the proximal spine portion so as to move axially between the neutral position and the extended position with respect to the proximal spine portion and the proximal spine portion. A surgical instrument with an elastic spine assembly with a position side spine portion. The elongated channel is configured to operably support the surgical staple cartridge internally. The elongated channel is attached to the distal spine portion. The anvil is pivotally connected to the elongated channel and selectively pivots around the fixed pivot axis between the open and closed positions with respect to the elongated channel. The closure system is configured to apply a closure motion to the anvil and move the distal spine portion from the neutral position to the extension position. The launch system, upon activation, advances the launch member axially from the start position to the end position within the elongated channel, thereby allowing the distal spine portion to return to the neutral position, thereby being applied to the anvil. It is configured to increase the closing movement.

Example 95: The surgical instrument of Example 94, wherein the distal spine moiety is interconnected to the proximal spine moiety by an elastic central spine moiety.

Example 96: An elastic spine assembly further comprises a stretch limiting insert, with a body member sized so that the stretch limiting insert extends between a distal spine portion and a proximal spine portion, and a body. The surgical instrument of Example 94 or 95, comprising means for limiting the amount of elongation of.

Example 97: The surgical instrument of Example 96, wherein the body member is made of an elastomeric material and the limiting means are made of metal.

Example 98: The body member is configured to mount and engage a first mounting lug formed internally, which is configured to mount and engage the proximal spine portion. A second mounting lug formed inside, provided with a limiting means, extends between the first mounting lug and the second mounting lug, and has a first mounting end and a second. It comprises at least one telescopic limiter with an elongated body, including a mounting end of the first end, which is movably received within a cavity within the first mounting lug, and a second end. The surgical instrument of Example 97, movably received in a second cavity within a second mounting lug.

Example 99: Anvil attachment portions are pivotally pinned to an elongated channel and include a first cam surface on top, a closure system with a closure member, and a closure member on the second cam surface. The second cam surface is configured to make cam contact with the first cam surface when the closure system is actuated to move the second jaw from the open position to the first closed position. , A surgical instrument of Example 94, 95, 96, 97 or 98.

Example 100: As the distal spine portion moves from the extended position to the neutral position, the cam contact between the first cam surface and the second cam surface increases, Examples 94, 95, 96, 97, 98 or 99 surgical instruments.

Example 101: Movably supported for the first jaw and the first jaw, selected for the first jaw about a fixed pivot axis between the open and closed positions. A surgical instrument with an end effector, with a second jaw that is designed to move pivotally. The launching member is movably supported so as to selectively move axially in at least one of the first and second jaws between the start and end positions. The launching member comprises a body portion and a first flange assembly that projects from the body portion and is configured to slidably engage the first jaw. The second flange assembly is configured to project from the body portion and slidably engage the second jaw. Surgical instruments also include an elongated shaft assembly operably connected to a surgical end effector. The elongated shaft assembly comprises a launch system that is operably interfaced with the launch member to selectively move the launch member axially between a start position and an end position. The closure system operably interfaces with the second jaw to move the second jaw between the open and closed positions without activating the launch system and launching members.

Example 102: The surgical instrument of Example 101, wherein the elongated shaft assembly defines the shaft axis and the fixed pivot axis crosses the shaft axis.

Example 103: The surgical instrument of Example 101 or 102, wherein the closure system is configured to cam engage the second jaw when the closure system applies the closure movement to the second jaw.

Example 104: A second jaw is provided with a first cam surface on top and the closure system moves axially supported to selectively move axially relative to the second jaw. The surgical instrument of Example 103, comprising a possible closure member. The closing member comprises a second cam surface configured to engage the cam with the first cam surface.

Example 105: The surgical instrument of Example 102, comprising a attachment portion in which the second jaw is pivotally connected to the first jaw about a pivot axis. The mounting portion includes a first cam surface on top.

Example 106: An axially movable closing member and attachment portion, wherein at least a portion of the launching member is supported between the two when the launching member is in the starting position, Examples 101, 102, 103, 104 or 105 surgical instruments.

Example 107: The surgical instrument of Example 104, wherein the closure member comprises a closure body defining an outer surface and an inner surface. The closed body further defines an upper portion having an upper wall thickness between the outer surface and the inner surface and a lower portion having a lower wall thickness between the outer surface and the inner surface, and the upper wall thickness. However, unlike the lower wall thickness, the second cam surface is formed on the upper portion so as to selectively make cam contact with the first cam surface.

Example 108: The outer surface is at the first radial distance from the first central axis and the inner surface is at the second radial distance from the second central axis offset from the first central axis. There is a surgical instrument of Example 107.

Example 109: The surgical instrument of Example 107, wherein the upper wall thickness is thicker than the lower wall thickness.

Example 110: The closing member further comprises a diametrically opposed side wall portion extending between the upper portion and the lower portion, the side wall portion having a side wall thickness different from the upper wall thickness and the lower wall thickness, respectively. The surgical instrument of Example 107 having a diameter.

Example 111: The surgical instrument of Example 110, wherein the side wall thickness is thicker than the upper wall thickness and the lower wall thickness.

Example 112: The surgical instrument of Example 110, wherein each of the side wall portions defines an inner side wall, one of the side wall portions having the inner side wall parallel to the other inner side wall of the side wall portion.

Example 113: The surgical instrument of Example 104, 106 or 107, wherein the closure member is hollow and is configured to internally receive the attachment portion of the second jaw.

Example 114: First jaw with channel and second jaw with anvil, Examples 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112 or 113 surgical instruments.

Example 115: Surgery of Example 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113 or 114, wherein the launching member further comprises a tissue cutting surface on the body portion. Equipment.

Example 116: Movably supported with respect to the first jaw and the first jaw, between the open and closed positions, centered on the fixed pivot axis, with respect to the first jaw. A surgical instrument comprising an end effector with a second jaw that is selectively pivotally moved. The launching member is movably supported so as to selectively move axially between the start position and the end position in at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw. .. The launching member comprises a body portion and a first flange assembly that projects from the body portion and is configured to slidably engage the first jaw. The second flange assembly is configured to project from the body portion and slidably engage the second jaw. An elongated shaft assembly is operably coupled to the surgical end effector to activate the launching means for selectively axially moving the launching member between the start and end positions, without activating the launching means. The second jaw is provided with a closing means for moving the second jaw between the open position and the closed position.

Example 117: The surgical instrument of Example 116, wherein the elongated shaft assembly defines the shaft axis and the fixed pivot axis crosses the shaft axis.

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

Example 119: A surgical instrument comprising an elongated channel configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge internally. The anvil is movably supported with respect to the elongated channel so as to selectively pivot with respect to the elongated channel about the fixed pivot axis between the open and closed positions. The launching member is movably supported within the elongated channel so as to selectively move axially between the start and end positions. The launch member comprises a body portion and a first flange assembly that projects from the body portion and is configured to slidably engage an elongated channel. The second flange assembly is configured to project from the body portion and slidably engage the anvil. An elongated launch bar is attached to the body portion and is configured to move axially with respect to the elongated channel in response to the launch motion applied to itself by the launch motion source. The closing member is supported for selective axial movement with respect to the anvil and moves the anvil between open and closed positions in response to the closing motion applied to the anvil by the closing motion source, resulting in. The anvil can move between the open and closed positions without moving the launcher.

Example 120: The surgical instrument of Example 119, wherein the launching member further comprises a tissue cutting surface on a body portion.

While many of the surgical instrument systems described herein are powered by electric motors, the surgical instrument systems described herein can operate 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 embodiments, the motors disclosed herein may include parts of a robotic control system. In addition, any of the end effectors and / or tool assemblies disclosed herein can be used with robotic surgical instrument systems. For example, US Patent Application No. 13 / 118,241, the title of the invention "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS" (currently US Pat. The example is disclosed in more detail.

The surgical instrument system described herein has been described in connection with the deployment and modification of staples, but the embodiments described herein are not limited thereto. Various embodiments are also conceivable, such as deploying fasteners other than staples, such as clamps or tacks. In addition, various embodiments are conceived that utilize any suitable means for sealing the tissue. For example, end effectors according to various embodiments may include electrodes configured to heat and seal the tissue. Also, for example, the end effector according to a particular embodiment can apply vibration energy to seal the tissue.

The entire disclosure below is incorporated herein by reference.
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-US Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0264194 filed on April 22, 2010, the title of the invention "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT WITH AN ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTOR", currently issued as US Patent No. 8,308,040. The literature that is.

Although various instruments have been described herein with specific embodiments, modifications and modifications may be made to those embodiments. Specific features, structures, or properties can also be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Thus, the particular features, structures, or properties illustrated or described with respect to one embodiment may be combined in whole or in part with the features, structures, or properties of one or more other embodiments without limitation. good. Also, although the material is disclosed for a particular component, other materials may be used. Further, according to various embodiments, a single component may be replaced with multiple components to perform a given function (s), and multiple components may be combined into a single component. You may replace it. The above description and the following claims are intended to include all such modifications and variations.

The devices disclosed herein can be designed to be discarded after a single use, or can be designed to be used multiple times. However, in either case, the device may be readjusted for reuse after at least one use. The readjustment can include, but is not limited to, a device disassembly step, a subsequent cleaning or replacement step of a particular part of the device, and a subsequent device reassembly step. Specifically, the readjustment facility and / or the surgical team may disassemble the device, clean and / or replace certain parts of the device, and then reassemble the device for subsequent use. Can be done. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that readjustment of the device can utilize a variety of techniques for disassembly, cleaning / replacement, and reassembly. The use of such techniques and the resulting readjusted devices are all within the scope of this application.

The devices disclosed herein can be processed prior to surgery. First, new or used utensils may be obtained and cleaned as needed. The instrument can 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 vessel and instrument can then be placed in a radiation field that can penetrate the vessel, such as gamma rays, X-rays, and / or high energy electrons. Radiation can kill bacteria on instruments and in containers. The sterilized instrument can then be stored in a sterilized container. The sealed container can keep the instrument sterile until it is opened in a medical facility. Devices can also be sterilized using any other technique known in the art, including but not limited to β-rays, gamma-rays, ethylene oxide, hydrogen peroxide plasma, and / or water vapor.

Although the present invention has been described as having a representative design, the present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, this application shall include any modification, use, or adaptation of the invention that uses its general principles.

All patents, publications, or other disclosures that are incorporated herein by reference in whole or in part are existing definitions, statements, or other disclosures in which the incorporated material is described in this disclosure. Incorporated herein only to the extent that it is consistent with the content. As such, and to the extent necessary, the disclosures expressly set forth herein shall supersede any contradictory statements incorporated herein by reference. Any content that is inconsistent with the current definitions, views, or other disclosures described herein, or parts thereof, shall be incorporated herein by reference, but the reference content and the current disclosure content. It shall be referred to only to the extent that there is no contradiction with.

[Implementation mode]
(1) It is a surgical instrument and
The distal side elastically connected to the proximal spine portion so as to move axially between the neutral and extended positions with respect to the proximal spine portion and the proximal spine portion. With an elastic spine assembly, with a spine part,
The first jaw attached to the distal spine portion and
A second jaw that is movably supported with respect to the first jaw and selectively moves between an open position and a closed position with respect to the first jaw.
A closing system configured to apply a closing motion to the second jaw and move the distal spine portion from the neutral position to the extended position upon activation.
Upon activation, the launching member is axially advanced from the start position to the end position in the first jaw portion, allowing the distal spine portion to return to the neutral position, thereby the second jaw portion. A surgical instrument comprising a launch system, which is configured to increase the closure movement applied to.
(2) In the closed system, the distal spine portion is moved from the non-actuated position corresponding to the neutral position of the distal spine portion to the extended position, and the second jaw portion is moved to the closed position. The first embodiment includes a closing member configured to move axially with respect to the distal spine portion to the first closing position, which is moved to the first closing position. The surgical instrument described.
(3) The surgical instrument according to the second embodiment, wherein the closing member is hollow and is configured to internally receive the attachment portion of the second jaw portion.
(4) The mounting portion has a first cam surface on top.
The hollow closure member is configured to come into cam contact with the first cam surface when the closure system is actuated to move the second jaw from the open position to the first closure position. The surgical instrument according to embodiment 3, having a second cam surface on top.
(5) The fourth embodiment, wherein when the distal spine portion moves from the extended position to the neutral position, the cam contact between the first cam surface and the second cam surface increases. Surgical instruments.

(6) The surgical instrument according to embodiment 1, wherein the distal spine portion is interconnected to the proximal spine portion by an elastic central spine portion.
(7) The surgical instrument according to embodiment 6, wherein the elastic spine assembly further comprises means for limiting the stretchable central spine portion to a predetermined stretch amount.
(8) The means for limiting the above is
An elastic body member sized to extend between the distal spine portion and the proximal spine portion,
The surgical instrument according to embodiment 7, comprising means for limiting the stretchable body to a predetermined amount of extension.
(9) The elastic main body member has a first elastic modulus and has a first elastic modulus.
8. The surgical instrument according to embodiment 8, wherein the limiting means comprises at least one stretch limiter member supported by the stretchable body and has a second elastic modulus lower than the first elastic modulus. ..
(10) Surgical instrument
An elastic spine assembly configured to extend between the first neutral position and the second extension position,
A first jaw attached to the elastic spine assembly,
A second jaw that is movably supported with respect to the first jaw and selectively moves between an open position and a closed position with respect to the first jaw.
A first amount of closing force is applied to the second jaw to move the second jaw from the open position to the first closed position and the elastic spine assembly into the second extension position. A closure system with closure members configured to extend,
A launching member supported to move axially between a start position and an end position within the first jaw.
A launch system that is operably interfaced to the launch member and selectively advances the launch member from the start position to the end position, wherein the launch member moves from the start position to the end position. The elastic spine is moved towards the first neutral position so that the closing member exerts a second amount of closing force on the second jaw, thereby causing the second jaw to second. A surgical instrument with a launch system, which moves to a closed position of 2.

(11) The second jaw is provided with a mounting portion pivotally pinned to the first jaw so as to pivotally move between the open position and the closed position. The surgical instrument according to embodiment 10.
(12) The mounting portion has a first cam surface on top and
The closing member has a second cam surface on top and
The second cam surface is configured to come into cam contact with the first cam surface when the closing system is actuated to move the second jaw from the open position to the first closed position. The surgical instrument according to embodiment 11.
(13) The movement of the elastic spine assembly from the second extension position to the first neutral position increases the cam contact between the first cam surface and the second cam surface. The surgical instrument according to aspect 12.
(14) It is a surgical instrument and
The distal side elastically connected to the proximal spine portion so as to move axially between the neutral and extended positions with respect to the proximal spine portion and the proximal spine portion. With an elastic spine assembly, with a spine part,
An elongated channel configured to operably support the surgical staple cartridge internally and attached to the distal spine portion.
Anvil that is pivotally connected to the elongated channel and selectively pivotally moves about the fixed pivot axis between the open position and the closed position with respect to the elongated channel.
A closure system configured to apply a closure motion to the anvil and move the distal spine portion from the neutral position to the extension position.
Upon activation, the launching member is axially advanced from a start position to an end position within the elongated channel, thereby allowing the distal spine portion to return to the neutral position, thereby being applied to the anvil. A surgical instrument comprising a launch system configured to increase the closing movement.
(15) The surgical instrument according to embodiment 14, wherein the distal spine portion is interconnected to the proximal spine portion by an elastic central spine portion.

(16) The elastic spine assembly further comprises a stretch limiting insert.
The expansion / contraction limiting insert
A body member sized to extend between the distal spine portion and the proximal spine portion.
The surgical instrument according to embodiment 15, comprising means for limiting the body to a predetermined amount of extension.
(17) The main body member is made of an elastomer material, and the main body member is made of an elastomer material.
16. The surgical instrument according to embodiment 16, wherein the limiting means is made of metal.
(18) The main body member
A first mounting lug formed internally, which is configured to mount and engage the proximal spine portion.
It comprises an internally formed second mounting lug that is configured to mount and engage the distal spine portion.
The limiting means extends between the first mounting lug and the second mounting lug and comprises at least one elongated body comprising a first mounting end and a second mounting end. Equipped with a telescopic limiter,
The first end is movably received within the cavity within the first mounting lug.
16. The surgical instrument of embodiment 16, wherein the second end is movably received within a second cavity within the second mounting lug.
(19) The anvil mounting portion is pivotally pinned to the elongated channel and includes a first cam surface on top.
The closure system comprises a closure member, the closure member comprising a second cam surface on top.
The second cam surface is configured to come into cam contact with the first cam surface when the closing system is actuated to move the second jaw from the open position to the first closed position. The surgical instrument according to embodiment 14.
(20) The 19th embodiment, wherein when the distal spine portion moves from the extended position to the neutral position, the cam contact between the first cam surface and the second cam surface increases. Surgical instruments.

Claims (20)

It ’s a surgical instrument,
The distal side elastically connected to the proximal spine portion so as to move axially between the neutral and extended positions with respect to the proximal spine portion and the proximal spine portion. With an elastic spine assembly, with a spine part,
The first jaw attached to the distal spine portion and
A second jaw that is movably supported with respect to the first jaw and selectively moves between an open position and a closed position with respect to the first jaw.
A closing system configured to apply a closing motion to the second jaw and move the distal spine portion from the neutral position to the extended position upon activation.
Upon activation, the launching member is axially advanced from the start position to the end position in the first jaw portion, allowing the distal spine portion to return to the neutral position, thereby the second jaw portion. A surgical instrument comprising a launch system, which is configured to increase the closure movement applied to. In the closure system, the distal spine portion is moved from the non-actuated position corresponding to the neutral position of the distal spine portion to the extension position, and the second jaw portion is in the closed position. The surgery according to claim 1, comprising a closing member configured to move axially relative to the distal spine portion to a first closing position that is moved to a first closing position. Equipment. The surgical instrument according to claim 2, wherein the closing member is hollow and is configured to internally receive the attachment portion of the second jaw. The mounting portion has a first cam surface on top and
The closing member is configured to make cam contact with the first cam surface when the closing system is actuated to move the second jaw from the open position to the first closed position. The surgical instrument of claim 3, having the cam surface of 2 on top. The surgical use of claim 4, wherein as the distal spine portion moves from the extended position to the neutral position, the cam contact between the first cam surface and the second cam surface increases. Instrument. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the distal spine moiety is interconnected to the proximal spine moiety by an elastic central spine moiety. The surgical instrument of claim 6, wherein the elastic spine assembly further comprises means for limiting the stretchable central spine portion to a predetermined amount of stretch. The means for limiting the above
An elastic body member sized to extend between the distal spine portion and the proximal spine portion,
The surgical instrument according to claim 7, further comprising a means for limiting the stretchable main body member to a predetermined amount of extension. The elastic main body member has a first elastic modulus and has a first elastic modulus.
The surgical use according to claim 8, wherein the limiting means comprises at least one stretch limiter member supported by the stretchable body member and has a second elastic modulus lower than the first elastic modulus. Instrument. It ’s a surgical instrument,
An elastic spine assembly configured to extend between the first neutral position and the second extension position,
A first jaw attached to the elastic spine assembly,
A second jaw that is movably supported with respect to the first jaw and selectively moves between an open position and a closed position with respect to the first jaw.
A first amount of closing force is applied to the second jaw to move the second jaw from the open position to the first closed position and the elastic spine assembly into the second extension position. A closure system with a closure member configured to extend,
A launching member supported to move axially between a start position and an end position within the first jaw.
A launch system that is operably interfaced to the launch member and selectively advances the launch member from the start position to the end position, wherein the launch member moves from the start position to the end position. The elastic spine assembly is moved towards the first neutral position so that the closing member exerts a second amount of closing force on the second jaw, thereby causing the second jaw. A surgical instrument with a launch system, which moves to a second closed position. A claim that the second jaw comprises a mounting portion pivotally pinned to the first jaw to pivotally move between the open position and the closed position. Item 10. The surgical instrument according to item 10. The mounting portion has a first cam surface on top and
The closing member has a second cam surface on top and
The second cam surface is configured to come into cam contact with the first cam surface when the closing system is actuated to move the second jaw from the open position to the first closed position. The surgical instrument according to claim 11. 12. The movement of the elastic spine assembly from the second extended position to the first neutral position increases the cam contact between the first cam surface and the second cam surface, claim 12. Surgical instruments described in. It ’s a surgical instrument,
The distal side elastically connected to the proximal spine portion so as to move axially between the neutral and extended positions with respect to the proximal spine portion and the proximal spine portion. With an elastic spine assembly, with a spine part,
An elongated channel configured to operably support the surgical staple cartridge internally and attached to the distal spine portion.
Anvil that is pivotally connected to the elongated channel and selectively pivotally moves about the fixed pivot axis between the open position and the closed position with respect to the elongated channel.
A closure system configured to apply a closure motion to the anvil and move the distal spine portion from the neutral position to the extension position.
Upon activation, the launching member is axially advanced from a start position to an end position within the elongated channel, thereby allowing the distal spine portion to return to the neutral position, thereby being applied to the anvil. A surgical instrument comprising a launch system configured to increase the closing movement. 14. The surgical instrument of claim 14, wherein the distal spine moiety is interconnected to the proximal spine moiety by an elastic central spine moiety. The elastic spine assembly further comprises a stretch limiting insert.
The expansion / contraction limiting insert
A body member sized to extend between the distal spine portion and the proximal spine portion.
The surgical instrument according to claim 15, comprising means for limiting the main body member to a predetermined extension amount. The body member is made of an elastomer material
16. The surgical instrument of claim 16, wherein the limiting means are made of metal. The main body member
A first mounting lug formed internally, which is configured to mount and engage the proximal spine portion.
It comprises an internally formed second mounting lug that is configured to mount and engage the distal spine portion.
The limiting means extends between the first mounting lug and the second mounting lug and comprises at least one elongated body comprising a first mounting end and a second mounting end. Equipped with a telescopic limiter,
The first mounting end is movably received within the cavity within the first mounting lug.
16. The surgical instrument of claim 16, wherein the second mounting end is movably received within a second cavity within the second mounting lug. The attachment portion of the anvil is pivotally pinned to the elongated channel and includes a first cam surface on top.
The closure system comprises a closure member, the closure member comprising a second cam surface on top.
14. The second cam surface is configured to make cam contact with the first cam surface when the closure system is actuated to move the anvil from the open position to the closed position . Surgical instruments described in. 19. The surgical procedure of claim 19, wherein as the distal spine portion moves from the extended position to the neutral position, the cam contact between the first cam surface and the second cam surface increases. Instrument.

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