JP7123934B2 - Anvil placement for surgical staplers - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to surgical instruments and to surgical stapling and severing instruments and staple cartridges for use therewith designed for stapling and severing tissue in a variety of situations.

Various features of the embodiments described herein, together with their advantages, can be understood by the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings below.
1 is a side view of a surgical system comprising a handle assembly and multiple interchangeable surgical tool assemblies that may be used therewith; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one of the interchangeable surgical tool assemblies of FIG. 1 operably coupled to the handle assembly of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly and a portion of the handle assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another one of the interchangeable surgical tool assemblies shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 4; FIG. 6 is another partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIGS. 4 and 5; FIG. FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIGS. 4-6; 8 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the elastic spine assembly of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 7; FIG. 8 is another exploded view of a portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIGS. 4-7; FIG. 9 is another cross-sectional perspective view of the surgical end effector portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIGS. 4-8; FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the surgical end effector portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly shown in FIG. 9; FIG. 11A and 11B are perspective, side, and front views of an embodiment of a firing member that may be used in the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 10; 5 is a perspective view of an anvil that may be used with the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 4; FIG. Figure 13 is a transverse side elevational view of the anvil of Figure 12; Figure 14 is a bottom view of the anvil of Figures 12 and 13; FIG. 5 is a transverse side stand depicting a surgical end effector portion and shaft portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 4 with unused or unfired surgical staples properly seated in the elongated channels of the surgical end effector; It is a plan view. 16 is another cross-sectional side elevational view of the surgical end effector and shaft portion of FIG. 15 after the surgical staple cartridge has been at least partially fired and its firing member has been retracted to the starting position; FIG. 17 is another cross-sectional side elevational view of the surgical end effector and shaft portion of FIG. 16 after the firing member has been fully retracted to the starting position; FIG. 16 is a top cross-sectional view of the surgical end effector and shaft portion shown in FIG. 15 with unused or unfired surgical staples properly seated in elongated channels of the surgical end effector; FIG. FIG. 19 is another top cross-sectional view of the surgical end effector of FIG. 18 with at least partially fired surgical staples mounted therein and showing the firing member held in the locked position; 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the anvil portion and elongated channel portion of the interchangeable tool assembly of FIG. 4; FIG. Figure 21 is an exploded side view depicting portions of the anvil and elongated channel of Figure 20; FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of an anvil mount of an embodiment of an anvil; FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of an anvil mount of another embodiment of an anvil; FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of an anvil mount of another embodiment of an anvil; 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an anvil; FIG. 26 is an exploded perspective view of the anvil of FIG. 25; FIG. 26 is an end cross-sectional view of the anvil of FIG. 25; FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another anvil embodiment; 29 is an exploded perspective view of the anvil embodiment of FIG. 28; FIG. 29 is a top view of the distal end of the anvil body portion of the anvil of FIG. 28; FIG. FIG. 10 is a top view of the distal end of the anvil body portion of another anvil embodiment; 32 is an end cross-sectional perspective view of the anvil of FIG. 31; FIG. FIG. 10 is an end cross-sectional perspective view of another embodiment of an anvil; FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a closure member comprising a distal closure tube segment; Figure 35 is a transverse side elevational view of the closure member of Figure 34; FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an interchangeable surgical tool assembly showing the location of the anvil mount, the anvil in the fully closed position, and the firing member of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly in the starting position; 37 is another partial cross-sectional view of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 36 at the beginning of the opening process; FIG. 38 is another partial cross-sectional view of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 37 with the anvil in the fully open position; FIG. 37 is a side view of a portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 36; FIG. 38 is a side view of a portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 37; FIG. 39 is a side view of a portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 38; FIG. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of another closure member embodiment; Figure 43 is an end cross-sectional view of the closure member of Figure 42; FIG. 10 is an end cross-sectional view of another closure member embodiment; FIG. 10 is an end cross-sectional view of another closure member embodiment; FIG. 10 is an end cross-sectional view of another closure member embodiment; 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the surgical end effector portion of the interchangeable tool assembly illustrated in FIG. 1; FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of a surgical end effector portion of the interchangeable surgical tool of FIG. 5; FIG. 49 is another cross-sectional view of the surgical end effector of FIG. 48; FIG. FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view of a portion of the underside of an embodiment of an anvil; 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 5 with the anvil of the surgical end effector in the fully open position; FIG. 52 is another partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 51 with the anvil of the surgical end effector in the first closed position; FIG. 51 at the beginning of the firing process with the anvil in the first closed position and the firing member of the surgical end effector of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly moving distally from the starting position. FIG. 4 is another partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the tool assembly for the; The interchangeable surgical tool of FIG. 51 with the anvil in the second closed position and the firing member advanced distally into the surgical staple cartridge of the surgical end effector of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly. FIG. 4 is another partial cross-sectional view of part of the assembly; FIG. 11 is a graph comparing firing energy versus time for different interchangeable surgical tool assemblies; FIG. 4 is a graph showing firing improvement versus force and comparing the percentage of firing distance traveled by each firing member versus firing load for four different interchangeable surgical tool assemblies;

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings. The exemplifications set forth herein are illustrative of various embodiments of the invention in one form and such exemplifications should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any way. do not have.

The applicant of this application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on even date herewith, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety:
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS AND REPLACEABLE TOOL ASSEMBLIES THEREOF", Attorney Docket No. END7980USNP/160155;
- US Patent Application No. ______, entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS", Attorney Docket No. END7981USNP/160156,
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL END EFFECTORS", Attorney Docket No. END7982USNP/160157,
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "SURGICAL END EFFECTORS AND FIRING MEMBERS THEREOF", Attorney Docket No. END7983USNP/160158,
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL END EFFECTORS AND REPLACEABLE TOOL ASSEMBLIES," Attorney Docket No. END7984USNP/160159; AND ADAPTABLE FIRING MEMBERS THEREFOR, Attorney Docket No. END7985USNP/160160.

The applicant of this application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on even date herewith, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety:
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGES AND ARRANGEMENTS OF STAPLES AND STAPLE CAVITIES THEREIN", Attorney Docket No. END7986USNP/160161,
－米国特許出願第＿＿＿＿＿号、発明の名称「ＳＵＲＧＩＣＡＬ ＴＯＯＬ ＡＳＳＥＭＢＬＩＥＳ ＷＩＴＨ ＣＬＵＴＣＨＩＮＧ ＡＲＲＡＮＧＥＭＥＮＴＳ ＦＯＲ ＳＨＩＦＴＩＮＧ ＢＥＴＷＥＥＮ ＣＬＯＳＵＲＥ ＳＹＳＴＥＭＳ ＷＩＴＨ ＣＬＯＳＵＲＥ ＳＴＲＯＫＥ ＲＥＤＵＣＴＩＯＮ ＦＥＡＴＵＲＥＳ ＡＮＤ ＡＲＴＩＣＵＬＡＴＩＯＮ ＡＮＤ ＦＩＲＩＮＧ ＳＹＳＴＥＭＳ」、代理人整理番号第ＥＮＤ７９８７ＵＳＮＰ／１６０１６２号、
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS AND STAPLE-FORMING ANVILS", Attorney Docket No. END7988USNP/160163,
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "SURGICAL TOOL ASSEMBLIES WITH CLOSURE STROKE REDUCTION FEATURES", Attorney Docket No. END7989USNP/160164,
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGES AND ARRANGEMENTS OF STAPLES AND STAPLE CAVITIES THEREIN", Attorney Docket No. END7990USNP/160165,
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS AND STAPLE-FORMING ANVILS", Attorney Docket No. END7991USNP/160166,
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH JAW OPENING DISTANCE", Attorney Docket No. END7992USNP/160167,
- US Patent Application No. ______, entitled "METHODS OF STAPLING TISSUE", Attorney Docket No. END7993USNP/160168,
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "FIRING MEMBERS WITH NON-PARALLEL JAW ENGAGEMENT FEATURES FOR SURGICAL END EFFECTORS", Attorney Docket No. END7994USNP/160169,
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "SURGICAL END EFFECTORS WITH EXPANDABLE TISSUE STOP ARRANGEMENTS", Attorney Docket No. END7995USNP/160170,
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS AND STAPLE-FORMING ANVILS", Attorney Docket No. END7996USNP/160171,
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH POSITIVE JAW OPENING FEATURES", Attorney Docket No. END7997USNP/160172,
－米国特許出願第＿＿＿＿＿号、発明の名称「ＳＵＲＧＩＣＡＬ ＩＮＳＴＲＵＭＥＮＴＳ ＷＩＴＨ ＬＯＣＫＯＵＴ ＡＲＲＡＮＧＥＭＥＮＴＳ ＦＯＲ ＰＲＥＶＥＮＴＩＮＧ ＦＩＲＩＮＧ ＳＹＳＴＥＭ ＡＣＴＵＡＴＩＯＮ ＵＮＬＥＳＳ ＡＮ ＵＮＳＰＥＮＴ ＳＴＡＰＬＥ ＣＡＲＴＲＩＤＧＥ ＩＳ ＰＲＥＳＥＮＴ」、代理人整理番号第ＥＮＤ７９９８ＵＳＮＰ／１６０１７３号、及び －米国特許出願第＿＿＿＿＿号、 Title of Invention "STAPLE CARTRIDGES AND ARRANGEMENTS OF STAPLES AND STAPLE CAVITIES THEREIN", Attorney Docket No. END7999USNP/160174.

The applicant of this application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on even date herewith, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety:
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "METHOD FOR RESETTING A FUSE OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SHAFT", Attorney Docket No. END8013USNP/160175,
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "STAPLE FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENT TO ACCOMMODATE DIFFERENT TYPES OF STAPLES", Attorney Docket No. END8014USNP/160176;
- US Patent Application No. ______, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING IMPROVED JAW CONTROL", Attorney Docket No. END8016USNP/160178,
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE AND STAPLE CARTRIDGE CHANNEL COMPRISING WINDOWS DEFINED THEREIN", Attorney Docket No. END8017USNP/160179,
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A CUTTING MEMBER", Attorney Docket No. END8018USNP/160180,
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "STAPLE FIRING MEMBER COMPRISING A MISSING CARTRIDGE AND/OR SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT", Attorney Docket No. END8019USNP/160181,
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "FIRING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LOCKOUT", Attorney Docket No. END8020USNP/160182,
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM COMPRISING AN END EFFECTOR LOCKOUT AND A FIRRING ASSEMBLY LOCKOUT", Attorney Docket No. END8021USNP/160183,
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "FIRING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A FUSE," Attorney Docket No. END8022USNP/160184; FUSE", Attorney Docket No. END8023USNP/160185.

The applicant of this application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on even date herewith, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety:
- US Patent Application No. ______, entitled "STAPLE FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENTS", Attorney Docket No. END8038USNP/160186,
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "METHOD OF DEFORMING STAPLES FROM TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF STAPLE CARTRIDGES WITH THE SAME SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT", Attorney Docket No. END8041USNP/160189,
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "BILATERALLY ASYMMETRIC STAPLE FORMING POCKET PAIRS", Attorney Docket No. END8042USNP/160190,
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "CLOSURE MEMBERS WITH CAM SURFACE ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH SEPARATE AND DISTINCT CLOSURE AND FIRRING SYSTEMS," Attorney Docket No. END80431USNP/16
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLERS WITH INDEPENDENTLY ACTUAL CLOSING AND FIRING SYSTEMS", Attorney Docket No. END8044USNP/160192,
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH SMART STAPLE CARTRIDGES", Attorney Docket No. END8045USNP/160193,
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING STAPLES WITH DIFFERENT CLAMPING BREADTHS", Attorney Docket No. END8047USNP/160195,
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "STAPLE FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENTS COMPRISING PRIMARY SIDEWALLS AND POCKET SIDEWALLS", Attorney Docket No. END8048USNP/160196,
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "NO-CARTRIDGE AND SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL STAPLERS", Attorney Docket No. END8050USNP/160198,
- US Patent Application No. ______, entitled "FIRING MEMBER PIN ANGLE", Attorney Docket No. END8051USNP/160199,
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "STAPLE FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENTS COMPRISING ZONED FORMING SURFACE GROOVES", Attorney Docket No. END8052USNP/160200,
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MULTIPLE FAILURE RESPONSE MODES", Attorney Docket No. END8053USNP/160201,
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH PRIMARY AND SAFETY PROCESSORS," Attorney Docket No. END8054USNP/160202,
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH JAWS THAT ARE PIVOTABLE ABOUT A FIXED AXIS AND INCLUDE SEPARATE AND DISTINCT CLOSURE AND FIRING SYSTEMS," Attorney Docket No. 502/END 0406/END 816
- US Patent Application No. ______, entitled "ANVIL HAVING A KNIFE SLOT WIDTH", Attorney Docket No. END8057USNP/160205,
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "CLOSURE MEMBER ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," Attorney Docket No. END8058USNP/160206; Person Docket No. END8059USNP/160207.

The applicant of this application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on even date herewith, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety:
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "STEPPED STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH ASYMMETRICAL STAPLES", Attorney Docket No. END8000USNP/160208,
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "STEPPED STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH TISSUE RETENTION AND GAP SETTING FEATURES", Attorney Docket No. END8001USNP/160209,
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH DEFORMABLE DRIVER RETENTION FEATURES", Attorney Docket No. END8002USNP/160210,
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "DURABILITY FEATURES FOR END EFFECTORS AND FIRRING ASSEMBLIES OF SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS", Attorney Docket No. END8003USNP/160211,
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS HAVING END EFFECTORS WITH POSITIVE OPENING FEATURES," Attorney Docket No. END8004USNP/160212; DEPOSABLE LOADING UNITS FOR SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS", Attorney Docket No. END8005USNP/160213.

The applicant of this application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on even date herewith, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety:
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "METHOD FOR ATTACHING A SHAFT ASSEMBLY TO A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT AND, ALTERNATIVELY, TO A SURGICAL ROBOT", Attorney Docket No. END8006USNP/160214,
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A MANUALLY-OPERABLE RETRACTION SYSTEM FOR USE WITH A MOTORIZED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM," Attorney Docket No. END8007USNP/160215,
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING SEPARATELY ACTUATABLE AND RETRACTABLE SYSTEMS", Attorney Docket No. END8008USNP/160216,
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A CLUTCH CONFIGURED TO ADAPT THE OUTPUT OF A ROTARY FIRRING MEMBER TO TWO DIFFERENT SYSTEMS," Attorney Docket No. END81602USNP7/
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "SURGICAL SYSTEM COMPRISING A FIRING MEMBER ROTATABLE INTO AN ARTICULATION STATE TO ARTICULATE AN END EFFECTOR OF THE SURGICAL SYSTEM," Attorney Docket No. 0USNDP80/0USNDP8/EUSN1616
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LOCKOUT," Attorney Docket No. END8011USNP/160219; , Attorney Docket No. END8012USNP/160220.

The applicant of this application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on even date herewith, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety:
- US Patent Application No. ______, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS", Attorney Docket No. END8024USNP/160221,
- US Patent Application No. ______, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS", Attorney Docket No. END8025USNP/160222,
- US Patent Application No. ______, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS", Attorney Docket No. END8026USNP/160223,
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH MOVABLE CAMTING MEMBER CONFIGURED TO DISENGAGE FIRRING MEMBER LOCKOUT FEATURES", Attorney Docket No. END8027USNP/160224,
- US Patent Application No. ______, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS", Attorney Docket No. END8028USNP/160225,
－米国特許出願第＿＿＿＿＿号、発明の名称「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」、代理人整理番号第ＥＮＤ８０２９ＵＳＮＰ／１６０２２６号、
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "AXIALLY Movable Closure System Arrangements For Applying Closure Motions To Jaws Of Surgical Instruments," Attorney Docket No. END8030USNP/160227,
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "PROTECTIVE COVER ARRANGEMENTS FOR A JOINT INTERFACE BETWEEN A MOVABLE JAW AND ACTUATOR SHAFT OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT", Attorney Docket No. END8031USNP/16
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "SURGICAL END EFFECTOR WITH TWO SEPARATE COOPERATION OPENING FEATURES FOR OPENING AND CLOSING END EFFECTOR JAWS", Attorney Docket No. END8032USNP/1602
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL END EFFECTOR WITH ASYMMETRIC SHAFT ARRANGEMENT", Attorney Docket No. END8033USNP/160230,
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH INDEPENDENT PIVOTABLE LINKAGE DISTAL OF AN ARTICULATION LOCK", Attorney Docket No. END8034USNP/160231,
- U.S. Patent Application No. ______, entitled "ARTICULATION LOCK ARRANGEMENTS FOR LOCKING AN END EFFECTOR IN AN ARTICULATED POSITION IN RESPONSE TO ACTION OF A JAW CLOSURE SYSTEM", ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.
－米国特許出願第＿＿＿＿＿号、発明の名称「ＬＡＴＥＲＡＬＬＹ ＡＣＴＵＡＴＡＢＬＥ ＡＲＴＩＣＵＬＡＴＩＯＮ ＬＯＣＫ ＡＲＲＡＮＧＥＭＥＮＴＳ ＦＯＲ ＬＯＣＫＩＮＧ ＡＮ ＥＮＤ ＥＦＦＥＣＴＯＲ ＯＦ Ａ ＳＵＲＧＩＣＡＬ ＩＮＳＴＲＵＭＥＮＴ ＩＮ ＡＮ ＡＲＴＩＣＵＬＡＴＥＤ ＣＯＮＦＩＧＵＲＡＴＩＯＮ」、代理人整理番号第ＥＮＤ８０３６ＵＳＮＰ／１６０２３３号、及び －米国特許出願第＿＿＿＿＿号, the title of the invention "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATION STROKE AMPLIFICATION FEATURES", Attorney Docket No. END8037USNP/160234.

The applicant of this application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed June 24, 2016, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety:
- US patent application Ser. No. 15/191,775, entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING WIRE STAPLES AND STAMPED STAPLES"
- US patent application Ser. No. 15/191,807, entitled "STAPLING SYSTEM FOR USE WITH WIRE STAPLES AND STAMPED STAPLES",
- U.S. patent application Ser.
- US patent application Ser. No. 15/191,788, entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING OVERDRIVEN STAPLES," and - US patent application Ser.

The applicant of this application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed June 24, 2016, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety:
- US Design Patent Application No. 29/569,218, entitled "SURGICAL FASTENER";
- US Design Patent Application No. 29/569,227, entitled "SURGICAL FASTENER";
- US Design Patent Application No. 29/569,259, entitled "SURGICAL FASTENER CARTRIDGE," and - US Design Patent Application No. 29/569,264, entitled "SURGICAL FASTENER CARTRIDGE."

The applicant of this application owns the following patent applications filed on April 1, 2016, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety:
- US Patent Application No. 15/089,325, entitled "METHOD FOR OPERATING A SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM",
- US patent application Ser.
- U.S. patent application Ser.
- US patent application Ser. No. 15/089,263, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HANDLE ASSEMBLY WITH RECONFIGURABLE GRIP PORTION",
- US patent application Ser.
- US patent application Ser.
- U.S. patent application Ser.
- US patent application Ser.
- U.S. patent application Ser.
- US patent application Ser.
- U.S. patent application Ser.
- U.S. patent application Ser.
- US patent application Ser.
- US Patent Application No. 15/089,203, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A JAW ATTACHMENT LOCKOUT",
- U.S. patent application Ser.
- US Patent Application No. 15/089,324, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A SHIFTING MECHANISM",
- U.S. patent application Ser.
- US patent application Ser. No. 15/089,339, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT",
- U.S. patent application Ser.
- U.S. patent application Ser.
- US patent application Ser. No. 15/089,331, entitled "ANVIL MODIFICATION MEMBERS FOR SURGICAL STAPLERS",
- US Patent Application No. 15/089,336, entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGES WITH ATRAUMATIC FEATURES",
- U.S. patent application Ser.
- US patent application Ser. No. 15/089,309, entitled "CIRCULAR STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING ROTARY FIRING SYSTEM," and - US patent application Ser.

The applicant of this application also owns the following identified U.S. patent applications filed December 31, 2015, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety:
- U.S. patent application Ser.
- U.S. patent application Ser. AND MOTOR CONTROL CIRCUITS'.

The applicant of this application also owns the following identified U.S. patent applications filed February 9, 2016, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety:
- U.S. patent application Ser.
- U.S. patent application Ser.
- US patent application Ser. No. 15/019,196 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ARTICULATION MECHANISM WITH SLOTTED SECONDARY CONSTRAINT";
- U.S. patent application Ser.
- US patent application Ser.
- U.S. patent application Ser.
- US Patent Application No. 15/019,235, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH TENSIONING ARRANGEMENTS FOR CABLE DRIVEN ARTICULATION SYSTEMS",
- US patent application Ser. No. 15/019,230, entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-AXIS FIRING BEAM ARRANGEMENTS"; REDUCTION ARRANGEMENTS".

The applicant of this application also owns the following identified U.S. patent applications filed on February 12, 2016, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety:
- U.S. patent application Ser.
- U.S. patent application Ser.
- U.S. patent application Ser. FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS".

The applicant of the present application owns the following patent applications filed on Jun. 18, 2015, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety:
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The applicant of the present application owns the following patent applications filed March 6, 2015, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety:
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- U.S. patent application Ser. 640,780, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A LOCKABLE BATTERY HOUSING," now published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0256161.

The applicant of this application owns the following patent applications filed on February 27, 2015, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety:
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The applicant of the present application owns the following patent applications filed December 18, 2014, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety:
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The applicant of the present application owns the following patent applications filed March 1, 2013, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety:
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The applicant of this application also owns the following patent applications filed March 14, 2014, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety:
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The applicant of this application also owns the following patent applications filed March 7, 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference:
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The applicant of this application also owns the following patent applications filed on March 26, 2014, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety:
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The applicant of this application also owns the following patent applications filed on September 5, 2014, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety:
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The applicant of this application also owns the following patent applications filed on April 9, 2014, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety:
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－米国特許出願第１４／２４８，５８４号、発明の名称「ＭＯＤＵＬＡＲ ＭＯＴＯＲ ＤＲＩＶＥＮ ＳＵＲＧＩＣＡＬ ＩＮＳＴＲＵＭＥＮＴＳ ＷＩＴＨ ＡＬＩＧＮＭＥＮＴ ＦＥＡＴＵＲＥＳ ＦＯＲ ＡＬＩＧＮＩＮＧ ＲＯＴＡＲＹ ＤＲＩＶＥ ＳＨＡＦＴＳ ＷＩＴＨ ＳＵＲＧＩＣＡＬ ＥＮＤ ＥＦＦＥＣＴＯＲ ＳＨＡＦＴＳ」、現在は米国特許出願公開第２０１４／０３０５９９４号として公開、
- U.S. patent application Ser.
- U.S. patent application Ser. 607, entitled "MODULAR MOTOR DRIVEN SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH STATUS INDICATION ARRANGEMENTS," now published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0305992.

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

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

The terms "comprise" (any form of comprise, such as "comprises" and "comprising"), "have" (any form of have, such as "has" and "having"), "comprise ( "include" (any form of include, such as "includes" and "including") and "contain" (any form of contain, such as "contains" and "containing") refer to open-ended linkages. is a verb. As a result, a surgical system, device, or apparatus that “comprises,” “has,” “includes,” or “contains” one or more elements has one or more of those elements but not one of them. You are not limited to having only one or more. Similarly, a system, device, or element of apparatus that “comprises,” “has,” “includes,” or “contains” one or more features has those one or more features but does not include those one or more features. It is not limited to having only the above features.

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

Various exemplary devices and methods are provided for performing laparoscopic and minimally invasive surgery. However, the reader will readily appreciate that the various methods and devices disclosed herein can be used in many surgical procedures and applications, including, for example, those associated with open surgery. By reading the Detailed Description of the Invention herein, the reader will understand that the various instruments disclosed herein can be used to pierce an incision or puncture made in tissue, for example, through a natural orifice. It will further be appreciated that it may be inserted into the body in any manner, such as through a hole. The working or end effector portion of these instruments can be inserted directly into the patient's body or through an access device having a working channel through which the end effector and elongated shaft of the surgical instrument can be advanced. can also

A surgical stapling system can comprise a shaft and an end effector extending from the shaft. The end effector includes a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw includes a staple cartridge. the staple cartridge is insertable into and 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 envisioned. The second jaw includes an anvil configured to deform staples ejected from the staple cartridge. The second jaw is pivotable relative to the first jaw about the closing axis, but the first jaw is pivotable relative to the second jaw. Embodiments are also envisioned. The surgical stapling system further includes an articulation joint configured to allow the end effector to rotate or articulate with respect to the shaft. The end effector is rotatable about an articulation axis that extends through the articulation joint. Other embodiments are also envisioned that do not include an articulation joint.

The staple cartridge has 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 a first side of the tissue to be stapled and the anvil is positioned on a second side of the tissue. The anvil is moved toward the staple cartridge to compress and clamp tissue against the deck. Staples removably stored within the cartridge body can then be deployed into tissue. The cartridge body includes a staple cavity defined therein, and staples are removably stored within the staple cavities. The staple cavities are arranged in six longitudinal rows. Three rows of staple cavities are positioned on a first side of the longitudinal slot and three rows of staple cavities are positioned on a second side of the longitudinal slot. Other arrangements of staple cavities and staples may also be possible.

The staples are supported by staple drivers within the cartridge body. The driver is movable between a first or unfired position and a second or fired position that ejects staples from the staple cavities. The driver is retained within the cartridge body by a retainer extending around the bottom of the cartridge body and includes a resilient member configured to grip the cartridge body and retain the retainer against the cartridge body. . The drivers are movable between their unfired position and their fired position by a sled. The sled is movable between a proximal position adjacent to the proximal end and a distal position adjacent to the distal end. The sled slides under the driver and includes a plurality of ramps configured to lift the driver, with staples supported thereon, toward the anvil.

In addition to the above, the sled is moved distally by the firing member. A firing member is configured to contact the sled and push the sled toward the distal end. A longitudinal slot defined within the cartridge body is configured to receive the firing member. The anvil also includes a slot configured to receive the firing member. The firing member further comprises a first cam engaging the first jaw and a second cam engaging the second jaw. In advancing the firing member distally, the first cam and the second cam can control the distance between the deck of the staple cartridge and the anvil, ie, the tissue gap. The firing member also includes a knife configured to cut tissue captured intermediate the staple cartridge and the anvil. Desirably, the knife is positioned at least partially proximal to the ramp so that the staples are ejected forward of the knife.

FIG. 1 shows a motorized surgical system 10 that can be used to perform a variety of different surgical procedures. As shown therein, one example of surgical system 10 includes four interchangeable surgical tool assemblies 100, 200, 300 and 1000 for use with handle assembly 500 and interchangeably. are adapted to each other. Each interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100, 200, 300, and 1000 may be designed for use in connection with performing one or more specific surgical procedures. In another surgical system embodiment, the interchangeable surgical tool assembly can be effectively used with a tool drive assembly of a robotic or automated surgical system. For example, the surgical tool assemblies disclosed herein are disclosed, for example, in US Pat. can be used with various robotic systems, instruments, components, and methods disclosed in, but not limited to,

FIG. 2 shows one form of interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 operably coupled to handle assembly 500 . FIG. 3 shows the attachment of interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 to handle assembly 500 . The mounting configuration and process shown in FIG. 3 may also be used in connection with mounting any of the interchangeable surgical tool assemblies 100, 200, 300 and 1000 to a tool drive portion or tool drive housing of a robotic system. good. Handle assembly 500 may comprise a handle housing 502 that includes a pistol grip portion 504 that may be grasped and manipulated by a clinician. As discussed briefly below, the handle assembly 500 operably supports a plurality of drive systems that are operably attached to the interchangeable surgical tool assemblies 100, 200, 300. , and/or 1000 to generate and apply various control motions to corresponding portions.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the handle assembly 500 may further include a frame 506 that operably supports multiple drive systems. For example, frame 506 may operably support a “first” or closure drive system, generally designated 510 , operably attached to handle assembly 500 . or used to apply opening and closing motions to the linked interchangeable surgical tool assemblies 100, 200, 300, and 1000. In at least one form, closure drive system 510 may include an actuator in the form of closure trigger 512 pivotally supported by frame 506 . Such a configuration allows the clinician to manipulate the closure trigger 512 such that when the clinician grasps the pistol grip portion 504 of the handle assembly 500, the closure trigger 512 " It is readily pivotable to the "actuated" position, and more specifically to the fully compressed or fully actuated position. In various forms, the closure drive system 510 further includes a closure linkage assembly 514 pivotally coupled or otherwise operably interfaced with the closure trigger 512 . As will be described in greater detail below, in the illustrated example, closure linkage assembly 514 includes lateral mounting pins 516 that facilitate attachment to a corresponding drive system on a surgical tool assembly. In use, the clinician depresses the closure trigger 512 toward the pistol grip portion 504 to activate the closure drive system. U.S. Patent Application No. 14/226,142, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A SENSOR SYSTEM," now incorporated by reference herein as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0272575; As explained 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 either fully depresses or fully depresses the closure trigger 512 . configured to lock in an actuated position; If the clinician desires to unlock the closure trigger 512 and bias the closure trigger 512 to the non-actuated position, the clinician simply activates the closure release button assembly 518 to release the closure trigger. Allows to return to working position. Closure release button 518 may also be configured to interact with various sensors in communication with microcontroller 520 within handle assembly 500 to track the position of closure trigger 512 . Further details regarding the construction and operation of the closure release button assembly 518 may be found in US Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0272575.

In at least one form, handle assembly 500 and frame 506 may operably support another drive system, referred to herein as firing drive system 530, which supports an attached compatible surgical device. configured to apply a firing motion to a corresponding portion of the tool assembly for use. As described in detail in US Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0272575, firing drive system 530 includes an electric motor (shown in FIGS. 1-3) located within pistol grip portion 504 of handle assembly 500. not) may be used. In various forms, the motor may be, for example, a brushed DC drive motor having a maximum speed of about 25,000 RPM. In other configurations, the motor may include a brushless motor, cordless motor, synchronous motor, stepper motor, or any other suitable electric motor. The motor may be powered by a power supply 522, which in one form may comprise a removable power pack. The power pack may support multiple lithium-ion (“LI”) batteries or other suitable batteries therein. Multiple batteries may be used as the power source 522 for the surgical system 10, and the batteries may be connected together in series. Power source 522 may also be replaceable and/or rechargeable.

The electric motor is configured to axially drive the longitudinally movable drive member 540 distally and proximally, depending on the polarity of the motor. For example, when the motor is driven in one rotational direction, the longitudinally movable drive member 540 is driven axially in the distal direction "DD". When the motor is driven in the opposite rotational direction, drive member 540 is driven axially in the proximal direction “PD”. The handle assembly 500 may include a switch 513 that may be configured to reverse the polarity applied to the electric motor by the power source 522 or otherwise control the electric motor. Handle 500 may also include one or more sensors (not shown) configured to detect the position of drive member 540 and/or the direction in which drive member 540 is being moved. Motor actuation may be controlled by a firing trigger 532 (see FIG. 1) that is pivotally supported on handle assembly 500 . Firing trigger 532 may be pivoted between an unactuated position and an actuated position. Firing trigger 532 is spring- or otherwise spring-loaded so that when the clinician releases firing trigger 532, it can be pivoted to an unactuated position or otherwise returned by a spring or other biasing arrangement. may be biased to the unactuated position by a biasing arrangement of . In at least one form, the firing trigger 532 can be positioned "outside" the closing trigger 512, as described above. As described in US Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0272575, handle assembly 500 may include a firing trigger safety button (not shown) to prevent accidental actuation of firing trigger 532 . When the closure trigger 512 is in the unactuated position, the safety button is housed within the handle assembly 500 and is not readily accessible to the clinician and is in a safe position that prevents actuation of the firing trigger 532. , the safety button cannot be moved to or 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 pivots downward, which in turn allows the clinician to operate the safety button and firing trigger 532 .

In at least one form, the longitudinally movable drive member 540 may have a rack having a number of teeth (not shown) formed thereon, the rack connecting with the motor. It meshes and engages with a corresponding drive gear arrangement (not shown). Further details regarding these mechanisms may be found in US Patent Application No. 2015/0272575. Also, in at least one form, a manually actuatable "emergency release" assembly configured to allow a clinician to manually retract the longitudinally movable drive member 540 in the event of a motor failure. can be included. The emergency release assembly may include a lever or emergency release handle assembly stored under releasable door 550 within handle assembly 500 . The lever is configured to be manually pivoted into ratcheting engagement with the teeth of drive member 540 . Accordingly, a clinician can manually retract drive member 540 by ratcheting drive member 5400 proximally “PD” using the emergency disengagement handle assembly. U.S. patent application Ser. Documents, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, disclose emergency release configurations and other components, configurations, and systems that may be used with the various surgical tool assemblies disclosed herein.

Referring now to FIG. 2, interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 includes a surgical end effector 110 having first and second jaws. The first jaw includes an elongated channel 112 configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge 116 therein. The second jaw includes an anvil 114 pivotally supported relative to elongated channel 112 . Interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 also includes a lockable articulation joint 120 that can be configured to releasably retain end effector 110 in a desired position relative to shaft axis SA. Details regarding various constructions and operations of the end effector 110, articulation joint 120, and articulation lock are described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/803,086, entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION LOCK", now published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263541. 2 and 3, interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 includes a proximal housing or nozzle 130 and a closure tube assembly that can be utilized to close and/or open anvil 114 of end effector 110. 140 and . As described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0272575, the closure tube assembly 140 is movably mounted on a spine 145 that supports an articulation drive mechanism 147 for applying articulation to the surgical end effector 110. Supported. Spine 145 is configured to (1) slidably support firing bar 170 therein and (2) slidably support closure tube assembly 140 extending about spine 145 . Configured. Under various circumstances, spine 145 has a proximal end rotatably supported within chassis 150 . See FIG. In one configuration, for example, the proximal end of spine 145 is attached to a spine bearing (not shown) configured to be supported within chassis 150 . Such a configuration facilitates rotatable mounting of spine 145 relative to chassis 150 such that spine 145 can be selectively rotated relative to chassis 150 about shaft axis SA. Become.

Still referring to FIG. 3 , interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 includes closure shuttle 160 slidably supported therein so as to be axially moveable relative to chassis 150 . As can be seen in FIG. 3 , closure shuttle 160 includes a pair of proximally projecting hooks 162 that are configured to attach to mounting pins 516 attached to closure linkage assembly 514 within handle assembly 500 . It is A proximal closure tube segment 146 of closure tube assembly 140 is coupled to closure shuttle 160 for relative rotation therewith. Thus, when hook 162 engages pin 516 , actuation of closure trigger 512 results in axial movement of closure shuttle 160 and ultimately closure tube assembly 140 on spine 145 . A closure spring (not shown) is pivoted on closure tube assembly 140 and serves to bias closure tube assembly 140 in the proximal direction “PD”, thereby manipulating shaft assembly 100 to handle assembly 500 . can serve to pivot the closure trigger 512 to the unactuated position. In use, closure tube assembly 140 is moved distally (direction “DD”) to close anvil 114 , eg, in response to actuation of closure trigger 512 . Closure tube assembly 140 includes a distal closure tube segment 142 pivotally pinned to the distal end of a proximal closure tube segment 146 . Distal closure tube segment 142 , along with proximal closure tube segment 146 , are configured to move axially relative to surgical end effector 110 . When the distal end of the distal closure tube segment 142 impacts the proximal surface or ledge 115 on the anvil 114, the anvil 114 is pivoted closed. Closure of the anvil 114 is described in greater detail in the aforementioned US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263541 and is also described in greater detail below. The anvil 114 is opened by moving the distal obturating tube segment 142 proximally, as described in detail in US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263541. Distal closure tube segment 142 has a horseshoe-shaped opening 143 therein that defines a downwardly extending return tab (not shown) that extends onto the proximal end of anvil 114 . In cooperation with formed anvil tabs 117, anvil 114 is pivoted back to the open position. In the fully open position, closure tube assembly 140 is in its most proximal or unactuated position.

As also mentioned above, interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 further includes firing bar 170 supported for axial movement within shaft spine 145 . Firing bar 170 includes an intermediate firing shaft portion configured to be attached to a distal cutting portion or knife bar configured to move axially through surgical end effector 110. It is In at least one configuration, interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 includes a clutch assembly (not shown) that can be configured to selectively and releasably couple articulation drive to firing bar 170 . Further details regarding the clutch assembly may be found in US Patent Application No. 2014/0263541. As described in US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263541, distal movement of firing bar 170 moves articulation drive mechanism 147 distally when the clutch assembly is in its engaged position. Similarly, proximal movement of firing bar 170 can cause articulation drive mechanism 147 to move proximally. When the clutch assembly is in its disengaged position, movement of the firing bar 170 is not transmitted to the articulation drive mechanism 147 so that the firing member 170 can move independently of the articulation drive mechanism 147. . Interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 may also include a slip ring assembly (not shown), which supplies power to and/or is supplied from end effector 110, and/or configured to transmit signals to and/or from the end effector 110 . Further details regarding the slip ring assembly may be found in US Patent Application No. 2014/0263541. US patent application Ser. incorporated into. US 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, chassis 150 is adapted to be received in dovetail slots 507 formed in the distal end of frame 506 and includes at least one, and preferably two, dovetail slots 507 formed on chassis 150. It has a corresponding tapered mounting portion 152 . Each dovetail slot 507 may be tapered, or in other words somewhat v-shaped, to receive tapered mounting portion 152 therein. As further seen in FIG. 3, a shaft mounting lug 172 is formed at the proximal end of firing shaft 170 . When interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 is coupled to handle assembly 500 , shaft mounting lugs 172 are received in shaft mounting cradle 542 formed at the distal end of longitudinally movable drive member 540 . . Interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 also employs latch system 180 to releasably latch shaft assembly 100 to frame 506 of handle assembly 500 . In at least one form, for example, latch system 180 includes a locking member or locking yoke 182 movably coupled to chassis 150 . Locking yoke 182 has two proximally projecting locking lugs 184 configured to releasably engage corresponding locking detents or locking grooves 509 in the distal mounting flange of frame 506 . may contain. In various forms, locking yoke 182 is proximally biased by a spring or biasing member. Actuation of lock yoke 182 may be provided by a latch button 186 slidably mounted on a latch actuator assembly mounted on chassis 150 . Latch button 186 may be biased proximally against locking yoke 182 . As will be described in more detail below, locking yoke 182 may be moved to the unlocked position by biasing latch button 186 distally DD, which also causes locking yoke 182 to pivot. out of retaining engagement with the distal mounting flange of frame 506 . When locking yoke 182 is in “retaining engagement” with the distal mounting flange of frame 506 , locking lugs 184 are retained within corresponding locking detents or locking grooves 509 in the distal end of frame 506 . It's settled. Further details regarding the latch system may be found in US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263541.

Attachment of interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 to handle assembly 500 will now be described with reference to FIG. To begin the coupling process, the clinician aligns the tapered mounting portion 152 formed on the chassis 150 of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 with the dovetail slot 507 of the frame 506 and inserts into the chassis. 150 may be positioned above or adjacent to the distal end of frame 506 . The clinician then moves surgical tool assembly 100 along installation axis IA perpendicular to shaft axis SA to move tapered mounting portion 152 into a corresponding dovetail receiving portion at the distal end of frame 506. It may be received in “operable engagement” with slot 507 . In so doing, the shaft mounting lug 172 on the firing shaft 170 is also received in a cradle 542 of the longitudinally movable drive member 540 so that the portion of the pin 516 on the closure link 514 corresponds to the closure shuttle 160 . It is housed in hook 162 . As used herein, the term "operable engagement" in the context of two components means that when those two components are fully engaged with each other such that an actuation motion is applied to them, It means that the component can perform the intended acts, functions and/or procedures.

Referring now again to FIG. 1, the surgical system 10 shown in this figure includes four interchangeable surgical tool assemblies 100, 200, 300 and 1000, each effectively working with the same handle assembly 500. It can be used to perform different surgical procedures. An example configuration in the form of interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 is briefly discussed above and is described in greater detail in US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263541. Various details regarding interchangeable surgical tool assemblies 200 and 300 are set forth in various US patent applications filed on even date herewith and incorporated herein by reference. Various details regarding interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 are discussed in greater detail below.

As shown in FIG. 1, surgical tool assemblies 100, 200, 300, and 1000 each include a pair of jaws, at least one of the jaws for capturing or capturing tissue between the two jaws. It is movable between an open position in which it can be manipulated and a closed position in which tissue is securely held therebetween. The one or more movable jaws move between an open position and a closed position when an opening and closing motion is applied from the handle assembly or from a robotic or surgical automation system to which the surgical tool assembly is operably coupled. move with Additionally, each of the illustrated interchangeable surgical tool assemblies includes a firing member that flexes in the jaws in response to firing motion applied thereto by the handle assembly or the robotic system. configured to fire staples from a staple cartridge supported by one of the. Each surgical tool assembly is uniquely designed such that each performs a specific procedure, e.g., cutting and fastening a specific type of tissue within a specific region within the body and a specific thickness of tissue. may have been done. The closing motion control system, firing motion control system, and articulation control system in the handle assembly 500 or robotic system may vary depending on the type of closing motion system configuration, firing motion system configuration, and articulation system configuration used in the surgical tool assembly. Accordingly, it may be configured to produce axial control motion and/or rotational control motion. In one configuration, when the handle assembly or the closed motion control system in the robotic system is fully actuated, one of the components of the closed motion system control (e.g., with the closed tube assembly as described above) is activated. may) move axially from the non-actuated position to the fully actuated position. The axial distance that the closure tube assembly travels between the non-actuated position and the fully actuated position may be referred to herein as the "closure stroke length." Similarly, when the handle assembly or the firing system within the robotic system is fully good) moves axially from an unactuated position to a fully actuated or fired position. The axial distance that the longitudinally movable drive member travels between the unactuated position and the fully fired position may be referred to herein as the "firing stroke length." In a surgical tool assembly using an articulatable end effector configuration, the handle assembly or robotic system may employ an articulation control component that moves axially over an "articulation drive stroke length." In many situations, the closing stroke length, firing stroke length, and articulation drive stroke length are fixed for a particular handle assembly or robotic system. Here, each of the surgical tool assemblies can be closed and fired over its entire stroke length without undue stress on the surgical tool components that could result in damage or catastrophic failure of the surgical tool assembly. , and/or accommodation of controlled movements of the joint components.

4-10, an interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 includes a surgical end effector 1100 having an elongated channel 1102 that accommodates a staple cartridge 1110 therein. is configured to operably support the End effector 1100 may further include an anvil 1130 pivotally supported relative to elongated channel 1102 . Interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 may further include an articulation joint 1200 and an articulation lock 1210 (see FIGS. 5 and 8-10), wherein articulation joint 1200 and articulation lock 1210 are aligned relative to shaft axis SA as desired. It can be configured to releasably retain the end effector 1100 in the articulated position. With respect to the construction and operation of the articulation lock 1210, see U.S. patent application Ser. can be further described in the document now published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263541. Further with respect to the articulation lock, U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15/019,196, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ARTICULATION MECHANISM WITH SLOTTED SECONDARY," filed February 9, 2016, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. CONSTRAINT” is also explained in detail. As seen in FIG. 7, the interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 includes a proximal housing or nozzle 1300 comprised of nozzle portions 1302, 1304, and snaps, prongs, screws into the assembled nozzle portions 1302, 1304. and an actuator wheel portion 1306 configured to be coupled by, for example. Interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 may further include closure tube assembly 1400 that may be utilized to close and/or open anvil 1130 of end effector 1100, as discussed in greater detail below. Referring now primarily to FIGS. 8 and 9 , interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 can include spine assembly 1500 that can be configured to support articulation lock 1210 . In the illustrated configuration, spine assembly 1500 includes a “elastic” spine member or “elastic” frame member 1510, which is described in greater detail below. The distal end 1522 of the elastic spine member 1510 is attached to a distal frame segment 1560 which operably supports the articulation lock 1210 therein. 7 and 8, spine assembly 1500 is configured to (1) slidably support firing member assembly 1600 therein and (2) extend about spine assembly 1500. is configured to slidably support a closure tube assembly 1400 that Spine assembly 1500 can also be configured to slidably support proximal articulation drive 1700 .

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

Still referring to FIG. 10 , in the illustrated embodiment, articulation drive 1700 has a distal end 1702 configured to operably engage articulation lock 1210 . Articulation lock 1210 includes an articulation frame 1212 adapted to operably engage drive pin 1238 on pivot base 1232 of end effector mounting assembly 1230 . Additionally, a cross link 1237 may be coupled to the drive pin 1238 and the articulation frame 1212 to assist in articulating the end effector 1100 . As noted above, the operation of articulation lock 1210 and articulation frame 1212 may be further described in US patent application Ser. No. 13/803,086, now published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263541. . With respect to end effector mounting assemblies and cross-links, U.S. patent application Ser. CLOSURE STROKE REDUCTION ARRANGEMENTS". In various situations, resilient spine member 1510 has a proximal end 1514 that is rotatably supported within chassis 1800 . In one configuration, for example, the proximal end 1514 of the resilient spine member 1510 is configured for threaded attachment to a spine bearing (not shown) configured to be supported within the chassis 1800. It has threads 1516 . Such a configuration facilitates rotatable attachment of resilient spine member 1510 to chassis 1800, allowing spine assembly 1500 to selectively rotate relative to chassis 1800 about shaft axis SA.

Referring now primarily to FIG. 7, interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 includes closure shuttle 1420 slidably supported within chassis 1800 for axial movement relative to chassis 1800 . It is possible. In one form, closure shuttle 1420 includes a pair of proximally projecting hooks 1421 configured to attach to mounting pin 516, which is attached to closure linkage assembly 514 of handle assembly 500 as described above. attached to the A proximal end 1412 of the proximal closure tube segment 1410 is coupled to the closure shuttle 1420 for relative rotation therewith. For example, U-connector 1424 is inserted into annular slot 1414 at proximal end 1412 of proximal closure tube segment 1410 and retained within vertical slot 1422 of closure shuttle 1420 . See FIG. With such a configuration, the proximal closure tube segment 1410 is mounted to the closure shuttle 1420 for axial movement while the closure tube assembly 1400 is mounted relative to the closure shuttle 1420 about the shaft axis SA. rotatable. A closure spring (not shown) is journalled on the proximal end 1412 of the proximal closure tube segment 1410 and functions to bias the closure tube assembly 1400 in the proximal direction PD. , thereby functioning to pivot closure trigger 512 on handle assembly 500 (see FIG. 3) to an unactuated position when interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 is operably coupled to handle assembly 500. .

As mentioned above, the illustrated interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 includes an articulation joint 1200 . However, other compatible surgical tool assemblies may not be articulatable. As seen in FIG. 10 , upper tang 1415 and lower tang 1416 project distally from the distal end of proximal closure tube segment 1410 to provide distal closure of end effector closure sleeve or closure tube assembly 1400 . It is movably connected to pipe segment 1430 . As seen in FIG. 10, distal obturator tube segment 1430 includes upper tang 1434 and lower tang 1436 projecting proximally from its proximal end. The upper dual pivot link 1220 includes a proximal pin and a distal pin, which are located on the upper tangs 1415 and 1434 of the proximal and distal closure tube segments 1410 and 1430, respectively. engage corresponding holes in the Similarly, the lower double pivot link 1222 includes a proximal pin and a distal pin, which are the lower tangs of the proximal and distal closure tube segments 1410 and 1430, respectively. It engages corresponding holes in 1416 and 1436 . Axial distal and proximal movement of closure tube assembly 1400 closes and opens anvil 1130 relative to elongated channel 1102, as discussed in greater detail below.

As mentioned above, interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 further includes firing member assembly 1600 supported for axial movement within spine assembly 1500 . In the illustrated embodiment, firing member assembly 1600 includes an intermediate firing shaft portion 1602 configured to attach to a distal cutting portion or knife bar 1610 . Firing 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 firing shaft portion 1602 may include a longitudinal slot 1604 at its distal end that extends into a tab (not shown) at the proximal end of the knife bar 1610. can be configured to receive The longitudinal slot 1604 and the proximal end of the knife bar 1610 can be sized and configured to allow relative movement therebetween and can form a slip joint 1612 . The slip joint 1612 can allow the middle firing shaft portion 1602 of the firing member assembly 1600 to move to articulate the end effector 1100 without moving the knife bar 1610, or at least substantially without moving it. . Once end effector 1100 is properly oriented, advance intermediate firing shaft portion 1602 distally until the proximal sidewall of longitudinal slot 1604 contacts a tab on knife bar 1610 to advance knife bar 1610; A staple cartridge disposed within channel 1102 can be fired. 8 and 9, resilient spine member 1520 has an elongated opening or window 1525 therein that assembles intermediate firing shaft portion 1602. , and the insertion of intermediate firing shaft portion 1602 into resilient spine member 1520 . Once intermediate firing shaft portion 1602 is inserted, top frame segment 1527 may engage resilient spine member 1520 to enclose intermediate firing shaft portion 1602 and knife bar 1610 therein. Further details regarding the operation of firing member assembly 1600 may be found in US Patent Application No. 13/803,086, now published as US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263541.

In addition to the above, interchangeable tool assembly 1000 may also include clutch assembly 1620 , which may be configured to selectively and releasably couple articulation drive 1800 to firing member assembly 1600 . can. In one form, clutch assembly 1620 includes a locking collar or locking sleeve 1622 disposed about firing member assembly 1600 where locking sleeve 1622 couples articulation drive 1700 to firing member assembly 1600. Rotatable between an engaged position and a disengaged position in which articulation drive 1700 is not operably coupled to firing member assembly 1600 . When locking sleeve 1622 is in the engaged position, distal movement of firing member assembly 1600 can cause articulation drive 1700 to move distally, which in turn causes firing member assembly 1600 to move proximally. Movement in the direction allows the articulation drive 1700 to move in the proximal direction. When the locking sleeve 1622 is in the disengaged position, movement of the firing member assembly 1600 is not transmitted to the articulation drive 1700 so that the firing member assembly 1600 is independent of the articulation drive 1700. can be moved by In various situations, articulation drive 1700 can be held in place by articulation lock 1210 when articulation drive 1700 is not being moved proximally or distally by firing member assembly 1600 .

Referring primarily to FIG. 7, the locking sleeve 1622 can comprise a cylindrical, or at least substantially cylindrical, body including a longitudinal opening 1624 defined therein and extending longitudinally. Directional opening 1624 is configured to receive firing member assembly 1600 . Locking sleeve 1622 may comprise diametrically opposed, respectively inwardly facing locking projections 1626 and 1628 and an outwardly facing locking member 1629 . Locking projections 1626 and 1628 may be configured to selectively engage middle firing shaft portion 1602 of firing member assembly 1600 . More specifically, when locking sleeve 1622 is in its engaged position, locking projections 1626 and 1628 are disposed within drive notches 1605 defined in intermediate firing shaft portion 1602 and thus extend distally. A pushing force and/or a proximal pulling force can be transferred from firing member assembly 1600 to locking sleeve 1622 . When locking sleeve 1622 is in its engaged position, second locking member 1629 is received within drive notch 1704 defined in articulation drive 1700 , thereby exerting distal force on locking sleeve 1622 . A pushing force and/or a proximal pulling force can be transmitted to the articulation drive 1700 . In effect, when locking sleeve 1622 is in the engaged position, firing member assembly 1600, locking sleeve 1622, and articulation drive 1700 move together. On the other hand, when locking sleeve 1622 is in the disengaged position, locking projections 1626 and 1628 cannot be positioned within drive notch 1605 of intermediate firing shaft portion 1602 of firing member assembly 1600, thereby Pushing forces in the proximal direction and/or pulling forces in the proximal direction cannot be transmitted from firing member assembly 1600 to locking sleeve 1622 . Correspondingly, distal pushing forces and/or proximal pulling forces cannot be transmitted to the articulation drive 1700 . Under such circumstances, firing member assembly 1600 may be slid proximally and/or distally relative to locking sleeve 1622 and proximal articulation drive 1700 . Clutch assembly 1620 further includes a switch drum 1630 that interfaces with lock sleeve 1622 . Further regarding the operation of the switch drum and locking sleeve 1622, see U.S. Patent Application No. 13/803,086, now published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263541, and U.S. Patent Application No. 15/019,196 No. can be explained in detail. Switch drum 1630 may further include at least partially circumferential openings 1632 and 1634 defined therein, which extend from nozzle halves 1302 and 1304. A circumferential mounting seat 1305 can be received to allow relative rotation but not translational movement between the switch drum 1630 and the proximal nozzle 1300 . See FIG. However, rotating nozzle 1300 to the point where the mounting seats reach the ends of respective slots 1632 and 1634 in switch drum 1630 causes switch drum 1630 to rotate about shaft axis SA. Rotation of switch drum 1630 ultimately causes locking sleeve 1622 to move between its engaged and disengaged positions. Thus, in essence, the nozzle 1300 is U.S. Patent Application No. 13/803,086, now published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263541, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. to operably engage and disengage the articulation drive system and the firing drive system in various manners that are described in more detail in the literature and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,196. may be used.

In the illustrated configuration, switch drum 1630 includes an L-shaped slot 1636 that extends into a distal opening 1637 within switch drum 1630 . Distal opening 1637 receives lateral pin 1639 of shifter plate 1638 . In one example, the shifter plate 1638 is received within a longitudinal slot (not shown) provided in the locking sleeve 1622 such that the locking sleeve 1622 axially shifts when the locking sleeve 1622 is engaged with the articulation drive 1700 . make it easier to move to No. 14/868,718, entitled "SURGICAL," filed Sep. 28, 2015, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. STAPLING INSTRUMENT WITH SHAFT RELEASE, POWERED FIRING AND POWERED ARTICULATION".

7 and 8, the interchangeable tool assembly 1000 conducts power to and/or communicates signals with the end effector 1100, such as a handle assembly or A slip ring assembly 1640 can be provided that can be configured to send a signal back to the microprocessor in the robotic system controller. Further regarding the slip ring assembly 1640 and related connectors, published as U.S. Patent Application No. 13/803,086, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263541, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. U.S. Patent Application No. 15/019,196, and U.S. Patent Application No. 13/800,067, entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM," now published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263552 can be explained in detail in the published literature. Interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 is also configured to detect the position of switch drum 1630 at least as described in more detail in the aforementioned patent application documents, which are incorporated herein by reference. One sensor may also be provided.

Referring now again to FIG. 7, chassis 1800 includes at least one and preferably two tapered mounting portions 1802 formed on chassis 1800, which tapered mounting portions 1802, as described above, are used for handle assemblies. 500 is formed within the distal end of frame 506 of 500 and adapted to be received in corresponding dovetail slots 507 thereover. As further illustrated in FIG. 7, shaft mounting lugs 1605 are formed at the proximal end of intermediate firing shaft 1602 . As will be described in greater detail below, when interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 is coupled to handle assembly 500, shaft mounting lug 1605 engages firing shaft mounting cradle 542 formed at the distal end of longitudinal drive member 540. Acceptable. See FIG.

Various interchangeable surgical tool assemblies employ latch system 1810 to removably couple interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 to frame 506 of handle assembly 500 . As can be seen in FIG. 7, for example, in at least one form latch system 1810 includes a locking member or locking yoke 1812 movably coupled to chassis 1800 . In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the locking yoke 1812 has a U-shape with two spaced downwardly extending legs 1814 . Legs 1814 are each formed with pivot lugs (not shown) formed in chassis 1800 and adapted to be received in corresponding holes 1816 . Such a configuration facilitates pivotal attachment of lock yoke 1812 to chassis 1800 . Locking yoke 1812 may include two proximally projecting locking lugs 1818 that releasably engage corresponding locking detents or grooves 509 in the distal end of frame 506 of handle assembly 500 . configured to fit. See FIG. In various forms, locking yoke 1812 is biased proximally by a spring or biasing member 1819 . Lock yoke 1812 may be actuated by latch button 1820 slidably mounted on latch actuator assembly 1822 mounted to chassis 1800 . Latch button 1820 may be biased proximally against locking yoke 1812 . Lock yoke 1812 may be moved to an unlocked position by biasing latch button 1820 distally, which also causes lock yoke 1812 to pivot into and out of contact with the distal end of frame 506 . out of retaining engagement. When locking yoke 1812 is in “retaining engagement” with the distal end of frame 506 , locking lugs 1818 are retained and seated within corresponding locking detents or grooves 509 in the distal end of frame 506 . .

In the illustrated configuration, the locking yoke 1812 includes at least one and preferably two locking hooks 1824 adapted to contact corresponding locking lug portions 1426 formed on the closure shuttle 1420. are adapted. When closure shuttle 1420 is in the unactuated position, locking yoke 1812 can be pivoted distally to unlock compatible surgical tool assembly 1000 from handle assembly 500 . In that position, locking hook 1824 does not contact locking lug portion 1426 on closure shuttle 1420 . However, when the closure shuttle 1420 is moved to the actuated position, the locking yoke 1812 is prevented from being pivoted to the unlocked position. In other words, if the clinician attempts to pivot the locking yoke 1812 to the unlocked position, or in such a way that, for example, the locking yoke 1812 might otherwise pivot distally, If something inadvertently bumps or contacts the lock yoke 1812, a lock hook 1824 on the lock yoke 1812 contacts a lock lug 1426 on the closure shuttle 1420, preventing the lock yoke 1812 from moving to the unlocked position. To prevent.

Still referring to FIG. 10, the knife bar 1610 may comprise a laminated beam structure including at least two beam layers. Such beam layers may include, for example, stainless steel bands that are welded together at their proximal ends and/or elsewhere along their length, for example. interconnected by tapping or pinning. In an alternative embodiment, the distal ends of the bands are not connected to each other, allowing the laminations or bands to spread significantly relative to each other when the end effector is articulated. Such a configuration allows the knife bar 1610 to have sufficient flexibility to accommodate articulation of the end effector. Various laminated knife bar configurations are disclosed in US patent application Ser. No. 15/019,245. As also seen in FIG. 10, a central support member 1614 is employed to provide lateral support to the knife bar 1610 as it bends to accommodate articulation of the surgical end effector 1100. . Further details regarding the central support member and alternative knife bar support configurations are disclosed in US patent application Ser. No. 15/019,245. As also seen in FIG. 10, a firing or knife member 1620 is attached to the distal end of knife bar 1610 .

FIG. 11 illustrates one form of firing member 1660 that may be used with interchangeable tool assembly 1000. FIG. In one exemplary form, firing member 1660 includes a body portion 1662 that includes a proximally extending connector member 1663 at the distal end of knife bar 1610. , is configured to be received within a correspondingly shaped connector opening 1614 . See FIG. Connector 1663 may be retained within connector opening 1614 by frictional forces and/or such as by welding or a suitable adhesive. Body portion 1662 projects through elongate slot 1104 within elongate channel 1102 and terminates in laterally extending leg members 1664 on both sides of body portion 1662 . As firing member 1660 is driven distally through surgical staple cartridge 1110 , foot member 1664 rides within passageway 1105 within elongated channel 1102 located below surgical staple cartridge 1110 . As seen in FIG. 11, one form of firing member 1660 may further include a laterally projecting central tab, pin, or retention feature 1680 . As firing member 1660 is driven distally through surgical staple cartridge 1110 , central retention feature 1680 rides up on inner surface 1106 of elongated channel 1102 . Body portion 1662 of firing member 1660 further includes a tissue cutting edge or feature 1666 disposed between distally projecting hook mechanism 1665 and distally projecting upper nose portion 1670 . . As further seen in FIG. 11, firing member 1660 may further include two laterally extending upper tabs, pins, or anvil engagement features 1665 . As firing member 1660 is driven distally, the upper portion of body 1662 extends through centrally-disposed anvil slot 1138 and upper anvil-engaging features 1672 engage opposite sides of anvil slot 1134. It rides over the corresponding ledge 1136 formed in the . See FIGS. 13 and 14. FIG.

Returning to FIG. 10, firing member 1660 is configured to operably interface with sled assembly 1120 operably supported within body 1111 of surgical staple cartridge 1110 . Sled assembly 1120 is slidable within surgical staple cartridge body 1111 from a proximal starting position adjacent proximal end 1112 of cartridge body 1111 to an ending position adjacent distal end 1113 of cartridge body 1111 . Displaceable. Cartridge body 1111 operably supports therein a plurality of staple drivers (not shown) aligned in opposite rows of a centrally-disposed slot 1114 . A centrally-disposed slot 1114 allows firing member 1660 to pass through the slot and thereby cut tissue clamped between anvil 1130 and staple cartridge 1110 . The drives are associated with respective pockets 1116 that open through the upper deck surface 1115 of the cartridge body. Each staple driver supports one or more surgical staples or fasteners (not shown) thereon. Sled assembly 1120 includes a plurality of angled or wedge-shaped cams 1122 , each cam 1122 corresponding to a particular row of fasteners or drivers located on one side of slot 1114 . In the example shown, one cam 1122 is aligned with a row of "double" drives, each supporting two staples or fasteners thereon, while another cam 1122 is aligned with 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 thereon. Thus, in the illustrated example, when surgical staple cartridge 1110 is "fired," there will be three rows of staples on each lateral side of the tissue cut line. However, other staple/fastener configurations can be fired using other cartridge and driver configurations. Sled assembly 1120 has a central body portion 1124 configured to be engaged by hook portion 1665 of firing member 1660 . Thus, when firing member 1660 is fired or driven distally, firing member 1660 also drives sled assembly 1120 distally. As firing member 1660 moves distally through cartridge 1110, tissue-cutting mechanism 1666 cuts tissue clamped between anvil assembly 1130 and cartridge 1110, and sled assembly 1120 moves the drive to the cartridge. upwardly within to drive the corresponding staples or fasteners into forming contact with the anvil assembly 1130 .

In embodiments where the firing member includes a tissue-cutting surface, the firing member is prevented from being inadvertently advanced unless an unused staple cartridge is properly supported within elongated channel 1102 of surgical end effector 1100. It may be desirable to configure the elongated shaft assembly in a manner. For example, if no staple cartridge is present and the firing member is advanced distally through the end effector, tissue will be cut but not stapled. Similarly, if a spent staple cartridge (i.e., a staple cartridge with at least some of the staples already fired) is present in the end effector and the firing member is advanced, cutting of tissue will occur. , stapling may not be perfect, if at all. It will be appreciated that the occurrence of such phenomena can lead to undesirable and catastrophic results during surgical procedures.米国特許第６，９８８，６４９号、発明の名称「ＳＵＲＧＩＣＡＬ ＳＴＡＰＬＩＮＧ ＩＮＳＴＲＵＭＥＮＴ ＨＡＶＩＮＧ Ａ ＳＰＥＮＴ ＣＡＲＴＲＩＤＧＥ ＬＯＣＫＯＵＴ」、米国特許第７，０４４，３５２号、発明の名称「ＳＵＲＧＩＣＡＬ ＳＴＡＰＬＩＮＧ ＩＮＳＴＲＵＭＥＮＴ ＨＡＶＩＮＧ Ａ ＳＩＮＧＬＥ ＬＯＣＫＯＵＴ ＭＥＣＨＡＮＩＳＭ ＦＯＲ ＰＲＥＶＥＮＴＩＯＮ ＯＦ ＦＩＲＩＮＧ and U.S. Pat. No. 7,380,695, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A SINGLE LOCKOUT MECHANISM FOR PREVENTION OF FIRRING," and U.S. Patent Application No. 14/742,933, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLUGIN STRAPLUGIN SINGLE INSTRUMENTS". WITH LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR PREVENTING FIRING SYSTEM ACTUATION WHEN A CARTRIDGE IS SPENT OR MISSING each disclose a variety of firing member lockout configurations. Each of these documents is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

As used herein, when a cartridge 1110 is referred to as "unfired," "unused," "new," or "new," the cartridge 1110 has all of its fasteners in the "ready to fire position." means that When in that position, sled assembly 1120 is in its starting position. A new cartridge 1110 may be retained within the elongated channel 1102 by a snap mechanism on the cartridge body configured to seat within the elongated channel 1102 and engage corresponding portions of the elongated channel 1102 . 15 and 18 show a portion of surgical end effector 1100 with a new or unfired surgical staple cartridge 1110 seated therein. As can be seen from these figures, sled assembly 1120 is in the starting position. Until an unfired or new surgical staple cartridge is properly seated within elongated channel 1102, the firing system is prevented from actuating, or more precisely, firing member 1660 is distally passed through end effector 1110. To prevent lateral driving, the illustrated interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 employs a firing member lockout system generally designated 1650 .

10 and 15-19, in one form, firing member lockout system 1650 includes a movable locking member 1652 that allows surgical staple cartridge 1110 to be positioned within elongated channel 1102. It is configured for retaining engagement with firing member 1660 when not properly seated. Locking member 1652 includes at least one laterally moving locking portion 1654 that retains a corresponding portion of the firing member when sled assembly 1120 is not within cartridge 1110 in its starting position. configured to positively engage. In the illustrated configuration, locking member 1652 employs two laterally moving locking portions 1654 , each locking portion 1654 engaging a laterally extending portion of firing member 1660 .

In the illustrated embodiment, the locking member 1652 comprises a generally U-shaped spring member with each laterally movable leg or locking portion 1654 extending from a central spring portion 1653, FIGS. It is configured to move laterally, represented by "L" in FIG. It will be understood that the term "lateral" refers to a direction transverse to the shaft axis SA. Spring or locking member 1652 may be made from high strength spring steel or similar material. Central spring portion 1653 may seat within slot 1236 in end effector mounting assembly 1230 . See FIG. As seen in FIGS. 15-17, each laterally movable leg or locking portion 1654 has a distal end 1656 having a locking window 1658 therein. When locking member 1652 is in the locked position, a central retention feature 1680 on each lateral side extends into a corresponding locking window 1658 to prevent axial distal advancement of the firing member. Prevent retentively.

The operation of the firing member lockout system is described with reference to FIGS. 15-19. 15 and 18 show a portion of surgical end effector 1100 with a new unfired cartridge 1110 properly installed therein. As seen in these figures, sled assembly 1120 includes unlocking mechanisms 1126 corresponding to each of laterally movable locking portions 1654 . In the illustrated configuration, an unlocking mechanism 1126 is provided on or extends proximally from each of the central wedge-shaped cams 1122 . In an alternative configuration, unlocking mechanism 1126 may comprise a proximally projecting portion of corresponding wedge-shaped cam 1122 . As seen in FIG. 18, when sled assembly 1120 is in its starting position, unlocking mechanism 1124 engages the corresponding locking portion 1654 and traverses the corresponding locking portion in a direction transverse to shaft axis SA. force on. When locking portions 1654 are in their unlocked orientation, central retention features 1680 are not in retaining engagement with their corresponding locking windows 1658 . When in these orientations, firing member 1660 may be advanced (fired) axially and distally. However, if the cartridge is not in elongated channel 1102, or if the sled assembly is moved from its starting position (meaning the cartridge is partially or fully fired), locking portion 1654 will move laterally. into retaining engagement with firing member 1660 . When positioned as shown in FIG. 19, firing member 1660 cannot move distally.

16 and 17 show retraction as firing member 1660 returns to its starting position after firing cartridge 1110 and driving sled assembly 1120 distally. FIG. 16 shows the initial re-engagement of retention features 1680 with corresponding locking windows 1658 . FIG. 17 shows the retention mechanism in the locked position when firing member 1660 is fully retracted to its starting position. To assist in lateral displacement of locking portions 1654 when locking portions 1654 are each first contacted by retaining mechanisms 1680 moving proximally, each of retention features 1680 faces proximally and It may be provided with ends that are laterally tapered. Such a lockout system prevents actuation of firing member 1660 when a new, unfired cartridge is not present, or when a new, unfired cartridge is present but not properly seated within elongated channel 1102 . Additionally, the lockout system prevents the clinician from advancing the firing member distally if a used or partially fired cartridge is inadvertently but properly seated within the elongated channel. can. Another advantage that may be provided by the lockout system 1650 is that other firing member locks that require movement of the firing member to align and de-align the firing member with corresponding slots/passages in the staple cartridge. It is noted that unlike the out configuration, the firing member 1660 remains aligned with the cartridge passageway while in the locked and unlocked positions. Locking portions 1654 are designed to move laterally into and out of engagement with respective sides of the firing member. This lateral movement of one or more locking portions is distinguishable from other locking configurations that move vertically to engage and disengage portions of the firing member.

13 and 14, in one form, anvil 1130 includes an elongated anvil body portion 1132 and a proximal anvil mount 1150. As shown in FIG. Elongated anvil body portion 1132 includes an outer surface 1134 that defines two downwardly extending tissue stop members 1136 adjacent proximal anvil attachment portion 1150 . Elongated anvil body portion 1132 also includes a lower surface 1135 that defines elongated anvil slot 1138 . In the exemplary configuration shown in FIG. 14, anvil slot 1138 is centrally disposed within lower surface 1135 . The lower surface 1135 includes three rows 1140 , 1141 , 1142 of staple forming pockets 1143 , 1144 and 1145 located on either side of the anvil slot 1138 . Two elongated anvil passages 1146 are provided adjacent to both sides of anvil slot 1138 . Each passageway 1146 has a proximal angled portion 1148 . Please refer to FIG. As firing member 1660 is advanced distally, upper anvil engagement mechanism 1632 enters corresponding proximal ramp portion 1148 first and then into corresponding elongated anvil passageway 1146 .

12 and 13 , anvil slot 1138 and proximal ramp portion 1148 extend into anvil mount 1150 . In other words, anvil slot 1138 splits or bifurcates anvil mounting portion 1150 into two anvil mounting flanges 1151 . The anvil mounting flanges 1151 are joined together at their proximal ends by a connecting bridge 1153 to form a unit. Connecting bridge 1153 functions to provide support to anvil mounting flange 1151, making anvil mounting portion 1150 stiffer than mounting portions of other anvil structures where the anvil mounting flange is not connected at the proximal end. can function to As also seen in FIGS. 12 and 14, anvil slot 1138 has a widened portion 1139 for receiving the top of firing member 1660 and top anvil engagement mechanism 1632 .

As seen in FIGS. 13 and 20-24, each of the anvil mounting flanges 1151 includes a lateral mounting hole 1156 and is configured to receive a pivot pin 1158 therethrough (FIGS. 10 and 20). . Anvil mount 1150 is pivotally pinned to proximal end 1103 of elongated channel 1102 by pivot pin 1158, which connects mounting hole 1107 at proximal end 1103 of elongated channel 1102 and the anvil. It extends through mounting holes 1156 in mounting portion 1150 . Such a configuration serves to pivotally attach anvil 1130 to elongated channel 1102 for selective pivoting about fixed anvil axis AA transverse to shaft axis SA. Please refer to FIG. Anvil mount 1150 also includes a cam surface 1152 that extends from area 1154 where the centered firing member rests to outer surface 1134 of anvil body portion 1132 .

In the illustrated configuration, anvil 1130 is moved between open and closed positions by axially advancing and retracting distal closure tube segment 1430 . As discussed in more detail below, the distal end portion of the distal closure tube segment 1430 has an internal camming surface formed thereon, which is formed on the anvil mounting portion 1150. It is configured for camming engagement with one or more camming surfaces 1552 . FIG. 22, for example, shows a camming surface 1152a formed on anvil mount 1150 to establish a single contact path 1155a with internal camming surface 1444 on distal obturator tube segment 1430. FIG. FIG. 23 illustrates the distal contact path 1155b to establish two separate and distinct arcuate contact paths 1155b between the camming surface 1152 on the anvil mount 1150 and the internal camming surface 1444 on the distal obturator tube segment 1430. The cam surface 1152b is shown configured against the internal cam surface 1444 on the posterior obturator segment. In addition to other potential advantages discussed herein, configurations such as those described above may function to better distribute closure forces from the distal closure tube segment 1430 to the anvil 1130 . FIG. 24 illustrates that the distal closure tube segment 1430 is positioned so as to establish three distinct zones of contact 1155c and 1155d between the camming surfaces on the anvil mount 1150 and the camming surfaces on the distal closure tube segment 1430. FIG. cam surface 1152c is shown configured against the inner cam surface 1444 of the . Zones 1155c, 1155d establish greater areas of camming contact between one or more camming surfaces on distal closure tube segment 1430 and camming surfaces on anvil mount 1150 and close to anvil 1130. It may serve the function of better distributing forces.

As distal obturator tube segment 1430 cams into anvil mount 1150 of anvil 1130 , anvil 1130 is pivoted about anvil axis AA such that end 1133 of elongated anvil body portion 1132 is distally positioned. The proximal end pivots toward surgical staple cartridge 1110 and distal end 1105 of elongated channel 1102 . As anvil body portion 1132 begins to pivot, anvil body portion 1132 is tissue to be cut and stapled, at which point bottom surface 1135 of elongated anvil body portion 1132 and deck 1116 of surgical staple cartridge 1110 are aligned. contact with tissue located between As anvil body portion 1132 is pressed onto tissue, anvil 1130 may experience a substantial amount of resistive force. These resistance forces are overcome as the distal obturator tube 1430 continues to advance in its distal direction. However, depending on the magnitude of those forces applied to anvil body portion 1132 and the point at which they are applied, these forces may tend to bend portions of anvil 1130, although this is generally not the case. This may not be desirable. For example, such bending may cause misalignment between firing member 1660 and passages 1148 , 1146 within anvil 1130 . If the flexing is excessive, such flexing can significantly increase the amount of firing force required to effect firing of the instrument (i.e., firing member 1660 is in its starting position). to an end position). Such excessive firing force can result in damage to the end effector, and/or firing member, and/or knife bar, and/or firing drive system components, and the like. Accordingly, it may be advantageous for the anvil to be configured to resist such bending.

25-27 illustrate alternative anvil embodiments that include features that may improve the stiffness of the anvil body and its resistance to bending forces that may be generated during the closing and/or firing process. . Anvil 1130' may be identical in construction to anvil 1130 previously described, except for the differences described herein. As seen in these figures, anvil 1130' has an elongated anvil body 1132' having an upper body portion 1165 which has an anvil cap 1170 attached thereto. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 25-27, anvil cap 1170 is generally rectangular in shape and has a cap perimeter 1172 . The outer perimeter 1172 of the anvil cap 1170 is inserted through a correspondingly shaped opening 1137 formed in the upper body portion 1165 and an axially extending internal shelf portion 1139 formed within the upper body portion 1165 . configured to be received on. Please refer to FIG. Interior shelf portion 1139 is configured to support corresponding long sides 1177 of anvil cap 1170 . In an alternative embodiment, anvil cap 1170 may slide over internal shelf portion 1139 through an opening (not shown) provided in distal end 1133 of anvil body 1132'. In yet another embodiment, no internal shelf portion is provided. Anvil body 1132' and anvil cap 1170 may be made from a suitable metal having the electrical conductivity necessary for welding. First weld 1178 may extend around the entire cap perimeter 1172 of anvil cap 1170 or may be disposed only along long side 1177 of anvil cap 1170 and distal end 1173 of anvil cap 1170 . and/or may not be located at the proximal end 1175 . The first weld 1178 may be continuous or may be 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 segments may be They may be more closely spaced closer to the distal end or more closely spaced closer to the proximal end of the long side 1177 . In still other configurations, the weld segments may be more closely spaced in the central region of the long side 1177 of the anvil cap 1170 .

28-30 show anvil cap 1170' configured to be “mechanically coupled” to anvil body 1132' and welded to upper body portion 1165. FIG. In this embodiment, a plurality of retention formations 1182 are formed within wall 1180 of upper body portion 1165 defining opening 1137 . As used in this context, the term "mechanically coupled" means that the anvil is attached to the anvil regardless of the orientation of the elongated anvil body and without any additional retaining or fastening means such as, for example, welding and/or adhesives. This means that the cap remains fixed to the elongated anvil body. A retention formation 1182 may project inwardly from the opening wall 1180 into the opening 1137 . Retaining formation 1182 may be integrally formed with wall 1180 or otherwise attached to wall 1180 . Retaining formation 1182 frictionally engages a corresponding portion of anvil cap 1170' when anvil cap 1170' is installed within opening 1137 to frictionally retain anvil cap 1170' within opening 1127. is designed to In the illustrated embodiment, the retention formation 1182 projects inwardly into the opening 1137 and has a frictional fit within a correspondingly shaped engagement region 1184 formed on the perimeter 1172' of the anvil cap 1170'. configured to be accepted by In the illustrated configuration, the retention 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'. can't In an alternative configuration, retention formation 1182 also corresponds to distal end 1173 and proximal end 1175 of anvil cap 1170', in addition to the portion of wall 1180 corresponding to long side 1177' of anvil cap 1170'. A portion of wall 1180 may also be provided. In still other configurations, retention formations 1182 may be provided only on portions of wall 1180 corresponding to one or both of distal end 1173 and proximal end 1175 of anvil cap 1170'. In still other configurations, retention formation 1182 includes a portion of wall 1180 corresponding to long side 1177' and a portion of wall 1180 corresponding to only one of proximal end 1175 and distal end 1173 of anvil cap 1170'. can be provided in a part. It will further be appreciated that the retaining projections in all of the foregoing embodiments may alternatively be formed on the anvil cap, with the engagement regions formed within the elongated anvil body.

28-30, the retention 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 alternative embodiments, the retention formations 1182 may be spaced more closely together near the distal end of the long side 1177' or more closely together near 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 those retention formations adjacent to the proximal end, or the spacing between these retention formations adjacent to both the distal and proximal ends. The spacing between formations may be less than the spacing between formations located in the central portion of anvil cap 1170'. In still other configurations, the retention formations 1182 may be more closely spaced within a central region of the long side 1177' of the anvil cap 1170'. Also, in alternative embodiments, a correspondingly shaped engagement region 1184 may not be provided on the perimeter 1172' of the anvil cap 1170' or on a portion of the perimeter 1172' of the anvil cap 1170'. In other embodiments, the retention formations and correspondingly shaped engagement regions may comprise different shapes and sizes. In an alternative arrangement, the retention formation may be sized with respect to the engagement region such that there is no interference fit therebetween. In such configurations, the anvil cap may be held in place by welding, adhesives, or the like.

In the illustrated example, the weld 1178' may extend around the entire perimeter 1172' of the anvil cap 1170', or the weld 1178' may extend along the long side 1177' of the anvil cap 1170'. It may be located only at its distal end 1173 and/or at its proximal end 1175. Welds 1178' may be continuous or may be discontinuous or intermittent. In embodiments where the 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 segments may be They may be more closely spaced near the distal end, or more closely spaced near the proximal end of the long side 1177'. In still other configurations, the weld segments may be more closely spaced in the central region of the long side 1177' of the anvil cap 1170'.

Figures 31 and 32 show another anvil configuration 1130" with an anvil cap 1170" attached. In the illustrated embodiment, the anvil cap 1170'' is generally rectangular in shape and has a cap perimeter 1172''. The cap perimeter 1172'' is inserted through a correspondingly shaped opening 1137'' in the upper body portion 1165 of the anvil body 1132'' over axially extending internal shelf portions 1139'' and 1190'' formed therein. See Fig. 32. Shelf portions 1139" and 1190" are configured to support corresponding long sides 1177" of anvil cap 1170". Alternative Implementations In configuration, the anvil cap 1170″ can be slid over the internal shelf portions 1139″ and 1190″ through an opening (not shown) provided in the distal end 1133″ of the anvil body 1132′. 1132'' and anvil cap 1170'' may be made of a metallic material having the electrical conductivity required for welding. Alternatively, it may be disposed only along the long side 1177'' of the anvil cap 1170'' and not at the distal end 1173'' and/or the proximal end (not shown) of the anvil cap 1170''. The weld 1178″ may be continuous or may be discontinuous or intermittent. Embodiments of continuous welds may be linear, such as the anvil cap shown in FIG. It will be appreciated that the irregularly shaped perimeter of the anvil cap 1170″ provides more welding surface area compared to embodiments having an outer perimeter of . 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 may be distributed along the long side 1177''. It may be more closely spaced near the distal end, or more closely spaced near the proximal end of the long side 1177″. In yet other configurations, the weld segments are: The anvil cap 1170″ may be more closely spaced in the central region of the long side 1177″.

Still referring to Figures 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 positioned at the bottom of a corresponding hole or opening 1194'' provided through the anvil cap 1170'', such that the individual welds 1192'' are aligned with the shelf portion 1190''. and 1139''. See FIG. 32. The welds 1192'' are evenly distributed along the long side 1177'' of the anvil cap 1170''. Alternatively, the welds 1192" may be spaced more closely together near the distal end of the long side 1177", or spaced more closely together near the proximal end of the long side 1177". In still 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''' configured to be mechanically coupled to the anvil body 1132''' and welded to the upper body portion 1165. FIG. In this embodiment, a "tonb and groove" configuration is used along each long side 1177''' of the anvil cap 1170'''. Specifically, continuous or intermittent laterally extending 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 in the anvil body 1132'''. (not shown), and the anvil cap is "mechanically" secured to the anvil body 1132'''. Tabs 1195''' and slots 1197''' may be sized relative to each other to establish a sliding friction fit therebetween. Additionally, anvil cap 1170''' may be welded to anvil body 1132'''. Anvil body 1132''' and anvil cap 1170''' may be made of a metal having the electrical conductivity necessary for welding. The weld 1178''' may extend around the entire perimeter 1172''' of the anvil cap 1170''' or may be located only along the long side 1177''' of the anvil cap 1170'''. may be Welds 1178''' may be continuous or may be discontinuous or intermittent. In embodiments where the 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 segments may be , may be more closely spaced near the distal end of the long side 1177''', or may be more closely spaced near the proximal end of the long side 1177'''. In still other configurations, the weld segments may be more closely spaced in the central region of the long side 1177''' of the anvil cap 1170'''.

Embodiments of anvils with anvil caps described herein may provide several advantages. For example, one advantage can be an easier assembly process for the anvil and firing member. That is, the firing member may be installed through the opening in the anvil body while the anvil is attached to the elongated channel. Another advantage is that the top cap may improve the anvil's stiffness and resistance to the aforementioned bending forces that may be experienced in clamping tissue. By resisting such bending, the frictional forces normally encountered by firing member 1660 may be reduced. Accordingly, the amount of firing force required to drive the firing member from its starting position to its ending position within the surgical staple may also be reduced.

As described above, as anvil 1130 begins to pivot, anvil body 1132 is positioned between the underside of elongated anvil body 1132 and the deck of surgical staple cartridge 1110 to contact tissue to be cut and stapled. . As anvil body 1132 is pressed onto tissue, anvil 1130 may experience a significant amount of resistive force. These resistance forces must be overcome by the distal obturator tube segment 1430 as it cams into contact with the anvil mount 1150 in order to continue the closure process. These resistive forces may be applied to the distal obturator segment 1430 in a generally vertical direction V, and if excessive, may cause the distal obturator segment 1430 to expand or elongate vertically. (the distance ID in FIG. 31 may be incremented). If distal obturator tube 1430 extends vertically, distal obturator tube segment 1430 may not be able to effectively close anvil 1130 and hold anvil 1130 in a fully closed position. When that condition occurs, the firing member 1660 may encounter dramatically higher resistance, resulting in a higher firing force being required to advance the firing member distally.

Figures 34 and 35 show one form of closure member for applying a closing motion to the movable jaws of a surgical instrument. In the illustrated configuration, the closure member comprises a distal closure tube segment 1430 having a closure body portion 1470, for example. As described above, one form of interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 is configured to facilitate selective articulation of surgical end effector 1100 . To facilitate such articulation, distal closure tube segment 1430 is provided with proximal closure by upper and lower tongues 1434 and 1436 and upper and lower double pivot links 1220 and 1222, respectively. It is movably connected to pipe segment 1410 . See FIG. In one configuration, the distal obturator tube segment 1430 may be machined or otherwise formed from a round bar material, eg, made from a suitable metallic material. In the illustrated configuration, the closure body 1470 has an outer surface 1431 and an inner surface 1433, the inner surface 1433 defining an upper wall portion 1440 having an upper wall cross-sectional thickness UWT and a lower wall cross-sectional thickness LWT. A lower wall portion 1442 having a portion is determined. Upper wall portion 1440 is positioned above shaft axis SA and lower wall portion 1442 is positioned below shaft axis SA. A distal end 1441 of top wall portion 1440 has an internal cam surface 1444 formed thereon at a cam angle Θ. Also, in the illustrated embodiment, the UWT is greater than the LWT (i.e., UWT>LWT), which means that if the distal obturator segment has a uniform wall thickness, then UWT>LWT. It functions to provide a longer internal cam surface 1444 than can be obtained. A long internal cam surface may be advantageous in transmitting the closing force to one or more cam surfaces on anvil mount 1150 . 34 and 35, transition sidewalls 1446 and 1448, located on either side of shaft axis SA between upper wall portion 1440 and lower wall portion 1442, are generally flat and extend vertically. With inner sidewall surfaces 1451 and 1453, the inner sidewall surfaces 1451 and 1453 can be generally parallel to each other. Transition sidewalls 1446 and 1448 each have a wall thickness that transitions from a top wall thickness to a bottom wall thickness.

In the illustrated configuration, the distal closure tube segment 1430 also includes a positive jaw or anvil opening mechanism 1462 corresponding to and projecting inwardly from sidewalls 1446 and 1448, respectively. 34 and 35, the anvil opening mechanism 1462 is formed on a lateral mounting body 1460 which transitions adjacent the distal end 1438 of the distal obturator segment 1430. It is sized to be received within correspondingly shaped cavities 1447 and 1449 machined or otherwise formed in sidewalls 1446 and 1448 . Positive anvil opening mechanism 1462 extends inwardly through corresponding openings 1450 and 1452 in transition sidewalls 1446 and 1448 . In the illustrated configuration, lateral mounting body 1460 is welded to distal closure tube segment 1430 at weld 1454 . In addition to or instead of welds, the lateral mounting body 1460 may be held in place using a mechanical/friction fit, tongue-and-groove, adhesive, or the like.

36-41 show an example of how the distal obturator tube segment 1430 can be used to move the anvil 1130 from a fully closed position to a fully open position. 36 and 39 illustrate the position of the distal closure tube segment 1430, and more specifically one of the positive anvil opening mechanisms 1462 when the distal closure tube segment 1430 is in the fully closed position. indicate position. In the illustrated example, an anvil opening ramp 1162 is formed on the underside of each anvil mounting flange 1151 . Each of the positive anvil opening mechanisms 1462 is established between the anvil opening ramp 1162 and the bottom of the elongated channel 1102 when the anvil 1130 and distal obturator tube segment 1430 are in the fully closed position shown in FIG. located within cavity 1164 . When in the above position, the positive anvil opening mechanism 1462 does not contact the anvil mount 1150 or at least exert no significant opening motion or force on it. 37 and 40 show the position of anvil 1130 and distal obturator tube segment 1430 when a proximal PD opening motion is first applied to distal obturator tube segment 1430. FIG. As seen in FIG. 37, positive jaw opening mechanism 1462 first contacts anvil opening ramp 1164 to initiate pivoting of anvil 1130 to the open position. In the illustrated configuration, each positive anvil opening mechanism 1462 has a beveled or rounded distal end 1463 to facilitate better camming contact with the corresponding anvil opening ramp 1162 . 38 and 41, distal closure tube segment 1430 has been retracted to a fully retracted position, which drives positive anvil opening mechanism 1462 to the distal end of anvil opening ramp 1162. In FIGS. , thereby pivoting the anvil 1130 to its fully open position shown in the figure. Other embodiments may not use a positive jaw opening mechanism, but bias the anvil to the open position when the distal obturator tube segment is retracted to its proximal-most starting position. A spring or other biasing arrangement may be relied upon for this purpose.

Figures 42 and 43 show another closure member for applying a closing motion to the movable jaws of a surgical instrument. In this example, the closure member comprises a distal closure tube segment 1430', which is similar to distal closure tube segment 1430 without the positive anvil opening mechanism. obtain. Distal closure tube segment 1430' has a closure body 1470', closure body 1470' has an outer surface 1440' and an inner surface 1433', the outer surface 1440' and the inner surface 1433' having an upper surface. A wall portion 1440' and a lower wall portion 1442' are defined. As noted above, it may be desirable to use as large an internal cam surface 1444' as possible to maximize cam contact with the cam surfaces on the anvil mount 1150, thereby effectively transmitting the closing force. be. Thus, the upper wall portion 1440' of the distal obturator tube segment 1430' may be provided with the thickest wall thickness UWT, and the lower portion of the distal obturator tube segment 1430' has the thinnest wall thickness LWT. You may For reference purposes, UWT and LWT are measured along a common reference line extending through the central axis or point C of the distal obturator segment 1430'. Thus, if the UWT is diametrically opposed to the LWT, then UWT>LWT. Such a wall thickness configuration facilitates forming a longer internal cam surface 1444'.

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

FIG. 44 shows another closure member for applying a closing motion to movable jaws of a surgical instrument. In this example, the closure member comprises a distal closure tube segment 1430'' having a closure body 1470''. The closure body 1470'' has an outer surface 1431' and an inner surface 1433', the outer surface 1431' and the inner surface 1433' having an upper wall portion 1440'' having an upper wall thickness UWT and a lower wall thickness LWT. and two sidewall portions 1435' each having a sidewall thickness SWT. In the illustrated embodiment, UWT>LWT, and SWT>UWT. SWT>UWT>LWT In the illustrated configuration, the sidewall portions 1435' have the same sidewall thickness SWT.In other configurations, the sidewall portions 1435' have different thicknesses. Each sidewall portion 1435' defines a vertically extending inner surface portion 1437' therein, as seen in Figure 44. In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of vertically extending inner surfaces 1437'. The portions are generally parallel to each other. Such thicker vertical sidewall portions 1435' help prevent or at least minimize vertical elongation of the distal obturator tube segment 1430'' 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 central axis C and R ₁ >R ₂ . Each sidewall portion 1435'' of the closure body portion 1470''' of the distal closure tube segment 1430''' extending between the upper portions 1431'' and 1433'' extends between the UWT at a point along the horizontal reference line HR. A horizontal reference line HR extends through the central axis C and is perpendicular to a vertical reference line VR along which the UWT and LWT may be measured and compared. Therefore, SWT=UWT.In other embodiments, SWT may be slightly less than UWT when measured along the horizontal reference line HR.SWT may be a lower wall with sidewall portion 1435′ constant. It can continue to decrease until it transitions to a lower portion 1433' having a thickness LWT. Thus, the inner side walls 1437" have a corresponding vertical reference axis VR' that is perpendicular to the horizontal reference axis HR and parallel to the vertical reference axis VR. extends at an angle _A2 when measured from

FIG. 46 shows another closure member for applying a closing motion to movable jaws of a surgical instrument. In this embodiment, the closure member comprises a distal closure tube segment 1430'' having a closure body 1470'' with a rounded outer surface 1431'' and a rectangular shaped interior passageway 1439 extending through the member. The outer surface 1431 ″ is located at a distance R from the geometric center point or central axis C. The upper wall thickness UWT is equal to the lower wall thickness LWT when measured along a vertical reference axis VR extending through the center point or central axis C as shown. The thickness SWT of the sidewall portion 1437'' when measured along a horizontal reference axis HR extending through the center point or central axis C and perpendicular to the vertical reference axis VR is equal to the top wall thickness UWT and the bottom wall thickness. Therefore, SWT is greater than both UWT and LWT. In other words, the portion of distal obturator segment 1430″ lying above horizontal datum HR is below horizontal datum HR. It is a mirror image of the portion of the distal obturator tube segment 1430" where it is located. In this example, the sides 1437" are thicker than the upper and lower wall portions, making the distal obturator tube segment vertically elongate. may tend to prevent or minimize the tendency of An internal camming surface may be formed on the distal end of top wall portion 1440″.

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

FIG. 47 shows a portion of a surgical end effector 110' that may be similar to surgical end effector 110 of interchangeable surgical tool assembly 100 of FIGS. 47, the anvil 114 includes an elongated body portion 190 and an anvil mount 192. In the embodiment shown in FIG. Anvil mounting portion 192 includes two spaced apart anvil mounting flanges 194 projecting proximally from elongated body portion 190 . Each anvil mounting flange 194 has an outwardly extending trunnion 196 thereon. Each trunnion 196 is movably received within a corresponding kidney-shaped or elongated arcuate trunnion slot 197 provided within elongated channel 112 . When the anvil 114 is in the "fully open" position, the trunnion 196 lies generally at the bottom 198 of the elongated arcuate trunnion slot 197. As shown in FIG. The anvil 114 can be moved to the closed position by advancing the distal obturator tube segment 142 in the distal direction DD, whereby the end 148 of the distal obturator tube segment 142 moves toward the anvil of the anvil 114 . It rides on a cam surface 193 formed on mounting portion 192 . As the distal end 148 of the distal obturator tube segment 142 advances distally along the cam surface 193 on the anvil mount 192 , the distal obturator tube segment 142 pivots the body portion 190 of the anvil 114 . and move axially relative to surgical staple cartridge 116 . When the distal obturator tube segment 142 reaches the end of its closing stroke, the distal end 148 of the distal obturator tube segment 142 abuts/contacts the sheer anvil shelf portion 191 and underlies 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. Anvil ledge portion 191 is defined between cam surface 193 on anvil mount 192 and elongated anvil body portion 190 . In other words, in this configuration, cam surface 193 does not extend to outermost surface 195 of anvil body 190 . After distal obturator tube 142 reaches this fully extended position, any further closing motion/force applied to anvil 114 may cause damage to the anvil and/or the closure system components. In this configuration, as seen in FIG. 47, the closing force _FH is parallel to the shaft axis SA. The distance from the axis or plane _TA passing through the center of the trunnion ₁₉₆ to the closure force vector FH is represented as the distance _XR . This distance X _R multiplied by the closing force F _H represents the closing moment _CM on the anvil 114 .

48 and 49 show the closing force configuration of surgical end effector 1100 of interchangeable tool assembly 1000 against anvil 1130. FIG. As noted above, anvil trunnion 1158 is pivotally mounted within bore 1154 of elongated channel 1102 . Unlike anvil 114 described above, anvil 1130 does not move axially. Instead, anvil 1130 is constrained to only pivot about anvil axis AA. As the distal obturator tube segment 1430 advances in the distal direction DD under a horizontal closing force F _H1 , there is a pressure between the inner cam surface 1444 on the distal obturator tube segment 1430 and the cam surface 1152 on the anvil mount 1150 . As a result of the interaction of , the distal obturator segment ₁₄₃₀ will experience a closure force vertical component VF. The resulting force vector F _N experienced by cam surface 1152 on anvil mount 1150 is “perpendicular” to, or orthogonal to, internal cam surface 1444 . Angle Θ shown in FIGS. 48 and 49 represents the angle that cam surface 1152 and internal cam surface 1440 make with the horizontal. The distance between the resulting force vector FN and an axis or plane _TA extending through the center of the anvil _trunnion 1158 is denoted as the moment arm _MA . Multiplying this moment arm distance M _A by the resulting force vector F _N represents the closing moment C _M1 applied to the anvil 1130 . Therefore, in applications where the horizontal closing force F _H =F _H1 , M _A >X _R and so the closing moment applied to anvil 1130 is greater than the closing moment applied to anvil 114, so that the closing moment applied to anvil 1130 is The actual amount of closing torque applied will be greater than the amount of closing torque applied to anvil 114 . Figure 49 also shows the resistance established by the tissue during the closure process. _FT represents the force generated by tissue when it is clamped between the anvil and staple cartridge. This “counter” moment M _T applied to anvil 1130 causes tissue force T _F to be a distance X _T between tissue force T _F and an axis or plane T _A extending through the center of anvil trunnion 1158 . equal to multiplied by Therefore, _CM1 must be _greater than MT to achieve the desired amount of anvil closure.

Returning to the example shown in FIG. 47, firing bar 170 is attached to firing member 174 which, when in its starting or unfired position, resides within elongated channel 112 and, more specifically, , in a fully distal position with respect to distal obturator tube segment 142 , ie, a position in which upper portion 175 of firing member 174 is in contact with a portion of anvil 114 . In such a configuration, the anvil 114 is completely or fully closed because the firing member 174 is positioned so that the upper portion 175 of the firing member 174 can contact the anvil as the anvil 114 moves to the closed position. A higher closing force may be required to move it to the closed position. Additionally, higher firing forces may be required to overcome frictional interference between the top portion 175 of the firing member 174 and the anvil 114 when the firing system is activated. Conversely, within the end effector 1100, the firing member 1660 is “stopped” within the firing member stop region 1154 within the distal obturator segment 1430, as seen in FIG. When the firing member 1660 is positioned within the firing member stop region 1154 within the distal obturator segment 1430, it cannot generate any appreciable amount of frictional force with the anvil. Accordingly, one of the advantages that may be achieved by stopping the firing member 1660 entirely within the distal closure tube segment 1430 is a reduction in the amount of closure force required to close the anvil to the fully closed position; /or reduction in the amount of firing force required to advance the firing member from a starting position to an ending position within the end effector. Stated another way, firing member 1660 is fully proximal to the distal end of distal obturator segment 1430 and internal cam surface 1444 thereon, and the firing member and anvil are aligned. Stopping the firing member 1660 so that it is in a starting position that eliminates or reduces any frictional contact between can be smaller.

As noted above, excessive flexing of the anvil during the closing and firing process can undesirably require higher firing forces. Therefore, a stiffer anvil configuration is generally desirable. 20 and 21, another advantage that may be provided by the illustrated anvil 1130 and elongated channel 1102 is that the anvil attachment portion 1150 of the anvil 1130 is generally more robust and thus may be used with other anvils and elongated channels. is higher in rigidity than the configuration of 50 shows the use of reinforcing gussets 199 between anvil mounting flange 194 and elongate anvil body portion 190. FIG. A similar gusset configuration may also be used between anvil mounting flange 1151 and anvil body 1132 of anvil 1130 to further improve anvil stiffness.

As mentioned above, interchangeable surgical tool 1000 includes elastic spine member 1520 . As seen in FIGS. 6, 7, 7A, 8 and 51-54, the distal end 1522 of the elastic spine member 1520 is retracted into the elastic spine member 15 by a telescoping mechanism 1530 formed in the elastic spine member 1520. is separated from the proximal end 1524 of the . Additionally, the stretch limiting insert 1540 is retained and supported between the distal end 1522 and the proximal end 1524 . In various configurations, the elastic spine members 1520 may be made from, for example, a suitable polymeric material, rubber, etc., but they have a modulus of elasticity designated ME ₁ for reference purposes. Telescoping mechanism 1530 may include a plurality of telescoping cavities 1532 . As seen in FIG. 7A, the illustrated telescoping mechanism 1530 includes four triangular-shaped telescoping cavities 1532 with some degree of tension between them. Arranged to define a flexible wall segment 1534 . Other shapes and numbers of elastic cavities 1532 may be used. The elastic cavity 1532 may be molded or machined into the elastic spine member 1520, for example.

Still referring to FIGS. 6, 7, and 51-54, the stretch limiting insert 1540 comprises a body portion 1541 having a modulus of elasticity designated ME ₂ for reference purposes. As seen in FIG. 6, body portion 1541 includes two downwardly extending mounting lugs 1542 each configured to seat within a mounting cavity 1535 formed in resilient spine member 1520 . See also FIG. 7A. A plurality of upper cavities 1543 are provided in the body portion 1541 in the illustrated configuration to provide the desired amount of stretchability and resilience to the stretch limiting insert 1540 . The illustrated embodiment is relatively square or rectangular in shape and includes four upper cavities 1543 spaced apart to define flexible walls 1544 therebetween. Other embodiments may include other numbers and shapes of top cavities. The body portion 1541 of the illustrated telescoping limiting insert 1540 also includes a centrally located, downwardly projecting central lug portion 1545 that seats within the central cavity 1536 above the telescoping mechanism 1530 . is configured to See FIG. 7A. In the illustrated embodiment, the central lug portions 1545 include a pair of central passages 1546 extending laterally therethrough with flexible walls 1547 defined therebetween. there is

Also, in the illustrated example, the stretch limiting insert 1540 includes elongated side cavities 1548 located on each lateral side of the body portion 1541 . Only one side cavity 1548 may be shown in FIGS. 6 and 51-54. Each elongated side cavity 1548 is configured to support a corresponding expansion limiter 1550 therein. Thus, in the described embodiment, two stretch 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 that terminates in downwardly extending mounting lugs 1554 at each end. Each mounting lug 1554 is received within a corresponding lug cavity 1549 formed in body portion 1541 . The stretch limiter may have a modulus of elasticity designated ME ₃ for reference purposes. In at _{least one} configuration, _ME3 <ME2<ME1.

Operation of interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 when operably attached to handle assembly 500 will now be described in greater detail with reference to Figures 51-54. FIG. 51 shows anvil assembly 1130 in the open position. As can be seen in this view, the distal obturator tube segment 1430 is in its starting or unactuated position and the positive anvil opening mechanism 1462 has pivoted the anvil 1130 to the open position. Additionally, firing member 1660 is in an unactuated or starting position and the upper portion, including upper nose portion 1630 , is stopped within firing member stop area 1154 of anvil mount 1150 . When interchangeable tool assembly 1000 is in this non-actuated state, extension limiting insert 1540 is in an unstretched state. The axial length of the expansion limiting insert 1540 when in the unstretched state is represented in FIG. 51 by _Lus . _Lus is the distance between reference axis A, corresponding to the proximal end of body portion 1541 of expansion limiting insert 1540, and reference axis B, corresponding to the distal end of body portion 1541, as shown in FIG. represents An axis labeled F corresponds to the position of the distal end of staple cartridge 1110 properly seated within elongated channel 1102 . It will be appreciated that when the tool assembly 1000 is in this non-actuated state, the elastic spine members 1520 are in a relaxed, unstretched state.

FIG. 52 shows interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 after closure drive system 510 has been actuated as described above to drive distal closure tube segment 1430 distally DD. As distal closure tube segment 1430 moves distally, camming surface 1444 on distal end 1441 of top wall portion 1440 of distal closure tube segment 1430 engages with camming surface 1152 on anvil mount 1150 . Camming contact causes the anvil 1130 to pivot to the closed position shown. The closure drive system 510 moves the distal closure tube segment 1430 through the closure stroke distance and then comes to rest, and the distal closure tube segment is axially locked by the closure drive system 510. or otherwise axially held in that position. When distal obturator tube segment 1430 contacts anvil mount 1150 , the closing force caused by distal advancement of distal obturator tube segment 1430 over anvil 1130 also forces anvil 1130 and elongated channel 1102 axially. to advance distally DD. Telescoping mechanism 1530 within elastic spine 1520 begins to telescope to accommodate this distal advancement of elongated channel 1102 and anvil 1130 . Axis B, shown in FIG. 52, is the reference axis of the stretch limiting insert 1540 when it is in its relaxed or unstretched state. Axis C corresponds to the end of expansion limiting insert 1540 after expansion limiting insert 1540 has been expanded to its maximum length. Distance L _s represents the maximum amount or length to which the stretch limiting insert 1540 can be stretched. Axis G corresponds to the position of the distal end of surgical staple cartridge 1110 after anvil 1130 has been moved to its "first" closed position. A distance LT between reference axes F and G represents the axial distance traveled by elongated channel 1102 and anvil 1130 during _actuation of closure drive system 510 . This distance L _T may be equal to the distance L _S that the stretch limiting insert 1540 is stretched by the stretch limiting insert 1540 being limited by the stretch limiter 1550 during the closing process.

Returning to FIG. 51, it can be noted that a space S exists between each mounting lug 1554 of the telescopic limiter 1550 and the respective inner wall 1551 of the lug cavity 1549 prior to initiation of the closing process. As can be seen in Figure 52, the space S disappears. That is, each of the mounting lugs 1554 abuts a corresponding cavity wall 1549 within the expansion limiting insert 1540 . Thus, the stretch limiter 1550 acts to limit the amount of stretch undergone by the stretch limiting insert 1540 , which in turn restricts distal movement of the elongated channel 1102 and anvil 1130 relative to the proximal end 1524 of the elastic spine 1520 . Limit quantity. The distal obturator tube 1430 is axially locked in place by the closure drive system 510 . When anvil 1130 is in that position, anvil 1130 is held in a “first” closed position relative to surgical staple cartridge 1110 . Since firing drive system 530 has not yet been activated, firing member 1660 has not moved and remains stopped within firing member stop area 1154 . The position of the underside of anvil 1130 when in the "first" closed position is represented by axis K in FIGS.

FIG. 53 shows the position of firing member 1660 after firing drive system 530 has been initially activated. As can be seen in this view, firing member 1660 exits firing member stop region 1154 and is advanced distally. Each of the upper portions of firing members 1660 , and more specifically upper anvil engagement features 1672 , enter proximal ramped portion 1138 of a corresponding axial passageway 1146 in anvil 1130 . At this point in the process, anvil 1130 may be under considerable bending stress caused by tissue clamped between the underside of anvil 1130 and the deck of staple cartridge 1110 . This bending stress, as well as the frictional resistance between various portions of the firing member and anvil 1130 and elongated channel 1102, during initial distal advancement of firing member 1660, causes elongated channel 1102 and distal closure. It serves to essentially hold the pipe segment in a static state. During this period, the amount of force required to fire firing member 1660, or put another way, to push firing member 1660 distally through tissue clamped between anvil 1130 and cartridge 1110 is increases the amount of force required to See line 1480 in FIG. Also during this period, the stretch-limiting insert attempts to retract the elongated channel 1102 and anvil 1130 in the proximal direction PD into the distal obturator segment 1430 . When the amount of friction between firing member 1660 and anvil 1130 and elongated channel 1102 is less than the retraction force generated by expansion-limiting insert 1540, expansion-limiting insert 1540 causes elongated channel 1102 and anvil 1130 to distally move. It will draw further proximally into the closure tube segment 1430 . The position of distal end 1113 of staple cartridge 1110 after elongated channel 1102 and anvil 1130 have moved proximally PD is represented as position H in FIG. The axial distance that elongated channel 1102 and anvil 1130 have traveled in proximal direction PD is represented as distance I in FIG. Movement of anvil 1130 and elongated channel 1102 proximally into distal obturator segment 1430 results in additional closure force being applied to anvil 1130 by distal obturator segment 1430 . Line M in FIG. 54 represents the “second” closed position of anvil 1130 . The distance between position K and position M, represented as distance N, includes the vertical distance that distal end 1133 of anvil body 1132 travels between the first closed position and the second closed position.

When an additional closing force was applied to anvil 1130 by distal closure tube segment 1430 while anvil 1130 was in the second closed position, the closing force was clamped between anvil 1130 and 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 in anvil body 1130 and firing member 1660, which ultimately results in the firing member 1660 distally passing through end effector 1100. As it continues to advance, the amount of frictional resistance experienced by firing member 1660 can be reduced. Accordingly, the amount of firing force required to advance the firing member through the remainder of its firing stroke to the end position can be reduced. This reduction in firing force can be seen in the chart of FIG. The chart shown in Figure 55 compares the firing power (energy) required to fire the firing members from the beginning to the end of the firing process. Line 1480 represents the amount of firing force required to move firing member 1660 from its start position to its end position when end effector 1100 is clamping tissue therein. Line 1482 represents the amount of firing force required to move the firing member when using, for example, interchangeable surgical tool assembly 1000 described above. Line 1482 represents the firing force required to move firing member 174 from its start to end position through tissue clamped within end effector 110 or 110'. As can be seen from this chart, the firing force required by both surgical tool assemblies 100, 1000 causes the elastic spine assembly 1510 of interchangeable tool assembly 1000 to apply a second amount of closing force to the anvil. Up to point 1484, they are substantially the same or very similar. As seen in the chart of FIG. 55, when anvil 1130 is subjected to the second amount of closing force (point 1484), the amount of closing force required to complete the firing process is equal to the closing force on tool assembly 100. less than the amount of closing force required to complete the process.

FIG. 56 compares the amount of firing load required to move the firing members of various surgical end effectors from a starting position (0.0) to an ending position (1.0). The vertical axis represents the amount of firing load and the horizontal axis represents the distance, in percentage, that the firing member travels between the start position (0.0) and the end position (1.0). Line 1490 indicates, for example, the firing force required to fire the firing member of surgical tool assembly 100 or similar tool assembly. Line 1492 is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent Application No. ______________, entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING STAPLES WITH DIFFERENT CLAMPING BREADTHS," Attorney Docket No. For firing the firing member of a surgical tool assembly employing various firing member improvements and configurations that may be disclosed in the other aforementioned U.S. patent applications, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Indicates required projectile power. Line 1494 is necessary to fire the firing member of a surgical tool assembly using at least some of the features and configurations disclosed herein to stiffen the anvil from its starting position to its ending position. Shows a good launch power. Line 1496 is necessary, for example, to fire a surgical tool assembly employing an elastic spine configuration and employing at least some of the features and configurations disclosed herein for stiffening the anvil. Indicates projectile power. As seen in that figure, surgical tool assemblies employing elastic spine configurations and at least some of the anvil reinforcement configurations disclosed herein have much lower force-to-launch requirements.

Example 1: A surgical end effector comprising a first jaw configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge operably supporting a cam assembly therein. A cam assembly is axially moveable through the surgical staple cartridge to eject surgical staples from the surgical staple cartridge when the cam assembly is moved from the unfired position to the fired position. The firing member moves axially within the surgical staple cartridge between a starting position proximal to the surgical staple cartridge and an ending position within the staple cartridge as the firing and retraction motions are applied. supported to move. A lockout system is supported within the surgical end effector and is laterally biased into lateral retaining engagement with the firing member when the firing member is in the starting position, thereby retaining the firing member in the starting position. . The lockout system contacts the cam assembly of the surgical staple cartridge seated within the first jaw and is laterally biased to provide lateral retention when the cam assembly of the surgical staple cartridge is in the unfired position. configured to disengage.

Example 2: The firing member comprises a body portion comprising lateral sides, and the lockout system comprises a lockout member comprising at least one laterally moving locking portion, wherein when the firing member is in the starting position: The surgical end effector of Example 1, configured for laterally retaining engagement with a corresponding 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 retention feature in which the firing member projects laterally from a first lateral side of the body portion and a second lateral side of the body portion. and a second retention feature laterally projecting from the side, wherein two laterally moving locking portions are configured to retainably engage the first retention feature. A first laterally-moving locking arm comprising an end and a second laterally-moving locking arm comprising a second distal end configured to retainably engage a second retention mechanism. The surgical end effector of Example 3, comprising: a locking arm.

Example 5: The first distal end includes a first locking window configured to retainably receive at least a portion of the first retention mechanism therein, the second distal end comprising: The surgical end effector of Example 4, comprising a second locking window configured to retainably receive at least a portion of the second locking mechanism therein.

Example 6: Further comprising a second jaw supported adjacent to the first jaw and applying an opening motion and a closing motion 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: The surgical end effector of Example 7, wherein the anvil comprises an anvil body having an axial slot therein for allowing a portion of the firing member to pass axially therethrough. The anvil body further includes an axial passageway on each side of the axial slot.

Example 9: A firing member extends laterally from a foot configured to slidably pass through a corresponding passageway in the first jaw and an anvil body from the top of the firing member body. a laterally extending anvil engagement mechanism configured to pass through a corresponding one of the axial passages within the first and second engagement mechanisms; The surgical end effector of Example 8 positioned between the anvil engagement mechanism.

Example 10: A surgical stapling instrument comprising an elongated shaft defining a shaft axis. An elongated channel is operably connected to the elongated shaft. The stapling instrument further comprises a surgical staple cartridge comprising a cartridge body configured to removably seat within the elongated channel. A cam assembly is supported within the cartridge body and axially movable through the cartridge body from an unfired position to a fired position. The surgical stapling instrument also moves within the surgical staple cartridge between a starting position proximal to the surgical staple cartridge and an ending position within the surgical staple cartridge as firing and retraction motions are applied. a firing member supported for axial movement of the A lockout system is supported within the surgical stapling instrument and is laterally biased into lateral retaining engagement with the firing member when the firing member is in the starting position, thereby retaining the firing member in the starting position. do. The lockout system is configured to laterally bias out of lateral retaining engagement upon contact of the cam assemblies when the cam assemblies are in the unfired position.

Example 11: The surgical stapling instrument of Example 10, wherein the firing member comprises a firing member body with two lateral sides. The firing member body includes a tissue cutting mechanism. A lockout system comprises a lockout member comprising at least one locking portion laterally moveable transversely to the shaft axis. The at least one locking portion is configured for laterally retaining engagement with a corresponding one of the lateral sides of the firing member body portion when the firing member is in the starting position.

Embodiment 12: The lockout member comprises a U-shaped spring with a central spring portion, at least one locking portion extending from the central spring portion and corresponding to one of the lateral sides of the firing member body. The surgical stapling instrument of Example 11 comprising one moveable locking portion. A second movable locking portion extends from the central spring portion and corresponds to the other of the lateral sides of the firing member body.

Example 13: The surgical stapling instrument of Example 12, wherein the firing member further comprises a first retention feature laterally projecting from a first one of the lateral sides of the firing member body portion. A second retention mechanism projects laterally from a second one of the lateral sides of the firing member body portion, and the first movable locking portion is in retaining engagement with the first retention mechanism. With a first distal end configured, the second movable locking portion includes a second distal end configured for retaining engagement with the second retention mechanism.

Example 14: The first distal end includes a first locking window configured to retainably receive at least a portion of the first retention mechanism therein, the second distal end comprising: The surgical stapling instrument of Example 13, comprising a second locking window configured to retainably receive at least a portion of the second locking mechanism therein.

Example 15: The cam assembly has at least one unlocking mechanism configured to laterally bias the lockout system out of lateral retaining engagement when the cam assembly is in the unfired position. 15. The surgical stapling instrument of example 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14, comprising:

Example 16: The cam assembly is configured to laterally bias the first distal end out of retaining engagement with the first retention mechanism when the cam assembly is in the unfired position. 14. The surgical stapling instrument of Example 13, comprising the first unlocking mechanism. The second unlocking mechanism is configured to laterally bias the second distal end out of retaining engagement with the second retaining mechanism when the cam assembly is in the unfired position. there is

Example 17: A surgical end effector comprising a first jaw configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein. The firing member moves axially within the surgical staple cartridge between a starting position proximal to the surgical staple cartridge and an ending position within the staple cartridge as the firing and retraction motions are applied. supported to do so. The surgical end effector further includes means for retaining the firing member in the starting position unless an unfired surgical staple cartridge having a cam assembly therein in an unfired position is seated within the first jaw. and upon application of a firing motion to the firing member, the cam assembly laterally biases the means for retaining out of retaining engagement with the firing member, thereby causing the firing member to retain the surgical staple cartridge. Allows axial advancement through.

Embodiment 18: A surgical end effector defines a central axis, and when the means for retaining is biased out of retaining engagement by a cam assembly, the means for retaining at least traverses the central axis. 18. The surgical end effector of Example 17, moving laterally relative to the firing member in one direction.

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

Example 20: When the firing member is in the starting position and the first and second retaining portions are biased laterally in opposite directions until they contact the cam assembly out of retaining engagement with the firing member. The surgical end effector of Example 19, wherein the first and second retaining portions are biased into engagement with corresponding ones of the lateral sides of the firing member.

Example 21: Anvil for surgical stapler. The anvil has an elongated anvil body with an upper body portion and a staple forming lower surface. The anvil further comprises an anvil mount adjacent the elongated anvil body and configured to movably support the anvil over a portion of the surgical stapler. The anvil cap is configured to be mechanically coupled 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: The anvil of Example 21, wherein the upper body portion defines an opening through its upper surface, and the anvil cap is mechanically coupled within the opening.

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

Example 24: The anvil of Examples 21, 22, or 23, wherein the anvil cap includes a perimeter and the at least one weld extends around at least a portion of the perimeter.

Example 25: An anvil cap includes a proximal end, a distal end and two long sides extending therebetween, with at least one weld corresponding to at least a portion of each of the long sides , the anvil of Example 21, 22, 23 or 24.

Embodiment 26: An upper body portion forms an opening perimeter, the upper body portion is formed within the opening perimeter and frictionally engages a corresponding portion of the anvil cap when the anvil cap is positioned within the opening. 23. The anvil of example 22, comprising a plurality of retaining formations configured to.

Example 27: Corresponding portions of the anvil cap include engagement regions formed on the cap perimeter of the anvil cap, each engagement region shaped to frictionally engage a respective corresponding retention formation. The anvil of Example 26.

Example 28: An anvil cap includes a proximal end, a distal end and two long sides extending therebetween, an upper body portion forming an opening perimeter and in frictional engagement. 23. The anvil of Example 22, comprising a plurality of retaining formations formed in portions of the opening perimeter corresponding to at least a portion of each of the long sides of the intended anvil cap.

Example 29: An anvil cap includes a proximal end, a distal end and two long sides extending therebetween, an upper body portion defining an opening perimeter, the anvil comprising an anvil cap and further comprising at least one retention formation on each of the long sides of and configured to frictionally engage corresponding portions of the opening perimeter intended for frictional engagement, Example 22 anvil.

[0040] Embodiment 30: The anvil of embodiment 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 arrangement.

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

Example 32: A first plurality of spaced apart second discrete welds, wherein at least one second discrete weld penetrates the center cap body at a location adjacent one long side of the center cap body; 32. The anvil of example 31, and a second plurality of spaced-apart second individual welds extending through the central cap body at a location adjacent the other long side of the central cap body.

Example 33: The first plurality of spaced apart second individual welds are spaced closer together at a location adjacent the distal end of the central cap body and the second plurality of spaced apart second 33. The anvil of Example 32, wherein the individual welds of are spaced more closely together at a location adjacent the distal end of the central cap body.

Example 34: The first plurality of spaced apart second individual welds are spaced closer together at a location adjacent the proximal end of the central cap body and the second plurality of spaced apart second 33. The anvil of embodiment 32, wherein the individual welds of are spaced more closely together at a location adjacent the proximal end of the central cap body.

Example 35: The first plurality of spaced apart second individual welds are spaced closer together at locations adjacent the proximal and distal ends of the central cap body, and the second plurality of 33. The anvil of example 32, wherein the spaced second discrete welds are spaced closer together at locations adjacent the proximal and distal ends of the central cap body.

Example 36: Anvil for surgical stapler. The anvil has an elongated anvil body with an upper body portion and a staple forming lower surface. An anvil mount is provided adjacent the elongated anvil body and configured to movably support the anvil over a portion of the surgical stapler. The anvil further comprises an anvil cap comprising a central anvil cap body and a cap perimeter extending therearound. A first weld is provided between at least a portion of the cap periphery and an upper portion of the elongated anvil body portion. At least one second discrete weld extends between the central cap body and the upper body portion of the anvil body.

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

Example 38: At least one second individual weld extends through the central cap body and includes a first row of spaced apart second individual welds and a second row of second individual welds extending through the central cap body and spaced apart. 38. The anvil of example 36 or 37, comprising a second row of individual welds of .

Example 39: Anvil for surgical stapler. The anvil has an elongated anvil body with an upper body portion and a staple forming lower surface. The elongated anvil body defines an opening extending through its upper surface. The anvil further comprises an anvil mount adjacent the elongated anvil body and configured to movably support the anvil over a portion of the surgical stapler. The anvil cap is configured to be mechanically coupled to the upper body portion of the elongated anvil body to fill the opening. The anvil cap includes a central cap body and a cap perimeter extending therearound. At least one first weld is provided between at least a portion of the cap periphery and an upper body portion of the elongated anvil body. At least one second discrete weld extends between the central cap body and the upper body portion of the anvil body.

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

Example 41: A closure member for applying a closing motion to movable jaws of a surgical instrument. The closure member comprises a closure body defining an outer surface and an inner surface. The closure 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, the upper wall thickness is different from the bottom wall thickness. A camming surface is formed on the upper portion for selective camming contact with a portion of the movable jaw.

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

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

Embodiment 44: Further comprising diametrically opposed sidewall portions extending between the top portion and the bottom portion, the sidewall portions each having a sidewall thickness different from the top wall thickness and the bottom wall thickness. The closure member of example 41, 42 or 43.

Example 45: The closure member of Example 44, wherein the sidewall thickness is greater than the top and bottom wall thicknesses.

Example 46: The closure member of example 44 or 45, wherein the sidewall portions define an inner sidewall, the inner sidewall of one of the sidewall portions being parallel to the inner sidewall of the other sidewall portion.

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

Example 48: capable of moving the movable jaw from the open position to the closed position if the closure body cams into contact with a portion of the movable jaw when the closure body is moved in the first direction; Embodiments 41, 42, 43, wherein at least one other portion of the closure member is configured to move the movable jaw from the closed position to the open position when the closure body is moved in the second direction , 44, 45, 46 or 47.

Embodiment 49: Extending inwardly from the inner surface and configured to contact another portion of the movable jaw when the closure member moves in the second direction to move the movable jaw to the open position 49. The closure member of embodiment 48, further comprising at least one positive jaw opening mechanism.

Example 50: The closure member of Example 49, wherein each positive jaw opening mechanism comprises at least two positive jaw opening mechanisms diametrically opposed to each other and projecting inwardly from the inner surface.

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

Example 52: A surgical instrument comprising first and second jaws, wherein at least one of the first and second jaws moves toward the first jaw when a closing motion and an opening motion are applied. A surgical instrument movable relative to the other of the jaw and the second jaw between an open direction and a closed direction. A closure body defines an outer surface and an inner surface, 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. wherein the upper wall thickness is different than the lower wall thickness, and the closure body is movable with a portion of one of the at least one first and second jaws A cam surface formed on the upper portion for selective cam contact is provided.

Example 53: The outer surface is located a first radial distance from the central axis of the closure body, the inner surface is located a second radial distance from the central axis, the first radial distance is a second 53. The surgical instrument of embodiment 52, wherein the radial distance is greater than the upper wall thickness so that the upper wall thickness is greater than the lower wall thickness.

Embodiment 54: Further comprising diametrically opposed sidewall portions extending between the top portion and the bottom portion, the sidewall portions each having a sidewall thickness different from the top wall thickness and the bottom wall thickness. The surgical instrument of Example 52 or 53.

Example 55: The surgical instrument of Examples 52, 53 or 54, wherein the sidewall thickness is equal to the top wall thickness and greater than the bottom wall thickness.

Example 56: The surgical instrument of Examples 52, 53, 54, or 55, wherein each of the sidewall portions defines an inner sidewall surface, the inner sidewall surfaces being non-parallel to each other.

Example 57: The surgical procedure of Example 52, 53, 54, 55 or 56, wherein the upper wall thickness and lower wall thickness are each measured along a common vertical axis extending through the center of the closure body. equipment.

Example 58: At least one of the first jaw and the second jaw moves from the open position to the closed position when cammed by the closure body when the closure body is moved in the first direction. and at least one other portion of the closure member closes at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw when the closure body is moved in the second direction. a closure member configured to move from a position to an open position, the closure member extending inwardly from the inner surface and the first jaw and the second jaw when the closure member is moved in the second direction; 58. The surgical instrument of embodiment 52, 53, 54, 55, 55 or 57, further comprising at least one positive jaw opening mechanism configured to contact another portion of at least one of the.

Example 59: A closure member for applying a closing motion to movable jaws of a surgical instrument. The closure member comprises a hollow closure body defining an outer surface and an inner surface. The closure 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, the upper wall thickness and bottom wall thicknesses are equal to each other, and the inner and outer surfaces define sidewall portions having sidewall thicknesses that are greater than the top and bottom wall thicknesses, respectively. A camming surface is formed on the upper portion for selective camming contact with a portion of the movable jaw.

Example 60: The closure member of Example 59, wherein the inner surface defines a rectangular shaped passageway extending through the closure body.

Embodiment 61: A first jaw and a first jaw movably supported relative to the first jaw for selective movement between an open position and a closed position relative 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 an inactivated position and a closed position, the hollow closure member applying a closing motion to the movable second jaw. . A closure system is configured to apply a closure actuation motion to the hollow closure member. A firing member is supported for axial movement between a starting position fully located within the hollow closure member and an ending position within the surgical end effector. A firing system is configured to move the firing member from the start position to the end position by selectively applying a firing motion to the firing member, and the closure system is operable without actuating the firing system.

Example 62: Example 61 wherein the second jaw comprises an attachment portion pivotally secured to the first jaw for selective pivotal movement relative to the first jaw surgical instruments.

Example 63: The mounting portion on the second jaw comprises a first camming surface and the hollow closure member comprises a second camming surface configured for camming contact with the first camming 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 the second camming surface comprises an internal camming surface formed adjacent 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 application of Example 65, wherein the firing member comprises a firing member body having at least one channel engaging feature on the firing member body and at least one anvil engaging feature on the firing member body. instrument.

Embodiment 67: Embodiment 63, 64, 65 or wherein the anvil comprises an elongate anvil body projecting from the mounting portion, the elongate anvil body comprising an outer anvil surface, and the first cam surface extending to the outer anvil surface; 66 surgical instruments.

Example 68: Examples 60, 61, 62, 63, wherein the hollow closure member is configured to apply an opening motion to the second jaw upon application of an opening actuation motion to the hollow closure member by the closure system; 64, 65, 66 or 67 surgical instruments.

Embodiment 69: An embodiment wherein the hollow closure member further comprises at least one positive jaw opening mechanism for selectively contacting the second jaw when an opening actuation motion is applied to the closure member 68 surgical instruments;

Example 70: A surgical instrument comprising an elongated shaft defining a shaft axis. A channel is operably coupled to the elongated shaft, the channel configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein. An anvil is movably coupled to the channel and selectively movable relative to the channel between fully open and fully closed positions. A closure member is configured for axial movement between a non-actuated position and an actuated position, with a distal end portion of the closure member in camming contact with the anvil to apply a closing motion to the anvil. A closure system operably interfaces with the closure member to selectively apply a closure control motion to the closure member. A firing member is supported for axial movement between a start position and an end position where the firing member is positioned fully proximal to the distal end of the closure member. A firing system is configured to selectively apply a firing motion to the firing member to move the firing member from the start position to the end position, and the closure system is operable without actuating the firing system.

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

Example 72: An anvil is pivotally coupled to the channel and comprises an anvil mounting portion including a first cam surface thereon, and a closure member configured for camming contact with the first cam surface. 72. The surgical instrument of embodiment 70 or 71, comprising a hollow closed tube with a distal end having a second internal camming surface thereon.

Example 73: The of example 70, 71 or 72, wherein the firing member comprises a firing member body having at least one channel engaging feature on the firing member body and at least one anvil engaging feature on the firing member body. surgical instruments.

Example 74: The surgical instrument of Example 72, wherein the anvil comprises an elongated anvil body projecting from the mounting portion. An elongated anvil body includes an outer anvil surface with a first camming surface extending to the outer anvil surface.

Example 75: The surgical method of Examples 70, 71, 72, 73, or 74, wherein the closure member comprises a hollow closure tube, and the firing member resides completely within the hollow closure tube when the firing member is in the starting position. instrument.

Embodiment 76: The closure member further comprises at least one positive jaw opening mechanism formed thereon to selectively contact the anvil when an opening actuation motion is applied to the closure member. 70, 71, 72, 73, 74 or 75 surgical instrument.

Example 77: A first jaw and selectively moving relative to the first jaw between an open position and a closed position when a closing motion is applied to a camming surface on the second jaw A surgical instrument, comprising: a surgical end effector comprising a second jaw movably supported relative to the first jaw so as to . The surgical instrument further comprises an axially movable closure member having a closure cam surface thereon configured to apply a closure motion to the cam surface on the second jaw. . A firing member is supported for axial movement between a start position in which the tissue cutting surface thereon is proximal of the closure camming surface on the closure member. The closure member and firing member are selectively and independently operable with respect to each other.

Example 78: The surgical instrument of example 77, wherein the second jaw comprises a mounting portion pivotally coupled to the first jaw, the mounting portion including a camming surface thereon.

Example 79: The axially movable closure member and the mounting portion define a firing member stop area therebetween between which at least a portion of the firing member is supported when the firing member is in the starting position, Example 77 or 78 surgical instruments.

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

Example 81: A proximal spine portion and a distal spine elastically coupled to the proximal spine portion for axial movement relative to the proximal spine portion between a neutral position and an extended position. A surgical instrument comprising an elastic spine assembly comprising a posterior spine portion. A first jaw is attached to the distal spine portion, a second jaw is movably supported relative to the first jaw, and has an open position and a closed position relative to the first jaw. It is designed to move selectively between The closure system is configured to apply a closing motion to the second jaw and move the distal spine portion from the neutral position to the extended position when actuated. The firing system, when actuated, axially advances the firing member from a starting position within the first jaw to an ending position, allowing the distal spine portion to return to a neutral position, thereby extending the second jaw. configured to increase the applied closing motion.

Example 82: A closure system is moved from a non-actuated position corresponding to a neutral position of the distal spine portion, the distal spine portion is moved to an extended position, and the second jaw is moved to the first of the closed positions. 82. The surgical instrument of Example 81, comprising a closure member configured to move axially relative to the distal spine portion to a first closed position moved to the closed position.

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

Example 84: The mounting portion has a first camming surface thereon and the hollow closure member is adapted to move the second jaw from the open position to the first closed position when the closure system is actuated. 84. The surgical instrument of embodiment 83, having a second cam surface thereon configured for camming contact with the cam surface of the.

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

Example 86: The surgical instrument of Examples 81, 82, 83, 84, or 85, wherein the distal spine portion is interconnected to the proximal spine portion by a stretchable central spine portion.

[00104] 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: A stretchable body member sized to extend between a distal spine portion and a proximal spine portion, wherein the means for limiting limits the stretchable body to a predetermined amount of stretch 88. The surgical instrument of example 87, comprising the means.

Embodiment 89: The stretchable body member has a first modulus of elasticity, the means for limiting comprises at least one stretch limiter member supported by the stretchable body, the means for limiting is greater than the first modulus of elasticity. 89. The surgical instrument of Example 88, having a second modulus of elasticity that is lower than the second modulus of elasticity.

Embodiment 90: A surgical instrument comprising a resilient spine assembly configured to extend between a first neutral position and a second extended position. A first jaw is attached to the elastic spine assembly. A second jaw is movably supported relative to the first jaw for selectively moving relative to the first jaw between an open position and a closed position. 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 to move the elastic spine assembly to the second extended position. Further comprising a closure system comprising a closure member configured to extend. A firing member is supported within the first jaw for axial movement between a start position and an end position. A firing system is operably interfaced with the firing member to selectively advance the firing member from the start position to the end position, movement of the firing member from the start position to the end position to move the resilient spine to the first neutral position. so that the closure member exerts a second amount of closure force on the second jaw, thereby moving the second jaw to the second closed position.

Embodiment 91: The second jaw comprises an attachment portion pivotally pinned to the first jaw for pivotal movement between an open position and a closed position. The surgical instrument of Example 90.

Example 92: The mounting portion has a first cam surface thereon and the closure member has a second cam surface thereon, the second cam surface moving from the open position to the first closed position. 92. The surgical instrument of embodiment 91, configured to cam contact with the first cam surface when the closure system is actuated to move the two jaws.

Example 93: Movement of the resilient spine assembly from the second extended 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 proximal spine portion and a distal spine elastically coupled to the proximal spine portion for axial movement relative to the proximal spine portion between a neutral position and an extended position. A surgical instrument comprising an elastic spine assembly comprising a posterior spine portion. The elongate channel is configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein. An elongated channel is attached to the distal spine portion. An anvil is pivotally coupled to the elongated channel for selective pivotal movement relative to the elongated channel between open and closed positions about a fixed pivot axis. A closure system is configured to apply a closing motion to the anvil to move the distal spine portion from the neutral position to the extended position. The firing system, upon actuation, axially advances the firing member within the elongated channel from a starting position to an ending position, thereby allowing the distal spine portion to return to a neutral position, thereby being applied to the anvil. Configured to increase closing motion.

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

Embodiment 96: The elastic spine assembly further comprises a stretch-limiting insert, the stretch-limiting insert dimensioned to extend between the distal spine portion and the proximal spine portion; 96. The surgical instrument of embodiment 94 or 95, comprising means for limiting the amount of extension of the .

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

Example 98: A body member configured for mounting engagement with a distal spine portion and a first mounting lug formed therein configured for mounting engagement with a proximal spine portion and a second mounting lug formed therein, wherein the limiting means extends between the first mounting lug and the second mounting lug and extends between the first mounting end and the second mounting lug. at least one expansion limiter comprising an elongated body including an attachment end of a first end movably received within a cavity in the first attachment lug; 98. The surgical instrument of embodiment 97 movably received within the second cavity within the second mounting lug.

Example 99: The mounting portion of the anvil is pivotally pinned to the elongated channel and includes a first camming surface thereon, the closure system comprising a closure member, the closure member having a second camming surface thereon. and the second cam surface is configured for camming 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. , embodiment 94, 95, 96, 97 or 98.

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

Embodiment 101: A first jaw and movably supported relative to the first jaw and selected relative to the first jaw about a fixed pivot axis between an open position and a closed position A surgical instrument comprising an end effector comprising a second jaw adapted for positive pivotal movement. A firing member is movably supported for selective axial movement within at least one of the first and second jaws between a start position and an end position. The firing member includes a body portion and a first flange assembly projecting from the body portion and configured to slidably engage the first jaw. A second flange assembly projects from the body portion and is configured to slidably engage the second jaw. The surgical instrument also includes an elongated shaft assembly operably coupled to the surgical end effector. The elongated shaft assembly includes a firing system operably interfacing with the firing member for selectively axially moving the firing member between start and end positions. A closure system operably interfaces with the second jaw to move the second jaw between the open and closed positions without actuating the firing system and firing member.

[00103] Embodiment 102: The surgical instrument of embodiment 101, wherein the elongated shaft assembly defines a shaft axis and the fixed pivot axis intersects the shaft axis.

[00103] Embodiment 103: The surgical instrument of embodiment 101 or 102, wherein the closure system is configured to cam engage the second jaw when the closure system applies a closing motion to the second jaw.

Embodiment 104: Axial movement wherein the second jaw has a first cam surface thereon and the closure system is supported for selective axial movement relative to the second jaw 104. The surgical instrument of embodiment 103, comprising a possible closure member. The closure member includes a second cam surface configured for camming engagement with the first cam surface.

[00103] Example 105: The surgical instrument of Example 102, wherein the second jaw comprises an attachment portion pivotally coupled to the first jaw about a pivot axis. The mounting portion includes a first cam surface thereon.

Embodiment 106: The axially movable closure member and the mounting portion support at least a portion of the firing member therebetween when the firing member is in the starting position, 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 closure 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, the upper wall thickness Different from the lower wall thickness, a second camming surface is formed on the upper portion for selective camming contact with the first camming surface.

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

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

Embodiment 110: The closure member further comprises diametrically opposed sidewall portions extending between the upper portion and the lower portion, the sidewall portions each having a different sidewall thickness than the upper wall thickness and the lower wall thickness 108. The surgical instrument of Example 107, having a thickness.

Example 111: The surgical instrument of Example 110, wherein the sidewall thickness is greater than the top wall thickness and the bottom wall thickness.

Embodiment 112: The surgical instrument of embodiment 110, wherein each of the sidewall portions each defines an inner sidewall, the inner sidewall of one of the sidewall portions being parallel to the inner sidewall of the other of the sidewall portions.

[00113] Example 113: The surgical instrument of Examples 104, 106, or 107, wherein the closure member is hollow and configured to receive the attachment portion of the second jaw therein.

Example 114: Examples 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112 or wherein the first jaw comprises the channel and the second jaw comprises the anvil 113 surgical instruments;

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

Embodiment 116: A first jaw and movably supported relative to the first jaw about a fixed pivot axis between an open position and a closed position relative to the first jaw. A surgical instrument comprising an end effector comprising a second jaw adapted for selective pivotal movement with a second jaw. A firing member is movably supported within at least one of the first and second jaws for selective axial movement between a start position and an end position. . The firing member includes a body portion and a first flange assembly projecting from the body portion and configured to slidably engage the first jaw. A second flange assembly projects from the body portion and is configured to slidably engage the second jaw. An elongated shaft assembly is operably coupled to the surgical end effector and firing means for selectively axially moving the firing member between start and end positions without actuating the firing means. , closing means for moving the second jaw between an open position and a closed position.

[00119] Embodiment 117: The surgical instrument of embodiment 116, wherein the elongated shaft assembly defines a shaft axis and the fixed pivot axis is transverse to the shaft axis.

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

Embodiment 119: A surgical instrument comprising an elongated channel configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein. An anvil is movably supported relative to the elongate channel for selective pivotal movement relative to the elongate channel about a fixed pivot axis between open and closed positions. A firing member is movably supported within the elongated channel for selective axial movement between start and end positions. The firing member includes a body portion and a first flange assembly projecting from the body portion and configured to slidably engage the elongated channel. A second flange assembly projects from the body portion and is configured to slidably engage the anvil. An elongated firing bar is coupled to the body portion and configured to move axially relative to the elongated channel in response to firing motion applied thereto by a firing motion source. A closure member is supported for selective axial movement relative to the anvil to move the anvil between an open position and a closed position in response to a closing motion applied to the anvil by a closing motion source, resulting in: The anvil is movable between open and closed positions without moving the firing member.

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

Although many of the surgical tool systems described herein operate with electric motors, the surgical tool systems described herein can operate in any suitable manner. In various instances, the surgical instrument systems described herein can be operated by, for example, manually operated triggers. In certain examples, the motors disclosed herein may comprise part of a robotic control system. Additionally, any of the end effectors and/or tool assemblies disclosed herein can be utilized with robotic surgical instrument systems. For example, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/118,241, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STABLE DEPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS" (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,072,535) describes several robotic surgical instrument systems. Examples are disclosed in more detail.

Although the surgical instrument systems described herein are described in connection with the deployment and deformation of staples, the embodiments described herein are not so limited. Various embodiments are also envisioned that deploy fasteners other than staples, such as clamps or tacks. Further, various embodiments are envisioned utilizing any suitable means for sealing tissue. For example, an end effector according to various embodiments may include electrodes configured to heat and seal tissue. Also for example, an end effector according to certain embodiments can apply vibrational energy to seal tissue.

The entire disclosure of the following is incorporated herein by reference.
- U.S. Patent No. 5,403,312, issued Apr. 4, 1995, entitled "ELECTROSURGICAL HEMOSTATIC DEVICE";
- U.S. Patent No. 7,000,818, issued Feb. 21, 2006, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING SEPARATE DISTINCT CLOSING AND FIRING SYSTEMS";
- U.S. Patent No. 7,422,139, issued September 9, 2008, entitled "MOTOR-DRIVEN SURGICAL CUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT WITH TACTILE POSITION FEEDBACK";
- U.S. Patent No. 7,464,849, issued December 16, 2008, entitled "ELECTRO-MECHANICAL SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH CLOSURE SYSTEM AND ANVIL ALIGNMENT COMPONENTS";
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U.S. Patent No. 8,393,514, issued March 12, 2013, entitled "SELECTIVELY ORIENTABLE IMPLANTABLE FASTENER CARTRIDGE";
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Although various instruments have been described herein with particular embodiments, modifications and changes may be made to those embodiments. Certain features, structures, or properties may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Thus, any particular feature, structure or characteristic illustrated or described with respect to one embodiment may be combined in whole or in part with any feature, structure or characteristic of one or more other embodiments without limitation. good. Also, although materials are disclosed for particular components, other materials may be used. Further, according to various embodiments, single components may be replaced with multiple components, and multiple components may be replaced with a single component to perform a given function(s). may be replaced. The foregoing description and the following claims are intended to cover 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. In either case, however, the device can be reconditioned for reuse after at least one use. Reconditioning can include, but is not limited to, any combination of disassembly of the device, followed by cleaning or replacement of particular parts of the device, and subsequent reassembly of the device. Specifically, a reconditioning facility and/or surgical team can 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 reconditioning of the device can utilize a variety of techniques for disassembly, cleaning/replacement, and reassembly. Use of such techniques, and the resulting reconditioned device, are all within the scope of the present application.

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

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

All patents, publications, or other disclosures that are incorporated herein in whole or in part by reference to any existing definitions, statements, or other disclosures in which the incorporated material is set forth in this disclosure. It is incorporated herein only to the extent not inconsistent with its content. As such, and to the extent necessary, the disclosure as explicitly set forth herein supersedes any conflicting statements incorporated herein by reference. Any content, or portions thereof, that conflicts with the current definitions, opinions, or other disclosures set forth herein, is hereby incorporated by reference, but the reference content and the current disclosures are hereby incorporated by reference. References shall be made only to the extent that there is no inconsistency between

[Mode of implementation]
(1) An anvil for a surgical stapler comprising:
an elongated anvil body comprising an upper body portion and a staple forming lower surface;
an anvil mount adjacent the elongated anvil body and configured to movably support the anvil over a portion of the surgical stapler;
an anvil cap configured to be mechanically coupled to the upper body portion of the elongated anvil body;
at least one weld between the anvil cap and the upper body portion of the elongated anvil body.
(2) the upper body portion defines an opening through its upper surface;
2. The anvil of embodiment 1, wherein the anvil cap is mechanically coupled to the upper body portion within the opening.
Clause 3. The anvil of clause 2, further comprising a ledge extending around at least a portion of the opening in the upper body portion, the anvil cap being supported on the ledge.
(4) the anvil cap includes an outer periphery;
2. The anvil of claim 1, wherein the at least one weld extends around at least a portion of the perimeter.
(5) the anvil cap includes a proximal end, a distal end and two long sides extending therebetween;
5. The anvil of embodiment 4, wherein the at least one weld includes at least one weld corresponding to at least a portion of each of the long sides.

(6) said upper body portion defines an aperture perimeter;
The upper body portion has a plurality of retainers formed within the opening perimeter and configured to frictionally engage corresponding portions of the anvil cap when the anvil cap is positioned within the opening. 3. The anvil of embodiment 2, comprising a formation.
(7) the corresponding portion of the anvil cap includes an engagement region formed on a cap periphery of the anvil cap;
7. The anvil of embodiment 6, wherein each of said engagement regions is shaped to frictionally engage each of said corresponding retention formations.
(8) the anvil cap includes a proximal end, a distal end and two long sides extending therebetween;
The upper body portion defines an opening perimeter and a plurality of retaining formations formed in portions of the opening perimeter corresponding to at least a portion of each of the long sides of the anvil cap for frictional engagement purposes. 3. The anvil of embodiment 2, comprising an object.
(9) the anvil cap includes a proximal end, a distal end and two long sides extending therebetween;
the upper body portion defines an opening perimeter;
The anvil has at least one retainer on each of the long sides of the anvil cap and configured to frictionally engage corresponding portions of the opening perimeter intended for frictional engagement. 3. The anvil of embodiment 2, further comprising a formation.
Clause 10. The anvil of clause 1, wherein the anvil cap is connected to the upper body portion of the elongated anvil body by at least one tongue-in-groove joint configuration.

(11) the anvil cap comprising a central cap body comprising a cap body periphery;
The at least one weld is
a first weld extending between at least a portion of the cap body perimeter and a corresponding portion of the upper body portion of the anvil body;
2. The anvil of claim 1, comprising at least one second discrete weld extending between the central cap body and the upper body portion of the anvil body.
(12) the at least one second discrete weld;
a first plurality of spaced apart second individual welds extending through the central cap body at a location adjacent one long side of the central cap body;
12. The anvil of embodiment 11, including a second plurality of spaced apart second individual welds extending through the central cap body at a location adjacent the other long side of the central cap body.
(13) said spaced second discrete welds of said first plurality are spaced closer together at a location adjacent a distal end of said central cap body;
13. The anvil of embodiment 12, wherein the second plurality of spaced apart second individual welds are spaced closer together at a location adjacent the distal end of the central cap body. .
(14) said spaced second discrete welds of said first plurality are spaced closer together at a location adjacent a proximal end of said central cap body;
13. The embodiment of claim 12, wherein the second plurality of the spaced apart second individual welds are spaced closer together at a location adjacent the proximal end of the central cap body. Anvil.
(15) said spaced apart second discrete welds of said first plurality are spaced closer together at locations adjacent proximal and distal ends of said central cap body;
wherein said second plurality of said spaced apart second individual welds are spaced closer together at locations adjacent said proximal end and said distal end of said central cap body. 13. The anvil according to aspect 12.

(16) An anvil for a surgical stapler comprising:
an elongated anvil body comprising an upper body portion and a staple forming lower surface;
an anvil mount adjacent the elongated anvil body and configured to movably support the anvil over a portion of the surgical stapler;
an anvil cap comprising a central anvil cap body and a cap perimeter extending therearound;
a first weld between at least a portion of the cap perimeter and the upper portion of the elongated anvil body portion;
and at least one second individual weld extending between the central cap body and the upper body portion of the anvil body.
Clause 17. The anvil of clause 16, wherein the first weld extends intermittently around at least a portion of the cap perimeter.
(18) the at least one second discrete weld;
a first row of said second discrete welds extending through said central cap body and spaced from each other;
17. The anvil of embodiment 16, including a second row of said second individual welds extending through said central cap body and spaced from each other.
(19) An anvil for a surgical stapler, comprising:
an elongated anvil body having an upper body portion and a staple-forming lower surface, the elongated anvil body defining an opening therethrough;
an anvil mount adjacent the elongated anvil body and configured to movably support the anvil over a portion of the surgical stapler;
An anvil cap configured to be mechanically coupled to the upper body portion of the elongated anvil body to fill the opening, the anvil cap comprising a central cap body and a cap perimeter extending therearound. When,
at least one first weld between at least a portion of the cap perimeter and the upper body portion of the elongated anvil body;
and at least one second individual weld extending between the central cap body and the upper body portion of the anvil body.
(20) the anvil cap is mechanically coupled to the upper body portion of the elongate anvil body by a tongue and groove configuration between a portion of the cap periphery and the upper body portion of the elongate anvil body; 20. The anvil according to embodiment 19, wherein the anvil is

Claims (19)

An anvil for a surgical stapler comprising:
an elongated anvil body having an upper body portion and a staple forming lower surface;
an anvil mount adjacent the elongated anvil body and configured to movably support the anvil over a portion of the surgical stapler;
an anvil cap configured to be mechanically coupled to the upper body portion of the elongated anvil body;
at least one weld between the anvil cap and the upper body portion of the elongated anvil body ;
the anvil cap comprising a central cap body comprising a cap body perimeter;
The at least one weld is
a first weld extending between at least a portion of the cap body perimeter and a corresponding portion of the upper body portion of the anvil body;
An anvil comprising at least one second discrete weld extending between the central cap body and the upper body portion of the anvil body . said upper body portion defining an opening through its upper surface;
The anvil of claim 1, wherein the anvil cap is mechanically coupled to the upper body portion within the opening. 3. The anvil of claim 2, further comprising a ledge extending around at least a portion of said opening in said upper body portion, said anvil cap being supported on said ledge. the anvil cap including an outer periphery;
The anvil of claim 1, wherein the at least one weld extends around at least a portion of the perimeter. the anvil cap includes a proximal end, a distal end and two long sides extending therebetween;
5. The anvil of claim 4, wherein the at least one weld includes at least one weld corresponding to at least a portion of each of the long sides. said upper body portion forming an aperture perimeter;
The upper body portion has a plurality of retainers formed within the opening perimeter and configured to frictionally engage corresponding portions of the anvil cap when the anvil cap is positioned within the opening. 3. The anvil of claim 2, comprising formations. wherein the corresponding portion of the anvil cap includes an engagement region formed on a cap periphery of the anvil cap;
7. The anvil of claim 6, wherein each of said engagement regions is shaped to frictionally engage each of said corresponding retention formations. the anvil cap includes a proximal end, a distal end and two long sides extending therebetween;
The upper body portion defines an opening perimeter and a plurality of retaining formations formed in portions of the opening perimeter corresponding to at least a portion of each of the long sides of the anvil cap for frictional engagement purposes. 3. The anvil of claim 2, containing an object. the anvil cap includes a proximal end, a distal end and two long sides extending therebetween;
the upper body portion defines an opening perimeter;
The anvil has at least one retainer on each of the long sides of the anvil cap and configured to frictionally engage corresponding portions of the opening perimeter intended for frictional engagement. 3. The anvil of Claim 2, further comprising a formation. The anvil of claim 1, wherein the anvil cap is coupled to the upper body portion of the elongated anvil body by at least one tongue and groove arrangement. the at least one second discrete weld;
a first plurality of spaced apart second individual welds extending through the central cap body at a location adjacent one long side of the central cap body;
2. The anvil of claim 1 , including a second plurality of spaced apart second individual welds extending through the central cap body at a location adjacent the other long side of the central cap body. said spaced apart second individual welds of said first plurality are spaced closer together at a location adjacent a distal end of said central cap body;
12. The anvil of claim 11 , wherein the second plurality of spaced apart second individual welds are spaced closer together at a location adjacent the distal end of the central cap body. . said spaced apart second individual welds of said first plurality are spaced closer together at a location adjacent a proximal end of said central cap body;
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the second plurality of the spaced apart second individual welds are spaced closer together at a location adjacent the proximal end of the central cap body. Anvil. said spaced apart second individual welds of said first plurality are spaced closer together at locations adjacent proximal and distal ends of said central cap body;
4. wherein said second plurality of said spaced apart second individual welds are spaced closer together at locations adjacent said proximal and distal ends of said central cap body. Item 12. Anvil according to Item 11 . An anvil for a surgical stapler comprising:
an elongated anvil body having an upper body portion and a staple forming lower surface;
an anvil mount adjacent the elongated anvil body and configured to movably support the anvil over a portion of the surgical stapler;
an anvil cap comprising a central anvil cap body and a cap perimeter extending therearound;
a first weld between at least a portion of the cap perimeter and the upper portion of the elongated anvil body portion;
and at least one second individual weld extending between the central cap body and the upper body portion of the anvil body. 16. The anvil of claim 15 , wherein the first weld extends intermittently around at least a portion of the cap perimeter. the at least one second discrete weld;
a first row of said second discrete welds extending through said central cap body and spaced from each other;
and a second row of said second individual welds extending through said central cap body and spaced from each other. An anvil for a surgical stapler comprising:
an elongated anvil body having an upper body portion and a staple-forming lower surface, the elongated anvil body defining an opening therethrough;
an anvil mount adjacent the elongated anvil body and configured to movably support the anvil over a portion of the surgical stapler;
An anvil cap configured to be mechanically coupled to the upper body portion of the elongated anvil body to fill the opening, the anvil cap comprising a central cap body and a cap perimeter extending therearound. When,
at least one first weld between at least a portion of the cap perimeter and the upper body portion of the elongated anvil body;
and at least one second individual weld extending between the central cap body and the upper body portion of the anvil body. The anvil cap is mechanically coupled to the upper body portion of the elongated anvil body by a tongue and groove configuration between a portion of the cap periphery and the upper body portion of the elongated anvil body. 19. Anvil according to Item 18 .

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