阅读说明：本技术 用于外科系统的击发驱动布置 (Firing drive arrangement for a surgical system ) 是由 F·E·谢尔顿四世 于 2020-03-04 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明公开了一种能够插入外科缝合器械中的钉仓。该钉仓包括螺纹杆和击发构件,该击发构件被构造成能够在该螺纹杆在第一方向上旋转时从近侧未击发位置朝向远侧位置运动。该击发构件包括第一部分和第二部分,该第一部分包括第一凸轮作用构件,其中外科缝合器械的砧座在该击发构件处于近侧未击发位置时接纳该第一部分,该第二部分包括第二凸轮作用构件,其中外科缝合器械的钉仓钳口在该击发构件处于近侧未击发位置时接纳该第二部分,并且其中该第一部分和该第二部分被构造成能够在钉击发行程期间保持该砧座与该钉仓钳口之间的距离。(A staple cartridge insertable into a surgical stapling instrument is disclosed. The staple cartridge includes a threaded rod and a firing member configured to move from a proximal unfired position toward a distal position when the threaded rod is rotated in a first direction. The firing member includes a first portion that includes a first camming member, wherein an anvil of the surgical stapling instrument receives the first portion when the firing member is in a proximal unfired position, and a second portion that includes a second camming member, wherein a cartridge jaw of the surgical stapling instrument receives the second portion when the firing member is in a proximal unfired position, and wherein the first portion and the second portion are configured to maintain a distance between the anvil and the cartridge jaw during a staple firing stroke.)

1. An end effector assembly for use with a surgical instrument, wherein the end effector assembly comprises:

a first jaw comprising a first groove;

a second jaw defining a channel, wherein the second jaw includes a second groove;

a replaceable staple cartridge configured to be seated in the channel, wherein the staple cartridge comprises:

a bin body;

staple cavities defined in the cartridge body, wherein the staple cavities are arranged in a longitudinal row;

a staple positioned in the staple cavity;

a threaded rod; and

a firing member operably engaged with said threaded rod, wherein said firing member is configured to move between a proximal unfired position and a distal fired position during a staple firing stroke, and wherein said firing member comprises:

a first portion comprising a first lateral projection, wherein the first recess of the first jaw is configured to receive the first lateral projection when the replaceable staple cartridge is seated in the channel and the firing member is positioned in the proximal unfired position; and

A second portion comprising a second lateral projection, wherein the second recess of the second jaw is configured to receive the second lateral projection when the replaceable staple cartridge is seated in the channel and the firing member is positioned in the proximal unfired position, and wherein the first portion and the second portion are configured to maintain a distance between the first jaw and the second jaw during the staple firing stroke.

2. The end effector assembly of claim 1, wherein said channel comprises a mounting bracket configured to receive at least a portion of said threaded rod when said replaceable staple cartridge is seated in said channel.

3. The end effector assembly of claim 2, wherein said threaded rod comprises a distal head.

4. The end effector assembly of claim 3, further comprising a bushing member, wherein said bushing member is configured to be positioned between said distal head of said threaded rod and said mounting bracket when said replaceable staple cartridge is seated in said channel.

5. The end effector assembly of claim 2, wherein said replaceable staple cartridge comprises a recess configured to receive said mounting bracket when said replaceable staple cartridge is seated in said channel.

6. The end effector assembly of claim 1, wherein said firing member comprises a tissue cutting member.

7. The end effector assembly of claim 1, wherein said channel comprises a groove configured to receive at least a portion of said threaded rod when said replaceable staple cartridge is seated in said channel.

8. The end effector assembly of claim 1, wherein said threaded rod is integral with said replaceable staple cartridge prior to seating said replaceable staple cartridge in said channel.

9. An end effector assembly for use with a surgical instrument, wherein the end effector assembly comprises:

an anvil comprising a first recess;

a staple cartridge jaw comprising a second groove; and

a replaceable staple cartridge configured to sit in the staple cartridge jaw, wherein the replaceable staple cartridge comprises:

a threaded rod; and

a firing member operably engaged with the threaded rod, wherein the firing member is configured to move from a proximal unfired position toward a distal fired position, and wherein the firing member comprises:

A first portion comprising a first lateral projection, wherein the first recess of the anvil is configured to receive the first lateral projection when the replaceable staple cartridge is seated in the staple cartridge jaw and the firing member is in the proximal unfired position; and

a second portion comprising a second lateral projection, wherein the second recess of the staple cartridge jaw is configured to receive the second lateral projection when the replaceable staple cartridge is seated in the staple cartridge jaw and the firing member is in the proximal unfired position, and wherein the first portion and the second portion are configured to maintain a distance between the anvil and the staple cartridge jaw when the end effector assembly is in a closed configuration.

10. The end effector assembly of claim 9, wherein said cartridge jaw comprises a mounting bracket configured to receive at least a portion of said threaded rod when said replaceable cartridge is seated in said cartridge jaw.

11. The end effector assembly of claim 10, wherein said replaceable staple cartridge comprises a distal recess configured to receive said mounting bracket when said replaceable staple cartridge is seated in said staple cartridge jaw.

12. The end effector assembly of claim 9, wherein said threaded rod comprises a distal head.

13. The end effector assembly of claim 12, further comprising a bushing member, wherein said bushing member is configured to be positioned between said distal head of said threaded rod and said mounting bracket when said replaceable staple cartridge is seated in said staple cartridge jaw.

14. The end effector assembly of claim 9, wherein said threaded rod is integral with said replaceable staple cartridge prior to seating said replaceable staple cartridge in said staple cartridge jaw.

15. The end effector assembly of claim 9, wherein said cartridge jaw comprises a longitudinal groove configured to receive at least a portion of said threaded rod when said replaceable cartridge is seated in said cartridge jaw.

16. A staple cartridge insertable into a surgical stapling instrument, wherein said staple cartridge comprises:

a threaded rod; and

a firing member configured to move from a proximal unfired position toward a distal position as the threaded rod is rotated in a first direction, wherein the firing member comprises:

A first portion comprising a first camming member, wherein an anvil of the surgical stapling instrument receives the first portion when the firing member is in the proximal unfired position; and

a second portion comprising a second camming member, wherein a staple cartridge jaw of the surgical stapling instrument receives the second portion when the firing member is in the proximal unfired position, and wherein the first portion and the second portion are configured to maintain a distance between the anvil and the staple cartridge jaw during a staple firing stroke.

17. The staple cartridge of claim 16, wherein the firing member is in threaded engagement with the threaded rod.

18. The staple cartridge of claim 16, wherein the threaded rod is configured to be received by a mounting bracket positioned on the staple cartridge jaw.

19. The staple cartridge of claim 18, further comprising a recess configured to receive said mounting bracket when said staple cartridge is seated in said staple cartridge jaw.

20. The staple cartridge of claim 19, further comprising a bushing member, wherein said bushing member is configured to be positioned between said threaded rod and said mounting bracket.

Background

The present disclosure relates to surgical systems, and, in various arrangements, to surgical stapling and cutting systems and staple cartridges for use therewith.

Drawings

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

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an end effector of a surgical instrument system, including a staple cartridge, staples removably stored therein, and an anvil configured to deform the staples, shown in an open or undamped configuration;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the end effector shown in FIG. 1 shown in a closed or clamped configuration and showing the firing member in a pre-fired position prior to firing staples;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the end effector of FIG. 1, showing a firing member of the end effector in a partially fired position;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the end effector of FIG. 1, showing the firing member in a retracted position;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the end effector of FIG. 1, showing the end effector in a re-opened configuration;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a surgical stapling system including an end effector in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view, partially in section, of the end effector of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional elevation view of the end effector of FIG. 6, showing the end effector in an open, unfired configuration;

FIG. 9 is another partial cross-sectional elevation view of the end effector of FIG. 6, showing the closure system of the end effector in an open configuration and the firing system of the end effector in an unfired configuration;

FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional elevation view of the end effector of FIG. 6, showing the closure system in a partially closed configuration and the firing system in an unfired configuration;

FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional elevation view of the end effector of FIG. 6 showing the closure system in a fully closed configuration and the firing system in a partially fired configuration;

FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional elevation view of the end effector of FIG. 6 showing the closure system in a fully closed configuration and the firing system in a fully fired configuration;

FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional elevation view of the end effector of FIG. 6 showing the closure system in a fully closed configuration and the firing system in a fully retracted configuration;

FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional elevation view of the end effector of FIG. 6 showing the closure system in the process of being returned to an open configuration and the firing system in a fully retracted configuration;

FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional elevation view of an end effector including a staple firing system configured to compensate for a non-uniform gap between an anvil and a staple cartridge of the end effector in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an end effector of the surgical instrument system shown in an open or undamped configuration including a staple cartridge, staples removably stored therein, and an anvil configured to deform the staples;

FIG. 17 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a portion of the end effector of FIG. 16 with a portion of an anvil shown in cross-section and shown in an open position and a closure nut thereof in a starting position and a firing nut shown in a starting pre-firing position;

FIG. 18 is another longitudinal cross-sectional view of the end effector of FIG. 17, with the anvil portion shown in full;

FIG. 19 is another longitudinal cross-sectional view of a portion of the end effector of FIG. 17 with a portion of the anvil shown in cross-section and the closure nut in an "intermediate" fully closed position and the firing nut in a pre-firing position positioned at a distal end of the neutral firing range;

FIG. 20 is another longitudinal cross-sectional view of a portion of the end effector of FIG. 19 with the anvil portion shown in full;

FIG. 21 is another longitudinal cross-sectional view of a portion of the end effector of FIG. 19 with the firing nut positioned at an end position after staples have been fired from the staple cartridge with a portion of the anvil shown in cross-section;

FIG. 22 is another longitudinal cross-sectional view of a portion of the end effector of FIG. 21 with the anvil portion shown in full;

FIG. 23 is a top, partially cross-sectional view of a portion of the shaft assembly of the surgical instrument with the actuator member thereof in an engaged configuration;

FIG. 24 is another partial cross-sectional elevation view of the shaft assembly of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is another partial cutaway top view of the shaft assembly of FIGS. 23 and 24, showing the locking system thereof in a "prelock configuration";

FIG. 26 is a partial cross-sectional elevation view of the shaft assembly of FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is another partial cutaway top view of the shaft assembly of FIGS. 23-26, with the actuator member in a disengaged configuration and the locking system in a locked configuration;

FIG. 28 is a partial cross-sectional elevation view of the shaft assembly of FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is a partially exploded perspective view of an end effector assembly of the surgical stapling instrument system, wherein the end effector assembly includes a threaded rod mounted within a jaw;

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the end effector assembly of FIG. 29 showing a structure for mounting a threaded rod within a channel of a jaw;

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the end effector assembly of FIG. 29 showing the interface between the jaws, the threaded rod, the staple cartridge, and the firing member of the surgical stapling instrument system;

FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the end effector assembly of FIG. 29 showing an interface between the first jaw, the threaded rod, the staple cartridge, and the sled of the staple cartridge;

FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an end effector assembly of the surgical stapling instrument system showing an engagement surface of a threaded rod of the surgical stapling instrument system and a sled of a staple cartridge seated in the surgical stapling instrument system;

FIG. 34 is a graphical representation of thread torque that may be transmitted through the engagement surfaces of FIG. 33;

FIG. 35A is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the end effector assembly showing a first portion of a threaded rod of the surgical stapling instrument system engaging a sled of a staple cartridge seated in the surgical stapling instrument system;

FIG. 35B is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the end effector assembly of FIG. 35A showing the engagement surface of the slide and a second portion of the threaded rod;

FIG. 36 is a graphical representation of the thread torque experienced by the sled engaging the non-uniform threads of the threaded rod of FIGS. 35A and 35B in the advance and retract directions during a staple firing stroke;

FIG. 37 is a partially exploded perspective view of an end effector assembly of the surgical instrument system, wherein the end effector assembly includes a first jaw and a staple cartridge having an integral threaded rod;

FIG. 38 is a partial cross-sectional view of the end effector assembly of FIG. 37 showing a structure for mounting a threaded rod within a channel of a first jaw;

FIG. 39 is a partial perspective view of the end effector assembly of FIG. 37 showing a connection interface between the staple cartridge and a drive system of the surgical instrument system;

FIG. 40 is a partial cross-sectional view of the end effector assembly of FIG. 37 showing a staple cartridge seated in the first jaw;

FIG. 41 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the end effector assembly showing the arcuate surfaces of the staple drivers and sled;

FIG. 42A is a partial cross-sectional elevation view of the articulation assembly;

FIG. 42B is a partial cross-sectional end view of the articulation assembly of FIG. 42A;

FIG. 42C is a plan view, partially in section, of the articulation assembly of FIG. 42A;

FIG. 43 is a partial cross-sectional view of the engagement surface of the articulation assembly of FIG. 42A; and is

FIG. 44 is a partial cross-sectional view of the engagement surface of FIG. 43 including a check.

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

Detailed Description

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

U.S. patent application entitled "ARTICULATION DRIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL SYSTEMS," attorney docket number END9006USNP 1/180541;

-U.S. patent application entitled "FIRING DRIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL SYSTEMS"; attorney docket number END9007USNP 1/180542; and

-U.S. patent application entitled "FIRING DRIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL SYSTEMS"; attorney docket number END9009USNP 1/180544.

The applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed 2018 on 12, 14, each incorporated herein by reference in its entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/220,281 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH A HARDWARE-ONLY CONTROL CICUIT";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/220,301 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH ACOUSTIC-BASED MOTOR CONTROL";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/220,313 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF DRIVE SYSTEMS";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/220,296 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A CONTROL CICUIT";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/220,309 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING BUTTON CICUITS";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/220,318 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A CONTROL SYSTEM THAT USES INPUT FROM A STRAIN GAGE CIRCUIT";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 16/220,273 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH A SENSING ARRAY"; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/220,280 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH ENVIRONMENT SENSING".

The applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. provisional patent applications filed on 12.12.2018, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety:

-U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/778,571 entitled "basic inventory SYSTEMS";

-U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/778,572 entitled "basic inventory SYSTEMS"; and

U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/778,573 entitled "basic inventory SYSTEMS".

The applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed 2018, 10, 26, each incorporated herein by reference in its entirety:

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/172,130 entitled "CLIP APPLIER COMPRISING INTERCHANGEABLE CLIP RELOADS";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 16/172,066 entitled "CLIP APPLIER compositional a MOVABLE CLIP MAGAZINE";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 16/172,078 entitled "CLIP APPLIER comprisinga rotable CLIP MAGAZINE";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 16/172,087 entitled "CLIP APPLIER COMPRISING CLIP ADVANCING SYSTEMS";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 16/172,094 entitled "CLIP APPLIER COMPRISING A CLIP CRIMPING SYSTEM";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 16/172,128 entitled "CLIP APPLIER comprisinga reciperceting CLIP ADVANCING MEMBER";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/172,168 entitled "CLIP APPLIER COMPRISING A MOTOR CONTROL";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/172,164 entitled "SURGICAL SYSTEM COMPRISING A SURGICAL TOOL AND A SURGICAL HUB"; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/172,303 entitled "METHOD FOR OPERATING A POWER ARTICULATING MULTIL-CLIP APPLIER".

The applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed 2018, 10, 26, each incorporated herein by reference in its entirety:

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/172,328 entitled "METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION WITH SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS SYSTEMS";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/172,280 entitled "METHOD FOR PRODUCING A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A SMART ELECTRICAL SYSTEM";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/172,219 entitled "METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION WITH SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS SYSTEMS";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/172,248 entitled "METHOD FOR COMMUNICATING WITH SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS SYSTEMS";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/172,198 entitled "METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION WITH SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS SYSTEMS"; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/172,155 entitled "METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION WITH SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS SYSTEMS".

The applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed 2018, 8, 24, each incorporated herein by reference in its entirety:

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,129 entitled "SURGICAL SUTURING INSTRUMENT CONGURED TO MANIPULATE TISSUE USE MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL POWER";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,155 entitled "SURGICAL SUTURING INSTRUMENTS COMPLEMENTING A CAPTURE WIDTH WHICH IS LARGER THAN TROCAR DIAMETER";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,168 entitled "SURGICAL SUTURING INSTRUMENTS COMPLEMENTING A NON-CIRCULAR NEEDLE";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 16/112,180 entitled "ELECTRICAL POWER OUTPUT CONTROL BASED ON MECHANICAL FORCES";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 16/112,193 entitled "REACTIVE ALGORITHM FOR minor SYSTEM";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 16/112,099 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ADAPTIVE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,112 entitled "CONTROL SYSTEM ARRANGEMENTS FOR A MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENT";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,119 entitled "ADAPTIVE CONTROL program FOR A SURGICAL SYSTEM COMPLISING MORE THAN ONE TYPE OF CARTRIDGE";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,097 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM COMPLEMENTS BATTERY ARRANGEMENTS";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,109 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS COMPRISING HANDLE ARRANGEMENTS";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,114 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM COMPLEMENTS FEEDBACK MECHANISMS";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,117 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM COMPLISING LOCKOUT MECHANISMS";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,095 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING A LOCKABLE END EFFECTOR SOCKET";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 16/112,121 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING A SHIFTING MECHANISM";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,151 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS COMPLEMENTING A SYSTEM FOR ARTICULATION AND ROTATION COMPENSATION";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,154 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING A BIASED SHIFTING MECHANISM";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,226 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION DRIVE THAT PROVIDES FOR HIGH ARTICULATION ANGLES";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 16/112,062 entitled "SURGICAL DISSECTORS AND MANUFACTURING TECHNIQUES";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 16/112,098 entitled "SURGICAL DISSECTORS CONFIGURED TO APPLY MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL ENERGY";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,237 entitled "SURGICAL CLIP APPLIER CONFIG TO STORE CLIPS IN A STORED STATE";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 16/112,245 entitled "SURGICAL CLIP APPLIER COMPRISING AN EMPTY CLIP CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 16/112,249 entitled "SURGICAL CLIP APPLIER COMPRISING AN AUTOMATIC CLIP FEEDING SYSTEM";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 16/112,253 entitled "SURGICAL CLIP APPLIER COMPRISING ADAPTIVE FIRING CONTROL"; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/112,257 entitled "SURGICAL CLIP APPLIER COMPRISING ADAPTIVE CONTROL IN RESPONSE TO A STRAIN GAUGE CICUIT".

The applicants of the present application own the following U.S. patent applications filed on 1/5/2018 and each incorporated herein by reference in its entirety:

-U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/665,129 entitled "SURGICAL SUTURING SYSTEMS";

U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/665,139 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING CONTROL SYSTEMS";

-U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/665,177 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING HANDLE ARRANGEMENTS";

U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/665,128 entitled "MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS";

-U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/665,192 entitled "SURGICAL DISSECTORS"; and

U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/665,134 entitled "SURGICAL CLIP APPLIER".

The applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed 2018 on 28/2 and each incorporated herein by reference in its entirety:

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/908,021 entitled "minor entering WITH removal RELEASE";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/908,012 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH CUTTING DUAL ROTATABLE MEMBERS TO EFFECT DIFFERENT TYPES OF END EFFECTOR MOVEMENT";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/908,040 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTARY DRIVE SELECTIVELY ACTING MULTIPLE END EFFECTOR FUNCTIONS";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/908,057 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTARY DRIVE SELECTIVELY ACTING MULTIPLE END EFFECTOR FUNCTIONS";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/908,058 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MODULAR POWER SOURCES"; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/908,143 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH SENSOR AND/OR CONTROL SYSTEMS".

The applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed 2017 on 30/10 and each incorporated herein by reference in its entirety:

-U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/578,793 entitled "minor entering WITH removal RELEASE";

U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/578,804 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH CUTTING DUAL ROTATABLE MEMBERS TO EFFECT DIFFERENT TYPES OF END EFFECTOR MOVEMENT";

U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/578,817 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTATION WITH ROTARY DRIVE SELECTIVELY ACTING MULTIPLE END EFFECTOR FUNCTIONS";

U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/578,835 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTATION WITH ROTARY DRIVE SELECTIVELY ACTING MULTIPLE END EFFECTOR FUNCTIONS";

-U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/578,844 entitled "minor incorporation WITH MODULAR POWER source" and; and

U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/578,855 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH SENSOR AND/OR CONTROL SYSTEMS".

The applicant of the present patent application owns the following U.S. provisional patent applications filed on 2017, 12, 28, the disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety:

-U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/611,341 entitled "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM";

-U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/611,340 entitled "CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS"; and

U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/611,339 entitled "rolling ASSISTED minor PLATFORM".

The applicant of the present patent application owns the following U.S. provisional patent applications filed on 28/3/2018, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety:

-U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/649,302 entitled "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH encrypted communiation CAPABILITIES";

-U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/649,294 entitled "DATA STRIPPING METHOD TO interface patent RECORD AND CREATE anonumized RECORD";

U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/649,300 entitled "SURGICAL HUB SITUATIONAL AWARENESS";

U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/649,309 entitled "SURGICAL HUB SPATIAL AWARENESS TO DETERMINE DEVICES IN OPERATING THEREATER";

-U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/649,310 entitled "compass IMPLEMENTED INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS";

U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/649,291 entitled "USE OF LASER LIGHT AND RED-GREEN-BLUE color TO detection reagents OF BACK SCATTERED LIGHT";

U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/649,296 entitled "ADAPTIVE CONTROL PROGRAM UPDATES FOR basic DEVICES";

U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/649,333 entitled "closed-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR custom mixing AND recording means TO a USER";

U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/649,327 entitled "closed-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR SECURITY AND AUTHENTICATION TRENDS AND REACTIVE MEASURES";

-U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/649,315 entitled "DATA HANDLING AND PRIORITIZATION IN A CLOUD ANALYTICS NETWORK";

-U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/649,313 entitled "closed INTERFACE FOR coated minor DEVICES";

-U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/649,320 entitled "DRIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-associated minor component platformes";

U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/649,307 entitled "AUTOMATIC TOOL ADJUSTMENT FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS"; and

U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/649,323 entitled "SENSING ARRANGEMENTS FOR Robot-Assisted Surgical PLATFORMS".

The applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on 29/3/2018, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety:

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/940,641 entitled "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH encrypted communiation CAPABILITIES";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/940,648 entitled "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH CONDITION handbling OF DEVICES AND DATA CAPABILITIES";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,656 entitled "Surgical hub association of control and communication of operating room devices";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,666 entitled "Spatial aware of scientific hubs in operating tumors";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,670 entitled "Cooperative utilization of data derived from secondary sources by interactive scientific hubs";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/940,677 entitled "scientific hub control arrangements";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,632 entitled "DATA STRIPPING METHOD TO INTERROGATE PATIENT RECORD AND CREATE ANONYMIZED RECORD";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,640 entitled "COMMUNICATION HUB AND STORAGE DEVICE FOR STORING PARAMETERS AND STATUS OF A SURGICAL DEVICE TO BE SHARED WITH CLOUD BASED ANALYTICS SYSTEMS";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/940,645 entitled "SELF description DATA PACKETS GENERATED AT AN insulating insert";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/940,649 entitled "DATA PAIRING TO interconnected a DEVICE MEASURED PARAMETER WITH AN OUTCOME";

U.S. patent application serial No. 15/940,654 entitled "SURGICAL HUB SITUATIONAL AWARENESS";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/940,663 entitled "SURGICAL SYSTEM DISTRIBUTED PROCESSING";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,668 entitled "AGGREGAGATION AND REPORTING OF SURGICAL HUB DATA";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,671 entitled "SURGICAL HUB SPATIAL AWARENESS TO DETERMINE DEVICES IN OPERATING THEREATER";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/940,686 entitled "DISPLAY OF align OF STAPLE CARTRIDGE TO PRIOR LINEAR STAPLE LINE";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/940,700 entitled "STERILE FIELD INTERACTIVE CONTROL DISPLAYS";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/940,629 entitled "compass IMPLEMENTED INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,704 entitled "USE OF LASER LIGHT AND RED-GREEN BLUE COLORATION TO DETERMINE PROPERTIES OF BACK SCATTERED LIGHT";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,722 entitled "CHARACTERIZATION OF TISSUE IRREGULARITIES THROUGH THE USE OF MONO-CHROMATIC LIGHT REFRACTIVITY"; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,742 entitled "DUAL CMOS ARRAY IMAGING".

The applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on 29/3/2018, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,636 entitled "ADAPTIVE CONTROL PROGRAM UPDATES FOR minor DEVICES";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,653 entitled "ADAPTIVE CONTROL PROGRAM UPDATES FOR SURGICAL HUBS";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/940,660 entitled "closed-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR custom mixing AND recycling TO a USER";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,679 entitled "CLOOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR LINKING OF LOCAL USAGE TRENDS WITH THE RESOURCE ACQUISITION BEHAVORS OF LARGER DATA SET";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,694 entitled "Cloud-based Medical analysis for Medical Facility detailed introduction of Instrument Function";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,634 entitled "CLOOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR SECURITY AND AUTHENTICATION TRENDS AND REACTIVE MEASURES";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/940,706 entitled "DATA HANDLING AND PRIORITIZATION IN A CLOUD ANALYTICS NETWORK"; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,675 entitled "CLOOUD INTERFACE FOR COUPLED SURGICAL DEVICES".

The applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on 29/3/2018, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety:

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,627 entitled "DRIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMs";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/940,637 entitled "communiation argements FOR ROBOT-associated minor heating platformes";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,642 entitled "CONTROL FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,676 entitled "AUTOMATIC TOOL ADJUSTMENT FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,680 entitled "CONTROL FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/940,683 entitled "passenger activity FOR ROBOT-associated passenger platformes";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,690 entitled "DISPLAY ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS"; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/940,711 entitled "SENSING ARRANGEMENTS FOR Robot-Assisted Surgical PLATFORMS".

The applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. provisional patent applications filed on 30/3/2018, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety:

-U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/650,887 entitled "SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH OPTIMIZED sizing capturing CAPABILITIES";

U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/650,877 entitled "SURGICAL SMOKE EVACUTION SENSING AND CONTROL";

-U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/650,882 entitled "SMOKE evacution MODULE FOR INTERACTIVE television program"; and

U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/650,898 entitled "CAPACITIVE COUPLED RETURN PATH PAD WITH seperable ARRAY ELEMENTS".

The applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. provisional patent applications filed on 2018, month 4, and day 19, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety:

U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/659,900 entitled "METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION".

The applicant of the present patent application owns the following U.S. provisional patent applications filed on 25/10/2018, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety:

U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/750,529 entitled "METHOD FOR OPERATING A POWER ARTICULATING MULTIL-CLIP APPLIER";

-U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/750,539 entitled "SURGICAL CLIP APPLIER"; and

U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/750,555 entitled "SURGICAL CLIP APPLIER".

The applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on 21/2/2019 and each incorporated herein by reference in its entirety:

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,658 entitled "METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A Power reduced SURGICAL STAPLER THAT HAS SEPARATE ROTARY CLOSURE AND FIRING SYSTEMS";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,670 entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE composition A LOCKOUT KEY CONGURED TO LIFT A FIRING MEMBER";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,675 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLERS WITH ARRANGEMENTS FOR MAINTAINING A FIRING MEMBER THEREOF IN A LOCKED CONFIGURATION UNLES A COMPATIBLE CARTRIDGE HAS BEEN INSTALLED THEREIN";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,685 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING CO-OPERATING LOCKOUT FEATURES";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,693 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LOCKOUT AND AN EXTERIOR ACCESS ORIFICE TO PERMIT ARTIFICIAL UNLOCKING OF THE LOCKOUT";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,704 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES WITH FEATURES FOR BLOCKING ADVANCEMENT OF A CAMMING ASSEMBLY OF AN INFORMATION CARTRIDGE INSTALLED THEREIN";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,707 entitled "STAPLING INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A DEACTIVATABLE LOCKOUT";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,741 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A JAW CLOSURE LOCKOUT";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 16/281,762 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES WITH CARTRIDGE COMPATIBLE CLOSURE AND FIRING LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,660 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH FIRING MEMBER DRIVEN CAMMING ASSEMBLY THAT HAS an ONBOARD TISSUE CUTTING FEATURE";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,666 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES WITH IMPROVED ROTARY DRIVEN CLOSURE SYSTEMS";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 16/281,672 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES WITH ASYMMETRIC CLOSURE FEATURES";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 16/281,678 entitled "ROTARY DRIVEN FIRING MEMBERS WITH DIFFERENT ANVIL AND CHANNEL ENGAGEMENT featurs"; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/281,682 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICE WITH SEPARATE ROTARY DRIVEN CLOSURE AND FIRING SYSTEMS AND FIRING MEMBER THAT ENGAGES BOTH JAWS WHILE FIRING".

Applicants of the present application own the following U.S. provisional patent applications filed 2019 on 19/2 and each incorporated herein by reference in its entirety:

-U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/807,310 entitled "METHODS FOR CONTROLLING a POWERED minor STAPLER THAT HAS SEPARATE rolling close AND FIRING SYSTEMS";

U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/807,319 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES WITH IMPROVED LOCKOUT SYSTEMS"; and

U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/807,309 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES WITH IMPROVED ROTARY DRIVEN CLOSURE SYSTEMS".

The applicant of the present patent application owns the following U.S. provisional patent applications filed on 28/3/2018, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety:

-U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/649,302 entitled "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH ENCRYPTED communiation CAPABILITIES";

-U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/649,294 entitled "DATA STRIPPING METHOD TO interface patent RECORD AND CREATE anonumized RECORD";

U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/649,300 entitled "SURGICAL HUB SITUATIONAL AWARENESS";

U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/649,309 entitled "SURGICAL HUB SPATIAL AWARENESS TO DETERMINE DEVICES IN OPERATING THEREATER";

-U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/649,310 entitled "compass IMPLEMENTED INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS";

U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/649,291 entitled "USE OF LASER LIGHT AND RED-GREEN-BLUE color TO detection reagents OF BACK SCATTERED LIGHT";

U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/649,296 entitled "ADAPTIVE CONTROL PROGRAM UPDATES FOR basic DEVICES";

U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/649,333 entitled "closed-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR custom mixing AND recording means TO a USER";

U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/649,327 entitled "closed-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR SECURITY AND AUTHENTICATION TRENDS AND REACTIVE MEASURES";

-U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/649,315 entitled "DATA HANDLING AND PRIORITIZATION IN A CLOUD ANALYTICS NETWORK";

-U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/649,313 entitled "closed INTERFACE FOR coated minor DEVICES";

-U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/649,320 entitled "DRIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-associated minor component platformes";

U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/649,307 entitled "AUTOMATIC TOOL ADJUSTMENT FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS"; and

U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/649,323 entitled "SENSING ARRANGEMENTS FOR Robot-Assisted Surgical PLATFORMS".

The applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. provisional patent applications filed on 30/3/2018, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety:

U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/650,887 entitled "SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH OPTIMIZED sending CAPABILITIES".

The applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on 12/4/2018, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/209,423 entitled "METHOD OF COMPRESSING TISSUE WITHIN A STAPLING DEVICE AND SIMULTANEOUSLY DISPLAYING THE LOCATION OF THE TISSUE WITHIN THE JAWS".

The applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on 20/8 in 2018 and each incorporated herein by reference in its entirety:

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,101 entitled "METHOD FOR FABRICATING SURGICAL STAPLER ANVILS";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 16/105,183 entitled "related restricted soluble and specific FOR minor STAPLER ANVIL";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,150 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLER ANVILS WITH STAPLE DIRECTING PROTRUSION AND TISSUE STATIONITY FEATURES";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,098 entitled "FABRICATING TECHNIQUES FOR SURGICAL STAPLER ANVILS";

-U.S. patent application serial No. 16/105,140 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLER ANVILS WITH TISSUE STOP FEATURES CONFIRED TO AVOID TISSUE PINCH";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,081 entitled "METHOD FOR OPERATING A POWER ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,094 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH PROGRESSIVE JAW CLOSURE ARRANGEMENTS";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,097 entitled "POWER SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CLUTCHING ARRANGEMENTS TO CONVERT LINEAR DRIVE MOTIONS TO ROTARY DRIVES";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,104 entitled "Power operated furniture SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CLUTCHING AND LOCKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR LINKING AN ARTICULATION DRIVE SYSTEM TO A FIRING DRIVE SYSTEM";

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,119 entitled "ARTICULATABLE MOTOR POWER SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH DEDICATED ARTICULATION MOTOR ARRANGEMENTS";

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/105,160 entitled "SWITCHING ARRANGEMENTS FOR POWER ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS"; and

U.S. design patent application serial No. 29/660,252 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLER ANVILS".

The applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patent applications and U.S. patents, each incorporated herein by reference in their entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,185 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS AND REPLACEABLE TOOL ASSEMBLIES THEREOF", now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168642;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,230 entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS," now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168649;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/386,221 entitled "LOCKOUT arragements FOR SURGICAL END effiectors," now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168646;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,209 entitled "SURGICAL END EFFECTORS AND FIRING MEMBERS THEREOF," now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168645;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,198 entitled "LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL END EFFECTORS AND REPLACEABLE TOOL ASSEMBLIES", now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168644;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,240 entitled "SURGICAL END EFFECTORS AND ADAPTABLE FIRING MEMBERS THEREFOR," now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168651;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,939 entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGES AND ARRANGEMENTS OF STAPLES AND STAPLE CAVITIES THEREIN," now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168629;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,941 entitled "SURGICAL TOOL ASSEMBLIES WITH CLUTCHING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SHIFTING BETWEEN CLOSURE SYSTEMS WITH CLOSURE STROKE REDUCTION FEATURES AND ARTICULATION AND FIRING SYSTEMS", now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168630;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,943 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS AND STAPLE-FORMING ANVILS," now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168631;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,950 entitled "SURGICAL TOOL ASSEMBLIES WITH CLOSURE STROKE REDUCTION FEATURES", now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168635;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,945 entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGES AND ARRANGEMENTS OF STAPLES AND STAPLE CAVITIES THEREIN," now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168632;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,946 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS AND STAPLE-FORMING ANVILS," now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168633;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,951 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH JAW OPENING FEATURES FOR INCREASING A JAW OPENING DISTANCE", now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168636;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,953 entitled "METHODS OF STAPLING TISSUE", now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168637;

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,954 entitled "FIRING MEMBERS WITH NON-PARALLEL JAW ENGAGEMENT FEATURES FOR SURGICAL END EFFECTORS", now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168638;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,955 entitled "SURGICAL END EFFECTORS WITH EXPANDABLE TISSUE STOP ARRANGEMENTS", now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168639;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,948 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS AND STAPLE-FORMING ANVILS," now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168584;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,956 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH POSITIVE JAW OPENING FEATURES", now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168640;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,958 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR PREVENTING FIRING SYSTEM ACTION UNLESS AN UNSPECT STAPLE CARTRIDGE IS PRESENT", now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168641;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,947 entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGES AND ARRANGEMENTS OF STAPLES AND STAPLE CAVITIES THEREIN," now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168634;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,896 entitled "METHOD FOR RESETTING A FUSE OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SHAFT", now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168597;

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,898 entitled "STAPLE-FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENT TO ACCOMMODATE DIFFERENT TYPES OF STAPLES", now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168599;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,899 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING IMPROVED JAW CONTROL," now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168600;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,901 entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE AND STAPLE CARTRIDGE CHANNEL comprisingwindows DEFINED THEREIN," now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168602;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,902 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A CUTTING MEMBER", now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168603;

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,904 entitled "STAPLE FIRING MEMBER COMPRISING A MISSING CARTRIDGE AND/OR SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT", now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168605;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,905 entitled "FIRING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LOCKOUT", now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168606;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,907 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM COMPLEMENTING AN END EFFECTOR LOCKOUT AND A FIRING ASSEMBLY LOCKOUT", now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168608;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,908 entitled "FIRING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A FUSE", now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168609;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,909 entitled "FIRING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A MULTIPLE FAILED-STATE FUSE", now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168610;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,920 entitled "stable-FORMING POCKET argentes", now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168620;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,913 entitled "ANVIL ARRANGEMENTS FOR minor stages," now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168614;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,914 entitled "METHOD OF DEFORMING STAPLES FROM TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF STAPLE CARTRIDGES WITH THE SAME SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT," now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168615;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,893 entitled "bilierally ASYMMETRIC STAPLE-formatting POCKET pair," now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168594;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,929 entitled "CLOSURE MEMBERS WITH CAM SURFACE ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH SEPARATE AND DISTINCT CLOSURE AND FIRING SYSTEMS," now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168626;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,911 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLERS WITH INDEPENDENTLY ACTITABLE CLOSING AND FIRING SYSTEMS," now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168612;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,927 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH SMART STAPLE CARTRIDGES," now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168625;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,917 entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING STAPLES WITH DIFFERENT CLAMPING bredths", now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168617;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,900 entitled "STAPLE-FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENTS COMPRISING PRIMARY SIDEWALLS AND POCKET SIDEWALLS", now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168601;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,931 entitled "NO-CARTRIDGE AND SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL STAPLERS", now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168627;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,915 entitled "fixing MEMBER PIN ANGLE", now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168616;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,897 entitled "STAPLE-FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENTS COMPRISING ZONED FORMING SURFACE GROOVES", now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168598;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,922 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MULTIPLE FAILURE RESPONSE MODES", now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168622;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,924 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH PRIMARY AND SAFETY PROCESSORS," now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168624;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,910 entitled "ANVIL HAVING A KNIFE SLOT WIDTH", now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168611;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,903 entitled "CLOSURE MEMBER ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168604;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,906 entitled "fixing MEMBER PIN CONFIGURATIONS", now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168607;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/386,188 entitled "STEPPED STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH ASYMMETRICAL STAPLES," now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168585;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/386,192 entitled "STEPPED STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH TISSUE RETENTION AND GAP SETTING FEATURES," now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168643;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/386,206 entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH DEFORMABLE DRIVER replacement patents", now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168586;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,226 entitled "DURABILITY FEATURES FOR END EFFECTORS AND FIRING ASSEMBLIES OF SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS", now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168648;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,222 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS HAVING END EFFECTORS WITH POSITIVE OPENING FEATURES", now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168647;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/386,236 entitled "CONNECTION PORTION FOR DEPOSABLE LOADING UNIT FOR SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS", now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168650;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,887 entitled "METHOD FOR ATTACHING A SHAFT ASSEMBLY TO A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT AND, ALTERNATIVELY, TO A SURGICAL ROBOT", now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168589;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,889 entitled "SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A MANUALLY-OPERABLE RETRACTION SYSTEM FOR USE WITH A MOTORIZED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM", now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168590;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,890 entitled "SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING SEPARATELY ACTITABLE AND RETRACTABLE SYSTEMS", now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168591;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,891 entitled "SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A CLUTCH CONGURED TO ADAPT OUTPUT OF A ROTARY FIRING MEMBER TO TWO DIFFERENT SYSTEMS", now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168592;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,892 entitled "SURGICAL SYSTEM COMPLEMENTING A FIRING MEMBER ROTATABLE INTO A ARTICULATION STATE TO ARTICULATE AN END EFFECTOR OF THE SURGICAL SYSTEM", now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168593;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,894 entitled "SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LOCKOUT", now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168595;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,895 entitled "SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING FIRST AND SECOND ARTICULATION LOCKOUTS", now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168596;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,916 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS," now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168575;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,918 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS," now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168618;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,919 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS," now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168619;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,921 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH Movable CAMMING MEMBER CONGURED TO DISENGAGE FIRING MEMBER LOCKOUT FEATURES", now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168621;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,923 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS," now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168623;

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,925 entitled "JAW ACTITED LOCK ARRANGEMENTS FOR PREVENTING ADVANCEMENT OF A FIRING MEMBER IN A SURGICAL END EFFECTOR UNFILES AN UNFIRED CARTRIDGE IS INSTALLED IN THE END EFFECTOR", now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168576;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,926 entitled "AXIALLY MOVABLE CLOSURE SYSTEM ARRANGEMENTS FOR APPLYING CLOSURE MOTIONS TO JAWS OF SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168577;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,928 entitled "PROTECTIVE COVER ARRANGEMENTS FOR A JOINT INTERFACE BETWEEN A MOBILE JAW AND ACTUATOR SHAFT OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT", now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168578;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,930 entitled "SURGICAL END EFFECTOR WITH TWO SEPARATE COOPERATING OPENING FEATURES FOR OPENING AND CLOSING END EFFECTOR JAWS", now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168579;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,932 entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL END EFFECTOR WITH ASYMMETRIC SHAFT ARRANGEMENT," now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168628;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,933 entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH INDEPENDENT PIVOTABLE LINKAGE DISTAL OF AN ARTICULATION LOCK," now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168580;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,934 entitled "ARTICULATION LOCK ARRANGEMENTS FOR LOCKING AN END EFFECTOR IN AN ARTICULATED POSITION IN RESPONSE TO ACTION OF A JAW CLOSURE SYSTEM", now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168581;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/385,935 entitled "LATERALLY ACTUATABLE ARTICULATION LOCK ARRANGEMENTS FOR LOCKING AN END EFFECTOR OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT IN AN ARTICULATED CONFIGURATION," now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168582;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/385,936 entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATION STROKE AMPLIFICATION FEATURES", now U.S. patent application publication 2018/0168583;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 14/318,996 entitled "FASTENER CARTRIDGES filing EXTENSIONS HAVING DIFFERENT CONFIGURATIONS," now U.S. patent application publication 2015/0297228;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 14/319,006 entitled "FASTENER CARTRIDGE COMPRISING FASTENER CAVITIES includingfastener CONTROL patents", now U.S. patent 10,010,324;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 14/318,991 entitled "SURGICAL FASTENER CARTRIDGES WITH DRIVER STABILIZING ARRANGEMENTS", now U.S. patent 9,833,241;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 14/319,004 entitled "SURGICAL END EFFECTORS WITH FIRING ELEMENT MONITORING ARRANGEMENTS", now U.S. patent 9,844,369;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 14/319,008 entitled "FASTENER CARTRIDGE comprisingnon-unicorm FASTENERS," now U.S. patent application publication 2015/0297232;

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/318,997 entitled "FASTENER CARTRIDGE COMPRISING DEPLOYABLE TISSUE ENGAGING MEMBERS", now U.S. patent application publication 2015/0297229;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 14/319,002 entitled "FASTENER CARTRIDGE compring TISSUE CONTROL patents", now U.S. patent 9,877,721;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 14/319,013 entitled "FASTENER CARTRIDGE applications AND STAPLE RETAINER COVER argemenents," now U.S. patent application publication 2015/0297233; and

U.S. patent application serial No. 14/319,016, entitled "FASTENER CARTRIDGE INCLUDING A LAYER ATTACHED thermoo," now U.S. patent application publication 2015/0297235.

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

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/191,775 entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING WIRE STAPLES AND STAMPED STAPLES," now U.S. patent application publication 2017/0367695;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/191,807 entitled "STAPLING SYSTEM FOR USE WITH WIRE STAPLES AND STAMPED STAPLES," now U.S. patent application publication 2017/0367696;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/191,834 entitled "STAMPED STAPLES AND STAPLE CARTRIDGES USING SAME", now U.S. patent application publication 2017/0367699;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/191,788 entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE compring overdrive stands," now U.S. patent application publication 2017/0367698; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/191,818 entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING OFFSET LONGITUDINAL STAPLE ROWS," now U.S. patent application publication 2017/0367697.

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

U.S. design patent application serial No. 29/569,218 entitled "SURGICAL FASTENER," now U.S. design patent D826,405;

U.S. design patent application serial No. 29/569,227 entitled "SURGICAL FASTENER," now U.S. design patent D822,206;

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

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

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

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,325 entitled "METHOD FOR OPERATING A SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM", now U.S. patent application publication 2017/0281171;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,321 entitled "MODULAR SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A DISPLAY," now U.S. patent application publication 2017/0281163;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/089,326 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A DISPLAY INCLUDING A RE-ORIENTABLE DISPLAY FIELD", now U.S. patent application publication 2017/0281172;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,263 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HANDLE ASSEMBLY WITH RECONFIGURABLE GRIP PORTION", now U.S. patent application publication 2017/0281165;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,262 entitled "ROTARY POWER SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MANUALLY ACTIVATABLE BALLOUT SYSTEM," now U.S. patent application publication 2017/0281161;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,277 entitled "SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING END EFFECTOR WITH ANVIL CONCENTRIC DRIVE MEMBER", now U.S. patent application publication 2017/0281166;

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,296 entitled "INTERCHANGEABLE SURGICAL TOOL ASSEMBLY WITH A SURGICAL END EFFECTOR THAT IS SELECTIVELY ROTATABLE ABOUT A SHAFT AXIS", now U.S. patent application publication 2017/0281168;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,258 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A SHIFTABLE TRANSMISSION," now U.S. patent application publication 2017/0281178;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,278 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM CONFIGURED TO PROVIDE selection OF Integrated curing OF TISSUE", now U.S. patent application publication 2017/0281162;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,284 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A CONTOURABLE SHAFT," now U.S. patent application publication 2017/0281186;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,295 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A TISSUE COMPRESSION LOCKOUT," now U.S. patent application publication 2017/0281187;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,300 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING AN UNCLAMPING LOCKOUT," now U.S. patent application publication 2017/0281179;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,196 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A JAW CLOSURE LOCKOUT," now U.S. patent application publication 2017/0281183;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,203 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A JAW ATTACHMENT LOCKOUT," now U.S. patent application publication 2017/0281184;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/089,210 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT," now U.S. patent application publication 2017/0281185;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,324 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A SHIFTING MECHANISM," now U.S. patent application publication 2017/0281170;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,335 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS COMPLEMENTING MULTIPLE LOCKOUTS", now U.S. patent application publication 2017/0281155;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,339 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT," now U.S. patent application publication 2017/0281173;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,253 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM CONFIGURED TO APPLY ANNULAR ROWS OF STAPLES HAVING DIFFERENT HEIGHTS," now U.S. patent application publication 2017/0281177;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,304 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A GROOVED FORMING POCKET", now U.S. patent application publication 2017/0281188;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,331 entitled "ANVIL MODIFICATION MEMBERS FOR SURGICAL STAPLERS", now U.S. patent application publication 2017/0281180;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/089,336 entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGES WITH atraumatc featurs," now U.S. patent application publication 2017/0281164;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/089,312 entitled "CIRCULAR STAPLING SYSTEM comprisingan available TISSUE SUPPORT", now U.S. patent application publication 2017/0281189;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/089,309 entitled "CIRCULAR STAPLING SYSTEM comprisingrotary FIRING SYSTEM", now U.S. patent application publication 2017/0281169; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/089,349 entitled "CIRCULAR STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING LOAD CONTROL", now U.S. patent application publication 2017/0281174.

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

-U.S. patent application serial No. 14/984,488 entitled "MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR BATTERY PACK FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," now U.S. patent application publication 2017/0189018;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 14/984,525 entitled "MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," now U.S. patent application publication 2017/0189019; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/984,552 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH SEPARABLE MOTORS AND MOTOR CONTROL CICUITS", now U.S. patent application publication 2017/0189020.

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

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,220 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH ARTICULATING AND AXIALLY TRANSLATABLE END EFFECTOR", now U.S. patent application publication 2017/0224333;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,228 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH MULTIPLE LINK ARTICULATION ARRANGEMENTS", now U.S. patent application publication 2017/0224342;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,196 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ARTICULATION MECHANISM WITH SLOTTED SECONDARY CONSTRAINT", now U.S. patent application publication 2017/0224330;

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,206 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH AN END EFFECTOR THAT IS HIGHLY ARTICULATABLE RELATIVE TO AN ELONGATE SHAFT ASSEMBLY", now U.S. patent application publication 2017/0224331;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,215 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH NON-SYMMETRICAL ARTICULATION ARRANGEMENTS", now U.S. patent application publication 2017/0224332;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,227 entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH SINGLE ARTICULATION LINK ARRANGEMENTS," now U.S. patent application publication 2017/0224334;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,235 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH TESTIONING ARRANGEMENTS FOR CABLE DRIVEN ARTICULATION SYSTEMS", now U.S. patent application publication 2017/0224336;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,230 entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-AXIS FIRING BEAM ARRANGEMENTS," now U.S. patent application publication 2017/0224335; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/019,245 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CLOSURE STROKE REDUCTION ARRANGEMENTS," now U.S. patent application publication 2017/0224343.

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

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/043,254 entitled "MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," now U.S. patent application publication 2017/0231623;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/043,259 entitled "MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," now U.S. patent application publication 2017/0231626;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 15/043,275 entitled "MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," now U.S. patent application publication 2017/0231627; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/043,289 entitled "MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," now U.S. patent application publication 2017/0231628.

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

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,925 entitled "SURGICAL END EFFECTORS WITH POSITIVE JAW OPENING ARRANGEMENTS", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0367256;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,941 entitled "SURGICAL END EFFECTORS WITH DUAL CAM ACTUATED JAW CLOSING FEATURES", now U.S. Pat. No. 10,052,102;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,914 entitled "Movable filing bed SUPPORT FOR easily organizing supported catalysts", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0367255;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,900 entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH COMPOSITE FIRING BEAM STRUCTURES WITH CENTER FIRING SUPPORT MEMBER FOR ARTICULATION SUPPORT", now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0367254;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,885 entitled "DUAL ARTICULATION DRIVE SYSTEM ARRANGEMENTS FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," now U.S. patent application publication 2016/0367246; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,876 entitled "PUSH/PULL ARTICULATION DRIVE SYSTEMS FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," now U.S. patent 10,178,992.

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

-U.S. patent application serial No. 14/640,746 entitled "POWERED minor instroment", now U.S. patent 9,808,246;

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

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

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

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,831 entitled "MONITORING SPEED CONTROL AND PRECISION INCREASING OF MOTOR FOR POWER SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now U.S. Pat. No. 9,895,148;

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,859 entitled "TIME DEPENDENT EVALTION OF SENSOR DATA TO DETERMINE STATIONITY, CREPE, AND VISCELATIC ELEMENTS OF MEASURES", now U.S. patent 10,052,044;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 14/640,817 entitled "INTERACTIVE FEEDBACK SYSTEM FOR POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," now U.S. patent application publication 9,924,961;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/640,844 entitled "CONTROL TECHNIQUES AND SUB-PROCESSOR CONTAINED WITHIN MODULAR SHAFT WITH SELECT CONTROL PROCESSING FROM HANDLE", now U.S. patent 10,045,776;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 14/640,837 entitled "SMART SENSORS WITH LOCAL SIGNAL PROCESSING", now U.S. patent 9,993,248;

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

-U.S. patent application serial No. 14/640,799 entitled "SIGNAL AND POWER COMMUNICATION SYSTEM position ON a rotable shift short", now U.S. patent 9,901,342; and

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

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

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,576 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM COMPLISING AN INSPECTION STATION", now U.S. Pat. No. 10,045,779;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 14/633,546 entitled "minor applied configuration TO ASSESS WHETHER A minor PARAMETER OF THE minor applied PARAMETER IS WITHIN AN ACCEPTABLE minor PARAMETER BAND", now U.S. patent 10,180,463;

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

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

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

-U.S. patent application serial No. 14/633,542 entitled "related BATTERY FOR a SURGICAL INSTRUMENT," now U.S. patent 9,931,118;

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

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

-U.S. patent application serial No. 14/633,541 entitled "MODULAR station association" and now U.S. patent application 9,993,258; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,562 entitled "SURGICAL APPATUS CONFIGURED TO TRACK AN END-OF-LIFE PARAMETER," now U.S. patent 10,159,483.

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

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/574,478 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM COMPLEMENTS SYSTEM END EFFECTOR AND MEANS FOR ADJUSE THE FIRING STROKE OF A FIRING MEMBER", now U.S. patent 9,844,374;

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

-U.S. patent application serial No. 14/575,139 entitled "DRIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR article minor letters", now U.S. patent 9,844,375;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 14/575,148 entitled "LOCKING argemenets FOR detecting short SHAFT electromagnetic assembly WITH an integrated circuit component END effector", now U.S. patent 10,085,748;

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

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,143 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH IMPROVED CLOSURE ARRANGEMENTS", now U.S. Pat. No. 10,004,501;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,117 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTORS AND MOVABLE FILING BEAM SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS", now U.S. Pat. No. 9,943,309;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,154 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATED END EFFECTORS AND IMPROVED FIRING BEAM SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS", now U.S. Pat. No. 9,968,355;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/574,493 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY COMPLEMENTING A FLEXIBLE ARTICULATION SYSTEM", now U.S. Pat. No. 9,987,000; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/574,500 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LOCKABLE ARTICULATION SYSTEM," now U.S. Pat. No. 10,117,649.

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

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,295 entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CONDUCTIVE PATHWAYS FOR SIGNAL COMMUNICATION", now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0246471;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,323 entitled "Rolling Power operated vibration FOR minor Instrument," now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0246472;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 13/782,338 entitled "thumb wheel SWITCH ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0249557;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 13/782,499 entitled "ELECTROMECHANICAL SURGICAL DEVICE WITH SIGNAL RELAY ARRANGEMENT," now U.S. patent application publication 9,358,003;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,460 entitled "MULTIPLE PROCESSOR MOTORS CONTROL FOR MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0246478;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,358 entitled "JOYSTICK SWITCH ASSEMBLIES FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now U.S. patent application publication 9,326,767;

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,481 entitled "SENSOR STRAIGHTENED END EFFECTOR DURING REMOVAL THROUGH TROCAR", now U.S. patent application publication 9,468,438;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,518 entitled "CONTROL METHOD FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH REMOVABLE IMPLEMENT PORTIONS", now U.S. patent application publication 2014/0246475;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,375 entitled "Rolling Power weighted accumulation INSTRUMENTS WITH MULTIPLE layers OF FREEDOM", now U.S. patent application publication 9,398,911; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,536 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SOFT STOP," now U.S. patent application publication 9,307,986.

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

-U.S. patent application serial No. 13/803,097 entitled "article subaltern minor incorporation A FIRING DRIVE," now U.S. patent 9,687,230;

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

-U.S. patent application serial No. 13/803,053 entitled "interactive shift association FOR USE WITH a minor insert," now U.S. patent 9,883,860;

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

-U.S. patent application serial No. 13/803,210 entitled "SENSOR arrays FOR ABSOLUTE position SYSTEM FOR basic INSTRUMENTS", now U.S. patent 9,808,244;

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

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,066 entitled "DRIVE SYSTEM LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now U.S. patent 9,629,623;

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

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

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,159 entitled "METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPERATING A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT", now U.S. patent 9,888,919;

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

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/200,111 entitled "CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now U.S. Pat. No. 9,629,629.

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

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

-U.S. patent application serial No. 14/226,099 entitled "serilization version CIRCUIT", now U.S. patent 9,826,977;

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

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,117 entitled "POWER MANAGEMENT THROUGH SLEEP OPTIONS OF SEGMENTED CIRCUIT AND WAKE UP CONTROL", now U.S. Pat. No. 10,013,049;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,075 entitled "MODULAR POWER SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH DETACHABLE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES", now U.S. patent 9,743,929;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,093 entitled "FEEDBACK ALGORITHMS FOR MANUAL BAILOUT SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now U.S. Pat. No. 10,028,761;

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

-U.S. patent application serial No. 14/226,071 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT CONTROL CIRCUIT HAVING A SAFETY PROCESSOR", now U.S. patent 9,690,362;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 14/226,097 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING INTERACTIVE SYSTEMS", now U.S. patent 9,820,738;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,126 entitled "INTERFACE SYSTEMS FOR USE WITH SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", now U.S. patent application publication 10,004,497;

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

-U.S. patent application serial No. 14/226,081 entitled "SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A SEGMENTED circui", now U.S. patent 9,804,618;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,076 entitled "POWER MANAGEMENT THROUGH SEGMENTED CIRCUIT AND VARIABLE VOLTAGE PROTECTION", now U.S. Pat. No. 9,733,663;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,111 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTT SYSTEM", now U.S. Pat. No. 9,750,499; and

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

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

-U.S. patent application serial No. 14/479,103 entitled "CIRCUITRY AND SENSORS FOR power MEDICAL DEVICE", now U.S. patent 10,111,679;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 14/479,119 entitled "ADJUNCT WITH INTEGRATED SENSORS TO QUANTIFY TISSUE composition", now U.S. patent 9,724,094;

U.S. patent application serial No. 14/478,908 entitled "MONITORING DEVICE classification BASED ON COMPONENT EVALUATION", now U.S. patent 9,737,301;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 14/478,895 entitled "MULTIPLE SENSORS WITH ONE SENSOR AFFECTING A SECOND SENSOR' S OUTPUT OR interrupt," now U.S. patent 9,757,128;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 14/479,110 entitled "polar OF HALL MAGNET TO IDENTIFY CARTRIDGE TYPE," now U.S. patent 10,016,199;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 14/479,098 entitled "SMART CARTRIDGE WAKE UP OPERATION AND DATA RETENTION", now U.S. patent 10,135,242;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 14/479,115 entitled "MULTIPLE MOTOR CONTROL FOR power MEDICAL DEVICE", now U.S. patent 9,788,836; and

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

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

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,590 entitled "MOTOR DRIVEN SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH LOCKABLE DUAL DRIVE SHAFTS", now U.S. patent 9,826,976;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,581 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A CLOSING DRIVE AND A FIRING DRIVE OPERATED FROM THE SAME ROTATABLE OUTPUT", now U.S. patent 9,649,110;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,595 entitled "SURGICAL SYSTEM COMPRISING FIRST AND SECOND DRIVE SYSTEMS," now U.S. patent 9,844,368;

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

-U.S. patent application serial No. 14/248,591 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A GAP SETTING SYSTEM", now U.S. patent 10,149,680;

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,584 entitled "MODULAR MOTOR DRIN SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ALIGNMENT FEATURES FOR ALIGNING ROTARY DRIVE SHAFTS WITH SURGICAL END EFFECTOR SHAFTS", now U.S. patent 9,801,626;

-U.S. patent application serial No. 14/248,587 entitled "POWERED minor platform", now U.S. patent 9,867,612;

-U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,586 entitled "DRIVE SYSTEM DECOUPLING ARRANGEMENT FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT", now U.S. patent 10,136,887; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,607 entitled "MODULAR MOTOR DRIN SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH STATUS INDICATION ARRANGEMENTS", now U.S. Pat. No. 9,814,460.

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

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

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

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

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

U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 61/812,372 entitled "minor entering WITH MULTIPLE functional PERFORMED BY A SINGLE MOTOR".

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fig. 1-5 are longitudinal cross-sectional views of an end effector of a surgical instrument system. The views depict the end effector in an open position (fig. 1) prior to being placed on tissue, in a cocked, closed position (fig. 2), during a firing motion to deploy staples into tissue (fig. 3), after the firing motion has been completed (fig. 4), and in a reopened position (fig. 5) to release the end effector from tissue. Such a surgical instrument system is similar in many respects to the surgical instrument system disclosed in the following U.S. Pat. No. 5,667,517: named "ENDOSCOPIC SURGICAL SYSTEM WITH SENSING MEANS" and published to Michael Dawson Hooven on 16.9.1997. The entire disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 5,667,517 is incorporated herein by reference.

The end effector shown in fig. 1-5 includes a shaft housing 60 and an end effector housing 70. The end effector housing 70 is connected to the shaft housing 60 in any suitable manner, such as by press-fitting or ultrasonic welding, for example. A rotatable shaft 61 extends through the shaft housing 60 and is operably coupled, for example, with an electric motor that can rotate the shaft 61. Threaded rod 71 extends substantially the length of the end effector and is connected to rotatable shaft 61. Threaded rod 71 has a larger diameter portion 72 adjacent shaft 61 and a smaller diameter portion 73 of the remainder of threaded rod 71. The end effector further includes a staple or cartridge portion 74 and an anvil portion 75. Cartridge portion 74 and anvil portion 75 are pivotally connected to one another by an anvil pivot pin 76. A closure nut 77 is threadedly mounted on the larger diameter portion 72 of the threaded rod 71, and a closure pin 78 extends from the closure nut 77 that moves in a closure slot 79 provided in the pivotally mounted anvil portion 75 of the end effector. As the shaft 61 rotates, the threaded rod 71 also rotates, and as it rotates in the first direction, the closure nut 77 will move along the threaded rod 71 and move the closure pin 78 in the closure slot 79 to close the anvil portion 75 against the staple portion 74 of the end effector.

In addition to the above, when anvil portion 75 is in its open position, tissue being treated or manipulated by the end effector is placed between anvil portion 75 and cartridge portion 74 of the end effector. Once tissue has been positioned in a suitable manner between anvil portion 75 and cartridge portion 74, power is applied to shaft 61 such that shaft 61 and threaded rod 71 rotate and close anvil portion 75. As can be appreciated, the amount of torque required to pivot anvil portion 75 about pivot pin 76 may be sensed, and thus the thickness of the tissue between anvil portion 75 and staple cartridge portion 74 may be determined. The surgical instrument system may also include a microprocessor or controller that can manipulate and inform the surgeon about this information: whether an appropriate amount of tissue is positioned between anvil portion 75 and cartridge portion 74 of the end effector or whether too much or too little tissue is positioned between anvil portion 75 and cartridge portion 74 when anvil portion 75 is closed. The microprocessor may also be configured to indicate to the surgeon whether the end effector should be re-manipulated. When an electric motor that rotates shaft 61 is driven, for example, with a constant voltage, the force required to close the end effector can be measured by monitoring the motor current. In various examples, the power delivered to the end effector can be controlled by achieving a constant motor speed with varying loads, such as by varying the motor voltage and/or current. In some examples, pulse width modulation and/or frequency modulation may be utilized to control the electric motor.

Cartridge portion 74 includes a removable cartridge 80. Staple cartridge 80 may include any suitable number of staple rows, such as four rows of staples 81 or six rows of staples 81, for example. The rows of staples are parallel to each other and offset with respect to each other in adjacent rows. Staple cartridge 80 is placed in staple cartridge portion 74 such that it is opposite anvil portion 75 as shown and snapped into staple cartridge portion 74 of the end effector. As depicted in fig. 1-5, a smaller diameter portion 73 of threaded rod 71 extends through staple cartridge 80. Staple cartridge 80 may include an opening defined in a bottom thereof that allows staple cartridge 80 to be positioned over threaded rod 71 and seated into cartridge portion 74. Other embodiments are envisioned in which threaded rod 71 or at least a portion of threaded rod 71 is part of staple cartridge 80. In such embodiments, threaded rod 71 may be operably coupled with drive shaft 61 when staple cartridge 80 is seated in staple cartridge portion 74. Some embodiments are contemplated in which the staple cartridge 80 may not be easily replaceable within the end effector. In at least one such embodiment, the end effector as a whole can be replaceable.

An interconnected knife member 82 and a driving wedge member 83 are mounted on the threaded rod 71. Interconnected knife member 82 and wedge member 83 threadably engage smaller diameter portion 73 of threaded rod 71 and advance distally when threaded rod 71 is rotated in a first direction (i.e., the same direction in which threaded rod 71 is rotated to close anvil portion 74). As the wedge member 83 and the knife member 82 move along the threaded rod 71, the wedge member 83 is located in front of the knife member 82 or distally relative to the knife member 82. As the wedge member 83 moves down the threaded rod 71, the wedge member 83 drives the staples 81 out of the magazine 80 via the staple drivers 84. The staple drivers 84 can comprise a single staple driver or, alternatively, one or more of the staple drivers 84 can be interconnected. Staples 81 are passed through the tissue and urged against anvil portion 75 to form staples 81 in the tissue. The knife member 82 after driving the wedge 83 cuts the tissue between two adjacent rows of staples 81. The driving wedge 83 may be made of two parts; that is, the drive wedge has one wedge blade on one side of the knife member 82 for driving the staples 81 on a first side of the knife member 82 and a similar wedge blade on an opposite side of the knife member 82 for driving the staples 81 on a second or opposite side of the knife member 82.

The spikes 81 have the same unformed height; however, it is contemplated that the spikes 81 may have different unformed heights. The spikes 81 have the same deformed height; however, it is contemplated that the spikes 81 may have different deformed heights. The entire disclosure of U.S. patent application publication 2007/0131732 (now U.S. patent 7,398,908), entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS INCLUDING A CARTRIDGE HAVING MULTIPLE STAPLE SIZES," filed on 3.11.2006, is hereby incorporated by reference. The entire disclosure of U.S. patent 7,635,074 entitled "STAPLE DRIVE ASSEMBLY" published on 12-month-22-year 2009 is incorporated herein by reference. The entire disclosures of U.S. patent application serial No. 14/527,398, entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGES COMPRISING DRIVER ARRANGEMENTS", filed on month 10 and 29 of 2014 and U.S. patent application serial No. 14/527,384, entitled "CARTRIDGE ASSEMBLIES FOR SURGICAL STAPLERS", filed on month 10 and 29 of 2014 are incorporated herein by reference.

When the anvil portion 75 is closed as shown in FIG. 2, the stop member 85 is moved forward by the closure nut 77, causing the firing nut 86, which is provided with the knife 82 and wedge 83, to move forward and engage the threads of the smaller diameter portion 73 of the threaded rod 71, thereby moving forward along the rod 71 and driving the staples 81 and cutting tissue. Simultaneously with the closure nut 77, switching the stop member 85 from its rearward facing configuration (fig. 6) to its forward facing configuration (fig. 7), the closure nut 77 is disengaged from the threads of the threaded portion 72. The firing nut 86 is biased by suitable means so as not to engage the threads of the threaded portion 73 until the stop member 85 is activated or pushed forward as described above. Once the firing nut 86 has been moved to its forward-most position to drive and form all of the staples 81 and cut tissue, the firing nut 86 engages the appropriate contact 87 which immediately reverses the electric motor to rotate the rod in a second or opposite direction to retract the firing nut 86. In its fully retracted position, referring now to FIG. 9, the firing nut 86 moves the stop member 85 rearwardly causing the closure nut 77 to reengage the threads of the threaded portion 72. Simultaneously with the stop member 85 being urged into its rearward facing configuration (fig. 9), the firing nut 86 is disengaged from the threads of the threaded portion 73. Continued rotation of threaded rod 71 in the second direction retracts closure nut 77 and opens anvil portion 75 of the end effector, as shown in FIG. 10.

Another configuration of the above-described embodiment would be to have the contact point located in the handle portion of the instrument or in a proximal housing attached to the robotic surgical stapler and monitor the position of the closure nut 77 and/or firing nut 86 using a follower nut on the rotating shaft 61. The entire disclosure of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/118,241 (now U.S. patent application publication No. 2012/0298719), entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS," is incorporated herein by reference. Various information may be communicated to and/or from the microprocessor of the surgical instrument system during operation of the surgical instrument system; for example, movement of the stop member 85 can be sensed to push the firing nut 86 onto the threads of the threaded portion 73 and/or to push the closure nut 77 onto the threads of the threaded portion 72. The forward most position of the wedge 83 and/or knife member 82 may be sensed. Reverse rotation of the motor may also be sensed. Additionally, the presence of staple cartridge 80 in staple cartridge portion 74 and/or the presence of staples 81 in said cartridge 80 can also be sensed. All of this information can be fed back to and stored and manipulated in the controller so that the surgeon using the instrument can receive information about the status of the surgical instrument system.

The surgical instrument systems disclosed herein may be utilized with auxiliary materials, such as buttress materials, for example. The adjunct material can include one or more layers of material releasably attached to the staple cartridge and/or anvil. The entire disclosure of U.S. patent application publication 2010/0012704 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING APPATUS" published on 21.2010 (now U.S. patent 8,413,871) is incorporated herein by reference.

The surgical instrument system shown in fig. 1-5 and described above may be used for its intended purpose; however, there are several aspects of the surgical instrument system that can be improved. For example, the closure nut 77 and the firing nut 86 are advanced sequentially. In other words, the closure nut 77 completes its entire closure travel on the threaded portion 72 of the rod 71 before the firing nut 86 begins its firing travel on the threaded portion 73 of the rod 71. Thus, the tissue clamping system must be fully clamped before the staple firing system can be operated. Additionally, the firing nut 86 must be fully retracted before the closure nut 77 can be retracted. Thus, the tissue fastening system cannot be released immediately after the staples 81 have been fired; instead, the tissue clamping system is stuck in its clamped configuration until the firing system has been fully reset. In addition to the above, coordinating the threaded disengagement of the closure nut 77 from the threaded portion 72 while the closure nut 77 switches the stop member 85 to its forward facing configuration may require very precise tolerances. Similarly, coordinating the threaded disengagement of the firing nut 86 from the threaded portion 73 while the firing nut 86 switches the stop member 85 to its rearward facing configuration may also require very precise tolerances.

A surgical instrument system 150 is shown in fig. 6-14. Surgical instrument system 150 includes a shaft 160 and an end effector 170 extending from shaft 160. The shaft 160 extends from a housing 152 configured to attach to a robotic Surgical system, such as the DAVINCI robotic Surgical system manufactured by Intuitive Surgical Inc. The entire disclosure of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/118,241 (now U.S. patent application publication No. 2012/0298719), entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS," is incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively, the shaft 160 may extend from a handle of a surgical instrument configured to be grasped and operated by a surgeon, for example. The following U.S. patents are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety: U.S. Pat. No. 7,143,923 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A FIRING LOCKOUT FOR AN UNCLOSED ANVIL" published on 5.12.2006; US patent 7,044,352 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A SINGLE LOCKOUT MECHANISM FOR PREVENTION OF FIRING" published 16.5.2006; U.S. Pat. No. 3, 7,000,818 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING SEPARATE DISTINCT CLOSING AND FIRING SYSTEMS" published 2006, 2, 21; U.S. Pat. No. 6,988,649 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT" published 24.1.2006; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,978,921 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT INCORPORATING AN E-BEAM FIRING MECHANISM" published on 27.12.2005. Shaft 160, for example, includes at least one articulation joint (e.g., articulation joint 190) configured to allow end effector 170 to articulate as the at least one shaft rotates. Other embodiments are contemplated in which the shaft 160 does not include an articulation joint.

Referring primarily to FIG. 6, end effector 170 includes a cartridge portion 174 and an anvil portion 175. A staple cartridge 180 is positioned in the staple cartridge portion 174. Staple cartridge 180 is removable from staple cartridge portion 174 such that it can be readily replaced with another staple cartridge; however, other embodiments are contemplated in which the staple cartridge 180 is not readily replaceable. The anvil portion 175 is rotatable relative to the cartridge portion 174 about a pivot pin 176 extending from the anvil portion 175. Alternative embodiments are contemplated in which the cartridge portion 174 is rotatable relative to the anvil portion 175. The anvil 175 may be rotated between an open position (fig. 6-9) and a closed position (fig. 10-13) by a closure drive, described in further detail below. Staples, such as staple 81, for example, are removably stored in the staple cartridge 180 and can be ejected from the staple cartridge 180 and deformed against the anvil 175 by a firing drive, as also described in greater detail further below.

Referring primarily to fig. 7-9, the shaft 160 includes a rotatable input shaft 161. As described in more detail further below, the closure drive and firing drive are operated with an input shaft 161. The input shaft 161 is rotatably mounted in the shaft 160 by one or more bearings and includes a threaded portion 172. The closure drive includes a closure nut 177 including a threaded aperture 162 defined therein. The closure nut 177 further includes closure pins 178 extending from opposite sides thereof that are slidably positioned in closure slots 179 defined in opposite sides of the anvil portion 175.

The threaded aperture 162 of the closure nut 177 is threadably engaged with the threaded portion 172 of the input shaft 161 such that when the input shaft 161 is rotated in a first direction, the closure nut 177 is displaced distally toward the end of the end effector 170, and when the input shaft 161 is rotated in a second or opposite direction, the closure nut 177 is displaced proximally toward the housing 152, as shown in fig. 10. The interaction between the closure pins 178 of the closure nut 177 and the sidewalls of the closure slot 179 prevents the closure nut 177 from rotating with the input shaft 161, and thus rotational movement of the input shaft 161 is translated into longitudinal translation of the closure nut 177.

In use, the closure nut 177 is advanced distally through the input shaft 161 to move the anvil portion 175 between the open position (fig. 6-9) and the closed position (fig. 11-13). In such an example, the closure pin 178 engages a bottom sidewall of the closure slot 179 and cams the anvil 175 toward the staple cartridge 180, as shown in FIG. 10. Similarly, referring to fig. 14, the closure nut 177 is advanced proximally by the input shaft 161 to move the anvil portion 175 between the closed and open positions. In such an example, the closure pin 178 engages a top sidewall of the closure slot 179 and cams the anvil 175 away from the staple cartridge 180.

The input shaft 161 further includes a distal gear 165 fixedly mounted to its distal end. When the input shaft 161 is rotated in the first direction, the distal gear 165 is rotated in the first direction, and when the input shaft 161 is rotated in the second direction, the distal gear 165 is rotated in the second direction. The firing drive of the end effector 170, for example, includes a rotatable firing shaft 171 that is rotatably mounted in a cartridge portion 174 by one or more bearings (e.g., bearing 163). The firing shaft 171 includes a proximal gear 185 and a threaded portion 173. The proximal gear 185 of the firing shaft 171 is in meshing engagement with the distal gear 165 of the input shaft 161 such that when the input shaft 161 is rotated, the input shaft 161 can drive the firing shaft 171. The proximal gear 185 is slidably mounted to the firing shaft 171. More specifically, the firing shaft 171 includes a splined portion 168, and the proximal gear 185 includes a splined aperture 169 extending therethrough that is slidably coupled to the splined shaft portion 168. Accordingly, the proximal gear 185 may rotate the firing shaft 171 about the longitudinal axis and, in addition, longitudinally slide along the longitudinal axis, as described in greater detail below.

The firing drive also includes a firing nut 186 that includes a threaded aperture 189 defined therein that is threadably engaged with the threaded portion 173 of the shaft 171. The firing nut 186 further includes a wedge 183 defined thereon that is configured to slide under the staple drivers 84 toward the anvil portion 175 and lift the staples 81 to staple tissue positioned between the staple cartridge 180 and the anvil portion 175. The firing nut 186 further includes a cutting member 182 defined thereon that is configured to incise stapled tissue. When the firing nut 186 is threadably engaged with the shaft 171 and the input shaft 161 is rotated in a first direction, the firing nut 186 is distally displaced toward the end of the end effector 170 to eject the staples 81 from the staple cartridge 180 and incise the tissue. When the firing nut 186 is threadedly engaged with the threaded portion 173 of the shaft 171 and the input shaft 161 is rotated in the second direction, the firing nut 186 is proximally displaced toward the housing 152 to retract the wedge 183 and cutting member 182 to their unfired positions.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the surgical instrument system 150 includes a system for switching between a clamping mode of operation and a staple firing mode of operation that is an improvement over the switching system disclosed in connection with the surgical instrument system of fig. 1-5. Referring again to fig. 7-9, the closure nut 177 is movable from a proximal position to a distal position during a clamping stroke to move the anvil portion 175 from its open position to its closed position. When the closure nut 177 is in its proximal position, the closure nut 177 is threadably engaged with threads 172 defined on the input shaft 171. The closure system may, for example, include a biasing member (such as a spring 164) configured to bias the threads 162 of the closure nut 177 into engagement with the threads 172 of the input shaft 171 or maintain it in engagement with the threads 172 of the input shaft 171. The spring 164 is positioned intermediate the closure nut 177 and a shoulder 166 defined on the shaft 171.

As a result of the above, an initial rotation of the input shaft 161 in the first direction may immediately displace the closure nut 177 distally to begin closing the anvil portion 175. Additionally, if the input shaft 161 is inadvertently driven in the second direction when the closure nut 177 is in its proximal position, the closure nut 177 may move proximally and disengage from the threads 172 into a lost motion state. However, the spring 164 may maintain the threads 162 of the closure nut 177 in close proximity to the threads 172 of the input shaft 161 such that when the input shaft 161 is rotated in a first direction, the threads 162 may snap over the threads 172 and the closure nut 177 may be pulled distally to close the anvil portion 175.

It is noted that in addition to the above, rotation of the input shaft 161 for initiating the clamping stroke of the closure nut 177 is transmitted to the firing shaft 171 via the meshing gears 165 and 185. Such rotation of the firing shaft 171 does not drive the firing nut 186 distally because the firing nut 186 is not threadably engaged with the threads 173 of the firing shaft 171 at this point in the operation of the surgical instrument system 150. More specifically, the firing nut 185 is in an idle position and the firing shaft 171 is rotating within the threaded aperture 169 defined in the firing nut 185. As described in more detail below, the firing nut 185 is pushed onto the threads 173 by the closure nut 177 during a later portion of its clamping stroke.

Referring now primarily to fig. 9, the closure nut 177 further includes a distally extending switch arm 184. When the closure nut 177 is in its proximal position, as shown in fig. 9, the switch arm 184 is not in contact with the slidable proximal gear 185. During distal movement of the closure nut 177, the switch arm 184 contacts the proximal gear 185, as shown in FIG. 10. As can be seen in fig. 10, when the switch arm 184 is initially in contact with the proximal gear 185, the anvil portion 175 has not yet reached its fully closed position. Thus, the closure nut 177 engages the proximal gear 185 before completing its clamping stroke. As the closure nut 177 moves further distally to complete its clamping stroke, the closure nut 177 distally displaces the proximal gear 185 along the splined portion 168 of the firing shaft 171. Distal displacement of the proximal gear 185 will cause a push spring 181 positioned intermediate the proximal gear 185 and the firing nut 186 to be displaced distally. Further, distal displacement of the push spring 181 causes the firing nut 186 to be displaced distally and into engagement with the threads 173. Threads 189 of firing nut 186 include distal-most threads 188 that can initiate threaded engagement between firing nut 186 and firing shaft 171.

In comparing fig. 10 with fig. 11, it can be appreciated that the spring 181 can be compressed when the firing nut 186 is pushed distally with the spring 181 as described above. In such an example, the pushing force between the proximal gear 185 and the firing nut 186 can increase as the proximal gear 185 moves distally toward the firing nut 186. In at least one example, the displacement of the proximal gear 185 can be linearly proportional to the force exerted by the spring 181 against the firing nut 186. The force exerted by the spring 181 against the firing nut 186 may increase until the threads 189 of the firing nut 186 snap over the threads 173, and thus the firing nut 186 is pushed distally by the firing shaft 171. Once the firing nut 186 is threadably engaged with the threads 173, the firing nut 186 may be pulled away from the spring 181, as shown in FIG. 12.

As a result of the above, the clamping mode of operation may initiate the firing mode of operation before the clamping mode of operation has been completed. In at least one example, it can be desirable to initiate the staple firing mode of operation toward the end of the clamping mode of operation such that the staples 81 are not fired until the anvil portion 175 has been at least properly positioned. In addition, the surgical instrument system 150 can include, for example, a sensor system configured to detect when a staple firing mode of operation has been initiated or is about to be initiated, and to halt the electric motor driving the input shaft 161. Such a sensor system, for example, can be configured to detect the position of the closure nut 177, firing nut 186, proximal gear 185, and/or spring 181. In at least one such example, the electric motor can be halted to enable the surgeon to assess whether he wants to continue firing staples into tissue or reopen the anvil portion 175 to reposition the end effector 170. In at least one example, a surgeon can be provided with two switches, for example, to selectively operate a first button that will restart the electric motor and continue the firing stroke or a second button that will reverse the electric motor to reopen the anvil portion 175. The first button may be green, for example, and the second button may be red, for example. For example, a first button may include indicia thereon such as "forward" while a second button may have other indicia thereon such as "back". Such switches may be positioned on the remote control console and/or the handle of the surgical instrument, depending on the circumstances.

After advancement of the closure nut 177 has initiated the firing mode of operation by pushing the firing nut 186 onto the threads 173 of the firing shaft 171 as described above, the closure nut 177 will continue to move along the threads 172 of the input shaft 161 through its clamping stroke until the closure nut 177 disengages from the threads 172 and becomes operably disengaged from the input shaft 161. At this point, the anvil portion 175 will be in its fully closed position. Further, at this point, the closure nut 177 will be in an idle state, and continued rotation of the input shaft 161 to operate the staple firing system will not advance the closure nut 177.

As described above, the firing nut 186 is advanced distally to eject the staples 81 from the staple cartridge 180. The firing nut 186 can be advanced to the distal end of the end effector 170 to complete the firing stroke, as shown in fig. 12. The threads 173 on the firing shaft 171 can be configured such that when the firing nut 186 reaches the end of its firing stroke, the firing nut 186 remains threadably engaged with the firing shaft 171. In at least one such example, when the firing nut 186 reaches the end of its firing stroke, the firing nut 186, wedge 183, and/or cutting member 182 can change the state of the switch 87 positioned at the distal end of the end effector 170. Switch 87 is connected to a controller of surgical instrument system 150 that can reverse the direction of the electric motor to rotate input shaft 161 in its second direction when the state of switch 87 is reversed. When the input shaft 161 is rotated in its second direction, the firing nut 186 is retracted toward its unfired position. In addition to or in lieu of the above, the surgical instrument 150 can include a switch that can be actuated by the surgeon to stop and/or reverse the direction of the electric motor.

In addition to the above, referring now to FIG. 12, when the electric motor is operated in the second direction, the firing nut 186 is retracted to its unfired position to reset the firing system. When the firing nut 186 is retracted, referring now to FIG. 13, the firing nut 186 comes into contact with the spring 181 and pushes the spring 181 proximally. Before the firing nut 186 disengages or disengages from the threads 173, the firing nut 186 contacts the spring 181. As the firing nut 186 pushes the spring 181 proximally, the spring 181 pushes the proximal gear 185 and the closure nut 177 proximally such that the closure nut 177 threadingly reengages the threads 172 of the input shaft 161, as shown in FIG. 13. The threaded aperture 162 of the closure nut 177 includes proximal threads 167 that snap into the threads 172 to initiate threaded engagement between the closure nut 177 and the input shaft 161. Once the closure nut 177 has been threadingly re-engaged with the threads 172, continued rotation of the input shaft 161 in the second direction will move the closure nut 177 proximally, thereby camming the anvil portion 175 back to its open position and thus resetting the clamping system. At the same time, continued rotation of the input shaft 161 in the second direction may cause the firing nut 186 to disengage from the threads 173 of the firing shaft 171 or to disengage from the threads 173 of the firing shaft 171. Once the firing nut 186 has been operably disengaged from the firing shaft 171, the firing system has been reset.

In use, the anvil portion 175 may be rotated away from its fully clamped position to release tissue trapped between the anvil portion 175 and the staple cartridge 180. Further, anvil portion 175 may be movable between its open and closed positions to clamp and release tissue as desired, and/or to position anvil portion 175 relative to staple cartridge 180 such that, for example, end effector 170 may be inserted into a patient through a trocar. The pause feature described above can allow the surgical instrument system 150 to operate within a first operating range to open and close the anvil portion 175 without firing the staples in the staple cartridge 180 and/or cutting into tissue.

In addition to the aspects of the surgical instrument system illustrated in fig. 1-5 described above, closure nut 77 engages anvil portion 75 at its proximal end, and thus closure nut 77 may not be able to push the distal end of anvil portion 75 to its fully closed position; in addition, the firing nut 86 does not include a camming member that can draw the distal end of the anvil portion 75 to its fully closed position. As such, the tissue gap between the distal end of anvil portion 75 and the distal end of staple cartridge 80 may be greater than the tissue gap between the proximal end of anvil portion 75 and the proximal end of staple cartridge 80, which may result in the distal staples not being formed to the correct or at least proper formed height. Improvements to this arrangement are discussed further below.

The end effector 270 of the surgical instrument system 250 is shown in fig. 15. The end effector 270 includes a cartridge portion 274 and an anvil portion 275. The end effector 270 further includes a staple cartridge 280 positioned in the staple cartridge portion 274. Similar to the above, staple cartridge 280 can be easily removed from staple cartridge portion 274 and can be easily replaced with another staple cartridge. Other embodiments are contemplated in which staple cartridge 280 may not be easily removed from staple cartridge portion 274. Anvil portion 275 is rotatable relative to staple cartridge 280 between an open position and a closed position to compress tissue T therebetween. Other embodiments are contemplated in which the cartridge portion 274 is rotatable relative to the anvil portion 275. In either case, the end effector 270 may be moved between the open and closed configurations in any suitable manner. In at least one example, the end effector 270 is moved from its open configuration to its closed configuration by cams 256 and 257 extending from a firing nut 286. More specifically, cam 257 is configured to enter a longitudinal cam slot 258 defined in anvil portion 275, and cam 256 is configured to engage cartridge portion 274 and/or cartridge 280 and, when firing nut 286 is advanced distally, cooperatively position anvil portion 275 relative to cartridge 280. In other embodiments, the firing nut 286 does not include a cam to move the end effector 270 between its open and closed configurations. In at least one such example, the end effector comprises a closure system that is separate and distinct from the staple firing system of the end effector. The examples provided herein apply to both embodiments.

Staple cartridge 280 includes a deck 291 configured to support tissue thereon and a plurality of staple cavities 253 defined in deck 291. Staples 81 are removably stored in staple cavities 253, for example. Each of the spikes 81 includes the same configuration. For example, each spike 81 may have a U-shaped configuration or alternatively a V-shaped configuration, for example. A staple having a U-shaped configuration includes a base and two legs extending from the base, the two legs extending in directions parallel to each other. A staple having a V-shaped configuration includes a base and two legs extending from the base, the two legs extending in directions that are not parallel to each other. Each staple 81 stored in the staple cartridge 280 is defined by the same unformed height. The unformed height of a staple 81 is the overall height of the staple as measured from the plane including the bottom surface of its base to the plane including the tips of its legs. The spikes 81 may have an unformed height of, for example, 2.0mm, 2.5mm, 3.0mm, 3.5mm, or 4.0 mm. The staple cartridge 280 further includes a plurality of staple drivers 284a-284g positioned in the staple cavities 253 that support the staples 81 in the staple cavities 253. The firing nut 286 includes a wedge surface 283 defined thereon that is configured to slide under the staple drivers 284a-284g toward the anvil portion 275 and sequentially lift the staple drivers 284a-284g and the staples 81 supported thereon. Each staple driver 284a-284g includes a ramp surface 281 defined on a bottom surface thereof that is engaged by a wedge surface 283 as firing nut 286 is advanced distally. Anvil portion 275 includes a plurality of staple forming pockets 251 defined therein that are configured to deform staples 81 as staples 81 are ejected from staple cavities 253.

In addition to the above, the anvil portion 275 further includes a tissue compression surface 292 defined thereon that is configured to compress tissue against the cartridge platform 291 when the anvil portion 275 is moved to its fully closed position. When the anvil portion 275 is in its fully closed position, it may be desirable for the anvil compression surface 292 to be parallel to the cartridge deck 291. In this position, the gap between the anvil compression surface 292 and the cartridge platform 291 (i.e., the tissue gap) is constant along the longitudinal length of the end effector 270. In other words, when anvil portion 275 is parallel to staple cartridge 280, the tissue gap above the most proximal staple cavity (i.e., tissue gap 255a) is the same as the tissue gap above the most distal staple cavity (i.e., tissue gap 255 g). However, such a parallel position of the anvil portion 275 may not always be achievable in some instances. In certain examples, the tissue T positioned between the anvil compression surface 292 and the cartridge deck 291 may be thick, and the anvil portion 275 may not reach a parallel position when the anvil portion 275 reaches its final or fully clamped position. Further, in some instances, the distal end 259 of the anvil portion 275 may deflect or bend upward, such as when the end effector 270 is clamped to thick tissue. In either case, as shown in fig. 15, the distal end 259 of the anvil portion 275 can be positioned farther from the cartridge platform 291 than the proximal end 258. In such an example, therefore, the tissue gap above the distal-most staple cavities (i.e., tissue gap 255g) is greater than the tissue gap above the proximal-most staple cavities (i.e., tissue gap 255 a).

The firing nut 286, for example, includes a cutting surface (such as a knife 282) configured to transect tissue positioned intermediate the tissue compression surface 292 and the cartridge deck 291 as the firing nut 286 is advanced distally as described above to drive the staples 81 toward the anvil portion 275.

In addition to the above, each of the pins 81 is formed in the forming gap. The forming gap for the staples 81 is the distance between, for example, the support surfaces on the staple drivers that support the staples 81 (such as the support surfaces 244 on the staple drivers 284a-284 g) and the corresponding forming pockets 251 defined in the anvil portion 254 when the staple drivers have reached their fully fired position. As the apex or apex of the wedges 283 pass below the bottom surface of the staple driver, the staple driver reaches its fully fired position. The apex of the wedge 283 is defined by an apex height 243. As firing nut 286 is advanced distally, the tips of wedges 283 pass sequentially under staple drivers 284a-284g to sequentially eject staples 81 and deform staples 81. During an initial portion of the travel of the firing nut 286, the wedge 283 lifts the driver 284a toward the anvil portion 275. As the wedge 283 moves the driver 284a to its fully fired position, the wedge 283 begins to lift the driver 284b toward the anvil portion 275. As the wedge 283 moves driver 284b to its fully fired position, the wedge 283 begins to lift driver 284c toward anvil portion 275 and so on. In an alternative embodiment, the wedge 283 may not begin lifting the driver 284b until after the driver 284a has been lifted to its full firing position, and similarly may not begin lifting the driver 284c until after the driver 284b has been lifted to its full firing position, and so on.

As described above, when the drivers have reached their fully fired positions, the forming gaps for the staples 81 are defined between the support surfaces 244 of the drivers that support the staples 81 and the forming pockets 251 located opposite the staples 81. Referring to FIG. 15, a forming gap distance 254a is defined between the support surface 244 of the staple driver 284a and the forming pocket 251 located opposite the staple driver 284 a. Similarly, a forming gap distance 254g is defined between the support surface 244 of staple driver 284g and the forming pocket 251 located opposite staple driver 284 g. The reader should note, however, that the forming gap distances 254a and 254g depicted in FIG. 15 do not represent the fully fired positions of the staple drivers 284a and 284 g. In fact, staple drivers 284a and 284g are shown in an unfired position in FIG. 15. Thus, it should be appreciated that the distances 254a and 254g will shorten as the staple drivers 284a and 284g are lifted toward the anvil portion 275.

As described above, the orientation of the anvil portion 275 can affect the tissue gap between the staple cartridge 280 and the anvil portion 275. The orientation of the anvil portion 275 can also affect the forming gap of the staples 81 in the end effector 270. When the distal end 259 of the anvil portion 275 is positioned farther from the staple cartridge 280 than the proximal end 258, as shown in fig. 15, the forming gap of the staples 81 at the distal end of the end effector 270 may be greater than the forming gap of the staples 81 at the proximal end of the end effector 270 if some measure of compensation is not present. If such compensation is not taken, the distal staples 81 will be formed to a different height than the proximal staples 81. In at least one such example, the staples 81 can be formed within a range of heights including the highest formed staple at the distal end of the end effector 270 and the shortest formed staple at the proximal end of the end effector 270. In some instances, such a range of formed heights for the staples 81 may be suitable, particularly where the gradient between formed staple heights is small. In other examples, the proximal spikes 81 may be deformed to a suitable height, while the distal spikes 81 may not be deformed to a suitable height.

The end effector 270 is configured to compensate for instances in which the anvil portion 275 is not parallel to the staple cartridge 280. In other words, the end effector 270 is configured such that there is little, if any, difference in the forming gap of the staples 81 when the anvil portion 275 has not been closed to a parallel position relative to the deck 291 of the staple cartridge 280. To accomplish such a result, the support surfaces 244 of the staple drivers 284a-284g can be lifted to different heights in a manner corresponding to the orientation of the anvil portion 275. For example, the support surfaces 244 of the staple drivers 284a are elevated to a first height relative to the cartridge deck 291 and the support surfaces 244 of the staple drivers 284b are elevated to a second height greater than the first height relative to the cartridge deck 291. Similarly, the support surface 244 of the staple driver 284c is elevated relative to the cartridge deck 291 to a third height that is greater than the second height. The arrangement of the first height, second height, and third height is consistent with angled anvil portion 275. By way of example, this arrangement also includes a support surface 244 of staple drivers 248d that are elevated to a fourth height greater than the third height, a support surface 244 of staple drivers 248e that are elevated to a fifth height greater than the fourth height, a support surface 244 of staple drivers 248f that are elevated to a sixth height greater than the fifth height, and a support surface 244 of staple drivers 248g that are elevated to a seventh height greater than the sixth height. When the staple drivers 284a-284g are in their fully fired positions, the support surface 244 extends above the cartridge deck 291; however, alternative embodiments are contemplated in which some or all of the support surfaces 244 may not extend above the platform 291.

As described above, the staple drivers 284a-284g are lifted to different heights. The first lift height of the support surface 244 is equal to the sum of the apex height 243 of the wedge 283 and the driver height 241a of the staple driver 284 a. Similarly, the second lift height of the support surface 244 is equal to the sum of the apex height 243 of the wedge 283 and the driver height 241b of the staple driver 284 b. Although the apex height 243 of the wedge 283 is the same for both the first and second lift heights, the driver height 241a is shorter than the driver height 241b, and thus the first lift height is shorter than the second lift height. Similarly, the third lift height of the support surface 244 is equal to the sum of the apex height 243 of the wedge 283 and the driver height 241c of the staple driver 284c, with the driver height 241c being greater than the driver height 241b of the staple driver 284 b. In these ways, the driver height 241d of the staple driver 284d is higher than the driver height 241c of the staple driver 284c, and the driver height 241e of the staple driver 284e is higher than the driver height 241d of the staple driver 284 d; the driver height 241f of staple driver 284f is greater than the driver height 241e of staple driver 284e and the driver height 241g of staple driver 284g is greater than the driver height 241f of staple driver 284 f.

Each of the staple supporting surfaces 244 includes a slot or groove defined in the top of the drivers 284a-284 g. Each slot is configured to receive a base of a spike 81. The slots are configured to closely receive the base of the spike 81 such that there is little, if any, relative lateral movement between the spike base and the support surface 244. In addition to the above, the forming distance of the staples 81 is measured from the bottom of the slot to the top of the corresponding forming pockets 251 defined in the anvil portion 275. Each slot comprises a substantially U-shaped or rounded bottom configuration; however, any suitable configuration may be used, such as a V-shaped or angled bottom, for example. In either case, each slot may include a bracket for supporting the peg 81.

As described above, the staple supporting surfaces 244 of the staple drivers 284a-284g are lifted to different heights to eliminate or at least reduce the difference in the forming gap of the staples 81 between the staple supporting surfaces 244 and the anvil forming pockets 251. In certain embodiments, it is desirable that all of the staples of staple cartridge 280 be formed to the same, or at least substantially the same, formed height. In other embodiments, it is desirable to form all of the staples in a first longitudinal row to a first formed height and all of the staples in a second longitudinal row to a second formed height different from the first formed height. The examples provided above may be suitable for such an embodiment. For example, a first longitudinal row of staples can be deployed using a first set of staple drivers having a first driver height range, and a second longitudinal row of staples can be deployed using a second set of staple drivers having a second driver height range, wherein the second driver height range is different than the first driver height range. In at least one such example, the second driver height range can be higher than the first driver height range. In certain embodiments, the first set of staple drivers is not connected to the second set of staple drivers; however, embodiments are contemplated in which drivers from a first set of staple drivers are connected to drivers from a second set of staple drivers. In at least one example, two or more drivers within the same longitudinal row may be connected to each other.

In addition to the above, embodiments are contemplated that include three or more longitudinal rows of staples formed to different forming heights using different forming gaps. In at least one embodiment, the forming gap for a first row of staples is at least partially determined by a first wedge 283, the forming gap for a second row of staples is at least partially determined by a second wedge 283, and the forming gap for a third row of staples is at least partially determined by a third wedge 283. In such an embodiment, the apex height 243 of the first wedge 283 is different than the apex height 243 of the second wedge 283. Similarly, the apex height 243 of the third wedge 283 is different than the apex height 243 of the first wedge 283 and the apex height 243 of the second wedge 283.

In various examples, the staples in a first longitudinal row of staples can have a first undeformed height and the staples in a second longitudinal row of staples can have a second undeformed height different from the first undeformed height. Similarly, the staples in the third longitudinal row of staples may have a third undeformed height which is different from the second undeformed height.

As shown in fig. 15, the staple cartridge 280 includes two staple drivers 284a arranged in a single longitudinal row, two staple drivers 284b positioned distally relative to the staple drivers 284a, two staple drivers 284c positioned distally relative to the staple drivers 284b, two staple drivers 284d positioned distally relative to the staple drivers 284c, two staple drivers 284e positioned distally relative to the staple drivers 284d, two staple drivers 284f positioned distally relative to the staple drivers 284e, and two staple drivers 284g positioned distally relative to the staple drivers 284 f. Other embodiments are contemplated in which staple cartridge 280 does not include staple drivers having the same driver height within the same longitudinal row. In at least one such embodiment, each staple driver within a longitudinal row has a different driver height. Various other embodiments are contemplated that include any suitable arrangement of staple drivers in any suitable pattern.

The driver heights of the drivers 284a-284g have a linear gradient. Driver 284g is higher than driver 284f by height X, driver 284f is higher than driver 284e by height X, driver 284e is higher than driver 284d by height X, and so on. In various alternative embodiments, the driver heights of the drivers 284a-284g can have any other suitable gradient, such as a geometric gradient, for example.

As noted above, the drivers 284a-284g are shown in their unfired or un-lifted positions in FIG. 15. As also shown in FIG. 15, the drivers 284a-284g are supported in their unfired positions within the staple cartridge 280 such that the tips of the staples 81 are positioned flush, or at least nearly flush, with the cartridge deck 291. In such a case, when the staple drivers 284a-284g are in their unfired positions, the tips of the staples 81 can be positioned flush with the cartridge deck 291, positioned slightly below the cartridge deck 291, and/or positioned slightly above the cartridge deck 291. In an alternative embodiment, a substantial portion of the staples 81 can extend beyond the cartridge deck 291 when the staple drivers 284a-284g are in their unfired positions. In at least one such embodiment, a secondary material can be positioned above the cartridge deck 291, and the tips of the staples 81 can be embedded in the secondary material prior to lifting the staples 81 by the staple drivers 284a-284 g. The various auxiliary materials may include, for example, a tissue thickness compensator, a buttress material, and/or any suitable layer. The entire disclosure of U.S. patent 8,393,514 entitled "SELECTIVELY ORIENTABLE IMPLANTABLE FASTENER CARTRIDGE" published on 12.3.2013 is incorporated herein by reference.

In certain alternative embodiments, although not shown, when the staple drivers 284a-284g are in their unfired positions, some of the staples 81 can extend above the cartridge deck 291, while some of the staples 81 can not extend above the cartridge deck 291. In at least one such embodiment, when the staple drivers 284a-284g are in their unfired positions, the proximal staples 81 are positioned below the cartridge deck 291 and the distal staples 81 are positioned above the cartridge deck 291. The staple drivers 284a-284g can be positioned and arranged such that when the staple drivers 284a-284g are in their unfired positions, there is a height gradient between the initial or unfired position of the most proximal staple 81 in the longitudinal rows and the initial or unfired position of the most distal staple 81 in the longitudinal rows. This gradient is a linear gradient; however, alternative embodiments are for example conceivable in which the gradient comprises a geometric gradient.

In addition to the above, alternative embodiments are contemplated wherein the staple drivers 284a-284g are stored within the staple cartridge 280 such that their bottom drive surfaces are aligned with one another when the staple drivers 284a-284g are in their unfired or un-lifted positions. In such instances, the staples 81 are supported at different distances relative to the cartridge deck 291. This initial position of the staple drivers 284a-284g does not affect the forming gap of the staples 81 described above because the forming gap is set by the final position of the staple drivers 284a-284 g.

In addition to the above, the cartridge deck 291 of the staple cartridge 280 comprises a flat or at least substantially flat surface; however, alternative embodiments are contemplated in which the cartridge platform 291 is not flat. In at least one embodiment, the distal end of the cartridge deck 291 is higher than the proximal end of the cartridge deck 291. In at least one such embodiment, the cartridge platform 291 slopes linearly between the proximal end and the distal end. In other embodiments, the cartridge platform 291 is geometrically inclined between the proximal and distal ends. In various embodiments, the cartridge platform 291 comprises longitudinal steps of different heights. For example, the cartridge deck 291 can comprise, for example, a first longitudinal step aligned with a first longitudinal staple chamber, a second longitudinal step aligned with a second longitudinal staple chamber, and a third longitudinal step aligned with a third longitudinal staple chamber. The transition between adjacent longitudinal steps may be, for example, a vertical wall or a sloped or angled wall.

As described above, the staples 81 in the staple cartridge 280 have the same, or at least substantially the same, unformed height. As also described above, the unformed heights of the staples in the first row can be different than the unformed heights of the staples in the second row. In certain embodiments, the staples within a longitudinal row may have different unformed heights. In at least one such embodiment, the proximal-most staples in the row can have a first unformed height and the distal-most staples in the row can have a second unformed height. In such embodiments, the height of the staples between the proximal-most staple and the distal-most staple may gradually increase. The height of the staples may increase according to a gradient between the proximal and distal ends of the end effector. In at least one example, the gradient can be, for example, a linear gradient. In certain examples, the gradient may be, for example, a geometric gradient.

Embodiments including staples having different unformed heights within a row of staples can be used in conjunction with staple drivers having different driver heights. In at least one embodiment, for example, the most proximal staple in a row can be the shortest staple in the row and can be driven by the shortest staple driver. Further, in such embodiments, for example, the most distal staple can be the highest staple in the row and can be driven by the highest staple driver. In at least one embodiment, the shortest staple in a row is paired with the shortest staple driver, and the highest staple in the row is paired with the highest staple driver, and so on. In certain other embodiments, the shortest staple in a row is not paired with the shortest staple driver, and the tallest staple is not paired with the tallest staple driver. For example, the shortest staple may be driven by the highest staple driver, and the highest staple may be driven by the shortest staple driver. Finally, the staples and staple drivers may be paired in any suitable manner so long as the tissue is properly secured.

As described above, the staples 81 in, for example, the staple cartridge 280 have the same, or at least substantially the same, configuration (i.e., a V-shaped configuration). Alternative embodiments are envisaged in which the staples in a row of staples have different configurations. In at least one embodiment, each staple in a row of staples can have a V-shaped configuration, but the angle of the legs forming the V-shaped configuration can be different for at least some, if not all, of the staples. For example, the proximal-most staple in a row of staples may have a narrow V-shaped configuration, while the distal-most staple in the row of staples may have a wide V-shaped configuration. In at least one such example, the angle of the staple legs can increase from proximal to distal. In other examples, the angle of the staple legs may decrease from proximal to distal. In either case, the angle of the staple legs can affect the formed height of the staple and can be selectively used to fix tissue in a desired manner.

Another unformed configuration of staples may include, for example, W-shaped staples. The W-shaped staples may comprise V-shaped staples having a portion of the staple base extending upwardly to form a substantially W-shaped configuration. The W-shaped nails are sometimes referred to as M-shaped nails or gull-wing nails. The entire disclosure of U.S. patent 5,725,554 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLE AND STAPLER," published at 10.3.1998, is incorporated herein by reference. In at least one embodiment, the longitudinal rows of staples can comprise, for example, V-shaped staples at the proximal ends of the rows of staples and W-shaped staples at the distal ends of the rows of staples. For example, W-shaped staples may be formed in a different manner than V-shaped staples and may be more suitable for stapling tissue having larger formed gaps.

A surgical instrument system 350 is shown in fig. 16-20. Surgical instrument system 350 includes a shaft assembly 360 and an end effector 370 extending from shaft assembly 360. In this and other embodiments, shaft assembly 360 extends from a housing of the type described above that is configured to be attached to a robotic surgical system, such as the DAVINCI robotic surgical system manufactured by intuition surgical inc. Alternatively, the shaft assembly 360 can extend from a handle of a surgical instrument configured to be grasped and operated by a surgeon, for example. Such hand-held surgical instruments may utilize one or more electric motors to generate the closing and firing motions or may manually generate the closing and firing motions by manipulating one or more trigger or actuation arrangements supported on a handle or housing. All such variations may be effectively utilized with the surgical instrument system 350 and are intended to be covered by the claims appended hereto. Further details of such handles, housings, and shaft assemblies are found in the various disclosures that have been incorporated by reference herein. Similar to the arrangements described above, shaft assembly 360 can also include, for example, at least one articulation joint (e.g., articulation joint 364) configured to allow articulation of end effector 370 with rotation of the at least one shaft. Other embodiments are contemplated in which shaft assembly 360 does not include an articulation joint.

Referring primarily to FIG. 16, end effector 370 includes a cartridge portion 374 and an anvil portion 375. A staple cartridge 380 is positioned in the staple cartridge portion 374. Staple cartridge 380 is removable from staple cartridge portion 374 such that it can be readily replaced with another staple cartridge; however, other embodiments are envisioned in which the staple cartridge 380 is not readily replaceable. Anvil portion 375 is movable relative to cartridge portion 374 about an anvil trunnion or pivot pin 376 extending from anvil portion 375. See fig. 18, 20 and 22. For example, anvil trunnions 376 extend laterally from each side of anvil portion 375 to be movably received within corresponding openings or slots (not shown) formed in cartridge portion 374. Alternative embodiments are contemplated in which cartridge portion 374 can be "rotated," "moved," or "pivoted" relative to anvil portion 375. The anvil portion 375 is movable between an open position (fig. 16-18) and a fully closed position (fig. 19-22) by a closure drive arrangement described in further detail below. Staples (e.g., staples 381) are, for example, removably stored in the staple cartridge 380 and can be ejected from the staple cartridge 380 and deformed against the anvil portion 375 by a firing drive, as also described in greater detail below.

Referring primarily to fig. 16-18, the shaft assembly 360 includes a rotatable input shaft 361. As described in more detail further below, the input shaft 361 is utilized to operate the closure drive and firing drive. The input shaft 361 is rotatably mounted in a "ground" or "spine" portion 390 of the shaft assembly 360 by one or more bearings 391 and includes a threaded portion 372. See fig. 16. The closure drive means includes a closure nut 377 that includes a threaded opening 362 defined in the closure nut. The closure nut 377 further includes closure pins 378 extending from opposite sides thereof that are slidably positioned in closure slots 379 defined in opposite sides of the anvil portion 375.

The threaded bore 362 of the closure nut 377 is threadedly engaged with the threaded portion 372 of the input shaft 361 such that when the input shaft 361 is rotated in a first direction, the closure nut 377 is distally displaced in the distal direction "DD" toward the end of the end effector 370, and when the input shaft 361 is rotated in a second or opposite direction, the closure nut 377 is proximally displaced in the proximal direction "PD" toward the housing, as shown in fig. 16-18. The interaction between the closure pin 378 of the closure nut 377 and the sidewalls of the closure slot 379 prevents the closure nut 377 from rotating with the input shaft 361, and thus the rotational motion of the input shaft 361 is translated into longitudinal translation of the closure nut 377.

In use, the closure nut 377 is advanced distally through the input shaft 361 to move the anvil portion 375 between an open position (fig. 16-18) and a fully closed position (fig. 19-22). In such instances, the closure pins 378 engage a top sidewall of each closure slot 379 and cam the anvil portion 375 toward the staple cartridge 380. Referring primarily to fig. 19 and 20, it can be observed that in at least the illustrated embodiment, the closure slots 379 have a somewhat arcuate shape. In other words, for example, each of the closure slots 379 has a proximal slot portion 392 and a distal slot portion 394. The point or location at which the proximal slot portion 392 transitions to the distal slot portion 394 is referred to herein as the apex 395. See fig. 20 and 22. When the closure nut 377 is in a proximal-most position (e.g., "start position" -fig. 16-18), the anvil portion 375 is held in an open position. When the closure nut 377 is in the starting position, the closure pin 378 is located at a proximal end of the proximal slot portion 392 of each closure slot 379. The mechanical advantage between closure pins 378 and closure slots 379 and gained by the engagement of anvil trunnions 376 with cartridge portion 374 will serve to hold anvil portion 375 in the open orientation. When the surgeon desires to close the anvil portion 375, the input shaft 361 is rotated in a first direction to drive the closure nut 377 distally. As the closure pin 378 advances distally through the proximal slot portion 392, the anvil portion 375 begins to close the cam system. Once the closure pin 378 reaches the apex 395, the anvil portion 375 remains in a "fully closed" or "fully clamped" position. Continued rotation of the input shaft 361 will continue to advance the closure nut 377 distally. As the closure nut 377 continues to move distally, the closure pin 378 continues to advance distally within the distal slot portion 394 while maintaining a camming or closing force on the anvil portion 375 to positively retain it in the closed position. When the surgeon desires to return the anvil portion 375 to the open position, the input shaft 361 is rotated in an opposite or second direction, thereby driving the closure nut 377 proximally back to its proximal-most or starting position. Because the closure nut 377 is positively engaged with the input shaft 361, or in other words, because the closure nut 377 is threadedly engaged with the threads 372 on the input shaft 361, the positive closure force is maintained on the anvil portion 375 throughout the closure and firing process. This arrangement may thus avoid anvil movement or chatter that may be encountered with previous arrangements in which the closure nut was loosely journaled on a portion of the input shaft during the firing process.

The input shaft 361 also includes a distal gear 365 fixedly mounted to a distal end thereof. When the input shaft 361 rotates in a first direction, the distal gear 365 rotates in the first direction, and when the input shaft 361 rotates in a second direction, the distal gear 365 rotates in the second direction. The firing drive of the end effector 370, for example, includes a rotatable firing shaft 371 that is rotatably mounted in the cartridge portion 374 by one or more bearings (e.g., bearing 363). Firing shaft 371 includes a proximal gear 385, a proximal threaded portion 396, and a distal threaded portion 397. In the illustrated embodiment, proximal threaded portion 396 has a first thread "lead" that is different than a second thread lead of distal threaded portion 397, which will be discussed in more detail below. The proximal gear 385 of the firing shaft 371 is in meshing engagement with the distal gear 365 of the input shaft 361 such that the input shaft 361 can drive the firing shaft 371 as the input shaft 361 is rotated. The proximal gear 385 is keyed to the firing shaft 371 such that rotation of the proximal gear 385 causes rotation of the firing shaft 371.

The firing drive also includes a firing nut 386 including a shaft bore 389 and a drive member 398. In the illustrated embodiment, the drive member 398 is received within an aperture 399 in the firing nut 386, and may be biased into driving engagement with a threaded portion on the firing shaft 371 by a biasing member or spring (not shown). The firing nut 386 further includes a wedge 383 defined thereon that is configured to slide under the staple drivers toward the anvil portion 375 and lift the staples 381 to staple tissue positioned between the staple cartridge 380 and the anvil portion 375. The firing nut 386 also includes a cutting member 382 defined thereon that is configured to incise stapled tissue. When the firing nut 386 is threadably engaged with the distal threaded portion 397 of the firing shaft 371 and the input shaft 361 is rotated in a first direction, the firing nut 386 is distally displaced toward the end of the end effector 370 to eject the staples 381 from the staple cartridge 380 and incise the tissue. When the firing nut 386 is threadably engaged with the distal threaded portion 397 of the firing shaft 371 and the input shaft 361 is rotated in the second direction, the firing nut 386 is proximally displaced. Once the firing nut 386 is threadingly re-engaged with the proximal threaded portion 396 on the firing shaft 381, the proximal advancement of the firing nut 386 will slow as the firing nut 386 nears its starting position due to the smaller or tighter lead of the proximal threaded portion 396.

From the foregoing, it should be appreciated that the surgical instrument system 350 employs a rotationally driven closure system and firing system that are improvements over the closure and firing systems disclosed in connection with the surgical instrument systems illustrated in FIGS. 1-5. As will become further apparent with continued reference to this particular embodiment, the closure and firing systems of the surgical system 350 facilitate positively retaining the anvil portion 375 in the closed position throughout the firing cycle or stroke in a manner that avoids undesirable "chatter" of the anvil portion during firing.

Referring again to fig. 16-18, the closure nut 377 is movable from a proximal "start" position to a distal "end" position during a clamping stroke to move the anvil portion 375 from its open position to its fully closed position. When the closure nut 377 is in its proximal position, the closure nut 377 is threadably engaged with the threads 372 defined on the input shaft 361. See fig. 17. As a result of the above, initial rotation of the input shaft 361 in the first direction may immediately displace the closure nut 377 distally to begin closing the anvil portion 375. As the closure nut 377 moves distally, the closure pin 378 moves within the proximal portion 392 of the closure slot 379 until the closure pin 378 reaches the apex 395, at which point the anvil portion 375 is fully closed or clamped. Continued rotation of the input shaft 361 required to advance the firing nut 386 distally will cause continued distal advancement of the closure nut 377 over the input shaft 361. The interaction of the closure pin 378 within the distal slot section 394 in the anvil portion 375 will maintain the anvil portion 375 in the fully closed position 375 during completion of the firing stroke.

It is noted that in addition to the above, rotation of the input shaft 361 for initiating the clamping stroke of the closure nut 377 is being transmitted to the firing shaft 371 via the meshing gears 365 and 385. With initial rotation of the firing shaft 371, the firing nut 386 threadably engages a proximal threaded portion 396 on the firing shaft 371 that has a thread lead that is tighter or less than the thread lead of the distal threaded portion 397. Thus, when the firing nut 386 is threadedly engaged with the proximal threaded portion 397, the firing nut 386 is slowly moved through a "neutral firing range" labeled "NFR" in fig. 19. When the firing nut 386 is within the neutral firing range NFR, the firing nut 386 has not advanced distally enough to begin cutting into tissue and firing staples. However, in various embodiments, the firing nut 386 can be configured to slidably engage a portion of the anvil portion 375 as the firing nut 386 is advanced distally through the end effector 370 to positively retain the anvil portion 375 in a closed position and even maintain the spacing of the anvil portion 375 relative to the staple cartridge 380. For example, the firing nut 386 may have a shape like an I-beam configured to slidably engage the anvil portion 375 as described in the various disclosures that have been incorporated by reference herein. However, because the closure nut 377 holds a positive closure force on the anvil portion 375, in at least some embodiments, the firing nut 386 is configured to not positively engage the anvil portion 375 such that the firing nut 386 does not apply any closing or clamping motion to the anvil portion.

Referring now primarily to fig. 19 and 20, continued rotation of the input shaft 361 and firing shaft 371 will drive the firing nut 386 to the distal end of the proximal threads 396. Once the drive member 398 on the firing nut 386 engages the distal threads, continued rotation of the firing shaft 377 will cause the firing nut 386 to advance distally through the end effector 370. As a result of the foregoing, the clamping mode of operation is completed before the actual staple firing mode begins. In addition, the anvil portion 375 is positively retained in the closed position throughout the firing process. Further, the surgical instrument system 350 can include, for example, a sensor system configured to detect when a staple firing mode of operation has been initiated or is about to be initiated, and to halt the electric motor driving the input shaft 361. Such a sensor system, for example, may be configured to detect the position of the closure nut 377, the firing nut 386, and/or the proximal gear 385. In at least one such example, the electric motor or other drive actuator arrangement can be paused to enable the surgeon to assess whether he or she wants to continue firing staples into tissue or reopen the anvil portion 375 to reposition the end effector 370. In at least one example, a surgeon can be provided with two switches, for example, to selectively operate a first button that will restart the electric motor and continue the firing stroke or a second button that will reverse the electric motor to reopen the anvil portion 375. The first button may be green, for example, and the second button may be red, for example. For example, a first button may include indicia thereon such as "forward" while a second button may have other indicia thereon such as "back". Such switches may be positioned on the remote control console and/or the handle of the surgical instrument, depending on the circumstances.

As described above, the firing nut 386 is advanced distally to eject the staples 81 from the staple cartridge 380. The firing nut 386 may be advanced to the distal end of the end effector 370 to complete the firing stroke, as shown in fig. 21 and 22. The distal threaded portion 397 on the firing shaft 371 may be configured such that when the firing nut 386 reaches the end of its firing stroke, the drive member 398 in the firing nut 386 still threadingly engages the distal threads 397 on the firing shaft 371. In at least one such example, when the firing nut 386 reaches the end of its firing stroke, the firing nut 386, the drive member 398, the wedge 383, and/or the cutting member 382 can change the state of a switch positioned at the distal end of the end effector 370. The switch is connected to a controller of the surgical instrument system 350 that can reverse the direction of the electric motor to rotate the input shaft 361 in its second direction when the state of the switch is reversed. When the input shaft 361 is rotated in its second direction, the firing nut 386 is retracted toward its unfired position. In addition to or in lieu of the above, the surgical instrument 350 can include a switch that can be actuated by the surgeon to stop and/or reverse the direction of the electric motor.

In use, the anvil portion 375 can be moved away from its fully clamped position to release tissue captured between the anvil portion 375 and the staple cartridge 380. Further, the anvil portion 375 can be moved between its open and closed positions to clamp and release tissue as desired, and/or to position the anvil portion 375 relative to the staple cartridge 380 such that, for example, the end effector 370 can be inserted into a patient through a trocar. The pause feature described above can allow the surgical instrument system 350 to operate within a first operating range to open and close the anvil portion 375 without firing staples in the staple cartridge 380 and/or incising tissue.

A portion of another shaft assembly 460 that may be used in conjunction with the various end effectors disclosed above is shown in fig. 23-28. As can be seen in these figures, shaft assembly 460 includes a threaded rotary input shaft 461. The threaded rotary input shaft 461 is configured to receive rotary input motions from a motor positioned in a handle or housing attached to the shaft assembly 460 or a portion of the robotic system to which the shaft assembly 460 is attached. In an alternative embodiment, the rotary input shaft 461 may be manually actuated by one or more manual triggers supported on a handle from which the shaft assembly 460 protrudes. Shaft assembly 460 includes a hollow outer shaft 510 through which a rotary input shaft 461 extends. The base member 512 is supported in the outer shaft 510 as shown. Base member 512 can be attached to the handle or housing and the surgical staple portion of the end effector by at least a portion of shaft assembly 460 and effectively serve as a "spine" or mechanical "ground". The base member 512 also serves as a guide for slidably supporting the actuator member 469 within the outer shaft 510. For example, as can be seen in fig. 23-28, the base member 512 includes an axially extending guide slot 514 for receiving a bottom portion 522 of a guide 520 attached to the actuator member 469. When viewed from the end, the guide 520 generally resembles a "T-shape". As shown, one side of the base member 512 includes a lateral guide slot 516 for receiving a lateral arm portion 524 of the guide 520.

23-28, the actuator member 469 includes a closure nut assembly 477 configured to impart opening and closing motions to the anvil portion in the manner described herein. The closure nut assembly 477 comprises a "clamshell" type arrangement including a first closure nut segment 530 and a second closure nut segment 550 pivotally supported on a pivot rod or pivot member 560 attached to the guide 520. This arrangement enables the closure nut segments 530, 550 to pivot from an engaged configuration (fig. 23-26) to a disengaged configuration (fig. 27 and 28). The first closure nut section 530 includes a first threaded engagement member 532 and the second closure nut section 550 includes a second threaded engagement member 552. When the closure nut assembly 477 is in the engaged configuration, the first and second threaded engagement members 532, 552 engage the input shaft 461 such that rotation of the input shaft 461 causes axial movement of the closure nut assembly 477. It will be appreciated that one and preferably two laterally extending pivot pins are attached to the structure extending from the guide 520 and/or pivot member 560 and received in corresponding anvil slots in the manner described herein. Thus, axial movement of the closure nut assembly 477 will cause the anvil portion to open and close in the manner described herein.

Referring to fig. 23 and 24, selective movement of the first and second closure nut segments 530, 550 between the engaged and disengaged configurations is controlled by a solenoid or switching member 570. In the arrangement shown, for example, the solenoid 570 includes a solenoid body portion 572 attached to the first closure nut segment 530. A solenoid rod 574 is movably supported within the body portion 572 and the first closure nut segment 530 for movable receipt in the second closure nut segment 550. As can be seen in fig. 23-28, the solenoid rod 574 has a head 576 that is movably received in the U-shaped slot 556 in the second closure nut portion 550.

Still referring to fig. 23 and 24, a pair of base contacts 518 are positioned in the base member 512 and lead into the guide slots 514 to facilitate sliding electrical contact with the solenoid contacts 578. The base contact 518 is electrically coupled to the controller by lead wires 519, which in either case extend back through the base member 512 to the handle, housing, or other portion of the robotic system. For example, the controller may interact with a trigger or other switching mechanism that may be used to control the supply of current to base contact 518 and ultimately to solenoid 570 through lead 579 extending between solenoid 570 and solenoid contact 578. As can be seen in fig. 23, in at least one arrangement, the range of axial movement of the closure nut assembly 477 may be defined, for example, by the length "L" of the base contact 518. In one arrangement, the solenoid 570 in the de-energized state is biased to an engaged position in which the solenoid rod 572 is held in the retracted state shown in fig. 23-26. When the solenoid 570 is energized, the solenoid rod 572 is laterally displaced toward the second closure segment 550, pivoting the closure nut assembly 477 into a disengaged configuration (fig. 27 and 28). In an alternative arrangement, the solenoid may be biased to the disengaged configuration when the solenoid is de-energized and move to the engaged configuration when the solenoid is energized. In still other arrangements, the solenoid must be actively actuated between an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration (i.e., there is no biasing member in the solenoid for biasing the solenoid into one of the above configurations).

When the closure nut assembly 477 is in the disengaged configuration, rotation of the input shaft 461 will not be transmitted to the closure nut assembly 477. Thus, in one arrangement, the closure nut 477 may be capable of being in an engaged position to close the anvil portion. Once the anvil portion has been moved to the closed position (which may be detected by sensors in the anvil portion and/or the surgical staple portion), the controller may de-energize the motor and solenoid, which will move the closure nut assembly 477 to the disengaged configuration. At that point, the controller again activates the motor to rotate the input shaft 461 to begin the firing operation in the manner described above without actuating or axially moving the closure nut assembly 477.

The illustrated surgical instrument system depicted in fig. 23-28 also employs a locking system 580 to actively lock the closure nut assembly in place (e.g., prevent further axial movement) when the locking system 580 is in a distal-most, disengaged orientation. As can be seen in these figures, the locking system 580 includes a movable locking linkage 582 that includes a distal link 583 that is pivotally secured to a proximal link 586 by an upstanding central locking pin 587. A proximal end 588 of proximal link 586 is pivotally secured to base member 512 by a proximal pin 589. The distal end 584 of the distal link 583 is pivotally secured to the guide 520 by a pin 585. Thus, the locking linkage 582 moves between a collapsed configuration (fig. 23), an aligned "pre-locked" configuration (fig. 25 and 26), and a locked configuration (fig. 27 and 28).

As seen in fig. 23-28, the locking system 580 also includes a locking arm 590 that is attached to or otherwise protrudes from the closure nut assembly 477, and in the illustrated embodiment, from the first closure nut segment 530. The locking arm 590 includes a locking pin hole 592 configured to retainingly engage a portion of the locking pin 587 and receive a portion of the locking pin 587 therein. As can be seen in fig. 24, 26 and 28, the bottom end of the locking pin hole 592 includes a chamfered or tapered portion 594 to facilitate entry of the locking pin 587 therein.

One method of using the closure nut assembly 477 will now be described. When the clinician desires to close the anvil portion, the input shaft 461 rotates in a first direction. Such rotational motion may be imparted to the input shaft 461 by an electric motor, robotic system, or manually actuatable closure system configured to generate rotational motion upon ratcheting or other form of manipulation of a closure trigger or the like. When in that position, the solenoid is biased (by a spring or other biasing arrangement) to an engaged position and remains in an unpowered state. Rotation of the input shaft 461 causes the closure nut assembly 477 to move distally. As described above, distal movement of the closure nut assembly 477 will cause the anvil portion to close by camming interaction between the closure pin and an anvil slot disposed in the anvil mounting portion. If the clinician desires to reopen the anvil portion (to reposition the end effector on the desired target tissue or for some other reason), the clinician simply causes the direction of rotation (the second direction) of the motor or other actuation mechanism input shaft to be reversed. In any event, once the closure nut assembly 477 has been advanced distally to a position in which the anvil portion is "fully closed" (fig. 25), application of rotational motion to the input shaft 461 is stopped. This may be done manually by the clinician or the control system may "automatically" stop applying power to the motor if sensors are employed to detect the position of the closure nut assembly 477 and/or the position of the anvil portion. As can be seen in fig. 25, when in the fully closed position, the movable locking link structure can be in a pre-locked position in which the ends of the locking pins 587 are aligned with the locking holes 592 in the locking arm 590. When in this position, if the clinician desires to open the anvil portion, simply re-energizing the motor will cause the input shaft 461 to rotate in a second direction. However, if the clinician does not want to reopen the anvil portion but desires to begin the firing phase, the clinician will energize the solenoid to move the closure nut segment to the disengaged configuration (fig. 27 and 28). As can be seen in these figures, as the first closure nut segment 530 pivots in the direction of the closure linkage 580, the ends of the closure pins 587 enter the apertures 592 in the lockout arm 590 to positively retain the closure nut assembly 477 in the disengaged position and prevent axial movement of the closure nut assembly 477 during a firing sequence. When in this position, as can be seen in the figures, the tie rods 586 and 584 are in a "collapsed" configuration and can abut a portion of the base member and/or an inner wall of the outer shaft 510 to further increase the locking resistance to the closure nut assembly 477. In another arrangement, the control system may "automatically" energize the solenoid 570 when the switching system confirms that the closure nut assembly 477 and/or anvil portion has reached the fully closed position. In this case, the closure nut assembly 477 will automatically move to the disengaged and locked position. Once the firing nut has completed the firing stroke and returned to the starting position, a switch may be employed to detect its status/position and cause the control system to de-energize the solenoid to allow it to be biased back to the engaged position. Other solenoid arrangements may not include a biasing member for biasing the solenoid back to its starting position, but instead require a second signal for returning it to the starting position. In this case, the control system will send a second signal to the solenoid to cause the close nut assembly to reengage the input shaft. The control system may then automatically energize the motor to rotate the input shaft in the second direction to return the closure nut assembly to its starting position and thereby return the anvil portion to the open position.

Fig. 29 illustrates a portion of an end effector assembly 1000 of a surgical instrument. The end effector assembly 1000 includes a first jaw 1010 defining a channel 1011. The staple cartridge 1020 is configured to sit in the channel 1011. Before the staple cartridge 1020 is seated in the channel 1011, a threaded rod 1030 is rotatably supported in the first jaw 1010. The threaded rod 1030 extends substantially the length of the first jaw 1010 and is connected to a rotatable drive shaft 1092 in a shaft assembly 1090 of the surgical instrument.

Threaded rod 1030 is configured to engage rotatable drive shaft 1092 in any suitable manner. For example, the threaded rod 1030 includes a hexagonal proximal end that is received within a hexagonal coupling in the drive shaft 1092. The rotatable drive shaft 1092 is, for example, operatively coupled to an electric motor that can rotate the rotatable drive shaft 1092. The electric motor is positioned, for example, in a handle of the surgical instrument and/or a housing of the robotic surgical instrument system.

The channel 1011 defined by the first jaw 1010 includes a base 1012 and two side walls 1013 extending upwardly from the base 1012. A longitudinal groove 1014 is formed within base 1012 and is configured to receive at least a portion of threaded rod 1030. In this embodiment, threaded rod 1030 is rotatably mounted in channel 1011. The mounting bracket 1016 is positioned at a distal end of the longitudinal groove 1014 and is configured to provide a bearing to prevent, for example, the threaded rod 1030 from shifting and/or laterally translating. The mounting brackets 1016, discussed in more detail herein, are grounded to the base 1012. In various instances, the mounting bracket 1016 is integrally formed with the first jaw 1010. In various instances, the mounting bracket 1016 is a separate component that is attached to the first jaw 1010 using, for example, adhesive, welding, and/or a welding technique; however, any suitable attachment technique may be used.

Similar to the removable staple cartridge 80, the staple cartridge 1020 is configured to be easily removed from the channel 1011 of the first jaw 1010 after a staple firing stroke such that the spent staple cartridge 1020 can be replaced. The staple cartridge 1020 is configured to sit in the channel 1011 of the first jaw 1010 as shown. The staple cartridge 1020 includes a longitudinal slot 1022 configured to receive a tissue cutting knife, as described in more detail herein. A longitudinal slot 1022 extends from a proximal end of the staple cartridge 1020 toward a distal end of the staple cartridge 1020. The longitudinal slot 1022 provides clearance for a tissue cutting knife within the staple cartridge 1020. The longitudinal slot 1022 is configured to at least partially receive the threaded rod 1030 such that the body of the staple cartridge 1020 does not interfere with the threaded rod 1030 when the staple cartridge 1020 is seated in the channel 1011. A lateral portion 1024 is formed at a distal end of the longitudinal slot 1022 that is configured to receive the mounting bracket 1016 of the first jaw 1010 when the staple cartridge 1020 is seated in the channel 1011. A longitudinal slot 1022 extends between the top deck surface and the bottom surface of the staple cartridge 1020. That is, the lateral portions 1024 of the longitudinal slots 1022 do not extend through the entire staple cartridge 1020, but in other embodiments may extend through the entire staple cartridge 1020.

As described above, the threaded rod 1030 is rotatably mounted in the first jaw 1010 of the end effector assembly 1000. Threaded rod 1030 terminates in a distal head 1032 positioned at a distal end of threaded rod 1030. The distal head 1032 is positioned on a distal side of the mounting bracket 1016, while the threaded portion 1034 of the threaded rod 1030 is positioned on a proximal side of the mounting bracket 1016. The threaded portion 1034 extends proximally along the first jaw 1010 away from the mounting bracket 1016. As shown in fig. 30, the distal head 1032 of the threaded rod 1030 is separated from the mounting bracket 1016 by a bushing member 1018. The bushing member 1018 is configured to provide an interface between the mounting bracket 1016 and the distal head 1032 of the threaded rod 1030. For example, such an interface resists wear between the mounting bracket 1016 and the distal head 1032 as the threaded rod 1030 is rotated. The bushing member 1018 also prevents axial movement of the distal head 1032 relative to the mounting bracket 1016 and/or acts as a guide to hold the threaded rod 1030 in its proper position.

The end effector assembly 1000 also includes a firing member 1040 in threaded engagement with the threaded rod 1030. The firing member includes a cutting element 1042. When the threaded rod 1030 is rotated in a first direction, the firing member 1040 is advanced distally, and when the threaded rod 1030 is rotated in a second, opposite direction, the firing member 1040 is retracted proximally.

Referring now to fig. 31 and 32, the firing member 1040 includes a first portion 1044 configured to engage the first jaw 1010 and a second portion 1046 configured to engage the second jaw of the end effector assembly 1000. The second jaw may be, for example, the anvil 75 of fig. 1-5. At least a portion of the firing member 1040 is configured to travel through the longitudinal slot 1022 of the staple cartridge 1020 as the firing member 1040 is advanced distally through the end effector assembly 1000 during a staple firing stroke. The first portion 1044 of the firing member 1040 includes a camming member 1045 that is sized to be received within the lateral slot 1013 defined within the base 1012 of the first jaw 1010. The lateral slot 1013 secures the firing member 1040 in place and/or maintains the alignment of the firing member 1040 in the first jaw 1010. The second portion 1046 has a similar arrangement in the second jaw. In addition to providing stability and alignment of the firing member 1040 within the end effector assembly 1000, engagement of the firing member 1040 with both the first jaw 1010 and the second jaw maintains a distance between the first jaw 1010 and the second jaw during a staple firing stroke and/or when the end effector assembly 1000 is in a closed configuration.

End effector assembly 1000 also includes a slide 1050. The sled 1050 is configured to engage the threaded rod 1030 when the staple cartridge 1020 is seated in the channel 1011 of the first jaw 1010. Prior to distal advancement, the sled 1050 is in a proximal unfired position. The sled 1050 and firing member 1040 are independent of each other and are not connected. As firing member 1040 is advanced distally by rotation of threaded rod 1030, firing member 1040 pushes sled 1050 distally along threaded rod 1030. As the sled 1050 and firing member 1040 advance along the threaded rod 1030, the sled 1050 is positioned before or distally relative to the firing member 1040. This distal movement causes, for example, the sled 1050 to contact staple drivers (such as staple drivers 84 of fig. 1-5) in the staple cartridge 1020 and drive staples (such as staples 81 of fig. 1-5), for example, out of the staple cartridge 1020. After the staple firing stroke has been completed, or at least partially completed, the firing member 1040 is retracted proximally while the sled 1050 remains in the distal position.

The slider 1050 includes a first leg 1052 and a second leg 1052 configured to fit over the top of the threaded rod 1030. The first and second legs 1052, 1052 are configured to at least partially surround the threaded rod 1030 when the staple cartridge 1020 is seated in the staple cartridge channel 1011. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second legs 1052, 1052 do not extend into the lateral slot 1013 with the camming member 1045 of the firing member 1040. In other instances, however, the first and second legs 1052, 1052 extend into the lateral slot 1013 defined in the base 1012 of the first jaw 1010. As described above, the slider 1050 is not threadedly engaged with the threaded rod 1030. However, in other embodiments, the slider 1050 may be threadedly engaged with the threaded rod 1030, as described in more detail below. In various instances, the slide 1050 may be located on the threaded rod 1030 and slide along the top of the threaded rod 1030, while in other instances the first and second legs 1052, 1052 support the slide 1050 so that it is not located on the threaded rod 1030.

The slider 1050 also includes a central portion 1056 and lateral ramps 1054. The central portion 1056 extends upwardly into the longitudinal slot 1022 of the staple cartridge 1020. One of the lateral ramps 1054 extends upwardly into the staple cartridge 1020 on a first side of the longitudinal slot 1022 and the other lateral ramp 1054 extends upwardly into the staple cartridge 1020 on an opposite second side of the longitudinal slot 1022. The lateral ramps 1054 of the sled 1050 are configured to engage staple drivers during a staple firing stroke to drive the staples of the staple cartridge 1020 upward, as discussed in more detail herein.

In various instances, the end effector assembly 1000 comprises a lock member that is configured to be spring biased into the path of the firing member 1040 when the sled 1050 is not present in the proximal unfired position prior to the commencement of the staple firing stroke. In other words, the lockout member is configured to prevent distal advancement of the firing member 1040 when the sled 1050 is not present and/or is not present in the proximal unfired position. When sled 1050 is present in the proximal unfired position, the locking member is deactivated by sled 1050 and firing member 1040 and sled 1050 can be advanced distally to perform a staple firing stroke.

As described above with respect to fig. 29-32, the firing member 1040 and the sled 1050 are discrete components. However, in certain embodiments, firing member 1040 and sled 1050 are interconnected. In other words, at least one of the firing member 1040 and the sled 1050 includes an attachment member to couple the firing member 1040 and the sled 1050 when the staple cartridge 1020 is seated in the first jaw 1010. In such instances, the firing member 1040 and sled 1050 are configured to travel distally along the threaded rod 1030 as a unit during a staple firing stroke. Upon completion of the staple firing stroke, in such instances, the firing member 1040 is configured to disengage from the sled 1050. Such disengagement allows firing member 1040 to be retracted proximally to its unfired position while sled 1050 remains in its distal fired position. Various staple driving arrangements are discussed in U.S. patent application publication 2017/0265954 entitled "STAPLER WITH CABLE-DRIVEN ADVANCEABLE CLAMPING ELEMENT AND DUAL DISAL PULLEYS" filed on 3, 17.2017 and U.S. patent application publication 2017/0265865 entitled "STAPLER WITH CABLE-DRIVEN ADVANCEABLE CLAMPING ELEMENT AND DISTAL PULLEY" filed on 2, 15.2017, each of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Turning now to fig. 33, threaded rod 1130 (similar to threaded rod 1030 shown in fig. 29 and 30) includes a threaded portion 1134. Threaded portion 1134 includes one or more continuous threads that define teeth 1135 that extend along the length of threaded shaft 1130. In the illustrated embodiment, the threads 1135 all comprise the same geometry. More specifically, the threads 1135 each include the same symmetrical frustoconical geometry. Each thread 1135 includes a proximal sidewall 1134, a distal sidewall 1136, and a top surface 1137. Top surface 1137 extends between proximal sidewall 1134 and distal sidewall 1136. The flat portion 1138 extends between a distal sidewall 1136 of the first thread 1135 and a proximal sidewall 1137 of the second thread 1135. Both the proximal sidewall 1134 and the distal sidewall 1136 intersect the top surface 1137 of the single thread 1135 to form a sharp edge.

The bottom surface of the slider 1150 includes partial single threads and/or teeth 1155. The partial threads and/or teeth 1155 are configured to interact with the threads 1135 of the threaded rod 1130 when the staple cartridge 1120 including the sled 1150 is seated in the cartridge channel. The partial slide threads 1155 all comprise the same geometry; however, the partial slide threads 1155 comprise an asymmetric geometry. As shown in fig. 33, each slider thread 1155 includes a proximal side wall 1154, a distal side wall 1156, and a top surface 1157. Top surface 1157 extends between proximal and distal side walls 1154, 1156 of a single slider thread 1155. The flat portion 1158 extends between a distal side wall 1156 of the first slider threads 1155 and a proximal side wall 1154 of the second slider threads 1155. While proximal sidewall 1154 intersects top surface 1157 to form a sharp edge, distal sidewall 1156 intersects top surface 1157 to form a rounded or rounded edge. The rounded, radiused edge includes a radius of curvature R, but may include complex radii of curvature, including several radii of curvature.

The graphical representation in fig. 34 shows the torque that may be transferred to the slide 1150 by the threaded rod 1130 as the threaded rod 1130 is rotated. Rotation of the threaded rod 1130 in a first direction causes the slide 1150 to advance distally. Rotation of the threaded rod 1130 in a second, opposite direction causes the slide 1150 to retract proximally. When threaded rod 1130 is rotated in a first direction, a first torque may be transmitted between threads 1135 of threaded rod 1130 and slider threads 1155, and when threaded rod 1130 is rotated in a second, opposite direction, a second torque may be transmitted between threads 1135 of threaded rod 1130 and slider threads 1155. A second torque that may be transmitted through the threads 1135 and the slider threads 1155 when the threaded rod 1130 is rotated in a second direction is less than a first torque that may be transmitted through the threads 1135 and the slider threads 1155 when the threaded rod 1130 is rotated in a first direction due, at least in part, to the rounded edges formed between the distal side wall 1156 and the top surface 1157 of the partial slider threads 1155. Thus, the torque that may be transmitted between the threaded rod 1130 and the slider 1130 when the slider 1150 is proximally retracted is less than the torque that may be transmitted between the threaded rod 1130 and the slider 1130 when the slider 1150 is distally advanced.

The rod threads 1135 and the sled threads 1155 are configured such that the sled 1150 remains engaged with the threads 1135 of the threaded rod 1130 throughout the staple firing stroke. That is, the sled threads 1155 are configured such that the sled 1150 may disengage from the threaded rod 1130 when the threaded rod 1130 is rotated in its opposite direction to retract the firing member 1140 to its proximal position. When the slide 1150 becomes disengaged or operably disengaged from the threaded rod 1130, the slide 1150 does not retract into its proximal position. In such a case, the slider 1150 is left behind. When the sled 1150 is left behind, the spent staple cartridge 1120 is never reset. The surgical stapling instrument can include a spent cartridge lockout that prevents the spent staple cartridge from being re-fired. Various spent cartridge latches are discussed in the following patent application publications: U.S. patent application publication 2004/0232200 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT" filed on 20/5/2003; U.S. patent application publication 2004/0232199 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A FIRING LOCKOUT FOR AN UNCLOSED ANVIL"; U.S. patent application publication 2004/0232197 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT INCORPORATING AN E-BEAM FIRING MECHANISM" filed on 20/5/2003; U.S. patent application publication 2004/0232196 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING SEPARATE DISTINCT CLOSING AND FIRING SYSTEMS" filed on 20/5/2003; U.S. patent application publication 2004/0232195 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A SINGLE LOCKOUT MECHANISM FOR PREVENTION OF FIRING" filed on 20/5/2003 and U.S. patent application publication 2018/0085123 entitled "ARTICULATING SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT INCORPORATING A TWO-PIECE E-BEAM FIRING MECHANISM" filed on 17/8/2017, each OF which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

As described above, the threads 1155 of the slider 1150 can be operably disengaged from the threads 1135 of the threaded rod 1140 because the radius R on the slider threads 1155 allows the slider 1150 to slide relative to the threaded rod 1130. The larger the radius R, the less torque that can be transferred from the threaded rod 1130 to the slide 1150. In various circumstances, friction between the sled 1150 and the cartridge body can unseat or disengage the sled 1150 from the threaded rod 1130 during a proximal retraction stroke. In some instances, the staple drivers can fall downward from the fired position to an unfired position. The falling staple drivers may block and/or obstruct the retraction path of the sled 1150, and the sled 1150 may disengage and/or otherwise disengage from the threads 1135 of the threaded rod 1130 when the sled 1150 contacts the falling staple drivers. The rounded edges of the distal side wall 1156 of the slider threads 1155 limit the reverse load capacity on the slider 1150 without disengaging the slider threads 1155 from the threads 1135 of the threaded rod 1130. If the sled 1150 experiences a force opposing, for example, a falling staple driver, the rounded edges of the distal side wall 1156 of the sled threads 1155 stop the sled 1150 from seating. The geometry of the slider threads 1155 allows the slider threads 1155 to jump from one thread 1135 to another on the threaded rod 1130 while maintaining the slider 1150 in a stopped position. The jump between the threads 1135 also allows the threaded rod 1130 to continue rotating in the second direction, the firing member to retract, and the sled 1150 to remain in the stopped position rather than retract.

In various alternative embodiments, the slider threads have a symmetrical geometry, while the threads on the threaded rod have an asymmetrical geometry. As shown in fig. 35A and 35B, the bottom surface of the slider 1250 includes a plurality of partial threads and/or teeth 1255 that are configured to engage the threads 1235 of the threaded rod 1230 when the slider 1250 is installed on the threaded rod 1230. Each partial thread 1255 of slider 1250 includes a proximal sidewall 1254, a distal sidewall 1256, and a top surface 1257. Top surface 1257 extends between proximal sidewall 1254 and distal sidewall 1256 of partial threads 1255. A flat portion 1258 extends between a distal sidewall 1256 of the first thread 1255 and a proximal sidewall 1257 of the second thread 1255. Both proximal sidewall 1254 and distal sidewall 1256 intersect top surface 1257 of partial threads 1255 to form a sharp edge. However, the threads 1235 of the threaded rod 1230 include an asymmetric geometry. The threads 1235 include a proximal sidewall 1234, a distal sidewall 1236, and a top surface 1237. A top surface 1237 extends between the proximal sidewall 1234 and the distal sidewall 1236. The flat portion 1238 extends between a distal sidewall 1236 of the first slider thread 1235 and a proximal sidewall 1234 of the second slider thread 1235. While the distal sidewall 1236 intersects the top surface 1237 to form a sharp edge, the proximal sidewall 1234 intersects the top surface 1237 to form a rounded, rounded edge.

As shown in fig. 35A-36, the radius of curvature of the threads 1235 varies along the length of the threaded shaft 1230. For example, a first rounded edge formed by the proximal sidewall 1234 and the top surface 1237 on the threads 1235 at the proximal end of the threaded rod 1230 includes a first radius of curvature R₁. The second rounded edge formed by the proximal sidewall 1234 and the top surface 1237 on the thread 1235 at the distal end of the threaded rod 1230 includes a second radius of curvature R₂. Second radius of curvature R₂Greater than the first radius of curvature R₁. Referring now to the graphical representation in FIG. 36, the torque that may be transmitted to the sled 1250 by the threaded rod 1230 is shown for the firing and retraction strokes. As described above, the threaded rod 1230 includes threads 1235 having varying asymmetric geometry, and the slider 1250 includes symmetric slider threads 1255. When the threaded rod 1230 is rotated in a first direction, the baseline torque T₀Can be transferred from the threaded rod 1230 to the slider 1250 to advance the slider 1250 distally. When the slide 1250 is positioned on the proximal portion of the threaded rod 1230, the first torque T is applied when the threaded rod 1230 is rotated in a second, opposite direction₁Can be transferred by means of a threaded rod 1230 and a slide 1250. First torque T₁At least partially defined by a first radius of curvature R of the rounded edge ₁The rounded edge is defined by the proximal sidewall 1234 and the top surface 1237 of the threads 1235 on the proximal portion of the threaded rod 1230. When the slide 1250 is positioned on the distal portion of the threaded rod 1230, a second torque T is applied when the threaded rod 1230 is rotated in a second direction₂Can be transferred by means of a threaded rod 1230 and a slide 1250. Second torque T₂At least partially formed by rounded edgesSecond radius of curvature R₂The rounded edge is defined by the proximal sidewall 1234 and the top surface 1237 of the threads 1235 on the distal portion of the threaded rod 1230. Second radius of curvature R₂Greater than the first radius of curvature R₁And thus the second transferable torque T₂Less than the first transferable torque T₁As discussed in more detail herein.

As shown in FIG. 36, a first torque T may be transmitted from the threaded rod 1230 to the slide 1250 when the threaded rod 1230 is rotated in a second direction₁And a second torque T₂Less than a baseline torque T that may be transferred from the threaded rod 1230 to the slide 1250 when the threaded rod is rotated in a first direction₀This is due, at least in part, to the rounded edge R formed by the distal sidewall 1234 and the top surface 1237 of the threaded rod 1230₁、R₂. Thus, the torque that can be transferred from the threaded rod 1230 to the slider 1250 when the slider 1250 is retracted proximally is less than the torque required to advance the slider 1250 distally.

Further, in addition to the above, the torque that can be transferred from the threaded rod 1230 to the slider 1250 is lower over the distal length T2 as compared to the proximal length T1. As such, the slider 1250 is more likely to separate from the threaded rod 1230 at the distal end of the threaded rod 1230 than at the proximal end. In either case, the sled 1250 will not return to its proximal, unfired position.

FIG. 37 illustrates a portion of an end effector assembly 1300 for use with a surgical instrument. The end effector assembly 1300 includes a first jaw 1310 that defines a channel 1311. Staple cartridge 1320 is configured to be seated in channel 1311. As shown in FIG. 37, before the staple cartridge 1320 is seated in the channel 1311, the threaded rod 1330 is integral with the replaceable staple cartridge 1320. The threaded rod 1330 extends substantially the length of the staple cartridge 1320 and is connected to a rotatable drive shaft 1390 of the surgical instrument when the staple cartridge 1320 is seated in the channel 1311. The rotatable drive shaft 1390 is, for example, operably coupled to an electric motor that, when operated, rotates the rotatable drive shaft 1390.

The channel 1311 defined by the first jaw 1310 includes a base 1312 and two sidewalls 1313 extending upwardly from the base 1312. A longitudinal recess 1314 is formed within base 1312 and is configured to receive at least a portion of staple cartridge 1320 when staple cartridge 1320 is seated in first jaw 1310. A mounting bracket 1316 is positioned at a distal end of the longitudinal recess 1314 and is configured to receive a distal end of the threaded rod 1330. Placing the threaded rod 1330 into the mounting bracket 1316 prevents, for example, displacement and/or undesired movement of the threaded rod 1330 and/or the staple cartridge 1320. The mounting bracket 1316 is grounded to the base 1312. In various instances, the mounting bracket 1316 is integrally formed with the first jaw 1310. In various instances, the mounting bracket 1316 is a separate component that is attached to the first jaw 1310 using an adhesive, welding, and/or a welding technique, however, any suitable attachment technique may be used.

Similar to the removable staple cartridge 1020, the staple cartridge 1320 is configured to be easily removed from the channel 1311 of the first jaw 1310 and replaced with another staple cartridge 1320. The staple cartridge 1320 is configured to sit in the channel 1311 of the first jaw 1310. Staple cartridge 1320 is configured to snap fit into channel 1311, but may be attached to channel 1311 in any suitable manner. The staple cartridge 1320 includes a longitudinal slot 1322 that extends through the thickness of the staple cartridge 1320. A longitudinal slot 1322 extends from a proximal end toward a distal end of the staple cartridge 1320. Longitudinal slots 1322 provide clearance within staple cartridge 1320 to allow for threaded rods 1330 that are integral with staple cartridge 1320. A lateral portion 1324 is defined at a distal end of the longitudinal slot 1322 to provide clearance for the mounting bracket 1316 of the first jaw 1310 when the staple cartridge 1320 is seated in the channel 1311 of the first jaw 1310. The lateral portion 1324 does not extend through the entire staple cartridge 1320, but in other embodiments may extend through the entire staple cartridge 1320.

As described above, the threaded rod 1330 is configured to be integral with the replaceable staple cartridge 1320 prior to seating the staple cartridge 1320 in the channel 1311. Threaded rod 1330 terminates in a distal head 1332 positioned at a distal end thereof. Distal head 1332 is configured to be positioned on a distal side of mounting bracket 1316, while threaded portion 1334 of threaded rod 1330 is positioned on a proximal side of mounting bracket 1316. Threaded portion 1334 extends proximally through first jaw 1310 away from mounting bracket 1316. Once the staple cartridge 1320 is seated in the first jaw 1310, as shown in fig. 38, the distal head 1332 of the threaded rod 1330 is separated from the mounting bracket 1316 by the bushing member 1318. The bushing member 1318 is configured to provide an interface between the mounting bracket 1316 and the distal head 1332 of the threaded rod 1330. For example, as threaded rod 1330 rotates, such an interface resists wear between mounting bracket 1316 and distal head 1332. The bushing member 1318 also prevents axial movement of the distal head 1332 relative to the mounting bracket 1316 and/or acts as a guide to hold the threaded rod 1330 in its proper position.

As shown in fig. 37 and 39, the threaded rod 1330 includes a mating member 1338 at a proximal end of the threaded rod 1330. The mating member 1338 of the threaded rod 1330 is configured to engage the distal end 1380 of the rotatable drive shaft 1390. The mating member 1338 may engage the rotatable drive shaft 1390 in any suitable manner. In various instances, the mating member 1338 is sized to fit within a corresponding recess 1388 on the distal end 1380 of the rotatable drive shaft 1390. The mating feature 1338 and the recess 1388 include, for example, a hexagonal driver. The rotatable drive shaft 1390 is, for example, operably coupled to an electric motor that can rotate the drive shaft 1390.

As shown in fig. 37 and 40, a firing member 1340 including a cutting element 1342 is mounted on the threaded rod 1330 in the replaceable staple cartridge 1320. In other words, the threaded rod 1330 and the firing member 1340 are integral with the staple cartridge 1320 prior to seating the staple cartridge 1320 in the first jaw 1310. The firing member 1340 is threadedly engaged with the threaded portion 1334 of the threaded rod 1330, and the firing member 1340 is advanced distally when the threaded rod 1330 is rotated in a first direction. When the threaded rod 1330 is rotated in a second, opposite direction, the firing member 1340 is retracted proximally. The firing member 1340 includes: a first cam portion 1345 configured to engage the first jaw 1310 of the end effector 1300 and a second cam portion 1346 configured to engage the second jaw 1370 of the end effector 1300. Second jaw 1370 includes an anvil, for example, similar to anvil 75. Similar to the above, the base 1312 of the first jaw 1310 includes a longitudinal groove 1314 extending from the proximal end toward the distal end of the first jaw 1310. The longitudinal groove 1314 includes a lateral grooved portion 1313 at its proximal end that is wider in size than the distal portion of the longitudinal groove 1314. The second jaw 1370 includes a longitudinal slot 1372 extending from a proximal end toward a distal end of the second jaw 1370. The longitudinal slot 1372 of the second jaw 1370 includes a lateral slot portion 1373 at a proximal end thereof. Notably, the lateral recess 1314 and the lateral slot portion 1373 are aligned, or at least substantially longitudinally aligned, with one another.

The first cam portion 1344 of the firing member 1340 includes a first camming member 1345 that is sized to be received within a lateral recess portion 1313 defined at a proximal end of the longitudinal recess 1314 of the first jaw 1310. When the staple cartridge 1320 is attached to the first jaw 1310, the first cam portion 1344 of the firing member 1340 is aligned with the lateral notch portion 1313 defined within the first jaw 1310. When the threaded rod 1330 is rotated in a first direction, the firing member 1340, and thus the first cam portion 1344, is advanced distally through a gap or slot 1318 defined by a bottom surface of the staple cartridge 1320 and the longitudinal recess 1314 of the first jaw 1310. The first camming member 1345 is closely received within a gap 1318 that provides stability and support to the firing member 1340 as the firing member 1340 experiences forces and/or torques during the staple firing stroke.

The second cam portion 1346 of the firing member 1340 includes a second camming member 1346 that is sized to be received within a lateral slot portion 1373 defined at a proximal end of a longitudinal slot 1372 of the second jaw 1370. When the staple cartridge 1320 is attached to the first jaw 1310, as described above, the second cam portion 1346 is aligned with the lateral slot portion 1373 defined in the second jaw 1370. That is, when the second jaw 1370 is in its open position, the second cam portion 1346 is not fully aligned with the lateral slot portion 1373. However, once the second jaw 1370 is in its closed position, the second cam portion 1346 is aligned with the lateral slot portion 1373. When the threaded rod 1330 is rotated in a first direction, the firing member 1340, and thus the second cam portion 1346, is advanced distally through the longitudinal slot 1372 of the second jaw 1370. The second camming member 1346 is closely received within a longitudinal slot 1372 that provides stability and support to the firing member 1340 as the firing member 1340 experiences forces and/or torques during the staple firing stroke. The engagement of first jaw 1310 and second jaw 1370 by firing member 1340 also serves to set the staple forming distance between jaws 1310, 1370 during the staple firing stroke.

During the staple firing stroke, in addition to the above, firing member 1340 prevents second jaw 1370 from opening. After the staple firing stroke is performed, the firing member 1340 is retracted to its proximal unfired position (FIG. 40). At this point, the first and second cam portions 1344, 1346 of the firing member 1340 are no longer engaged with the first and second jaws 1310, 1370, but are instead realigned with the lateral recessed portions 1313 and/or slot portions 1373 of the first and second jaws 1310, 1370, respectively. At this point, the second jaw 1370 may be opened again.

In addition to the above, a threaded rod (such as threaded rod 1030) can be mounted within the jaws of the end effector assembly independently of the staple cartridge, or alternatively, the threaded rod can be integral with the staple cartridge prior to seating the staple cartridge in the jaws. In either case, the presence of the threaded rod occupies a significant amount of space along the central longitudinal portion of the staple cartridge. To reduce the overall width of the end effector assembly and/or staple cartridge, the staple drivers can be constructed and arranged to allow for a reduction in width. The reduced width of the end effector assembly allows, for example, the end effector assembly to be introduced into a confined and tight space within a patient. Further, in various instances, the staple drivers can be constructed and arranged to allow, for example, six longitudinal rows of staples to be stored in the staple cartridge, rather than four longitudinal rows of staples.

Referring to FIG. 41, the cartridge assembly 1400 includes a cartridge 1420 having a sled 1450. The staple cartridge 1420 includes a cartridge deck 1421 that includes a plurality of staple cavities 1422, 1424, 1426, 1428 defined therein. The staple cavities 1422, 1424, 1426, 1428 are arranged in four longitudinal rows. Two longitudinal staple cavities 1422, 1424 are defined on a first side of the longitudinal slot 1412, while longitudinal staple cavities 1426, 1428 are defined on an opposing second side of the longitudinal slot 1412. The first longitudinal staple line lumen 1424 extends directly along the longitudinal slot 1412 from the proximal end toward the distal end of the cartridge deck 1421, while the second longitudinal staple line lumen 1422 extends along the first longitudinal staple line lumen 1424. In other words, the first longitudinal row staple cavities 1424 define an inner row relative to the longitudinal slot 1412 and the second longitudinal row staple cavities 1422 define an outer row relative to the longitudinal slot 1412. The third longitudinal staple line lumen 1426 extends directly along the longitudinal slot 1412 from the proximal end toward the distal end of the cartridge deck 1421, while the fourth longitudinal staple line lumen 1428 extends along the third longitudinal staple line lumen 1426. In other words, the third longitudinal row staple cavities 1426 define an inner row relative to the longitudinal slot 1412 and the fourth longitudinal row staple cavities 1424 define an outer row relative to the longitudinal slot 1412. Staples 1470 are positioned within each staple cavity.

The staples 1470 are supported within the staple cavities 1422, 1424, 1426, 1428 by staple drivers 1460. As shown in FIG. 41, the first dual staple driver 1460 is configured to support staples 1470 from the first longitudinal staple row cavity 1424 and staples 1470 from the second longitudinal staple row cavity 1422. The second dual staple driver 1460 is configured to support staples 1470 from the third longitudinal staple row cavity 1426 and staples 1470 from the fourth longitudinal staple row cavity 1428. That is, any suitable driver arrangement may be used. For example, the staple drivers can be, for example, single staple drivers configured to support and drive a single staple 1470 and/or triple staple drivers configured to support and drive three staples 1470.

During the staple firing stroke, the sled 1450 is configured to contact the staple drivers 1460 and drive the staple drivers 1460 upwardly toward an anvil positioned opposite the staple cartridge 1420. Upward displacement of the sled 1460 by the staple drivers 1460 drives the staples 1470 out of the staple cartridge 1420 and against the forming pockets of the anvil positioned opposite the staple cartridge 1420. As discussed in more detail herein, the sled 1450 is configured to operably engage the threaded rod 1430 regardless of whether the sled 1450 is part of the staple cartridge 1420 or part of the end effector prior to delivery of the staple cartridge 1420 to the end effector. Sled 1450 includes a central portion 1452 that extends upwardly through at least a portion of a longitudinal slot 1412 defined within staple cartridge 1420. Sled 1450 further includes a first camming member or ramp 1452 positioned within a longitudinal channel extending below staple drivers 1460 on a first side of longitudinal slot 1412, and a second camming member or ramp 1454 positioned within a longitudinal channel extending below staple drivers 1460 on an opposite second side of longitudinal slot 1412. The first and second camming members 1452, 1454 are interconnected by a central portion 1455 of the slider 1450. That is, the sled 1450 can include any suitable number of ramps to engage the driver during the staple firing stroke.

Staple drivers 1460 are positioned in a low, unfired configuration before staple drivers 1460 and staples 1470 are driven upward by sled 1450. Each staple driver 1460 includes a first outer surface 1464 and a second outer surface 1462. The first outer surface 1464 faces the threaded shaft 1430, while the second outer surface 1462 faces away from the threaded shaft 1430. First outer surface 1464 includes an arcuate profile 1466 configured to complement and/or mimic the arcuate geometry of slider 1450 and threaded rod 1430. Arcuate profile 1466 is sized and configured to snugly receive slider 1450 therein, whether or not slider 1450 is in threaded engagement with threaded stem 1430. Sled 1450 includes an arcuate portion 1456 that closely receives threaded rod 1430 and an arcuate portion 1458 that is closely received within arcuate profile 1466 of staple driver 1460. Arcuate profile 1466 includes a single radius of curvature, but may include composite radii of curvature in various embodiments. In either case, slider 1450 can slide relative to staple driver 1460. In fact, arcuate profile 1466 is in contact with slider 1450 as slider 1450 passes, but may not be in contact with slider 1450 in other embodiments. In the event that the first outer surface 1464 does not include an arcuate profile or another clearance profile, the inner staple bar cavities 1424, 1426 would have to be moved away from the longitudinal slot 1412 to accommodate the centrally located threaded rod 1430. The clearance profile on the first outer surface 1464 allows the staple drivers 1460 to be maintained as close as possible to the longitudinal slots 1412. Further, minimizing the distance between the longitudinal slot 1412 and the inner rows of staple cavities 1424, 1426 can allow four staple rows to be closer to the tissue incision and/or provide space for four staple rows to be six staple rows. Further, moving both longitudinal rows of staples inward may provide space for additional rows of staples and staple cavities on each side of the tissue incision.

As described in greater detail herein, a surgical instrument can include an articulation joint configured to allow an end effector assembly (e.g., end effector assembly 1000) to rotate or articulate relative to a shaft. Fig. 42A-44 illustrate the articulation joint 1530 of the surgical stapling instrument 1500. The surgical stapling instrument 1500 includes an end effector assembly 1510 and a shaft portion 1520. An articulation joint 1530 connects the proximal end of the end effector assembly 1510 and the distal end of the shaft portion 1520. A plurality of articulation drivers 1532, 1534 extend through the shaft portion 1520 and connect to the end effector assembly 1510. The articulation drivers 1532, 1534 control rotation of the end effector assembly 1510 relative to the shaft portion 1520 by antagonizing motion. For example, when the first articulation driver 1532 is pulled in a proximal direction, the second articulation driver 1534 is pushed in a distal direction such that the end effector assembly 1510 rotates in a first direction about a first axis. When the second articulation driver 1534 is pulled in a proximal direction, the first articulation driver 1532 is pushed in a distal direction causing the end effector assembly 1510 to rotate about the first axis in a second direction. That is, if one of the articulation drivers 1532, 1534 is pushed distally to articulate the end effector assembly 1510, the other articulation driver 1532, 1534 may be pulled distally by the movement of the end effector assembly 1510. The proximal end of the end effector assembly 1510 terminates in a convex surface 1512 that includes a plurality of slots 1514 defined in the convex surface. The distal end of the shaft portion 1520 terminates in a concave surface 1522 configured to receive at least a portion of the convex surface 1512 of the end effector assembly 1510. The junction of the convex surface 1512 and the concave surface 1522 forms a first ball joint. That is, surfaces 1512, 1522 may comprise any suitable arcuate surfaces, for example. Various articulation drive arrangements are discussed in U.S. patent application publication 2017/0265954 entitled "STAPLER WITH CABLE-DRIVEN ADVANCEABLE CLAMPING ELEMENT AND DUAL DISAL PULLEYS" filed on 3, 17, 2017 and U.S. patent application publication 2017/0265865 entitled "STAPLER WITH CABLE-DRIVEN ADVANCEABLE CLAMPING ELEMENT AND DISTAL PULLEY" filed on 2, 15, 2017. International patent publication WO 2017/083125 entitled "STAPLER WITH COMPOSITE CARDAN AND SCREW DRIVE" published on day 18, 5 months 2017; international patent publication WO 2017/083126 entitled "stage push WITH load MOTION onto beeven RAMPS" published on 2017, 5, month 18; international patent publication 2015/153642 entitled "minor entering WITH shift transfer", published on 8.10.2015; U.S. patent application publication 2017/0265954 entitled "STAPLER WITH CABLE-DRIVEN ADVANCEABLE CLAMPING ELEMENT AND DUAL DISTAL PULLEYS" filed on 17.3.2017; U.S. patent application publication 2017/0265865 entitled "STAPLER WITH CABLE-DRIVEN ADVANCEABLE CLAMPING ELEMENT AND DISTAL PULLEY" filed on 15.2.2017; and us patent application publication 2017/0290586 entitled "STAPLING CARTRIDGE" filed on 29/3/2017, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

In the illustrated embodiment, four articulation drivers 1532, 1534, 1536, 1538 control rotation of the end effector assembly 1510 relative to the shaft portion 1520. The four articulation drivers 1532, 1534, 1536, 1538 are arranged in such a way that they can be used to rotate the end effector assembly 1510 relative to the shaft portion 1520 in two orthogonal planes. The end effector assembly 1510 can rotate in each plane individually or in a compound motion in both planes. The four articulation drivers 1532, 1534, 1536, 1538 are received within a plurality of slots 1514 defined within the end effector assembly 1510. As shown in the end view of fig. 42B, the slot 1514 is defined symmetrically about the periphery of the end effector assembly 1510. The distal end of each articulation driver 1532, 1534, 1536, 1538 includes a convex surface or ball 1531 configured to be received within one of the slots 1514 defined in the convex surface 1512 of the end effector assembly 1510.

As shown in fig. 44, end effector assembly 1510 includes one or more backstops 1540 configured to hold distal ends 1531 of articulation drivers 1532, 1534, 1536, 1538 in place. End effector assembly 1510 includes four backstops 1540 (one for each articulation actuator), but may include any suitable number and/or configuration of backstops. Backstop 1540 is mounted to end effector assembly 1510 to prevent, or at least limit, relative movement between distal end 1531 of articulation drivers 1532, 1534, 1536, 1538 and end effector assembly 1510. In other words, check 1540 is attached to the frame of end effector assembly 1510 to trap distal end 1531 in slot 1514 so that there is little, if any, lag between actuation of articulation drivers 1532, 1534, 1536, 1538 and movement of end effector assembly 1510. In various instances, after the distal ends 1531 of the articulation drivers 1532, 1534, 1536, 1538 have been assembled into the slots 1514 of the end effector assembly 1510, the backstop 1540 can be welded, soldered, and/or brazed to the end effector assembly 1510.

A plurality of ball joints are formed between the distal ends of the articulation drivers 1532, 1534, 1536, 1538 and the slots 1514 defined in the end effector assembly 1510. More specifically, each of non-return 1540 includes an arcuate socket or face defined in each of non-return 1540 that is configured to receive a distal end or ball 1531 of one of articulation drivers 1532, 1534, 1536, 1538 therein and define a rotational interface for distal end 1531. While these rotational interfaces prevent translation of distal end 1531 relative to end effector assembly 1510, they allow distal end 1531 to rotate within the arcuate socket. Connecting the articulation drivers 1532, 1534, 1536, 1538 to the end effector assembly 1510 in this manner provides additional degrees of freedom to the articulation joint because these connections are not securely fixed to the end effector assembly 1510. The additional degrees of freedom provide a greater range of overall articulation of the end effector assembly 1510 relative to the shaft portion 1520.

The articulation joint 1530 of fig. 41-43 prevents distal movement of the end effector assembly 1510 away from the shaft portion 1520. Further, alignment between components of the surgical instrument is facilitated by the complementary geometry of the distal end of the shaft portion 1520 and the proximal end of the end effector assembly 1510. Given that the distal ends 1531 of the articulation drivers 1532, 1534, 1536, 1538 are sized and configured such that they cannot be pulled proximally through the slot 1514, the end effector assembly 1510 may only move a distance away from the shaft portion 1520 (if at all) due to the articulation drivers 1532, 1534, 1536, 1538. The engagement of the articulation drivers 1532, 1534, 1536, 1538 with the end effector assembly 1510 provides redundant support for maintaining alignment between the end effector assembly 1510 and the shaft portion 1520.

In addition to the above, the articulation drivers 1532, 1534, 1536, 1538 comprise tubes; however, any suitable driver may be used. For example, the articulation drivers 1532, 1534, 1536, 1538 may comprise a solid cross-section. In various instances, the articulation drivers 1532, 1534, 1536, 1538 include a plurality of slits and/or integral cutouts 1533. The integral cutout 1533 enables the articulation drivers 1532, 1534, 1536, 1538 to be flexible while also maintaining the structural integrity of the articulation drivers 1532, 1534, 1536, 1538 as the end effector assembly 1510 rotates relative to the shaft portion 1520. In various instances, depending on the degree of articulation, the articulation drivers 1532, 1534, 1536, 1538 may wrap partially around the proximal end 1512 of the end effector assembly 1510. The slot 1533 may facilitate such wrapping of the articulation drivers 1532, 1534, 1536, 1538.

Various aspects of the subject matter described herein are set forth in the following examples:

example set 1.

Example 1-an end effector assembly for use with a surgical instrument is disclosed. The end effector assembly includes a first jaw defining a channel therein, a second jaw, and a threaded rod extending within the channel. The end effector assembly also includes a replaceable staple cartridge having a sled, wherein the replaceable staple cartridge is configured to be seated in the channel, and a firing member operably engaged with the threaded rod, wherein the sled and the firing member are configured to move from a proximal position toward a distal position when the threaded rod is rotated in a first direction.

Example 2-the end effector assembly of example 1, wherein the firing member is configured to move from the distal position toward the proximal position when the threaded rod is rotated in the second direction, and wherein the sled does not move from the distal position toward the proximal position when the threaded rod is rotated in the second direction.

Example 3-the end effector assembly of any one of examples 1 and 2, wherein at least a portion of the firing member is configured to engage the second jaw during a staple firing stroke.

Example 4-the end effector assembly of any of examples 1-3, wherein the sled snap fits onto the threaded rod when the replaceable staple cartridge is seated in the channel.

Example 5-the end effector assembly of any of examples 1-4, wherein the sled is configured to threadably engage the threaded rod when the replaceable staple cartridge is seated in the channel.

Example 6-the end effector assembly of any one of examples 1-5, wherein the firing member is operably engaged with the threaded rod prior to seating the replaceable staple cartridge in the channel.

Example 7-the end effector assembly of any one of examples 1-6, wherein the firing member comprises a tissue cutting member.

Example 8-the end effector assembly of any of examples 1-7, wherein the sled comprises a bottom surface configured to interface with the threaded rod when the replaceable staple cartridge is seated in the channel, and wherein at least a portion of the bottom surface comprises sled threads.

Example 9-the end effector assembly of example 8, wherein the slider thread comprises a first side configured to engage the threaded rod when the threaded rod is rotated in a first direction, wherein the slider thread comprises a second side configured to slide over the threaded rod when the threaded rod is rotated in a second direction, wherein the first side comprises a sharp edge, and wherein the second side comprises a rounded edge.

Example 10-the end effector assembly of any one of examples 8 and 9, wherein the threaded rod comprises a rod thread, wherein the rod thread comprises a first side configured to engage the slider thread when the threaded rod is rotated in a first direction, wherein the rod thread comprises a second side configured to slide over the slider thread when the threaded rod is rotated in a second direction, wherein the first side comprises a sharp edge, and wherein the second side comprises a rounded edge.

Example 11-the end effector assembly of any of examples 9 and 10, wherein the rounded edge includes a degree of curvature, and wherein the curvature varies along a length of the threaded rod.

Example 12-the end effector assembly of any one of examples 1 to 11, wherein the first jaw comprises a mounting bracket in the channel, and wherein the mounting bracket is configured to receive at least a portion of the threaded rod.

Example 13-the end effector assembly of any one of examples 1-12, wherein the sled is releasably coupled to the firing member when the replaceable staple cartridge is seated in the channel.

Example 14-an end effector assembly is disclosed. The end effector assembly includes a first jaw, a second jaw, and a rotatable drive screw extending within the first jaw. The end effector assembly further comprises a replaceable staple cartridge configured to sit in the first jaw, wherein the replaceable staple cartridge comprises a sled and a firing member configured to operably engage the rotatable drive screw, wherein the sled is configured to be positioned distal to the firing member on the rotatable drive screw when the replaceable staple cartridge is seated in the first jaw, and wherein the firing member is configured to push the sled from a proximal position toward a distal position when the rotatable drive screw is rotated in a first direction.

Example 15-the end effector assembly of example 14, wherein the rotatable drive screw is installed within the first jaw prior to seating the replaceable staple cartridge in the first jaw.

Example 16-the end effector assembly of any one of examples 14 and 15, wherein the replaceable staple cartridge comprises a gap, and wherein at least a portion of the rotatable drive screw is positioned in the gap when the replaceable staple cartridge is seated in the first jaw.

Example 17-the end effector assembly of any one of examples 14 to 16, wherein the firing member is configured to move from the distal position toward the proximal position when the rotatable drive screw is rotated in the second direction, and wherein the sled does not move from the distal position toward the proximal position when the rotatable drive screw is rotated in the second direction.

Example 18-the end effector assembly of any one of examples 14-17, wherein the sled comprises a bottom surface configured to interface with the rotatable drive screw when the replaceable staple cartridge is seated in the first jaw, and wherein at least a portion of the bottom surface comprises sled threads.

Example 19-the end effector assembly of example 18, wherein the slider thread comprises a first side configured to engage the rotatable drive screw when the rotatable drive screw is rotated in a first direction, wherein the slider thread comprises a second side configured to allow the slider to slide relative to the rotatable drive screw when the rotatable drive screw is rotated in a second direction, wherein the first side comprises a sharp edge, and wherein the second side comprises a rounded edge.

Example 20-a staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapling instrument is disclosed. The staple cartridge includes a cartridge body including a distal end, staples removably stored in the cartridge body, a driver configured to drive the staples out of the cartridge body, and a sled configured to be positioned on a threaded rod of a surgical stapling instrument when the staple cartridge is seated in a staple cartridge jaw of an end effector of the surgical stapling instrument, wherein the sled is driven distally by the threaded rod when the threaded rod is rotated.

Example 21-a staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapling instrument is disclosed. The staple cartridge includes a cartridge body comprising a distal end, staples removably stored in the cartridge body, a driver configured to drive the staples out of the cartridge body, and a sled configured to be positioned distal of a firing member on a threaded rod of a surgical stapling instrument when the staple cartridge is seated in a staple cartridge jaw of an end effector of the surgical stapling instrument, wherein the sled is pushed distally by the firing member when the threaded rod is rotated.

Example 22-an end effector assembly is disclosed. The end effector assembly includes a first jaw, a second jaw, a rotatable drive screw extending within the first jaw, and a replaceable staple cartridge configured to be seated in the first jaw. The replaceable staple cartridge includes a sled positioned over the rotatable drive screw when the replaceable staple cartridge is seated in the first jaw, wherein the sled includes a bottom surface comprising sled threads, wherein the sled threads comprise a first side configured to engage the rotatable drive screw when the rotatable drive screw is rotated in a first direction and a second side configured to allow the sled to slide relative to the rotatable drive screw when the rotatable drive screw is rotated in a second direction, wherein the first side comprises a sharp edge, and wherein the second side comprises a rounded edge. The end effector assembly further comprises a firing member operably engaged with the rotatable drive screw, wherein a sled is positioned distal to the firing member on the rotatable drive screw, wherein the sled and the firing member are configured to move from a proximal position toward a distal position when the rotatable drive screw is rotated in a first direction, wherein the firing member is configured to move from a distal position to a proximal position when the rotatable drive screw is rotated in a second direction, and wherein the sled is not moved from the distal position toward the proximal position when the rotatable drive screw is rotated in the second direction.

Example 23-the end effector assembly of example 22, wherein the sled is releasably coupled to the firing member.

Example 24-the end effector assembly of any one of examples 21 and 22, wherein the rotatable drive screw is integral with the first jaw prior to seating the replaceable staple cartridge therein.

Example 25-an end effector assembly is disclosed. The end effector assembly includes a first jaw, a second jaw, a rotatable drive screw extending within the first jaw, and a replaceable staple cartridge configured to sit in the first jaw, wherein the rotatable drive screw includes a drive screw thread extending along a length of the rotatable drive screw. The replaceable staple cartridge includes a sled positioned above the rotatable drive screw when the replaceable staple cartridge is seated in the first jaw, wherein the sled includes a bottom surface including sled threads, wherein the drive screw threads include a first side configured to engage the sled threads when the rotatable drive screw is rotated in a first direction and a second side configured to allow the sled to slide relative to the rotatable drive screw when the rotatable drive screw is rotated in a second direction, wherein the first side includes a sharp edge, and wherein the second side includes a rounded edge. The end effector assembly further comprises a firing member operably engaged with the rotatable drive screw, wherein a sled is positioned distally of the firing member on the rotatable drive screw, and wherein the sled and the firing member are configured to move from a proximal position toward a distal position upon rotation of the rotatable drive screw in a first direction.

Example 26-the end effector assembly of example 25, wherein the sled is releasably coupled to the firing member.

Example 27-the end effector assembly of any one of examples 25 and 26, wherein the rotatable drive screw is integral with the first jaw prior to seating the replaceable staple cartridge therein.

Example set 2.

Example 1-an end effector assembly for use with a surgical instrument is disclosed. The end effector assembly includes: a first jaw comprising a first groove; a second jaw defining a channel, wherein the second jaw includes a second recess, and a replaceable staple cartridge configured to sit in the channel. The staple cartridge comprises: a bin body; staple cavities defined in the cartridge body, wherein the staple cavities are arranged in longitudinal rows; staples positioned in the staple cavities; a threaded rod, and a firing member operably engaged with the threaded rod, wherein the firing member is configured to move between a proximal unfired position and a distal fired position during a staple firing stroke. The firing member includes a first portion including a first lateral projection, wherein the first recess of the first jaw is configured to receive the first lateral projection when the replaceable staple cartridge is seated in the channel and the firing member is positioned in the proximal unfired position, and a second portion including a second lateral projection, wherein the second recess of the second jaw is configured to receive the second lateral projection when the replaceable staple cartridge is seated in the channel and the firing member is positioned in the proximal unfired position, and wherein the first portion and the second portion are configured to maintain a distance between the first jaw and the second jaw during a staple firing stroke.

Example 2-the end effector assembly of example 1, wherein the channel comprises a mounting bracket configured to receive at least a portion of the threaded rod when the replaceable staple cartridge is seated in the channel.

Example 3-the end effector assembly of example 2, wherein the threaded rod comprises a distal head.

Example 4-the end effector assembly of example 3, further comprising a bushing member, wherein the bushing member is configured to be positioned between the distal head of the threaded rod and the mounting bracket when the replaceable staple cartridge is seated in the channel.

Example 5-the end effector assembly of any one of examples 2-4, wherein the replaceable staple cartridge comprises a recess configured to receive the mounting bracket when the replaceable staple cartridge is seated in the channel.

Example 6-the end effector assembly of any one of examples 1-5, wherein the firing member comprises a tissue cutting member.

Example 7-the end effector assembly of any of examples 1-6, wherein the channel comprises a groove configured to receive at least a portion of the threaded rod when the replaceable staple cartridge is seated in the channel.

Example 8-the end effector assembly of any one of examples 1-7, wherein the threaded rod is integral with the replaceable staple cartridge prior to seating the replaceable staple cartridge in the channel.

Example 9-an end effector assembly for use with a surgical instrument is disclosed. The end effector assembly includes an anvil having a first recess, a cartridge jaw having a second recess, and a replaceable cartridge configured to be seated in the cartridge jaw. The replaceable staple cartridge includes a threaded rod and a firing member operably engaged with the threaded rod, wherein the firing member is configured to move from a proximal unfired position toward a distal fired position, and wherein the firing member comprises a first portion having a first lateral projection and a second portion, wherein the first recess of the anvil is configured to receive the first lateral projection when the replaceable staple cartridge is seated in the staple cartridge jaw and the firing member is in a proximal unfired position, the second portion comprises a second lateral projection, wherein the second recess of the cartridge jaw is configured to receive the second lateral projection when a replaceable cartridge is seated in the cartridge jaw and the firing member is in a proximal unfired position, and wherein the first portion and the second portion are configured to maintain a distance between the anvil and the staple cartridge jaw when the end effector assembly is in the closed configuration.

Example 10-the end effector assembly of example 9, wherein the cartridge jaw comprises a mounting bracket configured to receive at least a portion of the threaded rod when the replaceable cartridge is seated therein.

Example 11-the end effector assembly of example 10, wherein the replaceable staple cartridge comprises a distal recess configured to receive the mounting bracket when the replaceable staple cartridge is seated in the staple cartridge jaw.

Example 12-the end effector assembly of any one of examples 9 to 11, wherein the threaded rod comprises a distal head.

Example 13-the end effector assembly of example 12, further comprising a bushing member, wherein the bushing member is configured to be positioned between the distal head of the threaded rod and the mounting bracket when the replaceable staple cartridge is seated in the staple cartridge jaw.

Example 14-the end effector assembly of any one of examples 9 to 13, wherein the threaded rod is integral with the replaceable staple cartridge prior to seating the replaceable staple cartridge in the staple cartridge jaw.

Example 15-the end effector assembly of any one of examples 9-14, wherein the cartridge jaw comprises a longitudinal groove configured to receive at least a portion of the threaded rod when the replaceable cartridge is seated in the cartridge jaw.

Example 16-discloses a staple cartridge that can be inserted into a surgical stapling instrument. The staple cartridge includes a threaded rod and a firing member configured to move from a proximal unfired position toward a distal position when the threaded rod is rotated in a first direction. The firing member includes a first portion that includes a first camming member, wherein an anvil of the surgical stapling instrument receives the first portion when the firing member is in a proximal unfired position, and a second portion that includes a second camming member, wherein a cartridge jaw of the surgical stapling instrument receives the second portion when the firing member is in a proximal unfired position, and wherein the first portion and the second portion are configured to maintain a distance between the anvil and the cartridge jaw during a staple firing stroke.

Example 17-the staple cartridge of example 16, wherein the firing member is threadedly engaged with the threaded rod.

Example 18-the staple cartridge of any one of examples 16 and 17, wherein the threaded rod is configured to be received by a mounting bracket positioned on the staple cartridge jaw.

Example 19-the staple cartridge of example 18, further comprising a recess configured to receive the mounting bracket when the staple cartridge is seated in the staple cartridge jaw.

Example 20-the staple cartridge of example 19, further comprising a bushing member, wherein the bushing member is configured to be positioned between the threaded rod and the mounting bracket.

Example set 3.

Example 1-an end effector assembly for use with a surgical instrument is disclosed. The end effector assembly includes a first jaw defining a channel therein, a drive screw, and a replaceable staple cartridge configured to be seated in the channel. The replaceable staple cartridge comprises a proximal end, a distal end, a cartridge body, a longitudinal slot extending between the proximal end and the distal end, a first longitudinal row of staple cavities defined in the cartridge body, wherein the first longitudinal row of staple cavities is positioned along the longitudinal slot, and a second longitudinal row of staple cavities defined in the cartridge body, wherein the second longitudinal row of staple cavities is positioned along the first longitudinal row of staple cavities. The end effector assembly also includes a first staple positioned in the first longitudinal staple ejection cavity, a second staple positioned in the second longitudinal staple ejection cavity, and a driver configured to support one of the first staples and one of the second staples, wherein the driver includes an outer wall facing the drive screw, wherein the outer wall includes an arcuate gap, and wherein the drive screw extends through the arcuate gap.

Example 2-the end effector assembly of example 1, wherein the drive screw is installed in the channel prior to seating the replaceable staple cartridge in the channel.

Example 3-the end effector assembly of any one of examples 1 and 2, wherein the channel comprises a mounting bracket configured to receive at least a portion of the drive screw.

Example 4-the end effector assembly of any one of examples 1-3, wherein the drive screw is integral with the replaceable staple cartridge prior to seating the replaceable staple cartridge in the channel.

Example 5-the end effector assembly of any of examples 1-4, wherein at least a portion of the drive screw is positioned within the longitudinal slot.

Example 6-the end effector assembly of any of examples 1-5, wherein the sled is threadedly engaged with the drive screw when the replaceable staple cartridge is seated in the channel.

Example 7-an end effector assembly for use with a surgical instrument is disclosed. The end effector assembly includes a cartridge jaw, a threaded rod, and a replaceable cartridge configured to be seated in the cartridge jaw. The replaceable staple cartridge includes a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal slot extending between the proximal end and the distal end, and a driver configured to support staples, wherein the driver includes a surface facing the threaded rod, wherein the surface includes a gap, and wherein at least a portion of the threaded rod is configured to be received in the gap when the replaceable staple cartridge is seated in the staple cartridge jaw.

Example 8-the end effector assembly of example 7, further comprising a sled configured to lift the driver upward during a staple firing stroke.

Example 9-the end effector assembly of any one of examples 7 and 8, wherein the threaded rod extends within the staple cartridge jaw prior to seating the replaceable staple cartridge therein.

Example 10-the end effector assembly of any one of examples 7-9, wherein the threaded rod is integral with the replaceable staple cartridge prior to seating the replaceable staple cartridge in the staple cartridge jaw.

Example 11-the end effector assembly of any one of examples 7-10, wherein the cartridge jaw comprises a mounting bracket configured to receive at least a portion of the threaded rod.

Example 12-the end effector assembly of any one of examples 7-11, wherein the threaded rod is integral with the staple cartridge prior to seating the staple cartridge in the staple cartridge jaw.

Example 13-the end effector assembly of any one of examples 7 to 12, wherein the slide is threadedly engaged with the threaded rod.

Example 14-the end effector assembly of any one of examples 7 to 13, wherein the gap is arcuate.

Example 15-a staple cartridge for use with a surgical instrument is disclosed. The staple cartridge comprises a proximal end, a distal end, a cartridge body, a longitudinal slot extending between the proximal end and the distal end, a drive screw, a first longitudinal row of staple cavities defined in the cartridge body, and a second longitudinal row of staple cavities defined in the cartridge body, wherein the first longitudinal row of staple cavities is positioned along the longitudinal slot, wherein the second longitudinal row of staple cavities is positioned along the first longitudinal row of staple cavities. The staple cartridge also comprises first staples positioned in the first longitudinal staple row cavities, second staples positioned in the second longitudinal staple row cavities, a driver configured to support one of the first staples and one of the second staples, and a sled, wherein the driver is configured to move from an unfired configuration to a fired configuration during a staple firing stroke, wherein the driver comprises an inner surface facing a drive screw, wherein the inner surface comprises a relief, and wherein the drive screw is at least partially positioned in the relief, the sled configured to lift the driver upward from the unfired configuration to the fired configuration.

Example 16-the staple cartridge of example 15, wherein the staple cartridge is configured to be seated in a staple cartridge jaw of an end effector of a surgical instrument, wherein the staple cartridge comprises a recess configured to receive a mounting bracket extending from the staple cartridge jaw, and wherein the mounting bracket is configured to receive at least a portion of a drive screw.

Example 17-the staple cartridge of any one of examples 15 and 16, wherein the relief is arcuate.

Example 18-an end effector assembly for use with a surgical instrument is disclosed. The end effector assembly includes a first jaw, a second jaw, and a replaceable staple cartridge configured to sit in the first jaw, wherein the replaceable staple cartridge comprises a proximal end, a distal end, a cartridge body, and a longitudinal slot extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The replaceable staple cartridge further comprises: a first longitudinal row of staple cavities defined in the cartridge body, wherein the first longitudinal row of staple cavities are positioned along a longitudinal slot; a second longitudinal staple row cavity defined in the cartridge body, wherein the second longitudinal staple row cavity is positioned along the first longitudinal staple row cavity; a first staple positioned in the first longitudinal staple row cavity; a second staple positioned in the second longitudinal staple row cavity; a driver configured to support a first staple of the first staples and a second staple of the second staples, wherein the driver is configured to move from an unfired configuration to a fired configuration during a staple firing stroke, and wherein the driver comprises an inner wall having a relief; a sled configured to lift the driver upwardly from an unfired configuration to a fired configuration, and a drive screw extending within the first jaw, wherein the drive screw is at least partially positioned in the relief when the replaceable staple cartridge is seated in the first jaw.

Example 19-the end effector assembly of example 18, wherein the first jaw comprises a mounting bracket configured to receive at least a portion of a drive screw.

Example 20-the end effector assembly of any one of examples 18 and 19, wherein the drive screw is integral with the first jaw prior to seating the replaceable staple cartridge therein.

Example set 4.

Example 1-A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes: an elongate shaft comprising a distal end having a concave surface; an end effector assembly comprising a proximal end having a convex surface, wherein the convex surface is received by the concave surface of the elongate shaft, and wherein the convex surface comprises first and second slots defined in the convex surface, and an articulation assembly. The articulation assembly includes a first articulation driver including a distal end having a first ball, wherein the first ball is received by the first slot, and a second articulation driver including a distal end having a second ball, wherein the second ball is received by the second slot, and wherein the end effector assembly rotates in a plane relative to the elongate shaft upon longitudinal driving of at least one of the first articulation driver and the second articulation driver.

Example 2-the surgical instrument of example 1, wherein the end effector assembly further comprises a backstop, wherein the backstop is mounted to the proximal end of the end effector assembly behind the first slot, and wherein the backstop is configured to hold the first ball in place when the first slot receives the first ball.

Example 3-the surgical instrument of any of examples 1 and 2, wherein the end effector assembly further comprises a third slot and a fourth slot defined in the convex surface.

Example 4-the surgical instrument of example 3, wherein the first slot, the second slot, the third slot, and the fourth slot are symmetrically positioned about a perimeter of the convex surface.

Example 5-the surgical instrument of any of examples 3 and 4, wherein the articulation assembly further comprises a third articulation driver and a fourth articulation driver, wherein the third articulation driver comprises a distal end having a third ball, wherein the fourth articulation driver comprises a distal end having a fourth ball, wherein the third ball is received by the third slot, and wherein the fourth ball is received by the fourth slot.

Example 6-the surgical instrument of example 5, wherein the plane is a first plane, and wherein the end effector assembly rotates in a second plane relative to the elongate shaft upon longitudinally driving at least one of the third articulation driver and the fourth articulation driver.

Example 7-the surgical instrument of any of examples 1-6, wherein the first and second articulation drivers comprise flexible tubes.

Example 8-the surgical instrument of example 7, wherein each flexible tube comprises a plurality of slits along its length.

Example 9-A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes an elongate shaft and an end effector extending distally from the elongate shaft, wherein the end effector includes a proximal end, a distal end, and an interface surface on the proximal end of the end effector, wherein the interface surface includes a plurality of grooves defined therein. The surgical instrument also includes a plurality of articulation drive members extending through the elongate shaft, wherein each articulation drive member includes a distal end having a ball, wherein each ball is received in one of the plurality of grooves, and wherein the articulation drive members are configured to accommodate articulation of an end effector relative to the elongate shaft.

Example 10-the surgical instrument of example 9, wherein the plurality of articulation drive members are configured to prevent the end effector from moving away from the elongate shaft in a distal direction.

Example 11-the surgical instrument of any of examples 9 and 10, wherein the first interface surface is configured to facilitate alignment between the elongate shaft and the end effector.

Example 12-the surgical instrument of any of examples 9-11, wherein each articulation drive member is pivotally received in a groove.

Example 13-the surgical instrument of any of examples 9-12, wherein the end effector is configured to articulate about a plurality of articulation axes relative to the elongate shaft.

Example 14-the surgical instrument of any of examples 9-13, wherein the articulation drive member comprises a slotted tube.

Example 15-the surgical instrument of any of examples 9-14, wherein the end effector further comprises a backstop mounted to the end effector behind each groove, and wherein each backstop is configured to hold a ball in place.

Example 16-an end effector assembly of a surgical instrument is disclosed. The end effector assembly includes: a proximal end; a distal end; a first jaw; a second jaw coupled to the first jaw, wherein at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is movable relative to the other of the first jaw and the second jaw; an interface surface on the proximal end, wherein the interface surface comprises a plurality of slots defined in the interface surface, and a plurality of flexible articulation members, wherein each flexible articulation member comprises a distal end having enlarged ends, wherein each enlarged end is seated in one of the grooves, and wherein the flexible articulation members are configured to articulate the first jaw and the second jaw relative to an elongate shaft of a surgical instrument.

Example 17-the end effector assembly of example 16, wherein the plurality of flexible articulation drive members are configured to align the first and second jaws relative to the elongate shaft of the surgical instrument.

Example 18-the end effector assembly of any one of examples 16 and 17, wherein the interface surface is convex.

Example 19-the end effector assembly according to any one of examples 16-18, wherein the grooves are defined symmetrically about a perimeter of the interface surface.

Example 20-the end effector assembly of any one of examples 16-19, wherein each flexible articulation member comprises a tube having a slit therein.

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

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

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

-U.S. patent application publication 2017/0265954, entitled "STAPLER WITH CABLE-DRIVEN ADVANCEABLE CLAMPING ELEMENT AND DUAL DISAL PULLEYS", published on 21.9.2017;

-U.S. patent application publication 2017/0265865 entitled "STAPLER WITH CABLE-DRIVEN ADVANCEABLE CLAMPING ELEMENT AND DISTAL PULLEY" published on 21.9.2017;

-U.S. patent 9,844,369 entitled "SURGICAL END EFFECTORS WITH FIRING ELEMENT MONITORING ARRANGEMENTS" published at 19.12.2017;

-us patent 9,808,246 entitled "METHOD OF OPERATING a POWERED minor intumest" published on 11, 7/2017;

-U.S. patent 7,490,749 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING AND CUTTING INSTRUMENT WITH MANUALLY RETRACTABLE FIRING MEMBER" published on 17.2.2009;

-us patent 9,370,364 entitled "POWERED minor CUTTING AND STAPLING APPARATUS WITH manual precise table FIRING SYSTEM" published on 21/6/2016;

-us patent 9,814,460 entitled "MODULAR MOTOR driver apparatus WITH STATUS INDICATION arrangement for", published on 11, 14.2017;

-U.S. patent 8,820,605 entitled "rolling-CONTROLLED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS" published on 9/2/2014;

-us patent 9,095,339 entitled "detechable MOTOR POWERED regulated tank insert" published on 8/4/2015;

-us patent 8,998,058 entitled "detechable MOTOR POWERED regulated tank insert", published on 7.4.2015;

-us patent 9,445,813 entitled "close apparatus SYSTEMS FOR minor impurities SYSTEMS" published on 20/9/2016;

-U.S. patent 9,072,535 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENT ARRANGENTS" published 7/2015;

-us patent 9,700,310 entitled "fire machinery recovery DEVICES FOR POWERED minor machinery insurances" published on 7, 11/7/2017;

-U.S. patent 9,439,651 entitled "METHODS FOR CRYPTOGRAPHIC IDENTIFICATION OF INTERCHANGEABLE PARTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS", published on 13.9.2016;

U.S. patent 9,517,068 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH AUTOMATICALLY-RETURNED FIRING MEMBER" published on 12, 13/2016;

U.S. Pat. No. 5,667,517 entitled "ENDOSCOPIC SURGICAL SYSTEM WITH SENSING MEANS" published on 16.9.1997;

-us patent 9,675,348 entitled "ELECTRICAL SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH KNIFE RETURN" published on 6/13/2017;

-us patent 9,393,015 entitled "MOTOR drive SURGICAL FASTENER DEVICE WITH CUTTING MEMBER REVERSING MECHANISM" published on 19.7.2016;

-U.S. patent 10,004,500 entitled "DEVICES AND METHODS FOR manual RETRACTING A DRIVE SHAFT, DRIVE BEAM, AND ASSOCIATED COMPONENTS OF a SURGICAL FASTENING DEVICE" published on 26.6.2018;

-U.S. patent 9,326,770 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT" published on 3.5.2016;

-us patent 8,602,287 entitled "MOTOR-driver basic CUTTING insert" published at 12, 10.2013;

-us patent 8,113,410 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING APPATUS WITH CONTROL FEATURES" published on 14/2/2012;

-U.S. patent 7,959,050 entitled "ELECTRICALLY SELF-POWERED minor INSTRUMENT WITH MANUAL RELEASE" published on 14.6.2011;

-us patent 8,608,045 entitled "POWERED minor CUTTING AND STAPLING APPARATUS WITH manual CUTTING FIRING SYSTEM" published on 12, 17.2013;

-U.S. patent 8,672,951 entitled "ELECTRICALLY SELF-POWERED minor INSTRUMENT WITH MANUAL RELEASE" published on 18.3.2014;

-U.S. patent 9,554,803 entitled "ELECTRICALLY SELF-POWERED minor INSTRUMENT WITH MANUAL RELEASE" published on 31.1.2017;

-us patent 9,585,658 entitled "STAPLING SYSTEMS" published on 3, 7 and 2017;

-U.S. patent 8,616,431 entitled "shift table DRIVE INTERFACE FOR robust-CONTROLLED minor TOOL" published on 31.12.2013;

-us patent 8,479,969 entitled "DRIVE INTERFACE FOR optional coating a manual coating TOOL TO a ROBOT" published on 7, 9.2013;

-U.S. patent 9,113,874 entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM" published 25/8/2015;

-us patent 8,991,677 entitled "detectable MOTOR power heated regulated ignition system" published 3, 31/2015;

-us patent 9,084,601 entitled "detectable MOTOR power heated regulated ignition system" published on 21.7.2015;

-U.S. patent 9,408,606 entitled "rolling polymeric weighted DEVICE WITH manual-active REVERSING SYSTEM" published on 8/9/2016;

-us patent 10,028,761 entitled "feed algoristhms FOR MANUAL BAILOUT SYSTEMS FOR basic instrments" published in 24.7.2018;

-us patent 9,655,614 entitled "rolling-CONTROLLED MOTORIZED heated furnace WITH AN END effeeder" published on 23.5.2017; and

U.S. patent 9,060,770 entitled "robotedly-DRIVER minor intumest WITH E-BEAM DRIVER" published on 23.6.2015.

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

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

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

-us patent 7,422,139 entitled "MOTOR-driving SURGICAL CUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT WITH TACTILE POSITION FEEDBACK" published on 9.9.2008;

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

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

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

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

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U.S. patent application serial No. 12/235972 entitled "MOTORIZED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT," now U.S. patent 9050083.

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

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

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

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

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

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

The device disclosed herein may be designed to be disposed of after a single use, or it may be designed to be used multiple times. In either case, however, the device may be reconditioned for reuse after at least one use. Reconditioning can include any combination of the following steps, including, but not limited to, disassembly of the device, followed by cleaning or replacement of particular pieces of the device, and subsequent reassembly of the device. In particular, the reconditioning facility and/or surgical team can remove the device, and after cleaning and/or replacement of particular components of the device, the device can be reassembled for subsequent use. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the finishing assembly may be disassembled, cleaned/replaced, and reassembled using a variety of techniques. The use of such techniques and the resulting prosthetic devices are within the scope of the present application.

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

While these inventions have been described as having an exemplary design, the present inventions 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.