In various embodiments, a
surgical stapling instrument can comprise a plurality of magnetic elements configured to articulate an end
effector of the
surgical instrument. The
surgical instrument can comprise at least one
electromagnet which can be selectively activated, or polarized, to generate a
magnetic field sufficient to motivate a second magnetic element, such as a permanent
magnet and / or an iron core, for example, mounted to the end
effector. In certain embodiments, a
surgical stapling instrument can comprise a plurality of magnetic elements configured to open and / or close an end
effector of the
surgical instrument. In at least one embodiment, a
surgical stapling instrument can comprise a plurality of magnetic elements configured to advance and / or retract a firing bar,
cutting member, and / or staple sled within the surgical instrument in order to incise and / or staple tissue positioned within an end effector of the surgical instrument.