Staple cartridge including driver retention members

Abstract

A staple cartridge for use with a surgical instrument is disclosed. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body comprising a tissue support surface, staple cavities defined within the cartridge body, staples removably positioned in the staple cavities, and a staple driver movably positioned within the staple cavities, wherein the staple driver is configured to support the staples. The staple cartridge further comprises a wedge sled translatable between a proximal end and a distal end of the staple cartridge, wherein the wedge sled is configured to move the staple driver from an unfired position to a fired position during a staple firing stroke, and a driver retention member configured to retain the staple driver in a retention position that allows the wedge sled to be retracted after the staple firing stroke.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present application relates to surgical instruments, and in various embodiments, to surgical cutting and stapling instruments designed for cutting and stapling tissue and staple cartridges therefor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0002] The features and advantages of the present application, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent, and the application itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the application taken together with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0003] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a distal end of a surgical stapling instrument according to at least one embodiment;

[0004] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a distal end of the stapling instrument of Figure 1 shown in a closed or clamped configuration;

[0005] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a distal end of the stapling instrument of Figure 1 shown in an articulated configuration;

[0006] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a staple cartridge removed from the stapling instrument of Figure 1 ;

[0007] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a distal end of the stapling instrument of Figure 1 shown with some components removed;

[0008] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a distal end of the stapling instrument of Figure 1 shown with additional components removed;

[0009] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a drive system including a rapid jaw closure system, a high load jaw clamping system, and a staple firing system of the stapling instrument of Figure 1 ;

[0010] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the staple firing system of Figure 7 ;

[0011] Figure 9 is an exploded view of a distal end of the stapling instrument of Figure 1 ;

[0012] Figure 10 is an exploded view of a rapid jaw closure system and a high load jaw clamping system of Figure 7 ;

[0013] Figure 11 illustrates Figure 1 the anvil jaw of the stapling instrument is in an open position;

[0014] Figure 12 the anvil jaw of the stapling instrument is in an open position; Figure 7 the anvil jaw of the stapling instrument is in an open position; Figure 11 the anvil jaw of the stapling instrument is in an open position;

[0015] Figure 13 the anvil jaw of the stapling instrument is in an open position; Figure 7 the anvil jaw of the stapling instrument is in an open position;

[0016] Figure 14 the anvil jaw of the stapling instrument is in an open position; Figure 7 the anvil jaw of the stapling instrument is in an open position;

[0017] Figure 15 the anvil jaw of the stapling instrument is in an open position;

[0018] Figure 16 is a detailed view from Figure 14

[0019] Figure 17 is a detailed view from Figure 15

[0020] Figure 18 is a perspective view of a staple cartridge including a driver retention feature, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

[0021] Figure 19 is a partial cross-sectional view of a staple cartridge of Figure 18

[0022] is a partial elevational view of a sidewall of a staple cartridge of Figure 20 Figure 18 is a partial cross-sectional view of a staple cartridge of

[0023] Figure 21 Figure 18 is a partial cross-sectional view of a staple cartridge of

[0024] Figure 22 is a partial cross-sectional view of a staple cartridge of Figures 18 to 21

[0025] Figure 23 is a partial cross-sectional view of a staple cartridge including a window defined therein and a staple driver, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

[0026] Figure 24 is a perspective view of a staple driver of Figure 23 ​​​​​​

[0027] Figure 25 a perspective view of a staple cartridge including driver retention features in accordance with at least one embodiment;

[0028] Figure 26 is a cross-sectional view of a staple cartridge of Figure 25 , wherein the staple cartridge includes staple drivers;

[0029] Figure 27 is a perspective view of one of the staple drivers of Figure 26 ; and

[0030] Figure 28 is a perspective view of a staple driver including retention flanges in accordance with at least one embodiment;

[0031] Figure 29 is a cross-sectional view of a top mold and a bottom mold for forming a staple cartridge configured to movably receive therein Figure 28 staple drivers of

[0032] Figure 30 is a perspective view of a bottom mold of Figure 29 ; and

[0033] Figure 31A is a partial cross-sectional view of a staple cartridge including a firing member that contacts a staple driver as the firing member translates distally during a staple firing stroke in accordance with at least one embodiment;

[0034] Figure 31B is a partial cross-sectional view of a staple driver of Figure 31A in a fully fired position;

[0035] Figure 32A is a partial cross-sectional view of a firing member and a staple driver of Figure 31A after the firing member translates distally beyond the staple driver;

[0036] Figure 32B is a partial cross-sectional view of a firing member of Figure 31A as the firing member translates proximally after a staple firing stroke;

[0037] Figure 33 is a partial plan view of a staple cartridge including staple drivers and driver retention members in accordance with at least one embodiment;

[0038] Figure 34 is a perspective view of a staple driver of Figure 33 , wherein an aperture is defined in the staple driver, and wherein the hole is configured to receive a driver retention member when the staple driver is in a raised or retention position;

[0039] Figure 35is a partial cross-sectional view of the interaction between the driver retention member and Figure 34 the aperture of the staple driver of

[0040] Figure 36A is a partial elevational view of a staple cartridge including a curved deck surface and protrusions extending from the deck surface according to at least one embodiment;

[0041] Figure 36B is a partial plan view of the protrusions extending from the curved deck surface of Figure 36A

[0042] Figure 37A is a partial elevational view of a staple cartridge including a curved deck surface according to at least one embodiment;

[0043] Figure 37B is a partial plan view of the protrusions extending from the curved deck surface of Figure 37A

[0044] Figure 38A is a partial elevational view of a staple cartridge including a curved deck surface according to at least one embodiment;

[0045] Figure 38B is a partial plan view of the protrusions extending from the curved deck surface of Figure 38B

[0046] Figure 39A is a partial elevational view of a staple cartridge including a curved deck surface according to at least one embodiment;

[0047] Figure 39B is a partial plan view of the protrusions extending from the curved deck surface of Figure 39A

[0048] Figure 40 is a partial cross-sectional view of a staple cartridge seated in an end effector according to at least one embodiment, wherein the staple cartridge includes a curved deck surface and protrusions extending from the curved deck surface;

[0049] Figure 41 is a partial cross-sectional view of the staple driver of Figure 40 in an unfired position and a fully fired position, wherein a portion of the staple driver extends above the protrusions and the curved deck surface when the staple driver is in the fully fired position;

[0050] Figure 42 is a partial plan view of a staple cartridge including three longitudinal rows of staple cavities, wherein the most proximal staple cavities are located in the middle row according to at least one embodiment;

[0051] Figure 43 ​​​​is a partial plan view of a staple cartridge including three longitudinal rows of staple cavities in accordance with at least one embodiment wherein the most proximal staple cavities are not located in the middle row;

[0052] Figure 44 is a partial perspective view of a staple cartridge including protrusions extending from a curved deck surface in accordance with at least one embodiment;

[0053] Figure 45 is Figure 44 a partial cross-sectional view of a staple cartridge wherein the protrusions extend a first distance from a curved deck surface;

[0054] Figure 46 is a partial cross-sectional view of an end effector in a closed configuration wherein the end effector includes a staple cartridge seated in the cartridge jaw; Figure 45 of the staple cartridge;

[0055] Figure 47 is a partial cross-sectional view of a staple cartridge including a curved deck surface with free-standing protrusions in accordance with at least one embodiment;

[0056] Figure 48 is a partial cross-sectional view of an end effector in a closed configuration wherein the end effector includes a staple cartridge seated in the cartridge jaw; Figure 47 of the staple cartridge;

[0057] Figure 49 is a partial cross-sectional view of a staple cartridge including protrusions extending various distances from a curved deck surface in accordance with at least one embodiment;

[0058] Figure 50 is a partial cross-sectional view of an end effector in a closed configuration wherein the end effector includes a staple cartridge seated in the cartridge jaw; Figure 49 of the staple cartridge;

[0059] Figure 51 is a partial cross-sectional view of an end effector in a closed configuration in accordance with at least one embodiment wherein the end effector includes a staple cartridge including protrusions extending different distances from a curved deck surface;

[0060] Figure 52 is a partial cross-sectional view of an end effector in a closed configuration in accordance with at least one embodiment wherein the end effector includes a staple cartridge including protrusions extending uniform distances from a curved deck surface;

[0061] Figure 53 is a partial cross-sectional view of a staple cartridge including variable protrusions extending from a curved deck surface in accordance with at least one embodiment;

[0062] Figure 54 is a partial cross-sectional view of a staple cartridge from a staple cartridge including protrusions extending from a curved deck surface in accordance with at least one embodiment; Figure 53partial cross-sectional view of a staple cavity of a first longitudinal row of staple cavities on a curved deck surface of a staple cartridge of

[0063] Figure 55 is a partial cross-sectional view of a staple cavity of a second longitudinal row of staple cavities on a curved deck surface of a staple cartridge of Figure 53 and Figure 54 partial cross-sectional view of a staple cavity of a second longitudinal row of staple cavities on a curved deck surface of a staple cartridge of

[0064] Figure 56 is a partial cross-sectional view of a staple cavity of a third longitudinal row of staple cavities on a curved deck surface of a staple cartridge of Figures 53 to 55

[0065] Figure 57 is a partial perspective view of a staple cartridge and anvil according to at least one embodiment;

[0066] Figure 58 is a partial cross-sectional view of a staple cartridge and anvil of Figure 57

[0067] is a partial cross-sectional view of a staple cartridge and anvil of Figure 59 Figure 57 is a partial cross-sectional view of a staple cartridge and anvil of

[0068] Figure 60 Figure 57 is a partial cross-sectional view of a staple cartridge and anvil of

[0069] Figure 61 is a partial perspective view of a staple cartridge and anvil according to at least one embodiment;

[0070] Figure 62 is a partial cross-sectional view of a staple cartridge and anvil of Figure 61

[0071] Figure 63 is a partial cross-sectional view of a staple cartridge and anvil of Figure 61

[0072] Figure 64 is a partial cross-sectional view of a staple cartridge and anvil of Figure 61

[0073] Figure 65 is a partial perspective view of a staple cartridge and anvil according to at least one embodiment;

[0074] Figure 66 is a partial cross-sectional view of a staple cartridge and anvil of Figure 65 ​​​​​​partial cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge and anvil of

[0075] Figure 67 is a partial cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge and anvil of Figure 65 partial cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge and anvil of

[0076] Figure 68 is a partial cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge and anvil of Figure 65 partial cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge and anvil of

[0077] Figure 69 is a plan view of an anvil according to at least one embodiment;

[0078] Figure 70 is a detail view of the anvil of Figure 69

[0079] Figure 71 is a partial plan view of a staple cartridge according to at least one embodiment;

[0080] Figure 72 is a perspective view of the staple cartridge of Figure 71

[0081] is a partial elevational view of an end effector of a stapling instrument according to at least one embodiment; Figure 73

[0082] is a partial elevational view of the end effector of Figure 74 Figure 73 is a partial elevational view of an end effector of a stapling instrument according to at least one embodiment;

[0083] Figure 75 is a partial elevational view of the end effector of

[0084] Figure 76 Figure 75 is a partial elevational view of an end effector of a stapling instrument according to at least one embodiment;

[0085] Figure 77 is a partial elevational view of the end effector of

[0086] Figure 78 is a partial elevational view of an end effector of a stapling instrument according to at least one embodiment; Figure 77

[0087] is a partial elevational view of the end effector of Figure 79 Figure 77 is a partial elevational view of an end effector of a stapling instrument according to at least one embodiment;

[0088] Figure 80 Figure 77 is an exploded view of an end effector closure system of the stapling instrument of​​​​​

[0089] Figure 81 is a partial elevational view of an end effector of a surgical instrument in accordance with at least one embodiment;

[0090] Figure 82 is Figure 81 is another partial elevational view of the end effector of

[0091] Figure 83 is a partial cross-sectional view of an end effector of a surgical instrument showing the end effector in a partially closed configuration in accordance with at least one embodiment;

[0092] Figure 84 is a partial cross-sectional view of the end effector of Figure 83 is shown in a closed configuration;

[0093] Figure 85 is a partial cross-sectional view of the end effector of Figure 83 is shown in a partially open configuration;

[0094] Figure 86 is a partial cross-sectional view of the end effector of Figure 83 is shown in a fully open configuration;

[0095] Figure 87 is a partial cross-sectional view of an end effector of a surgical instrument in accordance with at least one embodiment;

[0096] Figure 88 is an elevational view of a firing assembly including a firing member;

[0097] Figure 89 is an elevational view of the firing member of the end effector of Figure 88

[0098] is another elevational view of the firing member of Figure 90 Figure 88 is a perspective view of a firing assembly of a surgical instrument in accordance with at least one embodiment;

[0099] Figure 91 is another perspective view of the firing assembly of

[0100] Figure 92 Figure 91 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the firing assembly of

[0101] Figure 93 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the firing assembly of Figure 91 showing the tissue cutting knife in a deployed configuration;

[0102] Figure 94 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the firing assembly of Figure 91 in an undeployed configuration;​​

[0103] Figure 95 It includes Figure 91 A partial front view of the bolt cartridge of the firing assembly;

[0104] Figure 96 yes Figure 95 A partial perspective view of the staple cartridge;

[0105] Figure 97 It is a partially exploded view of the firing assembly of a surgical instrument according to at least one embodiment;

[0106] Figure 98 yes Figure 97 A partial front view of the firing assembly and the bolt cartridge, showing the firing assembly in the unfired position;

[0107] Figure 99 yes Figure 97 The firing assembly and Figure 98 A partial front view of the stud cartridge, showing the firing assembly in the partial firing position;

[0108] Figure 100 yes Figure 97 The firing assembly and Figure 98 A partial front view of the stud cartridge, showing the firing assembly in the firing position;

[0109] Figure 101 yes Figure 97 The firing assembly and Figure 98 A partial front view of the stud cartridge, showing the firing assembly at the end of the stud firing stroke;

[0110] Figure 102 yes Figure 97 The firing assembly and Figure 98 A partial front view of the stud cartridge, showing the retraction of the firing assembly after the stud firing stroke;

[0111] Figure 103 yes Figure 97 The firing assembly and Figure 98 A partial front view of the stud cartridge, showing the firing assembly in the retracted position;

[0112] Figure 104 A nail firing system and a nail cartridge according to at least one embodiment are shown;

[0113] Figure 105 It shows propulsion to the distal side during the nail firing stroke. Figure 104 The firing component of the nail-firing system;

[0114] Figure 106 This illustrates rotating the tissue cutting blade of the nail-firing system from its undeployed position to its deployed position. Figure 105firing member;

[0115] Figure 107 illustrates the tissue cutting knife of Figure 106 in a fully deployed position;

[0116] Figure 108 illustrates the staple firing system of Figure 104 advancing distally during a staple firing stroke;

[0117] Figure 109 illustrates the firing member of Figure 105 retracting after a staple firing stroke;

[0118] Figure 110 illustrates the tissue cutting knife of Figure 106 rotating toward its undeployed position by the firing member of Figure 105 ;

[0119] Figure 111 illustrates the cutting edge of the tissue cutting knife of Figure 106 retracting below the deck of the staple cartridge;

[0120] Figure 112 illustrates the firing member of Figure 106 disengaged from the tissue cutting knife of Figure 105 ;

[0121] Figure 113 is an exploded view of the staple firing system and staple cartridge of Figure 104 ;

[0122] Figure 114 is a partial cross-sectional view of an end effector of a surgical instrument according to at least one embodiment;

[0123] Figure 115 is a partial cross-sectional view of the end effector of Figure 114 shown in a closed configuration;

[0124] Figure 116 is a partial cross-sectional view of the end effector of Figure 114 shown in a partially fired configuration;

[0125] Figure 117 is a partial cross-sectional view of the end effector of Figure 114 shown in a fired configuration;

[0126] Figure 118 is a partial cross-sectional view of the end effector of Figure 114 illustrating a firing system of the surgical instrument in a retracted mode;

[0127] Figure 119 is a partial cross-sectional view of the end effector of Figure 114partial cross-sectional view of the end effector of FIG. 1 illustrating a portion of the firing system disengaged from a portion of the retracted staple firing system;

[0128] Figure 120 is Figure 114 a partial cross-sectional view of the end effector of FIG. 1 illustrating the end effector after being reopened;

[0129] Figure 121 is a partial exploded view of an end effector shown with some components removed in accordance with at least one embodiment;

[0130] Figure 122 is a partial cross-sectional view of an end effector of a surgical instrument including a staple cartridge in an unspent state in accordance with at least one embodiment;

[0131] Figure 123 is Figure 122 a partial cross-sectional view of the end effector of FIG. 1 illustrating a staple firing system of the surgical instrument in a pre-firing stroke configuration wherein a firing rod of the staple firing system is engaged with a sled / knife member of the staple firing system;

[0132] Figure 124 is a partial cross-sectional view of the end effector of FIG. 1 in a partially fired configuration wherein the staple firing system has advanced only past an unspent cartridge lockout of the stapling instrument; Figure 122

[0133] Figure 125 is Figure 122 a partial cross-sectional view of the end effector of FIG. 1 illustrating a retracted staple firing system;

[0134] Figure 126 is Figure 122 a partial cross-sectional view of the end effector of FIG. 1 illustrating a firing rod of the staple firing system disengaged from a sled during retraction of the staple firing system past the spent cartridge lockout;

[0135] Figure 127 is Figure 122 a partial cross-sectional view of the end effector of FIG. 1 illustrating a firing rod of the staple firing system in a fully retracted position wherein the staple cartridge is in a spent state;

[0136] Figure 128 is Figure 122 a partial cross-sectional view of the end effector of FIG. 1 illustrating a firing rod of the staple firing system blocked by a spent cartridge lockout because a spent staple cartridge has not been replaced with an unspent staple cartridge;

[0137] Figure 129 is a partial perspective view of a staple cartridge including a staple firing driver;

[0138] Figure 130 is Figure 129 ​partial plan view of a staple cartridge;

[0139] Figure 131 is in an unfired state Figure 129 partial perspective view of a staple firing driver of the surgical stapling instrument of

[0140] Figure 132 is in a partially fired state Figure 129 partial perspective view of a staple firing driver of the surgical stapling instrument of

[0141] Figure 133 is in a retracted state Figure 129 partial perspective view of a staple firing driver of the surgical stapling instrument of

[0142] Figure 134 is a partial perspective view of an end effector of a surgical instrument showing jaws of the end effector in an open position in accordance with at least one embodiment;

[0143] Figure 135 is a partial elevational view of an end effector of the surgical stapling instrument of Figure 134 showing a jaw closure lockout in a locked state and a staple firing lockout in a locked state due to the absence of an unfired staple cartridge seated in the end effector;

[0144] Figure 136 is a perspective view of a lockout assembly including Figure 135 a jaw closure lockout and a staple firing lockout of the surgical stapling instrument of

[0145] Figure 137 is a partial elevational view of an end effector of the surgical stapling instrument of Figure 134 showing a jaw closure lockout in an unlocked state and a staple firing lockout in an unlocked state due to the presence of an unfired staple cartridge seated in the end effector;

[0146] Figure 138 is a partial elevational view of an end effector of the surgical stapling instrument of Figure 134 showing a staple cartridge of Figure 137 in a partially fired state;

[0147] Figure 139 is a partial exploded view of a staple cartridge including a cartridge body and a sled in accordance with at least one embodiment;

[0148] Figure 140 is a partial cross-sectional view of a staple cartridge of the surgical stapling instrument of Figure 139 showing a sled in a proximal unfired position;

[0149] Figure 141 is a partial cross-sectional view of a staple cartridge of the surgical stapling instrument of Figure 139 showing a sled advancing distally and activating a spent cartridge lockout in the staple cartridge during a staple firing stroke;

[0150] Figure 142 is a partial cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge of Figure 139 showing the sled being advanced distally during a staple firing stroke and the spent cartridge lockout in an activated state;

[0151] Figure 143 is a partial cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge of Figure 139 showing the sled being retracted after a staple firing stroke and the spent cartridge lockout in an activated state to prevent the sled from returning to its proximal unfired position;

[0152] Figure 144 is a partial elevational view of an end effector of a surgical instrument comprising an anvil jaw and a staple cartridge jaw according to at least one embodiment shown in an open configuration;

[0153] Figure 144A is a partial cross-sectional view of the end effector of Figure 144 ;

[0154] Figure 145 shows the end effector of Figure 144 in a closed configuration;

[0155] Figure 145A is a detail view of the end effector of Figure 145 shown in a closed configuration; Figure 144

[0156] is a partial cross-sectional view of the end effector of Figure 146 shown in a closed configuration; Figure 145 Figure 144 is a front view of the end effector of

[0157] shown with the anvil jaw in an open position relative to the staple cartridge jaw; Figure 147 Figure 144 is a front view of the end effector of

[0158] shown with the anvil jaw in a parallel position relative to the staple cartridge jaw; Figure 148 Figure 144 is a front view of the end effector of

[0159] shown with the anvil jaw in an over-clamped position relative to the staple cartridge jaw; Figure 149 Figure 144 is a detail view of the end effector of

[0160] in a configuration; Figure 149A Figure 149 Figure 144 is a detail view of the end effector of in a configuration;

[0161] Figure 149B Figure 144 ​​detail view of the end effector of FIG. 1;

[0162] Figure 150 is a chart illustrating the displacement and load experienced by the end effector clamp system and the staple firing system of the surgical instrument of FIG. 1; Figure 144

[0163] Figure 151 is a front view of the end effector according to at least one embodiment;

[0164] Figure 152 is a front view of the end effector of FIG. 1 clamped onto patient tissue T; Figure 151

[0165] Figure 153 is a chart illustrating the displacement and load experienced by the end effector clamp system and the staple firing system of the surgical instrument of FIG. 1; Figure 151

[0166] Figure 154 is a perspective view of the articulation joint of the surgical instrument according to at least one embodiment;

[0167] Figure 155 is a perspective view of the articulation joint of the surgical instrument of FIG. 1 shown in an articulated configuration; Figure 154

[0168] is a partial perspective view of the articulation joint of the surgical instrument of FIG. 1 shown in an articulated configuration, wherein a portion of the articulation joint is hidden for illustrative purposes; Figure 156 Figure 154 is a perspective view of the articulation joint of the surgical instrument according to at least one embodiment;

[0169] Figure 157 is a partial perspective view of the articulation joint of the surgical instrument according to at least one embodiment;

[0170] Figure 158 is a perspective view of the articulation joint of the surgical instrument according to at least one embodiment;

[0171] Figure 159 is a side view of the articulation joint of the surgical instrument of FIG. 1 illustrating the firing member;

[0172] Figure 160 Figure 159 is a perspective view of a portion of the articulation joint of the surgical instrument of FIG. 1 illustrating the distal articulation lock;

[0173] Figure 161 is a perspective view of a portion of the articulation joint of the surgical instrument of FIG. 1 illustrating the distal articulation lock; Figure 159

[0174] Figure 162 ​​​​​​is a plan view of an articulation joint of a surgical instrument according to at least one embodiment;

[0175] Figure 163 is a perspective view of an articulation joint of a surgical instrument according to at least one embodiment;

[0176] Figure 164 is Figure 163 a perspective view of an articulation joint of a surgical instrument according to at least one embodiment, with portions of the articulation joint hidden for clarity;

[0177] Figure 165 is Figure 164 a perspective view of an articulation joint of a surgical instrument according to at least one embodiment, showing the articulation joint in an articulated configuration;

[0178] Figure 166 is Figure 163 a perspective view of an articulation joint of a surgical instrument according to at least one embodiment, with portions of the articulation joint hidden for clarity; and

[0179] Figure 167 is Figure 163 a plan view of an articulation joint of a surgical instrument according to at least one embodiment.

[0180] In several views, corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts. The examples described herein are shown by way of example in one form, and this example should not be construed as limiting the scope of the application in any manner. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0181] Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Patent Applications that were filed on even date herewith and which are each incorporated by reference herein in their respective entireties:

[0182] - Attorney Docket No. END9199USNP1 / 190434-1M, entitled METHOD FOR OPERATING A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT;

[0183] - Attorney Docket No. END9203USNP1 / 190438-1, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING A SEATING CAM;

[0184] - Attorney Docket No. END9204USNP1 / 190443-1, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A RAPID CLOSURE MECHANISM;

[0185] - Attorney Docket No. END9204USNP2 / 190443-2 entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A CLOSURE SYSTEM INCLUDING A CLOSURE MEMBER AND AN OPENING MEMBER DRIVEN BY A DRIVE SCREW;

[0186] - Attorney Docket No. END9204USNP3 / 190443-3 entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A NESTED FIRING MEMBER;

[0187] - Attorney Docket No. END9204USNP4 / 190443-4 entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING A DEPLOYABLE KNIFE;

[0188] - Attorney Docket No. END9204USNP5 / 190443-5 entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING A DETACHABLE TISSUE CUTTING KNIFE;

[0189] - Attorney Docket No. END9205USNP1 / 190448-1 entitled STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A CLAMP LOCKOUT AND A FIRING LOCKOUT;

[0190] - Attorney Docket No. END9205USNP2 / 190448-2 entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING A LATCH LOCKOUT;

[0191] - Attorney Docket No. END9200USNP1 / 190435-1 entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A POWERED ARTICULATION SYSTEM;

[0192] - Attorney Docket No. END9201USNP1 / 190436-1 entitled MOTOR DRIVEN SURGICAL INSTRUMENT;

[0193] - Attorney Docket No. END9202USNP1 / 190437-1, entitled STAPLING INSTRUMENT COMPRISING INDEPENDENT JAW CLOSING AND STAPLE FIRING SYSTEMS;

[0194] - Attorney Docket No. END9203USNP2 / 190438-2, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING DRIVER RETENTION MEMBERS;

[0195] - Attorney Docket No. END9203USNP4 / 190438-4, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING PROJECTIONS EXTENDING FROM A CURVED DECK SURFACE; and

[0196] - Attorney Docket No. END9203USNP5 / 190438-5, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING A CURVED DECK SURFACE.

[0197] Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Patent Applications that were filed on March 25, 2019 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

[0198] - U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 182,930, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH ARTICULATING PROXIMAL PORTION;

[0199] - U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 182,930, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH ARTICULATING PROXIMAL PORTION;

[0200] - U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 182,930, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH ARTICULATING PROXIMAL PORTION; and

[0201] - U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 182,930, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH ARTICULATING PROXIMAL PORTION.

[0202] Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Patent Applications that were filed on June 30, 2019 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

[0203] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 458,104, entitled METHOD FOR AUTHENTICATING THE COMPATIBILITY OF A STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT;

[0204] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 458,108, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM COMPRISING AN RFID SYSTEM;

[0205] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 458,111, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN RFID SYSTEM FOR TRACKING A MOVABLE COMPONENT;

[0206] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 458,114, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ALIGNED RFID SENSOR;

[0207] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 458,105, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM HAVING AN INFORMATION DECRYPTION PROTOCOL;

[0208] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 458,110, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM HAVING AN INFORMATION ENCRYPTION PROTOCOL;

[0209] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 458,120, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM HAVING A LOCKOUT MECHANISM FOR AN INCOMPATIBLE CARTRIDGE;

[0210] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 458,125, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM HAVING A FRANGIBLE RFID TAG;

[0211] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 458,103, entitled PACKAGING FOR A REPLACEABLE COMPONENT OF A SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM.

[0212] Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Patent Applications that were filed on June 30, 2019 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

[0213] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 458,107, entitled METHOD OF USING MULTIPLE RFID CHIPS WITH A SURGICAL ASSEMBLY;

[0214] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 458,109, entitled MECHANISMS FOR PROPER ANVIL ATTACHMENT SURGICAL STAPLING HEAD ASSEMBLY;

[0215] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 458,119, entitled MECHANISMS FOR MOTOR CONTROL ADJUSTMENTS OF A MOTORIZED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT;

[0216] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 458,115, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH BATTERY COMPATIBILITY VERIFICATION FUNCTIONALITY;

[0217] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 458,117, entitled SURGICAL SYSTEM WITH RFID TAGS FOR UPDATING MOTOR ASSEMBLY PARAMETERS;

[0218] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 458,121, entitled SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH MULTIPLE RFID TAGS;

[0219] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 209,395, entitled METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION;

[0220] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 209,395, entitled METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION;

[0221] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 209,395, entitled METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION;

[0222] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 209,395, entitled METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION;

[0223] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 209,395, entitled METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION.

[0224] Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Patent Applications that were filed on December 4, 2018 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

[0225] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 209,385, entitled METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION, PROCESSING, STORAGE AND DISPLAY;

[0226] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 209,395, entitled METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION;

[0227] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 209,403, entitled METHOD OF CLOUD BASED DATA ANALYTICS FOR USE WITH THE HUB;

[0228] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 209,407, entitled METHOD OF ROBOTIC HUB COMMUNICATION, DETECTION, AND CONTROL;

[0229] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 209,416, entitled METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION, PROCESSING, DISPLAY, AND CLOUD ANALYTICS;

[0230] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 209,423, entitled METHOD OF COMPRESSING TISSUE WITHIN A STAPLING DEVICE AND SIMULTANEOUSLY DISPLAYING THE LOCATION OF THE TISSUE WITHIN THE JAWS;

[0231] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 209,427, entitled METHOD OF USING REINFORCED FLEXIBLE CIRCUITS WITH MULTIPLE SENSORS TO OPTIMIZE PERFORMANCE OF RADIO FREQUENCY DEVICES;

[0232] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 209,433, entitled METHOD OF SENSING PARTICULATE FROM SMOKE EVACUATED FROM A PATIENT, ADJUSTING THE PUMP SPEED BASED ON THE SENSED INFORMATION, AND COMMUNICATING THE FUNCTIONAL PARAMETERS OF THE SYSTEM TO THE HUB;

[0233] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 209,447, entitled METHOD FOR SMOKE EVACUATION FOR SURGICAL HUB;

[0234] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 209,453, entitled METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SMART ENERGY DEVICES;

[0235] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 209,458, entitled METHOD FOR SMART ENERGY DEVICE INFRASTRUCTURE;

[0236] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 209,465, entitled METHOD FOR ADAPTIVE CONTROL SCHEMES FOR SURGICAL NETWORK CONTROL AND INTERACTION;

[0237] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 209,478, entitled METHOD FOR SITUATIONAL AWARENESS FOR SURGICAL NETWORK OR SURGICAL NETWORK CONNECTED DEVICE CAPABLE OF ADJUSTING FUNCTION BASED ON AN ESSENTIAL SITUATION OR USAGE;

[0238] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 209,490, entitled METHOD FOR FACILITY DATA COLLECTION AND INTERPRETATION; and

[0239] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 209,491, entitled METHOD FOR CIRCULAR STAPLER CONTROL ALGORITHM ADJUSTMENT BASED ON SITUATIONAL AWARENESS.

[0240] Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Patent Applications that were filed on June 26, 2019 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

[0241] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 453,273, entitled METHOD FOR PROVIDING AN AUTHENTICATION LOCKOUT IN A SURGICAL STAPLER WITH A REPLACEABLE CARTRIDGE;

[0242] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 453,283, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING ASSEMBLY WITH CARTRIDGE BASED RETAINER CONFIGURED TO UNLOCK A FIRING LOCKOUT;

[0243] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 453,289, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING ASSEMBLY WITH CARTRIDGE BASED RETAINER CONFIGURED TO UNLOCK A CLOSURE LOCKOUT;

[0244] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 453,302, entitled UNIVERSAL CARTRIDGE BASED KEY FEATURE THAT UNLOCKS MULTIPLE LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS IN DIFFERENT SURGICAL STAPLERS;

[0245] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 453,310, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE RETAINERS WITH FRANGIBLE RETENTION FEATURES AND METHODS OF USING SAME;

[0246] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 453,330, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE RETAINER WITH FRANGIBLE AUTHENTICATION KEY;

[0247] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 453,335, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE RETAINER WITH RETRACTABLE AUTHENTICATION KEY;

[0248] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 453,343, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE RETAINER SYSTEM WITH AUTHENTICATION KEYS;

[0249] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 453,355, entitled INSERTABLE DEACTIVATOR ELEMENT FOR SURGICAL STAPLER LOCKOUTS;

[0250] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 453,369, entitled DUAL CAM CARTRIDGE BASED FEATURE FOR UNLOCKING A SURGICAL STAPLER LOCKOUT;

[0251] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 453,391, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGES WITH CAM SURFACES CONFIGURED TO ENGAGE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY PORTIONS OF A LOCKOUT OF A SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICE;

[0252] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 453,413, entitled SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGES WITH MOVABLE AUTHENTICATION KEY ARRANGEMENTS;

[0253] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 453,423, entitled DEACTIVATOR ELEMENT FOR DEFEATING SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICE LOCKOUTS; and

[0254] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 453,429, entitled SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGES WITH INTEGRAL AUTHENTICATION KEYS.

[0255] Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Design Patent Applications that were filed on June 25, 2019 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their entirety:

[0256] U.S. Design Patent Application Serial No. 29 / 696,066, entitled SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGE RETAINER WITH FIRING SYSTEM AUTHENTICATION KEY;

[0257] U.S. Design Patent Application Serial No. 29 / 696,067, entitled SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGE RETAINER WITH CLOSURE SYSTEM AUTHENTICATION KEY; and

[0258] U.S. Design Patent Application Serial No. 29 / 696,072, entitled SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGE.

[0259] Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Patent Applications that were filed on February 21, 2019 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their entirety:

[0260] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 281,658, entitled METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A POWERED SURGICAL STAPLER THAT HAS SEPARATE ROTARY CLOSURE AND FIRING SYSTEMS;

[0261] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 281,670, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING A LOCKOUT KEY CONFIGURED TO LIFT A FIRING MEMBER;

[0262] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 281,675, entitled SURGICAL STAPLERS WITH ARRANGEMENTS FOR MAINTAINING A FIRING MEMBER THEREOF IN A LOCKED CONFIGURATION UNLESS A COMPATIBLE CARTRIDGE HAS BEEN INSTALLED THEREIN;

[0263] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 281,685, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING CO-OPERATING LOCKOUT FEATURES;

[0264] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 281,693, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LOCKOUT AND AN EXTERIOR ACCESS ORIFICE TO PERMIT ARTIFICIAL UNLOCKING OF THE LOCKOUT;

[0265] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 281,704, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES WITH FEATURES FOR BLOCKING ADVANCEMENT OF A CAMMING ASSEMBLY OF AN INCOMPATIBLE CARTRIDGE INSTALLED THEREIN;

[0266] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 281,707, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A DEACTIVATABLE LOCKOUT;

[0267] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 281,741, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A JAW CLOSURE LOCKOUT;

[0268] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 281,762, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES WITH CARTRIDGE COMPATIBLE CLOSURE AND FIRING LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS;

[0269] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 281,660, entitled SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH FIRING MEMBER DRIVEN CAMMING ASSEMBLY THAT HAS AN ONBOARD TISSUE CUTTING FEATURE;

[0270] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 281,666, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES WITH IMPROVED ROTARY DRIVEN CLOSURE SYSTEMS;

[0271] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 281,672, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES WITH ASYMMETRIC CLOSURE FEATURES;

[0272] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 281,678, entitled ROTARY DRIVEN FIRING MEMBERS WITH DIFFERENT ANVIL AND FRAME ENGAGEMENT FEATURES; and

[0273] U.S. Patent Application Serial 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.

[0274] Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Provisional Patent Applications that were filed on March 28, 2018 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

[0275] U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62 / 649,302, entitled INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH ENCRYPTED COMMUNICATION CAPABILITIES;

[0276] U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62 / 649,294, entitled DATA STRIPPING METHOD TO INTERROGATE PATIENT RECORDS AND CREATE ANONYMIZED RECORD;

[0277] U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62 / 649,300, entitled SURGICAL HUB SITUATIONAL AWARENESS;

[0278] U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62 / 649,309, entitled SURGICAL HUB SPATIAL AWARENESS TO DETERMINE DEVICES IN OPERATING THEATER;

[0279] U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62 / 649,310, entitled COMPUTER IMPLEMENTED INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS;

[0280] U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62 / 649,291, entitled USE OF LASER LIGHT AND RED-GREEN-BLUE COLORATION TO DETERMINE PROPERTIES OF BACK SCATTERED LIGHT;

[0281] U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62 / 649,296, entitled ADAPTIVE CONTROL PROGRAM UPDATES FOR SURGICAL DEVICES;

[0282] U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62 / 649,333, entitled CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR CUSTOMIZATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO A USER;

[0283] U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62 / 649,327, entitled CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR SECURITY AND AUTHENTICATION TRENDS AND REACTIVE MEASURES;

[0284] U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62 / 649,315, entitled DATA HANDLING AND PRIORITIZATION IN A CLOUD ANALYTICS NETWORK;

[0285] U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62 / 649,313, entitled CLOUD INTERFACE FOR COUPLED SURGICAL DEVICES;

[0286] U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62 / 649,320, entitled DRIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS;

[0287] U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62 / 649,307, entitled AUTOMATIC TOOL ADJUSTMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS; and

[0288] U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62 / 649,323, entitled SENSING ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS.

[0289] Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Provisional Patent Applications that were filed on March 30, 2018 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their entirety:

[0290] U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62 / 650,887, entitled SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH OPTIMIZED SENSING CAPABILITIES.

[0291] Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Patent Application that was filed on December 4, 2018, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety:

[0292] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 209,423, entitled METHOD OF COMPRESSING TISSUE WITHIN A STAPLING DEVICE AND SIMULTANEOUSLY DISPLAYING THE LOCATION OF THE TISSUE WITHIN THE JAWS.

[0293] Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Patent Applications that were filed on August 20, 2018 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their entirety:

[0294] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 105,101, entitled METHOD FOR FABRICATING SURGICAL STAPLER ANVILS;

[0295] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 105,183, entitled REINFORCED DEFORMABLE ANVIL TIP FOR SURGICAL STAPLER ANVIL;

[0296] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 105,150, entitled SURGICAL STAPLER ANVILS WITH STAPLE DIRECTING PROTRUSIONS AND TISSUE STABILITY FEATURES;

[0297] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 105,098, entitled FABRICATING TECHNIQUES FOR SURGICAL STAPLER ANVILS;

[0298] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 105,140, entitled SURGICAL STAPLER ANVILS WITH TISSUE STOP FEATURES CONFIGURED TO AVOID TISSUE PINCH;

[0299] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 105,081, entitled METHOD FOR OPERATING A POWERED ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT;

[0300] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 105,094, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH PROGRESSIVE JAW CLOSURE ARRANGEMENTS;

[0301] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 105,097, entitled POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CLUTCHING ARRANGEMENTS TO CONVERT LINEAR DRIVE MOTIONS TO ROTARY DRIVE MOTIONS;

[0302] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 105,104, entitled POWERED ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CLUTCHING AND LOCKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR LINKING AN ARTICULATION DRIVE SYSTEM TO A FIRING DRIVE SYSTEM;

[0303] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 105,119, entitled ARTICULATABLE MOTOR POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH DEDICATED ARTICULATION MOTOR ARRANGEMENTS;

[0304] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 105,160, entitled SWITCHING ARRANGEMENTS FOR MOTOR POWERED ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS; and

[0305] U.S. Design Patent Application Serial No. 29 / 660,252, entitled SURGICAL STAPLER ANVILS.

[0306] Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Patent Applications that were filed on August 3, 2017 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their entirety:

[0307] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 668,324, entitled SURGICAL SYSTEM SHAFT INTERCONNECTION;

[0308] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 668,301, entitled SURGICAL SYSTEM BAILOUT; and

[0309] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 668,319, entitled SURGICAL SYSTEM COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION BAILOUT.

[0310] Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Patent Applications that were filed on June 28, 2017 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their entirety:

[0311] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 635,693, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN OFFSET ARTICULATION JOINT;

[0312] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 635,729, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION SYSTEM RATIO;

[0313] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 635,785, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION SYSTEM RATIO;

[0314] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 635,808, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING FIRING MEMBER SUPPORTS;

[0315] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 635,837, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION SYSTEM LOCKABLE TO A FRAME;

[0316] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 635,941, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION SYSTEM LOCKABLE BY A CLOSURE SYSTEM;

[0317] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 636,029, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A SHAFT INCLUDING A HOUSING ARRANGEMENT;

[0318] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 635,958, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING SELECTIVELY ACTUATABLE ROTATABLE COUPLERS;

[0319] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 635,981, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS COMPRISING SHORTENED STAPLE CARTRIDGE NOSES;

[0320] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 636,009, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A SHAFT INCLUDING A CLOSURE TUBE PROFILE;

[0321] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 635,663, entitled METHOD FOR ARTICULATING A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT;

[0322] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 635,530, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTOR WITH AXIALLY SHORTENED ARTICULATION JOINT CONFIGURATIONS;

[0323] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 635,549, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OPEN AND CLOSABLE JAWS AND AXIALLY MOVABLE FIRING MEMBER THAT IS INITIALLY PARKED IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE JAWS PRIOR TO FIRING;

[0324] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 635,559, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH JAWS CONSTRAINED TO PIVOT ABOUT AN AXIS UPON CONTACT WITH A CLOSURE MEMBER THAT IS PARKED IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE PIVOT AXIS;

[0325] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 635,578, entitled SURGICAL END EFFECTORS WITH IMPROVED JAW APERTURE ARRANGEMENTS;

[0326] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 635,594, entitled SURGICAL CUTTING AND FASTENING DEVICES WITH PIVOTABLE ANVIL WITH A TISSUE LOCATING ARRANGEMENT IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO AN ANVIL PIVOT AXIS;

[0327] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 635,612, entitled JAW RETAINER ARRANGEMENT FOR RETAINING A PIVOTABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT JAW IN PIVOTABLE RETAINING ENGAGEMENT WITH A SECOND SURGICAL INSTRUMENT JAW;

[0328] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 635,621, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH POSITIVE JAW OPENING FEATURES;

[0329] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 635,631, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH AXIALLY MOVABLE CLOSURE MEMBER;

[0330] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 635,521, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENT;

[0331] U.S. Design Patent Application Serial No. 29 / 609,083, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SHAFT;

[0332] U.S. Design Patent Application Serial No. 29 / 609,087, entitled SURGICAL FORMING ANVI;

[0333] U.S. Design Patent Application Serial No. 29 / 609,093, entitled SURGICAL FASTENER CARTRIDGE;

[0334] U.S. Design Patent Application Serial No. 29 / 609,121, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT;

[0335] U.S. Design Patent Application Serial No. 29 / 609,125, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT;

[0336] U.S. Design Patent Application Serial No. 29 / 609,128, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT; and

[0337] U.S. Design Patent Application Serial No. 29 / 609,129, entitled DISPLAY SCREEN PORTION OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING A GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE.

[0338] Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Patent Applications that were filed on June 27, 2017 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

[0339] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 634,024, entitled SURGICAL ANVIL MANUFACTURING METHODS;

[0340] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 634,035, entitled SURGICAL ANVIL ARRANGEMENTS;

[0341] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 634,046, entitled SURGICAL ANVIL ARRANGEMENTS;

[0342] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 634,054, entitled SURGICAL ANVIL ARRANGEMENTS;

[0343] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 634,068, entitled SURGICAL FIRING MEMBER ARRANGEMENTS;

[0344] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 634,076, entitled STAPLE FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENTS;

[0345] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 634,090, entitled STAPLE FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENTS;

[0346] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 634,099, entitled SURGICAL END EFFECTORS AND ANVILS; and

[0347] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 634,117, entitled ARTICULATION SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS.

[0348] Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Patent Applications that were filed on December 31, 2015 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

[0349] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 386,185, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS AND REPLACEABLE TOOL ASSEMBLIES THEREOF;

[0350] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 386,230, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS;

[0351] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 386,221, entitled LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL END EFFECTORS;

[0352] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 386,209, entitled SURGICAL END EFFECTORS AND FIRING MEMBERS THEREOF;

[0353] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 386,198, entitled LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL END EFFECTORS AND REPLACEABLE TOOL ASSEMBLIES;

[0354] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 386,240, entitled SURGICAL END EFFECTORS AND ADAPTABLE FIRING MEMBERS THEREFOR;

[0355] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,939, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGES AND ARRANGEMENTS OF STAPLES AND STAPLE CAVITIES THEREIN;

[0356] U.S. Patent Application Serial 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;

[0357] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,943, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS AND STAPLE-FORMING ANVILS;

[0358] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,950, entitled SURGICAL TOOL ASSEMBLIES WITH CLOSURE STROKE REDUCTION FEATURES;

[0359] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,945, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGES AND ARRANGEMENTS OF STAPLES AND STAPLE CAVITIES THEREIN;

[0360] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,946, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS AND STAPLE-FORMING ANVILS;

[0361] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,951, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH JAW OPENING FEATURES FOR INCREASING A JAW OPENING DISTANCE;

[0362] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,953, entitled METHODS OF STAPLING TISSUE;

[0363] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,954, entitled FIRING MEMBERS WITH NON-PARALLEL JAW ENGAGEMENT FEATURES FOR SURGICAL END EFFECTORS;

[0364] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,955, entitled SURGICAL END EFFECTORS WITH EXPANDABLE TISSUE STOP ARRANGEMENTS;

[0365] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,948, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS AND STAPLE-FORMING ANVILS;

[0366] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,956, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH POSITIVE JAW OPENING FEATURES;

[0367] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,958, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR PREVENTING FIRING SYSTEM ACTUATION UNLESS AN UNSPENT STAPLE CARTRIDGE IS PRESENT;

[0368] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,947, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGES AND ARRANGEMENTS OF STAPLES AND STAPLE CAVITIES THEREIN;

[0369] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,896, entitled METHOD FOR RESETTING A FUSE OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SHAFT;

[0370] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,898, entitled STAPLE FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENT TO ACCOMMODATE DIFFERENT TYPES OF STAPLES;

[0371] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,899, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING IMPROVED JAW CONTROL;

[0372] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,901, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE AND STAPLE CARTRIDGE CHANNEL COMPRISING WINDOWS DEFINED THEREIN;

[0373] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,902, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A CUTTING MEMBER;

[0374] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,904, entitled STAPLE FIRING MEMBER COMPRISING A MISSING CARTRIDGE AND / OR SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT;

[0375] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,905, entitled FIRING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LOCKOUT;

[0376] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,907, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM COMPRISING AN END EFFECTOR LOCKOUT AND A FIRING ASSEMBLY LOCKOUT;

[0377] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,908, entitled FIRING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A FUSE;

[0378] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,909, entitled FIRING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A MULTIPLE FAILED-STATE FUSE;

[0379] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,920, entitled STAPLE FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENTS;

[0380] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,913, entitled ANVIL ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL STAPLE / FASTENERS;

[0381] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,914, entitled METHOD OF DEFORMING STAPLES FROM TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF STAPLE CARTRIDGES WITH THE SAME SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT;

[0382] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,893, entitled BILATERALLY ASYMMETRIC STAPLE FORMING POCKET PAIRS;

[0383] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,929, entitled CLOSURE MEMBERS WITH CAM SURFACE ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH SEPARATE AND DISTINCT CLOSURE AND FIRING SYSTEMS;

[0384] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,911, entitled SURGICAL STAPLE / FASTENERS WITH INDEPENDENTLY ACTUATABLE CLOSING AND FIRING SYSTEMS;

[0385] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,927, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH SMART STAPLE CARTRIDGES;

[0386] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,917, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING STAPLES WITH DIFFERENT CLAMPING BREADTHS;

[0387] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,900, entitled STAPLE FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENTS COMPRISING PRIMARY SIDEWALLS AND POCKET SIDEWALLS;

[0388] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 386,188, entitled STEPPED STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH ASYMMETRICAL STAPLES;

[0389] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 386,188, entitled STEPPED STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH ASYMMETRICAL STAPLES;

[0390] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 386,188, entitled STEPPED STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH ASYMMETRICAL STAPLES;

[0391] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 386,188, entitled STEPPED STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH ASYMMETRICAL STAPLES;

[0392] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 386,188, entitled STEPPED STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH ASYMMETRICAL STAPLES;

[0393] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 386,188, entitled STEPPED STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH ASYMMETRICAL STAPLES;

[0394] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 386,188, entitled STEPPED STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH ASYMMETRICAL STAPLES;

[0395] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 386,188, entitled STEPPED STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH ASYMMETRICAL STAPLES;

[0396] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 386,188, entitled STEPPED STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH ASYMMETRICAL STAPLES;

[0397] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 386,192, entitled STEPPED STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH TISSUE RETENTION AND GAP SETTING FEATURES;

[0398] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 386,206, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH DEFORMABLE DRIVER RETENTION FEATURES;

[0399] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 386,226, entitled DURABILITY FEATURES FOR END EFFECTORS AND FIRING ASSEMBLIES OF SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS;

[0400] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 386,222, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS HAVING END EFFECTORS WITH POSITIVE OPENING FEATURES; U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 386,236, entitled CONNECTION PORTIONS FOR DEPOSABLE LOADING UNITS FOR SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS;

[0401] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,887, entitled METHOD FOR ATTACHING A SHAFT ASSEMBLY TO A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT AND, ALTERNATIVELY, TO A SURGICAL ROBOT;

[0402] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,889, entitled SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A MANUALLY-OPERABLE RETRACTION SYSTEM FOR USE WITH A MOTORIZED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM;

[0403] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,890, entitled SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING SEPARATELY ACTUATABLE AND RETRACTABLE SYSTEMS;

[0404] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,891, entitled SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A CLUTCH CONFIGURED TO ADAPT THE OUTPUT OF A ROTARY FIRING MEMBER TO TWO DIFFERENT SYSTEMS;

[0405] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,892, entitled SURGICAL SYSTEM COMPRISING A FIRING MEMBER ROTATABLE INTO AN ARTICULATION STATE TO ARTICULATE AN END EFFECTOR OF THE SURGICAL SYSTEM;

[0406] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,894, entitled SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LOCKOUT;

[0407] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,895, entitled SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING FIRST AND SECOND ARTICULATION LOCKOUTS;

[0408] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,916, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS;

[0409] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,918, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS;

[0410] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,919, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS;

[0411] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,921, entitled SURGICAL STAPLE / FASTENER CARTRIDGE WITH MOVABLE CAMMING MEMBER CONFIGURED TO DISENGAGE FIRING MEMBER LOCKOUT FEATURES;

[0412] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,923, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS;

[0413] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,925, entitled JAW ACTUATED LOCK ARRANGEMENTS FOR PREVENTING ADVANCEMENT OF A FIRING MEMBER IN A SURGICAL END EFFECTOR UNLESS AN UNFIRED CARTRIDGE IS INSTALLED IN THE END EFFECTOR;

[0414] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,926, entitled AXIALLY MOVABLE CLOSURE SYSTEM ARRANGEMENTS FOR APPLYING CLOSURE MOTIONS TO JAWS OF SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS;

[0415] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,928, entitled PROTECTIVE COVER ARRANGEMENTS FOR A JOINT INTERFACE BETWEEN A MOVABLE JAW AND ACTUATOR SHAFT OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT;

[0416] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,930, entitled SURGICAL END EFFECTOR WITH TWO SEPARATE COOPERATING OPENING FEATURES FOR OPENING AND CLOSING END EFFECTOR JAWS;

[0417] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,932, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL END EFFECTOR WITH ASYMMETRIC SHAFT ARRANGEMENT;

[0418] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,933, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH INDEPENDENT PIVOTABLE LINKAGE DISTAL OF AN ARTICULATION LOCK;

[0419] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,934, entitled ARTICULATION LOCK ARRANGEMENTS FOR LOCKING AN END EFFECTOR IN AN ARTICULATED POSITION IN RESPONSE TO ACTUATION OF A JAW CLOSURE SYSTEM;

[0420] 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; and

[0421] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 385,936, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATION STROKE AMPLIFICATION FEATURES.

[0422] Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Patent Applications that were filed on June 24, 2016 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their entirety:

[0423] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 191,775, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING WIRE STAPLES AND STAMPED STAPLES;

[0424] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 191,807, entitled STAPLING SYSTEM FOR USE WITH WIRE STAPLES AND STAMPED STAPLES;

[0425] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 191,834, entitled STAMPED STAPLES AND STAPLE CARTRIDGES USING THE SAME;

[0426] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 191,788, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING OVERDRIVEN STAPLES; and

[0427] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 191,818, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING OFFSET LONGITUDINAL STAPLE ROWS.

[0428] Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Patent Applications that were filed on June 24, 2016 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their entirety:

[0429] U.S. Design Patent Application Serial No. 29 / 569,218, entitled SURGICAL FASTENER;

[0430] U.S. Design Patent Application Serial No. 29 / 569,227, entitled SURGICAL FASTENER;

[0431] U.S. Design Patent Application Serial No. 29 / 569,259, entitled SURGICAL FASTENER CARTRIDGE; and

[0432] U.S. Design Patent Application Serial No. 29 / 569,264, entitled SURGICAL FASTENER CARTRIDGE.

[0433] Applicant of the present application owns the following patent applications that were filed on April 1, 2016 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their entirety:

[0434] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 089,325, entitled METHOD FOR OPERATING A SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM;

[0435] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 089,321, entitled MODULAR SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A DISPLAY;

[0436] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 089,326, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A DISPLAY INCLUDING A RE-ORIENTABLE DISPLAY FIELD;

[0437] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 089,263, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HANDLE ASSEMBLY WITH RECONFIGURABLE GRIP PORTION;

[0438] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 089,262, entitled ROTARY POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MANUALLY ACTUATABLE BAILOUT SYSTEM;

[0439] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 089,277, entitled SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING END EFFECTOR WITH ANVIL CONCENTRIC DRIVE MEMBER;

[0440] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 089,296, entitled INTERCHANGEABLE SURGICAL TOOL ASSEMBLY WITH A SURGICAL END EFFECTOR THAT IS SELECTIVELY ROTATABLE ABOUT A SHAFT AXIS;

[0441] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 089,258, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A SHIFTABLE TRANSMISSION; U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 089,278, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM CONFIGURED TO PROVIDE SELECTIVE CUTTING OF TISSUE;

[0442] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 089,284, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A CONTOURABLE SHAFT;

[0443] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 089,295, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A TISSUE COMPRESSION LOCKOUT;

[0444] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 089,300, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING AN UNCLAMPING LOCKOUT;

[0445] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 089,196, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A JAW CLOSURE LOCKOUT;

[0446] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 089,203, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A JAW ATTACHMENT LOCKOUT;

[0447] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 089,210, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT;

[0448] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 089,324, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A SHIFTING MECHANISM;

[0449] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 089,335, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT COMPRISING MULTIPLE LOCKOUTS;

[0450] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 089,339, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT;

[0451] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 089,253, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM CONFIGURED TO APPLY ANNULAR ROWS OF STAPLES HAVING DIFFERENT HEIGHTS;

[0452] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 089,304, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A ROOVED FORMING POCKET;

[0453] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 089,331, entitled ANVIL MODIFICATION MEMBERS FOR SURGICAL STAPLE / FASTENERS;

[0454] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 089,336, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGES WITH ATRAUMATIC FEATURES;

[0455] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 089,312, entitled CIRCULAR STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING AN INCISABLE TISSUE SUPPORT;

[0456] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 089,309, entitled CIRCULAR STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING ROTARY FIRING SYSTEM; and

[0457] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 089,349, entitled CIRCULAR STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING LOAD CONTROL.

[0458] Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Patent Applications that were filed on December 31, 2015 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

[0459] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 984,488, entitled MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR BATTERY PACK FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS;

[0460] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 984,525, entitled MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS; and

[0461] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 984,552, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH SEPARABLE MOTORS AND MOTOR CONTROL CIRCUITS.

[0462] Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Patent Applications that were filed on February 9, 2016 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their entirety:

[0463] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 019,220, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH ARTICULATING AND AXIALLY TRANSLATABLE END EFFECTOR;

[0464] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 019,228, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH MULTIPLE LINK ARTICULATION ARRANGEMENTS;

[0465] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 019,196, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ARTICULATION MECHANISM WITH SLOTTED SECONDARY CONSTRAINT;

[0466] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 019,206, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH AN END EFFECTOR THAT IS HIGHLY ARTICULATABLE RELATIVE TO AN ELONGATE SHAFT ASSEMBLY;

[0467] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 019,215, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH NON-SYMMETRICAL ARTICULATION ARRANGEMENTS;

[0468] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 019,227, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH SINGLE ARTICULATION LINK ARRANGEMENTS;

[0469] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 019,235, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH TENSIONING ARRANGEMENTS FOR CABLE DRIVEN ARTICULATION SYSTEMS;

[0470] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 019,230, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-AXIS FIRING BEAM ARRANGEMENTS; and

[0471] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 019,245, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CLOSURE STROKE REDUCTION ARRANGEMENTS.

[0472] Applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. Patent Applications that were filed on February 12, 2016 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their entirety:

[0473] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 043,254, entitled MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS;

[0474] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 043,259, entitled MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS;

[0475] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 043,275, entitled MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS; and

[0476] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 043,289, entitled MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS.

[0477] Applicant of the present application owns the following patent applications that were filed on June 18, 2015 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their entirety:

[0478] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 742,925, entitled SURGICAL END EFFECTORS WITH POSITIVE JAW OPENING ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Patent 10,182,818;

[0479] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 742,941, entitled SURGICAL END EFFECTORS WITH DUAL CAM ACTUATED JAW CLOSING FEATURES, now U.S. Patent 10,052,102;

[0480] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 742,914, entitled MOVABLE FIRING BEAM SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent 10,405,863;

[0481] U.S. Patent Application Serial 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 10,335,149;

[0482] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 742,885, entitled DUAL ARTICULATION DRIVE SYSTEM ARRANGEMENTS FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent 10,368,861 ; and

[0483] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 640,746, entitled POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent 9,808,246;

[0484] Applicant of the present application owns the following patent applications that were filed on March 6, 2015 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their entirety:

[0485] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 640,746, entitled POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent 9,808,246;

[0486] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 640,795, entitled MULTIPLE LEVEL THRESHOLDS TO MODIFY OPERATION OF POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent 10,441,279;

[0487] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 640,832, entitled ADAPTIVE TISSUE COMPRESSION TECHNIQUES TO ADJUST CLOSURE RATES FOR MULTIPLE TISSUE TYPES, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0256154;

[0488] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 640,935, entitled OVERLAID MULTI SENSOR RADIO FREQUENCY (RF) ELECTRODE SYSTEM TO MEASURE TISSUE COMPRESSION, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0256071;

[0489] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 640,831, entitled MONITORING SPEED CONTROL AND PRECISION INCREMENTING OF MOTOR FOR POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent 9,985,148;

[0490] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 640,859, entitled TIME DEPENDENT EVALUATION OF SENSOR DATA TO DETERMINE STABILITY, CREEP, AND VISCOELASTIC ELEMENTS OF MEASURES, now U.S. Patent 10,052,044;

[0491] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 640,817, entitled INTERACTIVE FEEDBACK SYSTEM FOR POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 9,924,961 ;

[0492] U.S. Patent Application Serial 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;

[0493] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 640,837, entitled SMART SENSORS WITH LOCAL SIGNAL PROCESSING, now U.S. Patent 9,993,248;

[0494] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 640,765, entitled SYSTEM FOR DETECTING THE MIS-INSERTION OF A STAPLE CARTRIDGE INTO A SURGICAL STAPLE / FASTENER, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0256160;

[0495] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 640,799, entitled SIGNAL AND POWER COMMUNICATION SYSTEM POSITIONED ON A ROTATABLE SHAFT, now U.S. Patent 9,901,342; and

[0496] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 640,780, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A LOCKABLE BATTERY HOUSING, now U.S. Patent 10,245,033.

[0497] Applicant of the present application owns the following patent applications that were filed on February 27, 2015 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their entirety:

[0498] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 633,576, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM COMPRISING AN INSPECTION STATION, now U.S. Patent 10,045,779;

[0499] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 633,546, entitled SURGICAL APPARATUS CONFIGURED TO ASSESS WHETHER A PERFORMANCE PARAMETER OF THE SURGICAL APPARATUS IS WITHIN AN ACCEPTABLE PERFORMANCE BAND, now U.S. Patent 10,180,463;

[0500] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 633,560, entitled SURGICAL CHARGING SYSTEM THAT CHARGES AND / OR CONDITIONS ONE OR MORE BATTERIES, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0249910;

[0501] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 633,566, entitled CHARGING SYSTEM THAT ENABLES EMERGENCY RESOLUTIONS FOR CHARGING A BATTERY, now U.S. Patent 10,182,816;

[0502] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 633,555, entitled SYSTEM FOR MONITORING WHETHER A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT NEEDS TO BE SERVICED, now U.S. Patent 10,321,907;

[0503] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 633,542, entitled REINFORCED BATTERY FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent No. 9,931,1 18;

[0504] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 633,548, entitled POWER ADAPTER FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent No. 10,245,028;

[0505] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 633,526, entitled ADAPTABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HANDLE, now U.S. Patent No. 9,993,258;

[0506] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 633,541, entitled MODULAR STAPLING ASSEMBLY, now U.S. Patent No. 10,226,250; and

[0507] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 633,562, entitled SURGICAL APPARATUS CONFIGURED TO TRACK AN END-OF-LIFE PARAMETER, now U.S. Patent No. 10,159,483.

[0508] Applicant of the present application owns the following patent applications that were filed on December 18, 2014 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their entirety:

[0509] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 574,478, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS COMPRISING AN ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTOR AND MEANS FOR ADJUSTING THE FIRING STROKE OF A FIRING MEMBER, now U.S. Patent No. 9,844,374;

[0510] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 574,483, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING LOCKABLE SYSTEMS, now U.S. Patent No. 10,188,385;

[0511] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 575,139, entitled DRIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent 9,844,375;

[0512] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 575,148, entitled LOCKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR DETACHABLE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES WITH ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL END EFFECTORS, now U.S. Patent 10,085,748;

[0513] U.S. Patent Application Serial 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 10,245,027;

[0514] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 575,143, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH IMPROVED CLOSURE ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Patent 10,004,501;

[0515] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 575,117, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTORS AND MOVABLE FIRING BEAM SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Patent 9,943,309;

[0516] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 575,154, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTORS AND IMPROVED FIRING BEAM SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Patent 9,968,355;

[0517] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 633,576, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION MECHANISM, now U.S. Patent No. 9,971,626;

[0518] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 633,576, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION MECHANISM, now U.S. Patent No. 9,971,626;

[0519] Applicant of the present application owns the following patent applications that were filed on March 1, 2013 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their entirety:

[0520] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 782,295, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CONDUCTIVE PATHWAYS FOR SIGNAL COMMUNICATION, now U.S. Patent No. 9,700,309;

[0521] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 782,323, entitled ROTARY POWERED ARTICULATION JOINTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent No. 9,782,169;

[0522] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 782,338, entitled THUMBWHEEL SWITCH ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0249557;

[0523] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 782,499, entitled ELECTROMECHANICAL SURGICAL DEVICE WITH SIGNAL RELAY ARRANGEMENT, now U.S. Patent No. 9,358,003;

[0524] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 782,460, entitled MULTIPLE PROCESSOR MOTOR CONTROL FOR MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent No. 9,554,794;

[0525] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 782,358, entitled "Joystick Switch Assemblies For Surgical Instruments," now U.S. Patent 9,326,767;

[0526] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 782,481, entitled "Sensor Straightened End Effector During Removal Through Trocar," now U.S. Patent 9,468,438;

[0527] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 782,518, entitled "Control Methods for Surgical Instruments with Removable Implement Portions," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0246475;

[0528] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 782,375, entitled "Rotary Powered Surgical Instruments With Multiple Degrees of Freedom," now U.S. Patent 9,398,911 ; and

[0529] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 782,536, entitled "Surgical Instrument Soft Stop," now U.S. Patent 9,307,986.

[0530] The Applicant of the present application also owns the following patent applications that were filed on March 14, 2013 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their entirety:

[0531] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 803,097, entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A FIRING DRIVE," now U.S. Patent 9,687,230;

[0532] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 803,193, entitled "CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS FOR A DRIVE MEMBER OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0240241 ;

[0533] now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0240241 ;

[0534] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 803,053, entitled INTERCHANGEABLE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES FOR USE WITH A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent No. 9,883,860;

[0535] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 803,086, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION LOCK, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0263541;

[0536] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 803,210, entitled SENSOR ARRANGEMENTS FOR ABSOLUTE POSITIONING SYSTEM FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent No. 9,808,244;

[0537] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 803,148, entitled MULTI-FUNCTION MOTOR FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent No. 10,470,762;

[0538] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 803,066, entitled DRIVE SYSTEM LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent No. 9,629,623;

[0539] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 803,117, entitled ARTICULATION CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 9,351,726;

[0540] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 803,130, entitled DRIVE TRAIN CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS FOR MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 9,351,727; and

[0541] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 803,159, entitled METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPERATING A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent 9,888,919.

[0542] The Applicant of the present application also owns the following patent applications that were filed on March 7, 2014 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their entirety:

[0543] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 200,111, entitled CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent 9,629,629.

[0544] The Applicant of the present application also owns the following patent applications that were filed on March 26, 2014 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their entirety:

[0545] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 226,106, entitled POWER MANAGEMENT CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0272582;

[0546] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 226,099, entitled STERILIZATION VERIFICATION CIRCUIT, now U.S. Patent 9,826,977;

[0547] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 226,094, entitled VERIFICATION OF NUMBER OF BATTERY EXCHANGES / PROCEDURE COUNT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0272580;

[0548] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 226,117, entitled POWER MANAGEMENT THROUGH SLEEP OPTIONS OF SEGMENTED CIRCUIT AND WAKE UP CONTROL, now U.S. Patent 10,013,049;

[0549] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 226,075, entitled MODULAR POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH DETACHABLE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES, now U.S. Patent 9,743,929;

[0550] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 226,093, entitled FEEDBACK ALGORITHMS FOR MANUAL BAILOUT SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent 10,028,761;

[0551] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 226,116, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT UTILIZING SENSOR ADAPTATION, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0272571;

[0552] 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;

[0553] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 226,097, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING INTERACTIVE SYSTEMS, now U.S. Patent 9,820,738;

[0554] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 226,126, entitled INTERFACE SYSTEMS FOR USE WITH SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 10,004,497;

[0555] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 226,133, entitled MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0272557;

[0556] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 226,081, entitled SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A SEGMENTED CIRCUIT, now U.S. Patent 9,804,618;

[0557] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 226,076, entitled POWER MANAGEMENT THROUGH SEGMENTED CIRCUIT AND VARIABLE VOLTAGE PROTECTION, now U.S. Patent No. 9,733,663;

[0558] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 226,111, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT SYSTEM, now U.S. Patent No. 9,750,499; and

[0559] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 226,125, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A ROTATABLE SHAFT, now U.S. Patent No. 10,201,364.

[0560] The Applicant of the present application also owns the following patent applications that were filed on September 5, 2014 and are each herein incorporated by reference in their entirety:

[0561] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 479,103, entitled CIRCUITRY AND SENSORS FOR POWERED MEDICAL DEVICE, now U.S. Patent No. 10,111,679;

[0562] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 479,119, entitled ADJUNCT WITH INTEGRATED SENSORS TO QUANTIFY TISSUE COMPRESSION, now U.S. Patent No. 9,724,094;

[0563] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 478,908, entitled MONITORING DEVICE DEGRADATION BASED ON COMPONENT EVALUATION, now U.S. Patent No. 9,737,301;

[0564] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 478,895, entitled MULTIPLE SENSORS WITH ONE SENSOR AFFECTING A SECOND SENSOR'S OUTPUT OR INTERPRETATION, now U.S. Patent No. 9,757,128;

[0565] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 633,560, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM COMPRISING AN INSPECTION STATION, now U.S. Patent No. 10,010,330;

[0566] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 479,098, entitled SMART CARTRIDGE WAKE UP OPERATION AND DATA RETENTION, now U.S. Patent No. 10,135,242;

[0567] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 479,115, entitled MULTIPLE MOTOR CONTROL FOR POWERED MEDICAL DEVICE, now U.S. Patent No. 9,788,836; and

[0568] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 479,108, entitled LOCAL DISPLAY OF TISSUE PARAMETER STABILIZATION, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0066913.

[0569] The Applicant of the present application also owns the following patent applications that were filed on April 9, 2014 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their entirety:

[0570] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 248,590, entitled MOTOR DRIVEN SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH LOCKABLE DUAL DRIVESHAFTS, now U.S. Patent No. 9,826,976;

[0571] U.S. Patent Application Serial 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 No. 9,649,110;

[0572] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 248,595, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SHAFT INCLUDING SWITCHES FOR CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF THE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent 9,844,368;

[0573] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 248,588, entitled POWERED LINEAR SURGICAL STAPLE / FASTENER, now U.S. Patent 10,405,857;

[0574] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 248,591, entitled TRANSMISSION ARRANGEMENT FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent 10,149,680;

[0575] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 248,584, entitled MODULAR MOTOR DRIVEN SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ALIGNMENT FEATURES FOR ALIGNING ROTARY DRIVE SHAFTS WITH SURGICAL END EFFECTOR SHAFTS, now U.S. Patent 9,801,626;

[0576] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 248,587, entitled POWERED SURGICAL STAPLE / FASTENER, now U.S. Patent 9,867,612;

[0577] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 248,586, entitled DRIVE SYSTEM DECOUPLING ARRANGEMENT FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent 10,136,887; and

[0578] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 248,607, entitled MODULAR MOTOR DRIVEN SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH STATUS INDICATION ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Patent 9,814,460.

[0579] Applicant of the present application owns the following patent applications that were filed on April 16, 2013 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entirety:

[0580] U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61 / 812,365, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS PERFORMED BY A SINGLE MOTOR;

[0581] U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61 / 812,376, entitled LINEAR CUTTER WITH POWER;

[0582] U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61 / 812,382, entitled LINEAR CUTTER WITH MOTOR AND PISTOL GRIP;

[0583] U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61 / 812,385, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HANDLE WITH MULTIPLE ACTUATION MOTORS AND MOTOR CONTROL; and

[0584] U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61 / 812,372, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS PERFORMED BY A SINGLE MOTOR.

[0585] Certain exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Like reference numerals indicate corresponding structures throughout the drawings. The purpose of the drawings is to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present application and, as such, the drawings represent a non-limiting example of embodiments of this application. One or more examples of structures and methods are set forth in the figures. The figures are provided for the purpose of explanation and are not of limitation on the present application. The components in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. The same or similar components are designated by the same or similar reference numerals throughout the several views. The embodiments of the present application are not limited to the examples shown in the figures.

[0586] References throughout this specification to "various embodiments," "some embodiments," "one embodiment," or "an embodiment" mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrases "in various embodiments," "in some embodiments," "in one embodiment," or "in an embodiment" in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Thus, the inclusion of a particular feature, structure, or characteristic in one embodiment is not necessarily an exclusion of that particular feature, structure, or characteristic in other embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the applications.

[0587] The terms "proximal" and "distal" are used herein with reference to a clinician who manipulates the handle portion of the surgical instrument. The term "proximal" refers to the portion of the device closest to the clinician and the term "distal" refers to the portion of the device located furthest from the clinician. It will also be appreciated that, for convenience and clarity, spatial terms such as "vertical," "horizontal," "up," and "down," can be used herein for describing the orientation of components. However, surgical instruments are used in many orientations and positions, and these terms are not intended to be limiting and / or absolute.

[0588] Various exemplary devices and methods are provided for performing laparoscopic and minimally invasive surgical procedures. However, the skilled artisan will appreciate that the various methods and devices disclosed herein can find use in numerous surgical procedures and applications including, for example, in connection with open surgical procedures. As the present DETAILED DESCRIPTION proceeds, the skilled artisan will further appreciate that the various instruments disclosed herein can be inserted into a patient's body in any suitable manner, such as through a natural orifice, through a trocar, or through an incision or puncture hole formed in tissue. The working or end effector portion of the instrument can be inserted directly into a patient's body or can be inserted into the patient's body through an access device having a working channel, through which an end effector and elongated shaft of a surgical instrument can be advanced.

[0589] A surgical stapling system can include a shaft and an end effector extending from the shaft. The end effector includes a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw includes a staple cartridge. The staple cartridge is insertable into and removable from the first jaw; however, other embodiments are contemplated in which the staple cartridge is not removable from the first jaw or at least is readily 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 contemplated in which the first jaw is pivotable relative to the second jaw. The surgical stapling system further includes an articulation joint configured to permit the end effector to rotate or articulate relative to the shaft. The end effector is rotatable about an articulation axis extending through the articulation joint. Other embodiments are contemplated that do not include an articulation joint.

[0590] 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 the 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 staple cavities and staples are also possible.

[0591] The staples are supported by staple drivers in the cartridge body. The drivers are movable between a first or un-fired position and a second or fired position to eject the staples from the staple cartridge. The drivers are retained in the cartridge body by a retainer that extends around a bottom of the cartridge body and includes a resilient member configured to grasp the cartridge body and retain the retainer to the cartridge body. The drivers are movable by a sled between their un-fired position and their fired position. The sled 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 the drivers toward the anvil and lift the drivers, and the staples are supported on the drivers.

[0592] In addition to the above, the sled can also be moved distally by a firing member. The firing member is configured to contact the sled and push the sled toward the distal end. A longitudinal slot defined in the cartridge body is configured to receive the firing member. The anvil also includes a slot configured to receive the firing member. The firing member further 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 cartridge and the anvil. The firing member further includes a knife configured to cut tissue captured intermediate the cartridge and the anvil. It is desirable for the knife to be positioned at least partially proximate the ramped surface such that the staples are ejected prior to the knife.

[0593] A surgical stapling instrument 1000 is shown in Figures 1-17 The stapling instrument 1000 includes a shaft 1100, an end effector 1200, and an articulation joint 1300 that rotatably connects the end effector 1200 to the shaft 1100. The articulation joint 1300 includes an articulatable portion 1310 rotatably connected to a distal end 1110 of the shaft 1100 about a first articulation pivot 1320. The articulatable portion 1310 is also rotatably connected to a proximal end 1210 of the end effector about a second articulation pivot 1330. Thus, the articulatable portion 1310 is capable of rotating relative to a frame 1120 of the shaft 1100 about a first articulation axis AA1, and the end effector 1200 is capable of rotating relative to the articulatable portion 1310 about a second articulation axis AA2. The stapling instrument 1000 further includes an articulation drive system 1500 configured to articulate the end effector 1200 about the articulation joint 1300.

[0594] In addition to the above, the articulation drive system 1500 includes a first articulation drive cable 1520 attached to the first articulatable portion 1310 and a second articulation drive cable 1530 attached to the proximal end 1210 of the end effector 1200. The first articulation drive cable 1520 is operably coupled to one or more electric motors such that when one of the first articulation drive cables 1520 is pulled proximally, the articulatable portion 1310 is articulated about the first articulation pivot 1320 in a first direction, and when the other articulation drive cable 1520 is pulled proximally, the articulatable portion 1310 is articulated about the first articulation pivot 1320 in a second, or opposite, direction. Similarly, the second articulation drive cable 1530 is operably coupled to one or more electric motors such that when one of the second articulation drive cables 1530 is pulled proximally, the end effector 1200 is articulated about the second articulation pivot 1330 in a first direction, and when the other articulation drive cable 1520 is pulled proximally, the end effector 1200 is articulated about the second articulation pivot 1330 in a second, or opposite, direction.

[0595] The end effector 1200 includes a first jaw 1220 and a second jaw 1230 that is rotatable relative to the first jaw 1220 about a rotation or closure axis CA defined by a pivot 1240. The first jaw 1220 includes a channel configured to receive a staple cartridge 1400 or any other suitable staple cartridge. The staple cartridge 1400 includes a cartridge body 1422 Figure 4 ) having staple cavities 1423 Figure 4 defined therein, staples removably stored in the staple cavities 1423, and staple drivers configured to support and push the staples out of the cartridge body 1422 during a staple firing stroke. The second jaw 1230 includes an anvil that includes staple-forming pockets configured to deform staples as the staples are ejected from the staple cartridge 1400 during a staple firing stroke. The staple cartridge 1400 includes a tissue support surface 1421 and the second jaw 1230 includes a tissue compression surface 1231 that is configured to compress patient tissue between the jaws 1220 and 1230 when the second jaw 1230 is moved to its closed or clamped position. As described in greater detail below, the stapling instrument 1000 includes a closure drive system 1600 that is configured to move the second jaw 1230 between an open, unclamped position and a closed, clamped position.

[0596] Referring primarily to Figures 7-9The closure drive system 1600 includes a rotatable drive shaft 1610 that is driven by an electric motor that is operably coupled to the drive shaft 1610 by a flexible drive shaft 1910. The flexible drive shaft 1910 extends through the shaft 1100 and the articulation joint 1300 such that a distal end of the flexible drive shaft 1910 is coupled to the closure drive shaft 1610 at a location that is distal relative to the articulation joint 1300, although the closure drive shaft 1610 could be coupled to the flexible drive shaft 1910 at any suitable location. The distal end of the flexible drive shaft 1910 includes a hexagonal recess that is configured to receive a hexagonal lug that extends proximally from the closure drive shaft 1610 such that the flexible drive shaft 1910 and the closure drive shaft 1610 rotate together; however, any suitable coupling between the shafts 1610 and 1910 could be used.

[0597] In addition to the above, the closure drive system 1600 includes a rapid closure system and a powerful closure system. Both the rapid closure system and the powerful closure system are configured to close the second jaw 1230, but in different ways. Reference is made primarily to the Figure 7 The closure drive system 1600 includes a rapid closure member 1630 and a powerful closure member 1620. The powerful closure member 1620 includes a threaded aperture defined therein that threadably engages a thread on the closure drive shaft 1610. When the drive shaft 1610 is turned in a first direction, the drive shaft 1610 drives the powerful closure member 1620 proximally. The rapid closure member 1630 does not threadably engage the drive shaft 1610 and, when the drive shaft 1610 is turned in the first direction, the rapid closure member 1630 is pushed proximally by the powerful closure member 1620 via a spring 1640 that is positioned intermediate the powerful closure member 1620 and the rapid closure member 1630. At the beginning of the closure process, the rapid closure member 1630 is in direct contact with the second jaw 1230, but the powerful closure member 1620 is not in direct contact with the second jaw. The rapid closure member 1630 includes a proximal end 1632 and drive arms 1634 that extend distally therefrom. Each of the drive arms 1634 includes a drive pin 1639 that extends inwardly into a drive recess 1239 defined in the second jaw 1230 such that, when the rapid closure member 1630 is pushed proximally by the powerful closure member 1620, the rapid closure member 1630 causes the second jaw 1230 to rotate to a closed position. As a result of this arrangement, the initial closure motion of the second jaw 1230 is caused by the rapid closure member 1630.

[0598] Notably, in addition to the above, when the force as the closure member 1620 is driven proximally, the spring 1640 is compressed between the force closure member 1620 and the rapid closure member 1630. The amount of relative motion between the high closure member 1620 and the rapid closure member 1630 is a function of the spring constant of the spring 1640 and additionally the clamping load or resistance applied to the tissue by the second jaw 1230. Thus, the closure position of the second jaw 1230 at this phase of the closure stroke can vary depending on, for example, the thickness and / or density of the tissue positioned intermediate the second jaw 1230 and the staple cartridge 1400. If thicker tissue is positioned between the second jaw 1230 and the staple cartridge 1400, for example, the tissue compression surface 1231 of the second jaw 1230 can not be parallel to the tissue support surface 1421 of the staple cartridge 1400. If thinner tissue is positioned between the second jaw 1230 and the staple cartridge 1400, the tissue compression surface 1231 of the second jaw 1230 can be parallel to or past parallel with respect to the tissue support surface 1421 of the staple cartridge 1400. Since the rapid closure system of the closure system 1600 is designed to give a rough approximation of the position of the second jaw 1230 on the patient tissue before the tissue is clamped fully by the high load closure system and before the staples are fired by the staple firing system 1700, this variability is not important at this phase.

[0599] If the clinician wishes to reopen the second jaw 1230, in addition to the above, the clinician controls the electric motor to operate the electric motor in the opposite direction to rotate the closure drive shaft 1610 in the opposite direction. In such instances, the closure drive shaft 1610 drives the force closure member 1620 distally which relaxes or lowers the force within the spring 1640 to allow the second jaw 1230 to open at least slightly. Moreover, in such instances, the force closure member 1620 can push the rapid closure member 1630 distally to push the second jaw 1230 into an open or unclamped position. More specifically, each of the drive arms 1634 of the rapid closure member 1630 include an inwardly extending tab 1635 which comes into contact with the force closure member 1620 when the force closure member 1620 is retracted distally such that the force closure member 1620 directly or positively pushes the rapid closure member 1630 distally during the opening stroke. The clinician can open and close the second jaw 1230 as needed in order to properly position the jaws of the stapling instrument 1000 on the patient tissue. The rapid closure system allows the second jaw 1230 to move rapidly without having to apply large compression or clamping loads to the patient tissue as compared to the force closure system discussed in more detail below.

[0600] As described above, the closure drive shaft 1610 is rotated to drive the power closure member 1620 proximally to push the rapid closure member 1630 proximally and quickly close the second jaw 1230. At this point, the power closure member 1620 is not in direct contact with the second jaw 1230. However, continued rotation of the closure drive shaft 1610 brings the power closure member 1620 into contact with the second jaw 1230. More specifically, the power closure member 1620 includes cams 1625 defined thereon that contact cam surfaces 1235 defined on the bottom of the second jaw 1230 and drive the second jaw 1230 to its closed position. As a result of the direct contact between the cams 1625 and the second jaw 1230, the second jaw 1230 is positively positioned in its closed position. In this instance, therefore, the staple forming pockets defined in the second jaw 1230 are in proper alignment with the staples in the staple cartridge 1400. In addition, therefore, a high clamping force is applied to tissue clamped between the second jaw 1230 and the staple cartridge 1400. At this point, the staple firing system 1700 is operable to fire staples from the staple cartridge 1400. If the clinician desires to reopen the second jaw 1230 instead, however, the closure drive shaft 1610 can be operated in the opposite direction to drive the power closure member 1620 distally to disengage the cams 1625 from the second jaw 1230 and to drive the rapid closure member 1240 as described above in order to fully open the second jaw 1230. The entire disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 9,585,658 entitled STAPLING SYSTEMS, published March 7, 2017, is incorporated herein by reference.

[0601] The staple firing system 1700 of the stapling instrument 1000 includes a firing drive shaft 1710. The proximal end of the firing drive shaft 1710 includes a hex-shaped lug that extends proximally that is operably engaged with a flexible rotatable firing drive shaft that extends through the closure drive shaft 1610; however, any suitable coupling between the shafts 1610 and 1710 can be used. The flexible drive shaft is operably coupled to an electric motor that is operated independently of the closure motor such that the firing drive shaft 1710 is operated independently of the closure drive shaft 1610. The staple firing system 1700 further includes a firing member 1720 that includes a nut 1730 that threadably engages a threaded portion of the firing drive shaft 1710. When the firing drive shaft 1710 is rotated in a first direction, the firing member 1720 is driven distally to perform a staple firing stroke. The firing member 1720 further includes ramps 1740 that are configured to engage drivers in the staple cartridge 1400 and eject staples from the staple cartridge 1400 during the staple firing stroke. The firing member 1720 further includes a tissue cutting knife 1750 that cuts stapled tissue during the staple firing stroke. When the firing drive shaft 1710 is rotated in a second or opposite direction, the firing member 1720 is driven proximally.

[0602] As mentioned above, the main reference Figure 4 and Figure 9 The first jaw 1220 includes a channel 1222 configured to receive a staple cartridge 1400. The first jaw 1220 is pinned to the proximal end portion 1210 of the end effector 1200 by two pins 1214, such that there is no relative movement or at least substantially relative movement between the first jaw 1220 and the proximal end portion 1210. The first jaw 1220 includes a proximal end portion 1224 configured to receive a proximal end portion 1424 of the staple cartridge 1400 and a distal end portion 1226 configured to receive a distal end portion 1426 of the staple cartridge 1400. In this embodiment, the distal end portion 1426 of the staple cartridge 1400 is suspended above the distal end portion 1226 of the first jaw 1220, which provides a reference for correctly positioning the distal end portion 1426 of the staple cartridge 1400 relative to the channel 1222. The staple cartridge 1400 includes a longitudinal slot 1428 defined in a cartridge body 1422, the longitudinal slot being configured to receive a portion therein of the firing member 1420. The first jaw 1220 also includes a longitudinal slot 1229 defined therein, which aligns with the longitudinal slot 1428 when the staple cartridge 1400 is positioned in the channel 1222. The longitudinal slot 1228 is an internal slot defined in the bottom portion of the channel 1222, the internal slot being configured to receive a bottom cam 1729 of the firing member 1720 during the staple firing stroke. The first jaw 1220 also includes a cover 1223 attached to the channel 1222 by welding, for example, the cover enclosing the internal longitudinal slot 1228 of the channel 1222.

[0603] As described above, the second jaw 1230 is rotatably mounted to the first jaw 1220 about a pivot 1240. Main Reference Figure 9The second jaw 1230 includes outwardly extending pins 1237 that are closely received in slots 1227 defined in the first jaw 1220. The pins 1237 are captured in the slots 1227 by retention members 1225 that are press fit onto the pins 1237 such that the pins 1237 can pivot within the slots 1227 but do not translate within the slots 1227. The second jaw 1230 further includes an anvil body 1232, a proximal end 1234, and a distal end 1236. Similar to the first jaw 1220, the second jaw 1230 includes an internal slot 1238 defined therein that is configured to receive the top cam 1728 of the firing member 1720 during the staple firing stroke. The second jaw 1230 further includes a cover 1233 that is attached to the anvil body 1232 by welding, for example, that encloses the internal longitudinal slot 1238 of the anvil body 1232. During the staple firing stroke, the top cam 1728 of the firing member 1720 engages the second jaw 1230 and the bottom cam 1729 engages the first jaw 1220. Thus, the cams 1728 and 1729 operate in conjunction to hold the second jaw 1230 in place relative to the first jaw 1220.

[0604] Referring primarily to Figure 8 The stapling instrument 1000 further includes a sensor system 1800 that is configured to assess the position of the firing member 1720. The sensor system 1800 includes a cable 1810 that extends through the shaft 1100 that houses at least two conductors or wires 1820. The wires 1820 form an electrical circuit with a sensor 1830, such as an RFID antenna, for example, that is in signal communication with a controller of the stapling instrument. The firing member 1720 includes a detectable member, such as an RFID tag, for example, that is detectable by the sensor system 1800 when the firing member 1720 is in its proximal unfired position. When the firing member 1720 is advanced distally during the staple firing stroke, the RFID tag is no longer detected by the sensor system 1800 and the controller can determine that the staple firing stroke is in progress or at least that the staple cartridge 1400 has been at least partially fired. The end effector 1200 further includes a sensor support 1840 that supports the sensor 1830.

[0605] The surgical instrument 32000 is shown in Figure 73 and Figure 74The surgical instrument 32000 includes an end effector 32200 and a closure system 32600, similar to the above. The surgical instrument 32000 also includes an end effector articulation system and a staple firing system, but these systems are not described herein for the sake of brevity. The end effector 32200 includes a first jaw configured to receive a staple cartridge and further includes a second jaw 32230 having an anvil pivotably coupled to the first jaw about a pivot 32240. The second jaw 32230 is movable from an open or undamped position Figure 73 ) to a closed or clamped position Figure 74 ) by the closure system 32600. The closure system 32600 includes a rotatable drive shaft 32610 including a distal end that is rotatably supported within the first jaw by a bearing. The closure system 32600 further includes a closure member or nut 32620 that threadably engages a threaded portion of the rotatable drive shaft 32610. When the drive shaft 32610 is rotated in a first direction, the closure member 32620 is driven proximally to close the end effector 32200, and when the drive shaft 32610 is rotated in a second or opposite direction, the closure member 32620 is driven distally to open the end effector 32200. The closure system 32600 further includes a closure link 32630 that is pivotally mounted to the closure member 32620 about a pivot 32622 and is pivotally mounted to the second jaw 32230 about a pivot 32632. When the closure member 32620 is driven proximally, the closure link 32630 drives a proximal end 32234 of the second jaw 32230 upward to rotate the second jaw 32230 to its closed position, as shown in FIG. 32B. Figure 74The closure link 32630 is driven into an upright position where the pivot 32632 is in line with the pivot 32622, and thus, the closure link 32630 is locked in the same phase, providing a substantial amount of clamping force to the tissue captured between the second jaw 32230 and the first jaw. In this position, the tissue compression surface 32231 of the second jaw 32230 is parallel to the tissue support surface of the cartridge; however, as the second jaw 32230 is driven by the closure drive system 32600, the system can be arranged to over clamp the tissue by orienting the compression surface 32231 toward the cartridge. In any event, for a given speed of the closure drive shaft 32610, the link 32630 rotates quickly at the beginning of the closure stroke compared to the end of the closure stroke. This is due to the initial orientation of the closure link 32630 being relatively flat or substantially in line with the motion of the closure member 32620, and the final orientation of the closure link 32630 being orthogonal or at least substantially perpendicular to the motion of the closure member 32620. Thus, for a given speed of the closure drive shaft 32610, the initial movement of the second jaw 32230 toward the first jaw is quick compared to the end of the closure stroke. As the closure member 32620 is driven distally, the closure member 32620 pulls the proximal end 32234 downward via the link 32640 to open the second jaw 32230.

[0606] The surgical instrument 33000 is shown in Figure 75 and Figure 76 . The surgical instrument 33000 comprises an end effector 33200 and a closure system 33600. The surgical instrument 33000 also comprises an end effector articulation system and a staple firing system, but these systems are not described herein for the sake of brevity. The end effector 33200 comprises a first jaw configured to receive a staple cartridge and further comprises a second jaw 33230 having an anvil rotatably coupled to the first jaw about a pivot 33240. The second jaw 33230 is movable by the closure system 33600 from an open or unclamped position Figure 75 to a closed or clamped position Figure 76The closing system 33600 includes a rotatable drive shaft 33610, which includes a distal end rotatably supported by a first jaw via a bearing. The closing system 33600 also includes a closing member or nut 33620 threadedly engaged with a threaded portion of the rotatable drive shaft 33610. When the drive shaft 33610 rotates in a first direction, the closing member 33620 is driven proximally to close the end actuator 33200, and when the drive shaft 33610 rotates in a second or opposite direction, the closing member 33620 is driven distally to allow the end actuator 32200 to open. The proximal end 33234 of the second jaw 33230 includes a distal cam surface 33233 and a proximal cam surface 33235 sequentially engaged by the closing member 33620 during the closing stroke. Notably, the distal cam surface 33233 includes a linear or at least substantially linear angled surface. When the closing member 33620 contacts the distal cam surface 33233, the closing member 33620 causes the second jaw 33230 to rotate downward at a first rate. Similarly, the proximal cam surface 33235 comprises a linear or at least substantially linear angled surface. When the closing member 33620 contacts the proximal cam surface 33235, the closing member 33620 causes the second jaw 33230 to rotate downward at a second rate faster than the first rate. Therefore, the initial clamping movement of the second jaw 33230 is rapid, while the final clamping movement of the second jaw 33230 is slower. Furthermore, the shallower cam angle of the proximal cam surface 33235 allows the second jaw 33230 to exert a large clamping force on the tissue during the final clamping movement of the second jaw 33230. When the closing member 33620 is driven distally, the closing member 33620 disengages from the proximal cam surface 33235 and the distal cam surface 33233, allowing the second jaw 33230 to open. In at least one embodiment, the second jaw 33230 is opened by, for example, a spring and / or a pin-firing system when the firing member retracts.

[0607] Figures 77-80 Surgical instrument 34000 is shown. Surgical instrument 34000 includes an end effector 34200 and a closure system 34600. Surgical instrument 34000 also includes an end effector articulation system and a nail firing system, but these systems are not described herein for the sake of brevity. The end effector 34200 includes a first jaw 34220 configured to receive a nail cartridge and a second jaw 34230 having an anvil rotatably coupled to the first jaw 34220 about a pivot 34240. The second jaw 34230 can be opened or closed by the closure system 34600 from an open or unclamped position. Figure 77 ) Move to the closed or clamping position ( Figure 78 ) to over-clamping position ( Figure 79). The closure system 34600 includes a rotatable drive shaft 42610 Figure 80 threadedly engaged with a threaded portion of the rotatable drive shaft 34610 and a pivotable cam 34630 rotatably mounted to the closure member 34620 about a pin 34622. When the drive shaft 34610 is rotated in a first direction, the closure member 34620 is driven proximally such that a cam surface 34633 defined on the cam 34630 and a cam surface 34625 defined on the closure member 34620 sequentially engage the second jaw 34230 to close the end effector 34200. The second jaw 34230 includes first and second cam surfaces 34233 and 34235 defined thereon that are engaged by the cam surfaces 34633 and 34625, respectively. At the beginning of the closure stroke, with reference to Figure 78 the cam 34630 engages the first cam surface 34233 on the second jaw 34230 to quickly pivot the second jaw 34230 to a closed, or clamped, position. At this time, however, the cam surface 34625 defined on the closure member 34620 has not yet come into contact with the second cam surface 34235 defined on the second jaw 34230. Further rotation of the closure drive shaft 34610 in the same direction, however, drives the closure member 34620 proximally to place the cam surface 34625 into contact with the cam surface 34235 on the second jaw 34230. At the same time, the cam 34630 is lifted downwardly so as not to contact the second jaw 34230. More specifically, with reference to Figure 80 the cam 34630 includes a pin 34632 extending laterally therefrom that travels in a slot 34222 defined in the first jaw 34220 and, due to the profile of the slot 34222, the cam 34630 is pulled downwardly so as not to contact the second jaw 34230 when the closure member 34620 comes into contact with the second jaw 34230. Further rotation of the closure drive shaft 34610 in the same direction at this time causes the closure member 34620 to drive the second jaw 34230 into its over clamped orientation, as shown in Figure 79 In this case, the closure member 34620 is wedged between the first and second jaws 34220, 34230 and the position of the second jaw 34230 is positively set by the closure member 34620.

[0608] When the closure drive shaft 34610 is rotated in the second, or opposite, direction, the closure member 34620 is driven distally to disengage the closure member 34620 from the second jaw 34230. Further, in such instances, the pivotable cam 34630 can pivot upward to an appropriate position to reset the cam 34630 due to the interaction between the pin 34632 and the sidewalls of the slot 34222. The closure system 34600 further comprises opening links 34640 that are pivotally mounted to the closure member 34620 about pivot pins 34624 and are pivotally mounted to the second jaw 34230 about pivot 34632. When the closure member 34620 is driven distally, the opening links 34640 drive the proximal end 34234 of the second jaw 34230 downward to rotate the second jaw 34230 to its open position Figure 77 ). Notably, the opening links 34640 each comprise a slot 34644 defined therein that allows the pivot pin 34624 to slide within the link 34640 and allows relative motion between the opening links 34640 and the closure member 34620 during the closure stroke, as discussed above.

[0609] The surgical instrument 35000 is shown in Figure 81 and Figure 82The surgical instrument 35000 includes an end effector 35200, a closure system 35600, a staple firing system 34700, and an end effector articulation system. Like the end effector 34200, the end effector 35200 includes a first jaw 34220 and a second jaw 34230. The first jaw 34220 is configured to receive a staple cartridge 34400 or any other suitable staple cartridge. The second jaw 34230 is pivotable about a pivot 34240 between open and closed positions relative to the first jaw 34220 by the closure system 35600. The closure system 35600 includes a rotatable drive shaft 35610 and a closure member or nut 35620 that threadably engages a threaded portion of the drive shaft 35610. When the drive shaft 35610 is rotated in a first direction, the closure member 35620 is driven proximally into contact with the second jaw 34230 to close the second jaw 34230. The closure system 35600 further includes an opening link 35460 that is rotatably mounted to the closure member 35620 about a pin 35622 that extends into a slot 35642 defined in the opening link 35460. The opening link 35460 is also pivotably mounted to the second jaw 35230 about the pin 25232 such that when the drive shaft 35610 is rotated in an opposite direction and the closure member 35620 is driven distally, the closure member 35630 pulls the second jaw 35230 to the open position by pulling on the opening link 35460. Notably, the closure member 35630 applies an opening force to the second jaw 34230 at a different location from where it applies a closing force. Once the second jaw 35230 has been closed, or at least suitably closed, a rotatable drive shaft 34710 of the staple firing system 34700 is driven to perform a staple firing stroke in the manner described elsewhere herein.

[0610] The surgical instrument 36000 is shown Figures 83-86 The surgical instrument 36000 includes an end effector 36200, a closure system 36600, a staple firing system 36700, and an end effector articulation system. The end effector 36200 includes a first jaw 36220 and a second jaw 36230. The first jaw 36220 is configured to receive a staple cartridge when the second jaw 36230 is pivotable about a pivot 36240 between open and closed positions relative to the first jaw 36220 by the closure system 36600. The closure system 36600 includes a rotatable drive shaft 36610 and a closure member or nut 36620 that threadably engages a threaded portion of the drive shaft 36610. When the drive shaft 36610 is rotated in a first direction, the closure member 36620 is driven proximally into contact with a cam surface 36235 defined on the second jaw 36230 to close the second jaw 36230, as Figure 83 and Figure 84The surgical instrument 36000 also includes an opening member 36630 that is configured to bias the second jaw 36230 into an open position. The opening member 36630 is pushed against the second jaw 36320 by an opening spring 36640 that is positioned intermediate the opening member 36630 and the frame of the end effector 36200. Thus, when the closure member 36620 closes the second jaw 36230, the proximal motion of the closure member 36620 is against and overcomes the opening force applied to the second jaw 36320 by the opening member 36630. However, when the closure member 36620 is driven distally, the opening force applied to the second jaw 36320 by the opening member 36630 can push the second jaw 36230 open. However, in some instances, the opening force applied by the opening member 36630 can not be sufficient to open or at least sufficiently open the second jaw 36230, as Figure 85 Such instances can occur when the spring constant of the opening spring 36640 is low. In any event, with reference to Figure 86 Continued distal motion of the closure member 36320 brings the closure member 36320 into contact with the opening member 36630 and drives the opening member 36630 to positively open the second jaw 36230. Thus, when the strength of the opening spring 36640 is not sufficient to push the second jaw 36230 open, retraction of the closure member 36620 can disengage the second jaw 36230.

[0611] Again with reference to Figures 83-86The staple firing system 36700 includes a rotatable drive shaft. The staple firing system 36700 includes an I-beam portion 36720, a threaded portion 36730, and a sled portion 36740. The threaded portion 36730 is threadably coupled to the firing drive shaft, and the I-beam portion 36720 is fixedly mounted to the threaded portion 36730. Thus, when the threaded portion 36730 is driven proximally and distally by the firing drive shaft, the I-beam portion 36720 moves with that threaded portion 36730. Moreover, the I-beam portion 36720 and the threaded portion 36730 cooperate to hold the first jaw 36220 and the second jaw 36230 in place relative to one another during a staple firing stroke. More specifically, the threaded portion 36730 includes a first cam 36739 that engages the first jaw 36220, and the I-beam portion 36720 includes a second cam 36729 that engages the second jaw 36230 during a staple firing stroke. The first jaw 36220 includes an internal slot 36229 defined therein that is configured to receive the first cam 36739, and similarly, the second jaw 36230 includes an internal slot 36239 defined therein that is configured to receive the second cam 36729. The staple firing system 36700 further includes a sled 36740 that is pushed distally by the threaded portion 36730. The sled 36740 is configured to engage staple drivers contained within a staple cartridge and drive the staples out of the staple cartridge during a staple firing stroke. The I-beam portion 36720 includes a knife edge 36750 that is configured to cut tissue that has been stapled. Notably, the knife edge 36750 is positioned proximally behind the sled 36740 such that the knife edge 36750 does not cut un-stapled tissue. In any event, the sled 36740 is not attached to the threaded portion 36730, and thus, when the threaded portion 36370 is driven proximally after a staple firing stroke, the sled 36740 does not return proximally with the I-beam portion 36720 and the threaded portion 36370. Rather, the sled 36740 is left behind anywhere the staple firing stroke ends.

[0612] The staple firing system 37700 of the stapling instrument 37000 is illustrated in Figures 87-90 FIG. 37. Similar to the staple firing system 36700, the staple firing system 37700 includes an I-beam portion 37720, a threaded portion 37730, and a sled portion 37740. The threaded portion 37730 is threadably coupled to the firing drive shaft via a threaded aperture 37732, and the I-beam portion 37720 is fixedly mounted to the threaded portion 37730. Reference is made primarily to Figure 89The I-beam portion 37720 and the threaded portion 37730 each include interlocking tabs 37724 and 37734 that secure the I-beam portion 33720 to the threaded portion 37730. In at least one example, the interlocking tabs 37724 and 37734 are press fit into an interlocking relationship. Thus, when the threaded portion 37730 is driven proximally and distally by the firing drive shaft, the I-beam portion 37720 moves with the threaded portion 37730.

[0613] Similar to the above, the I-beam portion 37720 and the threaded portion 37730 operate in conjunction to hold the first jaw 36220 and the second jaw 36230 in place relative to each other during the staple firing stroke. More specifically, the threaded portion 37730 includes a first cam 37739 that engages the first jaw 36220 and the I-beam portion 37720 includes a second cam 37729 that engages the second jaw 36230 during the staple firing stroke. The first jaw 36220 includes an internal slot 36229 defined therein that is configured to receive the first cam 37739 and, similarly, the second jaw 36230 includes an internal slot 36239 defined therein that is configured to receive the second cam 37729. When the assembly including the I-beam portion 37720 and the threaded portion 37730 is in its proximal unfired position Figure 87 ), the first cam 37739 is positioned at least partially in the first internal slot 36229 and the second cam 37729 is positioned in an enlarged chamber 36237 defined in the second jaw 36230 that leads to the second internal slot 36239. The enlarged chamber 36237 allows the second jaw 36230 to open and close without interference from the I-beam portion 37720. In addition, the I-beam portion 37720 includes a notch or recess 37722 defined therein that is configured to receive a pivot pin 36242 that connects the second jaw 36230 to the first jaw 36220 when the I-beam portion 37720 is in its proximal-most position. The notch 37722 allows the I-beam portion 37720 to be in a very proximal position, which, as noted above, can provide clearance for the pivotable second jaw 36230 and also allows the end effector 37200 to be shorter, thereby allowing the end effector 37200 to be inserted into smaller spaces. In fact, when the I-beam portion 37720 is in its proximal unfired position, the sidewalls of the notch 37722 can be in contact with the pivot pin 36242.

[0614] In addition to the above, reference is made primarily to Figure 88The staple firing system 37700 further includes a sled 37740 that is mounted to the threaded portion 37730 such that the sled 37740 travels distally and proximally with the threaded portion 37730 during the staple firing stroke and the retraction stroke, respectively. In use, reference is made primarily to Figure 87 When the staple cartridge 37400 is seated in the first jaw 36220, a replaceable staple cartridge such as the staple cartridge 37400 is positioned, for example, over the sled 37740. The staple cartridge 37400 comprises a cartridge body 37420 Figure 87 ), staples 37410 Figure 88 removably stored in the cartridge body 37420, and staple drivers 37430 positioned within the cartridge body 37420 that support and drive the staples 37410 toward an anvil portion of the second jaw 36230 during the staple firing stroke. The sled 37740 includes ramps 37742 defined thereon that engage the staple drivers 37430 to lift the staples 37410 toward the second jaw 36230. Notably, the staple cartridge 37400 further comprises a sled portion 37440 that is stored within the cartridge body 37420 and is distally urged by the I-beam portion 37720 during the staple firing stroke. The sled portion 37440 includes ramps 37442 that are aligned with the ramps 37742 on the sled 37740 at the beginning of the staple firing stroke and operate in conjunction with the ramps 37742 to fully drive the staple drivers 37430 and fully form or fire the staples 37410 during the staple firing stroke. As will be described in greater detail below in connection with various embodiments, the sled portion 37440 includes a tissue cutting knife 37452 that rotates between an undeployed position in which a blade of the tissue cutting knife 37452 is positioned below a deck or top surface of the cartridge body 37420, as Figure 87As shown, in the deployed position, the knife blade extends above the deck. As the firing assembly contacts or picks up the sled portion 37440 at the beginning of the staple firing stroke, the tissue cutting knife is rotated about the pivot 37452 by the firing assembly. Notably, the sled portion 37440 in the staple cartridge 37400 does not retract with the sled plate 37740 during the retraction stroke. Rather, the sled portion 37440 remains at the end of the staple firing stroke. The entire disclosures of U.S. Patent Nos. 10,105,142, entitled SURGICAL STAPLER WITH PLURALITY OF CUTTING ELEMENTS, which issued on October 23, 2018, and 9,788,835, entitled DEVICES AND METHODS FOR FACILITATING EJECTION OF SURGICAL FASTENERS FROM CARTRIDGES, which issued on October 17, 2017, are incorporated by reference herein.

[0615] As described above in connection with Figure 83 and Figure 84 , and now in connection with Figure 144 , Figure 144A , Figure 145 and Figure 145A , the closure member 36620 of the closure drive 36600 is driven proximally into contact with the cam surface 36235 defined on the second jaw 36230 to close the second jaw 36230. Also as described above, and with reference to Figure 146During the staple firing stroke, the firing assembly comprising the I-beam portion 37720 and the threaded portion 37730 is driven distally such that the cam 37739 travels within a longitudinal slot 36229 defined in the first jaw 36220 and the cam 37729 travels within a longitudinal slot 36239. In various instances, the second jaw 36230 is closed by the closure system 36600 and then the staple firing system 37700 is actuated. In such instances, the end effector closure operation and the staple firing operation are performed sequentially. In other instances, both the end effector closure system and the staple firing system are operated simultaneously. In at least one such instance, the end effector closure system is used to close the second jaw 36230 and then the staple firing system is used to fire staples from the staple cartridge 37400. However, during the staple firing stroke, the end effector closure system is also actuated to decrease and / or maintain the tissue gap between the second jaw 36230 and the staple cartridge 37400 during the staple firing stroke. In at least one instance, the end effector jaw closure system 37600 is used to move the second jaw 36320 to an over- clamped position, i.e., the second jaw 36320 is tilted or passed beyond a parallel orientation relative to the staple cartridge 36400 during the staple firing stroke. Figures 147-149 The progression of the second jaw 36230 from an open position Figure 147 ), a parallel clamped position Figure 148 ), and an over- clamped position Figure 149 ) is shown. In Figure 148 between the proximal end and the distal end of the end effector 37200, the tissue gap between the bottom or tissue compression surface of the second jaw 36230 and the top surface or deck of the staple cartridge 36400 is the same or at least substantially the same. In such instances, the tissue gap distance is approximately 6 mm, for example, any suitable tissue gap distance can be used. In Figure 149 , it can be seen that the distal end 36234 of the second jaw 36230 is closer to the distal end 37424 than in the parallel position of Figure 148 , which indicates an over- clamped position. In such instances, for example, the second jaw 36230 is over- clamped by approximately 3 degrees, although any suitable amount of over- clamping can be used. Placing the second jaw 36230 in the over- clamped position can allow the second jaw 36230 to resist opening forces generated by staple deformation and / or compensate for internal deflection of the second jaw 36230 during the staple firing stroke.

[0616] In Figure 150The graph depicted in graph 37900 provides the discussion provided above. Graph 37900 includes a bottom portion 37980 that depicts the motion of the closure drive 36600 and the staple firing drive 37700 and a top portion 37990 that depicts the force loads experienced by the closure drive 36600 and the staple firing drive 37700. With respect to the top portion 37990 of graph 37900, the force loads within the closure drive 36600 are depicted by trace 36690 and the force loads within the firing drive 37700 are depicted by trace 37790. In fact, trace 36690 is divided into a first portion 36690' that depicts scenarios in which the closure drive 36600 is not actuated during the staple firing stroke and a second portion 36690" that describes scenarios in which the closure drive 36600 is actuated during the staple firing stroke. These two different operating scenarios for the closure drive 36600 are reflected in two different operating scenarios within the trace 37790 for the staple firing drive 37700. More specifically, trace 37790 is divided into a first portion 37790' that corresponds to the first portion 36690' of the closure drive and a second portion 37790" that corresponds to the second portion 36690". The first portion 37790' depicts a higher staple firing load when the closure drive 36600 is not actuated during the staple firing stroke and the second portion 37790" depicts a lower staple firing load when the closure drive 36600 is actuated during the staple firing stroke. To this end, operating the closure drive 36600 during the staple firing stroke is also reflected in the bottom portion 37980 of graph 37900. The motion of the second jaw 36230 is depicted by motion trace 36680 which, similar to above, is divided into a first portion 36680' that corresponds to the force traces 36690' and 37790' discussed above and a second portion 36680" that corresponds to the force traces 36690" and 37790" also discussed above. When the closure drive 36600 is not operated during the staple firing stroke, the second jaw 36230 is maintained in a parallel or at least substantially parallel orientation as depicted by motion trace 36680'. When the closure drive 36600 is operated during the staple firing stroke, the second jaw 36230 is moved to an over-clamped orientation as depicted by motion trace 36680". Notably, these two operating possibilities are not reflected in the motion trace 37780 for the staple firing drive 37700. In other words, the motion of the staple firing drive 37700 can be independent of the operation of the closure drive 36600.

[0617] In various instances, in addition to the above, the staple firing drive 37700 can be used to close the second jaw 36230. In at least one such instance, the staple firing drive 37700 can be used to distally advance the firing assembly such that the cams 37729 and 37739 collectively operate to draw the second jaw 36230 toward its closed position while the closure drive 36600 is operated to close the second jaw 36230. In at least one other instance, the staple firing drive 37700 can be used to distally advance the firing assembly to close the second jaw 36230 without the aid of the closure drive 36600. In view of the closure drive 36600 and the staple firing drive 37700 can be operated sequentially and / or simultaneously, the closure drive 36600 and the staple firing drive 37700 are each operated by a separate electric motor. In at least one instance, the stapling instrument 37000 is attached to a robotic surgical instrument that includes a first electric motor for driving the closure drive 36600 and a second electric motor for driving the staple firing drive 37700. In at least one other instance, the stapling instrument 37000 comprises a handheld stapling instrument that includes a handle that includes a first electric motor in operable engagement with the closure drive 36600 and a second electric motor in operable engagement with the staple firing drive 37700.

[0618] An end effector 49200 of a surgical instrument system 49000 is shown in Figure 151 and Figure 152 The end effector 49200 comprises a first jaw 49220 and a second jaw 49230 that is pivotably connected to the first jaw 49220. The surgical instrument 49000 further comprises an articulation joint about which the end effector 49200 can be rotated. Various articulation joints are described elsewhere herein. Various configurations or closed states of the end effector 49200 are depicted in Figure 153the second jaw 49230 can be moved between an open position in which there is, for example, an angle of about 30 degrees between the jaws 49220 and 49230 or a jaw aperture, a partially closed position, a parallel position, and an over clamped position in which there is, for example, an angle of about -1 to -3 degrees between the jaws 49220 and 49230 by a closure drive 49600. The fully open position of the second jaw 49220 establishes an operational condition 49610, the closure of the second jaw 49220 establishes an operational condition 49620, the parallel position of the second jaw 49230 establishes an operational condition 49630, and the over clamped position of the second jaw 49220 establishes an operational condition 49640. The closure drive 49600 comprises an electric motor that is controlled by the control system of the surgical instrument 49000. The closure drive 49600 comprises a closure member that is similar to the above in that it is retracted proximally by the closure motor to close the second jaw 49230. The distance in which the closure member is retracted is depicted by trace 49680, and the movement of the closure member corresponds to Figure 153 the closure states of the end effector 49200 depicted at the top. Notably, once the second jaw 49230 has reached its parallel position during operational condition 49630, the closure system 49600 enters a waiting time period or dwell. Similarly, the closure system 49600 enters a waiting time period or dwell in operational condition 49650. The second jaw 49230 is then opened during operational condition 49660.

[0619] The surgical instrument 49000 also includes a staple firing system 49700 and an articulation drive system 49800. The staple firing system 49700 and the articulation drive system 49800 are operated by the same electric motor that is shifted between a first operating state that drives the articulation drive system 49800 and a second operating state that drives the staple firing system 49700. In various instances, the electric motor includes a transmission that is electronically shifted and / or mechanically shifted to place the electric motor in its first operating state and its second operating state. During operating conditions 49610 and 49620, the electric motor is in its first operating state and, as a result, the end effector 49200 can be articulated as it is opened and / or as it is closed. However, once the end effector 49200 is closed in operating condition 49630, the electric motor is shifted to its second operating state. In such instances, the end effector 49200 is locked into its articulated position and the electric motor is then de-energized. By locking the end effector 49200 into position prior to energizing the electric motor, sudden jerking movements of the end effector 49200 can be prevented. In other words, for example, if the end effector 49200 is subject to resistance to articulation from the tissue T and the electric motor is de-energized prior to the end effector 49200 being locked into position, the end effector 49200 can unexpectedly articulate or de-articulate. The full power condition of the articulation system 49800 is depicted by condition 49810 in FIG. 49 and the ramp down condition of the articulation system 49800 is depicted by condition 49820. Figure 153

[0620] Once the electric motor is shifted to its second state, the staple firing drive 49700 can be caused to actuate to perform a staple firing stroke. The staple firing drive 49700 includes a firing member that is advanced distally during the staple firing stroke and then retracted proximally after the staple firing stroke. The movement of the firing member is depicted by the movement trace 49780 in FIG. 49. In addition, Figure 153 Figure 153 ​​The electric motor is depicted as being energized during operating condition 49710 prior to the staple firing system 49700 being unlocked, and then energized to perform a staple firing stroke during operating condition 49730. The force trace 49790 depicts the force load experienced by the firing member, which shows that the firing member experiences a high load during the staple firing stroke, and then experiences a lower load as the firing member retracts during operating condition 49730. After the firing member has retracted, the staple firing system 49700 is locked, and then the electric motor is de-energized during operating condition 49740. Similar to the above, locking the firing drive prior to de-energizing the electric motor reduces the potential for sudden jerking within the staple firing system 49700. At this point, the electric motor is switched back to its first operating state, the electric motor is re-energized, and the articulation drive system 49800 is unlocked during operating state 49830. Notably, operating state 49830, in which the end effector 49200 can be articulated, and operating state 49660, in which the end effector 49200 can be opened, overlap.

[0621] In addition to the above, the surgical instrument 49000 includes one or more position sensors to determine the position of the closure member of the closure system 49600 and / or the position of the second jaw 49230. The surgical instrument 49000 also includes one or more position sensors to determine the position of the firing member of the staple firing system 49700. The surgical instrument 49000 includes circuitry configured to evaluate the current drawn by the electric motor of the closure drive system 49600 to assess the force load experienced by the closure member of the closure drive system 49600. The surgical instrument 49000 also includes circuitry configured to evaluate the current drawn by the second electric motor used to drive the staple firing system 49700 to assess the firing load experienced by the firing member of the staple firing system 49700. All of these sensors and circuitry are in communication with the control system of the surgical instrument 49000. With this information, the control system can determine when certain operating states have been reached. For example, when the control system determines that the second jaw 49230 has reached its parallel position, the control system can stop the closure motor as part of operating state 49630. At this point, the control system can monitor the force load within the closure drive system 49600 until the force load drops below a threshold, and at that point determine that operating state 49630 is complete and send a signal to the user of the surgical instrument 49000 that the optimal conditions for performing a staple firing stroke have been reached.

[0622] As discussed above, the electric motor used to drive the articulation drive system 49800 and the firing drive system 49700 can be switched between a first operating state and a second operating state. In at least one embodiment, the closure drive 49600 can be used to displace the electric motor between its first operating state and its second operating state. The entire disclosure of International Patent Publication WO 2015 / 153642, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH SHIFTABLE TRANSMISSION, published October 8, 2015, and U.S. Patent 9,351,726, entitled ARTICULATION CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, published May 31, 2016, are incorporated by reference herein.

[0623] The staple firing system 38700 is shown in Figures 91-96 . The staple firing system 38700 includes a rotatable drive shaft and a firing member threadably engaged with the drive shaft. The staple firing system 38700 further includes a drive portion 38730 and a sled portion 38740. The sled portion 38740 includes at least one push surface 38741 defined on a proximal side thereof that contacts the firing member as the firing member is advanced distally during a staple firing stroke. The sled portion 38740 is also attached to the firing member by a lock arm 38734 as the firing member is moved distally into contact with the sled portion 38740. At least initially, the sled portion 38740 moves relative to the drive portion 38370. At this point, as described in greater detail below, the sled portion 38740 and the drive portion 38370 together advance distally such that a ramp 38742 defined on the sled portion 38740 fires staples from the cartridge during the staple firing stroke. The staple firing system 38700 further includes a tissue-cutting knife 38750 rotatably mounted to the drive portion 38730 about a pivot pin 38752.

[0624] At the beginning of the staple firing stroke, the tissue-cutting knife 38750 can be rotated between an undeployed position Figure 94 and a deployed position Figure 93 . The sled portion 38740 can be moved distally relative to the drive portion 38730 at least initially until a cam surface 38746 defined in the sled portion 38740 contacts the tissue-cutting knife 38750 as Figure 93As shown, the cam surface 38746 is curved or arcuate to facilitate rotation of the tissue cuttmg knife 38750 about the pivot pin 38752, although any suitable configuration can be used. When the tissue cuttmg knife 38750 contacts the shoulder 38748 defined on the sled portion 38740, the tissue cuttmg knife 38750 stops rotating, and instead distal movement of the sled portion 38740 is transmitted to the drive portion 38730 by the tissue cuttmg knife 38750. At this point, the drive portion 38730 and the sled portion 38740 translate distally together to perform the staple firing stroke with the tissue cuttmg knife 38750 in its deployed position. In effect, the sled portion 38740 holds the tissue cuttmg knife 38750 in its deployed position during the staple firing stroke. Notably, when the tissue cuttmg knife 38750 is in its deployed position Figure 93 ), the knife edge 38751 of the tissue cuttmg knife 38750 extends above the sled portion 38740, and does not extend above the sled portion 38740 when the tissue cuttmg knife 38750 is in its undeployed position Figure 94 ).

[0625] At the end of the staple firing stroke or after the staple firing stroke has been completed, in addition to the above, the rotatable drive shaft is rotated in the opposite direction and drives the firing member of the staple firing system 38700 in the opposite direction. As the firing member retracts, the firing member pulls the sled portion 38740 proximally because the locking arm 38734 attaches the sled portion 38740 to the firing member. That is, the initial retraction motion of the firing member and the sled portion 38740 does not proximally translate the drive portion 38730. Rather, the initial retraction motion of the sled portion 38740 rotates the tissue cuttmg knife 38750 downwardly to its undeployed position, as Figure 94 shown. Thereafter, with reference to Figure 95 and Figure 96 , the proximal motion of the sled portion 38740 is stopped due to the disengagement of the sled portion 38740 from the firing member. More specifically, the stop arm 38744 of the proximal extension of the sled portion 38740 engages the cartridge body 38420 and prevents the sled portion 38740 from retraction with the firing member. At this point, the locking arm 38734 of the sled portion 38740 disengages from the firing member, leaving the sled portion 38740 and the drive portion 38730 in their fired positions. This arrangement prevents the use of the spent staple cartridge 38400 from being reused. Thus, the spent staple cartridge 38400 must be replaced with an unspent staple cartridge in order to reuse the surgical instrument. That is, other spent cartridge lockout systems can be used that can allow the return of the sled portion 38740 after the staple firing stroke, provided that the spent staple cartridge cannot be re-fired.

[0626] A staple firing system 39700 is shown in Figures 97-103 . The staple firing system 39700 includes a firing rod 39720 that is translatable distally, such as by the staple cartridge 39400, such as to perform a staple firing stroke. The firing rod 39720 includes a first cam 39278 that engages a first jaw and a second cam 39279 that engages a second jaw to hold the first jaw and the second jaw together during a staple firing stroke. The staple firing system 39700 further includes a sled 39740 that is pushed distally by the firing rod 39720 during a staple firing stroke. The sled 39740 includes a proximal push surface 39741 that contacts a distal push surface 39271 on the firing rod 39720. The sled 39740 further includes a central body 39743 and a ramp 39742 that extends from the central body 39743.

[0627] In addition to the above, the staple firing system 39700 further includes a tissue cutting knife 39750 and a knife retractor 39730. The tissue cutting knife 39750 includes a base 39754 that is positioned within a recess 39744 defined in the sled 39740 and a knife body 39753 that includes a knife edge 39751. The knife retractor 39730 includes a locking arm 39732 that engages a shoulder 39722 defined in the firing rod 39720 and a crossbar 39733 that connects a distal end of the locking arm 39732. Referring to Figure 98 , the sled 39740, the tissue cutting knife 39750, and the knife blade retractor 39730 are stored in the cartridge body 39420 of the staple cartridge 39400 such that when the staple cartridge 39400 is inserted into the first jaw, the locking arm 39732 of the knife retractor 39730 is attached to the firing rod 39720 and the knife body 39753 of the tissue cutting knife 39750 abuts the distal push surface 39723 Figure 97 ) defined on the firing rod 39720. At this point, the knife edge 39731 extends above the top surface or deck of the cartridge body 39420 but is covered by the rail 39425 that extends upwardly from the cartridge body 39420 such that the knife edge 39731 is not exposed when the staple firing system 39700 is in its unfired state.

[0628] When the staple firing system 39700 is advanced distally to perform a staple firing stroke, referring to Figure 99 , the firing rod 39720 contacts and pushes the sled 39740 and the tissue cutting knife 39750 distally. Notably, referring to Figure 100The slider 39740 passes through the protrusion 39222 extending from the first jaw at the beginning of the nail firing stroke. The protrusion 39222 includes a proximal ramp allowing the slider 39740 to pass over it. Throughout the nail firing stroke, the blade retraction device 39730 extends in front of the tissue cutting blade 39750. After the nail firing stroke has been completed or otherwise stopped, refer to... Figure 101 The firing lever 39720 retracts to its unfired position. In this type of example, the blade retraction mechanism 39730 contacts the tissue cutting blade 39750 to pull the tissue cutting blade 39750 and the slider 39740 proximally. It is noteworthy that when the tissue cutting blade 39750 is pulled proximally, the base 39754 of the tissue cutting blade 39750 initially slides within the slider recess 39744, i.e., until the blade base 39754 contacts the proximal end of the slider recess 39744. At this point, the tissue cutting blade 39750 and the slider 39740 move proximally together until the slider 39740 reaches the protrusion 39222 extending from the first jaws, as shown... Figure 102 As shown. The protrusion 39222 stops the proximal movement of the slider 39740, and therefore, the continued proximal retraction of the firing lever 39720 causes the tissue cutting blade 39750 to rotate proximally until the tissue cutting blade 39750 is completely retracted below the platform of the cartridge 39420. At this point, the depleted staple cartridge 39400 can be safely removed from the first jaws and replaced by another staple cartridge.

[0629] The suture instrument 40000, including the staple cartridge 40400 and the staple firing system 40700, is shown in Figures 104-113 Chinese. Main reference. Figure 104 The staple firing system 40700 includes a firing lever 40720, a slider 40740 movable distally via the firing lever 40720 during the staple firing stroke, and a tissue cutter 40750 rotatably mounted to the slider 40740 about a pivot 40752. That is, the slider 40740 and the tissue cutter 40750 are positioned in the staple cartridge 40400 and are presented in front of the firing lever 40720 when the staple cartridge 40400 is placed in the suture instrument 40000. When the firing lever 40720 is advanced distally to perform the staple firing stroke, as... Figure 105 As shown, the firing lever 40720 contacts the tissue cutting blade 40750. When the firing lever 40720 is moved further distally, reference... Figure 106 and Figure 107 The firing lever 40720 prevents the tissue cutting blade 40750 from being deployed. Figure 104 and Figure 105The tissue cutter 40750 is rotated to the deployment position, wherein the cutting edge 40751 of the tissue cutter 40750 is exposed above the top or platform of the cartridge 40420 of the staple cartridge 40400. The tissue cutter 40750 includes an arcuate cam surface 40754 defined on its proximal side, which contacts an arcuate cam recess 40724 defined in the firing lever 40720, the arcuate cam recess causing the tissue cutter 40750 to rotate into its deployment position. When the tissue cutter 40750 is in its deployment position, as... Figure 107 As shown, a locking tab 40753 extending from the tissue cutter 40750 is received in a locking recess or latch 40723 defined in the firing lever 40720, which stops the rotation of the tissue cutter 40750 in its deployed position. Furthermore, when the tissue cutter 40750 is in its deployed position, a stop tab 40755 extending from the tissue cutter 40750 is positioned on the top surface 40745 of the slider 40740. In any case, at this time, refer to... Figure 108 The firing lever 40720 can push the tissue cutting blade 40740 and the slider 40750 through the firing stroke of the pin. (Reference) Figure 113 The central portion 40743 of the slider 40740 and the bottom portion of the tissue cutting blade 40750 travel within a longitudinal slot 40423 defined in the cartridge body 40420 of the staple cartridge 40400.

[0630] After the nail firing stroke or after the nail firing stroke has stopped, refer to Figures 109-112 The firing lever 40720 can retract to its unfired position. In such embodiments, the firing lever 40720 pulls the locking tab 40753 of the tissue cutter 40750 proximally, causing the tissue cutter 40750 to rotate toward its undeployed position. The cartridge body 40420 of the staple cartridge 40400 includes angled ridges 40425 extending into a longitudinal slot 40423, which are configured to guide the tissue cutter 40750 back to its retracted position as the firing lever 40720 retracts proximally. The tissue cutter 40750 includes pins 40752 extending from its lateral sides, which engage the ridges 40425 when the tissue cutter 40750 is rotated rearward into the longitudinal slot 40423. Furthermore, in various embodiments, the engagement between the pins 40752 and the ridges 40425 prevents the tissue cutter 40750 from fully retracting. In such embodiments, see reference... Figure 112When the firing rod 40720 is in its proximal-most position, the firing rod 40720 is in its un-deployed position and the tissue cutters 40750 are not in their deployed position. When the firing rod 40720 is in its distal-most position, the firing rod 40720 is in its deployed position and the tissue cutters 40750 are in their deployed position. When the firing rod 40720 is in its deployed position, the firing rod 40720 becomes disengaged from the tissue cutters 40750 and, as a result, the firing rod 40720 does not retract the tissue cutters 40750 and the sled 40740. Rather, the tissue cutters 40750 and the sled 40740 remain in their fired position, but the tissue cutters 40750 are in their undeployed position, which allows the spent staple cartridge 40400 to be safely removed from the stapling instrument 40000.

[0631] A stapling instrument 41000 including an end effector 41200 and a staple firing system 41700 is shown in Figures 114-120 . Referring primarily to Figure 114 , the end effector 41200 includes a first jaw 41220 and a second jaw 41230 rotatably mounted to the first jaw 41220. The second jaw 41230 is rotatable by a closure system of the stapling instrument 41000 between an open, undamped position Figure 114 and a closed, clamped position Figure 115 . The first jaw 41220 includes a longitudinal slot defined therein that is configured to receive a portion of the staple firing system 41700. Similarly, the second jaw 41230 includes a longitudinal slot 41239 defined therein that is configured to receive a portion of the staple firing system 41700. The first jaw 41220 is configured to receive therein a staple cartridge 41400 that includes a cartridge body 41420, staples removably stored in staple cavities defined in the cartridge body 41420, and staple drivers movably positioned in the cartridge body 41420 that are configured to eject the staples from the cartridge body 41420 during a staple firing stroke.

[0632] The staple firing system 41700 includes a rotatable drive shaft 41710 and a firing nut 41720 threadably engaged with a threaded portion of the drive shaft 41710. Similar to the above, the firing nut 41720 is advanced distally when the drive shaft 41710 is rotated in a first direction and is retracted proximally when the drive shaft 41710 is rotated in a second, or opposite, direction. The staple firing system 41700 further includes a clamping member 41730, a sled 41740 that is distally movable during a staple firing stroke to push the staple drivers and staples toward staple-forming pockets defined in the second jaw 41230, and a tissue cutter 41750 rotatably mounted to the sled 41740. Referring primarily to Figure 114The clamping member 41730 is held in the second jaw or anvil 41230. More specifically, a transverse cam 41739 extending from the clamping member 41730 is included in a longitudinal slot 41239 defined in the second jaw 41230, such that the clamping member 41730 moves together with the second jaw 41230. Thus, when the second jaw 41230 is in the open position, as... Figure 114 As shown, the clamping member 41730 is in the raised position, and when the second jaw 41230 is in the closed position, as... Figure 115 As shown, the clamping member 41730 is in the lowered position. When the clamping member 41730 is in its raised position, it does not engage with the firing nut 41720. However, when the clamping member 41730 is in its lowered position, it engages with the firing nut 41720. When the clamping member 41730 is in its lowered position, the firing nut 41720 and the clamping member 41730 can be advanced distally to perform the nail firing stroke. The entire disclosures of U.S. Patent Application Publication 2016 / 0249928 entitled “SURGICAL APPARATUS”, published September 1, 2016, and U.S. Patent Publication 2018 / 0168650 entitled “CONNECTION PORTIONS FOR DISPOSABLE LOADING UNITS FOR SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS”, published June 21, 2018, are incorporated herein by reference.

[0633] In addition to the above, the clamping member 41730 includes a recess 41732 defined therein, the recess being configured to receive the top portion 41722 of the firing nut 41720 when the clamping member 41730 is lowered onto the firing nut 41720, such as Figure 115 As shown. Furthermore, the clamping member 41730 also includes a hook 41734, which is received in a recess 41754 defined in the tissue cutting blade 41750 when the clamping member 41730 is lowered onto the firing nut 41720. When the firing nut 41720 is advanced distally, refer to... Figure 116 and Figure 117 The firing nut 41720 pushes the clamping member 41730 distally, which abuts the slider 41740 to push the slider 41740 during the nail firing stroke. The clamping member 41730 also abuts the tissue cutter 41750 to support the tissue cutter 41750 during the nail firing stroke and to prevent the tissue cutter 41750 from rotating backward or proximally when cutting tissue. Reference is made when the drive shaft 41710 rotates in the opposite direction. Figure 118proximally, the hook 41734 of the clamp member 41730 contacts a proximal end of the rearwardly rotated tissue cuttmg knife 41750 to rotate the tissue cuttmg knife 41750 such that the clamp member 41730 can be disengaged from the tissue cuttmg knife 41750. At this point, reference is made to FIG. 42. Figure 119 The firing nut 41720 and the clamp member 41730 return to their proximal unfired positions while the sled 41740 and the tissue cuttmg knife 41750 remain behind in their fired positions. Notably, when the tissue cuttmg knife 41750 is left behind, the blade 41751 of the tissue cuttmg knife 41750 extends above the deck or top of the cartridge body 41420; however, in other embodiments, the blade 41751 is fully recessed below the deck of the cartridge body 41420 when the tissue cuttmg knife 41750 is rotated rearwardly. In any event, reference is made to FIG. 43. Figure 120 Once the firing nut 41720 and the clamp member 41730 have returned to their proximal unfired positions, the second jaw 41230 can be reopened.

[0634] As discussed above, the sled 41740 and the tissue cuttmg knife 41750 are left in their fired positions after the staple firing stroke or after the staple firing stroke is stopped. In some examples, the tissue cuttmg knife 41750 can not be disengaged from the clamp member 41730. Figure 121 Embodiments are shown that can help maintain the sled 41740 and the tissue cuttmg knife 41750 in their fired positions. Figure 121 A staple cartridge 42400 and a jaw 42220 configured to receive the staple cartridge 42400 are shown. The jaw 42220 comprises a bottom support 42225 and two laterally upstanding walls 42223. The staple cartridge 42400 comprises a cartridge body 42420 positioned between the lateral walls 42223 and a sled 42440 that is additionally translatable within the cartridge body 42420. The cartridge body 42420 comprises staple cavities defined therein in which staples are removably stored. The cartridge body 42420 further comprises a longitudinal slot 42426 defined therein that is configured to receive a central portion 42446 of the sled 42440. The cartridge body 42420 further comprises protrusions 42429 that extend inwardly from the sidewalls of the longitudinal slot 42426 that can inhibit or prevent proximal movement of the sled 42440. More specifically, each protrusion 42429 comprises a proximally facing ramp that allows the sled 42440 to pass through during a staple firing stroke and a distally facing shoulder that stops proximal movement of the sled 42440. The protrusions 42429 are longitudinally arranged within the longitudinal slot 42426 such that the protrusions 42429 can stop proximal movement of the sled 42440 regardless of where the staple firing stroke stops.

[0635] In addition to the above, with reference again to Figure 121 , the cartridge body 42420 further includes longitudinal slots 42427 defined therein that are configured to receive the transverse staple deployment ramps 42447 of the sled 42440. Similar to the above, the cartridge body 42420 further includes protrusions 42426 that extend inwardly from the sidewalls of the longitudinal slots 42427 that can inhibit or prevent proximal movement of the sled 42440. More specifically, each protrusion 42428 includes a proximally-facing ramp that allows passage of the sled 42440 during the staple firing stroke and a distally-facing shoulder that stops proximal movement of the sled 42440. The sled 42240 includes hooks 42248 that extend from the rails 42447 that can abut the distally-facing shoulders of the protrusions 42428 as the sled 42240 is moved proximally. The protrusions 42428 are longitudinally arranged within the longitudinal slots 42427 such that the protrusions 42428 can stop proximal movement of the sled 42440 regardless of where the staple firing stroke stops. In addition to or in lieu of the above, the jaw 42220 includes protrusions 42224 that extend upwardly from the bottom support 42225 that are configured to interact with the bottom portion 42445 of the sled 42440. Each protrusion 42224 includes a proximally-facing ramp that allows passage of the sled 42440 during the staple firing stroke and a distally-facing shoulder that stops proximal movement of the sled 42440.

[0636] A surgical stapling instrument 43000 is shown in Figures 122-128 . The surgical instrument 43000 includes an end effector 43200 having a first jaw 43220 and a second jaw 43230, a replaceable staple cartridge 43400 positioned in the first jaw 43220, and a staple firing drive 43700. The staple cartridge 43400 includes a cartridge body 43420 and a sled 43440 positioned within the cartridge body 43420 that slides from a proximal position Figure 122 ) to a distal position during a staple firing stroke. The sled 43440 includes ramps configured to engage staple drivers within the cartridge body 43420 to eject staples from the staple cartridge 43400. The sled 43440 further includes a tissue-cutting knife 43450 fixedly attached thereto. When the sled 43440 is in its proximal unfired position, reference is made to Figure 122The knife blade of the tissue cutting knife 43450 is positioned between transverse knife guards 43425 that extend upwardly from the deck or top of the cartridge body 43420. As the sled 43440 is advanced distally during a staple firing stroke, the knife blade of the tissue cutting knife 43450 is exposed to the patient tissue captured between the jaws 43220 and 43230. As described in greater detail below, the sled 43440 can be distally moved by a firing bar 43720 of a staple firing system 43700. The entire disclosure of U.S. Patent No. 8,540,133, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE, published September 24, 2013, is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

[0637] When the second jaw 43230 is in the open position, an unspent staple cartridge 43400 can be inserted into the first jaw 43220. When the unspent staple cartridge 43400 is fully seated in the first jaw 43220, the sled 43440 of the unspent staple cartridge 43400 compresses a spent cartridge lockout 43290 that is mounted to the bottom of the first jaw 43220. The spent cartridge lockout 43290 comprises a folding spring, for example, with one side mounted to the first jaw 43220 and the other side extending upwardly in contact with the sled 43220. Once the spent cartridge lockout 43290 has been depressed or released by the sled 43220, the firing bar 43720 can be advanced distally to couple the firing bar 43720 with the sled 43440 as Figure 123 and Figure 124 More specifically, the firing bar 43720 comprises a latch 43730 rotatably mounted thereto that becomes latched to the sled 43440 when the firing bar 43720 is advanced distally and the spent cartridge lockout 43290 has been pushed out of the way of the sled 43440. The latch 43730 comprises a distal latch end 43731 that engages a latch recess 43441 defined in the sled 43440 and, once coupled, pushes the firing bar 43720 distally to push the sled 43440 through a staple firing stroke. Notably, the firing bar 43720 comprises a first cam 43728 that is configured to engage the first jaw 43220 and a second cam 43729 that is configured to engage the second jaw 43230 during a staple firing stroke to hold the jaws 43220 and 43230 in place relative to each other. Additionally, it is noted that the spent cartridge lockout 43290 is configured to resiliently return to its locked state after the sled 43440 has been pushed distally past the spent cartridge lockout 43290, but in this instance it does not impede the current staple firing stroke because the spent cartridge lockout 43290 has been bypassed by the unspent staple cartridge 43400.

[0638] After the staple firing stroke has been completed or after the staple firing stroke has been stopped, the firing bar 43720 is retracted to its proximal unfired position. As the firing bar 43720 is retracted, reference is made to Figure 125 the latch 43730 pulls the sled 43440 proximally with the firing bar 43720. As the firing bar 43720 approaches its proximal unfired position, the latch 43730 disengages from the sled 43740. More specifically, reference is made to Figure 126 the latch 43730 contacts the spent cartridge lockout 43290 which lifts the distal latch end 43731 of the latch 43730 out of the latch recess 43441 defined in the sled 43440. At this point, the sled 43440 does not retract with the firing bar 43720. In fact, in this case, the sled 43440 does not fully retract. Rather, reference is made to Figure 127 the sled 43440 remains in a partially advanced or fired position in which the sled 43440 is not seated on the spent cartridge lockout 43290 (but in a position in which the knife blade of the tissue cutting knife 43750 is protected by the knife guard 43425). Thus, the spent cartridge lockout 43290 remains in its locked position until the spent staple cartridge 43400 is removed from the first jaw 43220 and replaced with an unspent staple cartridge 43400, or another suitable unspent staple cartridge. In the event that the firing bar 43720 is once again advanced distally prior to replacing the spent staple cartridge 43400, reference is made to Figure 128 the latch 43730 will contact the staple cartridge lockout 43290 and distal advancement of the firing bar 43720 will cease. Thus, the spent cartridge lockout 43290 prevents the staple firing stroke of the staple firing system 43700 if an unspent staple cartridge 43400 is not seated in the first jaw 43220.

[0639] In addition to or in lieu of the above, any suitable spent cartridge lockout can be used with any of the embodiments disclosed herein. For example, an electronic spent cartridge lockout can be used. In at least one such embodiment, the stapling instrument includes an electric motor configured to drive the staple firing system 43700, a controller including a microprocessor configured to control the electric motor, and a sensor in communication with the controller configured to detect the presence of an unspent staple cartridge in the first jaw 43220. For example, the sensor can be configured to detect the presence of the sled 43440 in its proximal unfired position. Notably, the spent cartridge lockout 43290 of the stapling instrument 43000 also functions as a missing cartridge lockout. If a staple cartridge is completely missing from the first jaw 43220, the spent cartridge lockout 43290 prevents the staple firing stroke of the staple firing system 43700 in the same or similar manner.

[0640] Part of the suture instrument 44000 is shown in Figures 129-133 The suture instrument 44000 includes a staple cartridge 44400 and a staple firing drive 44700. The staple cartridge 44400 includes a cartridge body 44420 having a staple cavity 44424 and a longitudinal slot 44426 defined therein, staples removably stored in the staple cavity 44424, and a tissue cutter 44450 stored in the proximal end of the cartridge body 44420. The tissue cutter 44450 includes a portion slidably positioned in the longitudinal slot 44426 and a cutting edge 44451 extending above the cartridge body 44420. When the tissue cutter 44450 is in the proximal unfired position, reference... Figure 129 and Figure 130 The cutting edge 44451 is positioned between the blade guard 44425 extending upward from the cartridge 44420, so that the cutting edge 44451 is not exposed. When the staple cartridge 44400 is loaded into the suturing instrument 44000, the tissue cutting blade 44450 is positioned in front of the firing member 44720 of the staple firing drive 44700. At this time, there is a gap between the firing member 44720 and the tissue cutting blade 44450, and the firing member 44720 is not connected to the tissue cutting blade 44450. However, when the firing member 44720 is advanced distally, the firing member 44720 is connected to the tissue cutting blade 44450. More specifically, the tissue cutter 44450 includes proximally extending latching arms 44452 that, when the firing member 44720 contacts the tissue cutter 44450 and initially advances the tissue cutter 44450 distally, are inwardly biased by the sidewalls of the longitudinal slot 44426 into locking recesses 44722 defined on the opposite side of the firing member 44720. At this time, reference... Figure 131 The tissue cutting blade 44450 is attached to the firing member 44720, and together with the firing member 44720 are advanced distally during the firing stroke, as shown in the example. Figure 132 As shown. Advancing the tissue cutting blade 44450 distally removes the cutting edge 44451 from between the blade guards 44425 and exposes the tissue cutting blade 44450 to the tissue. Furthermore, the firing member 44720 includes an integral slider 44740 configured to engage the staple driver in the staple cartridge 44400 and eject the staple from the staple cavity 44424 during the staple firing stroke.

[0641] After the nail firing stroke is completed or after the nail firing stroke has stopped, the firing member 44720 retracts to its proximal unfired position. In such an example, the firing member 44720 pulls the tissue cutting blade 44450 proximally. When the tissue cutting blade 44450 returns to its proximal unfired position, the cutting edge 44451 is positioned between the blade guards 44425. Furthermore, refer to... Figure 133When the tissue cutting knife 44450 returns to its proximal position, the tissue cutting knife 44450 is released from the firing member 44720. More specifically, referring to FIG. 34, the firing member 44720 is moved proximally to its unfired position. In various examples, the firing member 44720 is moved proximally until the tissue cutting knife 44450 abuts a proximal shoulder or wall in the cartridge body 44420. In such examples, the firing member 44720 can be pulled away from the latch arm 44452 if the latch arm 44452 is still partially engaged with the locking recess 44722 defined in the firing member 44720. Figure 130 When the tissue cutting knife 44450 reaches its proximal position, the latch arm 44452 springs outwardly elastically due to the gap provided by the recess 44422 defined in the cartridge body 44420. Once the tissue cutting knife 44450 is disengaged from the firing member 44720, the firing member 44720 is moved proximally to its unfired position. In various examples, the tissue cutting knife 44450 is stopped from moving proximally when the tissue cutting knife 44450 abuts a proximal shoulder or wall in the cartridge body 44420. In such examples, the firing member 44720 can be pulled away from the latch arm 44452 if the latch arm 44452 is still partially engaged with the locking recess 44722 defined in the firing member 44720.

[0642] Figures 134-138 A surgical instrument 45000 is shown in FIG. 33. Referring primarily to FIG. 33, Figure 134 The surgical instrument 45000 comprises an end effector 45200 comprising a first jaw 45220 and a second jaw or anvil 45230 that is pivotable relative to the first jaw 45220 about a pivot pin 45240 between open, undamped and closed, clamped positions. The surgical instrument 45000 further comprises a jaw closure system 45600 configured to close the second jaw 45230. More specifically, the jaw closure system 45600 comprises a closure member 45620 that is movable proximally to urge the second jaw 45230 downwardly toward its closed position. The surgical instrument 45000 further comprises a staple firing system 45700 comprising a rotatable drive shaft 45710 and a firing member 45720 threadably engaged with the drive shaft 45710 that is movable distally during a staple firing stroke. The first jaw 45220 is configured to receive a replaceable staple cartridge 45400 therein comprising a cartridge body 45420, staples removably stored in the cartridge body 45420, and staple drivers configured to support and drive the staples out of the cartridge body 45420 during a staple firing stroke. The staple cartridge 45400 further comprises a sled 45440 that is movable by the firing member 45720 from a proximal, unfired position to a distal, fired position to push the staple drivers up within the cartridge body 45420 toward a top or deck of the cartridge body 45420 during a staple firing stroke.

[0643] In addition to the above, the surgical instrument 45000 further comprises a lockout assembly 45900 that is configured to prevent the second jaw 45230 from being fully closed and, in turn, prevent the firing member 45720 from being advanced distally through a staple firing stroke if the staple cartridge 45400 is absent from the first jaw 45220 or if the staple cartridge 45400 positioned in the first jaw 45220 has been previously fired. Referring primarily to FIGS. 48 and 49, Figure 135 and Figure 136 , the lockout assembly 45900 comprises a frame 45910, an anvil closure lock 45920, and a staple firing lock 45930. The frame 45910 is fixedly mounted to the first jaw 45220 and is positioned beneath the pivot pin 45240, but can be positioned anywhere suitable. The anvil closure lock 45920 is rotatably mounted to the frame 45910 about a pivot 45922 and is rotatable about the pivot 45922 between a locked position Figure 135 and an unlocked position Figure 137 and Figure 138 . The anvil closure lock 45920 comprises a proximal end 45924 and a distal end 45926. When the anvil closure lock 45920 is in its locked position Figure 135 , the proximal end 45924 of the anvil closure lock 45920 comprises a latch that is releasably engaged with a latch shoulder 45624 defined on the closure member 45620. In such instances, the anvil closure lock 45920 prevents the closure member 45620 from moving proximally to close the second jaw 45230. However, when the staple cartridge 45400 is inserted into the first jaw 45220, the proximal end of the cartridge body 45420 contacts the distal end 45926 of the anvil closure lock 45920 and causes the anvil closure lock 45920 to rotate to its unlocked position as shown in Figure 137 . In such instances, the proximal end 45924 of the anvil closure lock 45920 is disengaged from the closure member 45620 and the closure member 45620 can be moved proximally to close the second jaw 45230. In fact, as long as the staple cartridge 45400 is seated in the first jaw 45220, the anvil closure lock 45920 remains unlocked and, therefore, the second jaw 45230 can be opened and closed any number of times by the clinician. However, once the staple cartridge 45400 is removed, the anvil closure lock 45920 automatically re-locks. More specifically, the lock assembly 45900 comprises a biasing spring 45940 that is positioned intermediate the anvil closure lock 45920 and the staple firing lock 45930 that is compressed when the anvil closure lock 45920 is rotated to its unlocked position and that resiliently returns the anvil closure lock 45920 to its locked position when the staple cartridge 45400 is removed.

[0644] The stitched firing locking element 45930 is rotatably mounted to the frame 45910 about a pivot 45932, and is in a locked position about a pivot 45932. Figure 135 ) and unlock location ( Figure 137 Rotating between ) . The pin-fired locking member 45930 includes a proximal end 45934 and a distal end 45936. When the pin-fired locking member 45930 is in its locked position ( Figure 135 When the nail firing latch 45930 is engaged, the distal end 45936 of the nail firing latch 45930 includes a latch releasably engaged with the firing member 45720. In such an example, the nail firing latch 45930 prevents the firing member 45720 from moving distally to perform the nail firing stroke. However, when an unused nail cartridge 45400 is inserted into the first jaw 45220, the slide 45440 of the nail cartridge 45400 contacts the distal end 45936 of the nail firing latch 45930 and rotates the nail firing latch 45930 to its unlocked position, as... Figure 137 As shown. In this example, the distal end 45936 of the nail-firing locking member 45930 disengages from the firing member 45720 and the firing member 45720 can be moved distally to perform the nail-firing stroke. However, once the slider 45440 is advanced distally, the nail-firing locking member 45930 automatically relocks. More specifically, when the nail-firing locking member 45930 rotates to its unlocked position, the bias spring 45940, positioned between the anvil-closing locking member 45920 and the nail-firing locking member 45930, is compressed, and when the slider 45440 is advanced distally, the bias spring 45940 elastically returns the nail-firing locking member 45930 to its locked position. Therefore, when the slider 45440 is advanced distally through its nail-firing stroke via the firing member 45720, the nail-firing locking member 45930 rotates back to its locked position. At this point, it is not important because the firing member 45720 has been advanced distally, and the pin firing lock member 45930 is no longer able to stop the pin firing stroke. It is noteworthy that although the slider 45440 does not return proximally to the firing member 45720 after the pin firing stroke, and when the firing member 45720 returns to its proximal unfired position, the pin firing lock member 45930 is biased in front of the firing member 45720 by the bias spring 45940, making subsequent firing strokes of the firing member 45720 impossible until the exhausted pin magazine 45400 is replaced by the unexploded pin magazine 45400. The entire disclosure of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 458,108, filed June 30, 2019, entitled “SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM COMPRISING AN RFID SYSTEM,” is incorporated herein by reference.

[0645] A staple cartridge 46400 is shown in Figures 139-143 FIG. 22. The staple cartridge 46400 comprises a cartridge body 46420, staples removably stored in the cartridge body 46420, staple drivers configured to support and drive the staples out of the cartridge body 46420, and a sled 46440 configured to urge the staple drivers toward a top or deck of the cartridge body 46420 during a staple firing stroke. The sled 46440 comprises ramps or rails 46442 configured to engage the staple drivers that are slidably positioned in longitudinal slots 46422 defined in the cartridge body 46420. The sled 46440 further comprises a central portion 46446 that is slidably positioned in a central longitudinal slot 46426 defined in the cartridge body 46420. The sled 46440 is movable from a proximal unfired position to a distal fired position during a staple firing stroke, wherein the sled 46440 is urged distally by a staple firing system. After or after the staple firing stroke has stopped, the staple firing system is reversed to reset the staple firing system. In such instances, the staple firing system pulls the sled 46440 proximally toward its proximal unfired position; however, the sled 46440 stops before it reaches its proximal unfired position, as described in greater detail below. At this point, the staple firing system disengages from the sled 46440 such that the sled 46440 remains behind in a partially fired position.

[0646] Referring primarily to Figure 139 , in addition to the above, the staple cartridge 46400 comprises a spent cartridge lock 46490 rotatably mounted to the cartridge body 46420 about the pin 46425. Referring primarily to Figure 140 , when the spent cartridge lock 46490 is in its unlocked position Figure 140 , the spent cartridge lock 46490 comprises a pourable portion 46497 that extends into an aperture 46447 defined in the sled 46440. When the sled 46440 is advanced distally, as shown in Figure 141 , an end wall of the aperture 46447 defined in the sled 46440 contacts the pourable portion 46497 of the spent cartridge lock 46490 and the spent cartridge lock 46490 is rotated to a locked position Figure 142 . In the locked position of the spent cartridge lock 46490, referring to Figure 142The lock portion 46495 of the spent cartridge lock 46490 is positioned in a lock aperture 46427 defined in the cartridge body 46420. When the sled 46440 is retracted after the staple firing stroke, in addition to the above, the proximal movement of the sled 46440 is blocked by the lock portion 46495 which prevents the sled 46440 from returning to its proximally unfired position. Instead, the sled 46440 remains in the retracted but spent position. In co-operation with a staple firing lockout in a surgical instrument, the staple firing system is prevented from pushing the sled 46440 out of its retracted spent position. U.S. Patent No. 7,000,818 entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING SEPARATE AND DISTINCT CLOSING AND FIRING SYSTEMS, U.S. Patent No. 6,988,649 entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT, U.S. Patent No. 6,978,921 entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT INCORPORATING AN E-BEAM FIRING MECHANISM, U.S. Patent No. 6,959,852 entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT WITH MULTISTROKE FIRING INCORPORATING AN ANTI-BACKUP MECHANISM, and U.S. Patent No. 6,905,057 entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT INCORPORATING A FIRING MECHANISM HAVING A LINKED TRANSMISSION, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein. In such embodiments, the firing rod of the staple firing system must engage the sled 46440 at the beginning of the staple firing stroke in order to clear the staple firing lockout defined in the first jaw 46220, and if the firing rod does not engage the sled 46440 at the beginning of the staple firing stroke, the firing rod abuts the staple firing lockout and the firing rod is prevented from performing the staple firing stroke. As a result of this arrangement, the spent cartridge cannot be accidentally reused. In order to reuse the stapling instrument, the spent staple cartridge 46400 must be removed and replaced with an unspent staple cartridge 46400 or any other suitable unspent staple cartridge.

[0647] Reference Figure 57The end effector of the stapling instrument includes a staple cartridge 30220 and an anvil 30230. The anvil 30230 is movable relative to the staple cartridge 30220 between an open, undamped position and a closed, clamped position. The staple cartridge 30220 includes a cartridge body 30222 that includes a proximal end 30224, a distal end, and a deck extending between the proximal end 30224 and the distal end. The cartridge body 30222 also includes a longitudinal slot 30228 extending from the proximal end 30224 toward the distal end and, in addition, staple cavities 30223 arranged in a longitudinal row on opposite sides of the longitudinal slot 30228. Staples, or any other suitable fasteners, are removably stored in each staple cavity 30223.

[0648] In addition to the above, the stapling instrument includes a cartridge jaw configured to receive the staple cartridge 30220. The cartridge jaw and / or the staple cartridge 30220 include features configured to releasably retain the staple cartridge 30220 in the cartridge jaw. In various examples, for example, the staple cartridge 30220 includes snap-fit features at the proximal end 30224 and the distal end of the cartridge body 30222 that releasably retain the staple cartridge 30220 in the cartridge jaw. In various examples, reference is made to U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0256155, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Figure 58 When the staple cartridge 30220 is inserted into the cartridge jaw, the proximal end of the staple cartridge 30220 can not be fully seated or snapped into the cartridge jaw. In such examples, the proximal end 30224 of the cartridge body 30222 can be higher than the distal end, creating a sloped deck between the proximal end 30224 and the distal end. If the clinician notices, they can correct the situation by pushing down on the proximal end 30224 of the cartridge body 30222 to fully seat the proximal end 30234. If the clinician does not notice, the stapling instrument has a self-correcting feature that fully seats the staple cartridge 30220 in the cartridge jaw, as discussed in greater detail below.

[0649] The cartridge body 30222 includes protrusions 30225 extending upwardly from the proximal end 30224 of the cartridge body 30222. A first protrusion 30225 extends upwardly from a first side of the longitudinal slot 30228 and a second protrusion 30225 extends upwardly from a second side of the longitudinal slot 30228. Each protrusion 30225 includes an alignment post 30227 extending therefrom that is configured to be received within an alignment slot 30237 defined in the anvil 30230 when the anvil 30230 is moved to its clamped position. As Figure 58As illustrated, if the staple cartridge 30220 is not properly seated in the cartridge jaw when the anvil 30230 is moved to the clamped position, the anvil 30230 will contact the alignment post 30227 and push down on the staple cartridge 30220 until the staple cartridge 30220 is seated in the cartridge jaw. On the other hand, if the staple cartridge 30220 is properly seated in the cartridge jaw, the alignment slot 30237 can receive the alignment post 30227 without pushing down on the staple cartridge 30220. Advantageously, this arrangement ensures that the tissue supporting surface 30221 of the staple cartridge 30220 and the tissue supporting surface 30231 of the anvil 30230 are properly aligned when the anvil 30230 is in its clamped position. Moreover, this arrangement ensures that the staples stored within the staple cartridge 30220 are properly aligned with the staple forming pockets defined in the anvil 30230 when the anvil 30230 is in its clamped position.

[0650] In addition to the above, with reference to Figure 59 and Figure 60 the staple cartridge 30220 can further include one or more crush ribs 30229 extending from each of the protrusions 30225. The crush ribs 30229 are sized and configured such that the anvil 30230 contacts the staple cartridge 30220 regardless of whether the staple cartridge 30220 is properly or improperly seated in the cartridge jaw. When the anvil 30230 is moved to its clamped position, the anvil 30230 contacts the crush ribs 30229 and permanently deforms them. In this example, therefore, a tight interface is created between the staple cartridge 30220 and the anvil 30230. This arrangement can account for various manufacturing tolerances, etc., of the staple cartridge 30220 and the anvil 30230. Moreover, the crush ribs 30229 and the alignment post 30227 can work in conjunction to align the staple cartridge 30220 with the anvil 30230. For example, the alignment post can provide gross alignment between the anvil 30230 and the staple cartridge 30220, while the crush ribs 30229 can provide fine alignment between the anvil 30230 and the staple cartridge 30220.

[0651] In addition to the above, the staple cartridge 30220 and / or the staple firing drive of the stapling instrument includes a tissue cutting knife that is translatable from the proximal end 30224 toward the distal end 30226 of the cartridge body 30222 during the staple firing stroke to eject the staples from the cartridge body 30222. During the staple firing stroke, the knife blade of the tissue cutting knife extends above the top surface 30221 of the cartridge body 30222 to cut tissue clamped between the staple cartridge 30220 and the anvil 30230. In various instances, if the tissue cutting knife is part of the staple cartridge 30220, the knife blade will be exposed above the top surface 30221 when the staple cartridge 30220 is not positioned in a staple cartridge jaw and / or when the staple cartridge 30220 is positioned in a staple cartridge jaw and the anvil is in an open or unclamped position. With this in mind, the protrusions 30225 are sized and configured to extend above and cover the knife blade when the tissue cutting member is in its proximal unfired position. Further, the protrusions 30225 are sized and configured to extend longitudinally relative to the knife blade when the tissue cutting member is in its proximal unfired position. When the tissue cutting member is moved distally during the staple firing stroke, the knife blade moves distally out from between the protrusions 30225 and becomes exposed.

[0652] In Figures 61-64 depicted are a staple cartridge 31220 and anvil 31230 that are similar in many respects to the staple cartridge 30220 and anvil 30230. The staple cartridge 31220 includes a cartridge body 31222 that includes a proximal end 31224 that, like the above, will be pushed into its fully seated position by the anvil 31230 when the anvil 31230 is moved into its clamped position. The cartridge body 31222 includes protrusions 31225 that extend upwardly from the proximal end 31224 of the cartridge body 31222. Like the above, the protrusions 31225 flank the longitudinal slot 30228 and each include an alignment post 31227 extending therefrom. The alignment posts 31227 are configured to be received within alignment slots 31237 defined in the anvil 31230 when the anvil 31230 is moved into the clamped position. The alignment posts 31227 further include crush ribs 31229 extending therefrom that are crushed by the anvil 31230 to seat the staple cartridge 31220 without being seated when the anvil 31230 is over-clamped Figure 64 ) beyond the parallel position Figure 63 .

[0653] In Figures 65-68A staple cartridge 32220 and an anvil 32230 similar in many respects to the staple cartridges 30220, 31220 and the anvils 30230, 31230 are depicted. The staple cartridge 32220 comprises a cartridge body 32222 which comprises a proximal end 32224 which, like the above, will be pushed into its fully seated position by the anvil 32230 as the anvil 32230 is moved to its clamped position. The cartridge body 32222 comprises cams 32227 extending upwardly from the proximal end 32224 of the cartridge body 32222. Like the above, the cams 32227 flank the longitudinal slot 30228 and each comprise an arcuate profile. The cams 32227 are configured to be engaged by corresponding cams 32237 extending from the anvil 32230 as the anvil 32230 is moved to the clamped position to seat the staple cartridge 32220 if it is not already seated.

[0654] Referring to Figure 71 and Figure 72 , the staple cartridge 48400 comprises a cartridge body comprising staple cavities 48425 defined therein. Referring to Figure 69 and Figure 70 , the anvil 48230 is rotatably mounted to a jaw that supports the staple cartridge 48400 about a pivot pin 48240. The anvil 48230 comprises staple-forming pockets 48235 defined therein that are aligned with the staple cavities 48245 when the anvil 48230 is closed. More specifically, each staple-forming pocket 48235 is aligned with a corresponding staple cavity 48245 such that a staple ejected from the staple cavity 48245 is deformed by its corresponding forming pocket 48235. In at least one example, each forming pocket 48235 comprises two forming cups each configured to deform a leg of a staple.

[0655] A staple cartridge 10000 is shown in Figure 18 . The staple cartridge 10000 further comprises a deck surface 10010 and a base 10015. A sidewall 10020 extends between the deck surface 10010 and the base 10015. The staple cartridge 10000 further comprises an elongated slot 10006 extending from a proximal end 10002 toward a distal end 10004. A longitudinal axis is defined by the elongated slot 10006 along the staple cartridge 10000. The staple cartridge 10000 comprises staple cavities defined therein. The staple cavities are arranged in three longitudinal rows. A first row of staple cavities 10100 extends alongside the elongated slot 10006. A second row of staple cavities 10200 extends alongside the first row of staple cavities 10100 on the same side of the elongated slot 10006. A third row of staple cavities 10300 extends alongside the second row of staple cavities 10200.

[0656] The staple drivers 10500 are movably positioned within the staple cavities 10100, 10200, 10300. More specifically, the staple drivers 10500 are configured to move from an unfired position to a fired position during a staple firing stroke. Each staple driver 10500 comprises a first staple support portion 10510, a second staple support portion 10520, and a third staple support portion 10530. The first staple support portion 10510 supports the staples from the first longitudinal row of staple cavities 10100, the second staple support portion 10520 supports the staples from the second longitudinal row of staple cavities 10200, and the third staple support portion 10530 supports the staples from the third longitudinal row of staple cavities 10300. A base 10550 connects the three staple support portions 10510, 10520, 10530 to one another.

[0657] In various instances, the staple cartridge includes components such as, for example, a tray positioned beneath and / or the bottom of the base of the staple cartridge to prevent elements such as, for example, staple drivers and / or staples from becoming disassociated from the staple cartridge during storage and / or handling. In instances where such additional components are undesirable, the staple cartridge can include one or more driver retention features as discussed in greater detail herein. In addition to maintaining the staple drivers within the staple cartridge, the driver retention features can also function to maintain the staple drivers in their unfired positions prior to a staple firing stroke. Maintaining the staple drivers in their unfired positions prior to a staple firing stroke can facilitate a uniform and / or successful staple firing stroke. In such instances, the driver retention features discussed herein prevent unwanted movement of the staple drivers in any direction within the staple cavities.

[0658] Referring now to Figures 18-22 The staple cartridge 10000 comprises a plurality of locking arms 10022 that are configured to function as driver retention features. The plurality of locking arms 10022 are defined within the outer sidewall 10020 of the staple cartridge 10000. The locking arms 10022 are longitudinally spaced apart from one another along the length of the staple cartridge 10000. Each locking arm 10022 comprises a resilient engagement portion that is configured to interface with a staple driver to maintain the staple driver in its unfired position. In Figure 19 In the illustrated embodiment, each locking arm 10022 comprises a protrusion that extends into the staple cavities 10300 from the third longitudinal row; however, the locking arms 10022 can extend into any suitable staple cavity. The staple drivers 10500 are movably positioned within the staple cavities 10100, 10200, 10300. More specifically, the staple drivers 10500 are configured to move from an unfired position to a fired position during a staple firing stroke. Each staple driver 10500 comprises a first staple support portion 10510, a second staple support portion 10520, and a third staple support portion 10530. The first staple support portion 10510 supports the staples from the first longitudinal row of staple cavities 10100, the second staple support portion 10520 supports the staples from the second longitudinal row of staple cavities 10200, and the third staple support portion 10530 supports the staples from the third longitudinal row of staple cavities 10300. A base 10550 connects the three staple support portions 10510, 10520, 10530 to one another. Figure 21 and Figure 22The staple cartridge 10000' is illustrated in its unfired position in FIG. 43. The staple drivers 10500 include notches and / or indentations 10535 defined in the third staple support portion 10530. The indentations 10535 interface with and / or receive the locking arms 10022 of the staple cartridge 10000 when the staple drivers 10500 are in their unfired position. The interface between the staple drivers 10500 and the locking arms 10022 provide driver retention capability to the staple cartridge 10000. Additional driver retention features are described in greater detail herein.

[0659] A staple cartridge 10000' similar in many respects to the staple cartridge 10000 is illustrated in FIG. 43. Figure 23 The staple cartridge 10000' includes windows 10025 defined in the sidewalls 10020 wherein the windows 10025 are longitudinally spaced from each other. The windows 10025 are positioned at the same elevation as each other along the staple cartridge 10000. A staple driver 10500' similar in many respects to the staple driver 10500 is configured to be movably received within the staple cartridge 10000'. Figure 24 The illustrated staple driver 10500' includes driver retention members and / or protrusions 10535' resiliently extending from the sidewalls of the third staple support portion 10530' toward the sidewalls 10020 of the staple cartridge 10000'. In other words, the portion 10530' of the staple driver 10500' extending from the third longitudinal row into the staple cavities 10300 includes driver retention members and / or protrusions 10535' extending from the third staple support portion 10530' toward the sidewalls 10020 of the staple cartridge 10000'.

[0660] The driver retention members 10535' are resiliently connected to the base 10550' of the staple driver 10500'. When the staple driver 10500' is in its unfired position, as illustrated in FIG. 43, the driver retention members 10535' are in an undepressed position. Figure 23As shown, the actuator retaining member 10535' extends through a window 10025 defined in the staple cartridge 10000'. The protrusion of the actuator retaining member 10535 through the window 10025 prevents the staple actuator 10500' from moving freely in any direction within the staple cavities 10100, 10200, 10300. In other words, an external force must be applied to the staple actuator 10500' and / or the staple cartridge 10000' to bias the protrusion 10535' out of the window 10025. The actuator retaining member 10535' includes a tapered and / or ramped upper surface configured to facilitate disengagement of the actuator retaining member 10535' from the window 10025 during the staple firing stroke. When an upward force, such as a force applied by the advancing firing member, is applied to the staple actuator 10500', the actuator retaining member 10535' is biased away from the sidewall 10020 of the staple cartridge 10000'. Then, the driver retainer 10535' disengages from the window 10025, and the pin driver 10500' is free to translate from the non-firing position toward the firing position.

[0661] In various instances, window 10025 is positioned at different heights along the side wall 10020 of staple cartridge 10000'. This window arrangement facilitates the ability to hold the staple driver at different heights within staple cartridge 10000'.

[0662] Figure 25 and Figure 26 The image depicts a staple cartridge 11000, which is similar in many respects to a staple cartridge 10000. The staple cartridge 11000 includes a platform surface 11010 and a base 11015. The staple cartridge 11000 also includes an elongated slot 11006 extending from a proximal end 11002 toward a distal end 11004. A longitudinal axis is defined along the staple cartridge 11000 by the elongated slot 11006. The staple cartridge 11000 includes staple cavities defined therein. The staple cavities are arranged in three longitudinal rows. A first row of staple cavities 11100 extends adjacent to the elongated slot 11006. A second row of staple cavities 11200 extends adjacent to the first row of staple cavities 11100 on the same side of the elongated slot 11006. A third row of staple cavities 11300 extends adjacent to the second row of staple cavities 11200.

[0663] The nail actuator 11500 is movably positioned within nail cavities 11100, 11200, and 11300. Each nail actuator 11500 is configured to move from a non-firing position to a firing position during the nail firing stroke. Figure 27As shown, the staple drivers 11500 include a first staple support portion 11510, a second staple support portion 11520, and a third staple support portion 11530. The first staple support portion 11510 supports staples from the first longitudinal row of staple cavities 11100, the second staple support portion 11520 supports staples from the second longitudinal row of staple cavities 11200, and the third staple support portion 11530 supports staples from the third longitudinal row of staple cavities 11300. A base 11550 connects the three staple support portions 11510, 11520, 11530 to one another.

[0664] The cartridge 11000 includes an outer wall 11020 that functions as a side wall for the staple cavities within the third longitudinal row 11300. The outer wall 11020 includes a resilient engagement portion that includes a protrusion 11025 defined thereon. The cartridge 11000 also includes an inner wall 11030 that functions as a side wall for the staple cavities within the first longitudinal row 11100. The inner wall 11030 includes a resilient engagement portion that includes a protrusion 11035 defined thereon. The protrusions 11025, 11035 of the cartridge 11000 are configured to engage each of the staple drivers 11500 as the staple drivers 11500 are moved within the staple cavities. As shown in FIG. 34, the protrusions 11025, 11035 of the cartridge 11000 are configured to engage the first staple support portion 11510 and the third staple support portion 11530 of the staple drivers 11500. In various embodiments, the protrusions 11025, 11035 of the cartridge 11000 can engage any suitable portion of the staple drivers 11500, such as, for example, the second staple support portion 11520. Figure 26 and Figure 27 As shown, detents and / or notches 11515 are defined in the first staple support portion 11510 and the third staple support portion 11530. In various embodiments, the detents and / or notches 11515 can be defined on any suitable portion of the staple drivers 11500, such as, for example, the second staple support portion 11520.

[0665] The staple drivers 11500 are shown inserted into the base 11015, positioned Figure 26The right side of the elongated slot 11006 of the illustrated staple cartridge 11000. The insertion path of the staple driver 11500 is blocked by the resilient engagement portions 11025, 11035 of the staple cartridge 11000. In other words, the resilient engagement portions 11025, 11035 prevent the staple driver 11500 from being inserted into the staple cartridge 11000 without the application of an external force. When an upward force is applied to the staple driver 11500, the first staple support portion 11510 contacts the inner wall 11030 of the staple cartridge 11000. The contact between the first staple support portion 11510 and the inner wall 11030 biases at least a portion of the inner wall 11030 away from the staple driver 11500 and toward the elongated slot 11006. Similarly, when the staple driver 11500 is loaded into the staple cartridge 11000, the third staple support portion 11530 contacts the outer wall 11020 of the staple cartridge 11000. The contact between the third staple support portion 11530 and the outer wall 11020 biases at least a portion of the outer wall 11020 away from the staple driver 11500 and away from the elongated slot 11006. When the inner wall 11030 and the outer wall 11020 are biased away from the staple cavity, the insertion path of the staple driver 11500 is cleared, and the staple driver 11500 can be loaded into the staple cartridge 11000 and retained in an un-fired position.

[0666] The staple driver 11500 is illustrated as being retained in an un-fired position, located Figure 26 The left side of the elongated slot 11006 of the illustrated staple cartridge 11000. Notably, the resilient engagement portions of the inner wall 11030 and the outer wall 11020 are in an unbiased and / or natural configuration. When the protrusions 11025, 11035 defined on the resilient engagement portions are received by the detents and / or notches 11515 defined in the first staple support portion 11510 and the third staple support portion 11530 of the staple driver 11500, the staple driver 11500 is retained in an un-fired position. In other words, the interface between the protrusions 11025, 11035 of the staple cartridge 11000 and the notches and / or detents 11515 of the staple driver 11500 prevent the staple driver 11500 from moving out of the un-fired position in either direction.

[0667] As discussed in greater detail herein, driver retention features can be integrally formed within a staple cartridge. A staple cartridge, such as staple cartridge 11900, can be manufactured through an injection molding process. As Figure 29 As illustrated, the top mold 11800 and the bottom mold 11700 are positioned in a manner that allows the injection molding of a staple cartridge 11900 that includes driver retention features. Similar to the staple cartridge 11000, the staple cartridge 11900 includes three longitudinal rows of staple cavities extending along each side of the elongated slot.

[0668] As Figure 29 and Figure 30As shown, the bottom die 11700 includes a central protrusion 11750 extending from the base, wherein the central protrusion 11750 is configured to define the elongate slot in the cartridge 11900. The bottom die 11700 also includes three protrusions extending from the base along each side of the central protrusion 11750. A first protrusion 11710 extends a first distance alongside the central protrusion 11750 from the base and is configured to define the staple cavities within a first longitudinal row. A second protrusion 11720 extends a second distance alongside the first protrusion 11710 from the base and is configured to define the staple cavities within a second longitudinal row. A third protrusion 11730 extends a third distance alongside the second protrusion 11720 from the base and is configured to define the staple cavities within a third longitudinal row. The third distance is shorter than the first and second distances.

[0669] The top die 11800 includes a central protrusion 11850 extending from the base, wherein the central protrusion 11850 is configured to align with the central protrusion 11750 of the bottom die 11700 to define the elongate slot in the cartridge 11900. The top die 11800 also includes three protrusions extending from the base along each side of the central protrusion 11850. A first protrusion 11810 extends a first distance alongside the central protrusion 11850 from the base. The first protrusion 11810 aligns and / or cooperates with the first protrusion 11710 of the bottom die 11700 to define the first longitudinal row of staple cavities. A second protrusion 11820 extends a second distance alongside the first protrusion 11810 from the base. The second protrusion 11820 aligns and / or cooperates with the second protrusion 11720 of the bottom die 11700 to define the second longitudinal row of staple cavities. A third protrusion 11830 extends a third distance alongside the second protrusion 11820 from the base. The third protrusion 11830 aligns and / or cooperates with the third protrusion 11730 of the bottom die 11700 to define the third row of staple cavities and driver retention features. The third distance is greater than the first and second distances. In other words, because the first and second protrusions 11710, 11720 of the bottom die 11700 are taller than the third protrusion 11730 of the bottom die 11700, the first and second protrusions 11710, 11720 of the bottom die 11700 define the majority of the first and second longitudinal rows of staple cavities. Conversely, because the third protrusion 11830 of the top die 11800 is taller than the first and second protrusions 11820, 11830 of the top die 11800, the third protrusion 11830 of the top die 11800 defines the majority of the third longitudinal row of staple cavities.

[0670] A third protrusion 11730 extends a short distance from the base of the bottom mold 11700 so as to form a driver retention feature within the cartridge 11900. While the ends of the first and second protrusions 11710, 11810 and 11720, 11820 include a rectangular profile, the ends of the third protrusions 11730, 11830 include a tapered and / or ramped profile. The tapered and / or ramped profile of the third protrusion 11730 of the bottom mold 11700 is complementary to the tapered and / or ramped profile of the third protrusion 11830 of the top mold 11800. The tapered profile allows a resilient engagement portion to be defined that includes a locking protrusion 11925 on the outer wall of the cartridge 11900, where the locking protrusion 11925 extends into the staple cavities. In the depicted embodiment, the locking protrusions 11925 extend into the staple cavities from the third longitudinal row. The locking protrusions 11925 are positioned in a manner that interfaces with the staple drivers to maintain the staple drivers in their unfired positions. The locking protrusions 11925 are configured to prevent unwanted movement of the staple drivers within the staple cavities, such as movement of the staple drivers from their unfired positions toward their fired positions and / or disassociation with the cartridge 19000.

[0671] Figure 28 A staple driver 11600 is shown for use with the cartridge 11900. The staple driver 11600 includes a first staple support portion 11610 configured to be positioned in a staple cavity from the first longitudinal row and a second staple support portion 11620 configured to be positioned in a staple cavity from the second longitudinal row and a third staple support portion 11630 configured to be positioned in a staple cavity from the third longitudinal row. The third staple support portion 11630 includes a ledge 11634. In various instances, a bottom section 11636 of the third staple support portion 11630 is removed so as to form the ledge 11634. The ledge 11634 includes a flat surface that directly abuts a flat surface formed on each locking protrusion 11925 of the cartridge 11900 when the staple driver 11600 is in an unfired position. This interface prevents the staple driver 11600 from being disassociated with the cartridge 11900 through the base of the cartridge 11900. Each locking protrusion 11925 also includes a ramped surface to facilitate translation of the staple driver 11600 from its unfired position toward its fired position upon contact with a firing member during a staple firing stroke. In the depicted embodiment, the force required to move the staple driver 11600 from its unfired position toward its fired position is less than the force required to move the staple driver 11600 from its unfired position toward the base of the cartridge 11900.

[0672] Figures 31A-32BThe various elements of the staple cartridge 12000 are illustrated during a staple firing stroke. The staple cartridge 12000 comprises a cartridge body 12005 having a deck surface 12010. Staple cavities 12020 are defined within the cartridge body 12005. Staples are removably positioned within the staple cavities 12020. Staple drivers 12200 are positioned within the staple cavities 12020 to support the staples which are configured to be driven toward an anvil positioned opposite the staple cartridge 12000 during a staple firing stroke. Each of the staple drivers 12200 is configured to support a staple on a staple support surface 12230 defined thereon. Each staple driver 12200 comprises a proximal end 12202 and a distal end 12204. The proximal end 12202 of each staple driver 12200 comprises a tapered engagement surface or ramp 12210. Figures 31A-32B The relationship between the firing member 12100 and the staple drivers 12200 of the staple cartridge 12000 as the firing member 12100 is moved from a proximal position to a distal position during a staple firing stroke is depicted. When the firing member 12100 is in the proximal position, the firing member 12100 is proximal to the staple drivers 12200 and when the firing member 12100 is in the distal position, the firing member 12100 is distal to the staple drivers 12200.

[0673] The staple drivers 12200 are configured to translate upwardly within the staple cavities 12020 during a staple firing stroke. As discussed in greater detail herein, prior to being contacted by the firing member 12100 during a staple firing stroke, the staple drivers 12200 are in an unfired position or configuration. Figure 31A The firing member 12100 is illustrated being advanced from its proximal position toward its distal end position. As a result of the distal movement of the firing member 12100, the distal end 12104 of the firing member 12100 contacts the tapered engagement surface 12210 of the staple driver 12200. The contact between the tapered engagement surface 12210 and the distal end 12104 of the firing member 12100 causes the staple driver 12200 to begin to drive upwardly in a first direction 1. The firing member 12100 comprises a ramp surface 12210 configured to facilitate the upward translation of the staple driver 12200 as the firing member 12100 is advanced distally through the staple cartridge 12000.

[0674] As the staple drivers 12200 are driven upwardly by the firing member 12100, the staple drivers 12200 eventually reach a fully fired position. In the Figure 31B In the fully fired position, at least a portion of the staple drivers 12200 extend above the deck surface 12010 of the staple cartridge 12000, or are overdriven relative thereto. As Figure 31BAs shown, when the staple drivers 12200 are in the fully fired position, the firing member 12100 is able to translate proximally and distally with little to no contact with the staple drivers 12200. Thus, when the staple drivers 12200 are maintained in their fully fired position, the staple drivers 12200 do not prevent the firing member 12100 from translating along the firing path and / or the retraction path.

[0675] Once the staple drivers 12200 reach their fully fired position, the firing member 12100 continues to translate distally until the firing member 12100 passes the staple drivers 12200. When the firing member 12100 translates distally past the staple drivers 12200, the staple drivers 12200 can in some instances fall from their fully fired position in the second direction 2 to a position somewhere between their unfired position and their fully fired position, i.e., an elevated position. In Figure 32A In the illustrated embodiment, the staple drivers 12200 are shown in the elevated position. When the staple drivers 12200 are in the elevated and / or holding position, the staple drivers 12200 are positioned higher than when the staple drivers 12200 are in their unfired position, but lower than when the staple drivers 12200 are in their fully fired position. In various embodiments, for example, when the staple drivers 12200 are in the elevated position, the staple drivers 12200 do not extend above the deck surface 12010 of the cartridge 12000.

[0676] In many embodiments, after the staple firing stroke has been completed or otherwise stopped, the firing member 12100 is retracted proximally from its distal position. However, if one or more staple drivers 12200 have fallen down toward the unfired position, the firing member 12100 is blocked from retracting past the fallen staple drivers 12200. As discussed in greater detail herein, the firing member 12100 is not prevented from retracting proximally when the staple drivers 12200 are in their elevated position and / or their fully fired position.

[0677] As Figure 32BAs shown, the proximal end 12102 of the firing member 12100 includes an angled engagement surface or ramp 12120. As the firing member 12100 is retracted proximally, the angled engagement surface 12120 of the firing member 12100 contacts the distal end 12204 of the staple driver 12200. The contact between the angled engagement surface 12120 of the firing member 12100 and the distal end 12204 of the staple driver 12200 causes the staple driver 12200 to be driven upward again in the first direction 1. The staple driver 12200 is driven to a fully fired position or any suitable position that allows the firing member 12100 to be retracted proximally past the staple driver 12200. In the depicted embodiment, a portion of the staple driver 12200 is moved above the deck surface 12010 of the cartridge 12000 to allow the firing member 12100 to be retracted. Various ways of retaining the staple driver in the fully fired position and / or elevated position are discussed in more detail herein.

[0678] A staple cartridge 13000 is depicted in Figure 33 The staple cartridge 13000 includes an elongated slot 13006 extending from a proximal end 13002 toward a distal end 13004. The elongated slot 13006 defines a longitudinal axis of the staple cartridge 13000. Staple cavities are defined in the staple cartridge 13000 and are arranged in longitudinal rows. A first longitudinal row of staple cavities 13100 extends alongside the elongated slot 13006. A second longitudinal row of staple cavities 13200 extends alongside the first longitudinal row of staple cavities 13100 on the same side of the elongated slot 13006. A third longitudinal row of staple cavities 13300 extends alongside the second longitudinal row of staple cavities 13200. The staple cavities 13100 in the first longitudinal row are laterally aligned with the staple cavities 13300 in the third longitudinal row. The staple cavities 13200 in the second longitudinal row are laterally offset from the staple cavities 13100, 13300 in the first and third longitudinal rows, respectively.

[0679] As discussed in more detail herein, the staple cartridge 13000 includes protrusions 13400 that extend upward from the deck surface 13010 and / or toward the anvil. The protrusions 13400 surround at least a portion of the staple cavities 13100, 13200, 13300 and function, for example, to prevent tissue from moving relative to the deck surface 13010 and / or to support the staples as they are ejected during a staple firing stroke.

[0680] The staple drivers 13500 are movably positioned within the staple cavities and are configured to support the staples during a staple firing stroke and drive the staples toward an anvil that is positioned opposite the staple cartridge 13000. As Figure 34As illustrated, each staple driver 13500 includes a first staple support portion 13510, a second staple support portion 13520, and a third staple support portion 13530. The first staple support portion 13510 is positioned within the staple cavity 13100 to support and drive the staples within the first longitudinal row, the second staple support portion 13520 is positioned within the staple cavity 13200 to support and drive the staples within the second longitudinal row, and the third staple support portion 13530 is positioned within the staple cavity 13300 to support and drive the staples within the third longitudinal row. The three staple support portions 13510, 13520, 13530 are connected together by a base 13550 of the staple driver 13500. While the depicted staple driver 13500 includes three staple support portions, a staple driver can include any suitable number of staple support portions such as, for example, one staple support portion or two staple support portions.

[0681] The staple drivers 13500 are configured to translate within the staple cavities during a staple firing stroke. As discussed in greater detail herein, prior to being contacted by the firing member during a staple firing stroke, the staple drivers 13500 are in an unfired position. As the staple drivers 13500 are driven upward by the firing member, the staple drivers 13500 eventually reach a fully fired position. Once the staple drivers 13500 reach their fully fired position, the firing member continues to translate distally until the firing member is no longer in contact with the staple drivers 13500. When the firing member is translated distally beyond the staple drivers 13500, the staple drivers 13500 can fall to a raised position between the unfired position and the fully fired position.

[0682] To maintain the staple drivers in at least their raised positions after the firing member is no longer in contact with the staple drivers, the staple cartridge 13000 includes driver retaining members 13050 that extend into and / or over the staple cavities to engage the staple drivers 13500 and retain the staple drivers 13500 in their raised and / or fully fired positions. Each driver retaining member 13050 extends from the cartridge body 13008 into an individual staple cavity 13200 within the second longitudinal row of staple cavities. In the depicted embodiment, the driver retaining members 13050 extend from the cartridge body 13008 into the second staple support portions 13520 of the staple drivers 13500. Figure 35 In the depicted embodiment, the driver retaining members 13050 are positioned between the protrusions 13400 that surround a portion of the staple cavities 13200. Apertures 13525 are defined in a portion of the staple drivers 13500 that are configured to receive the driver retaining members 13050. When the depicted driver retaining members 13050 extend from the second longitudinal row into the staple cavities 13200, the apertures 13525 are defined in the second staple support portions 13520.

[0683] The orifice 13525 may be located on any suitable portion of the nail driver 13500. In various embodiments, the nail driver 13500 may have more than one orifice 13525 defined therein. The orifice 13525 may be formed within the nail driver 13500 in any suitable manner. In various embodiments, the orifice 13525 is created by an injection molding pin.

[0684] In various instances, the second nail support portion 13520 includes additional material in addition to the first nail support portion and the third nail support portions 13510, 13530, to account for the orifice 13525 defined therein. For example, refer to... Figure 34 The first nail support portion 13510 includes a first end 13512 and a second end 13514. The first end 13512 is configured to support a first leg of a nail, and the second end 13514 is configured to support a second leg of a nail. The first end 13512 and the second end 13514 are connected to each other via an intermediate portion 13516. The intermediate portion 13516 is positioned at a first distance below the first end 13512 and the second end 13514. When the nail is supported by the first nail support portion 13510, the intermediate portion 13516 does not contact the nail. The second nail support portion 13520 includes a first end 13522 and a second end 13524. The first end 13522 is configured to support a first leg of a nail, and the second end 13524 is configured to support a second leg of a nail. The first end 13522 and the second end 13524 are connected to each other via an intermediate portion 13526. The middle portion 13526 is positioned at a second distance below the first end 13522 and the second end 13524. The second distance is smaller than the first distance. In other words, the middle portion 13526 of the second nail support portion 13520 is larger to accommodate the orifice 13525 defined therein.

[0685] The driver retention member 13050 includes a flexible tab 13252 and a protrusion 13255 extending from the tab 13252. As the firing member drives the staple drivers 13500 from the unfired position toward the fully fired position, the staple drivers 13500 resiliently flex the tabs 13252 of the driver retention member 13050 out of the drive path of the staple drivers 13500. In other words, the upward force applied to the staple drivers 13500 by the firing member is strong enough to bias the driver retention member 13050 out of the drive path of the staple drivers 13500, thereby allowing the staple drivers 13500 to reach the fully fired position. The protrusion 13255 is configured to be received by the aperture 13525 of the staple drivers 13500 when the staple drivers 13500 are in and / or near their fully fired position. In the depicted embodiment, the aperture 13525 is positioned over the protrusion 13255 of the driver retention member 13050 when the staple drivers 13500 are in the fully fired position. When the firing member is translated distally past the staple drivers 13500, the staple drivers 13500 can begin to recoil toward the unfired position. In such instances, the tabs 13252 of the driver retention member 13050 spring back into the drive path of the staple drivers 13500 such that the protrusion 13255 of the driver retention member 13050 is caught by and / or otherwise engages with the aperture 13525 of the staple drivers 13500. When the protrusion 13255 is received by the aperture 13525, the driver retention member 13050 retains the staple drivers 13500 in their elevated position. As with the driver retention member 13050 described above, the driver retention member 13050 can be configured to retain the staple drivers 13500 in their fully fired position, or alternatively, the driver retention member 13050 can be configured to retain the staple drivers 13500 in an elevated position between the unfired position and the fully fired position thereof. Figures 31A-32B More particularly, when the staple drivers 13500 are locked in this position, the staple drivers 13500 do not prevent the firing member from being retracted proximally past the staple drivers 13500. The protrusion 13255 and the aperture 13525 can be configured and / or arranged to retain the staple drivers 13500 in their fully fired position, or alternatively, the protrusion 13255 and the aperture 13525 can be configured and / or arranged to retain the staple drivers 13500 in an elevated position between the unfired position and the fully fired position thereof.

[0686] Turning now to Figure 36A and Figure 36Bdepicted. The deck surface 14010 of the cartridge 14000 is circular and / or curved. In other words, the deck surface 14010 varies transversely relative to a longitudinal axis defined by the elongate slot 14006. The highest point of the depicted deck surface 14010 is adjacent the elongate slot 14006. The cartridge 14000 also includes staple cavities arranged in three longitudinal rows. A first longitudinal row of staple cavities 14100 extends alongside the elongate slot 14006. A second longitudinal row of staple cavities 14200 extends alongside the first longitudinal row of staple cavities 14100, and a third longitudinal row of staple cavities 14300 extends alongside the second longitudinal row of staple cavities 14200. The cartridge 14000 also includes protrusions that extend above the deck surface 14010. The protrusions depicted on the cartridge 14000 are in the form of dimple extensions. The dimple extensions support the leg of a staple above the deck of the cartridge. Embodiments are envisioned in which the protrusions are not dimple extensions. A first protrusion 14150 surrounds a portion of each staple cavity 14100 within the first longitudinal row, a second protrusion 14250 surrounds a portion of each staple cavity 14200 within the second longitudinal row, and a third protrusion 14350 surrounds a portion of each staple cavity 14300 within the third longitudinal row. The protrusions are connected to one another. For example, the first protrusion 14150 is connected to the second protrusion 14250 and / or the second protrusion 14250 is connected to the third protrusion 14350. In other examples, the protrusions are separate and distinct from one another and are not connected to one another except by the deck surface 14010.

[0687] The protrusions 14150, 14250, 14350 comprise a square or substantially square geometry. In other words, the protrusions 14150, 14250, 14350 surround portions of the staple cavities in a manner that mimics a square geometry. Beyond this, the curves and / or edges of the protrusions 14150, 14250, 14350 are not sharp. In the depicted embodiment, the first protrusions 14150 surround the staple cavities 14100 from the first longitudinal row as a whole. The second protrusions 14250 surround about three-quarters of the staple cavities 14200 from the second longitudinal row. The third protrusions 14350 are comprised of two protrusions that surround the proximal end 14302 and the distal end 14304 of the staple cavities 14300 from the third longitudinal row, wherein the two protrusions are not connected. Overall, the third protrusions 14350 encompass about half of the staple cavities 14300. In various instances, the first protrusions 14150 surround a greater amount of the staple cavities than the second protrusions 14250 and the third protrusions 14350. As shown in the depicted embodiment, the degree to which the protrusions 14150, 14250, 14350 encompass a particular staple cavity varies based on the lateral position of the staple cavity relative to the elongate slot 14006. While the depicted protrusions within a particular longitudinal row are identical, it is contemplated that the protrusions within a same longitudinal row can vary based on the position of a particular staple cavity relative to the proximal end 14002 and / or the distal end 14004 of the staple cartridge 14000.

[0688] Figure 36A and Figure 36B The protrusions 14150, 14250, 14350 extend to different heights from the deck surface 14010. More specifically, the height of each protrusion 14150, 14250, 14350 varies based on the position of the protrusion 14150, 14250, 14350 and / or the staple cavity 14100, 14200, 14300 relative to the elongate slot 14006. In various instances, each protrusion 14150, 14250, 14350 comprises a different height; however, any suitable height is contemplated to achieve a particular tissue effect. In the depicted embodiment, the height of the first protrusions 14150 is greater than the height of the second protrusions 14250, and the height of the second protrusions 14250 is less than the height of the third protrusions 14350.

[0689] Figure 37A and Figure 37BA staple cartridge 14500 is depicted including a deck surface 14510 and an elongated slot 14506 extending from a proximal end 14502 toward a distal end 14504. The height of the deck surface 14510 of the staple cartridge 14500 is rounded and / or curved. In other words, the deck surface 14510 varies transversely relative to a longitudinal axis defined by the elongated slot 14506. The highest point of the deck surface 14510 shown is adjacent the elongated slot 14506. The staple cartridge 14500 further includes staple cavities arranged in three longitudinal rows. A first longitudinal row of staple cavities 14600 extends alongside the elongated slot 14506. A second longitudinal row of staple cavities 14700 extends alongside the first longitudinal row of staple cavities 14600, and a third longitudinal row of staple cavities 14800 extends alongside the second longitudinal row of staple cavities 14700. The staple cartridge 14500 further includes protrusions extending above the deck surface 14510. The protrusions depicted on the staple cartridge 14500 are in the form of dimple extensions. The dimple extensions support the leg of a staple above the deck of the staple cartridge. Embodiments are envisioned in which the protrusions are not dimple extensions. A first protrusion 14650 surrounds a first portion of each staple cavity 14600 within the first longitudinal row, a second protrusion 14750 surrounds a second portion of each staple cavity 14700 within the second longitudinal row, and a third protrusion 14850 surrounds a third portion of each staple cavity 14800 within the third longitudinal row. In various instances, these protrusions are connected to one another. However, in the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 14A-14C, these protrusions are separate and distinct from one another. Figure 37A and Figure 37B

[0690] ​The protrusions 14650, 14750, 14850 each comprise an elongated or diamond-like geometry. The protrusions 14650, 14750, 14850 surround portions of the staple cavities in a manner that closely conforms to the boundaries of the staple cavities, which are also elongated and diamond-like in shape. Additionally, the curves and / or edges of the protrusions 14650, 14750, 14850 form acute and / or obtuse angles. In the depicted embodiment, the first protrusion 14650 surrounds approximately three-quarters of the staple cavity 14600 from within the first longitudinal row. The second protrusion 14750 is comprised of two protrusions that surround the proximal end 14702 and the distal end 14704 of the staple cavity 14700 from within the second longitudinal row, wherein the two protrusions are unconnected. Overall, the second protrusion 14750 encompasses approximately one-half of the staple cavity 14700. Similarly, the third protrusion 14850 is comprised of two protrusions that surround the proximal end 14802 and the distal end 14804 of the staple cavity 14800 from within the third longitudinal row, wherein the two protrusions are unconnected. Overall, the third protrusion 14850 encompasses approximately one-half of the staple cavity 14800. In various instances, the first protrusion 14650 surrounds the staple cavities to a greater extent than the second protrusion 14750 and the third protrusion 14850. In various instances, the second protrusion 14750 and the third protrusion 14850 surround the staple cavities to the same and / or similar extent. As shown in the depicted embodiment, the extent to which the protrusions 14650, 14750, 14850 encompass a particular staple cavity can vary based on the lateral position of the staple cavity relative to the elongated slot 14506. While the depicted protrusions within a particular longitudinal row are identical, it is contemplated that the protrusions within the same longitudinal row can vary based on the position of a particular staple cavity relative to the proximal end 14502 and / or the distal end 14504 of the staple cartridge 14500.

[0691] Figure 37A and Figure 37B The protrusions 14650, 14750, 14850 extend to the same or similar height from the deck surface 14510. More specifically, the height of each protrusion 14650, 14750, 14850 is substantially the same regardless of the position of the protrusions 14650, 14750, 14850 and / or the staple cavities 14600, 14700, 14800 relative to the elongated slot 14506; however, any suitable height is contemplated to achieve a particular tissue effect.

[0692] Turning now to Figure 38A and Figure 38Bdepicted embodiment, the highest points of the deck surface 15010 are adjacent to the elongate slot 15006. The staple cartridge 15000 also includes staple cavities arranged in three longitudinal rows. A first longitudinal row of staple cavities 15100 extends alongside the elongate slot 15006. A second longitudinal row of staple cavities 15200 extends alongside the first longitudinal row of staple cavities 15100, and a third longitudinal row of staple cavities 15300 extends alongside the second longitudinal row of staple cavities 15200. The staple cartridge 15000 also includes protrusions that extend above the deck surface 15010. The protrusions depicted on the staple cartridge 15000 are in the form of dimple extensions. The dimple extensions support the legs of the staples above the deck of the staple cartridge. Embodiments are envisioned in which the protrusions are not dimple extensions. A first protrusion 15150 surrounds a first portion of each staple cavity 15100 within the first longitudinal row, a second protrusion 15250 surrounds a second portion of each staple cavity 15200 within the second longitudinal row, and a third protrusion 15350 surrounds a third portion of each staple cavity 15300 within the third longitudinal row. In the depicted embodiment, the protrusions are connected to one another. More specifically, the first protrusion 15150 is connected to the second protrusion 15250, and the second protrusion 15250 is connected to the third protrusion 15350.

[0693] The protrusions 15150, 15250, 15350 include an elongated or diamond-like geometry. In other words, the protrusions 15150, 15250, 15350 surround portions of the staple cavities in a manner that closely conforms to the boundaries of the staple cavities. In the depicted embodiment, the first protrusion 15150 surrounds the staple cavities 15100 entirely from within the first longitudinal row. The second protrusion 15250 surrounds the staple cavities 15200 entirely from within the second longitudinal row. The third protrusion 15350 surrounds the staple cavities 15300 entirely from within the third longitudinal row. As shown in the depicted embodiment, the degree to which the protrusions 15150, 15250, 15350 enclose a particular staple cavity is the same regardless of the lateral position of the staple cavity relative to the elongate slot 15006.

[0694] Figure 38A and Figure 38BThe protrusions 15150, 15250, and 15350 shown extend from the platform surface 15010 to different heights. Not only can they vary based on the position of the nail cavities 15100, 15200, and 15300 relative to the elongated slot 15006, but the heights of the protrusions 15150, 15250, and 15350 can also vary over each individual nail cavity. In other words, the height of a particular protrusion is not uniform throughout the protrusion. In the depicted embodiment, the height of the protrusion increases as the distance between the protrusion and the transverse slot 15006 increases, illustrating the curvature of the platform surface 15010. More specifically, the portions of the protrusions closer to the elongated slot 15006 are shorter than the portions farther away from the elongated slot 15006.

[0695] Figure 39A and Figure 39B The image depicts a staple cartridge 15500 comprising a platform surface 15510 and an elongated slot 15506 extending from a proximal end 15502 toward a distal end 15504. The platform surface 15510 of the staple cartridge 15500 is circular and / or curved. In other words, the height of the platform surface 15510 varies laterally relative to the longitudinal axis defined by the elongated slot 15506. The highest point of the platform surface 15510 shown is adjacent to the elongated slot 15506. The staple cartridge 15500 also includes staple cavities arranged in three longitudinal rows. A first longitudinal row staple cavity 15600 extends adjacent to the elongated slot 15506. A second longitudinal row staple cavity 15700 extends adjacent to the first longitudinal row staple cavity 15600, and a third longitudinal row staple cavity 15800 extends adjacent to the second longitudinal row staple cavity 15700. The staple cartridge 15500 also includes a protrusion 15900 extending above the platform surface 15510. The protrusion 15900 depicted on the staple cartridge 15000 takes the form of a recessed extension. The recessed extension supports the legs of the staples above the platform of the staple cartridge. An embodiment in which the protrusion is not a recessed extension is contemplated. The protrusion 15900 spans three longitudinal rows of staple chambers. For example, the protrusion 15900 surrounds the proximal end 15602 of the staple chamber 15600 from the first longitudinal row, the distal end 15704 of the staple chamber 15700 from the second longitudinal row, and the proximal end 15802 of the staple chamber 15800 from the third longitudinal row. Another protrusion 15900 surrounds the distal end 15604 of the staple chamber 15600 from the first longitudinal row, the proximal end 15702 of the staple chamber 15700 from the second longitudinal row, and the distal end 15804 of the staple chamber 15800 from the third longitudinal row.

[0696] The protrusion 15900 comprises a diamond-like geometry. The protrusion 15900 surrounds a portion of the post cavity in a manner that closely conforms to the boundary of the post cavity. The height of each protrusion 15900 varies as the protrusion 15900 extends laterally away from the elongated slot 15506. (As...)Figure 39A and Figure 39B As shown, the overall height of the staple cartridge 15500, including the protrusions 15900, is the same across each protrusion 15900. In order to achieve a level surface across the curved deck surface 15506 on the protrusions 15900, the height of the protrusions 15900 must vary as the protrusions 15900 extend away from the elongated slot 15606. For example, in the depicted embodiment, the portion of the protrusions 15900 spaced furthest from the elongated slot 15506 extends a greater distance from the deck surface 15510 than the portion of the protrusions 15900 spaced closest to the elongated slot 15506.

[0697] Figure 40 An end effector 16000 is shown for use with a surgical stapling instrument. The end effector 16000 comprises an anvil 16010 and a staple cartridge jaw 16020. At least one of the anvil 16010 and the staple cartridge jaw 16020 is movable relative to the other between an open configuration and a closed configuration. Figure 40 The end effector 16000 shown in FIG. 16 is in the closed configuration. The anvil 16010 comprises a planar tissue support surface 16014, wherein the tissue support surface 16014 comprises a plurality of staple-forming pockets 16012 defined therein.

[0698] A staple cartridge 16100 is configured to be replaceably seated in the staple cartridge jaw 16020. The staple cartridge 16100 comprises an elongated slot 16106 extending from a proximal end toward a distal end. A longitudinal axis of the staple cartridge 16100 is defined along the elongated slot 16106. The staple cartridge 16100 further comprises a rounded and / or curved deck surface 16108. In various instances, the staple cartridge 16100 comprises a sloped deck surface. A tissue gap is defined between the deck surface 16108 and the tissue support surface 16014 of the anvil 16010. The tissue gap varies laterally relative to the elongated slot 16106. In the depicted embodiment, the tissue gap is smallest at points adjacent the elongated slot 16106. The tissue gap gets larger at points laterally spaced away from the elongated slot 16106.

[0699] The staple cartridge 16100 includes staple cavities defined therein. A first longitudinal row of staple cavities 16100 extends alongside the elongate slot 16106. A second longitudinal row of staple cavities 16200 extends alongside the first longitudinal row of staple cavities 16100 on the same side of the elongate slot 16106. A third longitudinal row of staple cavities 16300 extends alongside the second longitudinal row of staple cavities 16200. As the longitudinal rows of staple cavities are laterally spaced apart, the tissue gap between the longitudinal rows varies. The tissue gap between the staple cavities 16110 in the first longitudinal row and the tissue support surface 16014 of the anvil 16010 is the smallest, while the tissue gap between the staple cavities 16130 in the third longitudinal row and the tissue support surface 16014 of the anvil 16010 is the largest.

[0700] The staple cartridge 16100 includes protrusions 16400 that extend upward from the curved deck surface 16108 and / or toward the anvil 16010. The protrusions 16400 surround at least a portion of the staple cavities 16110, 16120, 16130 and function, for example, to prevent tissue supported between the deck surface 16108 and the tissue support surface 16014 of the anvil 16010 from moving out of position and / or to provide stability to the staple drivers and / or staples during the staple firing stroke. The extent to which the protrusions 16400 surround a particular staple cavity can vary based on the location of the staple cavity in the staple cartridge 16100. The protrusions 16400 can vary based on the location of a particular staple cavity relative to the elongate slot 16106. For example, the protrusions 16400 surrounding the staple cavities 16110 in the first longitudinal row can all be the same. However, the protrusions 16400 surrounding the staple cavities 16110 in the first longitudinal row can be different than the protrusions 16400 surrounding the staple cavities 16120, 16130 in the second and third longitudinal rows. The protrusions 16400 can also vary based on the location of a particular staple cavity relative to the proximal and / or distal end of the staple cartridge 16100. For example, the protrusions 16400 can vary in height, length, and / or geometry. The ways in which the protrusions 16400 can vary are discussed in greater detail herein.

[0701] In the depicted embodiment, a first protrusion 16400a surrounds a first portion of the staple cavities 16110 in the first longitudinal row of staple cavities. The first protrusion 16400a extends a first distance above the deck surface 16108. A second protrusion 16400b surrounds a second portion of the staple cavities 16120 in the second longitudinal row of staple cavities. The second protrusion 16400b extends a second distance above the deck surface 16108. A third protrusion 16400c surrounds a third portion of the staple cavities 16130 in the third longitudinal row of staple cavities. The third protrusion 16400c extends a third distance above the deck surface 16108. In various instances, the first distance is different than the second distance and the third distance. In various instances, the second distance is different than the third distance. In various instances, the first distance, the second distance, and the third distance are all different. In various instances, the first distance, the second distance, and the third distance are all the same. Figure 40 and Figure 41In the depicted embodiment, the third distance is greater than the first distance, and the first distance is greater than the second distance; however, the protrusions 16400 can extend from the deck surface 16108 to any distance to achieve a desired tissue grasping effect.

[0702] Turning now to Figure 41 The staple cartridge 16100 further comprises a staple driver 16500. The staple driver 16500 comprises a first staple support portion 16510, a second staple support portion 16520, and a third staple support portion 16530. The first staple support portion 16510 extends within the staple cavities 16110 from the first longitudinal row of staple cavities. The second staple support portion 16520 extends within the staple cavities 16120 from the second longitudinal row of staple cavities. The third staple support portion 16530 extends within the staple cavities 16130 from the third longitudinal row of staple cavities. The staple support portions 16510, 16520, 16530 are connected together by a base 16550. The staple support portions 16510, 16520, 16530 all extend a distance away from the base 16550 of the staple driver 16500. The top surface of each staple support portion 16510, 16520, 16530 is aligned with the top surfaces of the other staple support portions 16510, 16520, 16530 of the staple driver 16500 in the staple cartridge 16100.

[0703] The staple support portions 16510, 16520, 16530 are configured to translate within the corresponding staple cavities 16110, 16120, 16130 during a staple firing stroke. As discussed in greater detail herein, during a staple firing stroke, the staple driver 16500 is moved between an unfired position and a fully fired position. The staple driver 16500 is illustrated in the unfired position, located proximate the base 16107 of the staple cartridge 16100 in Figure 41 In the depicted embodiment, when the staple driver 16500 is in its unfired position, the base 16550 of the staple driver 16500 is aligned with and / or flush with the base 16107 of the staple cartridge 16100.

[0704] The staple driver 16500 is also illustrated in the fully fired position, located distally from the base 16107 of the staple cartridge 16100. Figure 41the deck surface 16108 of the cartridge 16100. In the fully fired position, a portion of the staple drivers 16500 are "overdriven" and extend above the deck surface 16108 of the cartridge 16100. As discussed in greater detail herein, the cartridge 16100 includes protrusions 16400 that extend from the deck surface 16108 toward the anvil 16010. The protrusions 16400 around at least a portion of each staple cavity serve, for example, to further compress tissue while also providing support for the overdriven staple drivers 16500. As discussed above, all of the protrusions 16400 extend from the deck surface 16108 to different heights. The protrusions 16400 serve to guide the legs of the staples during formation and / or provide additional stability to the staple drivers 16500 during the staple firing stroke. The first protrusion 16400a reduces the tissue gap between the first staple cavity 16110 and the tissue supporting surface 16014 of the anvil 16010 by the height of the first protrusion 16400a. Likewise, the second protrusion 16400b reduces the tissue gap between the second staple cavity 16120 and the tissue supporting surface 16014 of the anvil 16010 by the height of the second protrusion 16400b. The third protrusion 16400c reduces the tissue gap between the third staple cavity 16130 and the tissue supporting surface 16014 of the anvil 16010 by the height of the third protrusion 16400c.

[0705] In the fully fired position, the first staple support surface 16510 of the staple drivers 16500 extends a first distance OD1 above the protrusion 16400a, the second staple support surface 16520 extends a second distance OD2 above the protrusion 16400b, and the third staple support surface extends a third distance OD3 above the protrusion 16400c. Due to the curved nature of the deck surface 16108 and the varying heights of the protrusions 16400, the first distance OD1 is different than the second distance OD2 and the third distance OD3. In the depicted embodiment, the third distance OD3 is greater than the second distance OD2, and the second distance OD2 is greater than the first distance OD1.

[0706] The staples are removably positioned within each staple cavity. In at least one example, the staples deform to the same or at least substantially the same height. Because the overdrive distances OD1, OD2, OD3 of the staple drivers 16500 account for the varying tissue gaps along the deck surface 16108, uniform staple formation is achieved. As Figure 41As illustrated, the distance between the first staple support portion 16510 of the staple driver 19150 and the corresponding staple forming pocket 16012 of the anvil 16010 is the same as the distance between the second staple support portion 16520 and the corresponding staple forming pocket 16012 when the staple driver 16500 is in the fully fired position. Likewise, the distance between the first and second staple support surfaces 16510, 16520 and the corresponding staple forming pocket 16012 is the same as the distance between the third staple support surface 16530 and the corresponding staple forming pocket 16012 when the staple driver 16500 is in the fully fired position. Thus, staples positioned within all three longitudinal rows of staple cavities are configured to form and / or bend to the same height.

[0707] As discussed above, the surgical end effector includes an anvil and a staple cartridge jaw. In some embodiments, the staple cartridge jaw is movable relative to the anvil, while in other embodiments, the anvil is movable relative to the staple cartridge jaw. When the anvil is in its open position, the staple cartridge jaw is positioned on one side of the tissue to be stapled and the anvil jaw is positioned on the opposite side. In such instances, the end effector is moved relative to the tissue until the tissue is properly positioned between the staple cartridge jaw and the anvil. To avoid positioning the target tissue proximal of the proximal-most staple cavities, the anvil can include a downwardly extending protrusion, commonly referred to as a "tissue stop," that functions to prevent the target tissue from being positioned too proximally between the anvil and the staple cartridge. The tissue stop extends downwardly beyond the deck surface of the staple cartridge to prevent the tissue from being positioned too proximally between the anvil and the staple cartridge. In other words, the tissue stop ensures that the tissue positioned between the jaws of the end effector is not cut precisely by the cutting member without being stapled. The tissue stop is sized and configured such that the tissue does not inadvertently get pinched between the tissue stop and the lateral sides of the staple cartridge jaw. The tissue stop is discussed in greater detail in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16 / 105,140, entitled SURGICAL STAPLER ANVILS WITH TISSUE STOP FEATURES CONFIGURED TO AVOID TISSUE PINCH, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. In various instances, the staple cartridge includes a tissue stop that cooperatively works with the tissue stop of the anvil.

[0708] Figure 42A staple cartridge 17000 is shown that includes an elongate slot 17006 extending from a proximal end 17002 toward a distal end 17004. A longitudinal axis is defined by the elongate slot 17006. The staple cartridge 17000 includes three longitudinal rows of staple cavities defined on each side of the elongate slot 17006. A first longitudinal row of staple cavities 17100 extends alongside the elongate slot 17006. A second longitudinal row of staple cavities 17200 extends alongside the first longitudinal row of staple cavities 17100. A third longitudinal row of staple cavities 17300 extends alongside the second longitudinal row of staple cavities 17200. The staple cavities 17100 in the first longitudinal row are aligned with the staple cavities 17300 in the third longitudinal row, while the staple cavities 17200 in the second longitudinal row are offset from the staple cavities 17100, 17300 in the first and third longitudinal rows. The proximal-most staple cavities 17100, 17300 in the first and third longitudinal rows are proximal of the proximal-most staple cavities 17200 in the second longitudinal row, respectively. The staple cartridge 17000 further includes a pair of tissue stops or walls 17600 extending between the proximal-most staple cavities 17100, 17300 of the first and third longitudinal rows. Dashed lines extend transversely through the staple cartridge 17000 to represent the position of the tissue stops relative to the anvil. As shown, Figure 42 the proximal half of the proximal-most staple cavities 17100, 17300 from the first and third longitudinal rows are proximal of the dashed lines, and due to the tissue stops 17600, prevent proximal movement of tissue relative to these staple cavities. Since the proximal-most staple cavities are in the first longitudinal row, a tight seal by the staple wires is formed when the cutting member cuts through tissue positioned between the jaws of the end effector.

[0709] Figure 43A staple cartridge 17000 is shown that includes an elongated slot 17006 extending from a proximal end 17002 toward a distal end 17004. A longitudinal axis is defined by the elongated slot 17006. The staple cartridge 17000 includes three longitudinal rows of staple cavities defined on each side of the elongated slot 17006. A first longitudinal row of staple cavities 17100 extends alongside the elongated slot 17006. A second longitudinal row of staple cavities 17200 extends alongside the first longitudinal row of staple cavities 17100. A third longitudinal row of staple cavities 17300 extends alongside the second longitudinal row of staple cavities 17200. The staple cavities 17100 in the first longitudinal row are aligned with the staple cavities 17300 in the third longitudinal row, while the staple cavities 17200 in the second longitudinal row are offset from the staple cavities 17100, 17300 in the first and third longitudinal rows. The proximal-most staple cavities 17100, 17300 in the first and third longitudinal rows are distal of the proximal-most staple cavities 17200 in the second longitudinal row, respectively. Dashed lines extend transversely through the staple cartridge 17000' to represent the position of the tissue stop relative to the anvil. Notably, the tissue stop that interacts with the staple cartridge 17000' is positioned distal of the tissue stop that interacts with the staple cartridge 17000. This difference in tissue stop position is due at least in part to the position of the proximal-most staple cavities 17100 in the first longitudinal row relative to the proximal-most staple cavities from the other longitudinal rows.

[0710] A staple cartridge 19000 is depicted in Figure 44 The staple cartridge 19000 is configured to be seated in a channel of a cartridge jaw of a surgical end effector. The end effector includes an anvil jaw 19050 that opposes the cartridge jaw when the end effector is in a closed configuration. At least one of the anvil jaw 19050 and the cartridge jaw is movable relative to the other between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The anvil 19050 includes a plurality of staple-forming pockets defined therein that are configured to deform staples ejected from the staple cartridge 19000.

[0711] The staple cartridge 19000 includes a cartridge body 19008 that includes an elongated slot 19006 extending from a proximal end 19002 toward a distal end 19004 of the cartridge body 19008. The cartridge body 19008 further includes a deck surface 19010. Staple cavities 19100, 19200, 19300 are defined within the cartridge body 19008. The staple cavities 19100, 19200, 19300 are arranged in three rows, wherein the three rows extend along the same side of the elongated slot 19006. A first row of staple cavities 19100 extends adjacent to and / or alongside the elongated slot 19006. A third row of staple cavities 19300 is positioned away from the elongated slot 19006, and a second row of staple cavities 19200 extends between the first row of staple cavities 19100 and the third row of staple cavities 19300.

[0712] The longitudinal axis is defined by the elongated slot 19006 of the staple cartridge 19000. For example... Figure 44 As shown, the cavities 19100, 19200, and 19300 in these three rows are not oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis. In other words, the axis defined by cavities 19100, 19200, and 19300 is not parallel to the longitudinal axis defined by the elongated slot 19006. Each cavity 19100 in the first row defines an axis that is substantially parallel to the axis defined by each cavity 19300 in the third row. Each cavity 19200 in the second row is substantially perpendicular to the orientation of cavities 19100 and 19300 in the first and third rows.

[0713] The platform surface 19010 of the staple cartridge 19000 is circular and / or curved. In other words, the height of the platform surface 19010 varies laterally relative to the longitudinal axis defined by the elongated slot 19006. The highest point of the platform surface 19010 shown is adjacent to the elongated slot 19006, which extends downward to the central portion of the cartridge body 19008. Figure 44 A portion of the staple cartridge 19000 is shown without a staple cavity to more clearly illustrate the circular nature and / or curvature of the platform surface 19010.

[0714] Now go to Figure 45 and Figure 46 The staple cartridge 19000 is shown in more detail. The staple cartridge 19000 includes a protrusion 19400 extending above the platform surface 19010. Furthermore, the protrusion 19400 is configured to grip tissue held between the jaws of the end effector and / or prevent tissue from slipping relative to the staple cartridge 19000. The protrusion 19400 depicted on the staple cartridge 19000 takes the form of a recessed extension. The depicted recessed extension provides support to the staple and / or staple driver as the staple is driven out of the staple cartridge 19000 toward the anvil 19050. A first protrusion 19400a surrounds a first end 19102 of the staple cavity 19100, and a second protrusion 19400b surrounds a second end 19104 of the staple cavity 19100. Although the protrusion 19400 is shown as surrounding only a portion of each staple cavity, it is contemplated that the protrusion 19400 may surround any desired amount of staple cavity, such as, for example, the entire staple cavity.

[0715] Figure 45 , Figure 46 and Figure 52 The protrusions 19400 shown are uniform in height. In other words, all protrusions 19400 extend the same distance from the platform surface 19010 of the staple cartridge 19000. Figure 46 and Figure 52The end effector is shown in a closed configuration. In the closed configuration, a tissue gap is defined between the deck surface 19010 of the staple cartridge 19000 and the tissue compression surface 19056 of the anvil 19050. Due to the curved nature of the deck surface 19010, the tissue gap varies laterally across the cartridge deck 19010 relative to the elongate slot 19006.

[0716] The anvil 19050 also includes a plurality of staple-forming pockets 19060 defined in the tissue compression surface 19056. Each staple-forming pocket 19060 corresponds to an individual staple cavity 19100, 19200, 19300 of the staple cartridge 19000. As Figure 46 shown, each staple-forming pocket 19060 includes a first pocket 19062 and a second pocket 19064. The first pocket 19062 is aligned with the first end 19152 of the staple driver and the second pocket 19064 is aligned with the second end 19154 of the staple driver. The first leg of the staple is configured to contact the first pocket 19062 as the staple is formed and the second leg of the staple is configured to contact the second pocket 19064 which is configured to contact the second leg of the staple as the staple is formed.

[0717] As Figure 46 shown, a first tissue gap g 组织1 is defined between the deck surface 19010 of the staple cartridge 19000 and the tissue support surface 19056 of the anvil 19050 at a point adjacent to the elongate slot 19006. 组织1 A second tissue gap g 组织2 is defined between the deck surface 19010 of the staple cartridge 19000 and the tissue support surface 19056 of the anvil 19050 at a point laterally spaced away from the elongate slot 19006. 组织2 The second tissue gap g 组织2 is greater than the first tissue gap g 组织1 . The presence of the smaller tissue gap adjacent to the elongate slot 19006 causes the tissue alongside the elongate slot 19006 to be compressed to a greater extent than the tissue laterally spaced away from the elongate slot 19006. This is especially true when the thickness of the tissue clamped between the jaws of the end effector is substantially uniform. This greater compression results in the dispersion of bodily fluids away from the elongate slot 19006, among other things, which also promotes a uniform cut line and / or a fixed staple line.

[0718] The staple drivers 19150 from the first row of staple cavities 19100 are in Figure 46 and Figure 52is shown in a fully fired position. In the fully fired position, a portion of the staple drivers 19150 are "overdriven" and extend above the deck surface 19010 of the cartridge 19000. As discussed in greater detail herein, the cartridge 19000 includes protrusions 19400 that extend from the deck surface 19010 toward an anvil 19050 that surrounds at least a portion of the staple cavities. The protrusions 19400 function to, for example, further compress tissue while also providing support for the overdriven staple drivers 19150 and / or the staples driven by the staple drivers 19150. As discussed above, all of the protrusions 19400 extend from the deck surface 19010 to the same maximum height hi. As Figure 52 As shown, the first protrusion 19400a reduces the tissue gap gi beyond the height hi of the first protrusion 19400a at the point where the first leg of the staple is formed. Likewise, the second protrusion 19400b reduces the tissue gap g2 beyond the height hi of the second protrusion 19400b at the point where the second leg of the staple is formed.

[0719] In the fully fired position of the staple drivers 19150, the first end 19152 of the staple drivers 19150 extends a first distance OD1 above the protrusion 19400a, while the second end 19154 of the staple drivers 19150 extends a second distance OD2 above the protrusion 19400b. Due to the curved nature of the deck surface 19010, the uniform height hi of the protrusions 19400, and the orientation of the staple cavities 19100 relative to the longitudinal axis, the first distance OD1 is different than the second distance OD2. In the depicted embodiment, the second distance OD2 is greater than the first distance OD1.

[0720] The legs of the staples within the staple cavities 19100 are configured to be formed to the same height or at least substantially the same height as one another. Since the overdrive distances OD1, OD2 of the staple drivers 19150 account for the variation in tissue gap along the staple cavities 19100, uniform staple leg formation is achieved. As Figure 46 As shown, the distance between the first end 19152 of the staple drivers 19150 and the first recess 19062 of the forming pocket 19060 is the same as the distance between the second end 19154 of the staple drivers 19150 and the second recess 19064 of the forming pocket 19060. Thus, the legs of the staples are formed and / or bent to the same extent.

[0721] Unlike the protrusions 19400 that extend above the deck surface 19010 of the cartridge 19000, Figure 47 and Figure 48The staple cartridge 19000' illustrated in FIG. 23 includes a flat deck surface 19010. In other words, there is nothing protruding and / or extending above the deck surface 19010. The staple drivers 19150, 19250, 19350 are movably positioned within the staple cavities 19100, 19200, 19300. Each staple driver, such as staple driver 19150, includes a cradle 19156 that is configured to support the base of a staple. The cradle 19156 includes a first end 19152 and a second end 19154. The first end 19152 is configured to support a staple near the location where the base of the staple meets the first leg of the staple. The second end 19154 is configured to support a staple near the location where the base of the staple meets the second leg of the staple.

[0722] Figure 48 An end effector including a staple cartridge 19000' seated in the staple cartridge jaw is illustrated. The end effector is in a closed configuration. In the closed configuration, a tissue gap is defined between the deck surface 19010 of the staple cartridge 19000' and the tissue compression surface 19056 of the anvil 19050. Due to the curved nature of the deck surface 19010, the tissue gap varies laterally across the cartridge deck 19010 relative to the elongated slot 19006. In the depicted embodiment, the tissue gap is smallest at the points adjacent the elongated slot 19006. The tissue gap gets larger at the points laterally spaced away from the elongated slot 19006.

[0723] More specifically, a first tissue gap g 组织1 is measured between the deck surface 19010 of the staple cartridge 19000' and the tissue support surface 19056 of the anvil 19050 at the points adjacent the elongated slot 19006. 组织1 A second tissue gap g 组织2 is measured between the deck surface 19010 of the staple cartridge 19000' and the tissue support surface 19056 of the anvil 19050 at the points laterally spaced away from the elongated slot 19006. 组织2 The second tissue gap g 组织2 is greater than the first tissue gap g 组织1 . The presence of the smaller tissue gap adjacent the elongated slot 19006 causes the tissue alongside the elongated slot 19006 to be compressed to a greater extent than the tissue laterally spaced away from the elongated slot 19006. This is especially true when the thickness of the tissue clamped between the jaws of the end effector is substantially uniform. This greater compression results in the dispersion of bodily fluids away from the elongated slot 19006, among other things, which also promotes a uniform cut line and / or fixed staple line.

[0724] The staple drivers 19150 from the first row of staple cavities 19100 are Figure 48is shown in a fully fired position. In the fully fired position, a portion of the staple drivers 19150 are "overdriven" and extend above the deck surface 19010 of the cartridge 19000'. A first end 19152 of the staple drivers 19150 extends a first distance ODI above the deck surface 19006, while a second end 19154 of the staple drivers 19150 extends a second distance OD2 above the deck surface. Due to the curved nature of the deck surface 19010 and the orientation of the staple cavities 19100 relative to the longitudinal axis, the first distance ODI is different than the second distance OD2. In the depicted embodiment, the second distance OD2 is greater than the first distance ODI. Notably, the overdrive distance of the cartridge 19000', which includes a smooth and / or protrusion-free deck surface 19010, is greater than the overdrive distance of the cartridge 19000, which includes protrusions extending from the deck surface.

[0725] The legs of the staples within the staple cavities 19100 are configured to form to the same height or at least substantially the same height as one another. As the overdrive distances ODI, OD2 of the staple drivers 19150 account for the variation in tissue gap along the staple cavities 19100, uniform staple leg formation is achieved. As shown, the distance between the first end 19152 of the staple drivers 19150 and the first recess 19062 of the staple forming pockets 19060 is the same as the distance between the second end 19154 of the staple drivers 19150 and the second recess 19064 of the staple forming pockets 19060. Thus, the legs of the staples are formed and / or bent to the same extent. Figure 48

[0726] Figure 49 and Figure 50 A cartridge 19000" that is similar in many respects to the cartridge 19000 is depicted. For example, both cartridges 19000, 19000" include a curved and / or rounded deck surface 19010 profile with protrusions 19400 extending above the deck surface. Further, the protrusions 19400 on the cartridge 19000" also take the form of recess expansions. A first protrusion 19400a surrounds a first end 19102 of the staple cavities 19100, and a second protrusion 19400b surrounds a second end 19104 of the staple cavities 19100. While the protrusions 19400 are shown as surrounding only a portion of each staple cavity, it is contemplated that the protrusions 19400 can surround any suitable amount of the staple cavities such as, for example, the entire staple cavities.

[0727] Figure 49 and Figure 50 ​The illustrated protrusions 19400 extend from the deck surface 19010 to different heights. More specifically, the height of each protrusion 19400 varies based on the location of the protrusion 19400 relative to the elongated slot 19006. In various instances, the height of the protrusions 19400 decreases as the protrusions 19400 are positioned further away from the elongated slot 19006. As Figure 49 As illustrated, the first protrusions 19400a around the first end 19102 of the staple cavities 19100 extend from the deck surface 19010 to a first height hi. The second protrusions 19400a around the second end 19104 of the same staple cavities 19100 extend from the deck surface 19010 to a second height h2. The first height hi is different than the second height h2. In the depicted embodiment, the second height h2 is shorter than the first height hi. Among other things, protrusions with greater heights closer to the knife slot 19006 can facilitate fluid flow away from the cut line.

[0728] Figure 50 An end effector including a staple cartridge 19000” disposed in the staple cartridge jaw is shown. The end effector is in a closed configuration. In the closed configuration, a tissue gap is defined between the deck surface 19010 of the staple cartridge 19000” and the tissue support surface 19056 of the anvil 19050. Due to the curved nature of the deck surface 19010, the tissue gap varies laterally across the cartridge deck 19010 relative to the elongated slot 19006. As Figure 50 As illustrated, a first tissue gap g 组织1 is measured at a point adjacent to the elongated slot 19006. 组织1 A second tissue gap g 组织2 is measured at a point laterally spaced away from the elongated slot 19006. 组织2 The second tissue gap g 组织2 is greater than the first tissue gap g 组织1 The presence of the smaller tissue gap adjacent to the elongated slot 19006 causes the tissue alongside the elongated slot 19006 to be compressed to a greater extent than the tissue laterally spaced away from the elongated slot 19006. This is especially true when the thickness of the tissue clamped between the jaws of the end effector is substantially uniform. This greater compression results in the dispersion of bodily fluids away from the elongated slot 19006, among other things, which facilitates a uniform cut line and / or fixed staple line.

[0729] The staple drivers 19150 from the first row of staple cavities 19100 are in Figure 50is shown in a fully fired position. In the fully fired position, a portion of the staple drivers 19150 are "overdriven" and extend above the deck surface 19010 of the cartridge 19000". As discussed in greater detail above, the cartridge 19000" includes protrusions 19400 that extend from the deck surface 19010 toward the anvil 19050 that surrounds at least a portion of the staple cavities. The protrusions 19400 function to, for example, further compress tissue while also providing support for the overdriven staple drivers 19150 and / or the staples driven by the staple drivers 19150. The protrusions 19400 extend from the deck surface 19010 of the cartridge 19000" to different final heights.

[0730] In the fully driven position of the staple drivers 19150, the first end 19152 of the staple drivers 19150 extends a first distance OD1 above the protrusion 19400a, while the second end 19154 of the staple drivers 19150 extends a second distance OD2 above the protrusion 19400b. Notably, the overdrive distance of the cartridge 19000" is less than the overdrive distance of the cartridge 19000' that includes the smooth deck surface 19010. Due to the curved nature of the deck surface 19010 and the orientation of the staple cavities 19100 relative to the longitudinal axis, the first distance OD1 is different than the second distance OD2. In the depicted embodiment, the second distance OD2 is greater than the first distance OD1.

[0731] The legs of the staples within the staple cavities 19100 are configured to be formed to the same height or at least substantially the same height as one another. Due to the overdrive distance OD1, OD2 of the staple drivers 19150 accounting for the variation in tissue gap along the staple cavities 19100, uniform staple leg formation is achieved. As Figure 50 As shown, the distance between the first end 19152 of the staple drivers 19150 and the first recess 19062 of the forming pocket 19060 is the same as the distance between the second end 19154 of the staple drivers 19150 and the second recess 19064 of the forming pocket 19060. Thus, the legs of the staples are uniformly formed.

[0732] Figure 51A portion of an end effector including a staple cartridge having protrusions 19400 of varying heights is shown. A first protrusion 19400a extends from a first side 19102 of a staple cavity 19100 to a first height hi. A second protrusion 19400b extends from a second side 19104 of the staple cavity 19100 to a second height h2. The second height h2 is different than the first height hi. In the depicted embodiment, the second height h2 is taller than the first height hi; however, any suitable arrangement is contemplated. While the second protrusion 19400b is taller than the first protrusion 19400a, the top surface 19402a of the first protrusion 19400a and the top surface 19402b of the second protrusion 19400b are the same distance from the tissue support surface 19056 of the anvil 19050 when the end effector is in a closed configuration. In other words, the tissue gap comprises a uniform gap distance "g" across the staple cavity 19100.

[0733] As discussed in greater detail above, the protrusions 19400 can provide support to the staples and / or the staple drivers as the staple drivers and staples are driven toward the anvil. The greater height h2 of the second protrusion 19400b minimizes overdrive of the second end 19154 of the staple driver 19150. Minimizing the portion of the staple driver 19150 that is exposed above the deck surface 19010 makes the staple driver 19150 less susceptible to displacement and / or misalignment during a staple firing stroke. The protrusions 19400 function, for example, to enhance stability of the staple drivers, maintain staple driver alignment when performing a staple firing stroke, and / or prevent staple driver displacement.

[0734] Figures 53 to 56 The variability of tissue gripping features and / or protrusions across individual staple cavities is shown. As described in greater detail herein, the staple cavities are defined within a cartridge body. The cartridge body includes a deck surface having a curved and / or rounded profile. Various parameters of the tissue gripping features and / or protrusions can vary along the deck surface of the staple cartridge to achieve a desired tissue effect. Such parameters include, for example, the angle at which the protrusions extend from the deck surface, the height at which the protrusions extend, the length of the staple cavity around which the protrusions extend, and / or the radius at which the protrusions curve around the staple cavity end. Figure 53 A portion of a staple cartridge 18000 including a plurality of tissue gripping features is shown. The staple cartridge 18000 includes an elongated slot 18006 extending from a proximal end 18002 toward a distal end 18004. Similar to the staple cartridge 19000, the staple cartridge 18000 includes a rounded and / or curved deck surface 18010. In other words, the height of the deck surface 18010 varies laterally relative to the elongated slot 18006. The highest point of the deck surface 18010 shown is adjacent to the elongated slot 18006.

[0735] The staple cavities 18100, 18200, 18300 are defined within the cartridge body 18008. The staple cavities 18100, 18200, 18300 are arranged in three rows, wherein the three rows extend along the same side of the elongate slot 18006. The first row of staple cavities 18100 extends adjacent to and / or alongside the elongate slot 18006. The third row of staple cavities 18300 is positioned away from the elongate slot 18006, and the second row of staple cavities 18200 extends between the first and third rows of staple cavities 18100, 18300.

[0736] The longitudinal axis is defined by the elongate slot 18006. As shown, none of the staple cavities 18100, 18200, 18300 are oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis. In other words, the axes defined by the staple cavities 18100, 18200, 18300 are not parallel to the longitudinal axis defined by the elongate slot 18006. Each staple cavity 18100 within the first row defines a first cavity axis. Each staple cavity 18200 within the second row defines a second cavity axis. Each staple cavity 18300 within the third row defines a third cavity axis. As shown, the first cavity axis is oriented in a different direction than the second cavity axis. The first cavity axis is substantially parallel to the third cavity axis. Figure 53 Figure 53

[0737] The staple cartridge 18000 includes various protrusions 18400 extending from the deck surface 18010. The protrusions 18400 surround a portion of each staple cavity to varying degrees. Similar to the above, the protrusions 18400 can vary in size and / or geometry based on the location and / or orientation on the cartridge body 18008. In various instances, and as shown, all of the protrusions 18400 surrounding the staple cavities within a particular row are the same. In other instances, the protrusions 18400 surrounding the staple cavities within a particular row differ from one another. For example, the size and / or geometry of the protrusions 18400 can vary based on the longitudinal position of the individual staple cavities relative to other staple cavities. The height of each protrusion can differ across the staple cartridge, and even between protrusions surrounding individual staple cavities. Figure 53

[0738] ​​​In addition to the above, the staple cavity 18100 includes a proximal end 18102 and a distal end 18104, with the distal end 18104 being closer to the elongated slot 18006 than the proximal end 18102. A first protrusion 18110 is aligned with the distal end 18104 and extends away from the deck surface 18010 to a first height hi. A second protrusion 18120 is aligned with the proximal end 18102 and extends away from the deck surface 18010 to a second height h2. In the depicted embodiment, the first height hi is shorter than the second height h2. In various examples, protrusions positioned closer to the elongated slot 18006 have a shorter height than protrusions positioned laterally farther from the elongated slot 18006. For example, the protrusions 18310 of the staple cavities 18300 within the third row extend to a height h3 that is less than the heights hi, h2 of the protrusions 18110, 18120 of the staple cavities 18100 of the first row.

[0739] The angles at which the protrusions extend away from the deck surface can also vary. For example, the first protrusion 18110 of the staple cavity 18100 extends away from the deck surface 18010 at a first angle ai, while the second protrusion 18120 extends away from the deck surface 18010 at a second angle a2. In the depicted embodiment, the first angle ai is perpendicular to the deck surface 18010, and the first angle ai is not perpendicular to the deck surface 18010. The second protrusion 18120 extends at a more oblique angle relative to the deck surface 18010, while the first protrusion 18110 extends at a more acute and / or more steep angle relative to the deck surface 18010. In various examples, protrusions positioned closer to the elongated slot 18006 extend away from the deck surface of the cartridge at a sharper angle than protrusions positioned laterally farther from the elongated slot 18006. For example, the protrusions 18310 of the staple cavities 18300 within the third row extend from the deck surface at an angle a3 that is less than the angles ai, a2 of the protrusions 18110, 18120 of the staple cavities 18100 of the first row. Other arrangements are possible.

[0740] The total length of the staple cavity covered by each protrusion can also be a varying parameter. In various instances, the protrusion can surround the entire length of the staple cavity. In other instances, the protrusion can surround only a portion of the length of the staple cavity. For example, the first protrusion 18110 of the staple cavity 18100 surrounds a small portion of the staple cavity 18100, such as for example 10%. The first protrusion 18110 covers a first length li of the staple cavity 18100. However, the second protrusion 18120 surrounds a larger portion of the staple cavity 18100, such as for example 30%. The second protrusion 18120 covers a second length 12 of the staple cavity 18100. Thus, the second length 12 is greater than the first length li. In various instances, protrusions positioned closer to the elongated slot 18006 surround a smaller portion of the staple cavity than protrusions positioned laterally farther from the elongated slot 18006. For example, the protrusions 18310 of the staple cavities 18300 within the third row surround a third length 13 that is exactly the entire length of the staple cavities 18300. The third length 13 is greater than either of the lengths li, 12 covered by the protrusions 18110, 18120 of the staple cavities 18100 of the first row. Other arrangements are possible.

[0741] The radius of the curve of the protrusion around the end of the staple cavity can vary across the cartridge. In various instances, the protrusion can form a sharp curve around the end of the staple cavity. In other instances, the protrusion can form a blunt curve around the end of the staple cavity. For example, the first protrusion 18110 of the staple cavity 18100 forms a curve having a first radius ri around the distal end 18104 of the staple cavity 18100. The second protrusion 18120 of the staple cavity 18100 forms a curve having a second radius r2 around the proximal end 18102 of the staple cavity 18100. The first radius ri is less than the second radius r2, resulting in the curve formed by the first protrusion 18110 around the distal end 18104 of the staple cavity 18100 being sharper than the curve formed by the second protrusion 18120 around the proximal end 18102 of the staple cavity 18100. In various instances, protrusions positioned closer laterally to the elongated slot 18006 curve around the end of the staple cavity with a sharper curve than protrusions positioned laterally farther from the elongated slot. For example, the protrusions 18310 of the staple cavities 18300 within the third row form a curve having a third radius r3 around the edges of the staple cavities 18300. The third radius r3 is less than the radii ri, r2 formed by the protrusions 18110, 18120 of the staple cavities 18100 of the first row. Thus, the third radius r3 is blunter and / or less sharp than the radii ri, r2. Other arrangements are possible.

[0742] Other parameters, such as the geometry of the top surface of the protrusion 19400, can vary to achieve the desired tissue effect. In various instances, the protrusion 19400 includes a rounded outer edge to prevent and / or minimize trauma to the tissue supported between the jaws of the end effector. In other instances, the protrusion 19400 includes a sharp outer edge to facilitate gripping between the protrusion 19400 and the tissue supported between the jaws of the end effector.

[0743] Figure 54 A protrusion is shown surrounding a portion of a staple cavity 18100 defined in a first longitudinal staple row cavity within a staple cartridge 18000. As discussed in more detail above, the first longitudinal staple row extends alongside and / or adjacent to an elongated slot 18006. A first protrusion 18400a extends across a first length l of the proximal end 18102 of the staple cavity 18100. 1b The second protrusion 18400b extends across the second length l of the distal end 18104 of the nail cavity 18100. 1a First length l 1b Longer than the second length l 1a Therefore, the first protrusion 18400a surrounds a larger portion of the nail cavity 18100 than the second protrusion 18400b. The protrusions 18400a and 18400b extend from the platform surface 18010 at a first angle α1. In the depicted embodiment, the protrusions 18400a and 18400b extend from the platform surface 18010 at the same angle; however, it is contemplated that the protrusions 18400a and 18400b may extend from the platform surface 18010 at any suitable angle to control tissue flow. The first protrusion 18400a includes a portion having a first radius of curvature r. 1b The tissue supports the edge, and the second protrusion 18400b includes a second radius of curvature r. 1a The tissue supports the edge. In various instances, the first radius of curvature r 1b Unlike the second radius of curvature r 1a However, they can be the same in other embodiments. In the depicted embodiment, the first radius of curvature r 1b Greater than the second radius of curvature r 1a In other words, the second protrusion 18400b forms a sharper edge. When the second protrusion 18400b is positioned closest to the elongated slot 18006 and therefore closer to the cutting line, for example, the sharper edge can provide a stronger grip on tissue positioned between the jaws of the end effector and prevent tissue from moving out of the desired position. Figure 53As illustrated, due to the orientation of the staple cavity 18100, the proximal end 18102 of the staple cavity 18100 is further from the elongate slot 18006 of the cartridge 18000 than the distal end 18104 of the staple cavity 18100. For example, a portion of the protrusion 18400b around the proximal end 18102 of the staple cavity 18100 extends a first height h 1b above the deck surface 18010. A portion of the protrusion 18400a around the distal end 18104 of the staple cavity 18100 extends a second height h 1a above the deck surface 18010. The first height h 1b is different than the second height h 1a but can be the same in other embodiments. In the depicted embodiment, the portion of the protrusion 18400b around the proximal end 18102 of the staple cavity 18100 extends further above the deck surface 18010 than the portion of the protrusion 18400a around the distal end 18104 of the staple cavity 18100. Due to the curvature of the deck surface 18010, the height difference allows the top surface of the protrusion 18400 to be substantially horizontal over the staple cavity 18100.

[0744] Figure 55A protrusion is shown surrounding a portion of a staple cavity 18200 defined in a second longitudinal row of staples within a staple cartridge 18000. As discussed in more detail above, the second longitudinal row extends alongside and / or adjacent to the first longitudinal row of staple cavities 18100. The second longitudinal row is laterally spaced further from the elongated slot 18006 than the first longitudinal row. A first protrusion 18400a extends across a length l2 of the proximal end 18202 of staple cavity 18200, and a second protrusion 18400b extends across a length l2 of the distal end 18204 of staple cavity 18200. In the depicted embodiment, the first length l2 and the second length l2 are the same; however, any suitable length is contemplated to achieve the desired result. Thus, the first protrusion 18400a has the same dimensions around staple cavity 18200 as the second protrusion 18400b. Protrusions 18400a and 18400b extend from the platform surface 18010 at a second angle a2. In the depicted embodiment, protrusions 18400a and 18400b extend from the platform surface 18010 at the same angle; however, it is contemplated that protrusions 18400a and 18400b may extend from the platform surface 18010 at any suitable angle to control tissue flow. The second angle a2 of the protrusion of the second stub cavity 18200 extending from the platform surface 18010 is greater than the first angle a1 of the protrusion of the first stub cavity 18100 extending from the platform surface 18010. In other words, the angle at which the protrusion extends from the platform surface 18010 becomes larger and / or less precipitous when the stub cavity is laterally positioned away from the elongated slot 18006. The first protrusion 18400a and the second protrusion 18400b include tissue-supporting edges that include a second radius of curvature r2. In the depicted embodiment, the radius of curvature r2 is th...

Claims

1. A staple cartridge for use with a surgical instrument, wherein said staple cartridge comprises: a proximal end; a distal end; a cartridge body comprising a tissue support surface; an elongate slot extending from said proximal end toward said distal end, wherein said elongate slot defines a longitudinal axis; a first longitudinal row of staple cavities extending alongside said elongate slot; a second longitudinal row of staple cavities extending alongside said first longitudinal row of staple cavities; a third longitudinal row of staple cavities extending alongside said second longitudinal row of staple cavities; staples removably stored in said first, second, and third longitudinal rows of staple cavities; staple drivers removably positioned within said first, second, and third longitudinal rows of staple cavities, wherein each said staple driver comprises: a first staple support member positioned within said staple cavities from said first longitudinal row; a second staple support member positioned within said staple cavities from said second longitudinal row; and a third staple support member positioned within said staple cavities from said third longitudinal row; a firing member movable along said elongate slot between said proximal end and said distal end, wherein said firing member is configured to drive said staple drivers from an unfired position to a fired position during a staple firing stroke; and driver retention members configured to engage said staple drivers when said staple drivers are in said fired position; wherein each said driver retention member comprises a flexible tab and a first protrusion extending from said tab, wherein each driver retention member is elastically biased such that when said staple drivers are in a fired position, each first protrusion is biased into engagement with an aperture defined in said staple drivers to retain said staple drivers in said fired position.

2. The cartridge of Claim 1, wherein, said driver retention members are integrally formed with said cartridge body.

3. The cartridge of Claim 1, wherein, each said driver retention member extends from said cartridge body into one of said staple cavities within said second longitudinal row, wherein an aperture is defined in said second staple support member of said staple drivers, and wherein said driver retention members are configured to be received by said apertures when said staple drivers are in said fired position.

4. The cartridge of Claim 1, wherein, a portion of said staple drivers extends above said tissue support surface of said staple cartridge when said staple drivers are in said fired position.

5. The cartridge of Claim 1, wherein, said staple drivers do not obstruct said firing member from being retracted from a position distal of said staple drivers to a position proximal of said staple drivers when said staple drivers are in said fired position.

6. The staple cartridge of Claim 1, further comprising a protrusion extending above said tissue support surface of said staple cartridge.

7. The cartridge of Claim 6, wherein, The protrusions extending above the tissue support surface of the cartridge extend from the tissue support surface to a first height, wherein at least a portion of the staple drivers extend above the tissue support surface to a second height when the staple drivers are in the fired position, and wherein the second height is less than the first height.

8. The cartridge of Claim 1, wherein, The firing member comprises a cutting element, and wherein the cutting element extends above the tissue support surface of the cartridge body.

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