Surgical stapling device having closure and firing lockout arrangement compatible with cartridge - Patents.com

Abstract

To provide a surgical stapling apparatus which includes a first jaw configured to detachably support a surgical staple cartridge therein and a second jaw movable between the open position and the close position relative to the first jaw.SOLUTION: Closing lock-out is movable between the lock position where the second jaw is held at the open position and the lock release position where the second jaw is movable to the close position. The closing lock-out is configured to interface with a lock release mechanism on a surgical staple cartridge 20600 supported in the first jaw such that the closing lock-out moves to the lock release position when the lock release mechanism interfaces with the closing lock-out in an operable manner. A stapling instrument includes a firing member lock-out system for preventing movement of a firing member when a cam assembly of the staple cartridge 20600 is not at the non-firing position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 17

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 807,310, filed February 19, 2019, entitled "METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A POWERED SURGICAL STAPLER THAT HAS SEPARATE ROTARY CLOSURE AND FIRING SYSTEMS," U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 807,319, filed February 19, 2019, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES WITH IMPROVED LOCKOUT SYSTEMS," and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 807,309, filed February 19, 2019, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES WITH IMPROVED ROTARY DRIVEN CLOSURE SYSTEMS," the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 650,887, filed March 30, 2018, entitled "SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH OPTIMIZED SENSING CAPABILITIES," the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. This application is a continuation of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,302, filed March 28, 2018, entitled "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH ENCRYPTED COMMUNICATION CAPABILITIES," U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,294, filed March 28, 2018, entitled "DATA STRIPPING METHOD TO INTERROGATE PATIENT RECORDS AND CREATE ANONYMIZED RECORD," U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,300, filed March 28, 2018, entitled "SURGICAL HUB SITUATIONAL AWARENESS," and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,309, filed March 28, 2018, entitled "SURGICAL HUB SPATIAL AWARENESS TO DETERMINE DEVICES IN OPERATING THEATER,” U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649, filed March 28, 2018;No. 310, entitled "COMPUTER IMPLEMENTED INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS"; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,291, filed March 28, 2018, entitled "USE OF LASER LIGHT AND RED-GREEN-BLUE COLORATION TO DETERMINE PROPERTIES OF BACK SCATTERED LIGHT"; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,296, filed March 28, 2018, entitled "ADAPTIVE CONTROL PROGRAM UPDATES FOR SURGICAL DEVICES"; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,333, filed March 28, 2018, entitled "CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR CUSTOMIZATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO A U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,327, filed March 28, 2018, entitled "CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR SECURITY AND AUTHENTICATION TRENDS AND REACTIVE MEASURES"; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,315, filed March 28, 2018, entitled "DATA HANDLING AND PRIORITIZATION IN A CLOUD ANALYTICS NETWORK"; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,313, filed March 28, 2018, entitled "CLOUD INTERFACE FOR COUPLED SURGICAL DEVICES"; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,320, filed March 28, 2018, entitled "DRIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,307, filed March 28, 2018, entitled "AUTOMATIC TOOL ADJUSTMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS," and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,307, filed March 28, 2018, entitled "AUTOMATIC TOOL ADJUSTMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS."This application claims the benefit of US Pat. No. 3,323, entitled "SENSING ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS," the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0002] The present invention relates to surgical instruments and to surgical stapling and severing instruments and staple cartridges for use therewith designed for stapling and severing tissue in a variety of situations. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0003] The various features of the embodiments described herein, together with their advantages, may be understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a powered surgical stapling system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an interchangeable surgical shaft assembly of the powered surgical stapling system of FIG. 1; [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a portion of a handle assembly of the powered surgical stapling system of FIG. 1; [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the interchangeable surgical shaft assembly of FIG. 2. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is another exploded view of a portion of the interchangeable surgical shaft assembly of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another powered surgical stapling system; [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a portion of a shaft assembly of the powered surgical stapling system of FIG. 6; [Figure 8] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a portion of the handle assembly of the powered surgical stapling system of FIG. 6; [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a side view of another surgical end effector that may be used with the rotary powered surgical stapling system. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the surgical end effector of FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an exploded view of a rotary powered firing member that can be used with the surgical end effector of FIGS. 9 and 10. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the initial insertion of a new, unfired surgical staple cartridge into the surgical end effector of FIG. [Figure 13] 13 is another partial cross-sectional view of the surgical end effector of FIG. 12 after a surgical staple cartridge is operably mounted therein; FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view showing the firing member and cam assembly of the end effector of FIG. 13; [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is another partial cross-sectional view of the surgical end effector of FIG. 9, prior to the insertion of a new surgical staple cartridge therein and with its firing member lockout assembly in a locked position; [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view showing the firing member and lockout lug of the end effector of FIG. 15, with the cam assembly and end effector channel omitted for clarity. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a side view of another surgical end effector with its anvil in the open position. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a partial bottom perspective view of the surgical end effector of FIG. 17. [Figure 19] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a channel attachment mechanism and anvil lockout spring of the surgical end effector of FIG. 17; [Figure 20] FIG. 18 is a partial bottom perspective view of the surgical end effector of FIG. 17 without a surgical staple cartridge installed therein and with its anvil in a locked position; [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is another partial bottom perspective view of the surgical end effector of FIG. 20 after a matching surgical staple cartridge has been installed therein and the anvil lockout spring has been moved to the unlocked position; [Figure 22]FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the proximal end portion of the surgical staple cartridge of FIG. 21; [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is a partially exploded view of a surgical staple cartridge and corresponding anvil and anvil lockout system of a surgical end effector; [Figure 24] FIG. 10 is a partially exploded view of a surgical staple cartridge and corresponding anvil and anvil lockout system of another surgical end effector. [Figure 25] FIG. 10 is a partial bottom view of a channel of another end effector with a matching surgical staple cartridge loaded therein, with a portion of the matching surgical staple cartridge omitted for clarity; [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a side view of a portion of the surgical end effector of FIG. 25 with the channel, anvil, and portions of the cartridge omitted for clarity. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a partial cross-sectional end view of the surgical end effector of FIGS. 25 and 26, showing the anvil in a closed position with a mating staple cartridge; [Figure 28] FIG. 27 is another partial cross-sectional end view of the surgical end effector of FIGS. 25 and 26, with the anvil thereof shown in the locked open position; [Figure 29] FIG. 27 is a side view of the anvil lock of the surgical end effector of FIGS. 25 and 26 shown in locked and unlocked configurations (dashed lines). [Figure 30] FIG. 10 is a side view of a portion of another surgical end effector with the channel, anvil, and portions of the cartridge omitted for clarity; [Figure 31] FIG. 31 is a front view of the anvil lock of the surgical end effector of FIG. 30; [Figure 32] FIG. 32 is a top view of the anvil lock of FIG. 31; [Figure 33] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of another surgical end effector with its anvil in the open position and a matching surgical staple cartridge mounted therein; [Figure 34]34 is a partial perspective view of a proximal end of the compatible surgical staple cartridge of FIG. 33 in relation to a portion of an anvil locking mechanism of the surgical end effector of FIG. 33; FIG. [Figure 35] 34 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a channel of the surgical end effector of FIG. 33 and the profile of the matching surgical staple cartridge of FIG. 33 inserted therein; FIG. [Figure 36] FIG. 34 is another cross-sectional side view of the surgical end effector of FIG. 33 with its anvil in an open position during initial installation of an incompatible surgical staple cartridge therein; [Figure 37] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of another surgical end effector with its anvil in an open position while a matching surgical staple cartridge is being installed therein; [Figure 38] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of another surgical end effector with its anvil in an open position during installation of a matching surgical staple cartridge therein; [Figure 39] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of another surgical end effector with its anvil in an open position during installation of a matching surgical staple cartridge therein; [Figure 40] FIG. 40 is a cross-sectional side view of the surgical end effector of FIG. 39 while installing an incompatible cartridge therein. [Figure 41] FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of a proximal end portion of the anvil; [Figure 42] FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of a proximal end portion of another anvil. [Figure 43] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional end view of a portion of another surgical end effector. [Figure 44] FIG. 44 is a partial perspective view of a proximal end portion of the surgical end effector of FIG. 43; [Figure 45] FIG. 44 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of the channel and anvil lock of the surgical end effector of FIG. 43, with the anvil lock in a locked position; [Figure 46]FIG. 44 is a partial side view of the surgical end effector of FIG. 43 with the anvil in the open position and its anvil lock shown in phantom in the locked position. [Figure 47] FIG. 44 is another partial cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of the channel and anvil lock of the surgical end effector of FIG. 43, with the anvil lock in the unlocked position; [Figure 48] FIG. 44 is another partial side view of the surgical end effector of FIG. 43 with the anvil in a closed position and its anvil lock shown in phantom in an unlocked position. [Figure 49] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional end view of a portion of another surgical end effector. [Figure 50] FIG. 50 is a partial perspective view of a proximal end portion of the surgical end effector of FIG. 49; [Figure 51] FIG. 50 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a portion of the channel and anvil lock of the surgical end effector of FIG. 49, with the anvil lock in a locked position; [Figure 52] FIG. 10 is a partial side view of another surgical end effector with its anvil in the open position and its anvil lock shown in phantom in the locked position. [Figure 53] FIG. 53 is a side view of a portion of the anvil of the surgical end effector of FIG. 52; [Figure 54] FIG. 54 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the anvil of FIG. 53; [Figure 55] FIG. 53 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of the channel and anvil lock of the surgical end effector of FIG. 52, with the anvil lock in a locked position; [Figure 56] FIG. 53 is another partial cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of the channel and anvil lock of the surgical end effector of FIG. 52, with the anvil lock in the unlocked position; [Figure 57] FIG. 53 is a partial side view of the surgical end effector of FIG. 52 with the anvil in a closed position and its anvil lock shown in phantom in an unlocked position. [Figure 58] FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of another anvil. [Figure 59]FIG. 59 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of another channel usable in connection with the anvil of FIG. 58; [Figure 60] FIG. 10 is a side view of a portion of another anvil. [Figure 61] FIG. 61 is a perspective view of a portion of the anvil of FIG. 60; [Figure 62] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a portion of another anvil. [Figure 63] FIG. 10 is a side view of another surgical end effector with its anvil in an open position prior to the installation of a surgical staple cartridge therein; [Figure 64] FIG. 64 is another side view of the surgical end effector of FIG. 63 after a matching surgical staple cartridge has been installed therein; [Figure 65] FIG. 64 is an end view of the surgical end effector closure tube of FIG. 63 with its closure lock in a locked position. [Figure 66] FIG. 66 is another end view of the surgical end effector closure tube and closure lock of FIG. 65, with the closure lock shown in an unlocked position. [Figure 67] FIG. 64 is a partial perspective view of a portion of a matching surgical staple cartridge and closure lock of the surgical end effector of FIG. 63; [Figure 68] FIG. 64 is a partial side view of the surgical end effector of FIG. 63 with its anvil in an open position prior to the installation of a surgical staple cartridge therein; [Figure 69] FIG. 69 is another partial side view of the surgical end effector of FIG. 68 with its anvil in an open position while a matching surgical staple cartridge is being installed therein; [Figure 70] FIG. 69 is a partial side view of the surgical end effector of FIG. 68 with its anvil in an open position during initial installation of a matching surgical staple cartridge therein. [Figure 71] 71 is another partial side view of the surgical end effector of FIG. 70 with its anvil in an open position after a matching surgical staple cartridge has been operably mounted therein; FIG. [Figure 72] FIG. 72 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of the compatible surgical staple cartridge shown in FIGS. 70 and 71; [Figure 73] FIG. 71 is another partial side view of the surgical end effector of FIG. 70 with its anvil in an open position while installing a surgical staple cartridge with a matching cam assembly not in a start position; [Figure 74] FIG. 10 is a partial side view of another surgical end effector with its anvil in an open position during initial installation of a matching surgical staple cartridge therein; [Figure 75] FIG. 75 is another partial side view of the surgical end effector of FIG. 74 with the anvil in the open position after a matching surgical staple cartridge has been operably mounted therein; [Figure 76] FIG. 76 is a perspective view of an anvil lock and channel attachment mechanism of the surgical end effector of FIGS. 74 and 75; [Figure 77] FIG. 76 is a perspective view of a portion of a surgical staple cartridge compatible with the surgical end effector of FIGS. 74 and 75; [Figure 78] FIG. 75 is another partial side view of the surgical end effector of FIG. 74 with its anvil in the open position after an incompatible surgical staple cartridge has been loaded therein; [Figure 79] FIG. 10 is a side view of another surgical end effector with a matching surgical staple cartridge loaded therein and its anvil in an open position; [Figure 80] FIG. 80 is a top view, with portions removed for clarity, of a portion of a surgical staple cartridge compatible with the surgical end effector of FIG. 79; [Figure 81] 81 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a portion of the surgical staple cartridge of FIG. 80 mounted within the surgical end effector of FIG. 79, taken along line 81-81 of FIG. 80, showing the cartridge nose assembly in a locked position. [Figure 82]82-82 in FIG. 80 is another partial cross-sectional side view of a portion of the surgical staple cartridge of FIG. 80 mounted within the surgical end effector of FIG. 79, showing the cartridge nose assembly in an unlocked position. [Figure 83] 83-83 in FIG. 80 is another partial cross-sectional side view of a portion of the surgical staple cartridge of FIG. 80 mounted within the surgical end effector of FIG. 79, showing the cartridge nose assembly in a locked position. [Figure 84] 84-84 in FIG. 80 is another partial cross-sectional side view of a portion of the surgical staple cartridge of FIG. 80 mounted within the surgical end effector of FIG. 79, showing the cartridge nose assembly in an unlocked position. [Figure 85] 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of a firing member and cam assembly of a surgical staple cartridge, the cam assembly in a starting position and in unlocking engagement with a firing member lock on the firing member; [Figure 86] FIG. 86 is another partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the firing member of FIG. 85, with the firing member lock in a locked position. [Figure 87] FIG. 10 is a side view of a portion of an anvil of another surgical end effector, the anvil in an open position relative to a matching surgical staple cartridge mounted in a corresponding channel omitted for clarity; [Figure 88] FIG. 88 is another side view of the anvil and surgical staple cartridge of FIG. 87 during initial closure of the anvil. [Figure 89] FIG. 88 is another side view of the anvil and surgical staple cartridge of FIG. 87 after the anvil has been moved to a closed position. [Figure 90] FIG. 89 is a perspective view of a portion of the compatible surgical staple cartridge of FIGS. 87-89; [Figure 91] FIG. 89 is a partial bottom view of the anvil of FIGS. 87 to 89. [Figure 92]FIG. 89 is a perspective view of a portion of a surgical staple cartridge incompatible with the anvil of FIGS. 87-89; [Figure 93] FIG. 97 is a side view of the anvil of FIGS. 87-89 in an open position with the mismatched surgical staple cartridge of FIG. 92 mounted within a corresponding channel omitted for clarity; [Figure 94] FIG. 94 is another side view of the anvil and surgical staple cartridge of FIG. 93 during initial closure of the anvil; [Figure 95] FIG. 94 is another side view of the anvil and surgical staple cartridge of FIG. 93 after the anvil has been moved to a closed position; [Figure 96] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a portion of another surgical end effector loaded with a matching surgical staple cartridge, the anvil of which has been omitted for clarity; [Figure 97] FIG. 97 is a top view of a portion of the surgical staple cartridge and surgical end effector of FIG. 96; [Figure 98] 98 is a perspective view of a portion of the proximal end portion of the compatible surgical staple cartridge of FIG. 97; [Figure 99] FIG. 97 is another partial cross-sectional side view of a portion of the surgical end effector of FIG. 96 showing the installation of a matching surgical staple cartridge therein; [Figure 100] FIG. 97 is another partial cross-sectional side view of a portion of the surgical end effector of FIG. 96 showing the installation of a matching surgical staple cartridge therein; [Figure 101] FIG. 99 is a top view of the surgical end effector and matching surgical staple cartridge of FIG. 98; [Figure 102] FIG. 97 is another partial cross-sectional side view of a portion of the surgical end effector of FIG. 96 illustrating the installation of a mismatched surgical staple cartridge therein. [Figure 103] FIG. 97 is another partial cross-sectional side view of a portion of the surgical end effector of FIG. 96 illustrating the installation of a mismatched surgical staple cartridge therein. [Figure 104] FIG. 104 is a top view of the surgical end effector and mismatched surgical staple cartridge of FIG. 103; [Figure 105] FIG. 97 is another partial cross-sectional side view of a portion of the surgical end effector of FIG. 96 illustrating the installation of a mismatched surgical staple cartridge therein. [Figure 106] FIG. 106 is a top view of the surgical end effector and mismatched surgical staple cartridge of FIG. 105; [Figure 107] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of another surgical end effector having a mismatched surgical staple cartridge mounted therein; [Figure 108] FIG. 108 is a partial top view of a portion of the surgical end effector and mismatched surgical staple cartridge of FIG. 107; [Figure 109] FIG. 106 is another partial top view of the surgical end effector of FIG. 105 with a matching surgical staple cartridge mounted therein; [Figure 110] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of another surgical end effector having a matching surgical staple cartridge mounted therein; [Figure 111] FIG. 111 is a partially exploded view of a portion of the surgical end effector of FIG. 110. [Figure 112] FIG. 111 is a partial cross-sectional end view of the surgical end effector and matching surgical staple cartridge of FIG. 110; [Figure 113] 111 is another partial cross-sectional surgical end view of the end effector of FIG. 110 with a mismatched surgical staple cartridge mounted therein; [Figure 114] 111 is another partial cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of the surgical end effector of FIG. 110 with a mismatched surgical staple cartridge mounted therein; [Figure 115] FIG. 115 is a top view of the surgical end effector and surgical staple cartridge of FIG. 114; [Figure 116] FIG. 10 is a top view of a portion of another surgical staple cartridge; [Figure 117] 117 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of the surgical staple cartridge of FIG. 116 with its cam assembly in a locked position; [Figure 118] FIG. 117 is another top view of the surgical staple cartridge of FIG. 116 interacting with a matching actuator portion of a surgical end effector; [Figure 119] 117 is another partial cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of the surgical staple cartridge of FIG. 116 with its cam assembly in an unlocked position; [Figure 120] FIG. 10 is a partial elevational view, with some components removed, of a stapling instrument including a cartridge channel, a staple cartridge disposed in the cartridge channel, and a firing member, with the firing member in an unfired position, in accordance with at least one embodiment. [Figure 121] 121 is a partial elevational view of the stapling instrument of FIG. 120 showing the firing member in a locked position; [Figure 122] FIG. 10 is a partial elevational view, with some components removed, of a stapling instrument including a cartridge channel, a staple cartridge disposed in the cartridge channel, and a firing member, with the firing member in an unfired position, in accordance with at least one embodiment. [Figure 123] 123 is a partial elevational view of the stapling instrument of FIG. 122 showing the firing member in an unlocked position; [Figure 124] 123 is a partial elevational view of the stapling instrument of FIG. 122 showing the firing member in a locked position; [Figure 125] FIG. 123 is a partial bottom view of the stapling instrument of FIG. 122 showing the firing member in an unfired position; [Figure 126] FIG. 123 is a partial perspective view of the staple cartridge of FIG. 122; [Figure 127] FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of a staple cartridge in accordance with at least one embodiment; [Figure 128]FIG. 10 is a partial elevational view, with some components removed, of a stapling instrument including a cartridge channel, a staple cartridge disposed in the cartridge channel, and a firing member, with the firing member in an unfired position, in accordance with at least one embodiment. [Figure 129] 129 is a partial elevational view of the stapling instrument of FIG. 128 showing the firing member in an unlocked position; [Figure 130] 129 is a partial top view of the stapling instrument of FIG. 128 shown in the unfired position of FIG. 128; [Figure 131] 129 is a partial top view of the stapling instrument of FIG. 128 shown in the unlocked position; [Figure 132] FIG. 129 is a partial perspective view of the staple cartridge of FIG. 128 in an unused configuration; [Figure 133] FIG. 129 is a partial perspective view of the staple cartridge of FIG. 128 in a used configuration; [Figure 134] FIG. 10 is a partial elevational view, with some components removed, of a stapling instrument including a cartridge channel, a staple cartridge disposed in the cartridge channel, and a firing member, with the firing member in an unfired position, in accordance with at least one embodiment. [Figure 135] 135 is a partial elevational view of the stapling instrument of FIG. 134 showing the firing member in a locked position; [Figure 136] FIG. 10 is a partial elevational view, with some components removed, of a stapling instrument according to at least one embodiment, including a cartridge channel, a staple cartridge disposed within the cartridge channel, a firing member, and a firing member lock, wherein the firing member is unlocked by the staple cartridge. [Figure 137] 137 is a partial elevational view of the stapling instrument of FIG. 136 showing an improper staple cartridge loaded within the cartridge channel; [Figure 138] FIG. 137 is a partial cross-sectional plan view of the stapling instrument of FIG. 136 showing an improper staple cartridge loaded within the cartridge channel; [Figure 139] 137 is a partial cross-sectional plan view of the stapling instrument of FIG. 136 showing the firing member lock unlocked by the staple cartridge; [Figure 140] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of a stapling instrument unlocked by a staple cartridge in accordance with at least one embodiment; [Figure 141] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of a stapling instrument unlocked by a staple cartridge in accordance with at least one embodiment; [Figure 142] FIG. 141 is a partial perspective view of the staple cartridge of FIG. 140; [Figure 143] FIG. 142 is a partial perspective view of the staple cartridge of FIG. 141; [Figure 144] FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a staple cartridge pan in accordance with at least one embodiment; [Figure 145] FIG. 10 is a partial elevational view, with some components removed, of a stapling instrument according to at least one embodiment, including a cartridge channel, a staple cartridge disposed within the cartridge channel, a firing member, and a firing member lock, wherein the firing member is unlocked by the staple cartridge. [Figure 146] 146 is a partial perspective view of the stapling instrument of FIG. 145 showing a different staple cartridge positioned within the cartridge channel without unlocking the firing member; [Figure 147] 146 is a partial perspective view of the stapling instrument of FIG. 145 showing the firing member in a locked configuration; [Figure 148] FIG. 147 is a partial perspective view of a stapling instrument configured to be unlocked by the different staple cartridge of FIG. 146; [Figure 149] 149 is a perspective view of a staple cartridge similar to the staple cartridge of FIG. 146 and configured to unlock the stapling instrument of FIG. 148; [Figure 150]146 is a perspective view of a staple cartridge similar to that of FIG. 145 and configured to unlock the stapling instrument of FIG. 145; FIG. [Figure 151] FIG. 1 is a partially exploded view, with some components removed, of a stapling instrument including a cartridge channel, a staple cartridge disposed within the cartridge channel, a firing member, an anvil, and a combination firing member / anvil lock, with the stapling instrument shown in an unlocked position, in accordance with at least one embodiment. [Figure 152] 152 is a partial perspective view of the stapling instrument of FIG. 151 unlocked by insertion of a staple cartridge into the cartridge channel; [Figure 153] 152 is a partial cross-sectional view of the stapling instrument of FIG. 151, showing the stapling instrument in the locked state of FIG. 151; [Fig. 154] 153 is a partial cross-sectional view of the stapling instrument of FIG. 151 showing the stapling instrument in the unlocked state of FIG. 152; [Figure 155] FIG. 152 is a perspective view of the firing member / anvil lock of FIG. 151; [Figure 155A] FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of a staple cartridge in accordance with at least one embodiment; [Figure 155B] FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of a staple cartridge in accordance with at least one embodiment; [Figure 155C] FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of a staple cartridge in accordance with at least one embodiment; [Figure 155D] FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of a staple cartridge in accordance with at least one embodiment; [Figure 155E] FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of a staple cartridge in accordance with at least one embodiment; [Figure 156] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of a surgical stapling assembly including an anvil, a staple cartridge, a firing member, and a firing lockout; [Figure 157]FIG. 157 is a partial cross-sectional view of the firing member and firing lockout of FIG. 156 shown in an unlocked configuration. [Figure 158] FIG. 157 is a partial cross-sectional view of the firing member and firing lockout of FIG. 156 shown in a locked configuration. [Figure 159] FIG. 157 is a partial cross-sectional view of the surgical stapling assembly of FIG. 156, wherein the surgical stapling assembly further comprises an external access opening configured to allow a user to manually move the firing lockout to an unlocked configuration with a separate lockout key. [Figure 160] FIG. 157 is a perspective view of a lockout member of the firing lockout of FIG. 156; [Figure 161] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of a surgical stapling assembly including a lockout and an external access orifice configured to allow a user to manually move the firing lockout to an unlocked configuration with a separate lockout key; [Figure 162] FIG. 162 is a bottom view of the surgical stapling assembly of FIG. 161; [Figure 163] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of a surgical stapling assembly including a firing member, a cartridge channel, a staple cartridge configured to be mounted within the cartridge channel, and a lockout, the lockout being shown in a disengaged configuration. [Fig. 164] 164 is a partial cross-sectional view of the surgical stapling instrument of FIG. 163 showing the lockout in an engaged configuration; [Figure 165] 1 includes an elevational view of two staple cartridges, each containing a different lockout key. [Figure 166] 166 is a graph showing the knife lift timing provided by each lockout key of the staple cartridge of FIG. 165; [Figure 167] 166 is a graph showing the knife lift displacement provided by each lockout key of the staple cartridge of FIG. 165; [Figure 168]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a first staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapling system, the first staple cartridge comprising a cartridge body, a pan, a sled, and a first lockout key; [Figure 169] FIG. 169 is an oblique view of a second staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapling system used with the first staple cartridge of FIG. 168, the second staple cartridge comprising a cartridge body, a pan, a sled, and a second lockout key. [Figure 170] FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a surgical stapling assembly including a firing member, a first jaw including a staple cartridge, a second jaw including an anvil movable relative to the first jaw, and a lockout. [Figure 171] FIG. 171 is another perspective view of the surgical stapling assembly of FIG. 170; [Fig. 172] 171 is a partial elevational view of the surgical stapling assembly of FIG. 170 without a staple cartridge installed in the first jaw; [Figure 173] 171 is a partial elevational view of the surgical stapling assembly of FIG. 170 with a staple cartridge mounted within the first jaw; [Fig. 174] 171 is a partial cross-sectional view of the surgical stapling assembly of FIG. 170 with a staple cartridge mounted in the first jaw and a firing member in an unfired position; [Figure 175] 171 is a partial cross-sectional view of the surgical stapling assembly of FIG. 170 with a staple cartridge mounted in the first jaw and a firing member in a partially fired position; [Figure 176] 171 is a partial cross-sectional view of the surgical stapling assembly of FIG. 170 with a staple cartridge not mounted in the first jaw and with the firing member in an unfired position; [Figure 177]171 is a partial cross-sectional view of the surgical stapling assembly of FIG. 170 with a staple cartridge not installed in the first jaw and with the firing member in a locked position; [Figure 178] A partial elevational view of the surgical stapling assembly of Figure 170 with a staple cartridge mounted within the first jaw and the firing member in a partially fired position, with some components shown in hidden lines. [Figure 179] 171 is a perspective view of a staple cartridge of the surgical stapling assembly of FIG. 170 including a lockout key extending from its proximal end; [Figure 180] FIG. 179 is a partial plan view of the staple cartridge of FIG. [Figure 181] A partial plan view of a second staple cartridge configured for use with a system including the staple cartridge of FIG. 179, the second staple cartridge including a lockout key having a different configuration than the lockout key of the staple cartridge of FIG. 179.

[0004] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set forth herein illustrate various embodiments of the invention in one form only, and such exemplifications should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The applicant of the present application owns the following US patent applications, filed on even date herewith, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety: -U.S. Patent Application, entitled "METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A POWERED SURGICAL STAPLER THAT HAS SEPARATE ROTARY CLOSURE AND FIRING SYSTEMS," Attorney Docket No. END9020USNP1 / 180504-1M; -U.S. Patent Application, entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING A LOCKOUT KEY CONFIGURED TO LIFT A FIRING MEMBER," Attorney Docket No. END9021USNP1 / 180505-1; -U.S. Patent Application, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLERS WITH ARRANGEMENTS FOR MAINTAINING A FIRING MEMBER THEREOF IN A LOCKED CONFIGURATION UNLESS A COMPATIBLE CARTRIDGE HAS BEEN INSTALLED THEREIN," Attorney Docket No. END9021USNP2 / 180505-2; -U.S. Patent Application entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING CO-OPERATING LOCKOUT FEATURES," Attorney Docket No. END9021USNP3 / 180505-3; -U.S. Patent Application, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LOCKOUT AND AN EXTERIOR ACCESS ORIFICE TO PERMIT ARTIFICIAL UNLOCKING OF THE LOCKOUT," Attorney Docket No. END9021USNP4 / 180505-4; -U.S. Patent Application, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES WITH FEATURES FOR BLOCKING ADVANCEMENT OF A CAMMING ASSEMBLY OF AN INCOMPATIBLE CARTRIDGE INSTALLED THEREIN," Attorney Docket No. END9021USNP5 / 180505-5; -U.S. Patent Application, entitled "STAPLING INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A DEACTIVATABLE LOCKOUT," Attorney Docket No. END9021USNP6 / 18505-6; -U.S. Patent Application, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A JAW CLOSURE LOCKOUT," Attorney Docket No. END9021USNP7 / 180505-7; -U.S. Patent Application, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH FIRING MEMBER DRIVEN CAMMING ASSEMBLY THAT HAS AN ONBOARD TISSUE CUTTING FEATURE," Attorney Docket No. END9022USNP1 / 180508-1; -U.S. Patent Application, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES WITH IMPROVED ROTARY DRIVEN CLOSURE SYSTEMS," Attorney Docket No. END9022USNP2 / 180508-2; -U.S. Patent Application, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES WITH ASYMMETRIC CLOSURE FEATURES," Attorney Docket No. END9022USNP3 / 180508-3; -U.S. Patent Application, entitled "ROTARY DRIVEN FIRING MEMBERS WITH DIFFERENT ANVIL AND CHANNEL ENGAGEMENT FEATURES," Attorney Docket No. END9022USNP4 / 180508-4; and -U.S. Patent Application, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICE WITH SEPARATE ROTARY DRIVEN CLOSURE AND FIRING SYSTEMS AND FIRING MEMBER THAT ENGAGES BOTH JAWS WHILE FIRING," Attorney Docket No. END9022USNP5 / 180508-5.

[0006] The applicant of this application owns the following U.S. patent applications, filed on February 19, 2019, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety: - U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 807,310, entitled "METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A POWERED SURGICAL STAPLER THAT HAS SEPARATE ROTARY CLOSURE AND FIRING SYSTEMS"; -U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 807,319, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES WITH IMPROVED LOCKOUT SYSTEMS," and -U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 807,309, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES WITH IMPROVED ROTARY DRIVEN CLOSURE SYSTEMS."

[0007] The applicant of this application owns the following U.S. provisional patent applications, filed on March 28, 2018, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference: -U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,302, entitled "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH ENCRYPTED COMMUNICATION CAPABILITIES"; -U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,294, entitled "DATA STRIPPING METHOD TO INTERROGATE PATIENT RECORDS AND CREATE ANONYMIZED RECORD"; -U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,300, entitled "SURGICAL HUB SITUATIONAL AWARENESS"; -U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,309, entitled "SURGICAL HUB SPATIAL AWARENESS TO DETERMINE DEVICES IN OPERATING THEATER"; - U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,310, entitled "COMPUTER IMPLEMENTED INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS"; - U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,291, entitled "USE OF LASER LIGHT AND RED-GREEN-BLUE COLORATION TO DETERMINE PROPERTIES OF BACK SCATTERED LIGHT"; -U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,296, entitled "ADAPTIVE CONTROL PROGRAM UPDATES FOR SURGICAL DEVICES"; -U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,333, entitled "CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR CUSTOMIZATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO A USER"; -U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,327, entitled "CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR SECURITY AND AUTHENTICATION TRENDS AND REACTIVE MEASURES"; -U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,315, entitled "DATA HANDLING AND PRIORITIZATION IN A CLOUD ANALYTICS NETWORK"; -U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,313, entitled "CLOUD INTERFACE FOR COUPLED SURGICAL DEVICES"; -U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,320, entitled "DRIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS"; -U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,307, entitled "AUTOMATIC TOOL ADJUSTMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS," and -U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,323, entitled "SENSING ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS."

[0008] The applicant of this application owns the following U.S. provisional patent applications, filed on March 30, 2018, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties: -U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 650,887, entitled "SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH OPTIMIZED SENSING CAPABILITIES."

[0009] The applicant of this application owns the following U.S. provisional patent applications, filed on December 4, 2018, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties: -U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 209,423, entitled "METHOD OF COMPRESSING TISSUE WITHIN A STAPLING DEVICE AND SIMULTANEOUSLY DISPLAYING THE LOCATION OF THE TISSUE WITHIN THE JAWS."

[0010] The applicant of this application owns the following U.S. patent applications, filed on August 20, 2018, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety: -U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 105,101, entitled "METHOD FOR FABRICATING SURGICAL STAPLER ANVILS"; -U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 105,183, entitled "REINFORCED DEFORMABLE ANVIL TIP FOR SURGICAL STAPLER ANVIL"; -U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 105,150, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLER ANVILS WITH STAPLE DIRECTING PROTRUSIONS AND TISSUE STABILITY FEATURES"; -U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 105,098, entitled "FABRICATING TECHNIQUES FOR SURGICAL STAPLER ANVILS"; -U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 105,140, ​​entitled "SURGICAL STAPLER ANVILS WITH TISSUE STOP FEATURES CONFIGURED TO AVOID TISSUE PINCH"; -U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 105,081, entitled "METHOD FOR OPERATING A POWERED ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT"; -U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 105,094, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH PROGRESSIVE JAW CLOSURE ARRANGEMENTS"; - U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 105,097, entitled "POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CLUTCHING ARRANGEMENTS TO CONVERT LINEAR DRIVE MOTIONS TO ROTARY DRIVE MOTIONS"; - U.S. Patent Application 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"; -U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 105,119, entitled "ARTICULATABLE MOTOR POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH DEDICATED ARTICULATION MOTOR ARRANGEMENTS"; -U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 105,160, entitled "SWITCHING ARRANGEMENTS FOR MOTOR POWERED ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," and -U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29 / 660,252, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLER ANVILS."

[0011] The applicant of the present application owns the following US patent applications and US patents, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety: -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 386,185, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS AND REPLACEABLE TOOL ASSEMBLIES THEREOF," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168642; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 386,230, entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168649; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 386,221, entitled "LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL END EFFECTORS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168646; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 386,209, entitled "SURGICAL END EFFECTORS AND FIRING MEMBERS THEREOF," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168645; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 386,198, entitled "LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL END EFFECTORS AND REPLACEABLE TOOL ASSEMBLIES," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168644; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 386,240, entitled "SURGICAL END EFFECTORS AND ADAPTABLE FIRING MEMBERS THEREFOR," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168651; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,939, entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGES AND ARRANGEMENTS OF STAPLES AND STAPLE CAVITIES THEREIN," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168629; - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,941, entitled "SURGICAL TOOL ASSEMBLIES WITH CLUTCHING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SHIFTING BETWEEN CLOSURE SYSTEMS WITH CLOSURE STROKE REDUCTION FEATURES AND ARTICULATION AND FIRING SYSTEMS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168630; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,943, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS AND STAPLE-FORMING ANVILS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168631; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,950, entitled "SURGICAL TOOL ASSEMBLIES WITH CLOSURE STROKE REDUCTION FEATURES," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168635; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,945, entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGES AND ARRANGEMENTS OF STAPLES AND STAPLE CAVITIES THEREIN," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168632; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,946, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS AND STAPLE-FORMING ANVILS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168633; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,951, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH JAW OPENING FEATURES FOR INCREASING A JAW OPENING DISTANCE," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168636; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,953, entitled "METHODS FOR STAPLING TISSUE," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168637; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,954, entitled "FIRING MEMBERS WITH NON-PARALLEL JAW ENGAGEMENT FEATURES FOR SURGICAL END EFFECTORS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168638; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,955, entitled "SURGICAL END EFFECTORS WITH EXPANDABLE TISSUE STOP ARRANGEMENTS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168639; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,948, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS AND STAPLE-FORMING ANVILS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168584; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,956, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH POSITIVE JAW OPENING FEATURES," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168640; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,958, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR PREVENTING FIRING SYSTEM ACTUATION UNLESS AN UNSPENT STAPLE CARTRIDGE IS PRESENT," now U.S. Patent Application No. 2018 / 0168641; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,947, entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGES AND ARRANGEMENTS OF STAPLES AND STAPLE CAVITIES THEREIN," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168634; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,896, entitled "METHOD FOR RESETTING A FUSE OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SHAFT," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168597; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,898, entitled "STAPLE-FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENT TO ACCOMMODATE DIFFERENT TYPES OF STAPLES," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168599; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,899, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING IMPROVED JAW CONTROL," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168600; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,901, entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE AND STAPLE CARTRIDGE CHANNEL COMPRISING WINDOWS DEFINED THEREIN," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168602; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,902, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A CUTTING MEMBER," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168603; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,904, entitled "STAPLE FIRING MEMBER COMPRISING A MISSING CARTRIDGE AND / OR SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168605; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,905, entitled "FIRING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LOCKOUT," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168606; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,907, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM COMPRISING AN END EFFECTOR LOCKOUT AND A FIRING ASSEMBLY LOCKOUT," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168608; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,908, entitled "FIRING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A FUSE," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168609; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,909, entitled "FIRING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A MULTIPLE FAILED-STATE FUSE," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168610; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,920, entitled "STAPLE-FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENTS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168620; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,913, entitled "ANVIL ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL STAPLERS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168614; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,914, entitled "METHOD OF DEFORMING STAPLES FROM TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF STAPLE CARTRIDGES WITH THE SAME SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168615; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,893, entitled "BILATERALLY ASYMMETRIC STAPLE-FORMING POCKET PAIRS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168594; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,929, entitled "CLOSURE MEMBERS WITH CAM SURFACE ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH SEPARATE AND DISTINCT CLOSURE AND FIRING SYSTEMS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168626; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,911, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLERS WITH INDEPENDENTLY ACTUATABLE CLOSING AND FIRING SYSTEMS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168612; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,927, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH SMART STAPLE CARTRIDGES," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168625; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,917, entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING STAPLES WITH DIFFERENT CLAMPING BREADTHS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168617; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,900, entitled "STAPLE-FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENTS COMPRISING PRIMARY SIDEWALLS AND POCKET SIDEWALLS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168601; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,931, entitled "NO-CARTRIDGE AND SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL STAPLERS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168627; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,915, entitled "FIRING MEMBER PIN ANGLE," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168616; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,897, entitled "STAPLE-FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENTS COMPRISING ZONED FORMING SURFACE GROOVES," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168598; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,922, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MULTIPLE FAILURE RESPONSE MODES," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168622; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,924, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH PRIMARY AND SAFETY PROCESSORS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168624; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,910, entitled "ANVIL HAVING A KNIFE SLOT WIDTH," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168611; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,903, entitled "CLOSURE MEMBER ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168604; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,906, entitled "FIRING MEMBER PIN CONFIGURATIONS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168607; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 386,188, entitled "STEPPED STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH ASYMMETRICAL STAPLES," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168585; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 386,192, entitled "STEPPED STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH TISSUE RETENTION AND GAP SETTING FEATURES," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168643; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 386,206, entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH DEFORMABLE DRIVER RETENTION FEATURES," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168586; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 386,226, entitled "DURABILITY FEATURES FOR END EFFECTORS AND FIRING ASSEMBLIES OF SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168648; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 386,222, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS HAVING END EFFECTORS WITH POSITIVE OPENING FEATURES," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168647; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 386,236, entitled "CONNECTION PORTIONS FOR DEPOSABLE LOADING UNITS FOR SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168650; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,887, entitled "METHOD FOR ATTACHING A SHAFT ASSEMBLY TO A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT AND, ALTERNATIVELY, TO A SURGICAL ROBOT," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168589; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,889, entitled "SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A MANUALLY-OPERABLE RETRACTION SYSTEM FOR USE WITH A MOTORIZED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168590; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,890, entitled "SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING SEPARATELY ACTUATABLE AND RETRACTABLE SYSTEMS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168591; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,891, entitled "SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A CLUTCH CONFIGURED TO ADAPT THE OUTPUT OF A ROTARY FIRING MEMBER TO TWO DIFFERENT SYSTEMS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168592; - U.S. Patent Application 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," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168593; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,894, entitled "SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LOCKOUT," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168595; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,895, entitled "SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING FIRST AND SECOND ARTICULATION LOCKOUTS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168596; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,916, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168575; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,918, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168618; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,919, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168619; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,921, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH MOVABLE CAMMING MEMBER CONFIGURED TO DISENGAGE FIRING MEMBER LOCKOUT FEATURES," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168621; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,923, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168623; -U.S. Patent Application 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," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168576; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,926, entitled "AXIALLY MOVABLE CLOSURE SYSTEM ARRANGEMENTS FOR APPLYING CLOSURE MOTIONS TO JAWS OF SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168577; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,928, entitled "PROTECTIVE COVER ARRANGEMENTS FOR A JOINT INTERFACE BETWEEN A MOVABLE JAW AND ACTUATOR SHAFT OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168578; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,930, entitled "SURGICAL END EFFECTOR WITH TWO SEPARATE COOPERATING OPENING FEATURES FOR OPENING AND CLOSING END EFFECTOR JAWS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168579; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,932, entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL END EFFECTOR WITH ASYMMETRIC SHAFT ARRANGEMENT," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168628; U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,933, entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH INDEPENDENT PIVOTABLE LINKAGE DISTAL OF AN ARTICULATION LOCK," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168580; -U.S. Patent Application 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," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168581; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,935, entitled "Laterally Actuable Articulation Lock Arrangements for Locking an End Effector of a Surgical Instrument in an Articulated Configuration," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168582; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,936, entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATION STROKE AMPLIFICATION FEATURES," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168583; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 318,996, entitled "FASTENER CARTRIDGES INCLUDING EXTENSIONS HAVING DIFFERENT CONFIGURATIONS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0297228; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 319,006, entitled "FASTENER CARTRIDGE COMPRISING FASTENER CAVITIES INCLUDING FASTENER CONTROL FEATURES," now U.S. Patent No. 10,010,324; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 318,991, entitled "SURGICAL FASTENER CARTRIDGES WITH DRIVER STABILIZING ARRANGEMENTS," now U.S. Patent No. 9,833,241; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 319,004, entitled "SURGICAL END EFFECTORS WITH FIRING ELEMENT MONITORING ARRANGEMENTS," now U.S. Patent No. 9,844,369; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 319,008, entitled "FASTENER CARTRIDGE COMPRISING NON-UNIFORM FASTENERS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0297232; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 318,997, entitled "FASTENER CARTRIDGE COMPRISING DEPLOYABLE TISSUE ENGAGING MEMBERS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0297229; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 319,002, entitled "FASTENER CARTRIDGE COMPRISING TISSUE CONTROL FEATURES," now U.S. Patent No. 9,877,721; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 319,013, entitled "FASTENER CARTRIDGE ASSEMBLIES AND STAPLE RETAINER COVER ARRANGEMENTS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0297233; and U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 319,016, entitled "FASTENER CARTRIDGE INCLUDING A LAYER ATTACHED THERETO," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0297235.

[0012] The applicant of this application owns the following U.S. patent applications, filed June 24, 2016, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference: -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 191,775, entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING WIRE STAPLES AND STAMPED STAPLES," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0367695; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 191,807, entitled "STAPLING SYSTEM FOR USE WITH WIRE STAPLES AND STAMPED STAPLES," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0367696; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 191,834, entitled "STAMPED STAPLES AND STAPLE CARTRIDGES USING THE SAME," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0367699; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 191,788, entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING OVERDRIVEN STAPLES," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0367698; and -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 191,818, entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING OFFSET LONGITUDINAL STAPLE ROWS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0367697.

[0013] The applicant of this application owns the following U.S. patent applications, filed June 24, 2016, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference: -U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29 / 569,218, entitled "SURGICAL FASTENER," now U.S. Design Patent No. D826,405; -U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29 / 569,227, entitled "SURGICAL FASTENER," now U.S. Design Patent No. D822,206; -U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29 / 569,259, entitled "SURGICAL FASTENER CARTRIDGE"; and -U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29 / 569,264, entitled "SURGICAL FASTENER CARTRIDGE."

[0014] The applicant of this application owns the following patent applications, filed on April 1, 2016, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference: -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,325, entitled "METHOD FOR OPERATING A SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0281171; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,321, entitled "MODULAR SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A DISPLAY," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0281163; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,326, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A DISPLAY INCLUDING A RE-ORIENTABLE DISPLAY FIELD," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0281172; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,263, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HANDLE ASSEMBLY WITH RECONFIGURABLE GRIP PORTION," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0281165; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,262, entitled "ROTARY POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MANUALLY ACTUATABLE BAILOUT SYSTEM," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0281161; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,277, entitled "SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING END EFFECTOR WITH ANVIL CONCENTRIC DRIVE MEMBER," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0281166; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,296, entitled "INTERCHANGEABLE SURGICAL TOOL ASSEMBLY WITH A SURGICAL END EFFECTOR THAT IS SELECTIVELY ROTATABLE ABOUT A SHAFT AXIS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0281168; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,258, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A SHIFTABLE TRANSMISSION," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0281178; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,278, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM CONFIGURED TO PROVIDE SELECTIVE CUTTING OF TISSUE," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0281162; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,284, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A CONTOURABLE SHAFT," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0281186; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,295, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A TISSUE COMPRESSION LOCKOUT," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0281187; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,300, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING AN UNCLAMPING LOCKOUT," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0281179; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,196, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A JAW CLOSURE LOCKOUT," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0281183; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,203, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A JAW ATTACHMENT LOCKOUT," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0281184; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,210, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0281185; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,324, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A SHIFTING MECHANISM," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0281170; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,335, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT COMPRISING MULTIPLE LOCKOUTS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0281155; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,339, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0281173; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,253, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM CONFIGURED TO APPLY ANNULAR ROWS OF STAPLES HAVING DIFFERENT HEIGHTS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0281177; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,304, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A GROOVED FORMING POCKET," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0281188; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,331, entitled "ANVIL MODIFICATION MEMBERS FOR SURGICAL STAPLERS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0281180; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,336, entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGES WITH ATRAUMATIC FEATURES," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0281164; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,312, entitled "CIRCULAR STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING AN INCISABLE TISSUE SUPPORT," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0281189; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,309, entitled "CIRCULAR STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING ROTARY FIRING SYSTEM," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0281169; and -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,349, entitled "CIRCULAR STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING LOAD CONTROL," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0281174.

[0015] The applicant of the present application also owns the following identified U.S. patent applications, filed on December 31, 2015, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference: -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 984,488, entitled "MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR BATTERY PACK FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0189018; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 984,525, entitled "MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0189019; and -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 984,552, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH SEPARABLE MOTORS AND MOTOR CONTROL CIRCUITS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0189020.

[0016] The applicant of the present application also owns the following identified U.S. patent applications, filed on February 9, 2016, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference: -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 019,220, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH ARTICULATING AND AXIALLY TRANSLATABLE END EFFECTOR," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0224333; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 019,228, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH MULTIPLE LINK ARTICULATION ARRANGEMENTS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0224342; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 019,196, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ARTICULATION MECHANISM WITH SLOTTED SECONDARY CONSTRAINT," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0224330; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 019,206, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH AN END EFFECTOR THAT IS HIGHLY ARTICULATABLE RELATIVE TO AN ELONGATE SHAFT ASSEMBLY," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0224331; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 019,215, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH NON-SYMMETRICAL ARTICULATION ARRANGEMENTS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0224332; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 019,227, entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH SINGLE ARTICULATION LINK ARRANGEMENTS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0224334; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 019,235, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH TENSIONING ARRANGEMENTS FOR CABLE DRIVEN ARTICULATION SYSTEMS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0224336; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 019,230, entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-AXIS FIRING BEAM ARRANGEMENTS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0224335; and -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 019,245, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CLOSURE STROKE REDUCTION ARRANGEMENTS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0224343.

[0017] The applicant of the present application also owns the following identified U.S. patent applications, filed on February 12, 2016, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference: -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 043,254, entitled "MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0231623; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 043,259, entitled "MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0231626; -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 043,275, entitled "MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0231627; and -U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 043,289, entitled "MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0231628.

[0018] The applicant of this application owns the following patent applications, filed on June 18, 2015, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 742,925, entitled "SURGICAL END EFFECTORS WITH POSITIVE JAW OPENING ARRANGEMENTS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0367256; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 742,941, entitled "SURGICAL END EFFECTORS WITH DUAL CAM ACTUATED JAW CLOSING FEATURES," now U.S. Patent No. 10,052,102; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 742,914, entitled "MOVABLE FIRING BEAM SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0367255; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 742,900, entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH COMPOSITE FIRING BEAM STRUCTURES WITH CENTER FIRING SUPPORT MEMBER FOR ARTICULATION SUPPORT," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0367254; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 742,885, entitled "DUAL ARTICULATION DRIVE SYSTEM ARRANGEMENTS FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0367246; and -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 742,876, entitled "PUSH / PULL ARTICULATION DRIVE SYSTEMS FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," now U.S. Patent No. 10,178,992.

[0019] The applicant of this application owns the following patent applications, filed on March 6, 2015, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference: -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 640,746, entitled "POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT," now U.S. Patent No. 9,808,246; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 640,795, entitled "MULTIPLE LEVEL THRESHOLDS TO MODIFY OPERATION OF POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 02561185; -U.S. Patent Application 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; -U.S. Patent Application 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; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 640,831, entitled "MONITORING SPEED CONTROL AND PRECISION INCREMENTING OF MOTOR FOR POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," now U.S. Patent No. 9,895,148; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 640,859, entitled "TIME DEPENDENT EVALUATION OF SENSOR DATA TO DETERMINE STABILITY, CREEP, AND VISCOELASTIC ELEMENTS OF MEASURES," now U.S. Patent No. 10,052,044; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 640,817, entitled "INTERACTIVE FEEDBACK SYSTEM FOR POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," now U.S. Patent No. 9,924,961; - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 640,844, entitled "CONTROL TECHNIQUES AND SUB-PROCESSOR CONTAINED WITHIN MODULAR SHAFT WITH SELECT CONTROL PROCESSING FROM HANDLE," now U.S. Patent No. 10,045,776; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 640,837, entitled "SMART SENSORS WITH LOCAL SIGNAL PROCESSING," now U.S. Patent No. 9,993,248; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 640,765, entitled "SYSTEM FOR DETECTING THE MIS-INSERTION OF A STAPLE CARTRIDGE INTO A SURGICAL STAPLER," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0256160; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 640,799, entitled "SIGNAL AND POWER COMMUNICATION SYSTEM POSITIONED ON A ROTATABLE SHAFT," now U.S. Patent No. 9,901,342; and -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 640,780, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A LOCKABLE BATTERY HOUSING," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0256161.

[0020] The applicant of this application owns the following patent applications, filed on February 27, 2015, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference: -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 633,576, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM COMPRISING AN INSPECTION STATION," now U.S. Patent No. 10,045,779; -U.S. Patent Application 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 No. 10,180,463; -U.S. Patent Application 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; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 633,566, entitled "CHARGING SYSTEM THAT ENABLES EMERGENCY RESOLUTIONS FOR CHARGING A BATTERY," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0249918; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 633,555, entitled "SYSTEM FOR MONITORING WHETHER A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT NEEDS TO BE SERVICED," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0249916; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 633,542, entitled "REINFORCED BATTERY FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT," now U.S. Patent No. 9,931,118; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 633,548, entitled "POWER ADAPTER FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0249909; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 633,526, entitled "ADAPTABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HANDLE," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0249945; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 633,541, entitled "MODULAR STAPLING ASSEMBLY," now U.S. Patent No. 9,993,258; and -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 633,562, entitled "SURGICAL APPARATUS CONFIGURED TO TRACK AN END-OF-LIFE PARAMETER," now U.S. Patent No. 10,159,483.

[0021] The applicant of this application owns the following patent applications, filed on December 18, 2014, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference: -U.S. Patent Application 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; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 574,483, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING LOCKABLE SYSTEMS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0174969; U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 575,139, entitled "DRIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," now U.S. Patent No. 9,844,375; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 575,148, entitled "LOCKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR DETACHABLE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES WITH ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL END EFFECTORS," now U.S. Patent No. 10,085,748; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 575,130, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH AN ANVIL THAT IS SELECTIVELY MOVABLE ABOUT A DISCRETE NON-MOVABLE AXIS RELATIVE TO A STAPLE CARTRIDGE," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0174972; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 575,143, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH IMPROVED CLOSURE ARRANGEMENTS," now U.S. Patent No. 10,004,501; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 575,117, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTORS AND MOVABLE FIRING BEAM SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS," now U.S. Patent No. 9,943,309; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 575,154, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTORS AND IMPROVED FIRING BEAM SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS," now U.S. Patent No. 9,968,355; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 574,493, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A FLEXIBLE ARTICULATION SYSTEM," now U.S. Patent No. 9,987,000; and -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 574,500, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LOCKABLE ARTICULATION SYSTEM," now U.S. Patent No. 10,117,649.

[0022] The applicant of this application owns the following patent applications, filed on March 1, 2013, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference: -U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 782,295, entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CONDUCTIVE PATHWAYS FOR SIGNAL COMMUNICATION," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0246471; -U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 782,323, entitled "ROTARY POWERED ARTICULATION JOINTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0246472; -U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 782,338, entitled "THUMBWHEEL SWITCH ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0249557; -U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 782,499, entitled "ELECTROMECHANICAL SURGICAL DEVICE WITH SIGNAL RELAY ARRANGEMENT," now U.S. Patent No. 9,358,003; -U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 782,460, entitled "MULTIPLE PROCESSOR MOTOR CONTROL FOR MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0246478; -U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 782,358, entitled "JOYSTICK SWITCH ASSEMBLIES FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," now U.S. Patent No. 9,326,767; -U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 782,481, entitled "SENSOR STRAIGHTENED END EFFECTOR DURING REMOVAL THROUGH TROCAR," now U.S. Patent No. 9,468,438; -U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 782,518, entitled "CONTROL METHODS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH REMOVABLE IMPLEMENT PORTIONS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0246475; -U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 782,375, entitled "ROTARY POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH MULTIPLE DEGREES OF FREEDOM," now U.S. Patent No. 9,398,911; and -U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 782,536, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SOFT STOP," now U.S. Patent No. 9,307,986.

[0023] The applicant of the present application also owns the following patent applications, filed on March 14, 2013, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference: -U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 803,097, entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A FIRING DRIVE," now U.S. Patent No. 9,687,230; -U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 803,193, entitled "CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS FOR A DRIVE MEMBER OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT," now U.S. Patent No. 9,332,987; -U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 803,053, entitled "INTERCHANGEABLE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES FOR USE WITH A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT," now U.S. Patent No. 9,883,860; -U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 803,086, entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION LOCK," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0263541; -U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 803,210, entitled "SENSOR ARRANGEMENTS FOR ABSOLUTE POSITIONING SYSTEM FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," now U.S. Patent No. 9,808,244; -U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 803,148, entitled "MULTI-FUNCTION MOTOR FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0263554; -U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 803,066, entitled "DRIVE SYSTEM LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," now U.S. Patent No. 9,629,623; -U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 803,117, entitled "ARTICULATION CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," now U.S. Patent No. 9,351,726; - U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 803,130, entitled "DRIVE TRAIN CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS FOR MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," now U.S. Patent No. 9,351,727; and -U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 803,159, entitled "METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPERATING A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT," now U.S. Patent No. 9,888,919.

[0024] The applicant of the present application also owns the following patent applications, filed on March 7, 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference: -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 200,111, entitled "CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," now U.S. Patent No. 9,629,629.

[0025] The applicant of the present application also owns the following patent applications, filed on March 26, 2014, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference: -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 226,106, entitled "POWER MANAGEMENT CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0272582; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 226,099, entitled "STERILIZATION VERIFICATION CIRCUIT," now U.S. Patent No. 9,826,977; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 226,094, entitled "VERIFICATION OF NUMBER OF BATTERY EXCHANGES / PROCEDURE COUNT," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0272580; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 226,117, entitled "POWER MANAGEMENT THROUGH SLEEP OPTIONS OF SEGMENTED CIRCUIT AND WAKE UP CONTROL," now U.S. Patent No. 10,013,049; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 226,075, entitled "MODULAR POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH DETACHABLE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES," now U.S. Patent No. 9,743,929; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 226,093, entitled "FEEDBACK ALGORITHMS FOR MANUAL BAILOUT SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," now U.S. Patent No. 10,028,761; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 226,116, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT UTILIZING SENSOR ADAPTATION," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0272571; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 226,071, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT CONTROL CIRCUIT HAVING A SAFETY PROCESSOR," now U.S. Patent No. 9,690,362; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 226,097, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING INTERACTIVE SYSTEMS," now U.S. Patent No. 9,820,738; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 226,126, entitled "INTERFACE SYSTEMS FOR USE WITH SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," now U.S. Patent No. 10,004,497; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 226,133, entitled "MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0272557; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 226,081, entitled "SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A SEGMENTED CIRCUIT," now U.S. Patent No. 9,804,618; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 226,076, entitled "POWER MANAGEMENT THROUGH SEGMENTED CIRCUIT AND VARIABLE VOLTAGE PROTECTION," now U.S. Patent No. 9,733,663; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 226,111, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT SYSTEM," now U.S. Patent No. 9,750,499; and -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 226,125, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A ROTATABLE SHAFT," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0280384.

[0026] The applicant of the present application also owns the following patent applications, filed on September 5, 2014, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference: -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 479,103, entitled "CIRCUITRY AND SENSORS FOR POWERED MEDICAL DEVICE," now U.S. Patent No. 10,111,679; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 479,119, entitled "ADJUNCT WITH INTEGRATED SENSORS TO QUANTIFY TISSUE COMPRESSION," now U.S. Patent No. 9,724,094; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 478,908, entitled "MONITORING DEVICE DEGRADATION BASED ON COMPONENT EVALUATION," now U.S. Patent No. 9,737,301; -U.S. Patent Application 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; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 479,110, entitled "POLARITY OF HALL MAGNET TO IDENTIFY CARTRIDGE TYPE," now U.S. Patent No. 10,016,199; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 479,098, entitled "SMART CARTRIDGE WAKE UP OPERATION AND DATA RETENTION," now U.S. Patent No. 10,135,242; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 479,115, entitled "MULTIPLE MOTOR CONTROL FOR POWERED MEDICAL DEVICE," now U.S. Patent No. 9,788,836; and -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 479,108, entitled "LOCAL DISPLAY OF TISSUE PARAMETER STABILIZATION," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0066913.

[0027] The applicant of the present application also owns the following patent applications, filed on April 9, 2014, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference: -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 248,590, entitled "MOTOR DRIVEN SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH LOCKABLE DUAL DRIVE SHAFTS," now U.S. Patent No. 9,826,976; -U.S. Patent Application 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; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 248,595, entitled "SURGICAL SYSTEM COMPRISING FIRST AND SECOND DRIVE SYSTEMS," now U.S. Patent No. 9,844,368; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 248,588, entitled "POWERED LINEAR SURGICAL STAPLER," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0309666; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 248,591, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A GAP SETTING SYSTEM," now U.S. Patent No. 10,149,680; -U.S. Patent Application 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 No. 9,801,626; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 248,587, entitled "POWERED SURGICAL STAPLER," now U.S. Patent No. 9,867,612; -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 248,586, entitled "DRIVE SYSTEM DECOUPLING ARRANGEMENT FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT," now U.S. Patent No. 10,136,887; and -U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 248,607, entitled "MODULAR MOTOR DRIVEN SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH STATUS INDICATION ARRANGEMENTS," now U.S. Patent No. 9,814,460.

[0028] The applicant of the present application also owns the following patent applications, filed on April 16, 2013, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference: - U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 812,365, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS PERFORMED BY A SINGLE MOTOR"; -U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 812,376, entitled "LINEAR CUTTER WITH POWER"; - U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 812,382, entitled "LINEAR CUTTER WITH MOTOR AND PISTOL GRIP"; -U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 812,385, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HANDLE WITH MULTIPLE ACTUATION MOTORS AND MOTOR CONTROL"; and -U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 812,372, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS PERFORMED BY A SINGLE MOTOR."

[0029] As described in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the overall structure, function, manufacture, and use of the embodiments. Well-known operations, components, and elements have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described herein. The reader will understand that the embodiments described and illustrated herein are non-limiting examples, and thus the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein may be representative and exemplary. Variations and modifications can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0030] The terms "comprise" (any form of comprise, such as "comprises" and "comprising"), "have" (any form of have, such as "has" and "having"), "include" (any form of include, such as "includes" and "including"), and "contain" (any form of contain, such as "contains" and "containing") are open-ended linking verbs. Consequently, a surgical system, device, or apparatus that "comprises," "has," "includes," or "contains" one or more elements has those one or more elements, but is not limited to having only those one or more elements. Similarly, a system, device, or apparatus that "comprises," "has," "includes," or "contains" one or more features has those one or more features, but is not limited to having only those one or more features.

[0031] The terms "proximal" and "distal" are used herein with reference to a clinician manipulating the handle portion of a surgical instrument. The term "proximal" refers to the portion closest to the clinician, and the term "distal" refers to the portion located away from the clinician. It will be further understood that for convenience and clarity, spatial terms such as "vertical," "horizontal," "above," and "below" may be used herein with respect to the drawings. However, surgical instruments are used in many orientations and positions, and these terms are not intended to be limiting and / or absolute.

[0032] Various exemplary devices and methods are provided for performing laparoscopic and minimally invasive surgical procedures. However, the reader will readily appreciate that the various methods and devices disclosed herein can be used in many surgical procedures and applications, including, for example, those associated with open surgical procedures. By proceeding through the Detailed Description of the Invention section of this specification, the reader will further appreciate that the various instruments disclosed herein can be inserted into the body in any manner, such as through a natural opening, an incision or puncture made in tissue, etc. The working portions or end effector portions of these instruments can be inserted directly into the patient's body or can be inserted through an access device having a working channel through which the end effector and elongate shaft of the surgical instrument can be advanced.

[0033] The 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, although other embodiments are contemplated in which the staple cartridge is not removable from the first jaw, or at least not easily replaceable from the first jaw. The second jaw includes an anvil configured to deform staples ejected from the staple cartridge. Other embodiments are contemplated in which the second jaw is pivotable relative to the first jaw about a closure axis, while the first jaw is pivotable relative to the second jaw. The surgical stapling system further includes an articulation joint configured to rotate, or articulate, the end effector relative to the shaft. The end effector is rotatable about an articulation axis extending through the articulation joint. Other embodiments are also contemplated that do not include an articulation joint.

[0034] The staple cartridge includes a cartridge body. The cartridge body includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a deck extending between the proximal and distal ends. During 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 within the cartridge body can then be deployed into the tissue. The cartridge body includes staple cavities defined therein, and the staples are removably stored within the staple cavities. The staple cavities are arranged in six longitudinal rows. Three rows of staple cavities are positioned on a first side of the longitudinal slot, and three rows of staple cavities are positioned on a second side of the longitudinal slot. Other arrangements of staple cavities and staples may also be possible.

[0035] The staples are supported by staple drivers within the cartridge body. The drivers are movable between a first, unfired, position and a second, fired, position that ejects the staples from the staple cavities. The drivers are retained within the cartridge body by a retainer extending around the bottom of the cartridge body and including a resilient member configured to grip the cartridge body and hold the retainer against the cartridge body. The drivers are movable between their unfired and fired positions by a sled. The sled is movable between a proximal position adjacent the proximal end and a distal position adjacent the distal end. The sled slides under the drivers and includes a plurality of angled surfaces configured to lift the drivers, on which the staples are supported, toward the anvil.

[0036] In addition to the above, the sled is moved distally by a firing member. The firing member is configured to contact the sled and push it 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 with the first jaw and a second cam that engages with the second jaw. When the firing member is advanced distally, the first cam and the second cam can control the distance, i.e., the tissue gap, between the deck portion of the staple cartridge and the anvil. The firing member also includes a knife configured to cut tissue captured intermediate the staple cartridge and the anvil. It is desirable that the knife be positioned at least partially proximal to the beveled surface so that the staples are ejected forward of the knife.

[0037] FIG. 1 illustrates a surgical instrument 1010 including an interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 operably coupled to a housing 1012. FIG. 2 illustrates the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 detached from the housing 1012 or handle 1014. As shown in FIG. 3, the handle 1014 may include a pair of interconnectable handle housing segments 1016 and 1018, which may be interconnected by screws, snap mechanisms, adhesives, or the like. In the illustrated configuration, the handle housing segments 1016, 1018 cooperate to form a pistol grip portion 1019. FIGS. 1 and 3 illustrate a motorized surgical cutting and fastening instrument 1010, which may or may not be reusable. In the illustrated embodiment, the instrument 1010 includes the aforementioned housing 1012 with a handle 1014 configured to be grasped, manipulated, and actuated by a clinician. The housing 1012 is configured to be operably attached to an interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 to which a surgical end effector 1300 configured to perform one or more surgical tasks or procedures is operably coupled. As the detailed description of the present invention progresses, it will be understood that the various forms of interchangeable shaft assemblies disclosed herein may also be effectively used in connection with robotically controlled surgical systems. Accordingly, the term “housing” may also encompass a housing or similar portion of a robotic system that houses or otherwise operably supports at least one drive system configured to generate and apply at least one control motion that can be used to actuate the interchangeable shaft assemblies disclosed herein and their respective equivalents. Additionally, various components may be “housed” or included within the housing, or various components may be “associated” with the housing. In such instances, components may not be contained within or directly supported by the housing. The term “frame” may refer to a portion of a handheld surgical instrument. The term "frame" may also refer to a portion of a robotically controlled surgical instrument and / or a portion of a robotic system that may be used to operatively control a surgical instrument.For example, the interchangeable shaft assemblies disclosed herein may be used with various robotic systems, instruments, components, and methods disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,072,535, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0038] The above-described housing 1012 depicted in FIG. 1 is shown connected to an interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 ( FIGS. 2 , 4 , and 5 ) including an end effector 1300 with a surgical cutting and fastening device configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge 4000 therein. The housing 1012 may be configured for use in connection with interchangeable shaft assemblies having various shaft lengths, sizes, and types, including end effectors adapted to support various sizes and types of staple cartridges. Additionally, the housing 1012 may also be effectively used in connection with a variety of other interchangeable shaft assemblies, including assemblies configured to apply, for example, motion and other forms of energy, such as radio frequency (RF) energy, ultrasonic energy, and / or motion, to end effector configurations adapted for use in connection with various surgical applications and procedures. Furthermore, the end effector, shaft assembly, handle, surgical instrument, and / or surgical instrument system may utilize any suitable fastener capable of being grasped and manipulated by a clinician. As described in more detail below, the handle 1014 operably supports a number of drive systems therein that are configured to generate and apply various control motions to corresponding portions of interchangeable shaft assemblies operably attached to the handle.

[0039] 3, the handle 1014 may further include a frame 1020 that operably supports a plurality of drive systems. For example, the frame 1020 may operably support a "first" or closure drive system, generally designated 1030, that may be used to apply an opening or closing motion to an operably attached or coupled interchangeable shaft assembly 1200. In at least one form, the closure drive system 1030 may include an actuator in the form of a closure trigger 1032 that is pivotally supported by the frame 1020. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the closure trigger 1032 is pivotally coupled to the handle 1014 by a pin 1033. Such a configuration allows the closure trigger 1032 to be manipulated by a clinician, such that when the clinician grasps the pistol grip portion 1019 of the handle 1014, the closure trigger 1032 can be easily pivoted from a starting or “unactuated” position to an “actuated” position, and more particularly, to a fully compressed or fully actuated position. The closure trigger 1032 may be biased to the unactuated position by a spring or other biasing device (not shown). In various forms, the closure drive system 1030 further includes a closure linkage assembly 1034 pivotally coupled to the closure trigger 1032. As shown in FIG. 3 , the closure linkage assembly 1034 may include a first closure link 1036 and a second closure link 1038 pivotally coupled to the closure trigger 1032 by a pin 1035. The second closure link 1038, sometimes referred to herein as a “mounting member,” includes a lateral mounting pin 1037.

[0040] With continued reference to FIG. 3 , it can be observed that the first closure link 1036 may have a locking wall or end 1039 thereon configured to cooperate with a closure release assembly 1060 pivotally coupled to the frame 1020. In at least one form, the closure release assembly 1060 may include a release button assembly 1062 having a distally projecting locking pawl 1064 formed thereon. The release button assembly 1062 may be pivoted counterclockwise by a release spring (not shown). When the clinician depresses the closure trigger 1032 from its unactuated position toward the pistol grip portion 1019 of the handle 1014, the first closure link 1036 pivots upward to a point where the locking pawl 1064 enters retaining engagement with the locking wall 1039 on the first closure link 1036, thereby preventing the closure trigger 1032 from returning to the unactuated position. The closure release assembly 1060 thus acts to lock the closure trigger 1032 in a fully actuated position. When the clinician wishes to unlock the closure trigger 1032 so that it can be biased to the inactivated position, the clinician simply pivots the release button assembly 1062, thereby moving the locking pawl 1064 out of engagement with the locking wall 1039 on the first closure link 1036. Once the locking pawl 1064 is moved out of engagement with the first closure link 1036, the closure trigger 1032 may pivot back to the inactivated position. Other closure trigger lock and release configurations may be used.

[0041] An arm 1061 may extend from the release button assembly 1062. A magnetic element 1063, such as, for example, a permanent magnet, may be attached to the arm 1061. Rotating the release button assembly 1062 from its first position to its second position may cause the magnetic element 1063 to move toward the circuit board 1100. The circuit board 1100 may include at least one sensor configured to detect movement of the magnetic element 1063. In at least one embodiment, a "Hall Effect" sensor (not shown), for example, may be attached to a bottom surface of the circuit board 1100. The Hall Effect sensor may be configured to detect a change in a magnetic field surrounding the Hall Effect sensor caused by movement of the magnetic element 1063. The Hall effect sensor may, for example, be capable of signal communication with a microcontroller to determine whether the release button assembly 1062 is in its first position associated with the unactuated position of the closure trigger 1032 and the open configuration of the end effector, in its second position associated with the actuated position of the closure trigger 1032 and the closed configuration of the end effector, and / or in any position between the first and second positions.

[0042] In at least one form, the handle 1014 and frame 1020 may operably support another drive system, referred to herein as a firing drive system 1080, configured to apply a firing motion to a corresponding portion of an attached interchangeable shaft assembly. The firing drive system 1080 may also be referred to herein as a “second drive system.” The firing drive system 1080 may employ an electric motor 1082 located within the pistol grip portion 1019 of the handle 1014. In various forms, the motor 1082 may be a brushed DC drive motor having a maximum rotational speed of, for example, approximately 25,000 RPM. In other configurations, the motor may include a brushless motor, a cordless motor, a synchronous motor, a stepper motor, or any other suitable electric motor. The motor 1082 may be powered by a power source 1090, which in one form may include a removable power pack 1092. For example, as can be seen in FIG. 3 , the power pack 1092 may include a proximal housing portion 1094 configured to attach to a distal housing portion 1096. The proximal housing portion 1094 and the distal housing portion 1096 are configured to operably support a plurality of batteries 1098 therein. The batteries 1098 may each include, for example, lithium ion (LI) or other suitable batteries. The distal housing portion 1096 is configured to be removably and operably attached to a circuit board 1100 that is also operably coupled to the motor 1082. Multiple batteries 1098, which may be connected in series, may be used as a power source for the surgical instrument 1010. Additionally, the power source 1090 may be replaceable and / or rechargeable.

[0043] As generally described above in connection with various other configurations, the electric motor 1082 may include a rotatable shaft (not shown) in operative communication with a gear reducer assembly 1084 mounted in meshing engagement with a set or rack of drive teeth 1122 on the longitudinally movable drive member 1120. In use, the voltage polarity provided by the power source 1090 causes the electric motor 1082 to operate in a clockwise direction, while the voltage polarity applied to the electric motor by the battery can be reversed to cause the electric motor 1082 to operate in a counterclockwise direction. When the electric motor 1082 is rotated in one direction, the drive member 1120 is driven axially in a distal direction "DD." When the motor 1082 is driven in the opposite rotational direction, the drive member 1120 is driven axially in a proximal direction "PD." The handle 1014 may include a switch that may be configured to reverse the polarity applied to the electric motor 1082 by the power source 1090. Similar to other configurations described herein, the handle 1014 may also include a sensor configured to detect the position of the drive member 1120 and / or the direction in which the drive member 1120 is being moved.

[0044] Actuation of the motor 1082 may be controlled by a firing trigger 1130 pivotally supported on the handle 1014. The firing trigger 1130 may pivot between an inactivated position and an activated position. The firing trigger 1130 may be biased to the inactivated position by a spring 1132 or other biasing device, such that when the clinician releases the firing trigger 1130, it may be pivoted or otherwise returned to the inactivated position by the spring 1132 or biasing device. In at least one form, the firing trigger 1130 may be located "outside" of the closure trigger 1032, as described above. In at least one form, a firing trigger safety button 1134 may be pivotally attached to the closure trigger 1032 by a pin 1035. The safety button 1134 may have a pivot arm 1136 positioned between and projecting from the firing trigger 1130 and the closure trigger 1032. See FIG. 3 . When the closure trigger 1032 is in the unactuated position, the safety button 1134 is housed in the handle 1014 and is not easily accessible to the clinician, nor can it be moved between a safety position that prevents actuation of the firing trigger 1130 and a firing position in which the firing trigger 1130 may be fired. When the clinician depresses the closure trigger 1032, the safety button 1134 and firing trigger 1130 pivot down, allowing them to then be operated by the clinician.

[0045] As shown above, in at least one form, the longitudinally movable drive member 1120 has a rack of teeth 1122 formed thereon for meshing engagement with a corresponding drive gear 1086 of the gear reducer assembly 1084. At least one form also includes a manually actuated “emergency breakaway” assembly 1140 configured to allow a clinician to manually retract the longitudinally movable drive member 1120 if the motor 1082 is disabled. The emergency breakaway assembly 1140 may include a lever or emergency breakaway handle assembly 1142 configured to be manually pivoted to ratchet engagement with teeth 1124 also provided on the drive member 1120. Thus, a clinician can manually retract the drive member 1120 by using the emergency breakaway handle assembly 1142 to ratchet the drive member 1120 in the proximal direction “PD.” U.S. Patent No. 8,608,045, entitled "POWERED SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING APPARATUS WITH MANUALLY RETRACTABLE FIRING SYSTEM," discloses an emergency release device, as well as other components, devices, and systems that may be used with the various instruments also disclosed herein. U.S. Patent No. 8,608,045 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0046] 2 and 5, the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 includes a surgical end effector 1300 including an elongated channel 1310 configured to operably support a staple cartridge 4000 therein. The end effector 1300 may further include an anvil 2000 pivotally supported relative to the elongated channel 1310. The interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 may further include an articulation joint 3020 and an articulation lock 2140 that may be configured to releasably hold the end effector 1300 in a desired position relative to the shaft axis SA. Various example features of at least one of the end effector 1300, the articulation joint 3020, and the articulation lock can be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 803,086, filed Mar. 14, 2013, entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION LOCK," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0263541. The entire disclosure of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 803,086, filed Mar. 14, 2013, entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION LOCK," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0263541, is incorporated herein by reference. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 can further include a proximal housing or nozzle 1201 comprised of nozzle portions 1202 and 1203 .

[0047] The interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 can further include a closure tube 3000 that can be utilized to open and close the anvil 2000 of the end effector 1300. The shaft assembly 1200 can include a spine 1210 configured to (1) slidably support a firing member therein and (2) slidably support a closure member assembly 3000 extending therearound. As shown in FIG. 5 , the distal end 1212 of the spine 1210 terminates in an upper lug attachment mechanism 1270 and a lower lug attachment mechanism 1280. The upper lug attachment mechanism 1270 defines a lug slot 1272 within which an upper mounting link 1274 can be fixedly supported. Similarly, the lower lug attachment mechanism 1280 defines a lug slot 1282 within which a lower mounting link 1284 can be fixedly supported. The upper mounting link 1274 includes a pivot socket 1276 therein that is rotatably receive a pivot pin 1292 formed on a channel cap or anvil retainer 1290 that is attached to the proximal end portion 1312 of the elongated channel 1310. The lower mounting link 1284 includes a lower pivot pin 1286 that is receiveable in a pivot hole 1314 formed in the proximal end portion 1312 of the elongated channel 1310. See FIG. 5. The lower pivot pin 1286 is vertically aligned with the pivot socket 1276 and defines an articulation axis AA about which the surgical end effector 1300 can articulate relative to the shaft axis SA. See FIG. 2.

[0048] In the depicted example, the surgical end effector 1300 is selectively articulatable about an articulation axis AA by an articulation system 2100. In one form, the articulation system 2100 includes a proximal articulation drive 2102 pivotally coupled to an articulation link 2120. As can be seen most particularly in FIG. 5 , an offset mounting lug 2114 is formed on the distal end 2110 of the proximal articulation drive 2102. A pivot hole 2116 is formed in the offset mounting lug 2114 and configured to pivotally receive a proximal link pin 2124 formed on the proximal end 2122 of the articulation link 2120. A distal end 2126 of the articulation link 2120 includes a pivot hole 2128 configured to pivotally receive a channel pin 1317 formed in the proximal end portion 1312 of the elongated channel 1310. Axial movement of the proximal articulation drive 2102 thus imparts articulation to the elongated channel 1310, which in turn articulates the surgical end effector 1300 relative to the spine assembly 1210 about articulation axis AA. Details regarding the construction and operation of the articulation system 2100 can be found in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15 / 635,631, filed June 28, 2017, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH AXIALLY MOVABLE CLOSURE MEMBER," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0000464, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In various circumstances, when the proximal articulation drive 2102 is not moving proximally or distally, the proximal articulation drive 2102 may be maintained in place by a joint lock 2140. Further details regarding examples of joint locks 2140 can be found in U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 635,631, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0000464, as well as other references incorporated by reference herein.

[0049] In various circumstances, the spine 1210 can include a proximal end 1211 that is rotatably supported within the chassis 1240. In one configuration, for example, the proximal end 1211 of the spine 1210 is threaded 1214 for threaded attachment to a spine bearing 1216 that is configured to be supported within the chassis 1240. See FIG. 4. Such a configuration facilitates rotatable attachment of the spine 1210 to the chassis 1240, allowing the spine 1210 to be selectively rotated relative to the chassis 1240 about the shaft axis SA.

[0050] 4, the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 includes a closure shuttle 1250 slidably supported therein for axial movement relative to the chassis 1240. The closure shuttle 1250 includes a pair of proximally projecting hooks 1252 configured for attachment to mounting pins 1037 (FIG. 3) attached to the second closure link 1038, as described in further detail below. In at least one example, the closure member assembly 3000 includes a proximal closure member segment 3010 having a proximal end 3012 coupled to the closure shuttle 1250 for rotation relative thereto. For example, a U-shaped connector 1263 is inserted into an annular slot 3014 in the proximal end 3012 of the proximal closure member segment 3010 and is retained in a vertical slot 1253 of the closure shuttle 1250. Such an arrangement allows the proximal closure member segment 3010 and the closure shuttle 1250 to rotate relative to the closure shuttle 1250 about the shaft axis SA while the proximal closure member segment 3010 is mounted for axial movement together. A closure spring 1268 is journaled on the proximal closure member 3010 and serves to bias the proximal closure member 3010 in the proximal direction "PD," thereby pivoting the closure trigger 1032 to an unactuated position when the shaft assembly is operably coupled to the handle 1014.

[0051] In at least one form, the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 may further include an articulation joint 3020. However, other interchangeable shaft assemblies may not be articulatable. As shown in FIG. 5 , for example, a distal closure member or distal closure tube segment 3030 is coupled to the distal end of the proximal closure member segment 3010. The articulation joint 3020 includes a dual-pivoting closure sleeve assembly 3022. According to various forms, the dual-pivoting closure sleeve assembly 3022 includes an end effector closure tube 3050 having an upper distally protruding tang 3052 and a lower distally protruding tang 3054. The upper dual-pivot link 3056 includes upwardly protruding distal and proximal pivot pins that respectively engage with the upper distal and upper proximal pin holes of the upper proximal protruding tang 3052 and 3032 on the distal closure tube segment 3030. The lower double pivot link 3058 includes upwardly projecting distal and proximal pivot pins that engage lower distal and proximal pin holes, respectively, in the lower proximal projecting tang 3054 and the lower distal projecting tang 3034. See FIGS. 4 and 5. As described in more detail below, the closure member assembly 3000 is translated distally (direction DD) to close the anvil 2000, for example, in response to actuation of the closure trigger 1032. The anvil 2000 is opened by translating the closure member assembly 3000 proximally, which causes the end effector closure tube 3050 to interact with the anvil 2000 and pivot the anvil 2000 to the open position.

[0052] As also described above, the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 further includes a firing member 1900 supported for axial movement within the shaft spine 1210. The firing member 1900 includes an intermediate firing shaft portion 1222 configured to attach to a distal cutting portion or knife bar 1910. The intermediate firing shaft portion 1222 may include a longitudinal slot 1223 at its distal end that may be configured to receive a tab 1912 on the proximal end of the distal knife bar 1910. The longitudinal slot 1223 and the proximal end tab 1912 may be sized and configured to allow relative movement therebetween and may include a slip joint 1914. The slip joint 1914 may allow the intermediate firing shaft portion 1222 of the firing member 1900 to move and articulate the end effector 1300 without moving, or at least substantially without moving, the knife bar 1910. Once the end effector 1300 is properly oriented, the intermediate firing shaft portion 1222 can be advanced distally until the proximal sidewall of the longitudinal slot 1223 contacts the tab 1912, thereby advancing the knife bar 1910 and firing the staple cartridge 4000 located within the channel 1310. The knife bar 1910 includes a knife portion 1920 that includes a blade or tissue-cutting edge 1922, and includes an upper anvil engagement tab 1924 and a lower channel engagement tab 1926. The configurations and operation of various firing members are disclosed in various other references, which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0053] As seen in FIG. 4 , the shaft assembly 1200 further includes a switch drum 1500 rotatably received on the proximal closure member segment 3010. The switch drum 1500 includes a hollow shaft segment 1502 having a shaft boss formed therein for receiving an outwardly protruding actuation pin. Under various circumstances, the actuation pin extends through a slot into a longitudinal slot in the locking sleeve to facilitate axial movement of the locking sleeve when engaged with the articulation driver. The rotational torsion spring 1420 is configured to engage the boss on the switch drum 1500 and a portion of the nozzle housing 1203 to apply a biasing force to the switch drum 1500. The switch drum 1500 can further include an at least partially circumferential opening 1506 defined therein, which can be configured to receive a circumferential mount extending from the nozzle portions 1202, 1203 and allow relative rotation but not translation between the switch drum 1500 and the nozzle 1201. The mount also extends through an opening 3011 in the proximal closure member segment 3010 and fits into a recess 1219 in the spine 1210. Rotation of the switch drum 1500 about the shaft axis SA ultimately rotates the actuation pin and locking sleeve between their engaged and disengaged positions. In one configuration, rotation of the switch drum 1500 may be coupled to axial advancement of the closure tube or closure member. Thus, essentially, actuation of the closure system may operatively engage and disengage the firing drive system and the articulation drive system in a variety of ways as described in more detail in U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 803,086, entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION LOCK," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0263541, and U.S. Patent No. 9,913,642, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A SENSOR SYSTEM," the entire disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.For example, when the closure member segment 3010 is in its proximal-most position, corresponding to the "jaws open" position, the closure member segment 3010 positions the switch drum 1500 to couple the articulation system with the firing drive system. When the closure tube is moved to its distal position, corresponding to the "jaws closed" position, the closure tube rotates the switch drum 1500 to a position where the articulation system is disengaged from the firing drive system.

[0054] As also shown in FIG. 4 , the shaft assembly 1200 can include a slip ring assembly 1600 that can be configured, for example, to conduct power to and / or communicate signals with the end effector 1300. The slip ring assembly 1600 can include a proximal connector flange 1604 attached to a chassis flange 1242 extending from the chassis 1240 and a distal connector flange positioned in a slot defined in the shaft housing. The proximal connector flange 1604 can include a first surface, and the distal connector flange can include a second surface positioned adjacent to and movable relative to the first surface. The distal connector flange can rotate relative to the proximal connector flange 1604 about the shaft axis SA. The proximal connector flange 1604 can include a plurality of concentric, or at least substantially concentric, conductors defined in its first surface. The connector can be mounted on the proximal face of the connector flange and can have multiple contacts, each corresponding to and in electrical contact with one of the conductors. Such a configuration allows the proximal connector flange 1604 and the distal connector flange to rotate relative to each other while maintaining electrical contact therebetween. The proximal connector flange 1604 can include an electrical connector 1606 that can place conductors in signal communication with, for example, a shaft circuit board 1610 mounted to the shaft chassis 1240. In at least one example, a wiring harness comprising multiple conductors can extend between the electrical connector 1606 and the shaft circuit board 1610. The electrical connector 1606 can extend proximally through a connector opening 1243 defined in the chassis flange 1242. See FIG. 4 .Further details regarding slip ring assembly 1600 can be found, for example, in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 803,086, entitled "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION LOCK," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0263541, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 800,067, filed March 13, 2013, entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0263552, and U.S. Patent No. 9,345,481, entitled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM." U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 803,086, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0263541, U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 800,067, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0263552, and U.S. Patent No. 9,345,481, are each incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

[0055] As described above, the shaft assembly 1200 may include a proximal portion fixably attached to the handle 1014 and a distal portion rotatable about a longitudinal axis. The rotatable distal shaft portion may be rotatable relative to the proximal portion about the slip ring assembly 1600, as described above. The distal connector flange of the slip ring assembly 1600 may be positioned within the rotatable distal shaft portion. Additionally to the above, the switch drum 1500 may also be positioned within the rotatable distal shaft portion. Rotation of the rotatable distal shaft portion may cause the distal connector flange and the switch drum 1500 to rotate synchronously with one another. Additionally, the switch drum 1500 may be rotated between a first position and a second position relative to the distal connector flange. When the switch drum 1500 is in its first position, the articulation drive system may be operably disengaged from the firing drive system, such that operation of the firing drive system cannot articulate the end effector 1300 of the shaft assembly 1200. When the switch drum 1500 is in its second position, an articulation drive system may be operatively engaged with the firing drive system, such that operation of the firing drive system can articulate the end effector 1300 of the shaft assembly 1200. Moving the switch drum 1500 between its first position and its second position causes the switch drum 1500 to move relative to the distal connector flange. In various examples, the shaft assembly 1200 can include at least one sensor configured to detect the position of the switch drum 1500.

[0056] Referring again to FIG. 4, the chassis 1240 includes at least one, and preferably two, tapered mounting portions 1244 formed thereon that are receivable in corresponding dovetail slots 1702 formed in the distal mounting flange portion 1700 of the frame 1020. See FIG. 3. Each dovetail slot 1702 may be tapered, or in other words somewhat V-shaped, to nest and receive the mounting portion 1244 therein. As further shown in FIG. 4, a shaft mounting lug 1226 is formed on the proximal end of the intermediate firing shaft portion 1222. As described in more detail below, when the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 is coupled to the handle 1014, the shaft mounting lug 1226 is received in a firing shaft mounting cradle 1126 formed on the distal end 1125 of the longitudinal drive member 1120. See FIG. 3.

[0057] Various shaft assembly embodiments employ a latch system 1710 for removably coupling the shaft assembly 1200 to the housing 1012, and more particularly to the frame 1020. As shown in FIG. 4 , for example, in at least one form, the latch system 1710 includes a locking member or locking yoke 1712 that is movably coupled to the chassis 1240. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the locking yoke 1712 has a U-shape with two spaced-apart, downwardly extending legs 1714. Each of the legs 1714 is formed with a pivot lug 1715 that is receivable in a corresponding hole 1245 formed in the chassis 1240. Such an arrangement facilitates pivotal attachment of the locking yoke 1712 to the chassis 1240. The locking yoke 1712 may include two proximally projecting locking lugs 1716 configured to releasably engage corresponding locking detents or grooves 1704 in the distal mounting flange 1700 of the frame 1020. See FIG. 3 . In various forms, the lock yoke 1712 is biased proximally by a spring or biasing member (not shown). Actuation of the lock yoke 1712 may be accomplished by a latch button 1722 slidably mounted on a latch actuator assembly 1720 mounted to the chassis 1240. The latch button 1722 may be biased proximally relative to the lock yoke 1712. As described in more detail below, distal biasing of the latch button may move the lock yoke 1712 to an unlocked position, which also pivots the lock yoke 1712 out of retaining engagement with the distal mounting flange 1700 of the frame 1020. When the lock yoke 1712 is in “retaining engagement” with the distal mounting flange 1700 of the frame 1020, the locking lugs 1716 are retainingly received within corresponding locking detents or grooves 1704 of the distal mounting flange 1700.

[0058] When using interchangeable shaft assemblies, including end effectors of the type described herein adapted to cut and fasten tissue, as well as other types of end effectors, it may be desirable to prevent the interchangeable shaft assembly from being inadvertently separated from the housing during actuation of the end effector. For example, during use, a clinician may actuate the closure trigger 1032 to grasp and manipulate target tissue into a desired position. Once the target tissue is positioned in the end effector 1300 at a desired orientation, the clinician may then fully actuate the closure trigger 1032 to close the anvil 2000 and clamp the target tissue in place for cutting and stapling. In that case, the first drive system 1030 is fully actuated. After the target tissue is clamped in the end effector 1300, it may be desirable to prevent the shaft assembly 1200 from being inadvertently separated from the housing 1012. One form of the latch system 1710 is configured to prevent such inadvertent separation.

[0059] 4 , the locking yoke 1712 includes at least one, and preferably two, locking hooks 1718 adapted to contact corresponding locking protrusions 1256 formed on the closure shuttle 1250. When the closure shuttle 1250 is in the inactivated position (i.e., the first drive system 1030 is inactivated and the anvil 2000 is open), the locking yoke 1712 may be pivoted distally to unlock the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 from the housing 1012. In that position, the locking hooks 1718 are not in contact with the locking protrusions 1256 of the closure shuttle 1250. However, moving the closure shuttle 1250 to the activated position (i.e., the first drive system 1030 is activated and the anvil 2000 is in the closed position) prevents the locking yoke 1712 from pivoting to the unlocked position. In other words, if a clinician attempts to pivot the lock yoke 1712 to the unlocked position, or if the lock yoke 1712 is inadvertently pushed or contacted in a manner that causes it to pivot distally, for example, the lock hook 1718 of the lock yoke 1712 will contact the lock protrusion portion 1256 of the closure shuttle 1250, preventing the lock yoke 1712 from moving to the unlocked position.

[0060] The attachment of the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 to the handle 1014 is described below. To begin the coupling process, the clinician may position the chassis 1240 of the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 above or adjacent to the distal mounting flange portion 1700 of the frame 1020 so that the tapered mounting portion 1244 formed on the chassis 1240 is aligned with the dovetail slot 1702 of the frame 1020. The clinician may then move the shaft assembly 1200 along a mounting axis perpendicular to the shaft axis SA to seat the mounting portion 1244 into “operable engagement” with the corresponding dovetail receiving slot 1702. In doing so, the shaft mounting lugs 1226 on the intermediate firing shaft portion 1222 are also seated within the cradle 1126 of the longitudinally movable drive member 1120, and portions of the pin 1037 on the second closure link 1038 are seated within corresponding hooks 1252 of the closure shuttle 1250. As used herein, the term "operably engaged" in the context of two components means that the two components are sufficiently engaged with one another so that, upon application of an actuating motion thereto, the components can perform an intended action, function, and / or procedure.

[0061] As described above, at least five systems of the interchangeable shaft assembly 1200 can be operably coupled to at least five corresponding systems of the handle 1014. A first system can include a frame system that couples and / or aligns the frame or spine of the shaft assembly 1200 with the frame 1020 of the handle 1014. Another system can include a closure drive system 1030 that can operably connect the closure trigger 1032 of the handle 1014, the closure tube 1260, and the anvil 2000 of the shaft assembly 1200. As outlined above, the closure shuttle 1250 of the shaft assembly 1200 can engage the pin 1037 of the second closure link 1038. Another system can include a firing drive system 1080 that can operably connect the firing trigger 1130 of the handle 1014 with the intermediate firing shaft portion 1222 of the shaft assembly 1200. As outlined above, the shaft mounting lugs 1226 can be operatively connected to the cradle 1126 of the longitudinal drive member 1120. Another system can include an electrical system capable of signaling to a controller in the handle 1014, such as a microcontroller, that a shaft assembly, such as shaft assembly 1200, is operatively engaged with the handle 1014, and / or secondarily conducting power and / or communication signals between the shaft assembly 1200 and the handle 1014. By way of example, the shaft assembly 1200 can include an electrical connector 1810 operatively mounted to the shaft circuit board 1610. The electrical connector 1810 is configured to matingly engage with a corresponding electrical connector 1800 on the handle control board 1100. Further details regarding the circuitry and control systems can be found in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 803,086, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0263541, and U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14 / 226,142, now U.S. Patent No. 9,913,642, the entire disclosures of each of which have been previously incorporated by reference herein.A fifth system may consist of a latching system that releasably locks the shaft assembly 1200 to the handle 1014 .

[0062] The anvil 2000 in the illustrated example includes an anvil body 2002 terminating in an anvil mounting portion 2010. The anvil mounting portion 2010 is movably or pivotally supported on the elongated channel 1310 for selective pivotal movement relative to the anvil mounting portion 2010 about a fixed anvil pivot axis PA that is transverse to the shaft axis SA. In the illustrated configuration, a pivot member or anvil trunnion 2012 extends laterally from each lateral side of the anvil mounting portion 2010 and is received in a corresponding trunnion cradle 1316 formed in an upstanding wall 1315 of the proximal end portion 1312 of the elongated channel 1310. The anvil trunnion 2012 is pivotally retained in the corresponding trunnion cradle 1316 by a passage cap or anvil retainer 1290. The channel cap or anvil retainer 1290 has a pair of mounting lugs configured to be retainingly received within corresponding protruding grooves or notches formed in the upstanding wall 1315 of the proximal end portion 1312 of the elongated channel 1310. See FIG.

[0063] 5 , in at least one configuration, the distal closure member or end effector closure tube 3050 employs two axially offset proximal and distal positive jaw opening mechanisms 3060 and 3062. The positive jaw opening mechanisms 3060 and 3062 are configured to interact with corresponding release areas and stepped portions formed on the anvil mounting portion 2010, as described in further detail in U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 635,631, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH AXIALLY MOVABLE CLOSURE MEMBER," now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0000464, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Other jaw opening configurations may also be used.

[0064] 6-8 illustrate a conventional surgical cutting and fastening instrument 5010 configured to generate a rotational drive motion for operating a surgical end effector 5012. The surgical instrument 5010 includes a handle 5006, a shaft 5008, and an articulating surgical end effector 5012 pivotally coupled to the shaft 5008 at an articulation pivot point 5014. An articulation control 5016 may be provided adjacent the handle 5006 for rotating the end effector 5012 about the articulation pivot point 5014. It will be understood that various embodiments may include a non-pivoting end effector and thus may not include an articulation pivot point 5014 or an articulation control 5016.

[0065] The handle 5006 of the instrument 5010 may include a closure trigger 5018 and a firing trigger 5020 for actuating the end effector 5012. It will be understood that instruments including end effectors intended for different surgical procedures may have a different number or type of triggers or other suitable controls for manipulating the end effector 5012. In one embodiment, a clinician or operator of the instrument 5010 can articulate the end effector 5012 relative to the shaft 5008 by utilizing an articulation control 5016, as described in more detail in co-pending U.S. Patent No. 7,670,334, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING AN ARTICULATING END EFFECTOR," the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In this example, the end effector 5012 includes, among other things, a staple channel 5022 and a pivotally translatable clamping member, such as an anvil 5024, spaced apart to ensure effective stapling and severing of tissue clamped by the end effector 5012. The handle 5006 has a pistol grip 5026 that allows a clinician to pivot and pull a closure trigger 5018 toward the pistol grip 5026 to clamp or close the anvil 5024 toward the staple channel 5022 of the end effector 5012, thereby clamping tissue located between the anvil 5024 and the channel 5022.

[0066] 7, the end effector 5012 can include, in addition to the channel 5022 and anvil 5024 described above, a cutting instrument 5032, a sled 5033, a staple cartridge 5034 removably housed within the channel 5022, and a helically threaded shaft 5036. The cutting instrument 5032 can be, for example, a knife. The anvil 5024 includes a pivot pin 5025 movably supported within a corresponding slot within the channel 5022. In one configuration, the anvil 5024 includes a tab 5027 at its proximal end that is inserted into an element of a mechanical closure system (described in more detail below) to open and close the anvil 5024.

[0067] 7 , the shaft 5008 may include a proximal closure tube 5040 and a distal closure tube 5042 pivotally connected by a pivot connection 5044. The distal closure tube 5042 has an opening 5045 into which a tab 5027 on the anvil 5024 is inserted to open or close the anvil 5024, as described in more detail below. A proximal spine tube 5046 may be disposed within the closure tubes 5040, 5042. A main rotating (or proximal) drive shaft 5048 may be disposed within the proximal spine tube 5046 in communication with a secondary (or distal) drive shaft 5050 via bevel gear assemblies 5052a-c. The secondary drive shaft 5050 is connected to a drive gear 5054 that engages a proximal drive gear 5056 on the helical thread shaft 5036. The vertical bevel gear 5052b may be positioned within and pivot within an opening 5057 at the distal end of the proximal spine tube 5046. The distal spine tube 5058 may be used to house the secondary drive shaft 5050 and drive gears 5054, 5056. The main drive shaft 5048, secondary drive shaft 5050 and articulation assembly (e.g., bevel gear assemblies 5052a-c) may be collectively referred to herein as the "main drive shaft assembly."

[0068] A bearing 5038 positioned at the distal end of the staple channel 5022 receives the helical threaded shaft 5036, allowing the helical threaded shaft 5036 to rotate freely relative to the channel 5022. Interference between the helical threaded shaft 5036 and a threaded opening (not shown) in the knife 5032 allows rotation of the helical threaded shaft 5036 to translate the knife 5032 distally or proximally (depending on the direction of rotation) within the staple channel 5022.

[0069] 8 , the handle 5006 has external lower side pieces 5059, 5060 and external upper side pieces 5061, 5062 that mate together to generally form the exterior surface of the handle 5006. A battery 5064, such as a lithium-ion battery, can be provided in the pistol grip 5026 of the handle 5006. The battery 5064 powers a motor 5065 located in the upper portion of the pistol grip portion 5026 of the handle 5006. The motor 5065 can drive a 90° bevel gear assembly 5066 including a first bevel gear 5068 and a second bevel gear 5070. The bevel gear assembly 5066 can drive a planetary gear assembly 5072. The planetary gear assembly 5072 can include a pinion gear 5074 coupled to a drive shaft 5076. The pinion gear 5074 can drive a mating ring gear 5078, which, via a drive shaft, drives a helical gear drum 5080. A ring 5084 can be threaded onto the helical gear drum 5080. Thus, as the motor 5065 rotates, the ring 5084 moves along the helical gear drum 5080 by way of the intervening bevel gear assembly 5066, planetary gear assembly 5072, and ring gear 5078.

[0070] The handle 5006 may include a central handle piece 5104 adjacent an upper portion of the firing trigger 5020. The handle 5006 may also include a biasing spring 5112 coupled between the central handle piece 5104 and the post of the firing trigger 5020. The biasing spring 5112 may bias the firing trigger 5020 toward its fully open position. Thus, when the operator releases the firing trigger 5020, the biasing spring 5112 pulls the firing trigger 5020 toward its open position. The distal end of the helical gear drum 5080 includes a distal drive shaft 5120 that drives a ring gear 5122 that mates with a pinion gear 5124. The pinion gear 5124 is coupled to the main drive shaft 5048 of the main drive shaft assembly. Thus, rotation of the motor 5065 rotates the main drive shaft assembly, thereby actuating the end effector 5012. A ring 5084 threaded onto the helical gear drum 5080 may have a post 5086 that rests within a slot 5088 in a slotted arm 5090. The slotted arm 5090 has an opening 5092 at its opposite end 5094 that receives a pivot pin 5096 that is connected between the outer side pieces 5059, 5060 of the handle. The pivot pin 5096 is also disposed through an opening 5100 in the firing trigger 5020 and an opening 5102 in the central handle piece 5104.

[0071] The central handle piece 5104 includes a rear shoulder 5106 that engages the slotted arm 5090. The central handle piece 5104 further includes a forward motion stop 5107 that engages the firing trigger 5020. Movement of the slotted arm 5090 is controlled by rotation of the motor 5065, as described above. As the slotted arm 5090 rotates counterclockwise as the ring 5084 moves from the proximal end to the distal end of the helical gear drum 5080, the central handle piece 5104 is free to rotate counterclockwise. Thus, when a user pulls the firing trigger 5020, the firing trigger 5020 engages the forward motion stop 5107 of the central handle piece 5104, causing the central handle piece 5104 to rotate counterclockwise. However, because the rear shoulder 5106 engages the slotted arm 5090, the central handle piece 5104 can only rotate counterclockwise to the extent permitted by the slotted arm 5090. This means that if the motor 5065 stops rotating for any reason, the slotted arm 5090 will stop rotating and the user will not be able to further squeeze the firing trigger 5020 because the slotted arm 5090 will prevent the central handle piece 5104 from rotating freely counterclockwise.

[0072] Components of an exemplary closure system for closing (or clamping) the anvil 5024 of the end effector 5012 by retracting the closure trigger 5018 are also shown in FIG. 8. In the illustrated embodiment, the closure system includes a yoke 5250 connected to the closure trigger 5018. A pivot pin 5252 is inserted through aligned openings in both the closure trigger 5018 and the yoke 5250 so that both rotate about the same point. The distal end of the yoke 5250 is coupled to a first closure bracket 5256 via a pin 5254. The first closure bracket 5256 is coupled to a second closure bracket 5258. The closure brackets 5256, 5258 together define an opening within which the proximal end of the proximal closure tube 5040 (see FIG. 7 ) is mounted and retained, such that longitudinal movement of the closure brackets 5256, 5258 results in longitudinal movement by the proximal closure tube 5040. The instrument 5010 further includes a closure drive shaft 5260 disposed within the proximal closure tube 5040. The closure drive shaft 5260 may include a window 5261 within which a post 5263 of one of the handle outer components, such as the outer lower side component 5059 in the illustrated embodiment, is disposed, thereby fixedly coupling the closure drive shaft 5260 to the handle 5006. This allows the proximal closure tube 5040 to move longitudinally relative to the closure drive shaft 5260. The closure drive shaft 5260 may further include a distal collar 5267 that fits into a cavity in the proximal spine tube 5046 and is retained in the cavity by a cap.

[0073] In operation, the yoke 5250 is rotated by squeezing the closure trigger 5018, causing the closure brackets 5256, 5258 to move the proximal closure tube 5040 distally (i.e., away from the handle end of the instrument 5010), which in turn moves the distal closure tube 5042 distally and rotates the anvil 5024 to a clamped or closed position about the pivot pin 5025. When the closure trigger 5018 is released from its locked position, the proximal closure tube 5040 slides proximally, which in turn slides the distal closure tube 5042 proximally and, due to the tab 5027 inserted in the window 5045 of the distal closure tube 5042, pivots the anvil 5024 about the pivot pin 5025 to an open or unclamped position. In this manner, the operator can clamp tissue between the anvil 5024 and the channel 5022 by pulling and locking the closure trigger 5018, and unclamp the tissue after the dissecting / stapling operation by releasing the closure trigger 5018 from the locked position. Further details regarding the configuration and operation of the existing surgical instrument 5010 can be found in U.S. Patent Application No. 7,845,537, entitled "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING RECORDING CAPABILITIES," the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Another rotary drive configured for use with various forms of robotic systems is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 2016 / 0287251, entitled "STAPLING END EFFECTOR CONFIGURED TO COMPENSATE FOR AN UNEVEN GAP BETWEEN A FIRST JAW AND A SECOND JAW," the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0074] 9-16 illustrate a surgical end effector 20012 that can be used in connection with, for example, the powered surgical instrument 5010 described above. The surgical end effector 20012 can also be effectively used with a variety of other rotary-driven or robotically-driven surgical systems, as disclosed in the various references incorporated herein by reference. The components illustrated in FIGS. 9-16 are identical to similarly numbered components of the powered surgical instrument 5010. In the illustrated example, the surgical end effector 20012 includes an elongated channel 20020 configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge 20040 therein. The elongated channel 20020 is similar to the channel 5022 described above, except for the noted differences. Referring to FIG. 10 , the elongated channel 20020 includes a pair of spaced-apart upstanding walls 20022 and a bottom 20024. The helical threaded shaft 5036 is supported within the channel 20020 by bearings 5038 that allow the helical threaded shaft 5036 to rotate freely relative to the channel 20020. The surgical end effector 20012 further includes an anvil 5024 having a pivot pin or trunnion 5025 received in a corresponding slot 20026 in the upstanding channel wall 20022.

[0075] The staple cartridge 20040 includes a cartridge body 20042 sized to be operably mounted within the elongated channel 20020. The cartridge body 20042 includes a cartridge slot 20050 extending from a proximal end portion 20046 to a distal end portion 20044 of the cartridge body 20042. The cartridge body 20042 further includes a cartridge deck surface 20043 that faces the staple-forming lower surface 5029 of the anvil 5024 when the cartridge 20040 is mounted within the channel 20020 and the anvil 5024 is pivoted to the closed position. Also, in the illustrated example, three rows of surgical staple pockets 20052 are formed on each side of the cartridge slot 20050 and open through the cartridge deck surface 20043. Each staple pocket 20052 may have a staple driver (not shown) associated therewith that supports a surgical staple or fastener (not shown) thereon.

[0076] 10 , the staple cartridge 20040 further includes a cam assembly 20060 including a cam assembly body 20062 extending through a passageway 20064 configured to span the helical threaded shaft 5036 without affecting its rotation. In other embodiments, the cam assembly 20060 can have a series of internal threads (not shown) configured to threadingly engage the helical threaded shaft 5036 driven by the cam assembly 20060. In such a configuration, for example, the helical threaded shaft 5036 can be provided with an unthreaded portion that corresponds to the start position of the cam assembly 20060. Such cam assembly configurations are further described in various references incorporated herein by reference. In the illustrated example, the cam assembly 20060 is driven distally through the cartridge body 20042 by the firing member 20120.

[0077] 10 , the cam assembly body 20062 includes a series of cam members 20066 that are aligned with corresponding staple drivers supported in a row within the staple cartridge body 20042. In the illustrated example, the cam assembly 20060 includes an integrated tissue-cutting member or blade 20068. The tissue-cutting member 20068 extends above the deck surface 20043 such that when the cam assembly 20060 is driven distally, the tissue-cutting member 20068 cuts tissue clamped between the anvil 5024 and the staple cartridge 20040. When the staple cartridge is "unused" or new (i.e., the cartridge has never been fired and contains staples or fasteners therein that are ready to be fired), the cam assembly 20060 is in a start position within the cartridge 20040. When the cam assembly 20060 is in the start position, the tissue-cutting member 20068 is located within a garage portion 20048 formed on the proximal end portion 20046 of the cartridge body 20042 to prevent damage when handling a new cartridge 20040. In one aspect, the cam member 20066 extends distally beyond the tissue-cutting member 20068 so that staples or fasteners are deployed through the tissue before the tissue-cutting member 20068 cuts the tissue. Thus, the clamped tissue is stapled and then cut as the firing member 20120 and cam assembly 20060 are driven distally. Once the firing member 20120 and cam assembly 20060 have been driven to their distal-most end positions, the firing member 20120 may be retracted to its start position by rotating the helical screw shaft 5036 in a counter-rotational direction while the cam assembly 20060 remains in its end position. In at least one configuration, the tissue-cutting member 20068 is movable from a deployed cutting position to a storage position in which the tissue-cutting member 20068 is stored below the cartridge deck surface 20043 to prevent damage when handling a fired or used cartridge 20040.For example, a retraction member (not shown) may be strategically positioned within the distal end 20044 of the cartridge body 20042 such that when a portion of the tissue-cutting member 20068 contacts the retraction member, it contacts the tissue-cutting member 20068 and moves it from the deployed position to the retracted position.

[0078] FIG. 11 illustrates one form of a firing member 20120. As shown in FIG. 11 , the firing member 20120 includes a body portion 20122 and two downwardly extending hollow mounting portions 20124 that are unthreaded and spaced apart from one another for receiving a threaded drive nut 20130 therebetween. The threaded drive nut 20130 is configured to threadingly engage the helical threaded shaft 5036. The drive nut 20130 includes a vertical tab portion 20131 that is sized to extend through an axial slot 20025 ( FIG. 10 ) in the bottom 20024 of the elongated channel 20020. Two laterally extending retention flanges 20134 are formed on the threaded drive nut 20130 and are configured to engage the bottom 20024 of the elongated channel 20020. In addition, two laterally extending anvil engagement tabs 20126 are formed on the top of the firing member body 20122 and are configured to engage corresponding ledges 20102 formed in the anvil 5024 as the firing member 20120 moves axially within the surgical end effector 20012.

[0079] 11 , the firing member 20120 may further include an integrated firing member lockout assembly 20140 that includes a lockout member 20142 pivotally coupled to the firing member body 20122. The lockout member 20142 includes a sled latch 20148 configured to be engaged by the cam assembly 20060 when the cam assembly 20060 is in the unfired position. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 , the cam assembly 20060 includes a firing member ledge 20061 configured to engage the sled latch 20148 on the lockout member 20142. The lockout spring 20150 is mounted within the elongated channel 20020 and is configured to bias the lockout member 20142 downwardly when the cam assembly 20060 is not in its unfired, start position, causing the lockout member 20142 to contact lockout lugs 20028 formed on a respective portion of the interior surface of each upstanding side wall 20022 of the elongated channel 20020. See FIG. 15 . In that position, if a user accidentally attempts to advance the firing member 20120 distally, the lockout member 20142 will contact the lockout lugs 20028 on the channel 20020, preventing distal advancement of the firing member 20120.

[0080] FIG. 12 illustrates the initial insertion of a new, unfired surgical staple cartridge 20040 into the channel 20020. As shown in FIG. 12 , the cam assembly 20060 is in a start position, and the proximal end portion 20046 of the surgical staple cartridge 20040 is inserted at an angle relative to the channel 20020 and then pushed in the proximal direction PD until the firing member ledge 20061 on the cam assembly 20060 disengages with the thread latch portion 20148 of the lockout member 20142. FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate the surgical staple cartridge 20040 in a properly installed position. As shown in FIG. 13 , the firing member lockout assembly 20140 is in the unlocked position. Rotation of the helical threaded shaft 5036 in a first rotational direction causes the firing member 20120 to move distally in the distal direction DD. The distal movement of the firing member 20120 also drives the cam assembly 20060 distally. The cam member 20066 cams a driver housed within the cartridge 20040 upward within the cartridge body 20042. As the driver cams upward, the staples or fasteners supported thereon are driven through the tissue clamped between the anvil 5024 and the cartridge 20040 and contact the lower staple-forming surface 5029 on the anvil 5024. The stapled tissue is then cut by the tissue-cutting member 20068. Once the firing member 20120 has been driven to its distal-most position within the cartridge 20040, the helical screw shaft 5036 can be rotated in a second, opposite rotational direction to retract the firing member 20120 to its starting position. The cam assembly 20060 remains within the distal end portion 20044 of the cartridge body 20042. The spent cartridge 20040 may then be removed from the channel 20020.

[0081] FIG. 14 shows the end effector 20012 after the spent cartridge has been removed from the channel 20020. As shown in FIG. 14 , the spring 20150 biases the lockout member 20142 of the firing member lockout assembly 20140 into locking engagement with the lockout lug 20028 in the channel 20020. When a user attempts to fire the surgical end effector 20012 (advance the firing member 20120 distally), the lockout member 20142 prevents the firing member 20120 from moving distally. Similarly, when a user attempts to reuse a spent cartridge, the firing member lockout assembly 20140 prevents the firing member 20120 from moving distally because the cam assembly 20060 is not in the start position.

[0082] In the illustrated configuration, the lockout member 20142 is pivotally coupled to the firing member body 20122 by a pivot pin 20143 received in a bore 20123 extending through the firing member body 20122. See FIGS. 14 and 16. In at least one configuration, the pivot pin 20143 is sized relative to the bore 20123 in the firing member body 20122 to facilitate free pivotal movement of the lockout member 20142 and to account for component tolerances. As shown in FIG. 14, the firing member 20120 includes a proximally-facing firing surface 20145 configured to abut a distally-facing bearing surface 20125 on the firing member body 20122 when the firing member lockout assembly 20140 is in the unlocked position. Thus, as the firing member 20120 advances distally, the resistive forces experienced by the cam assembly 20060 during its distal movement are applied directly to the distally-facing bearing surface 20125 on the firing member body 20122. Such a configuration can redirect these resistive forces back onto the pivot pin 20143, preventing the pivot pin 20143 from breaking under such loads. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 16 , the proximally-facing, angled bearing surface 20145 of the firing member 20120 is configured to abut the distally-facing bearing surface 20125 on the firing member body 20122 when the firing member lockout assembly 20140 is in the locked position. Such a configuration can redirect the resistive locking force, created by the locking engagement of the lockout member 20142 with the locking lug 20028, back onto the pivot pin 20143, preventing the pivot pin 20143 from breaking under such loads. The loose fit between the pin 20143 and the hole 20123 in the firing member body 20122 facilitates some translation of the lockout member 20142 when loaded, transferring the load to the firing member body 20122 rather than the pin 20143 itself.

[0083] In another configuration, or in addition to the aforementioned configuration of the lockout member 20142, the amount of current drawn by the motor used to impart rotational motion to the helical threaded shaft 5036 is monitored. If the current increases above a predetermined threshold, a control circuit, such as in a surgical instrument or robotic system, can stop the motor and prevent further rotation of the helical threaded shaft 5036 and movement of the firing member 20120 to prevent damage to the aforementioned components.

[0084] Some conventional firing member lockout arrangements configured to prevent advancement of an end effector's firing member when a new, unfired staple cartridge is not properly installed within the surgical end effector require the user to actively retract the firing member to its proximal-most start position before the anvil can be opened. If the user attempts to open the anvil before the firing member has returned to its proximal-most position, the user may not understand why the anvil will not open. The arrangement described above can prevent such confusion.

[0085] 17-21 illustrate a surgical end effector 20300 that may be used in connection with, for example, the powered surgical instrument 1010 described above. The surgical end effector 20300 may also be effectively used with a variety of other robotically driven surgical systems as disclosed in the various references incorporated herein by reference. These components illustrated in FIGS. 17-21 are identical to the like-numbered components of the surgical instrument 1010. The structure and function of these components of the surgical instrument 1010 that are not necessary to understand the operation of the surgical end effector 20300 will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0086] As shown in FIGS. 17-21 , the surgical end effector 20300 includes an elongated channel 20310 configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge 20600 therein. In the illustrated example, the elongated channel 20310 includes a channel bottom 20312 and a pair of upright sidewalls 20314. The channel 20310 is coupled to the elongated shaft assembly 1200 ( FIG. 5 ) by a channel attachment mechanism 20340 that can facilitate articulation of the channel 20310 about the articulation joint 3020 ( FIG. 5 ). As shown in FIG. 19 , for example, in one configuration, the channel attachment mechanism 20340 includes a body portion 20342 comprised of an upright support 20344 having a slot 20346 extending therethrough that receives the firing member beam 1900 ( FIG. 5 ). The channel attachment mechanism 20340 may be movably or pivotally attached to the proximal end 20316 of the channel 20310 by a channel attachment mechanism or channel pin 20320. Specifically, the channel attachment mechanism 20320 further includes a transverse pin opening 20348 configured to be coaxially aligned with the hole 20318 in the side wall 20314 of the channel 20310 for receiving the channel pin 20320 therein.

[0087] As described above, the shaft assembly 1200 includes a spine 1210 terminating in an upper lug attachment mechanism 1270 and a lower lug attachment mechanism 1280. See FIG. 5. The upper lug attachment mechanism 1270 defines a lug slot 1272 within which an upper mounting link 1274 can be fixedly supported. Similarly, the lower lug attachment mechanism 1280 defines a lug slot 1282 within which a lower mounting link 1284 can be fixedly supported. The upper mounting link 1274 includes a pivot socket 1276 therein that can rotatably receive a pivot pin 1292 formed on a channel cap or anvil retainer 1290 attached to the proximal end portion 20316 of the elongated channel 20310. As shown in FIG. 19, the channel attachment mechanism 20340 further includes a shaft attachment flange 20350 extending proximally therefrom. For example, in one configuration, the shaft mounting flange 20350 has a centrally disposed pivot hole 20352 that can pivotally receive a lower pivot pin 1286 on the lower mounting link 1284 of the lower lug mounting mechanism 1280 (FIG. 5). The lower pivot pin 1286 is vertically aligned with the pivot socket 1276 to define an articulation axis AA about which the surgical end effector 20300 can articulate relative to the spine 1210. In one configuration, the proximal articulation drive 2102 (FIG. 5) may be directly coupled to an articulation lug 20354 formed on the shaft mounting flange 20350. In other configurations, the proximal articulation drive 2102 may be attached to one or more articulation links attached to the shaft mounting flange 20350. In either case, axial movement of the proximal articulation drive 2102 in the manner described above causes the channel attachment mechanism to pivot about the articulation axis relative to the spine 1210 (FIG. 5), articulating the end effector 20300 about the articulation axis AA.

[0088] The surgical end effector 20300 further includes an anvil 20400 that is very similar to the anvil 2000 described above, except for the differences described below. The anvil 20400 includes an elongated anvil body portion 20402 having an understapling surface 20404, and an anvil mounting portion 20410 configured to interact with the end effector closure tube 3050 (FIG. 5) in the manner described above. The anvil 20400 is pivotally mounted on the elongated channel 20310 by a pair of laterally extending anvil pins or trunnions 20412 received in corresponding elongated trunnion slots 20322 formed in the upstanding channel wall 20314. Axial movement of the end effector closure tube 3050 in the distal direction pivots the anvil 20400 to a closed position about a pivot axis defined by the anvil trunnion 20412, and proximal movement of the end effector closure tube 3050 pivots the anvil to an open position relative to the elongated channel 20310.

[0089] 22 illustrates one form of a staple cartridge 20600 usable in connection with a surgical end effector 20300. In at least one configuration, the surgical staple cartridge 20600 includes an elongated cartridge body 20602 sized to be removably mounted within an elongated channel 20310. The cartridge body 20602 includes a cartridge slot 20608 extending from a proximal end portion 20604 to a distal end portion 20606 ( FIG. 17 ) of the cartridge body 20602. The cartridge body 20602 further includes a cartridge deck surface 20610 that faces the staple forming lower surface 20404 of the anvil 20400 when the cartridge 20600 is mounted within the channel 20310 and the anvil 20400 is pivoted to the closed position. Also, in the depicted example, three rows of surgical staple pockets 20612 are formed on each side of the cartridge slot 20608 and open through the cartridge deck surface 20610. Each staple pocket 20612 may have a staple driver (not shown) associated therewith that supports a surgical staple or fastener (not shown) thereon. In at least one example, the cartridge body 20602 is molded from a polymeric material having the staple pockets 20612 molded or machined therein. In one configuration, the staple pockets 20612 also open through the bottom of the cartridge body 20602, facilitating attachment of the drivers and fasteners to their respective pockets 20612. Once the drivers and fasteners are inserted into their respective staple pockets 20612, a cartridge pan 20620 is attached to the bottom of the cartridge body 20602. In one form, the cartridge pan 20620 is fabricated from a metal material and includes a bottom 20622 that spans the bottom of the cartridge body 20602 and two upstanding side walls 20624 corresponding to each side of the cartridge body 20602. The cartridge pan 20620 may be removably attached to the cartridge body 20602 by a series of hooks 20626 formed on the side walls 20624 and configured to hook-like engage corresponding portions of the cartridge body 20602. See FIG. 22.In particular, when attached, the cartridge pan 20620 can prevent the driver and fasteners from falling out the bottom of the cartridge body 20602 during handling and installation of the cartridge 20600 into the elongated channel 20310.

[0090] As described above in connection with the cartridge 20040, the cartridge 20600 operably supports a cam assembly therein. The cam assembly includes a series of spaced apart cam members configured to move axially within corresponding cam slots 20609 formed on either side of the cartridge slot 20608 in the cartridge body 20602. The cam slots 20609 align with corresponding rows of drivers in the cartridge body 20602 to facilitate camming contact with the corresponding cam members as the cam assembly is driven through the staple cartridge 20600 from a start position in the proximal end portion 20604 of the cartridge body 20602 to an end position in the distal end portion 20606.

[0091] 20 and 21 also employ a firing member 20500 mounted to the distal end of the firing member beam 1900 and configured to operatively interface with a cam assembly within the staple cartridge 20600 to drive the cam assembly from its start position to its end position within the cartridge 20600. In at least one configuration, the firing member 20500 is configured to interact with a cam assembly (not shown) within the staple cartridge 20600 that is suitably mounted within the elongated channel 20310. For example, the firing member 20500 includes a firing member body 20502 having a tissue-cutting surface or blade 20504 formed thereon or mounted thereto. The firing member body 20502 is sized to move axially within an axial anvil slot (not shown) of the anvil 20400, a cartridge slot 20608 of the cartridge body 20602, and a channel slot (not shown) of the elongated channel 20310. A lower foot assembly 20506 including a pair of laterally extending lower flanges 20508 extends from the lower end of the firing member body 20502 and slidably engages corresponding channel ledges (not shown) formed on either side of the channel slot. An upper foot (not shown) including two laterally extending anvil tabs may be formed on the upper end of the firing member body 20502 and is configured to slidably engage anvil ledges (not shown) formed on either side of the anvil slot. In at least one configuration, the firing member 20500 further includes a pair of central tabs 20510 extending laterally from either side of the firing member body 20502.

[0092] 20 and 21 , in one configuration, the firing member body 20502 includes a proximally extending spring tail 20512 that is configured to mount within the elongated channel 20310 and operably interface with a firing member lockout spring 20520 that is configured to bias the firing member 20500 downward (arrow DN) within the elongated channel 20310 to a locked position. In the locked position, the firing member foot 20506 and / or central tab 20510 are offset from their corresponding passages within the channel 20310, and therefore, even if a user attempts to distally advance the locked-out firing member 20500, the firing member 20500 will not move distally due to such offset. That is, the foot 20506 and / or central tab 20510 contact a portion of the elongated channel, thereby preventing distal advancement of the firing member 20500. In one configuration, a thread latch 20514 is formed on the firing member body 20502 and is configured to be engaged by a corresponding portion formed on a cam assembly that is operably supported within the surgical staple cartridge 20600. When a new, unfired staple cartridge 20600 with its cam assembly in its starting position is operably mounted within the elongated channel 20310, a portion of the cam assembly engages the thread latch 20514 on the firing member body 20502, moving the firing member 20500 upwardly (arrow UP in FIG. 20 ) to an unlocked position in which the lower foot assembly 20506 and / or central tab 20510 are aligned with their respective passages within the channel 20310, allowing the firing member 20500 to advance axially therethrough. As the user advances the firing member 20500 distally into the cartridge 20600, the firing member 20500 also drives a cam assembly therein, camming the driver upward and bringing the staples or fasteners supported thereon into contact with the underside of the anvil. The tissue-cutting member 20504 on the firing member 20500 then cuts the stapled tissue. Once the firing member 20500 is driven to its distal-most position, which corresponds to the end position of the cam assembly, the firing member 20500 retracts to its proximal-most position, leaving the cam assembly at the distal end 20606 of the cartridge 20600.When the firing member 20500 returns to its proximal-most home position, the firing member lockout spring 20520 again biases the firing member 20500 back to its locked position. Thus, if a user attempts to reuse a spent cartridge 20600, the cam assembly will not be in its home position required to unlock the firing member 20500.

[0093] The surgical end effector 20300 may also employ a closure lockout system 20700 to prevent the anvil 20400 from moving from an open position to a closed (clamped) position unless a corresponding matching surgical staple cartridge 20600 is operably mounted within the elongated channel 20310. In the illustrated example, the closure lockout system 20700 comprises an anvil lock 20702 configured to move between an anvil locked position and an anvil unlocked position in response to mounting of a staple cartridge 20600 therein. FIG. 19 shows one form of the anvil lock 20702. The anvil lock 20702 may be fabricated from spring steel or other suitable metal and includes a proximal biasing arm 20704 that can be configured to mount within a transverse spring mounting slot 20343 provided within the body portion 20342 of the channel mounting mechanism 20340. The anvil lock 20702 further includes a distally extending body portion 20706 having projecting therefrom a downwardly extending mounting tab 20708 and an upwardly extending anvil lockout tab 20710. As shown in FIGS. 17, 18 and 20, the mounting tab 20708 extends into a clearance window 20319 formed in the elongated channel 20310.

[0094] FIG. 19 illustrates the surgical end effector 20300 without a surgical staple cartridge mounted therein. As shown in FIG. 19, the proximal biasing arm 20704 biases the anvil lock 20702 to a distal, "anvil locked" position. In this position, the anvil lockout tab 20710 is aligned with a portion of the anvil locking lug 20414 formed on the anvil mounting portion 20410 of the anvil 20400. When a user attempts to close the anvil 20400, the anvil locking lug 20414 contacts the anvil lockout tab 20710, preventing further movement of the anvil 20400 in the closing direction.

[0095] 21 , in at least one configuration, the staple cartridge 20600 includes an anvil lock release mechanism or tab 20630 protruding proximally from the cartridge body 20602 that is aligned for unlocking engagement with an actuation tab 20712 formed on a distal end of the anvil lock 20702 when the cartridge 20600 is operably mounted within the elongated channel 20310. FIG. 20 illustrates a surgical staple cartridge 20600 operably mounted within the elongated channel 20310. As shown in FIG. 21 , the anvil lock release tab 20630 on the staple cartridge body 20602 contacts the actuation tab 20712 of the anvil lockout 20702, biasing the anvil lockout 20702 in the proximal direction PD to an unlocked position where the anvil lockout tab 20710 is no longer aligned with the anvil lock lug 20414 on the anvil 20400. In that position, the user can pivot the anvil 20400 to the closed position. If the user attempts to install an improper cartridge that does not have the anvil unlock tab 20630 or a similar mechanism designed to unlock the anvil lockout 20702, the user will not be able to close the anvil 20400 and complete the surgical stapling procedure.

[0096] 23 illustrates an alternative closure lockout system 20700' for preventing the anvil 20400' of a surgical end effector 20300' from moving from an open position to a closed (clamped) position unless a corresponding suitable surgical staple cartridge 20600' is operably mounted within a corresponding elongated channel (not shown). The surgical end effector 20300' is substantially identical to the surgical end effector 20300 described above, except for the differences described below. The closure lockout system 20700' includes an anvil lockout 20702' that is substantially identical to the anvil lockout 20702 described above, except for the following differences. For example, the anvil lockout 20702 may be fabricated from spring steel or other suitable metal and may include a distally extending body portion 20706' having a spring portion 20707' formed therein. An anchor tab 20703' is formed on the proximal end of the anvil lockout 20702' which serves to connect the anvil lockout 20702' to the channel attachment mechanism 20340 (FIG. 19). Additionally, a downwardly extending attachment tab 20708' and an upwardly extending anvil lockout tab 20710' project from the body portion 20706'. An actuation tab 20712' is formed on the distal end of the body portion 20706'.

[0097] The surgical staple cartridge 20600' is similar to the surgical staple cartridge 20600 described above and includes a cartridge body 20602' sized to be removably mounted within the elongated channel 20310. The cartridge body 20602' includes a cartridge slot 20608' extending from the proximal end portion 20604' to the distal end portion of the cartridge body 20602'. The cartridge body 20602' further includes a cartridge deck surface 20610' and three rows of surgical staple pockets 20612' disposed on either side of the cartridge slot 20608'. As shown in FIG. 23 , the staple pockets 20612' and the staples or fasteners (not shown) therein are aligned on a pocket axis PA' that is parallel to the cartridge slot 20608'. Thus, the staples / fasteners are applied in rows that are generally parallel to the cartridge slot 20608' and the tissue cut line. Similar to the surgical staple cartridge 20600, the surgical staple cartridge 20600' includes a cartridge pan 20624' and an anvil lock release mechanism or tab 20630' that protrudes proximally from the cartridge body 20602'.

[0098] 23 , the anvil 20400′ is similar to the anvil 20400, except for the differences described below. The anvil 20400′ includes an elongated anvil body portion 20402′ and an anvil attachment portion 20410′ configured to interact with the end effector closure tube 3050 ( FIG. 5 ) in the manner described above. The anvil body portion 20402′ includes a staple-forming lower surface 20404′ bisected by an anvil slot 20405′ configured to pass a firing member 20500 therethrough. As shown in FIG. 23 , the staple-forming lower surface 20404′ includes three rows of staple-forming pockets 20407′ disposed on a forming pocket axis FPA that is parallel to the anvil slot 20405′. When the anvil 20400′ is moved to the closed position, the anvil slot 20405′ is vertically aligned with the cartridge slot 20608′ to allow passage of the firing member 20500. The rows of staple forming pockets 20407' are aligned with the staple pockets 20612' such that, as staples are driven from the cartridge 20600', they contact and crimp against corresponding pairs of staple forming pockets 20407'. Thus, the arrangement of the staple forming pockets in the anvil 20400' must correspond to the arrangement of the staple pockets 20612' in the cartridge 20600' to ensure proper staple formation. As further shown in FIG. 23 , in this configuration, the anvil 20400' includes a downwardly extending anvil locking lug 20414' formed distally from the anvil mounting portion 20410' that is configured to contact the anvil lockout tab 20710' when the anvil lockout 20702' is in the locked position (e.g., when no cartridge is inserted in the channel 20310 or when an improper cartridge is loaded in the channel 20310).When the cartridge 20600' is properly seated within the elongated channel 20310, the anvil unlock mechanism 20630' thereon contacts the actuation tab 20712' on the anvil lockout 20702' to bias the lockout 20702' proximally to an unlocked position in which the anvil lockout tab 20710' moves out of locking alignment with the anvil locking lug 20414', allowing the anvil 20400' to pivot to the closed position.

[0099] FIG. 24 shows an alternative closure lockout system 20700" for preventing the anvil 20400" of another surgical end effector 20300" from moving from an open position to a closed (clamped) position when a compatible surgical staple cartridge 20600" is not operably mounted within the elongated channel 20310. The surgical end effector 20300" is substantially identical to the surgical end effector 20300 described above, except for the differences described below. The closure lockout system 20700" includes an anvil lockout 20702" that is substantially identical to the anvil lockout 20702 described above, except for the following differences. For example, the anvil lockout 20702" may be fabricated from spring steel or other suitable metal and may include a distally extending body portion 20706" having a spring portion 20707" formed therein. The proximal end of the anvil lockout 20702" has an anchor tab 20703" formed thereon which serves to connect the anvil lockout 20702" to the channel attachment mechanism 20340 (FIG. 19). Additionally, a downwardly extending attachment tab 20708" and an upwardly extending anvil lockout tab 20710" project from the body portion 20706". An actuation tab 20712" is formed on the distal end of the body portion 20706".

[0100] The surgical staple cartridge 20600" is similar to the surgical staple cartridge 20600 described above and includes a cartridge body 20602" sized to be removably mounted within the elongated channel 20310. The cartridge body 20602" includes a cartridge slot 20608" extending from a proximal end portion 20604" to a distal end portion of the cartridge body 20602". The cartridge body 20602" further includes a cartridge deck surface 20610" and two rows of surgical staple pockets 20612" disposed on opposite sides of the cartridge slot 20608". As shown in FIG. 24 , the staple pockets 20612" and the staples or fasteners (not shown) therein are aligned on a pocket axis PA" that transverses the cartridge slot 20608". Thus, the staples / fasteners are applied in rows that are generally transverse to the cartridge slot 20608" and the tissue cut line. Such fastener placement creates a "flexible" or "elastic" staple line. Further details regarding cartridges for developing flexible or elastic staple lines can be found in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 14 / 498,121, entitled "FASTENER CARTRIDGE FOR CREATING A FLEXIBLE STAPLE LINE," now U.S. Patent No. 9,801,627, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Similar to the surgical staple cartridge 20600, the surgical staple cartridge 20600" includes a cartridge pan 20624" and an anvil lock release mechanism or tab 20630" that proximally projects from the cartridge body 20602'.

[0101] 24, the anvil 20400" is similar to the anvil 20400 except for the differences described below. The anvil 20400" includes an elongated anvil body portion 20402" and an anvil mounting portion 20410" configured to interact with the end effector closure tube 3050 (FIG. 5) in the manner described above. The anvil body portion 20402" includes a staple forming lower surface 20404" bisected by an anvil slot 20405" configured to pass the firing member 20500 therethrough. As shown in FIG. 24, the staple forming lower surface 20404" includes an array of staple forming pockets 20407" disposed on a forming pocket axis FPA that transverses the anvil slot 20405". When the anvil 20400" is moved to the closed position, the anvil slot 20405" is vertically aligned with the cartridge slot 20608" to allow passage of the firing member 20500. The rows of staple forming pockets 20407" are aligned with the staple pockets 20612" such that as staples are driven from the surgical staple cartridge 20600", they contact and crimp with corresponding pairs of forming pockets 20407". Thus, the arrangement of the staple forming pockets 20407" in the anvil 20400" is aligned with the cartridge 20600" to ensure that the staples are properly formed. As further shown in FIG. 24 , in this configuration, the anvil 20400″ includes a downwardly extending anvil locking lug 20414″ formed distally from or attached to the anvil mounting portion 20410″, which is configured to contact the anvil lockout tab 20710″ when the anvil lockout 20702″ is in the locked position (e.g., when no cartridge is inserted in the channel 20310 or an improper cartridge is loaded in the channel 20310).When the cartridge 20600" is properly seated within the elongated channel 20310, the anvil unlock mechanism 20630" thereon contacts the actuation tab 20712" on the anvil lockout 20702" to bias the anvil lockout 20702" proximally to an unlocked position in which the anvil lockout tab 20710" moves out of locking alignment with the anvil locking lug 20414" allowing the anvil 20400" to pivot closed.

[0102] As discussed above, various surgical staple cartridges may have different arrangements and / or orientations of staples / fasteners therein. The size of the staples or fasteners and the number of fasteners may vary between cartridge types depending on the particular surgical procedure or application. To ensure that the staples are properly crimped or formed, a surgical staple cartridge must be used in conjunction with a corresponding anvil having the appropriate arrangement of staple-forming pockets therein. If a "mismatched" cartridge is loaded into an end effector having an anvil that does not match the cartridge, the staples may not be properly formed during the firing process, potentially with catastrophic results. For example, the surgical staple cartridge 20600' shown in FIG. 23 is matched or "matched" to the anvil 20400' shown in FIG. 23. The surgical staple cartridge 20600" shown in FIG. 24 is matched or "matched" to the anvil 20400" shown in FIG. 24. However, the surgical staple cartridge 20600" of FIG. 24 is incompatible with, for example, the anvil 20400' shown in FIG.

[0103] The closure lockout system used in the above examples can prevent activation of a mismatched cartridge loaded within the end effector. For example, the anvil lock release mechanism or tab 20630' on the staple cartridge 20600' is located to the left of the cartridge slot 20608' and is positioned to contact the actuator tab 20712' on the anvil lockout spring 20707' when the cartridge 20600' is properly loaded within the channel 20310 of the end effector 20300'. Conversely, the anvil lock release mechanism or tab 20630" on the cartridge 20600" is located to the right of the cartridge slot 20608" and is aligned to contact the actuator tab 20712" on the anvil lockout spring 20702" when the cartridge 20600" is properly loaded within the channel 20310. When a user loads the cartridge 20600'' into the channel 20310 of the end effector 20300', the anvil lock release mechanism or tab 20630'' on the staple cartridge 20600'' contacts the actuator tab 20712' on the anvil lockout 20702' and does not move it to the unlocked position, preventing the user from pivoting the anvil 20400' closed. Similarly, when a user loads the cartridge 20600' into the channel of the end effector 20300'', the anvil lock release mechanism or tab 20630' on the staple cartridge 20600' contacts the actuator tab 20712' on the anvil lockout 20702'' and does not move it to the unlocked position. 20712" to move it to the unlocked position, the user will not be able to pivot the anvil 20400" to close. If the user inadvertently loads a different cartridge that does not have the appropriate anvil unlock mechanism or tab that corresponds to the anvil lockout in the end effector, the user will not be able to close the anvil. The location, shape, length, etc. of the anvil unlock mechanism or tab on a surgical staple cartridge may vary depending on the type of cartridge and may correlate to an actuator member (size, location, shape, number, etc.) on a corresponding anvil lockout located in a corresponding surgical end effector.For example, the anvil unlocking mechanism or tab may be integrally formed on the cartridge body, machined or molded into the cartridge body, attached to the cartridge body, attached to or integrally formed on the cartridge cam assembly, or comprise a portion of the cartridge pan. All such variations are contemplated herein and intended to be encompassed by the appended claims.

[0104] 25-29 illustrate a surgical end effector 21300 that is very similar to the surgical end effectors 20300, 20300′, 20300″ described above, except for the differences described below. In this form, for example, the end effector 21300 includes an elongated channel 21310 configured to operatively support a surgical staple cartridge 21600 therein. In the illustrated example, the elongated channel 21310 includes a channel bottom 21312 and a pair of upstanding side walls 21314. Although not shown, the channel 21310 may be coupled to the elongated shaft assembly 1200 (FIG. 5) by a channel attachment mechanism 20340 (described above) that can facilitate articulation thereof about the articulation joint 3020 (FIG. 5). The surgical end effector 21300 includes an anvil 21310 that may be very similar to the anvil 20400 described above, except for the differences described below. 400. The anvil 21400 includes an elongated anvil body portion 21402 having a staple-forming lower surface and an anvil mounting portion 21410 configured to interact with the end effector closure tube 3050 (FIG. 5) in the manner described above. The anvil 21400 is pivotally mounted on the elongated channel 21310 by a pair of laterally extending anvil pins or trunnions 21412 received in corresponding elongated trunnion slots 21320 formed in the upstanding channel walls 21314. Distal axial movement of the end effector closure tube 3050 translates the anvil 21400 distally until the trunnions 21412 contact the distal ends of their respective trunnion slots 21320 and pivot to a closed position. Conversely, proximal movement of the end effector closure tube 3050 pivots the anvil 21400 relative to the elongated channel 21310 to an open position.

[0105] The end effector 21300 is configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge 21600, which may be substantially identical to the surgical staple cartridge 20600, except that the anvil lock release mechanism or tab 21630 comprises a portion of the cartridge pan 21620. The anvil lock release mechanism 21630 is configured to operably interact with an axially movable anvil lock 21702 supported by the channel 21310. With reference to FIG. 27 , the anvil lock 21702 is supported for axial movement between a distal locked position and a proximal locked position by a guide block 21720 attached to a portion of the channel 21310. In one embodiment, the anvil lock 21702 may be formed from metal, and the guide block 21720 may be made from 40% carbon-filled nylon 6 / 6 and attached to the side wall 21314 of the channel 21310 by a suitable adhesive or other fastening means. The guide block 21720 may define a guide channel 21722 configured to support a lock tab portion 21710 of the anvil lock 21702. The anvil lock 21702 further includes a vertical body portion 21706 having an actuation tab 21712 formed at a distal end thereof. The anvil lock 21702 is biased to a distal locked position by a tension spring 21730 attached to the anvil lock 21702 and the channel side wall 21314. When a cartridge is not present, the tension spring 21730 biases the anvil lock 21702 to the distal locked position where the lock tab portion 21710 contacts a portion of the anvil 21400 and prevents the anvil 21400 from pivoting to the closed position. When an appropriate or compatible cartridge 21600 is loaded into the elongated channel 21310, the unlocking mechanism or tab 21630 of the cartridge pan 21620 contacts the actuation tab 21712 on the anvil lock 21702, moving the anvil lock 21702 proximally to an unlocked position where the locking tab portion 21710 of the anvil lock 21702 no longer interferes with the pivotal movement of the anvil 21400. As shown in FIG. 25 , the anvil unlocking mechanism 21630 of the surgical staple cartridge 21600 is "asymmetrical" in design.That is, the anvil unlocking mechanism 21630 is located on only one side of the proximal end of the cartridge 21600. Figure 25 shows the old relief region 21315 present in the previous channel configuration and the new relief regions 21317, 21319 provided in the channel 21310 to accommodate the cartridge 21600 therein.

[0106] FIG. 30 shows a portion of a surgical end effector 21300′ that is identical to the end effector 21300 except that the end effector 21300′ uses the anvil lock 21702′ shown in FIGS. 31 and 32. In one embodiment, the anvil lock 21702′ may be made from 40% carbon-filled nylon 6 / 6 and may include a vertical body portion 21706′ with a lock portion 21710′ formed at its upper end. An actuation tab 21712′ is formed on the distal end, and a gusset 21714′ is also employed to further support the actuation tab 21712′. As described above, when an appropriate or compatible surgical staple cartridge 21600 is loaded into the elongated channel 21310, the unlocking mechanism or tab 21630 of the cartridge pan 21620 contacts the actuation tab 21712' on the anvil lock 21702', moving the anvil lock 21702' proximally to an unlocked position where the locking portion 21710' of the anvil lock 21702' no longer prevents pivotal movement of the anvil 21400.

[0107] FIG. 33 illustrates another surgical end effector 22300 that utilizes an anvil lockout system 22700. The end effector 22300 is similar to the end effector 20300, except for the differences noted. In this configuration, the end effector 22300 includes an elongated channel 22310 configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge 22600 therein. In the illustrated example, the elongated channel 22310 includes a channel bottom 22312 and a pair of upstanding side walls 22314. Although not shown, the channel 22310 can be coupled to the elongated shaft assembly 1200 (FIG. 5) by a channel attachment mechanism 20340 (described above) that can facilitate articulation thereof about the articulation joint 3020 (FIG. 5). The surgical end effector 22300 further includes an anvil 22400 that is very similar to the anvil 20400 described above, except for the differences described below. The anvil 22400 includes an elongated anvil body portion 22402 and an anvil mounting portion 22410 configured to interact with the end effector closure tube 3050 ( FIG. 5 ) in the manner described above. The anvil 22400 is pivotally mounted on the elongated channel 22310 by a pair of laterally extending anvil pins or trunnions 22412 received in corresponding elongated trunnion slots 22320 formed in the upstanding channel sidewalls 22314. Axial movement of the end effector closure tube 3050 in a distal direction causes the anvil trunnions 22412 to translate distally within the trunnion slots 22320, pivoting the anvil 22400 to a closed position. Conversely, proximal movement of the end effector closure tube 3050 causes the anvil 22400 to pivot relative to the elongated channel 22310 to an open position.

[0108] The end effector 22300 is configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge 22600, which may be substantially identical to the surgical staple cartridge 20600, except that the anvil unlocking mechanism or tab 22630 has a curved proximal end surface 22632 formed on a right side of the proximal end portion 22604 of the cartridge body 22602. In the illustrated example, the curved proximal end surface 22632 has an arcuate shape. The anvil unlocking mechanism 22630 is configured to operably interact with an axially movable anvil lock 22702 of the anvil lockout system 22700, which is supported by the channel 22310. In the illustrated example, the anvil lock 22702 is supported for axial movement within the proximal end portion 22316 of the elongated channel 22310 between a distal locked position and a proximal unlocked position. In the illustrated example, the anvil lock 22702 includes an elongated body portion 22706 having an anvil lock tab 22710 formed on a proximal end thereof and configured for locking interaction with a locking lug 22413 formed on the anvil mount portion 22410 of the anvil 22400. See FIG. 33. An actuation tab 22712 is formed on a distal end of the body portion 22706. The actuation tab 22712 has a curved actuation surface 22714 formed therein that is configured to substantially match or mate with a curved proximal end surface 22632 on the anvil unlocking mechanism 22630. See FIG. 34.

[0109] In at least one configuration, a spring or biasing member 22730 (such as a leaf spring, a coil spring, or the like) can be mounted or secured within the channel 22310 to bias the anvil lock 22702 in the distal direction DD to a locked position where an anvil lock tab 22710 thereon is in blocking alignment with locking lugs 22413 on the anvil mounting portion 22410 to prevent closure of the anvil 22400. When an appropriate or compatible surgical staple cartridge 22600 is operably loaded within the channel 22310, the anvil lock release mechanism or tab 22630 engages a contoured surface 22714 on the actuation tab 22712 of the anvil lock 22702. The surgical staple cartridge 22600 is then moved proximally to load the cartridge 22600 into the channel 22310. As the surgical staple cartridge 22600 moves proximally, the anvil lock release mechanism 22630 contacts the actuation tab 22712 of the anvil lock 22702, biasing the anvil lock 22702 proximally to an unlocked position where the anvil lock tab 22710 moves out of blocking alignment with the locking lugs 22413 on the anvil mounting portion 22410, allowing the anvil 22400 to pivot closed. When the surgical staple cartridge 22600 is removed from the channel 22310, the spring 22730 biases the anvil lock 22702 distally back to the locked position. 35 illustrates that the curved proximal end 22632 of the anvil lock release mechanism 22630 formed on the right side of the proximal end portion 22604 of the cartridge body 22602 and the matching curved surface 22714 on the actuation tab 22712 of the anvil lock 22702 enable the cartridge 22600 to facilitate unlocking interaction between the lock release mechanism 22630 and the actuation tab 22712 even when the cartridge is mounted at a mounting angle IA relative to the central axis EA of the end effector 22300. See FIG.

[0110] 36 illustrates the attempt to use an incompatible cartridge 22600X that does not have an unlocking mechanism to move the anvil lock 22702 from the locked position to the unlocked position. As shown in FIG. 36, the lockout tab 22710 is in blocking alignment with the locking lug 22413 on the anvil 22400, thereby preventing closure of the anvil 22400 after the cartridge 22600X is installed in the channel 22310.

[0111] 37 illustrates another surgical end effector 22300' that may be substantially identical to the surgical end effector 22300 described above, except for the differences described below. The end effector 22300' is configured to operably support a staple cartridge 22600' that is substantially identical to cartridge 20600, and includes an anvil lock release mechanism or tab 22630' having a curved proximal end face 22632'. In the illustrated example, the anvil lock 22702' includes an elongated body portion 22706' having an anvil lock tab 22710' formed on a proximal end 22711' thereof and configured for locking interaction with a locking lug 22413' formed on the anvil mounting portion 22410 of the anvil 22400. The anvil lock 22702' has a curved actuation surface 22714' formed in its distal end 22712' that is configured to substantially match or mate with the curved proximal end surface 22632' on the anvil lock release mechanism 22630' in the manner described above. A spring or biasing member 22730' (such as a leaf spring, a coil spring, or the like) can be mounted or secured within the channel 22310' to bias the anvil lock 22702' in the distal direction DD to a locked position where an anvil lock tab 22710' thereon is in blocking alignment with a locking lug 22413' on the anvil mounting portion 22410, preventing closure of the anvil 22400.

[0112] Once an appropriate or compatible surgical staple cartridge 22600' is operably loaded into the channel 22310', the anvil lock release mechanism or tab 22630' engages the contoured surface 22714' of the anvil lock 22702'. The cartridge 22600' is then moved in the proximal direction PD to load the cartridge 22600' into the channel 22310'. As the cartridge 22600' is moved proximally, the anvil lock release mechanism 22630' contacts the distal end of the anvil lock 22702' and biases the anvil lock 22702' proximally to an unlocked position where the anvil lock tab 22710' moves out of blocking alignment with the locking lug 22413' on the anvil mounting portion 22410, allowing the anvil 22400 to pivot closed. When the cartridge 22600' is removed from the channel 22310', the spring 22730' biases the anvil lock 22702' distally back to the locked position. As shown in FIG. 37 , compared to the anvil lock 22702 described above, the anvil lock 22702' has a more rigid body portion 22706'. In at least one example, a clearance notch 22709' is provided in the body portion 22706' to provide sufficient clearance for the locking lug 22413' when the anvil 22400 is pivoted to the closed position. Additionally, a channel stop 22313' is formed on the bottom 22312' of the channel 22310' and is configured to contact the proximal end 22711' of the anvil lock 22702' when the anvil lock 22702' is in the unlocked position to prevent the anvil lock 22702' from moving further proximally and to keep the lock lug 22413' aligned with the clearance notch 22709' in the anvil lock 22702' during closure of the anvil 22400.

[0113] FIG. 38 illustrates another surgical end effector 22300″ that may be substantially identical to the surgical end effector 22300′ described above, except for the differences described below. The end effector 22300″ includes an elongated channel 22310″ on which an anvil 22400″ is pivotally supported. The channel 22310″ is configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge 22600 that mates with the lower staple forming surface of the anvil 22400″ and employs an anvil locking system 22700″ configured to prevent closure of the anvil 22400″ when the surgical staple cartridge 22600 is not operably mounted within the end effector 22300″. In the illustrated example, the anvil locking system 22700″ includes an anvil lock 22702″ including a body portion 22706″ having a distal end portion 22712″ that is taller than a proximal portion of the body 22706″. When the anvil lock 22702" is in its distal-most, locked position, a portion of the anvil 22400" contacts the higher distal end portion 22712" to prevent closure of the anvil 22400". The distal end portion 22712" of the anvil lock 22702" has formed therein a curved actuation surface 22714" configured to substantially match or mate with a curved proximal end surface 22632 on the anvil lock release mechanism 22630 formed on the cartridge 22600 in the manner described above. A spring or biasing member 22730" (such as a leaf spring, a coil spring, etc.) can be mounted or secured within the channel 22310" to bias the anvil lock 22702" in the distal direction DD to a locked position in which the distal end portion 22712" is in blocking alignment with a corresponding portion of the anvil 22400" to prevent closure of the anvil 22400".

[0114] When an appropriate or compatible surgical staple cartridge 22600 is operably loaded into the channel 22310", the anvil lock release mechanism 22630 on the cartridge 22600 engages a contoured surface 22714" on the distal end 22712" of the anvil lock 22702". The cartridge 22600 is then moved proximally to load the cartridge 22600 into the channel 22310". As the cartridge 22600 is moved proximally, the anvil lock release mechanism 22630 contacts the distal end 22712" of the anvil lock 22702" and biases the anvil lock 22702" proximally to an unlocked position where the distal end portion 22712" moves out of blocking alignment with the corresponding portion of the anvil 22400", allowing the anvil 22400" to pivot to a closed position. When the cartridge 22600 is removed from the channel 22310", the spring 22730" biases the anvil lock 22702" distally back to the locked position. As further shown in FIG. 38, a channel stop 22313'' is formed on the bottom 22312'' of the channel 22310'' and is configured to contact the proximal end 22711'' of the anvil lock 22702'' to prevent the cartridge 22600 from being over-inserted proximally into the end effector 22300''.

[0115] 39 and 40 illustrate another surgical end effector 23300 that is similar to the other surgical end effectors described herein, except for various differences described below. The end effector 23300 includes an elongated channel 23310 on which an anvil 23400 is pivotally supported. The channel 23310 is configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge 22600 that fits against the staple-forming underside of the anvil 23400 and employs an anvil locking system 23700 configured to prevent closure of the anvil 23400 when the cartridge 22600 is not operably mounted within the end effector 23300. In the illustrated example, the anvil locking system 23700 includes an anvil lock 23702 that includes a body portion 23706 having a distal end portion 23712. The anvil lock 23702 has a curved actuation surface 23714 formed in its distal end portion 23712 that is configured to substantially match or mate with the curved proximal end surface 22632 on the anvil unlocking mechanism 22630 formed on the cartridge 22600 in the manner described above. A spring or biasing member 23730 is secured within the channel 23310 and configured to bias the anvil lock 23702 in the distal direction DD to the "locked" position.

[0116] In the illustrated example, the anvil 23400 includes an elongated anvil body 23402 and an anvil mounting portion 23410 configured to interact with the end effector closure tube 3050 (FIG. 5) in the manner described above. The anvil 23400 is pivotally mounted on the elongated channel 23310 by a pair of laterally extending trunnion formations 23412 received in corresponding trunnion slots 23320 formed in the upstanding side walls of the channel 23310. At least one trunnion formation 23412 includes a laterally projecting actuator lobe 23414 defining an actuator ledge 23416. A trunnion pin 23418 projects outwardly from the actuator lobe 23414 and is sized to translate and pivot within the corresponding trunnion slot 23320.

[0117] As shown in FIG. 39 , at least one trunnion slot 23320 includes an arcuate actuation portion 23322 and a locking offset portion 23324 formed at the proximal end 23321 of the trunnion slot 23320. FIG. 39 illustrates insertion of the cartridge 22600 into the elongate channel 23310. To attach the cartridge 22600 to the elongate channel 23310, the anvil 23400 is first moved to the open position. This may be accomplished by actuating the closure system to move the end effector closure tube 3050 ( FIG. 5 ) in the proximal direction PD. As the closure tube 3050 moves in the proximal direction, the closure tube 3050 interacts with an opening tab 23411 formed on the anvil attachment portion 23410. When the closure tube 3050 interacts with the anvil mounting portion 23410, the anvil 23400 translates proximally and begins to pivot open, such that when the anvil 23400 reaches its fully open position, the trunnion structure 23412 translates downwardly the arcuate actuating portion 23322 of the corresponding trunnion slot 23320 into the proximal end 23321 of the trunnion slot 23320.

[0118] During loading of the appropriate or compatible surgical staple cartridge 22600 into the channel 23310, the anvil lock release mechanism or tab 22630 mates with a contoured surface 23714 on the distal end 23712 of the anvil lock 23702. The cartridge 22600 is then moved proximally to load the cartridge 22600 into the channel 22310. As the cartridge 22600 moves proximally, the anvil lock release mechanism 22630 contacts the distal end 23712 of the anvil lock 23702 and urges the anvil lock 23702 proximally an unlocking distance UD, engaging the proximal end 23710 of the anvil lock body 23706 with at least one actuator lobe 23414 on the trunnion structure 23412 and moving the trunnion structure 23412 to a position where the trunnion structure 23412 can translate the arcuate actuation portion 23322 of the corresponding trunnion slot 23320 upward when a closing motion is applied to the anvil mounting portion 23410. In other words, the proximal end 23710 of the anvil lock 23702 prevents the trunnion structure 23412 from entering the lock offset portion 23324 formed in the proximal end 23321 of the trunnion slot 23320, allowing the trunnion structure 23412 to advance into the arcuate operating portion 23322 of the trunnion slot 23320.

[0119] FIG. 40 illustrates an attempt to insert an incompatible cartridge 22600X that does not have the necessary unlocking mechanism or tab 22630 to move the anvil lock 23702 from the distal locked position. If a user attempts to close the anvil 23400 after loading the incompatible cartridge 22600X into the channel 23310, the anvil lock system 23700 prevents the anvil 23400 from closing. For example, to close the anvil 23400, the closure system is activated to move a closure tube (or other closure member) distally into operative contact with and apply a closing motion to the anvil mounting portion 23410 of the anvil 23400. Initial application of a closing motion to the anvil mounting portion 23410 causes the anvil mounting portion 23410 to move downward (arrow DL in FIG. 40 ) and the anvil trunnion formation 23412 to enter the lock offset portion 23324 formed in the trunnion slot 23320. Therefore, while applying a closing motion to the anvil 23400, the anvil trunnion structure 23412 cannot translate into the arcuate actuation portion 23322 of the corresponding trunnion slot 23320, thereby preventing the anvil 23400 from closing.

[0120] FIG. 41 illustrates a portion of an alternative anvil 23400′ including an anvil mounting portion 23410′ having trunnion formations 23412′ formed thereon. Each trunnion formation 23412′ includes a laterally projecting actuator lobe 23414′ defining an actuator ledge 23416′ configured to interact with the anvil locking system 23700 in the manner described above. As shown in FIG. 41 , the actuator ledge 23416′ is vertically offset (a distance OD) from the bottom surface 23415′ of the anvil mounting portion 23410′. A trunnion pin 23418′ projects outward from the actuator lobe 23414′ and is sized to translate and pivot within a corresponding trunnion slot 23320. In this example, the trunnion pin 23418′ has a trunnion pin diameter TRD approximately equal to the width LW of the actuator lobe 23414′.

[0121] FIG. 42 shows a portion of an alternative anvil 23400″ including an anvil mounting portion 23410″ having trunnion formations 23412″ formed thereon. Each trunnion formation 23412″ includes a laterally projecting actuator lobe 23414″ defining an actuator ledge 23416″ configured to interact with the anvil locking system 23700 in the manner described above. As shown in FIG. 42 , the actuator ledge 23416″ is flush with (e.g., not offset from) the bottom edge 23415″ of the anvil mounting portion 23410″. A trunnion pin 23418″ projects outwardly from the actuator lobe 23414″ and is sized to translate and pivot within a corresponding trunnion slot 23320. In this example, the trunnion pin 23418″ has a trunnion pin diameter TRD′ approximately equal to the width LW′ of the actuator lobe 23414′.

[0122] FIG. 43 is a partial cross-sectional end view of a surgical end effector 24100 including an anvil 24400 pivotally supported on an elongated channel 24310. The anvil 24400 includes an anvil mounting portion 24410 having trunnion formations 24412 formed thereon. Each trunnion formation 24412 includes a laterally projecting actuator lobe 24414 defining a bottom lobe surface 24416 configured to interact with the anvil locking system 24700 in the manner described above. As shown in FIG. 44 , the bottom lobe surface 24416 is vertically offset (a distance OD1) from a bottom surface 24415 of the anvil mounting portion 24410. A trunnion pin 24418 projects outwardly from the actuator lobe 24414 and is sized to translate and pivot within a corresponding trunnion slot 24320 formed in the elongated channel 24310. In this example, the trunnion pin 24418 has a trunnion pin diameter TRD1 that is approximately equal to the width LW1 of the actuator lobe 24414.

[0123] The channel 20310 includes a channel bottom 24312 and a pair of upstanding side walls 24314. The channel 24310 may be coupled to the elongate shaft assembly 1200 (FIG. 5) by a channel attachment mechanism 20340 that can facilitate articulation of the channel 24310 about the articulation joint 3020 (FIG. 5). FIG. 45 shows a portion of the proximal end 24316 of the channel 24310. In one example, a trunnion slot 24320 is formed in each channel wall 24314. In the illustrated configuration, a low bridge 24340 is formed in each channel wall 24314 such that the top surface 24342 of the low bridge 24340 is flush with the bottom surface 24321 of the corresponding trunnion slot 24320. Each trunnion 24418 is received within the corresponding trunnion slot 24320 and is free to rotate and translate therein.

[0124] 45, a portion of the anvil lock 24702 of the anvil lock system 24700 is shown. The anvil lock 24702 operates similarly to the anvil lock 20702 described above and includes a lockout body 24706 having an actuator tab (not shown) formed on its distal end configured to contact an unlocking mechanism proximally projecting from a compatible cartridge. The anvil lock 24702 may be fabricated from spring steel or other suitable metal and includes a proximal biasing arm 24704 that can be configured to mount within a transverse spring mounting slot (not shown) provided in a body portion of a channel mounting mechanism (not shown). The anvil lock 24702 further includes an upwardly extending anvil lockout tab 24710 projecting therefrom and configured to extend above a corresponding lobe 24414 of a corresponding lobe bridge 24340 to contact the corresponding lobe 24414, as described below.

[0125] 45 and 46 show the anvil lock 24702 in a locked position with the anvil 24400 pivoted to the open position. This can occur if no cartridge is inserted into the channel 24310 or if an incompatible cartridge (e.g., a cartridge that does not have the proper anvil lock release mechanism necessary to, among other things, bias the anvil lock spring proximally) is inserted into the channel 24310. If a user inadvertently attempts to close the anvil 24400 when the anvil lock 24702 is in the distal locked position shown in FIGS. 45 and 46, the corresponding lobe 24414 will contact the anvil lockout tab 24710, preventing the anvil 24400 from pivoting to the closed position. FIGS. 47 and 48 show the position of the anvil lock 24702 in a proximal unlocked position with the anvil lockout tab 24710 positioned proximal to the lobe 24414, allowing the lobe 24414 to pivot to the closed position.

[0126] FIGURE 49 is a partial cross-sectional end view of a surgical end effector 24100' comprising an anvil 24400' pivotally supported on an elongated channel 24310'. The anvil 24400' includes an anvil mounting portion 24410' having trunnion formations 24412' formed thereon. Each trunnion formation 24412' includes a laterally projecting actuator lobe 24414' defining a bottom lobe surface 24416' configured to interact with the anvil locking system 24700' in the manner described above. As shown in FIGURE 50, the bottom lobe surface 24416' is coextensive with the bottom surface 24415' of the anvil mounting portion 24410'. A trunnion pin 24418' projects outwardly from the actuator lobe 24414' and is sized to translate and pivot within a corresponding trunnion slot 24320' formed in the elongated channel 24310'. In this example, the trunnion pin 24418' has a trunnion pin diameter TRD2 that is less than the width LW2 of the actuator lobe 24414'.

[0127] The channel 20310' includes a channel bottom 24312' and a pair of upstanding side walls 24314'. The channel 24310' may be coupled to the elongate shaft assembly 1200 (FIG. 5) by a channel attachment feature 20340 that can facilitate its articulation about the articulation joint 3020 (FIG. 5). FIG. 51 shows a portion of the proximal end 24316' of the channel 24310'. In one example, a trunnion slot 24320' is formed in each channel wall 24314'. In the illustrated configuration, a low bridge 24340' is formed in each channel wall 24314' such that an upper surface 24342' of the low bridge 24340' is vertically offset from a bottom surface 24321' of the corresponding trunnion slot 24320' by an offset distance OSD. The offset distance OSD may be approximately equal to the distance TSD between the trunnion pin 24418' and the bottom lobe surface 24416'. See Figure 50. Each trunnion pin 24418' is received within a corresponding trunnion slot 24320' and is free to rotate and translate therein.

[0128] 51 , a portion of an anvil lock 24702′ of an anvil lock system 24700′ is shown. The anvil lock 24702′ operates similarly to the anvil lock 20702 described above and includes a lockout body 24706′ having an actuator tab (not shown) formed on its distal end configured to contact an unlocking mechanism protruding proximally from a compatible cartridge. The anvil lock 24702′ may be fabricated from spring steel or other suitable metal and includes a proximal biasing arm 24704′ that can be configured to mount within a transverse spring mounting slot (not shown) provided in a body portion of a channel mounting mechanism (not shown). The anvil lock 24702′ further includes an upwardly extending anvil lockout tab 24710′ protruding therefrom and configured to extend above and contact a corresponding lobe 24414′ of a corresponding lobe bridge 24340′, as described above.

[0129] FIG. 51 shows the anvil lock 24702′ in a locked position with the anvil 24400 pivoted to the open position. This can occur if no cartridge is inserted into the channel or if an incompatible cartridge (e.g., a cartridge that does not have the proper anvil lock release mechanism necessary to bias the anvil lock spring proximally, among other things) is inserted into the channel 24310′. If a user inadvertently attempts to close the anvil 24400′ when the anvil lock 24702′ is in the distal locked position shown in FIG. 45 , the corresponding lobe 24414′ contacts the anvil lockout tab 24710′, preventing the anvil 24400′ from pivoting to the closed position. When a compatible surgical staple cartridge is loaded into the end effector 24100′, the anvil lock 24702′ is biased to the unlocked position (see, e.g., FIG. 47 ), and the anvil 24400′ is free to pivot to the closed position.

[0130] FIG. 52 shows a portion of a surgical end effector 24100″ comprising an anvil 24400″ pivotally supported on an elongated channel 24310″. The anvil 24400″ includes an anvil mounting portion 24410″ having a trunnion formation 24412″ formed thereon. As shown in FIGS. 53 and 54, each trunnion formation 24412″ includes a laterally projecting actuator lobe 24414″ defining a bottom lobe surface 24416″ configured to interact with the anvil locking system 24700″ in the manner described above. As shown in FIG. 53, the actuator lobe 24414" and a bottom lobe surface 24416" of the actuator lobe 24414" are disposed at an angle relative to the end effector axis EA and the bottom edge 24419" of the anvil mounting portion 24410" and / or the bottom 24312" of the channel 24310". As further shown in FIG. 53, the bottom lobe surface 24416" is parallel to a lobe axis LBA which is disposed at a lobe angle LA relative to the end effector axis EA. A trunnion pin 24418" projects outwardly from the actuator lobe 24414" and is sized to translate and pivot within a corresponding trunnion slot 24320" formed in the elongated channel 24310". See FIG. 55. In this example, the trunnion pin 24418" has a trunnion pin diameter TRD3 equal to the width LW3 of the actuator lobe 24414".

[0131] Referring to FIG. 55, the channel 24310″ includes a channel bottom 24312″ and a pair of upstanding side walls 24314″. The channel 24310″ may be coupled to the elongate shaft assembly 1200 (FIG. 5) by a channel attachment mechanism 20340 that can facilitate its articulation about the articulation joint 3020 (FIG. 5) in various ways as described herein. FIG. 55 shows a portion of the proximal end 24316″ of the channel 24310″. In one example, a trunnion slot 24320″ is formed in each channel wall 24314″. In the illustrated configuration, a low bridge 24340" is formed in each channel wall 24314" such that a proximal surface portion 24344" of the top surface 24342" of the low bridge 24340" is flush with the bottom surface 24321" of the corresponding trunnion slot 24320". In the illustrated configuration, the bottom surface 24321" of the trunnion slot 24320" is flush with the end effector axis EA and / or the bottom 24321" of the channel 24310". 56, the angled portion 24346" of the upper surface 24342" extends distally from the proximal surface portion 24344" at an angle TSA and terminates in a horizontal distal surface portion 24348". In one configuration, for example, the distal surface portion 24348" is substantially parallel to the end effector axis EA and / or the bottom 24312" of the channel 24310", such that the angle TSA = the angle LA. However, in other embodiments, the angle TSA may differ from the angle LA. Each trunnion 24418" is received in a corresponding trunnion slot 24320" and is free to rotate and translate therein.

[0132] 55 and 56, a portion of an anvil lock 24702" of anvil lock system 24700" is shown. The anvil lock 24702" operates similarly to the anvil lock 20702 described above and includes a lockout body 24706" having an actuator tab (not shown) formed on a distal end thereof that is configured to contact an unlocking mechanism that protrudes proximally from a compatible surgical staple cartridge. The anvil lock 24702" may be fabricated from spring steel or other suitable metal and includes a proximal biasing arm 24704" that can be configured to mount within a transverse spring attachment slot (not shown) provided in a body portion of a channel attachment mechanism (not shown). The anvil lock 24702" further includes an upwardly extending anvil lockout tab 24710" protruding therefrom and configured to extend above the distal surface portion 24348" of the corresponding low bridge 24340" and configured to be at the same or equal height as the proximal surface portion 24344" of the low bridge 24340".

[0133] FIG. 55 shows the anvil lock 24702''' in a distal, locked position where the anvil 24400'' is pivoted to an open position. This can occur if no surgical staple cartridge is inserted into the channel 24310'' or if an incompatible surgical staple cartridge (e.g., a surgical staple cartridge that does not have the appropriate anvil lock release mechanism necessary to bias the anvil lock 24702'' proximally, among other things) is inserted into the channel 24310''. When the anvil lock 24702'' is in that position, the anvil trunnions 24418'' are located at the proximal ends of the respective trunnion slots 24320'' and the bottom lobe surface 24416'' of at least one lobe 24414'' is located on the proximal surface portion 24344'' of the corresponding lobe bridge 24340'' and on the anvil lockout tab 24710''. If a user inadvertently attempts to close the anvil 24400" when the anvil lock 24702" is in the distal, locked position shown in FIGS. 52 and 55, the anvil lockout tab 24710" will prevent the lobes 24414" from pivoting downward onto the ramp portion 24346" of the lobe bridge 24340", thereby preventing the anvil 24400" from pivoting to the closed position. See FIG. 52. 4100", the anvil lockout mechanism thereon biases the anvil lock 24702" proximally to an unlocked position. See FIGS. 56 and 57. When the anvil lock 24702" is in the proximal unlocked position, the anvil lockout tab 24710" locks proximally to the ramp 24346" on the lobe bridge 24340", thereby allowing the lobe 24414" to pivot downward to close the anvil 24400".

[0134] FIG. 58 shows a proximal portion of another anvil 24400''' configured to be pivotally supported within an elongated channel 24310''' similar to channel 24310'', except for the differences described below. The anvil 24400''' includes an anvil mounting portion 24410''' having trunnion formations 24412'' formed thereon. Each trunnion formation 24412''' includes a laterally projecting actuator lobe 24414''' defining a bottom lobe surface 24416''' configured to interact with the anvil locking system 24700'' in the manner described above. The actuator lobes 24414''' as well as the bottom lobe surfaces 24416''' of the actuator lobes 24414''' are disposed at the same angle LA as described above for the actuator lobes 24414''. A trunnion pin 24418''' projects outwardly from the actuator lobe 24414''' and is sized to translate and pivot within a corresponding trunnion slot 24320''' formed in the elongated channel 24310'''. See FIG. 59. In this example, the trunnion pin 24418''' has a trunnion pin diameter TRD4 equal to the width LW4 of the actuator lobe 24414'''.

[0135] As shown in FIG. 59 , the channel 24310′″ includes a channel bottom 24312′″ and a pair of upstanding side walls 24314′″. The channel 24310′″ may be coupled to the elongate shaft assembly 1200 ( FIG. 5 ) by a channel attachment feature 20340 that can facilitate its articulation about the articulation joint 3020 ( FIG. 5 ). FIG. 59 shows a portion of the proximal end 24316′″ of the channel 24310′″. In one embodiment, a trunnion slot 24320′″ is formed in each channel wall 24314′″. In the illustrated configuration, a low bridge 24340′″ is formed in each channel wall 24314′″ such that an upper surface 24342′″ of the low bridge 24340′″ is vertically offset from a bottom surface 24321′″ of the corresponding trunnion slot 24320′″ by an offset distance OSD1. The offset distance OSD1 may be approximately equal to the distance between the trunnion 24418''' and the bottom lobe surface 24416'''. In the illustrated configuration, the top surface 24342''' of the lobe bridge 24340''' is identical to the top surface 24342'''' of the lobe bridge 24340'' and includes a proximal portion 24344''' that is parallel to the bottom surface 24321''' of the trunnion slot 24320''', as well as an angled surface 24346''' and a distal surface 24348'''.

[0136] The anvil locking system 24700" operates in a similar manner to prevent the anvil 24400'" from closing. When a cartridge is not present in the channel 24310'" or when an incompatible cartridge (e.g., a cartridge that does not have the appropriate anvil lock release mechanism to bias the anvil lock spring proximally) is inserted into the channel 24310'" the anvil locking tab 24710" is in its distal-most locked position and holds the anvil 24400'" in the open position by preventing the corresponding actuator lobe 24414''' from pivoting downward onto the ramp surface 24346'''. When a compatible surgical staple cartridge is loaded into the end effector 24100'''', the anvil lockout mechanism thereon biases the anvil lock 24702'' proximally to an unlocked position. When the anvil lock 24702'' is in the proximal unlocked position, the anvil lockout tab 24710'' is locked proximally to the ramp surface 24346'''' on the lobe bridge 24340''', thereby allowing the lobe 24414'''' to pivot downward to close the anvil 24400''''.

[0137] 60 and 61 show the trunnion structure 24412 A Anvil 24400 A Anvil mounting part 24410 A Bottom edge 24415 A Another anvil 24400 identical in structure and operation to the anvil 24400 described above, except that it is vertically offset from A Figure 62 shows the trunnion structure 24412 B Anvil 24400 B Anvil mounting part 24410 B Bottom edge 24415 B Another anvil 24400, identical in structure and operation to the anvil 24400' described above, except that it is vertically offset from the B Shows.

[0138] The examples shown in Figures 41-62 employ trunnion structures including lobe structures of various shapes and configurations that interact with the anvil locking mechanism such that the interaction between the anvil locking mechanism and the corresponding lobe structure facilitates positioning of the anvil trunnion within its respective trunnion slot. This arrangement of the lobe structures allows a closing motion to be applied to the anvil when a compatible surgical staple cartridge is loaded into the end effector, thereby closing the anvil. When an incompatible surgical staple cartridge is loaded into the end effector, the anvil locking mechanism holds the corresponding trunnion structure in a position that prevents application of a closing motion to the anvil to close the anvil. Thus, the initial position of the trunnion structure prevents closure, but loading a suitable or compatible surgical staple cartridge into the channel repositions the trunnion structure, allowing closure to occur. The various lobe mechanisms described herein are also generally more robust than conventional trunnion structures, which may result in improved anvil reliability.

[0139] 63-69 illustrate a surgical end effector 25300 that may be used in connection with, for example, the powered surgical instrument 1010 described above. The surgical end effector 25300 includes an anvil 25400 pivotally supported on an elongated channel 25310 configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge 25600. The anvil 25400 is movable between an open position and a closed position by interacting with an axially movable closure member in various manners disclosed herein. In the illustrated example, the anvil 25400 includes an anvil body 25402 and an anvil mounting portion 25410. The anvil mounting portion 25410 includes a pair of laterally extending trunnions 25412 operably received in corresponding trunnion slots provided in the upstanding sidewalls 25314 of the channel 25310 in various manners disclosed herein. As described above with respect to the end effector 1300, the anvil 25400 may be pivoted between the open and closed positions by interaction with the end effector closure tube 3050 in various ways described herein. For example, the end effector closure tube 3050 may be moved axially by actuation of the closure trigger 1032 of the surgical instrument 1010. In other configurations, the end effector 25300 and the shaft assembly to which it is attached may be operatively interfaced with a robotic system, as described in detail in the many references incorporated herein by reference. In such applications, the end effector closure tube 3050 may be axially advanced and retracted through actuation of the closure control system of the robotic system.

[0140] In the illustrated configuration, distal movement of the end effector closure tube 3050 causes the distal end 3051 of the end effector closure tube 3050 to operatively interact with a cam surface 25411 formed on the anvil mounting portion 25410 to cam the anvil 25400 into a closed position. The end effector closure tube 3050 can be configured to interact with various formations, ledges, or tabs to impart an opening motion to the anvil 25400 as the end effector closure tube 3050 is axially retracted proximally. Further details can be found in various other references incorporated herein by reference.

[0141] The elongate channel 25310 may be coupled to the elongate shaft assembly 1200 ( FIG. 5 ) by a channel attachment mechanism 20340 that can facilitate its articulation about the articulation joint 3020 ( FIG. 5 ) in various manners described herein. The illustrated example further includes a firing member 20500 ( FIG. 20 ) attached to the distal end of the firing member beam 1900 ( FIG. 5 ) and configured to operably interface with a cam assembly within a surgical staple cartridge 25600 loaded within the channel 25310. To ensure that a matching surgical staple cartridge 25600 is loaded within the end effector 25300 prior to closing the anvil 25400, the end effector uses a closure lockout system 25700. In the illustrated example, the closure lockout system 25700 is configured to prevent distal movement of the end effector closure tube 3050 if a matching cartridge 25600 is not properly seated within the channel 25310. In one embodiment, the closure lockout system 25700 includes a closure lock 25702 configured to move between locked and unlocked positions in response to attachment of a compatible surgical staple cartridge 25600. FIGS. 65-69 illustrate one form of the closure lock 25702, which may be fabricated from spring steel or other suitable metal, including a body portion 25706 pivotally pinned to the body portion 20342 of the channel attachment mechanism 20340 by a pivot pin 25709 extending through a pivot hole 25707 in the body portion 25706. The closure lock 25702 further includes a proximal biasing arm 25704 that can be configured to fit within a slot (not shown) in the body portion 20342 of the channel attachment mechanism 20340. Such configuration serves to bias the closure lock 25702 downward within the channel 25310.

[0142] 65 and 66 , in the depicted example, the closure lock 25702 further includes a blocking mechanism 25710 that protrudes from a bottom of the body portion 25706 and extends laterally outward. When the closure lock 25702 is in the locked position, shown in FIG. 65 , the blocking mechanism 25710 is positioned to block distal advancement of the end effector closure tube 3050. When the closure lock 25702 is in the unlocked position, shown in FIG. 66 , the blocking mechanism 25710 is moved away from the blocking position, allowing distal advancement of the end effector closure tube 3050.

[0143] 67 , the closure lock 25702 further includes a proximally extending actuator portion 25712 to be engaged by a closure lock release mechanism 25630 formed on the proximal end 25604 of a matching surgical staple cartridge 25600. In at least one configuration, the surgical staple cartridge 25600 includes an elongated cartridge body 25602 sized to be removably mounted within an elongated channel 25310. The cartridge body 25602 includes a cartridge slot 25608 extending from the proximal end portion 25604 to the distal end portion 25606 ( FIG. 64 ) of the cartridge body 25602. The cartridge body 25602 further includes a cartridge deck surface 25610 that faces the staple forming lower surface 25404 of the anvil 25400 when the cartridge 25600 is mounted within the channel 25310 and the anvil 25400 is pivoted to the closed position. Although not shown in FIG. 67 , the surgical staple cartridge 25600 may have multiple rows (typically three) of surgical staple pockets on either side of the cartridge slot 25608 that opens through the cartridge deck surface 25610. Each staple pocket may have an associated staple driver (not shown) that supports a surgical staple or fastener (not shown) thereon. In at least one example, the cartridge body 25602 is molded from a polymeric material having the staple pockets molded or machined therein. In one configuration, the staple pockets also open through the bottom of the cartridge body 25602, facilitating attachment of the driver and fastener to their respective pockets. Once the driver and fastener are inserted into their respective staple pockets, a cartridge pan 25620 is attached to the bottom of the cartridge body 25602. In particular, when attached, the cartridge pan 25620 can prevent the driver and fasteners from falling out the bottom of the cartridge body 25602 during handling and installation of the cartridge 25600 into the elongated channel 25310. As described above in connection with the cartridge 20040, the cartridge 25600 operably supports a cam assembly therein.The cam assembly includes a series of spaced apart cam members configured to move axially within corresponding cam slots 25609 formed on either side of the cartridge slot 25608 in the cartridge body 25602. The cam slots 25609 align with corresponding rows of drivers in the cartridge body 25602 to facilitate camming contact with the corresponding cam members as the cam assembly is driven through the staple cartridge 25600 from a start position in the proximal end portion 25604 to an end position in the distal end portion 25606 of the cartridge body 25602.

[0144] 63 and 68 illustrate the surgical end effector 25300 without a surgical staple cartridge installed therein. As shown in FIG. 68 , the proximal biasing arm 25704 biases the closure lock 25702 downward within the channel 25310, causing the blocking mechanism 25710 to move into blocking alignment (locked position) with the distal end 3051 of the end effector closure tube 3050. When a user activates the closure system to move the end effector closure tube 3050 distally, the blocking mechanism 25710 prevents the anvil 25400 from being subjected to a closure motion by blocking distal advancement of the end effector closure tube 3050. 67 , in at least one configuration, the staple cartridge 25600 includes an anvil lock release mechanism or tab 25630 protruding proximally from the cartridge body 25602 that is aligned for unlocking engagement with an actuation tab 25712 formed on a distal end of the closure lock 25702 when the cartridge 25600 is operably mounted within the elongated channel 25310. In one example, the lock release mechanism 25630 has a slightly sloped surface 25632 configured to operably interact with a sloped surface 25713 on the actuation tab 25712, such that engagement of the sloped surface 25632 with the sloped surface 25713 pivots the closure lock 25702 upward. When the closure lock 25702 is pivoted upward to the unlocked position, the blocking mechanism 25710 moves out of blocking alignment with the end effector closure tube 3050. See FIG. 66 .

[0145] 64 and 69 illustrate a surgical end effector 25300 having a compatible surgical staple cartridge 25600 operably mounted within the elongated channel 25310. As shown in FIG. 69 , the angled surface 25632 on the unlocking mechanism 25630 on the staple cartridge body 25602 contacts the angled surface 25713 (shown in FIG. 68 ) on the actuation tab 25712 on the closure lock 25702, biasing the closure lock 25702 into the unlocked position. In that position, a user can distally advance the end effector closure tube 3050 to apply a closure motion to the anvil 25400. If a user attempts to install an improper cartridge in the proper position that does not have the unlocking mechanism 25630 or a similar mechanism designed to disengage the closure lock 25702, the user will not be able to distally advance the end effector closure tube 3050 to close the anvil 25400.

[0146] 70 and 71 illustrate a surgical end effector 25300' comprising an anvil 25400' pivotally supported on a channel 25310' that is substantially identical to the end effector 25300 described above, except that the closure lock system 25700' employs a different closure lock 25702' configured to interact with a release mechanism provided on a cam assembly 25650' in the surgical staple cartridge 25600'. As shown in FIGS. 70 and 71 , the closure lock 25702' comprises an elongated body 25706' having a tapered actuator tab portion 25712' at its distal end. The body 25706' is pivotally attached to the channel attachment mechanism 20340, and a proximal biasing arm 25704' biases the closure lock 25702' within the channel 25310'.

[0147] FIG. 72 shows a surgical staple cartridge 25600' comprising an elongated cartridge body 25602' sized to be removably mounted within an elongated channel 25310'. The cartridge body 25602' includes a cartridge slot 25608' extending from a proximal end portion 25604' to a distal end portion of the cartridge body 25602'. The cartridge body 25602' further includes a cartridge deck surface 25610' that faces the staple-forming lower surface 25404' of the anvil 25400' when the cartridge 25600' is mounted within the channel 25310' and the anvil 25400' is pivoted to a closed position. Although not shown in FIG. 72 , the surgical staple cartridge 25600' may have multiple rows (typically three) of surgical staple pockets on either side of the cartridge slot 25608' that open through the cartridge deck surface 25610'. Each staple pocket may have an associated staple driver (not shown) that supports a surgical staple or fastener (not shown) thereon. In at least one example, the cartridge body 25602' is molded from a polymeric material having the staple pockets molded or machined therein. In one configuration, the staple pockets also open through the bottom of the cartridge body 25602' to facilitate attachment of the driver and fastener to their respective pockets. Once the driver and fastener are inserted into their respective staple pockets, a cartridge pan 25620' is attached to the bottom of the cartridge body 25602'. When attached, the cartridge pan 25620' can, among other things, prevent the driver and fastener from falling out of the bottom of the cartridge body 25602' during handling and attachment of the cartridge 25600' to the elongated channel 25310'. A cam assembly 25650' is operably supported within the cartridge body 25602'. In at least one configuration, the cam assembly 25650' includes a series of spaced apart cam members 25652' configured to move axially within corresponding cam slots 25609' formed on either side of the cartridge slot 25608' in the cartridge body 25602'.The cam slots 25609' align with corresponding rows of drivers in the cartridge body 25602' to facilitate camming contact with corresponding cam members 25652' as the cam assembly 25650' is driven through the staple cartridge 25600' from a start position in the proximal end portion 25604' of the cartridge body 25602' to an end position in the distal end portion. In at least one example, the cam assembly 25650' includes a closure unlocking feature or tab 25660' proximally projecting from the cam assembly 25650' that is aligned for unlocking engagement with an actuation tab 25712' formed on a distal end of the closure lock 25702' when the cartridge 25600' is operably mounted within the elongated channel 25310' and the cam assembly 25650' is in its unfired, start position within the cartridge 25600'.

[0148] 71 , in one example, the unlocking mechanism 25660′ has a tapered nose portion 25662′ configured to operatively interact with the actuation tab 25712′ such that when the tapered nose portion 25662′ engages the actuation tab 25712′, the closure lock 25702′ is pivoted upwardly. When the closure lock 25702′ is pivoted upwardly to the unlocked position, the blocking mechanism 25710′ on the closure lock 25702′ is moved out of blocking alignment with the end effector closure tube 3050.

[0149] 72, the cartridge body 25602' may further include a lock safety 25670' that projects proximally from the proximal end of the cartridge body 25602' adjacent the tapered nose portion 25662'. The upper surface 25672' of the lock safety 25670' is sloped to match the tapered nose portion 25662', but when the cam assembly 25650' is in its proximal-most beginning position, the tapered nose portion 25662' projects proximally beyond the end of the lock safety 25670'.

[0150] 70 illustrates the initial insertion of a matching unfired surgical staple cartridge 25600' into the channel 25310'. As shown in FIG. 70, the tapered nose portion 25662' initially contacts the actuator tab portion 25712' on the closure lock 25702'. The closure lock 25702' remains biased downwardly to a locked position in which the blocking mechanism 25710' of the closure lock 25702' is in blocking alignment with the distal end 3051 of the end effector closure tube 3050. As the cartridge 25600' is further proximally advanced within the channel 25310' to the loaded position, the tapered nose portion 25662' on the cam assembly 25650' lifts the actuation tab 25712' upwardly above the sloped upper surface 25672' of the lock safety 25670', allowing the closure lock 25702' to pivot to an unlocked position in which the blocking mechanism 25710' is out of blocking alignment with the distal end 3051 of the end effector closure tube 3050. In that position, a user can distally advance the end effector closure tube 3050 to apply a closure motion to the anvil 25400'. Thus, in this embodiment, the closure lock system 25700' is actuated by the cam assembly 25650' only when the cam assembly 25650' is in the unfired, start position.

[0151] FIG. 73 illustrates the insertion of a staple cartridge 25600X without its cam assembly in its proximal-most, unfired position. This may occur, for example, if a user attempts to use a previously used staple cartridge 25600X. Because the cam assembly is not in its unfired, start position, there is no tapered nose portion to begin biasing the closure lock 25702' toward an upward position above the closure safety 25670'. When the cartridge 25600X is fully seated within the channel 25310', the activation tab 25712' of the closure lock 25702' is positioned below the lower locking surface 25674'. The closure lock 25702' remains in a locked position with its blocking mechanism 25710' in blocking alignment with the distal end 3051 of the end effector closure tube 3050. If the user inadvertently attempts to advance the end effector closure tube 3050 distally to close the anvil 25400', the distal end 3051 contacts the blocking mechanism 25710' and the closure safety device 25670' further prevents the closure lock 25702' from pivoting upward to the unlocked position due to the closure load.

[0152] 74 and 75 show a surgical end effector 25300" comprising an anvil 25400" substantially identical to the end effector 25300' described above, pivotally supported on a channel 25310". The end effector 25300" employs a closure lock system 25700" comprising a closure lock 25702". As shown in FIG. 76, the closure lock 25702" comprises an elongated body 25706" having an actuator tab portion 25712" at its distal end. The body 25706" includes a lower spring arm 25720" mounted within the channel 25310". The lower spring arm 25720" is mounted to apply a downward biasing force to the closure lock 25702", described below. As described in more detail below, the closure lock 25702" further includes a vertically extending anvil lock tab 25710" configured to lockingly interact with a locking lug 25414" formed on the anvil attachment portion 25410" of the anvil 25400". In addition, the closure lock 25702" includes a proximal biasing spring 25704" that serves to bias the closure lock 25702" in the distal direction DD (FIG. 76). As shown in FIG. 74, the elongated channel 25310" may be coupled to the elongated shaft assembly 1200 (FIG. 5) by a channel attachment mechanism 20340 that can facilitate its articulation about the articulation joint 3020 (FIG. 5) in various manners described herein. As shown in FIG. 76, the proximal biasing spring 25704" is configured to be mounted within a transverse slot 20343 in the body portion 20342 of the channel attachment mechanism 20340.

[0153] Similar to the closure of the anvil 25400′ described above, distal movement of the end effector closure tube causes the distal end of the end effector closure tube to operably interact with a cam surface 25411″ formed on the anvil mounting portion 25410″ of the anvil 25400″ to cam the anvil 25400″ into a closed position. The end effector closure tube can be configured to interact with various formations, ledges, or tabs to impart an opening motion to the anvil 25400″ as the end effector closure tube is axially retracted proximally. Further details can be found in various other references incorporated herein by reference.

[0154] FIG. 77 illustrates a surgical staple cartridge 25600″ comprising an elongated cartridge body 25602″ sized to be removably mounted within an elongated channel 25310″. The cartridge body 25602″ includes a cartridge slot 25608″ extending from a proximal end portion 25604″ to a distal end portion of the cartridge body 25602″. The cartridge body 25602″ further includes a cartridge deck surface 25610′ that faces the staple-forming lower surface 25404″ of the anvil 25400″ when the cartridge 25600″ is mounted within the channel 25310″ and the anvil 25400″ is pivoted to a closed position. Although not shown in FIG. 77 , the surgical staple cartridge 25600″ may have multiple rows (typically three) of surgical staple pockets on either side of the cartridge slot 25608″ that open through the cartridge deck surface 25610″. Each staple pocket may have a staple driver (not shown) associated therewith that supports a surgical staple or fastener (not shown) thereon. In at least one example, the cartridge body 25602′ is molded from a polymeric material having the staple pockets molded or machined therein. In one configuration, the staple pockets also open through the bottom of the cartridge body 25602″ to facilitate attachment of the driver and fastener to the respective pocket. A cam assembly 25650″ is operably supported within the cartridge body 25602″. In at least one configuration, the cam assembly 25650″ comprises a series of spaced-apart cam members 25652″ configured to move axially within corresponding cam slots 25609″ formed on either side of a cartridge slot 25608″ in the cartridge body 25602″. The cam slots 25609" are aligned with corresponding rows of drivers in the cartridge body 25602" to facilitate cam contact with corresponding cam members 25652" as the cam assembly 25650" is driven through the staple cartridge 25600" from a starting position in the proximal end portion 25604" of the cartridge body 25602" to an ending position in the distal end portion.In at least one example, the cam assembly 25650' includes a closure release mechanism or tab 25660" protruding proximally from the cam assembly 25650" that is aligned to disengage with an actuation tab 25712" formed on the distal end of the closure lock 25702" when the surgical staple cartridge 25600" is operably mounted within the elongated channel 25310" and the cam assembly 25650" is in its unfired, starting position within the cartridge 25600".

[0155] Returning to FIG. 77, in one example, the unlocking mechanism 25660" has a tapered nose portion 25662" configured to operatively interact with an actuation tab 25712" such that when the tapered nose portion 25662" engages with the actuation tab 25712", the closure lock 25702" is moved upward against the downward biasing force exerted by the lower spring 25720". When the closure lock 25702" is pivoted upward to the unlocked position, the anvil lock tab 25710" on the closure lock 25702" moves out of blocking alignment with the locking lug 25414" on the anvil mounting portion 24410".

[0156] FIG. 74 illustrates the initial insertion of a matching unfired surgical staple cartridge 25600" into the channel 25310". As shown in FIG. 74, the tapered nose portion 25662" of the cam assembly 25650" has not yet interacted with the actuator tab portion 25712" on the closure lock 25702". The closure lock 25702" remains biased downwardly into a locked position in which the anvil lock tab 25710" of the closure lock 25702" is in blocking alignment with the locking lug 25414" on the anvil mount portion 25410" of the anvil 25400". As the surgical staple cartridge 25600" is further advanced proximally into the loaded position within the channel 25310", the tapered nose portion 25662" on the cam assembly 25650" contacts the actuation tab 25712" and urges the closure lock 25702" upwardly into an unlocked position where the anvil lock tab 25710" is no longer aligned with the anvil lock lug 25414". In that position, a user can close the anvil 25400" by distally advancing the end effector closure tube to apply a closing motion to the anvil 25400". Thus, in this embodiment, the closure lock system 25700" is actuated by the cam assembly 25650" only when the cam assembly 25650" is in an unfired, starting position. When the surgical staple cartridge 25600" is removed from the channel 25310", the lower spring 25720" on the closure lock 25702" biases the closure lock 25702" downwardly into its locked position in which the anvil lock tab 25710" is in blocking alignment with the lock lug 25414" on the anvil 25400".

[0157] FIG. 78 illustrates the insertion of a staple cartridge 25600X" having the cam assembly therein that is not in its proximal-most, unfired position. Because the cam assembly is not in its unfired, start position, there is no tapered nose portion to urge the closure lock 25702" upward to the unlocked position. The closure lock 25702" remains in a locked position with its anvil lock tab 25710" in blocking alignment with the anvil lock lug 25414" on the anvil 25400". If a user inadvertently attempts to close the anvil 25400", the anvil lock lug 25414" will contact the anvil lock tab 25710" on the closure lock 25702", preventing the anvil 25400" from pivoting to the closed position.

[0158] 79-83 illustrate an alternative cartridge nose assembly 25800 that may be used with any of the cartridge and channel configurations disclosed herein to provide another mechanism for allowing a surgical staple cartridge compatible with the end effector to be inserted into the end effector channel and providing another visual indication to the user that the cartridge has been fired. For example, the cartridge nose assembly 25800 may be used with the cartridge 25600 and channel 25310 ( FIG. 64 ) of the end effector 25300. In the illustrated configuration, the cartridge nose assembly 25800 includes a nose assembly body 25802 movably coupled to a distal end 25606 of the cartridge body 25602. As shown in FIGS. 81 and 82 , the distal end portion 25606 of the cartridge body 25602 includes a distally extending tapered portion 25605 receivable within a complementarily shaped nose notch 25804 in the nose assembly body 25802. In addition, the nose assembly body 25802 includes an axial alignment feature (not shown) that may be slidably supported within an axial groove 25607 provided in the distal end portion 25606 of the cartridge body 25602 .

[0159] As shown in FIGS. 83 and 84 , a nose retainer latch arm 25810 extends proximally from the top of the nose assembly body 25802 into a latch cavity 25680 formed in the cartridge body 25602. The nose assembly body 25802 is axially movable from a locked position, shown in FIGS. 81 and 83 , to an unlocked position, shown in FIGS. 82 and 84 . When the nose assembly body 25802 is in the unlocked position, a retention latch 25812 formed on the proximal end of the retainer latch arm 25810 engages with a retention lug 25682 formed on the distal end portion 25606 of the cartridge body 25602 to retain the cartridge nose assembly 25800 to the distal end 25606 of the cartridge body 25602.

[0160] 81 and 82 , the nose assembly body 25802 further includes a proximally extending nose tab portion 25820 sized to frictionally engage a corresponding distally extending channel ledge 25317 formed on the distal end 25315 of the channel 25310 to retain the nose assembly 25800 in a proximal forward, "locked position." As shown in FIGS. 83 and 84 , the nose assembly body 25802 may further include an integral spring arm 25830 configured to interact with a spring lug 25684 formed on the distally extending tapered portion 25605 of the cartridge body 25602. The spring arm 25830 applies a distal biasing force BF to the cartridge nose assembly 25800, increasing the frictional force between the nose tab portion 25820 and the channel ledge 25317 and retaining the cartridge nose assembly 25800 in the locked position.

[0161] In operation, when the cartridge 25600 is in its unfired state and ready to be installed, the cartridge nose assembly 25800 resides within the channel 25310. To install an unfired cartridge 25600 into the end effector 25300, the cartridge body 25602 is placed into the channel 25310 and then advanced proximally to engage the channel ledge 25317 with the nose tab portion 25820, as shown in FIGS. 81 and 82 . As described above, when the cartridge 25600 is unfired, the cam assembly 25650 is in its proximal-most starting position. During the firing process, the cam assembly 25650 is driven within the cartridge body 25602 to its distal-most position. When the cam assembly 25650 reaches its distal-most position, the central body portion 25651 of the cam assembly 25650 contacts the cartridge nose assembly 25800 with a sufficient amount of force to overcome the frictional force FF holding the cartridge nose assembly 25800 in the locked position, moving the cartridge nose assembly 25800 axially to the unlocked position. Alternatively, a user may disengage the cartridge nose assembly 25800 by pulling the cartridge nose assembly 25800 distally to the unlocked position. Once the cartridge nose assembly 25800 has moved to the unlocked position, the cartridge 25600 may be removed from the elongated channel 25310. Additionally, the distally extending cartridge nose assembly 25800 may provide a visual indication to the user that the cartridge has been fired (used).

[0162] 85 and 86 illustrate a portion of a surgical end effector 26300 that utilizes a firing member 26120 that can be configured for distal advancement by a rotary firing system or an axially driven (non-rotary) firing system. Specifically, the firing member 26120 can be used in combination with any of the various end effector and firing drive system configurations disclosed herein, as well as in connection with the end effector and firing drive system configurations described in the various references incorporated by reference herein.

[0163] 85 and 86 , the firing member 26120 comprises a firing member body 26122 that includes a firing member lockout system 26140 including a firing member lockout 26142 pivotally mounted to the firing member body 26122. The firing member lockout 26142 straddles the firing member body 26122 and includes a lockout body 26144 including a pair of legs 26146 pivotally mounted to the firing member body 26122. The lockout body 26144 further includes a sled latch 26148 configured to contact a cam sled or cam assembly 26650 operably supported within a staple cartridge (not shown). FIG. 85 shows the firing member 26120 in a proximal-most, start position. As shown in FIG. 85 and FIG. 86 , a firing lockout hole 26315 is disposed through the bottom 26312 of the elongated channel 26310 of the end effector 26300. A lockout spring 26150 is mounted within the elongated channel 26310 and is configured to bias the firing member lockout 26142 downwardly if a new, unfired staple cartridge is not properly loaded within the elongated channel 26310, such that the distal edge 26149 of the lockout body 26144 engages the beveled distal edge 26317 of the firing lockout hole 26315. In that position, if a user accidentally attempts to distally advance the firing member 26120, the firing member lockout 26142 prevents distal advancement of the firing member 26120, as shown in FIG. 86 .

[0164] A new, unfired surgical staple cartridge includes a cam assembly 26650 that is positioned in a proximal start or unfired position relative to the row of staple drivers supported within the cartridge body. As used herein, the term "new, unfired" means that all of the intended staples or fasteners of the staple cartridge are in their unfired positions and that the cam assembly is in the proximal, unfired start position. When a new, unfired surgical staple cartridge is properly loaded within the elongated channel 26310, a proximally extending unlocking portion 26653 on the cam assembly 26650 engages with a threaded latch 26148 on the firing member lockout 26142 to pivot the firing member lockout 26142 to an unlocked position in which the firing member lockout 26142 does not extend into the firing lockout bore 26315 of the elongated channel 26310. FIG. 85 shows the cam assembly 26650 in a home position and the firing member 26120 free to be advanced distally by actuating the firing drive system.

[0165] Upon completion of the firing process, the cam assembly 26650 remains at the distal end of the staple cartridge (i.e., the "fired position") while the firing member 26120 may be retracted to its start position which allows the anvil to open and remove the spent cartridge from the channel 26310. Thus, once the surgical staple cartridge is used (e.g., fully fired), the cam assembly 26650 is not returned to its start position. Thus, if an attempt is made to accidentally reinstall the spent cartridge into the end effector 26300, the cam assembly 26650 will not be in the start position which allows the cam assembly 26650 to unlock the firing member lockout 26142. Thus, the firing member lockout system 26140 may be referred to herein as a "spent cartridge lockout system."

[0166] 87-90 illustrate an anvil 26400 configured to be pivotally supported on the channel 26310 or various types of similar channels disclosed herein. In FIGS. 87-89, the cartridge body has been omitted for clarity. In the illustrated configuration, the anvil 26400 includes a cartridge verification system 26440 that can be configured to prevent the firing of an incompatible cartridge loaded therein. The anvil 26400 and cartridge verification system 26440 may be used in connection with a surgical end effector 26300 that uses a firing member 26120 equipped with an onboard firing member lockout system 26140 configured to prevent distal advancement of the firing member 26120 unless a firing member lockout 26142 is moved to an unlocked position through interaction with a corresponding cam assembly located within the surgical staple cartridge. The cartridge verification system 26440 may also be used in connection with a surgical end effector employing an axially advancing (non-rotating) firing member that is equipped with a firing member lockout system otherwise similar to the firing member lockout system 26140.

[0167] 90 illustrates a portion of a surgical staple cartridge 26600 that is compatible with a surgical end effector 26300. In at least one configuration, the surgical staple cartridge 26600 includes an elongated cartridge body 26602 that is sized to be removably mounted within an elongated channel of the end effector 26300. The cartridge body 26602 includes a cartridge slot 26608 that extends from a proximal end portion 26604 to a distal end portion of the cartridge body 26602. The cartridge body 26602 further includes a cartridge deck surface 26610 that faces the staple forming lower surface 26404 of the anvil 26400 when the cartridge 26600 is mounted within the channel and the anvil 26400 is pivoted to the closed position. Although not shown in FIG. 90 , the surgical staple cartridge 26600 may have multiple rows (typically three) of surgical staple pockets on either side of a cartridge slot 26608 that opens through the cartridge deck surface 26610. Each staple pocket may have an associated staple driver (not shown) that supports a surgical staple or fastener (not shown) thereon. In at least one example, the cartridge body 26602 is molded from a polymeric material having the staple pockets molded or machined therein. In one configuration, the staple pockets also open through the bottom of the cartridge body 26602, facilitating attachment of the driver and fastener to their respective pockets. Once the driver and fastener are inserted into their respective staple pockets, a cartridge pan 26620 is attached to the bottom of the cartridge body 26602. In particular, when installed, the cartridge pan 26620 can prevent the driver and fasteners from falling out the bottom of the cartridge body 26602 when the cartridge 26600 is handled and installed in the elongated channel 26310.

[0168] In the depicted configuration, the cartridge 26600 operably supports therein a cam assembly 26650. The cam assembly 26650 includes a central body portion 26652 and a series of spaced apart cam members 26654 configured to move axially within corresponding cam slots 26609 formed on either side of a cartridge slot 26608 in the cartridge body 26602. The cam slots 26609 align with corresponding rows of drivers in the cartridge body 26602 to facilitate camming contact with the corresponding cam members 26654 as the cam assembly 26650 is driven through the staple cartridge 26600 from a start position within the proximal end portion 26604 of the cartridge body 26602 to an end position within the distal end portion of the cartridge body 26602. The central body portion 26652 includes a proximally extending unlocking portion 26653 configured to engage a threaded latch 26148 on the firing member lock 26142 when the cartridge 26600 is properly loaded into the channel 26310. As shown in FIG. 90 , when the cam assembly 26650 is in its proximal-most starting position where the unlocking portion 26653 can move the firing member lockout 26142 to the unlocked position, each cam member 26654 may protrude proximally from their corresponding cam slot 26609.

[0169] 87 and 91 , in the illustrated configuration, the cartridge verification system 26440 includes a cartridge verification member or shuttle member 26442 attached to the underside of the anvil mounting portion 26410 of the anvil 26400. The cartridge verification member 26442 may be of one-piece construction or may include a pair of downwardly extending shuttle legs 26444 bifurcated by a firing member slot 26447 ( FIG. 91 ) to facilitate passage of the firing member 26120 therebetween. In other configurations, the cartridge verification member 26442 may be of two-piece construction consisting of two separate downwardly extending shuttle legs 26444 separated from each other by a space 26448 configured to allow passage of the firing member 26122 therebetween. In either case, the shuttle member 26442 may be fabricated from a compliant polymer or rubber material and may be attached to the underside of the anvil mounting portion 26410 by a suitable adhesive in a fastener arrangement.

[0170] In the illustrated example, each shuttle leg 26444 includes a distally projecting sled actuator arm 26446. Returning to FIG. 90 , the cartridge body 26602 includes two proximally projecting verification features or cartridge key portions 26630 configured to disengage with the sled actuator arms 26446 on the corresponding shuttle legs 26444 when the cartridge 26600 is operably seated within the channel 26310. As explained further below, when the verification feature 26630 is not present to contact the corresponding sled actuator arm 26446, the sled actuator arm 26446 contacts the protruding cam member 26654 and pushes or biases the cam assembly 26650 distally to a position where the unlocking portion 26653 on the cam assembly 26650 no longer disengages with the sled latch 26148 on the firing member lock 26142.

[0171] The interaction between the cartridge verification system 26440 and the cartridge 26600 can be understood with reference to FIGS. 87-92. FIG. 87 illustrates the initial attachment of a compatible surgical staple cartridge 26600 to the surgical end effector 26300. The channel has been omitted from the drawing, but the anvil 26400 is shown in a fully open position. In the illustrated example, the anvil 26400 is movably journaled on the channel such that an initial closing motion applied to the anvil 26400 from the many closure member mechanisms of the various closure systems described herein causes the anvil 26400 to pivot to the partially closed or intermediate position shown in FIG. 88. In that position, each sled actuator arm 26446 is aligned facing a corresponding verification feature 26630 on the cartridge body 26602. Further closing motions applied to the anvil 26400 can translate the anvil 26400 distally to the closed position. As the anvil 26400 moves distally, the verification mechanism 26630 blocks distal movement of the corresponding compliant sled actuator arm 26446, preventing the sled actuator arm 26446 from contacting the proximally protruding cam member 26654. Thus, the cam assembly 26650 remains in its starting position where the unlocking portion 26653 on the cam assembly 26650 maintains unlocking engagement with the sled latch 26148 on the firing member lock 26142. Thus, the firing member 26120 is free to move distally through the cartridge 26600 upon actuation of the firing drive system.

[0172] 92 illustrates cartridge 26600X, which may be very similar to cartridge 26600 except that it is "mismatched" with surgical end effector 26300. For example, cartridge 26600X does not have the verification feature or key portion 26630 of cartridge 26600. In addition to cartridge 26600X not having the verification feature or key 26630, the number, size, location, etc. of fasteners housed within cartridge 26600X may also differ from cartridge 26600, despite the fact that cartridge 26600X may have a cam assembly 26650 of the same structure and method of use as cam assembly 26650 used in cartridge 26600.

[0173] 93-95 illustrate the insertion of an incompatible cartridge 26600X into the surgical end effector 26300. FIG. 93 illustrates the installation of an incompatible surgical staple cartridge 26600X into the end effector 26300. The channel has been omitted from the drawings, but the anvil 26400 is shown in a fully open position. FIG. 94 illustrates the anvil 26400 in an intermediate position when an initial closing motion is applied to the anvil 26400. In that position, each sled actuator arm 26446 is aligned facing a corresponding cam member 26654 that protrudes proximally from a respective cam slot 26609. Further closing motions applied to the anvil 26400 can translate the anvil 26400 distally to a final closed position. As the anvil 26400 moves distally, the sled actuator arm 26446 contacts the proximally projecting cam member 26654, moving the cam assembly 26650 distally to a position where the unlocking portion 26653 thereon disengages from the sled latch 26148 on the firing member lock 26142. Thus, the firing member lockout 26142 remains in locking engagement with the elongated channel 26310 of the end effector 26300, preventing distal advancement of the firing member 26120 upon actuation of the firing drive system.

[0174] 96-98 illustrate another cartridge verification system 26440′ usable with an end effector 26300′ that utilizes a firing member 20500 that is axially advanced by a firing member beam 1900 in various manners described herein. As described above, the firing member 20500 includes a firing member body 20502 configured to axially pass through vertically aligned slots in an anvil (not shown), a staple cartridge 26600′, and an elongated channel 26310′. A lower foot assembly 20506 including a pair of laterally extending lower flanges extends from the lower end of the firing member body 20502 and slidably engages corresponding channel ledges formed on either side of the channel slot. An upper foot including two laterally extending anvil tabs 20507 may be formed on the upper end of the firing member body 20502 and is configured to slidably engage anvil ledges (not shown) formed on either side of the anvil slot. In at least one configuration, the firing member 20500 further includes a pair of central tabs (not shown) extending laterally from opposite sides of the firing member body 20502.

[0175] The firing member body 20502 also includes a proximally extending spring tail 20512 that is configured to mount within the elongated channel 26310' and operably interface with a firing member lockout spring (not shown) that is configured to bias the firing member 20500 downwardly within the elongated channel 26310' to a locked position. In the locked position, the firing member foot 20506 and / or central tab are offset from their corresponding passages within the channel 20310', and therefore, even if a user attempts to distally advance the locked-out firing member 20500, the firing member 20500 will not move distally due to such offset. That is, the foot 20506 and / or central tab contact a portion of the elongated channel 20310', thereby preventing distal advancement of the firing member 20500. In one configuration, a thread latch 20514 is formed on the firing member body 20502 and configured to be engaged by a proximally extending unlocking portion 26653' on a cam assembly 26650' operably supported in a proximal-most unfired or start position within a matching cartridge 26600' operably mounted within the channel 26310'. When the cam assembly 26650' is operably mounted within the elongated channel 26310' with a new, unfired staple cartridge 26600' in its unfired position, the unlocking portion 26653' on the cam assembly 26650' engages the thread latch 20514 on the firing member body 20502 and moves the firing member 20500 upward to an unlocked position where the lower foot assembly 20506 and / or central tab are aligned with their respective passageways within the channel 26310', allowing the firing member 20500 to advance axially therethrough. As the user advances the firing member 20500 distally into the cartridge 26600', the firing member 20500 also drives the cam assembly 20650' therein, camming the driver upward and bringing the staples or fasteners supported thereon into contact with the underside of the anvil. The tissue-cutting member 20504 on the firing member 20500 then cuts the stapled tissue.Once the firing member 20500 is driven to its distal-most position, which corresponds to the end position of the cam assembly 26650′, the firing member 20500 retracts to its proximal-most position, leaving the cam assembly 26650′ at the distal end of the cartridge 26600′. When the firing member 20500 returns to its proximal-most start position, the locking spring again biases the firing member 20500 back to its locked position. Thus, if a user attempts to reuse a spent cartridge, the cam assembly 26650′ will not be in its start position required to unlock the firing member 20500. Thus, this firing member lockout configuration may also be referred to herein as a “spent cartridge lockout configuration.”

[0176] 96 and 97 , the cartridge verification system 26440′ includes an axially movable cartridge verification member or loading shuttle 26442′ supported within the channel 26310′ for axial movement from a distal-most cartridge-engagement position to a proximal verification position. A shuttle spring 26449′ is mounted within the channel 26310′ and serves to bias the cartridge verification member or loading shuttle 26442′ toward the distal-most cartridge-engagement position. As shown in FIGS. 96 and 97 , the cartridge verification member or shuttle 26442′ further includes a pair of distally projecting sled actuator arms 26446′. The sled actuator arms 26446′ are positioned to contact corresponding cam members on the cam assembly of the mismatched cartridge, as described below.

[0177] 98 shows a proximal end portion 26604' of a surgical staple cartridge 26600' that is compatible with the surgical end effector 26300'. In at least one configuration, the surgical staple cartridge 26600' includes an elongated cartridge body 26602' sized to be removably mounted within an elongated channel 26310'. The cartridge body 26602' includes a cartridge slot 26608' that extends from the proximal end portion 26604' to the distal end portion of the cartridge body 26602'. The cartridge body 26602' further includes a cartridge deck surface 26610' that faces the staple-forming lower surface of the anvil when the cartridge 26600' is mounted within the channel 26310' and the anvil is pivoted to the closed position. Although not shown in FIG. 98 , the surgical staple cartridge 26600′ may have multiple rows (typically three) of surgical staple pockets on either side of a cartridge slot 26608′ that opens through the cartridge deck surface 26610′. Each staple pocket may have an associated staple driver (not shown) that supports a surgical staple or fastener (not shown) thereon. In at least one example, the cartridge body 26602′ is molded from a polymeric material having the staple pockets molded or machined therein. In one configuration, the staple pockets also open through the bottom of the cartridge body 26602′, facilitating attachment of the driver and fastener to their respective pockets. Once the driver and fastener are inserted into their respective staple pockets, a cartridge pan 26620′ is attached to the bottom of the cartridge body 26602′. In particular, when installed, the cartridge pan 26620' can prevent the driver and fasteners from falling out the bottom of the cartridge body 26602' when the cartridge 26600' is handled and installed into the elongated channel 26310'.

[0178] In the depicted configuration, the cartridge 26600' operably supports a cam assembly 26650' therein. The cam assembly 26650' includes a central body portion 26652' and a series of spaced-apart cam members 26654' configured to move axially within corresponding cam slots 26609' formed on either side of the cartridge slot 26608' in the cartridge body 26602'. The cam slots 26609' align with corresponding rows of drivers in the cartridge body 26602' to facilitate camming contact with the corresponding cam members 26654' as the cam assembly 26650' is driven through the staple cartridge 26600' from a start position in the proximal end portion 26604' of the cartridge body 26602' to an end position in the distal end portion of the cartridge body 26602'. The central body portion 26652' includes a proximally extending unlocking portion 26653' configured to engage a threaded latch 20514 on the firing member 20500 when the cartridge 26600' is properly loaded within the channel 26310'.

[0179] The compatible cartridge 26600' further includes a proximally projecting verification feature or key formation 26630' configured to engage with a sled actuator arm 26446' when the cartridge 26600' is operably mounted within the channel 26310'. In the illustrated configuration, the cartridge body 26602' further includes two side verification features or cartridge key formations 26632' configured to engage with a cartridge verification member or shuttle 26442'. As described further below, when the verification structure 26630', 26632' is not present to contact the corresponding sled actuator arm 26446' and cartridge verification member or shuttle 26442', the sled actuator arm 26446' contacts the protruding cam member 26654' and pushes or urges the cam assembly 26650' distally to a position where the unlocking portion 26653' on the cam assembly 26650' no longer disengages with the sled latch 20514 on the firing member 20500.

[0180] 99-101 , in the illustrated configuration, the verification mechanism or key formations 26630′, 26632′ each have a sloped lower alignment surface 26634′ thereon that facilitates initial insertion of the cartridge 26600′ into the channel 26310′ at a first position angle FPA, the sloped lower alignment surface 26634′ avoiding abutting contact with the sled actuator arm 26446′. The surface 26634′ may be referred to herein as a secondary surface. When the user places the surgical staple cartridge 26600' in the first mounting position, the cartridge 26600' then pivots downward into the channel 26310' until the vertical abutment surfaces 26636' (secondary surfaces) on the verification feature or cartridge key formations 26630', 26632' abut against corresponding vertical abutment surfaces 26641' and 26647' (primary surfaces) on the cartridge verification member or shuttle 26442' at Position 2. The user may then proximally advance the cartridge 26600' within the elongated channel 26310' to Position 3.

[0181] FIG. 102 illustrates the insertion of an incompatible staple cartridge 26600X″ into a surgical end effector 26300′. In this example, the incompatible cartridge 26600X′ does not have the verification feature or cartridge key formations 26630′, 26632′ that are provided on the compatible cartridge 26600′ to engage with the cartridge verification member or shuttle 26442′. Therefore, when the cartridge 26600X′ is installed within the channel 26310′, the sled actuator The motor arm 26446' contacts the protruding cam member 26654', pushing or urging the cam assembly 26650' distally to a position where the unlocking portion 26653' on the cam assembly 26650' does not disengage with the sled latch 20514 on the firing member 20500. Thus, the firing member 20500 remains locked in place and the user is unable to distally advance the firing member 20500 into the incompatible cartridge 26600X'.

[0182] 103 and 104 show the insertion of an incompatible cartridge 26600X' into the end effector 26300', where the incompatible cartridge 26600X' is initially inserted deep proximally into the channel 26310', and the distal end of the firing member 20500 contacts the cam assembly 26650' or "sled" and pushes it deep distally into the cartridge 26600X', thereby preventing it from moving distally within the cartridge 26600X' into its proper position of disengaging engagement with the sled latch 20514 portion of the firing member 20500 after the cartridge 26600X' is finally seated in its proper position within the channel 26310'. Similarly, if an incompatible cartridge 26600X' is first inserted into angled position 1 as described above and then moved to positions 2 and 3, the firing member 20500 may push the cam assembly 26650' or sled distal to the firing member unlock position such that properly seating the cam assembly 26650' will not unlock the firing member 20500. See FIGS. 105 and 106.

[0183] 107-109 illustrate another cartridge verification system 26440" that can be used with an end effector 26300" that uses a firing member 20500 that is axially advanced by a firing member beam 1900 in various ways described herein. As described above, the firing member 20500 comprises a firing member body 20502 configured to pass axially through vertically aligned slots in an anvil (not shown), a staple cartridge, and an elongated channel 26310". A lower foot assembly (not shown) comprising a pair of laterally extending lower flanges extends from a lower end of the firing member body 20502 and slidably engages corresponding channel ledges formed on either side of the channel slot. An upper foot 20507 comprising two laterally extending anvil tabs 20509 may be formed on an upper end of the firing member body 20502 and is configured to slidably engage anvil ledges (not shown) formed on either side of the anvil slot. In at least one configuration, the firing member 20500 further includes a pair of central tabs 20510 extending laterally from either side of the firing member body 20502.

[0184] The firing member body 20502 also includes a proximally extending spring tail (not shown) that is configured to mount within the elongated channel 26310" and to operably interface with a firing member lockout spring (not shown) that is configured to bias the firing member 20500 downwardly within the elongated channel 26310' to a locked position. In the locked position, the firing member foot and / or central tab 20510 are offset from their corresponding passages within the channel 20310" and, therefore, when a user attempts to distally advance the locked out firing member 20500, the firing member 20500 will not move distally due to such misalignment. That is, the foot and / or central tab 20510 contacts a portion of the elongated channel 26310", thereby preventing distal advancement of the firing member 20500. In one configuration, a threaded latch 20514 is formed on the firing member body 20502 and configured to be engaged by a proximally extending unlocking portion on a cam assembly operably supported at a proximal-most starting position in a matching cartridge operably mounted within the channel 26310".

[0185] When a new, unfired, matching staple cartridge, with its cam assembly in its (unfired) starting position, is operably mounted within the elongated channel 26310", an unlocking portion of the cam assembly engages with the threaded latch 20514 on the firing member body 20502, moving the firing member 20500 upward to an unlocked position where the lower foot assembly and / or central tab 20510 are aligned with the respective passageways of the channel 26310", allowing the firing member 20500 to advance axially therein. When the user advances the firing member 20500 distally into the cartridge, the firing member 20500 also drives the cam assembly therein, camming the driver upward into contact with the underside of the staple or fastener anvil supported thereon. A tissue-cutting member 20504 on the firing member 20500 then cuts the stapled tissue. Once the firing member 20500 is driven to its distal-most position, which corresponds to the end position of the cam assembly, the firing member 20500 retracts to its proximal-most position, leaving the cam assembly at the distal end of the cartridge (fired position). When the firing member 20500 returns to its proximal-most start position, the locking spring again biases the firing member 20500 back to its locked position. Thus, if a user attempts to reuse a spent cartridge, the cam assembly will not be in its start position required to unlock the firing member 20500. Such a firing member locking system may also be referred to herein as a "spent cartridge lockout system."

[0186] In the configuration shown in FIGS. 107 and 109, the cartridge verification system 26440" includes an axially movable cartridge verification shuttle 26442" supported within the channel 26310" for axial movement from a distal-most cartridge-engagement position to a proximal verification position within the channel 26310". A shuttle spring 26449" is mounted within the channel 26310" and serves to bias the cartridge verification shuttle 26442" toward the distal-most cartridge-engagement position. As shown in FIGS. 107 and 108, the cartridge verification shuttle 26442" further includes a distally extending shuttle base member 26644" and a pair of laterally movable shuttle drive arms 26450". Each shuttle drive arm 26450" has a drive latch mechanism 26452" thereon having a sloped proximal drive surface 26454" and a sloped distal drive surface 26456" that converge together to form a point 26548". The shuttle drive arms 26450" are biased laterally inwardly to a drive position by a shuttle spring 26449". When the shuttle drive arm 26450" is in the drive position, the sloped proximal drive surface 26454" is in driving engagement with a central tab 20510 on the firing member 20500, as shown in Figures 107 and 108. When the shuttle drive arm 26450" is in that position, distal advancement of the firing member 20500 moves the attached shuttle 26442" distally therewith.

[0187] FIG. 109 illustrates a proximal end portion 26604" of a surgical staple cartridge 26600" mounted within a channel 26310" that mates with a surgical end effector 26300". In at least one configuration, the surgical staple cartridge 26600" comprises an elongated cartridge body 26602" sized to be removably mounted within the elongated channel 26310". The cartridge body 26602" includes a cartridge slot 26608" extending from the proximal end portion 26604" to the distal end portion of the cartridge body 26602". The cartridge 26600" operably supports a cam assembly 26650" therein. The cam assembly 26650" comprises a central body portion 26652" and a cartridge slot 26608" within the cartridge body 26602". and a series of spaced apart cam members 26654" configured to move axially within corresponding cam slots 26609" formed on either side of central body portion 26608". The cam slots 26609" align with corresponding rows of drivers in the cartridge body 26602" to facilitate camming contact with corresponding cam members 26654" as the cam assembly 26650" is driven through the staple cartridge 26600" from a start position in the proximal end portion 26604" of the cartridge body 26602" to an end position in the distal end portion of the cartridge body 26602". Central body portion 26652" includes a proximally extending unlocking portion 26653" configured to engage a sled latch 20514 on the firing member 20500 when the cartridge 26600" is properly loaded within channel 26310".

[0188] A compatible cartridge 26600" further includes a proximally protruding unlocking mechanism or cartridge key arrangement 26630" configured to engage with the shuttle drive arm 26450" when the cartridge 26600" is operably mounted within the channel 26310". As shown in FIG. 109, during distal advancement of the firing member 20500, the verification shuttle 26442" is driven distally until each shuttle drive arm 26450" contacts a corresponding cartridge key arrangement 26630", thereby urging the shuttle drive arm 26450" laterally outward. As the firing member 20500 continues to move distally, the drive latch mechanism 26452" on the shuttle drive arm 26450" disengages from a corresponding central tab 20510 on the firing member body 20502, allowing the firing member 20500 to move distally without driving the verification shuttle 26442" distally. Thus, in such a case, the verification shuttle 26442" has not moved distally enough to disengage the cam assembly 26650" from unlocking engagement with the sled latch 20514 on the firing member 20500. The firing member 20500 can therefore be driven distally through a matching cartridge 26600" to drive fasteners therefrom and sever tissue clamped within the end effector 26300". As the firing member 20500 is retracted to its starting position, the tapered surface 20511 on each central tab 20510 contacts the sloped distal drive surface 26456" on a corresponding drive latch mechanism 26452", biasing the shuttle arms 26450" laterally and re-engaging the central tabs 20510 with the sloped proximal drive surfaces 26454", allowing the verification shuttle 26442" to again be driven distally by the firing member 20500.

[0189] 107 and 108 illustrate the loading of an incompatible cartridge 26600X" into a surgical end effector 26300". As shown in these figures, the incompatible cartridge 26600X" does not have the proximally protruding unlocking mechanism or cartridge key arrangement 26630" that is provided on the compatible cartridge 26600". Therefore, as the firing member 20500 advances distally, the cartridge verification shuttle 26442" also moves distally with the firing member 20500. As the cartridge verification shuttle 26442" moves distally, the distal end 26645" of the distally extending shuttle base member 26644" contacts the cam assembly 26650", disengaging the cam assembly 26650" from unlocking engagement with the sled latch 20514 on the firing member 20500. When the unlocking portion 26653" of the cam assembly 26650" disengages the sled latch 20514, the firing member body 20502 drops into locking engagement with the elongated channel 26310", thereby preventing further distal advancement of the firing member 20500.

[0190] As further shown in FIGS. 108 and 109 , in the illustrated configuration, a lateral stiffener member 26470″ projects laterally outward from each shuttle arm 26450″. When the firing member 20500 and verification shuttle 26442″ are positioned in their proximal-most starting positions, each lateral stiffener member 26470″ is laterally aligned with a corresponding channel notch 26472″ in each channel sidewall 26314″ to provide space for lateral movement of the shuttle arm 26450″ when a compatible cartridge 26600″ is properly loaded into the end effector 26300″. However, if an incompatible cartridge 26600X″ is inserted into the end effector 26300″, the lateral stiffener member 26470″ will not move laterally. 108 . In such a case, the lateral stiffener members 26470″ prevent the shuttle arms 26450″ from being biased laterally outward and out of engagement with the central tabs 20510 extending laterally from either side of the firing member body 20502.

[0191] The cartridge verification systems described herein can address various issues that may occasionally arise when using end effectors that are initially capable of accepting various cartridges, including cartridges that are not specifically compatible with the end effector. For example, a cartridge may operably fit into the channel of the end effector but not have the appropriate fastener configuration to fit the forming pockets on the anvil of the end effector. An incompatible cartridge may have an incorrect number or configuration of staples, etc. A cartridge may not have a cam assembly that is compatible with the firing member lockout configuration used by the end effector. Some cartridges may have the appropriate cam assembly, but at some point the cam assembly may have moved into a limit unlocked position that is in and out of disengagement with the firing member lockout configuration. At least some cartridge verification systems can address this issue. The cartridge verification systems disclosed herein may also provide the ability to distinguish between older cartridges and newer, suitable cartridges, for example, that have features that better mate with the end effector components. The cartridge verification system may also ensure that the cartridge is properly seated within the end effector channel and minimize misalignment of the cartridge within the channel, such as when the proximal end of the cartridge is positioned in an undesirable position relative to the firing member that could result in a central tab on the firing member being below the cartridge pan rather than above it as desired. Such misalignment could cause damage or bending of the cartridge pan, resulting in premature locking of the firing member.

[0192] 110-115 illustrate another cartridge verification system 27440 that can be used with an end effector 27300 that uses a firing member 20500 (described above) that is axially advanced by a firing member beam 1900 in various ways described herein. In the illustrated configuration, the cartridge verification system 27440 includes an axially movable cartridge verification member or shuttle 27442 that is supported within a channel 27310 of the end effector 27300 for axial movement from a distal-most cartridge-engaging position within the channel 27310 to a proximal verification position. The cartridge verification member or shuttle 27442 may be fabricated from spring steel and may include an elongated body 27444 that includes a blocking hook 27446 formed on a distal end 27445 of the elongated body 27444. See FIG. 111. The cartridge verification member or shuttle 27442 further includes an actuator portion 27448 formed on the proximal end 27447 of the elongate body 27444.

[0193] 111 , the cartridge verification member or shuttle 27442 is configured to move axially within a shuttle track 27360 formed within the channel bottom 27312 of the channel 27310. As shown in FIG. 111 , the shuttle track 27360 includes a curved transverse portion 27362 extending transversely to a channel slot 27313 centrally disposed within the channel bottom 27312 and through which the firing member 20500 passes axially. The curved transverse portion 27362 of the shuttle track 27360 terminates in an angled track portion 27364 located on another side of the channel slot 27313. As shown in FIG. 111 , the angled track portion 27364 has an angled bottom surface 27366. The proximal end 27370 of the shuttle track 27360 abuts an axial spring cavity 27380 configured to support a shuttle spring 27382 journaled on a spring retainer pin 27449 that projects proximally from an actuator portion 27448 of the cartridge verification member or shuttle 27442. The shuttle spring 27382 serves to bias the verification shuttle 27442 to a distal-most, locked position in which the cartridge verification member or shuttle 27442 prevents distal advancement of the cam assembly 27650 and firing member 20500.

[0194] 110 illustrates a proximal end portion 27604 of a surgical staple cartridge 27600 that is compatible with the surgical end effector 27300. In at least one configuration, the surgical staple cartridge 27600 includes an elongated cartridge body 27602 that is sized to be removably mounted within an elongated channel 27310. The cartridge body 27602 includes a cartridge slot 27608 that extends from the proximal end portion 27604 to the distal end portion of the cartridge body 27602. The cartridge body 27602 further includes a cartridge deck surface 27610 that faces the staple-forming lower surface of the anvil when the cartridge 27600 is mounted within the channel 27310 and the anvil is pivoted to the closed position. Although not shown in FIG. 110 , the surgical staple cartridge 27600 may have multiple rows (typically three) of surgical staple pockets on either side of a cartridge slot 27608 that opens through the cartridge deck surface 27610. Each staple pocket may have an associated staple driver (not shown) that supports a surgical staple or fastener (not shown) thereon. In at least one example, the cartridge body 27602 is molded from a polymeric material having the staple pockets molded or machined therein. In one configuration, the staple pockets also open through the bottom of the cartridge body 27602, facilitating attachment of the driver and fastener to their respective pockets. Once the driver and fastener are inserted into their respective staple pockets, a cartridge pan 27620 is attached to the bottom of the cartridge body 27602. In particular, when installed, the cartridge pan 27620 can prevent the driver and fasteners from falling out the bottom of the cartridge body 27602 when the cartridge 27600 is handled and installed in the elongated channel 27310.

[0195] In the depicted configuration, the cartridge 27600 operably supports therein a cam assembly 27650. The cam assembly 27650 includes a central body portion 27652 and a series of spaced apart cam members 27654 configured to move axially within corresponding cam slots 27609 formed on either side of a cartridge slot 27608 in the cartridge body 27602. The cam slots 27609 align with corresponding rows of drivers in the cartridge body 27602 to facilitate camming contact with the corresponding cam members 27654 as the cam assembly 27650 is driven through the staple cartridge 27600 from a start position within the proximal end portion 27604 of the cartridge body 27602 to an end position within the distal end portion of the cartridge body 27602. The central body portion 27652 includes a proximally extending unlocking portion 27653 configured to engage a threaded latch 20514 on the firing member 20500 when the cartridge 27600 is properly loaded within the channel 27310.

[0196] The compatible cartridge 27600 further includes a proximally projecting verification feature or cartridge key arrangement 27630 configured to engage a sled actuator 27448 when the cartridge 27600 is operably installed within the channel 27310. The verification feature 27630 biases the cartridge verification member or shuttle 27442 to a proximal-most unlocked position at which the cam assembly 27650 and firing member 20500 can be displaced distally through the cartridge 27600. When the cartridge verification member or shuttle 27442 is in the unlocked position, a blocking hook 27446 formed on a distal end 27445 of an elongated body 27444 of the cartridge verification member or shuttle 27442 is retracted within a curved transverse portion 27362 of the shuttle track 27360 and does not extend across a channel slot 27313 in the channel bottom 27312. When the blocking hook 27446 does not extend across the channel slot 27313, the firing member 20500 and cam assembly 27650 can advance into the cartridge 27310".

[0197] 114 and 115 show a surgical end effector 27300 with an incompatible cartridge 27600X installed therein. In this example, the incompatible cartridge 27600X does not have the verification feature or cartridge key arrangement 27630 provided on the compatible cartridge 27600 to engage with the actuator portion 27448 of the cartridge verification member or shuttle 27442. Thus, the shuttle spring 27382 biases the cartridge verification member or shuttle 27442 distally to a locked position in which a blocking hook 27446 formed on a distal end 27445 of the elongated body 27444 of the cartridge verification member or shuttle 27442 traverses the channel slot 27313 and extends transversely into the angled track portion 27364. As the blocking hook 27446 enters the sloped track portion 27364, the sloped bottom surface 27366 moves the blocking hook 27446 upward to a position where the blocking hook 27446 blocks distal advancement of the cam assembly 27650 and the firing member 20500. Thus, in that position, if a user accidentally attempts to advance the firing member 20500 distally, the blocking hook 27446 blocks distal advancement of the cam assembly 27650 and the firing member 20500.

[0198] In at least one configuration shown in FIG. 115 , the portion of the blocking hook 27446 that intersects the channel slot 27313 may be reinforced with an additional reinforcing blocking portion 27450 attached thereto. That is, the cross-sectional thickness of the reinforced portion of the blocking hook 27446 is greater than the cross-sectional thickness of the remaining body portion of the cartridge verification member or shuttle 26442. Alternative configurations are contemplated for use with the end effectors disclosed herein that utilize an axially movable closure member, such as an end effector closure tube, for moving the anvil to the closed position. In such end effector configurations, for example, the end effector closure tube may be configured to bias the verification shuttle into a locked, blocking position when the closure member is actuated to close the anvil. The cartridge verification system 27440 may also be effectively used with surgical end effectors that include a rotatable firing member configuration having a firing member lockout system of the type disclosed herein.

[0199] 116-119 illustrate another surgical staple cartridge 28600 usable in connection with the various end effector configurations disclosed herein. In the depicted configuration, the surgical staple cartridge 28600 includes an elongated cartridge body 28602 sized to be removably mounted within an elongated channel of the end effector. As shown in FIG. 117 , the cartridge body 28602 includes a cartridge slot 28608 extending from a proximal end portion 28604 of the cartridge body 28602 to a distal end portion of the cartridge body 28602. The cartridge body 28602 further includes a cartridge deck surface 28610 that faces the staple-forming lower surface of the anvil when the cartridge 28600 is mounted within the channel and the anvil is pivoted to the closed position. Although not shown in FIG. 117 , the surgical staple cartridge 28600 may have multiple rows (typically three) of surgical staple pockets on either side of a cartridge slot 28608 that opens through the cartridge deck surface 28610. Each staple pocket may have an associated staple driver (not shown) that supports a surgical staple or fastener (not shown) thereon. In at least one example, the cartridge body 28602 is molded from a polymeric material having the staple pockets molded or machined therein. In one configuration, the staple pockets also open through the bottom of the cartridge body 28602, facilitating attachment of the driver and fastener to their respective pockets. Once the driver and fastener are inserted into their respective staple pockets, a cartridge pan 28620 is attached to the bottom of the cartridge body 28602. In particular, when installed, the cartridge pan 28620 can prevent the driver and fasteners from falling out the bottom of the cartridge body 28602 during handling and installation of the cartridge 28600 into the elongated channel.

[0200] In the depicted configuration, the cartridge 28600 operably supports therein a cam assembly 28650. The cam assembly 2...

Claims

1. 1. A surgical stapling assembly comprising: A staple cartridge comprising: a cartridge body including an unlocking mechanism; a plurality of staples stored within the cartridge body; a cam assembly configured to eject the staples from the cartridge body and movable between an unfired position and a fired position; a staple cartridge including: a surgical instrument configured to receive said staple cartridge therein, A first jaw; and a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw between an open position and a closed position; a firing member configured to move between a start position and an end position within the staple cartridge; a closure lockout operatively interfaced with the second jaw, the closure lockout being movable between a locked position in which the second jaw is held in the open position and an unlocked position in which the second jaw is movable to the closed position upon application of a closing motion to the second jaw, the closure lockout being configured to move from the locked position to the unlocked position when the staple cartridge is installed within the surgical stapling assembly; A surgical instrument comprising: Equipped with the closure lockout includes a lockout member having a lock actuator portion configured to be depressed by the unlocking mechanism on the staple cartridge operably supported within the first jaw, the closure lockout moving to the unlocked position when the unlocking mechanism depresses the lock actuator portion; the lockout member includes a blocking portion configured to prevent the second jaw from moving to the closed position when the staple cartridge is not installed in the first jaw and the lock release mechanism is not pressing against the lock actuator portion; A surgical stapling assembly, wherein the lockout member has a longitudinally extending body portion, the lock actuator portion being located at a distal end of the body portion, and the blocking portion projecting upwardly from the body portion.

2. 2. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 1, further comprising a closure member configured to move the second jaw from the open position to the closed position when moved from a first position to a fully actuated position, the closure lockout configured to retain the closure member in the first position when the closure lockout is in the locked position.

3. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 2, wherein the closure member includes a closure ring extending at least partially around the first jaw and the second jaw.

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