| (11) | EP 3 338 669 A1 |
(12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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(54) | ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL END EFFECTOR WITH ASYMMETRIC SHAFT ARRANGEMENT |
(57) A surgical tool assembly. A surgical end effector is movably coupled to a shaft assembly by an articulation joint that is configured to facilitate selective articulation of the surgical end effector relative to the shaft assembly. The shaft assembly includes a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The distal end portion is operably coupled to the articulation joint. An elongate notch is provided in the distal end portion and is located on one lateral side of a shaft axis that is defined by the shaft assembly. The shaft assembly may be configured to prevent the distal end portion from buckling when an axial actuation motion is applied to the proximal end.
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BACKGROUND
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an interchangeable surgical tool assembly embodiment that is operably coupled to a handle assembly embodiment;
FIG. 2 is an exploded assembly view of portions of the handle assembly and interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 with portions thereof omitted for clarity;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a proximal portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-3 with portions thereof omitted for clarity;
FIG. 5 is an exploded assembly view of proximal portions of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIGS. 1-4;
FIG. 6 is an exploded assembly view of distal portions of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIGS. 1-5;
FIG. 7 illustrates use of an interchangeable surgical tool assembly embodiment to perform a medical procedure known as a lower anterior resection within a human pelvis area;
FIG. 8 is a top view of a portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly depicted in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is another top view of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly depicted in FIG. 8 with portions thereof shown in cross-section;
FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of a distal portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 10 taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 10;
FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view of a portion of another interchangeable surgical tool assembly;
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional end view of a shaft assembly portion of another interchangeable surgical tool embodiment;
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional end view of a shaft assembly portion of another interchangeable surgical tool embodiment;
FIG. 15 is a top cross-sectional view of a portion of an interchangeable surgical tool embodiment in an articulated configuration;
FIG 15A is a top view of portions of another surgical end effector and elongate shaft assembly arrangement with the surgical end effector in an unarticulated position (solid lines) and an articulated position (phantom lines);
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a portion of an interchangeable surgical tool end effector employing an anvil cap to cover a portion of a firing member parking area within an end effector thereof;
FIG. 17 is another perspective view of a portion of the surgical end effector of FIG. 16 with the anvil cap omitted for clarity;
FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of the surgical end effector of FIG. 16 with the anvil thereof in an open configuration;
FIG. 18A is a cross-sectional side view of the surgical end effector of FIG. 18;
FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional side view of the surgical end effector of FIG. 18 during initiation of an anvil closure process;
FIG. 20 is another cross-sectional side view of the surgical end effector of FIGS. 18 and 19 with the anvil thereof in a fully closed position;
FIG. 20A is another cross-sectional side view of the surgical end effector of FIG. 20 after a firing member thereof has been advanced distally out of a firing member parking area;
FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a distal closure member embodiment;
FIG. 22 is a side elevational view of a portion of an interchangeable surgical tool assembly employing the distal closure member of FIG. 21 with an anvil of a surgical end effector portion thereof in a fully closed position;
FIG. 23 is another side elevational view of the portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 22, with the distal closure member in an initial opening position;
FIG. 24 is another side elevational view of the portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 22, with the distal closure member in another opening position;
FIG. 25 is another side elevational view of the portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 22, with the anvil thereof in a fully opened position;
FIG. 26 is a perspective view of another distal closure member embodiment;
FIG. 27 is a side view of another anvil embodiment;
FIG. 28 is a partial cross-sectional side view of another interchangeable surgical tool assembly employing the distal closure member of FIG. 26 and the anvil embodiment of FIG. 27 with the anvil in a fully closed position;
FIG. 29 is another partial cross-sectional side view of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 28 with the anvil thereof in a fully open position;
FIG. 30 is a perspective view of another distal closure member embodiment;
FIG. 31 is a partial cross-sectional side view of another interchangeable surgical tool assembly employing the distal closure member embodiment of FIG. 30 and with an anvil thereof in a fully open position;
FIG. 32 is a partial cross-sectional side view of another interchangeable surgical tool assembly with an anvil thereof in a fully closed position;
FIG. 33 is another partial cross-sectional side view of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 32 with the anvil thereof in a fully open position;
FIG. 34 is a side elevational view of a portion of another interchangeable surgical tool assembly with an anvil thereof in a fully closed position;
FIG. 35 is another side elevational view of the portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 34 with the anvil thereof in a fully open position;
FIG. 36 is a side elevational view of a portion of another interchangeable surgical tool assembly with an anvil thereof in a fully closed position;
FIG. 37 is another side elevational view of the portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 36 with the anvil thereof in a partially open position;
FIG. 38 is a side elevational view of a portion of another interchangeable surgical tool assembly with an anvil thereof in a fully closed position;
FIG. 39 is another side elevational view of the portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 38 with the anvil thereof in a partially open position;
FIG. 40 is a bottom perspective view of a camming or sled assembly embodiment;
FIG. 41 a top view of a portion of a surgical end effector embodiment with an unfired surgical staple cartridge installed therein and with a camming assembly thereof in a starting position and in unlocking engagement with a firing member lock member;
FIG. 42 is a top view of a portion of the surgical end effector embodiment of FIG. 41 that has an improper unfired surgical staple cartridge installed therein with a camming assembly thereof in a starting position and with a firing member lock in locking engagement with the firing member;
FIG. 43 is an exploded perspective view of portions of an anvil, a firing member, a sled assembly and firing member lock embodiment of another interchangeable surgical tool assembly embodiment;
FIG. 44 is a partial cross-sectional view of a distal portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 43 with the firing member thereof omitted for clarity;
FIG. 45 is another partial cross-sectional view of the distal portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 44 with an unfired surgical staple cartridge properly seated within a surgical end effector thereof and with an anvil thereof in an open position and the firing member in a starting position;
FIG. 46 is another partial cross-sectional view of the distal portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 45 with the anvil in a fully closed position and the firing member in an initial firing position;
FIG. 47 is another partial cross-sectional view of the distal portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 45 with the anvil in a fully closed position and the firing member further distally advanced within the surgical end effector;
FIG. 48 is another partial cross-sectional view of the distal portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 47 with the anvil in a fully closed position and the firing member being retracted back to a starting position just prior to contacting the firing member lock;
FIG. 49 is another partial cross-sectional view of the distal portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 48 with the anvil in a fully closed position and the firing member being retracted back to a starting position after initially contacting the firing member lock;
FIG. 50 is another partial cross-sectional view of the distal portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 49 with the anvil in a fully closed position and the firing member being retracted back to the starting position;
FIG. 51 is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of another interchangeable surgical tool assembly embodiment with an unfired surgical staple cartridge loaded in a surgical end effector thereof and a firing member in a starting position or configuration;
FIG. 52 is another side cross-sectional view of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly embodiment of FIG. 51 after the firing member has started to be distally advanced through the surgical end effector;
FIG. 53 is another side cross-sectional view of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly embodiment of FIGS. 51 and 52 during the retraction of the firing member back to the starting position;
FIG. 54 is another side cross-sectional view of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly embodiment of FIGS. 51-53 after the firing member has been further retracted toward the starting position;
FIG. 55 is another side cross-sectional view of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly embodiment of FIGS. 51-54 after the firing member has been fully retracted back to the starting position;
FIG. 56 is an exploded perspective view of portions of a firing member, a sled assembly, a firing member and firing member lock member of another interchangeable surgical tool assembly embodiment;
FIG. 57 is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly embodiment of FIG. 56 with an anvil of a surgical end effector thereof in an open position prior to installation of an unfired surgical staple cartridge within the surgical end effector and with the firing member in a starting position;
FIG. 58 is another side cross-sectional view of a portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly embodiment of FIG. 57 with an unfired surgical staple cartridge installed within the surgical end effector and the anvil in a closed position;
FIG. 59 is a top cross-sectional view of the portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly embodiment of FIG. 58 with the firing member lock in a disengaged configuration relative to the firing member;
FIG. 60 is another side cross-sectional view of a portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly embodiment of FIGS. 58 and 59 after the firing member has been initially distally advanced;
FIG. 61 is another side cross-sectional view of a portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly embodiment of FIGS. 58-60 during retraction back to a starting position;
FIG. 62 is a top view of the portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly embodiment of FIG. 61;
FIG. 63 is another side cross-sectional view of a portion of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly embodiment of FIGS. 58-62 after the firing member has been fully retracted back to a starting position and is in locking engagement with the firing member lock;
FIG. 64 is an exploded perspective view of portions of an articulation joint and articulation lock embodiment of another interchangeable surgical tool assembly embodiment;
FIG. 65 is a perspective view of a lock spring assembly embodiment of the articulation lock embodiment of FIG. 64;
FIG. 66 is a top view of an end effector mounting assembly embodiment of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly embodiment of FIG. 64;
FIG. 67 is a top view of portions of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly embodiment of FIG. 64 with a surgical end effector thereof in an unarticulated configuration;
FIG. 68 is another top view of the portions of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly embodiment of FIG. 67 during an initial application of an articulation motion to the articulation joint;
FIG. 69 is a bottom view of the portions of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly embodiment of FIG. 68;
FIG. 70 is another bottom view of the portions of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly embodiment of FIG. 69 with the surgical end effector in an articulated configuration;
FIG. 71 is an exploded perspective view of portions of an articulation joint and articulation lock embodiment of another interchangeable surgical tool assembly embodiment;
FIG. 72 is a top view of an end effector mounting assembly embodiment of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly embodiment of FIG. 71;
FIG. 73 is a top view of portions of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly embodiment of FIG. 71 with a surgical end effector thereof in an unarticulated configuration;
FIG. 74 is a partial cross-sectional view of portions of the articulation lock embodiment of FIG. 73 taken along line 74-74 in FIG. 73;
FIG. 75 is another top view of the portions of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly embodiment of FIG. 73 during an initial application of an articulation motion to the articulation joint;
FIG. 76 is another top view of the portions of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly embodiment of FIG. 75 with the surgical end effector thereof in an articulated configuration and the articulation lock in an unlocked configuration;
FIG. 77 is another top view of the portions of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly embodiment of FIG. 75 with the surgical end effector thereof in an articulated configuration and the articulation lock in a locked configuration;
FIG. 78 is an exploded perspective view of portions of an articulation joint and articulation lock embodiment of another interchangeable surgical tool assembly embodiment;
FIG. 79 is a top view of portions of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly embodiment of FIG. 78 with a surgical end effector thereof in an unarticulated configuration;
FIG. 80 is a side cross-sectional view of the portions of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 79 taken along line 80-80 in FIG. 79;
FIG. 81 is another side cross-sectional view of the portions of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 80 during an initial application of articulation motion to the articulation lock thereof;
FIG. 82 is another side cross-sectional view of the portions of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 81 with the articulation joint locked in position by the articulation lock;
FIG. 83 is an exploded perspective view of portions of a spine assembly, an articulation joint and articulation lock embodiment of another interchangeable surgical tool assembly embodiment;
FIG. 84 is a top view of a portion of a distal end of the spine assembly and the articulation lock arrangement of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly embodiment of FIG. 83;
FIG. 85 is an exploded perspective view of portions of a spine assembly, an articulation joint and articulation lock embodiment of another interchangeable surgical tool assembly embodiment;
FIG. 86 is another exploded perspective view of portions of the spine assembly and articulation joint and articulation lock of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 85;
FIG. 87 is a top cross-sectional view of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 85 with a surgical end effector thereof in an unarticulated configuration;
FIG. 88 is another top cross-sectional view of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 87 with the surgical end effector thereof in an articulated configuration and the articulation lock in an unlocked configuration;
FIG. 89 is another top cross-sectional view of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 88 with the surgical end effector thereof in an articulated configuration and the articulation lock in a locked configuration;
FIG. 90 is an exploded perspective view of portions of a spine assembly, an articulation joint and articulation lock embodiment of another interchangeable surgical tool assembly embodiment;
FIG. 91 is a top cross-sectional view of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 90 with a surgical end effector thereof in an unarticulated configuration;
FIG. 92 is another top cross-sectional view of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 91 with the surgical end effector thereof in an articulated configuration and the articulation lock in an unlocked configuration;
FIG. 93 is a partial cross-sectional view of the articulation lock of FIG. 92 taken along line 93-93 in FIG. 92;
FIG. 94 is another top cross-sectional view of the interchangeable surgical tool assembly of FIG. 91 with the surgical end effector thereof in an articulated configuration and the articulation lock in a locked configuration;
FIG. 95 is a partial cross-sectional view of the articulation lock of FIG. 94 taken along line 95-95 in FIG. 94;
FIG. 96 is a perspective view of portions of an articulation stroke multiplier embodiment;
FIG. 97 is a cross-sectional end view of a shaft assembly of an interchangeable surgical tool assembly embodiment with the articulation stroke multiplier embodiment of FIG. 96 therein;
FIG. 98A is a top view of portions of the articulation stroke multiplier embodiment of FIG. 96 in an unactuated configuration;
FIG. 98B is another top view of the portions of the articulation stroke multiplier of FIG. 98A after application of an axial articulation motion thereto in a first axial direction;
FIG. 98C is another top view of the portions of the articulation stroke multiplier of FIG. 98A after application of another axial articulation motion thereto in a second axial direction;
FIG. 99A is a top cross-sectional view of portions of a shaft assembly of an interchangeable surgical tool assembly embodiment with another articulation stroke multiplier embodiment in an unactuated configuration;
FIG. 99B is another top cross-sectional view of the shaft assembly and articulation stroke multiplier of FIG. 99A after an axial articulation motion has been applied thereto in a first axial direction;
FIG. 99C is a top cross-sectional view of portions of a shaft assembly of another interchangeable surgical tool assembly embodiment with another articulation stroke multiplier embodiment in an unactuated configuration;
FIG. 99D is another top cross-sectional view of the shaft assembly and articulation stroke multiplier of FIG. 99C after an axial articulation motion has been applied thereto in a first axial direction;
FIG. 100 is an exploded perspective view of a channel and a staple cartridge;
FIG. 101 is an elevation view of the channel and the staple cartridge of FIG. 100;
FIG. 102 is a cross-sectional elevation view of the channel and the staple cartridge of FIG. 100 taken across the plane indicated in FIG. 101;
FIG. 103 is an exploded perspective view of a channel and a staple cartridge;
FIG. 104 is an elevation view of the staple cartridge of FIG. 103;
FIG. 105 is a cross-sectional elevation view of the channel and the staple cartridge of FIG. 103 taken across the plane indicated in FIG. 104;
FIG. 106 is an exploded elevation view of a channel and a staple cartridge;
FIG. 107 is an elevation view of the channel and the staple cartridge of FIG. 106 depicting the staple cartridge completely installed in the channel;
FIG. 108 is an exploded elevation view of a channel and a staple cartridge;
FIG. 109 is an elevation view of the channel and the staple cartridge of FIG. 108 depicting the staple cartridge completely installed in the channel;
FIG. 110 is an elevation view of the staple cartridge of FIG. 106 and the channel of FIG. 108 depicting the staple cartridge incompletely installed in the channel;
FIG. 111 is a perspective view of a portion of a staple cartridge;
FIG. 112 is a perspective view of a portion of a staple cartridge;
FIG. 113 is a perspective view of an end effector; and
FIGS. 114 and 115 depict tables of identifications for different types of end effectors.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Examples
Example 1 - A surgical tool assembly comprising a surgical end effector movably coupled to a shaft assembly by an articulation joint. The articulation joint is configured to selectively facilitate selective articulation of the surgical end effector relative to the shaft assembly about an articulation axis. The articulation axis is transverse to a shaft axis that is defined by the shaft assembly. The shaft assembly comprises a proximal end, a distal end operably coupled to the articulation joint, and an elongate notch in the shaft assembly. The elongate notch is on one lateral side of the shaft axis and is located adjacent to the distal end.
Example 2 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 1, wherein the articulation joint is configured to restrict articulation of the surgical end effector about the articulation axis to the one lateral side of the shaft axis.
Example 3 - The surgical tool assembly of Examples 1 or 2, wherein the shaft assembly comprises a spine assembly and a proximal closure member. The spine assembly comprises a distal spine end operably coupled to the articulation joint. The proximal closure member is supported on the spine assembly for selective axial travel relative thereto. The elongate notch further comprises an elongate spine notch in the distal spine end on the one lateral side of the shaft axis and an elongate closure member notch in the proximal closure member on the one lateral side of the shaft axis and corresponding with the elongate spine notch.
Example 4 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 3, wherein the surgical end effector comprises a first jaw operably coupled to the articulation joint and a second jaw supported for selective movable travel relative to the first jaw in response to closure motions applied thereto.
Example 5 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 4, wherein the shaft assembly further comprises a distal closure member movably coupled to the proximal closure member for selective axial travel therewith, the distal closure member operably interfacing with the second jaw to apply the closure motions thereto.
Example 6 - The surgical tool assembly of Examples 1 or 2, wherein the surgical tool assembly further comprises means for preventing buckling of the distal end of the shaft assembly when an axial actuation motion is applied to the proximal end of the shaft assembly.
Example 7 - The surgical tool assembly of Examples 3, 4, or 5, wherein the surgical tool assembly further comprises means for preventing buckling of the distal end of the shaft assembly when an axial actuation motion is applied to the proximal end of the shaft assembly.
Example 8 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 7, wherein the means for preventing buckling comprises at least one alignment member protruding from the proximal closure member and extending into a corresponding axial slot in the spine assembly.
Example 9 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 8, wherein the at least one alignment member comprises at least one first alignment member protruding from the proximal closure member at a first location and extending into a corresponding first axial slot in the spine assembly for axial travel therein and at least one second alignment member protruding from the proximal closure member at a second location that is diametrically opposed to the first location. The second alignment member extends into a corresponding second axial slot in the spine assembly.
Example 10 - The surgical tool assembly of Examples 8 or 9, wherein at least one of the at least one alignment member has an L-shaped cross-sectional shape.
Example 11 - A surgical tool assembly comprising a surgical end effector movably coupled to a shaft assembly by an articulation joint. The articulation joint is configured to facilitate selective articulation of the surgical end effector relative to the shaft assembly about an articulation axis. The articulation axis is transverse to a shaft axis that is defined by the shaft assembly. The shaft assembly comprises a proximal portion including an uninterrupted outer proximal perimeter and a distal portion extending from the proximal portion and operably coupled to the articulation joint. The distal portion includes a distal outer perimeter, which includes a discontinuous distal portion that is located on one lateral side of the shaft axis.
Example 12 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 11, wherein the articulation joint is configured to restrict articulation of the surgical end effector about the articulation axis to the one lateral side of the shaft axis.
Example 13 - The surgical tool assembly of Examples 11 or 12, wherein the shaft assembly comprises a spine assembly comprising a distal spine end operably coupled to the articulation joint and a proximal closure member supported on the spine assembly for selective axial travel relative thereto. The discontinuous distal portion comprises an elongate closure member notch in the proximal closure member on the one lateral side of the shaft axis.
Example 14 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 13, wherein the surgical tool assembly further comprises an elongate closure member notch.
Example 15 - The surgical tool assembly of Examples 13 or 14, wherein the surgical tool assembly further comprises means for preventing buckling of the distal end of the shaft assembly when an axial actuation motion is applied to the proximal portion of the shaft assembly.
Example 16 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 15, wherein the means for preventing buckling comprises at least one alignment member protruding from the proximal closure member and extending into a corresponding axial slot in the spine assembly.
Example 17 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 16, wherein the at least one alignment member comprises at least one first alignment member protruding from the proximal closure member at a first location and extending into a corresponding first axial slot in the spine assembly for axial travel therein and at least one second alignment member protruding from the proximal closure member at a second location that is diametrically opposed to the first location. The second alignment member extends into a corresponding second axial slot in the spine assembly.
Example 18 - The surgical tool assembly of Examples 16 or 17, wherein at least one of the at least one alignment member has an L-shaped cross-sectional shape.
Example 19 - The surgical tool assembly of Examples 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, or 18, wherein the distal portion includes a distal axial length. The proximal portion includes a proximal axial length, and the proximal axial length is greater than the distal axial length.
Example 20 - A surgical tool assembly comprising a surgical end effector movably coupled to a shaft assembly by an articulation joint. The articulation joint is configured to facilitate selective articulation of the surgical end effector relative to the shaft assembly about an articulation axis. The articulation axis is transverse to a shaft axis that is defined by the shaft assembly. The shaft assembly comprises a proximal end, a distal end operably coupled to the articulation joint, an elongate notch, and an axially displaceable firing member axially aligned with the shaft axis. The elongate notch is in the shaft assembly on one lateral side of the shaft axis and located adjacent to the distal end.
Example 21 - A surgical tool assembly comprising a shaft assembly, a surgical end effector, and a protective cap member. The shaft assembly comprises an axially movable closure member and an axially movable firing member selectively axially movable between an unfired position and a fired position. The surgical end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw comprising a mounting portion including a pair of mounting walls. The mounting walls are configured to movably engage a portion of the first jaw to movably support the second jaw on the first jaw. The mounting portion defines a cam area configured for engagement by the axially movable closure member to move the second jaw from an open position to a closed position relative to the first jaw. The mounting walls define an open topped parking area therebetween for accommodating the firing member therein when the firing member is in the unfired position. The protective cap member is attached to the mounting walls and covers at least a portion of the open topped parking area.
Example 22 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 21, wherein each of the mounting walls are configured to pivotally engage corresponding portions of the first jaw to facilitate pivotal travel of the second jaw relative to the first jaw about a pivot axis.
Example 23 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 22, wherein each of the mounting walls protrude proximally from the cam area. The protective cap comprises a transition portion configured to cover at least a portion of the open topped parking area proximal to the cam area and forming a pre-closure cam surface that is proximal to the cam area and at least one attachment portion extending from the transition portion to couple the protective cap to at least one of the mounting walls.
Example 24 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 23, wherein the at least one attachment member comprises a first leg extending downward from the transition portion and being configured to retainingly engage a corresponding one of the mounting walls and a second leg extending downward from the transition portion and being configured to retainingly engage a corresponding another one of the mounting walls.
Example 25 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 24, wherein the first and second legs are removably attachable to the mounting walls.
Example 26 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 25, wherein the first leg comprises a first attachment opening configured to retainingly receive therein a first attachment lug formed on the corresponding one of the mounting walls. The second leg comprises a second attachment opening configured to retainingly receive therein a second attachment lug formed on the corresponding other one of the mounting walls.
Example 27 - The surgical tool assembly of Examples 23, 24, 25, or 26, wherein the closure member comprises a distal camming surface configured to cammingly engage the pre-closure cam surface on the protective cap as well as the cam area on the mounting portion to move the second jaw from the open position to the closed position.
Example 28 - The surgical tool assembly of Examples 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, or 27, wherein the surgical tool assembly further comprises means for biasing the second jaw to the open position.
Example 29 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 28, wherein the surgical tool assembly further comprises means for preventing the second jaw from being opened beyond a maximum open position.
Example 30 - The surgical tool assembly of Examples 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, or 29, wherein the second jaw is configured to be selectively pivotal about a pivot axis relative to the first jaw, and wherein at least a portion of the open topped parking area is proximal to the pivot axis.
Example 31 - The surgical tool assembly of Examples 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, or 30, wherein the second jaw comprises a pair of trunnions pivotally supported in the mounting walls.
Example 32 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 31, wherein the pair of trunnions comprises a first trunnion configured to be pivotally supported in a first transverse pivot hole in a first one of the mounting walls and a second trunnion configured to be pivotally supported in a second transverse pivot hole in a second one of the mounting walls. The first and second trunnions define a pivot axis about which the second jaw is pivotable.
Example 33 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 32, wherein the surgical tool assembly further comprises a first installation slot in the first one of the mounting walls and a second installation slot in the second one of the mounting walls. The first installation slot extends transversely to the first transverse pivot hole from a first top edge of the first one of the mounting walls to the first transverse pivot hole. The second installation slot extends transversely to second transverse pivot hole from a second top edge of said second one of said mounting walls to said second transverse pivot hole.
Example 34 - A surgical tool assembly comprising a shaft assembly, a surgical end effector, and a protective cap member. The shaft assembly comprises an axially movable closure member and an axially movable firing member selectively axially movable between an unfired position and a fired position. The surgical end effector comprises an elongate channel configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein and an anvil comprising an anvil mounting portion. The anvil mounting portion includes a pair of anvil mounting walls pivotally supported on the elongate channel for selective pivotal travel relative thereto about a pivot axis. The anvil mounting portion defines a cam area configured for engagement by the axially movable closure member to move the anvil from an open position to a closed position relative to the elongate channel. The anvil mounting walls define an open topped parking area therebetween for accommodating the firing member therein when the firing member is in the unfired position. The protective cap member is attached to the anvil mounting walls and covers at least a portion of the open topped parking area.
Example 35 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 34, wherein at least a portion of the open topped parking area is proximal to the pivot axis.
Example 36 - The surgical tool assembly of Examples 34 or 35, wherein the firing member comprises a vertically extending firing body comprising a tissue cutting edge, top anvil engaging tabs, and bottom channel engaging tabs. The top anvil engaging tabs extend laterally from a top end of the firing body and are configured to engage the anvil as the firing member is axially advanced from the unfired position to the fired position. The bottom channel engaging tabs extend laterally from a bottom portion of the firing body and configured to engage the channel as the firing member is axially advanced from the unfired position to the fired position to retain an underside of the anvil a desired distance from a cartridge deck of a surgical staple cartridge supported in the elongate channel.
Example 37 - The surgical tool assembly of Examples 34, 35, or 36, wherein each of the mounting walls protrude proximally from the cam area. The protective cap comprises a transition portion configured to cover at least a portion of the open topped parking area proximal to the cam area and form a pre-closure cam surface that is proximal to the cam area and at least one attachment portion extending from the transition portion to couple the protective cap to at least one of the anvil mounting walls.
Example 38 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 37, wherein the at least one attachment portion comprises a first leg extending downward from the transition portion and is configured to retainingly engage a corresponding one of the anvil mounting walls and a second leg extending downward from the transition portion and is configured to retainingly engage a corresponding another one of the anvil mounting walls.
Example 39 - The surgical tool assembly of Examples 34, 35, 36, 37, or 38, wherein the surgical tool assembly further comprises means for biasing the anvil to the open position when the closure member is in a starting position.
Example 40 - A surgical tool assembly comprising a shaft assembly and a surgical end effector. The shaft assembly comprises an axially movable closure member and an axially movable firing member selectively axially movable between an unfired position and a fired position. The surgical end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw comprising a mounting portion. The mounting portion includes a pair of mounting walls configured to movably engage a portion of the first jaw to movably support the second jaw on the first jaw. The mounting portion defines a cam area configured for engagement by the axially movable closure member to move the second jaw from an open position to a closed position relative to the first jaw. The mounting walls define an open topped parking area therebetween for accommodating the firing member therein when the firing member is in the unfired position. The surgical tool assembly further comprises means for at least partially covering at least a portion of the open topped parking area and defining a pre-closure cam surface that is proximal to the cam area.
Example 41 - A surgical tool assembly comprising a first jaw, a second jaw, and a shaft assembly. The second jaw is movably supported on the first jaw for selective movement relative to the first jaw between an open position and a closed position about a fixed pivot axis. The shaft assembly is configured to apply an initial closure motion to a cam surface on the second jaw in a first closure direction that is normal to the cam surface and an additional closure motion to the cam surface in a second closure direction that is parallel to the shaft axis as the closure member is axially advanced on the cam surface.
Example 42 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 41, wherein the cam surface is formed on a second jaw mounting portion, and wherein the second jaw further comprises first and second mounting walls that are each pivotally attached to the first jaw for selective pivotal travel about the pivot axis.
Example 43 - The surgical tool assembly of Examples 41 or 42, wherein the axially movable closure member comprises a distal closure tube comprising a distal end surface and a distal camming surface configured to cammingly engage the cam surface on the second jaw.
Example 44 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 43, wherein the distal end surface is configured to apply the initial closure motion to the cam surface and the distal camming surface is configured to apply the additional closure motion to the cam surface.
Example 45 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 44, wherein the distal end surface comprises a portion of a cross-sectional thickness of the closure tube and wherein the camming surface extends from the distal end surface and comprises another portion of the cross-sectional thickness of the closure tube.
Example 46 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 45, wherein the closure tube comprises an outer surface, an inner surface, and a distal end defining the distal end surface. The distal camming surface extends from the distal end surface to the inner surface at an obtuse angle relative to the distal end surface.
Example 47 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 42, wherein the shaft assembly further comprises an axially movable firing member selectively axially movable between the first and second mounting walls between a starting position and an ending position.
Example 48 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 47, wherein at least a portion of the firing member is proximal to the cam surface when the firing member is in the starting position.
Example 49 - A surgical tool assembly comprising an end effector and a shaft assembly. The end effector comprises an elongate channel configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein and an anvil. The anvil comprises an anvil mounting portion movably supported on the elongate channel for selective movement relative to the elongate channel about a fixed pivot axis between an open position and closed positions. The shaft assembly defines a shaft axis and comprises an axially movable closure member that is configured to apply an initial closure motion to a cam surface on the anvil mounting portion in a first closure direction that is normal to the cam surface and an additional closure motion to the cam surface in a second closure direction that is parallel to the shaft axis as the closure member is axially advanced on the cam surface.
Example 50 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 49, wherein the anvil further comprises first and second anvil mounting walls that are each pivotally attached to the elongate channel for selective pivotal travel about the pivot axis.
Example 51 - The surgical tool assembly of Examples 49 or 50, wherein the axially movable closure member comprises a distal closure tube comprising a distal end surface and a distal camming surface configured to cammingly engage the cam surface on the anvil mounting portion.
Example 52 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 51, wherein the distal end surface is configured to apply the initial closure motion to the cam surface, and the distal camming surface is configured to apply the additional closure motion to the cam surface.
Example 53 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 52, wherein the distal end surface comprises a portion of a cross-sectional thickness of the closure tube, and wherein the camming surface extends from the distal end surface and comprises another portion of the cross-sectional thickness of the closure tube.
Example 54 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 50, wherein the shaft assembly further comprises an axially movable firing member that is selectively axially movable between the first and second anvil mounting walls between a starting position and an ending position.
Example 55 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 54, wherein at least a portion of the firing member is proximal to the cam surface when the firing member is in the starting position.
Example 56 - A surgical tool assembly comprising an end effector and a shaft assembly defining a shaft axis and comprising an axially movable closure member. The end effector comprises an elongate channel configured to operably support a surgical cartridge therein and an anvil movably comprising an anvil mounting portion supported on the elongate channel for selective movement relative to the elongate channel between an open position and a closed position. The surgical tool assembly further comprises first closure means on the closure member for applying an initial closure motion to a cam surface on the anvil mounting portion in a first closure direction that is normal to the cam surface and second closure means on the closure member for applying additional closure motion to the cam surface in a second closure direction that is parallel to the shaft axis as the closure member is axially advanced on the cam surface.
Example 57 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 56, wherein the first closure means comprises a distal cam surface on a portion of a distal end of the closure member, and wherein the second closure means comprises a distal camming surface on another portion of the distal end and extending from the distal cam surface at an obtuse angle relative thereto.
Example 58 - The surgical tool assembly of Examples 56 or 57, wherein the cam surface is formed on an anvil mounting portion, and wherein the anvil further comprises first and second mounting walls that are each pivotally attached to the elongate channel for selective pivotal travel about the pivot axis.
Example 59 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 58, wherein the shaft assembly further comprises an axially movable firing member selectively axially movable between the first and second mounting walls between a starting position and an ending position.
Example 60 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 59, wherein at least a portion of the firing member is proximal to the cam surface when the firing member is in the starting position.
Example 61 - A surgical tool assembly comprising a surgical end effector and a closure member axially movable in response to closing and opening motions applied thereto. The surgical end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw comprising a second jaw body portion and a second jaw mounting portion. The second jaw mounting portion is movably coupled to the first jaw for selective movement relative thereto between an open position and closed positions. The closure member comprises at least one opening cam formed thereon, and the at least one opening cam is configured to movably engage a corresponding cam surface formed on the second jaw body portion such that upon application of the opening motion to the closure member, the at least one opening cam movably engages the corresponding cam surface to move the second jaw to the open position. Upon application of the closure motion to the closure member, the closure member engages the second jaw to move the second jaw to one of the closed positions.
Example 62 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 61, wherein the at least one opening cam comprises a first hook portion extending distally from a distal end of the closure member and being configured to cammingly engage a first one of the cam surfaces formed on the second jaw body portion and a second hook portion extending distally from the distal end of the closure member and being configured to cammingly engage a second one of the cam surfaces formed on the second jaw body portion.
Example 63 - The surgical tool assembly of Examples 61 or 62, wherein the cam surface comprises a downwardly extending ramp surface formed on the second jaw body portion.
Example 64 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 63, wherein each of the at least one opening cam comprises a camming end formed thereon configured to cammingly engage the corresponding ramp surface upon application of the opening motion to the closure member.
Example 65 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 64, wherein each ramp surface comprises a ramp surface end, and wherein each camming end is configured to engage the ramp surface end of the corresponding ramp surface to retain the second jaw in a fully open position relative to the first jaw.
Example 66 - The surgical tool assembly of Examples 61, 62, 63, 64, or 65, wherein the surgical tool assembly further comprises secondary jaw opening means for applying additional opening motion to the second jaw.
Example 67 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 66, wherein the secondary jaw opening means comprises at least one secondary jaw opening member on the closure member configured to engage a corresponding jaw opening feature on the second jaw to apply the additional opening motion to the second jaw as the opening motion is applied to the closure member.
Example 68 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 67, wherein the secondary jaw opening feature comprises at least one first jaw opening tab integrally formed in the closure member and configured to contact a corresponding one of the corresponding jaw opening feature and at least one second jaw opening tab integrally formed in the closure member and configured to contact another corresponding one of the corresponding jaw opening feature.
Example 69 - The surgical tool assembly of Examples 66, 67, or 68, wherein the secondary jaw opening means comprises at least one biasing member configured to apply additional opening motion to the second jaw.
Example 70 - The surgical tool assembly of Examples 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, or 69, wherein the first and second hook portions each comprise a compliant portion thereon.
Example 71 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 70, wherein the compliant portion comprises a compliant material attached to each of the first and second hook portions.
Example 72 - The surgical tool assembly of Examples 70 or 71, wherein the at least one biasing member comprises a spring corresponding to each of the first and second hook portions and being attached thereto.
Example 73 - A surgical tool assembly comprising a surgical end effector and a closure member axially movable in response to closing and opening motions applied thereto. The surgical end effector comprises an elongate channel configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein and an anvil comprising an anvil body and an anvil mounting portion, the anvil mounting portion pivotally supported on the elongate channel for selective movement relative thereto between an open position and closed positions. The closure member comprises at least one opening cam formed thereon, wherein the at least one opening cam is configured to movably engage a corresponding cam surface formed on the anvil body portion such that upon application of the opening motion to the closure member. The at least one opening cam movably engages the corresponding cam surface to move the anvil to the open position and upon application of the closure motion to the closure member, the closure member engages the anvil to move the anvil to one of the closed positions.
Example 74 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 73, wherein the surgical tool assembly further comprises at least one tissue stop formed on the anvil body and wherein the at least one cam surface is located proximal to the at least one tissue stop.
Example 75 - The surgical tool assembly of Examples 73 or 74, wherein the at least one opening cam comprises a first hook portion extending distally from a distal end of the closure member and being configured to cammingly engage a first one of the cam surfaces formed on the anvil body and a second hook portion extending distally from the distal end of the closure member and being configured to cammingly engage a second one of the cam surfaces formed on the anvil body.
Example 76 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 75, wherein the first and second hook portions each comprise a compliant portion thereon.
Example 77 - The surgical tool assembly of Examples 73 or 74, wherein the first and second hook portions each comprise a compliant portion thereon.
Example 78 - The surgical tool assembly of Examples 73, 74, 75, 76, or 77, wherein the surgical tool assembly further comprises secondary anvil opening means for applying additional opening motion to the second jaw.
Example 79 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 78, wherein the anvil is pivotally coupled to the elongate channel for selective pivotal travel between the open and closed positions about a pivot axis. The secondary anvil opening means is located proximal to the pivot axis.
Example 80 - A surgical tool assembly comprising a surgical end effector and a closure member. The surgical end effector comprises an elongate channel configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein and an anvil comprising an anvil body and an anvil mounting portion. The anvil mounting portion is pivotally supported on the elongate channel for selective movement relative thereto between an open position and closed positions. The closure member is axially movable between a fully actuated position corresponding to a fully closed one of the closed positions and an unactuated position corresponding to the open position. The closure member comprises a closure system configured to sequentially apply initial opening motions to the anvil and additional secondary motions to the anvil as the closure member is moved from the fully actuated position to the unactuated position.
Example 81 - A surgical end effector comprising a first jaw configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein, a second jaw movably supported relative to the first jaw for selective movement between open and closed positions, a firing member, and a firing member lockout system. The firing member is supported for axial movement within the first jaw along a shaft axis between a starting position and an ending position upon applications of firing and retraction motions thereto. The firing member lockout system is movable by second jaw between an unactuated position and a locking position wherein when the firing member is initially distally advanced from the starting position, the firing member lockingly engages the firing member lockout system to prevent further distal advancement of the firing member unless an unfired surgical staple cartridge comprising a cam assembly that is located in an unfired position is supported within the first jaw.
Example 82 - The surgical end effector of Example 81, wherein the firing member lockout system comprises a lock member mounted to the first jaw.
Example 83 - The surgical end effector of Example 82, wherein the lock member further comprises a spring tab configured to support the lock member on the first jaw and bias the lock member into the unlocked position.
Example 84 - The surgical end effector of Examples 82 or 83, wherein the lock member comprises at least one laterally movable locking portion configured to lockingly engage a portion of the firing member upon the initial distal advancement of the firing member when the second jaw is in the closed position unless the unfired surgical staple cartridge is supported within the first jaw.
Example 85 - The surgical end effector of Example 84, wherein the firing member comprises a firing member body comprising a lock protrusion that corresponds to each of the laterally movable locking portions, each lock protrusion oriented for locking engagement with the corresponding laterally movable locking portion upon the initial distal advancement of the firing member when the second jaw is in the closed position unless the unfired surgical staple cartridge is supported within the first jaw.
Example 86 - The surgical end effector of Example 85, wherein the cam assembly comprises an unlocking feature corresponding to each laterally movable locking portion to laterally bias each of the corresponding laterally movable locking portions out of locking engagement with the corresponding lock protrusion when the unfired surgical staple cartridge is supported in the first jaw and the cam assembly thereof is in the unfired position.
Example 87 - The surgical end effector of Examples 85 or 86, wherein each of the laterally movable locking portions comprises a locking window configured to lockingly receive a portion of the corresponding lock protrusion when the laterally movable locking portion is in the locking engagement with the corresponding lock protrusion.
Example 88 - The surgical end effector of Examples 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, or 87, wherein the firing member lockout system comprises at least one lock member movably coupled to said second jaw for travel along a corresponding lock axis that is transverse to said shaft axis when said anvil is in said closed position.
Example 89 - The surgical end effector of Examples 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, or 88, wherein the firing member lockout system comprises a locking member movably supported for travel between the unlocked position and the locking position wherein upon the initial distal advancement of the firing member, at least a portion of the locking member is configured to hookingly engage a corresponding portion of the firing member to prevent the firing member from being advanced from the starting position to the ending position.
Example 90 - A surgical end effector comprising an elongate channel configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein, an anvil supported relative to the elongate channel such that the anvil is selectively movable relative to the elongate channel between open and closed positions, a firing member, and a firing member lockout system. The firing member is supported for axial movement within the elongate channel along a shaft axis between a starting position and an ending position upon applications of firing and retraction motions thereto. The firing member lockout system is movably by the anvil between an unactuated position and a locking position, wherein when the firing member is initially distally advanced from the starting position, the firing member lockingly engages the firing member lockout system to prevent further distal advancement of the firing member unless an unfired surgical staple cartridge comprising a cam assembly that is located in an unfired position is supported within the elongate channel. The firing member lockout system is configured to be moved from the unactuated position to the locking position when the anvil is moved to the closed position.
Example 91 - The surgical end effector of Example 90, wherein the firing member lockout system comprises a lock member. The lock member comprises a pair of laterally movable locking portions, a mounting portion configured to support the lock member on the surgical end effector and bias the lock member into the unactuated position, and at least one anvil tab on the lock member for contact by a corresponding portion of the anvil as the anvil is moved to the closed position.
Example 92 - The surgical end effector of Example 91, wherein each laterally movable locking portion comprises a locking window configured to retainingly engage a corresponding portion of the firing member when the lock member is in the locking position unless an unfired surgical staple cartridge is supported within the elongate channel.
Example 93 - The surgical end effector of Example 92, wherein each corresponding portion of the firing member comprises a laterally protruding lock lug corresponding to each of the lock windows of the corresponding laterally movable locking portions and sized to be retainingly received therein in locking engagement therewith when the lock member is in the locking position unless an unfired surgical staple cartridge comprising a cam assembly that is located in an unfired position is supported within the elongate channel.
Example 94 - The surgical end effector of Example 93, wherein the cam assembly comprises an unlocking feature corresponding to each laterally movable locking portion to laterally bias each of the corresponding laterally movable locking portions out of locking engagement with the corresponding lock lug when the unfired surgical staple cartridge is supported in the elongate channel and the cam assembly thereof is in the unfired position.
Example 95 - The surgical end effector of Examples 90, 91, 92, 93, or 94, wherein the firing member lockout system comprises at least one lock member and wherein the anvil comprises an anvil body and an anvil mounting portion comprising a pair of spaced anvil mounting walls, each anvil mounting wall being pivotally supported on the elongate channel, and wherein each anvil mounting wall movably supports a corresponding one of the lock members therein.
Example 96 - The surgical end effector of Examples 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, or 95, wherein the firing member lockout system comprises at least one lock member movably coupled to the anvil for travel along a corresponding lock axis that is transverse to the shaft axis when the anvil is in the closed position.
Example 97 - The surgical end effector of Examples 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, or 96, wherein the surgical end effector further comprises a tissue cutting surface on the firing member.
Example 98 - A surgical instrument comprising an elongate shaft defining a shaft axis, an elongate channel operably coupled to the elongate shaft and being configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein, and an anvil supported relative to the elongate channel such that the anvil is selectively movable relative to the elongate channel between open and closed positions. The surgical instrument further comprises a firing member supported for axial travel within the elongate channel between a starting position and an ending position upon applications of firing and retraction motions thereto and means for preventing the firing member from moving from the starting to the ending position unless the anvil is in the closed position and an unfired surgical staple cartridge comprising a cam assembly that is located in an unfired position is supported within the elongate channel.
Example 99 - The surgical instrument of Example 98, wherein the anvil comprises an anvil body and a pair of anvil mounting walls extending from the anvil body portion. Each anvil mounting wall is pivotally coupled to the elongate channel such that the anvil is selectively movable relative to the elongate channel between the open and closed positions upon application of closing and opening motions to the anvil by a closure portion of the elongate shaft assembly.
Example 100 - The surgical instrument of Examples 98 or 99, wherein the means for preventing comprises a locking member movably supported for travel between the unlocked position and the locked position, wherein at least a portion is configured to hookingly engage a corresponding portion of the firing member to prevent the firing member from being advanced from the starting position to the ending position and means for biasing the firing member to the unlocked position.
Example 101 - A surgical instrument comprising a surgical end effector, an elongate shaft defining a shaft axis, a closure member, and an articulation joint. The surgical end effector comprises a first jaw and a second just movably supported on the first jaw for selective travel between open and closed positions relative to the first jaw. The closure member is movably supported on the elongate shaft and is configured to selectively move in a closing direction from an open position to closed positions and in an opening direction from the closed positions to the open position. The articulation joint couples the surgical end effector to the elongate shaft such that the surgical end effector is selectively articulatable relative thereto about an articulation axis that is transverse to the shaft axis. The articulation joint comprises an articulation lock arrangement configured to move from a locked configuration, wherein the surgical end effector is prevented from articulating about the articulation axis and an unlocked configuration wherein the surgical end effector is articulatable about the articulation axis. The articulation lock arrangement moves from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration when the closure member is moved from the open position in the closing direction. The surgical instrument further comprises means for applying an articulation motion to the surgical end effector when the articulation lock arrangement is in the unlocked configuration.
Example 102 - The surgical instrument of Example 101, wherein the articulation lock arrangement comprises at least one locking member movable between a first position corresponding to the unlocked configuration and a second position wherein the at least one locking member is in frictional engagement with a mounting portion of the surgical end effector and a distal end portion of the elongate shaft. The at least one locking member operably interfaces with the closure member such that the initial movement of the closure member in the closing direction causes the at least one locking member to move from the first position to the second position.
Example 103 - The surgical instrument of Example 102, wherein the mounting portion of the surgical end effector comprises an upstanding mounting column including a plurality of column sides, and wherein the at least one locking member comprises a locking member corresponding to each of the column sides.
Example 104 - The surgical instrument of Example 103, wherein the distal end portion of the elongate shaft comprises a pivot hole that defines the articulation axis, and wherein the upstanding mounting column extends into the pivot hole such that each of the locking members is movably supported within the pivot hole between the corresponding column side and an internal wall of the pivot hole.
Example 105 - The surgical instrument of Example 104, wherein the upstanding mounting column is configured to move the plurality of locking members into frictional engagement with the internal wall of the pivot hole and the corresponding column side when the closure member is moved in the closing direction.
Example 106 - The surgical instrument of Example 105, wherein the closure member comprises a proximal closure member interfacing with a source of closing and opening motions to move the proximal closure member in the closing and opening directions and a distal closure member pivotally coupled to the proximal closure member by a linkage arrangement, wherein a portion of the linkage arrangement is configured to interface with the upstanding mounting column so as to cause the upstanding mounting column to move the plurality of locking members into frictional engagement with the internal wall of the pivot hole and the corresponding column sidewalls when the closure member is initially moved in the closing direction.
Example 107 - The surgical instrument of Example 106, wherein the linkage arrangement comprises an upper double pivot link pivotally coupled to the proximal closure member and the distal closure member and extending therebetween and a lower double pivot link pivotally coupled to the proximal closure member and the distal closure member and extending therebetween. The lower double pivot link is configured to operably interface with the upstanding mounting column to apply a locking motion thereto when the lower double pivot link is initially moved in the closing direction.
Example 108 - The surgical instrument of Example 107, wherein the upstanding mounting column comprises a first end portion attached to a mounting based adjacent the lower double pivot link, the upstanding column tapering to a free end, wherein a cross-sectional area of the free end is smaller than another cross-sectional area of the first end portion of the column.
Example 109 - The surgical instrument of Examples 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, or 108, wherein the first jaw comprises an elongate channel configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein and wherein the second jaw comprises an anvil.
Example 110 - The surgical instrument of Examples 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, or 109, wherein the means for applying an articulation motion to the surgical end effector comprises means for applying a first articulation motion to the surgical end effector to cause the surgical end effector to articulate about the articulation axis in a first articulation direction and means for applying a second articulation motion to the surgical end effector to cause the surgical end effector to articulate about the articulation axis in a second articulation direction.
Example 111 - A surgical instrument comprising an elongate shaft comprising a distal end portion and defining a shaft axis, a surgical end effector, an articulation lock arrangement, and an articulation member. The surgical end effector comprises an end effector mounting portion, wherein one of the distal end portion of the elongate shaft and the end effector mounting portion comprises a pivot hole and the other of the distal end portion of the elongate shaft and the end effector mounting portion defines an articulation pin pivotally received within the pivot hole and defining an articulation axis that is transverse to the shaft axis about which the surgical end effector is articulatable relative to the elongate shaft upon application of articulation motions to the surgical end effector. The articulation lock arrangement is supported within the pivot hole between the articulation pin and an inner wall of the pivot hole. The articulation lock arrangement is movable from a first locked configuration wherein the articulation lock arrangement frictionally engages the articulation pin and the inner wall of the pivot hole to prevent relative pivotal travel of the articulation pin and the distal end portion of the elongate shaft and an unlocked configuration wherein the articulation pin and the distal end portion are pivotable relative to each other. The articulation member interfaces with the surgical end effector such that actuation of the articulation member causes the articulation member to apply the articulation motions to the surgical end effector. The articulation member interfaces with the articulation lock arrangement such that an initial actuation of the articulation member causes the articulation lock arrangement to move from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration and upon deactivation of the articulation member, the articulation lock arrangement moves from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration.
Example 112 - The surgical instrument of Example 111, wherein the articulation lock arrangement comprises a torsion spring supported between the articulation pin and the inner wall of the pivot hole.
Example 113 - The surgical instrument of Example 112, wherein the torsion spring is rotatable from a first position wherein the torsion spring frictionally engages the articulation pin and the inner wall of the pivot hole to prevent relative pivotal travel of the distal end portion of the elongate shaft and the surgical end effector and positions wherein the torsion spring does not prevent the relative pivotal travel.
Example 114 - The surgical instrument of Examples 111, 112, or 113, wherein the articulation lock arrangement comprises at least one locking ball movably supported between the articulation pin and the inner wall of the pivot hole between a first position, wherein each locking ball frictionally engages the articulation pin and the inner wall of the pivot hole to prevent relative pivotal travel of the distal end portion of the elongate shaft and the surgical end effector and positions wherein each said locking ball does not prevent said relative pivotal travel.
Example 115 - The surgical instrument of Examples 111, 112, 113, or 114, wherein the surgical end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw supported for movable travel relative to the first jaw.
Example 116 - The surgical instrument of Example 115, wherein the first jaw comprises an elongate channel configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein and wherein the second jaw comprises an anvil.
Example 117 - The surgical instrument of Examples 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, or 116, wherein the articulation member comprises an axially movable articulation member that is pivotally linked to the surgical end effector such that axial movement thereof in a first axial direction causes the surgical end effector to articulate in a first articulation direction about the articulation axis and movement of the axially movable articulation member in a second axial direction causes the surgical end effector to articulate in a second articulation direction about the articulation axis.
Example 118 - A surgical instrument comprising a surgical end effector, an elongate shaft defining a shaft axis, closure means, and an articulation joint. The surgical end effector comprises a first jaw movably coupled to the elongate shaft for selective articulation relative thereto about an articulation axis that is transverse to the shaft axis and a second jaw movably supported on the first jaw for selective travel between open and closed positions relative to the first jaw. The closure means selectively moves the second jaw from the open position to the closed positions, the closure means being further configured to selectively move the second jaw from the closed positions to the open position. The articulation joint couples the surgical end effector to the elongate shaft such that the surgical end effector is selectively articulatable relative thereto about an articulation axis that is transverse to the shaft axis. The articulation joint comprises an articulation lock arrangement configured to move from a locked configuration, wherein the surgical end effector is prevented from articulating about the articulation axis and an unlocked configuration wherein the surgical end effector is articulatable about the articulation axis. The articulation lock arrangement moves from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration when the closure means moves the second jaw from the open position towards the closed positions. The surgical instrument further comprises means for applying an articulation motion to the surgical end effector when the articulation lock arrangement is in the unlocked configuration.
Example 119 - The surgical instrument of Example 118, wherein the first jaw comprises an elongate channel configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein and wherein the second jaw comprises an anvil.
Example 120 - The surgical instrument of Examples 119 or 120, wherein the articulation lock arrangement comprises at least one locking member movable between a first position corresponding to the unlocked configuration and a second position wherein the at least one locking member is in frictional engagement with a mounting portion of the first jaw and a distal end portion of the elongate shaft. The at least one locking member operably interfaces with the closure member such that the initial movement of the closure member in the closing direction causes the at least one locking member to move from the first position to the second position.
Example 121 - A surgical instrument comprising an elongate shaft defining a shaft axis, a surgical end effector, at least one articulation link, and an articulation lock arrangement. The surgical end effector is coupled to the elongate shaft for selective articulation relative to the elongate shaft about an articulation axis that is transverse to the shaft axis. The at least one articulation link operably interfaces with a source of articulation motions and is coupled to the surgical end effector for applying the articulation motions thereto. The articulation lock arrangement comprises an articulation lock member corresponding to each articulation link, each articulation lock member is configured to laterally move into locking engagement with the corresponding articulation link from an unlocked position that is laterally adjacent to the corresponding articulation link. The surgical instrument further comprises actuation means operably interfacing with each of the articulation lock members to selectively laterally move each articulation lock member from the unlocked position into locking engagement with the corresponding articulation link.
Example 122 - The surgical instrument of Example 121, wherein each at least one articulation link comprises an articulation gear rack, and wherein the articulation lock member corresponding thereto comprises a locking gear rack corresponding to each articulation gear rack and is oriented relative thereto in a lateral confronting relationship for the meshing engagement therewith when the corresponding articulation lock member is laterally advanced toward the articulation link.
Example 123 - The surgical instrument of Examples 121 or 122, wherein the at least one articulation link comprises an axially movable right articulation link including a right articulation gear rack thereon and an axially movable left articulation link including a left articulation gear rack thereon. The articulation lock member comprises a right articulation lock member including a right locking gear rack that is in lateral confronting relationship with the right articulation gear rack for meshing engagement therewith when the right articulation lock member is laterally advanced toward the right articulation link and a left articulation lock member including a left locking gear rack that is in lateral confronting relationship with the left articulation gear rack for meshing engagement therewith when the left articulation lock member is laterally advanced toward the left articulation link.
Example 124 - The surgical instrument of Example 123, wherein the actuation means comprises a locking actuator movably positioned relative to the right articulation lock member and the left articulation lock member such that axial movement of the locking actuator in a first axial direction causes the right articulation lock member to move laterally toward the right articulation link so as to bring the right locking gear rack into locking engagement with the right articulation gear rack and the left articulation lock member to move laterally toward the left articulation link so as to bring the left locking gear rack into locking engagement with the left articulation gear rack.
Example 125 - The surgical instrument of Examples 121, 122, 123, or 124, wherein the source of articulations motions comprises an axially movable firing actuator configured to selectively apply firing motions to a corresponding portion of the surgical end effector and an articulation transmission operably interfacing with the axially movable firing actuator and the at least one articulation link such that actuation of the axially movable firing actuator in a first axial firing direction moves the at least one articulation link in a first axial articulation direction and movement of the axially movable firing actuator in a second axial retraction direction moves the at least one articulation link in a second axial articulation direction.
Example 126 - The surgical instrument of Examples 123 or 124, wherein the source of articulation motions comprises an axially movable firing actuator configured to selectively apply firing motions to a corresponding portion of the surgical end effector and an articulation transmission operably interfacing with the right and left articulation links and the axially movable firing member such that actuation of the axially movable firing actuator in a first axial firing direction moves the right articulation link in the first axial direction and the left articulation link in a second axial direction and movement of the axially movable firing actuator in the second axial direction moves the right articulation link in the second axial direction and the left articulation link in the first axial direction.
Example 127 - The surgical instrument of Example 126, wherein the articulation lock arrangement further comprises a locking actuator movably positioned relative to the right articulation lock member and the left articulation lock member such that axial movement of the locking actuator in the first axial direction causes the right articulation lock member to move laterally toward the right articulation link so as to bring the right locking gear rack into locking engagement with the right articulation gear rack and the left articulation lock member to move laterally toward the left articulation link so as to bring the left locking gear into locking engagement with the left articulation gear rack.
Example 128 - The surgical instrument of Example 127, wherein the articulation transmission comprises a gear assembly in meshing engagement with the right and left articulation links and a shifter configured for selective meshing engagement with the gear assembly and the axially movable firing actuator. The shifter is configured for selective operable engagement with the locking actuator such that when the shifter is in operable engagement with the locking actuator, the shifter is moved into meshing engagement with the axially movable firing actuator and the gear assembly and movement of the shifter out of operable engagement with the locking actuator also moves the shifter out of meshing engagement with the gear assembly and the axially movable firing actuator.
Example 129 - The surgical instrument of Example 125, wherein the corresponding portion of the surgical end effector comprises a firing member attached to the axially movable firing actuator. The firing member is supported for axial travel through the surgical end effector between a starting and ending position therein.
Example 130 - A surgical instrument comprising an elongate shaft defining a shaft axis, a surgical end effector, a firing actuator, at least one articulation link configured for selective operable engagement with the firing actuator, and an articulation lock arrangement. The surgical end effector is coupled to the elongate shaft for selective articulation relative to the elongate shaft about an articulation axis that is transverse to the shaft axis. The firing actuator is selectively axially movable in first and second axial directions to apply firing motions to a firing member operably supported in the surgical end effector. Axial movement of the firing actuator is transmitted to each of the at least one articulation links. The articulation lock arrangement is configured to laterally move between a locked configuration, wherein each of the at least one articulation links are non-movably locked in position and an unlocked configuration, and wherein each of the at least one articulation links are movable in response to movement of the firing actuator. The articulation lock arrangement interfaces with the firing actuator such that when the articulation lock arrangement is in the unlocked configuration, the firing actuator is in operable engagement with each of the at least one articulation links and when the articulation lock arrangement is in the locked configuration, each of the at least one articulation links is prevented from operable engagement with the firing actuator.
Example 131 - The surgical instrument of Example 130, wherein the articulation lock arrangement comprises an articulation lock member corresponding to each articulation link. Each articulation lock member is configured to laterally move into locking engagement with the corresponding articulation link from an unlocked position that is laterally adjacent to the corresponding articulation link.
Example 132 - The surgical instrument of Example 131, wherein each of the at least one articulation link comprises an articulation gear rack and wherein each corresponding articulation lock member comprises a locking gear rack oriented relative to the articulation gear rack of the corresponding articulation link in lateral confronting relationship relative thereto for meshing engagement therewith when the articulation lock member is laterally advanced toward the corresponding articulation link.
Example 133 - The surgical instrument of Example 132, wherein the at least one articulation link comprises an axially movable right articulation link including a right articulation gear rack thereon and an axially movable left articulation link including a left articulation gear rack thereon. The articulation lock member comprises a right articulation lock member including a right locking gear rack that is in lateral confronting relationship with the right articulation gear rack for meshing engagement therewith when the right articulation lock member is laterally advanced toward the right articulation link and a left articulation lock member including a left locking gear rack that is in lateral confronting relationship with the left articulation gear rack for meshing engagement therewith when the left articulation lock member is laterally advanced toward the left articulation link.
Example 134 - The surgical instrument of Examples 130, 131, 132, or 133, wherein the surgical end effector comprises a firing member coupled to the firing actuator and supported for axial travel through the surgical end effector.
Example 135 - The surgical instrument of Example 134, wherein the surgical end effector comprises an elongate channel configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein and an anvil movably supported on the elongate channel for selective movement between open and closed positions. The elongate channel is coupled to the elongate shaft for selective articulation relative thereto about the articulation axis. The firing member comprises a tissue cutting feature.
Example 136 - The surgical instrument of Example 133, wherein the surgical instrument further comprises an articulation transmission operably interfacing with the right and left articulation links and the axially movable firing actuator such that actuation of the axially movable firing actuator in a first axial firing direction moves the right articulation link in the first axial direction and the left articulation link in a second axial direction and movement of the axially movable firing actuator in the second axial direction moves the right articulation link in the second axial direction and the left articulation link in the first axial direction.
Example 137 - The surgical instrument of Examples 133 or 136, wherein the articulation lock arrangement further comprises a locking actuator movably positioned relative to the right articulation lock member and the left articulation lock member such that axial movement of the locking actuator in a first axial direction causes the right articulation lock member to move laterally toward the right articulation link so as to bring the right locking gear rack into locking engagement with the right articulation gear rack and the left articulation lock member to move laterally toward the left articulation link so as to bring the left locking gear into locking engagement with the left articulation gear rack.
Example 138 - The surgical instrument of Example 136, wherein the articulation transmission comprises a gear assembly in meshing engagement with the right and left articulation links and a shifter configured for selective meshing engagement with the gear assembly and the axially movable firing actuator. The shifter is configured for selective operable engagement with the locking actuator such that when the shifter is in operable engagement with the locking actuator, the shifter is moved into meshing engagement with the axially movable firing actuator and the gear assembly. When the shifter is out of operable engagement with the locking actuator, the shifter is moved out of meshing engagement with the gear assembly and the axially movable firing actuator.
Example 139 - A surgical instrument comprising an elongate shaft defining a shaft axis, a surgical end effector coupled to the elongate shaft for selective articulation relative to the elongate shaft about an articulation axis that is transverse to the shaft axis, means for generating axial firing motions, and articulation means. The articulation means interface with the means for generating and the articulation means are configured to apply articulation motions to the surgical end effector in response to the axial firing motions generated by the means for generating. The surgical instrument further comprises means for selectively locking the articulation means in a non-movable configuration and unlocking the articulation means and operably coupling the articulation means with the means for generating such that the means for generating may apply the axial firing motions to the articulation means.
Example 140 - The surgical instrument of Example 139, wherein the surgical end effector comprises an elongate channel configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein and an anvil movably supported on the elongate channel for selective movement between open and closed positions. The elongate channel is coupled to the elongate shaft for selective articulation relative thereto about the articulation axis. The firing member comprises a tissue cutting feature.
Example 141 - A surgical tool assembly comprising an elongate shaft defining a shaft axis, a surgical end effector coupled to the elongate shaft for selective articulation relative to the elongate shaft about an articulation axis that is transverse to the shaft axis, a first articulation link, a second articulation link, and an articulation stroke multiplier. The first articulation link operably interfaces with a source of articulation motions to selectively axially move the first articulation link a first axial distance in a first articulation direction. The second articulation link operably interfaces with the surgical end effector to apply articulation motions thereto. The articulation stroke multiplier operably interfaces with the first articulation link and the second articulation link such that when the first articulation link is axially moved the first axial distance in the first axial direction, the articulation stroke multiplier moves the second articulation link another first axial distance in the first axial direction that is greater than the first axial distance.
Example 142 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 141, wherein the source of articulation motions is configured to additionally axially move the first articulation link a second axial distance in a second axial direction and wherein when the first articulation link is moved the second axial distance in the second axial direction, the articulation stroke multiplier moves the second articulation link another second axial distance in the second axial direction that is greater than the second axial distance.
Example 143 - The surgical tool assembly of Examples 141 or 142, wherein the first articulation link comprises a first articulation gear rack, wherein the second articulation link comprises a second articulation gear rack, and wherein the articulation stroke multiplier comprises at least one gear set in meshing engagement with the first and second articulation gear racks.
Example 144 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 143, wherein each of the at least one gear set comprises a first gear rotatably supported in meshing engagement with the first articulation gear rack and a first gear rotatably supported in meshing engagement with the first articulation gear rack.
Example 145 - The surgical tool assembly of Examples 141, 142, 143, or 144, wherein the second articulation link operably interfaces with an articulation lock assembly that is operably coupled to the surgical end effector.
Example 146 - The surgical tool assembly of Examples 141, 142, 143, 144, or 145, wherein the first articulation link comprises a first articulation gear rack and wherein the articulation stroke multiplier comprises a swing gear in meshing engagement with the first articulation gear rack and slidably coupled to the second articulation link.
Example 147 - The surgical tool assembly of Examples 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, or 146, wherein the swing gear is supported for rotational travel about a swing gear mounting axis that is transverse to the first and second articulation links.
Example 148 - The surgical tool assembly of Examples 146 or 147, wherein the second articulation link comprises a slotted distal end slidably engaging a portion of the swing gear therein.
Example 149 - The surgical tool assembly of Examples 146, 147, or 148, wherein the swing gear has a slot therein configured to slidably engage a distal end portion of the second articulation link.
Example 150 - A surgical tool assembly comprising an elongate shaft defining a shaft axis, a surgical end effector, a first articulation link, a second articulation link, and an articulation stroke multiplier. The surgical end effector comprises an elongate channel configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein and coupled to the elongate shaft for selective articulation relative to the elongate shaft about an articulation axis that is transverse to the shaft axis and an anvil movably supported on the elongate channel. The first articulation link operably interfaces with a source of articulation motions to selectively axially move the first articulation link a first axial distance in a first articulation direction. The second articulation link operably interfaces with the surgical end effector to apply articulation motions thereto. The articulation stroke multiplier operably interfaces with the first articulation link and the second articulation link such that when the first articulation link is axially moved the first axial distance in the first axial direction. The articulation stroke multiplier moves the second articulation link another first axial distance in the first axial direction that is greater than the first axial distance.
Example 151 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 150, wherein the source of articulation motions comprises a firing member assembly operably interfacing with a firing member that is supported for axial travel within the elongate channel and a clutch assembly operably interfacing with the first articulation link and the firing member assembly and being selectively configurable between a firing mode, wherein axial movement of the firing member assembly is applied to the firing member and an articulation mode, and wherein the axial movement of the firing member assembly is applied to the first articulation link.
Example 152 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 151, wherein when the clutch assembly is in the articulation mode, the firing member assembly is configured to additionally axially move the first articulation link a second axial distance in a second axial direction and wherein when the first articulation link is moved the second axial distance in the second axial direction, the articulation stroke multiplier moves the second articulation link another second axial distance in the second axial direction that is greater than the secondary axial distance.
Example 153 - The surgical tool assembly of Examples 151 or 152, wherein the first articulation link comprises a first articulation gear rack, wherein the second articulation link comprises a second articulation gear rack, and wherein the articulation stroke multiplier comprises at least one gear set in meshing engagement with the first and second articulation gear racks.
Example 154 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 153, wherein each of the at least one gear set comprises a first gear rotatably supported in meshing engagement with the first articulation gear rack and a second gear attached to the first gear for rotation therewith. The second gear has a larger diameter than a diameter of the first gear, and the second gear is in meshing engagement with the second articulation gear rack.
Example 155 - The surgical tool assembly of Examples 151, 152, 153, or 154, wherein the second articulation link operably interfaces with an articulation lock assembly that is operably coupled to the surgical end effector.
Example 156 - The surgical tool assembly of Examples 151, 152, 153, 154, or 155, wherein the first articulation link comprises a first articulation gear rack and wherein the articulation stroke multiplier comprises a swing gear in meshing engagement with the first articulation gear rack and slidably coupled to the second articulation link.
Example 157 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 156, wherein the swing gear is supported for rotational travel about a swing gear mounting axis that is transverse to the first and second articulation links.
Example 158 - The surgical tool assembly of Examples 156 or 157, wherein the second articulation link comprises a slotted distal end slidably engaging a portion of the swing gear therein.
Example 159 - The surgical tool assembly of Examples 156, 157, or 158, wherein the swing gear has a slot therein configured to slidably engage a distal end portion of the second articulation link.
Example 160 - A surgical tool assembly comprising an elongate shaft defining a shaft axis, a surgical end effector, a first articulation link, a second articulation link, and an articulation stroke multiplying means. The surgical end effector is coupled to the elongate shaft for selective articulation relative to the elongate shaft about an articulation axis that is transverse to the shaft axis. A first articulation link operably interfaces with a source of articulation motions to selectively axially move the first articulation link a first axial distance in a first articulation direction. A second articulation link operably interfaces with the surgical end effector to apply articulation motions thereto. The articulation stroke multiplying means operably interfaces with the first articulation link and the second articulation link to move the second articulation a second axial distance in response to movement of the first articulation link a first axial distance that is less than the second axial distance.
Example 161 - A surgical tool assembly comprising an elongate shaft assembly defining a shaft axis, a surgical end effector, and a distal articulation member. The surgical end effector is movably coupled to the elongate shaft assembly by a distal support link that is pivotally coupled to the surgical end effector to define an articulation axis that is transverse to the shaft axis. The distal support link is pivotally and axially movably coupled to the elongate shaft assembly to facilitate selective articulation of the surgical end effector relative to the elongate shaft assembly about the articulation axis between a first unarticulated position, wherein the surgical end effector is aligned with the elongate shaft assembly along the shaft axis and articulation positions located on one side of the shaft axis. The distal articulation member operably interfaces with a source of articulation motions and is pivotally coupled to the surgical end effector to apply the articulation motions thereto.
Example 162 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 161, wherein the distal articulation member is configured to axially move on the one side of the shaft axis in response to the articulation motions applied thereto and wherein the distal support link is configured to axially move relative to the elongate shaft assembly along the shaft axis.
Example 163 - The surgical tool assembly of Examples 161 or 162, wherein the distal support link comprises a distal end pivotally coupled to the surgical end effector for pivotal travel about the articulation axis and a proximal end comprising a proximal axial slot configured to receive a corresponding articulation pin therein that is attached to a distal end of elongate shaft assembly.
Example 164 - The surgical tool assembly of Examples 161, 162, or 163, wherein the surgical tool assembly further comprises a proximal articulation member operably interfacing with the source of articulation motions and an articulation lock assembly operably coupled to the proximal articulation member and a proximal end of the distal articulation member to selectively lock the distal articulation member in an axial position.
Example 165 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 164, wherein the proximal end of the distal articulation member is pivotally coupled to the articulation lock assembly.
Example 166 - The surgical tool assembly of Examples 161, 162, 163, 164, or 165, wherein the distal support link is pivotally and axially movably coupled to a distal spine member of the elongate shaft assembly.
Example 167 - The surgical tool assembly of Examples 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, or 166, wherein the surgical end effector comprises an elongate channel configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein and an anvil movably supported on the elongate channel for selective movement relative thereto between an open position and closed positions.
Example 168 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 167 wherein the elongate channel is pivotally coupled to the distal support link by an end effector mounting assembly coupled to the elongate channel.
Example 169 - The surgical tool assembly of Examples 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, or 168, wherein the distal articulation member is configured to axially move in first and second axial directions such that when the distal articulation member is moved in the first axial direction, the surgical end effector is articulated in a first articulation direction from the first unarticulated position to any one of the articulation positions, and when the distal articulation member is axially moved in the second axial direction, the surgical end effector is moved in a second articulation direction from any one of the articulation positions to the first unarticulated position.
Example 170 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 169, wherein the surgical tool assembly further comprises means for preventing movement of the surgical end effector in the second articulation direction beyond the first unarticulated position when the distal articulation member is moved in the second axial direction.
Example 171 - A surgical tool assembly comprising an elongate shaft assembly defining a shaft axis, a surgical end effector, a distal support link, and a distal articulation member. The surgical end effector comprises an elongate channel configured to operably support a surgical staple cartridge therein and an anvil supported for movable travel relative to the surgical staple cartridge. The distal support link is pivotally coupled to the elongate channel to define an articulation axis that is transverse to the shaft axis and about which the elongate channel may articulate relative to the elongate shaft assembly. The distal support link is attached to a distal end of the elongate shaft assembly for axial and pivotal travel relative thereto along the shaft axis. The distal articulation member is supported for axial travel on one side of the shaft axis, the distal articulation member being pivotally coupled to the elongate channel and operably interfacing with a source of articulation motions.
Example 172 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 171, wherein a proximal end of the distal support link comprises a proximal axial slot that is configured to receive a corresponding articulation pin therein that is attached to the distal end of said elongate shaft assembly.
Example 173 - The surgical tool assembly of Examples 171 or 172, wherein the surgical tool assembly further comprises a proximal articulation member operably interfacing with the source of articulation motions and an articulation lock assembly operably coupled to the proximal articulation member and a proximal end of the distal articulation member to selectively lock the distal articulation member in an axial position.
Example 174 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 173, wherein the proximal end of the distal articulation member is pivotally coupled to the articulation lock assembly.
Example 175 - The surgical tool assembly of Examples 171, 172, 173, or 174, wherein the distal support link is pivotally and axially movably coupled to a distal spine member of the elongate shaft assembly.
Example 176 - The surgical tool assembly of Examples 171, 172, 173, 174, or 175, wherein the distal articulation member is configured to move in first and second axial directions such that when the distal articulation member is moved in the first axial direction, the surgical end effector is articulated in a first articulation direction from the first unarticulated position to any one of the articulation positions and when the distal articulation member is moved in the second axial direction, the surgical end effector is moved in a second articulation direction from any one of the articulation positions to the first unarticulated position.
Example 177 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 176, wherein the surgical tool assembly further comprises means for preventing movement of the surgical end effector in the second articulation direction beyond the first unarticulated position when the distal articulation member is moved in the second axial direction.
Example 178 - A surgical tool assembly comprising an elongate shaft assembly defining a shaft axis, means for coupling a surgical end effector to a distal end of the elongate shaft assembly such that the surgical end effector may be selectively articulated about an articulation axis that is transverse to the shaft axis between an unarticulated position wherein the surgical end effector is aligned with the elongate shaft along the shaft axis and articulation positions located on one side of the shaft axis, and means for applying articulation motions to the surgical end effector. The means for coupling are coupled to the elongate shaft assembly for axial and pivotal travel relative thereto.
Example 179 - The surgical tool assembly of Example 178, wherein the means for applying is pivotally coupled to the surgical end effector at a location that is laterally offset from the shaft axis.
Example 180 - The surgical tool assembly of Examples 178 or 179, wherein the means for applying further comprises means for selectively locking the surgical end effector in any one of the articulation positions.
Example 181 - A surgical staple cartridge is configured to be supported within a jaw of a surgical end effector wherein at least one jaw of the surgical end effector is movable relative to a second jaw of the surgical end effector between open and closed positions. The surgical end effector includes a lock member that is moved from an unlocked configuration to a locked configuration when the at least one jaw is moved to the closed position to prevent axial travel of a firing member through the surgical end effector. The surgical end effector comprises a cartridge body sized to be seated within the surgical end effector, the cartridge body operably supporting a plurality of surgical staples arranged in staple lines therein and a cam assembly. The cam assembly is movable between a starting position and an ending position within the cartridge body, the cam assembly defining a central axis and a plurality of cam features thereon wherein each cam feature corresponds to at least one of the staple lines. The cam assembly further comprises at least one unlocking feature thereon that is laterally offset from the central axis and is configured to unlockingly engage a corresponding portion of the lock member when the cartridge body is seated within the surgical end effector and the cam assembly is in the starting position to thereby prevent the locking member from attaining the locked configuration when the at least one jaw is moved to the closed position.
Example 182 - The surgical staple cartridge of Example 181, wherein the at least one unlocking feature comprises a first unlocking ramp formed on a proximal end of the cam assembly in a position that is laterally offset to one side of the central axis and a second unlocking ramp formed on the proximal end of the cam assembly in another position that is laterally offset on an opposite side of the central axis.
Example 183 - The surgical staple cartridge of Examples 181 or 182, wherein each unlocking feature is configured to bias the lock member into the unlocked configuration.
Example 184 - The surgical staple cartridge of Example 182, wherein the proximal end of the cam assembly defines a central contact area located between the first and second unlocking ramps that is configured for engagement by the firing member as the firing member is axially advanced through the surgical end effector.
Example 185 - A surgical end effector comprising a first jaw, an anvil, a firing member, a lock member, and a surgical staple cartridge. The anvil is supported relative to the first jaw for selective movement relative to the first jaw between an open position and a closed position relative to each other. The firing member is supported for axial movement within the end effector between a beginning position and an ending position upon applications of firing and retraction motions thereto. The lock member is movable between a locked configuration wherein the firing member is prevented from axial travel through the surgical end effector and an unlocked configuration wherein the firing member is axially advanceable through the surgical end effector. The surgical staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body and a cam assembly. The cartridge body is sized to be seated within the first jaw, the cartridge body operably supporting a plurality of surgical staples arranged in staple lines therein. The cam assembly is movable between a starting position and an end position within the cartridge body, the cam assembly defining a central axis and comprising a plurality of cam features thereon wherein each cam feature corresponds to at least one of the staple lines. The cam assembly further comprises at least one unlocking feature thereon laterally offset from the central axis and being configured to unlockingly engage a corresponding portion of the lock member when the cartridge body is seated within the first jaw and the cam assembly is in the starting position to thereby prevent the lock member from attaining the locked configuration when the anvil is moved to the closed position.
Example 186 - The surgical end effector of Example 185, wherein the at least one unlocking feature comprises a first unlocking ramp formed on a proximal end of the cam assembly in a position that is laterally offset to one side of the central axis and a second unlocking ramp formed on the proximal end of the cam assembly in another position that is laterally offset on an opposite side of the central axis.
Example 187 - The surgical end effector of Examples 185 or 186, wherein the anvil is configured to move the lock member in a first direction into locking engagement with the firing member when the anvil is moved to the closed position and wherein each unlocking feature is configured to bias the corresponding portion of the lock member in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.
Example 188 - The surgical end effector of Example 186, wherein the proximal end of the cam assembly defines a central contact area located between the first and second unlocking ramps that is configured for engagement by the firing member as the firing member is axially advanced through the surgical end effector.
Example 189 - The surgical end effector of Examples 181, 182, 183, or 184, wherein the surgical staple cartridge comprises an elongate slot configured to slidably receive the firing member therein as the firing member is moved between the beginning and ending positions and wherein the lock member is configured to axially align the firing member with the elongate slot.
Example 190 - The surgical end effector of Examples 185, 186, 187, or 188, wherein the firing member comprises two lateral sides and wherein the lock member is configured to retainingly engage each lateral side of the firing member when the lock member is in the locked configuration.
Example 191 - The surgical end effector of Example 190, wherein the lock member comprises a spring arm corresponding to each lateral side of the firing member and a lock notch in each spring arm configured to releasably engage a corresponding lock lug on each lateral side of the firing member.
Example 192 - The surgical end effector of Examples 185, 186, 187, 188, 190, or 191, wherein the surgical end effector further comprises a tissue cutting surface on the firing member.
Example 193 - The surgical end effector of Examples 185, 186, 187, 188, 190, 191, or 192, wherein the anvil comprises an anvil body, an axial slot in the anvil body to permit a portion of the firing member to axially pass therethrough, and an axial passage within the anvil body on each side of the axial slot.
Example 194 - The surgical end effector of Example 193, wherein the firing member comprises a foot configured to slidably pass within a corresponding passage within the first jaw and laterally extending anvil engagement features extending laterally from a top portion of the firing member body and configured to pass through a corresponding one of the axial passages within the anvil body and wherein the first and second engagement features are located between the foot and the anvil engagement features.
Example 195 - A surgical staple cartridge is configured to be supported within a jaw of a surgical end effector that defines a shaft axis and wherein at least one jaw of the surgical end effector is movable relative to a second jaw of the surgical end effector between open and closed positions. The surgical end effector includes a lock member that is movable between a locked configuration wherein a firing member is prevented from axial travel through the surgical end effector and an unlocked configuration wherein the firing member is axially advanceable through the surgical end effector. The surgical staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body sized to be seated within the one jaw of the surgical end effector, the cartridge body operably supporting a plurality of surgical staples arranged in staple rows therein and staple camming means for camming the staples out of the cartridge body as the camming means is axially moved within the cartridge body from a starting position to an ending position. The staple camming means is configured to unlockingly engage at least one corresponding portion of the lock member that is laterally offset from the shaft axis when the cartridge body is seated within the jaw of the surgical end effector and the staple camming means is in the starting position to thereby prevent the locking member from attaining the locked configuration when the at least one jaw is moved to the closed position.
Example 196 - A method comprises obtaining a first staple cartridge having a first row of staples and obtaining a second staple cartridge having a second row of staples, wherein the first row of staples and the second row of staples comprise the same length. The method further comprises inserting the first staple cartridge into a channel comprising a keyed profile, wherein complete insertion of the first staple cartridge into the channel is prevented by an interference between the keyed profile and the channel and inserting the second staple cartridge into the channel, wherein complete insertion of the second staple cartridge into the channel is permitted by the keyed profile.
Example 197 - The method of Example 196, wherein inserting the second staple cartridge into the channel further comprises aligning key features on the second staple cartridge with the keyed profile on the channel.
Example 198 - The method of Examples 196 or 197, wherein the method further comprises a bottom surface of the first staple cartridge being spaced apart from the channel when the first staple cartridge is inserted into the channel.
Example 199 - The method of Example 198, wherein the method further comprises a bottom surface of the second staple cartridge being positioned against the channel when the second staple cartridge is inserted into the channel.
Example 200 - The method of Examples 196, 197, 198, or 199, wherein the method further comprises a proximal portion of the first staple cartridge obstructing clamping of an anvil against a distal portion of the first staple cartridge when the first staple cartridge is inserted into the channel.
Example 201 - The method of Examples 196, 197, 198, 199, or 200, wherein the method further comprises a firing lockout of the first staple cartridge preventing a firing stroke when the first staple cartridge is inserted into the channel.
Example 202 - A method comprising obtaining a first staple cartridge comprising a first quantity of staples and obtaining a second staple cartridge comprising the first quantity of staples. The method further comprises inserting the first staple cartridge into a channel comprising a keyed profile, wherein the complete insertion of the first staple cartridge into the channel is prevented by the keyed profile and inserting the first staple cartridge into a channel comprising a keyed profile, wherein the complete insertion of the first staple cartridge into the channel is prevented by the keyed profile.
Example 203 - The method of Example 202, wherein inserting the second staple cartridge into the channel further comprises aligning key features on the second staple cartridge with the keyed profile on the channel.
Example 204 - The method of Examples 202 or 203, wherein the method further comprises a bottom surface of the first staple cartridge being spaced apart from the channel when the first staple cartridge is inserted into the channel.
Example 205 - The method of Example 204, wherein the method further comprises a bottom surface of the first staple cartridge being spaced apart from the channel when the first staple cartridge is inserted into the channel.
Example 206 - The method of Examples 202, 203, 204, or 205, wherein the method further comprises the first staple cartridge obstructing clamping of an anvil against the first staple cartridge when the first staple cartridge is inserted into the channel.
Example 207 - The method of Examples 202, 203, 204, 205, or 206, wherein the method further comprises a firing lockout of the first staple cartridge preventing a firing stroke when the first staple cartridge is inserted into the channel.
Example 208 - A method comprises obtaining a channel, obtaining a compatible staple cartridge comprising a proximal alignment protrusion and a distal alignment protrusion, and aligning the proximal alignment protrusion with a corresponding proximal alignment feature in a channel. The method further comprises aligning the distal alignment protrusion with a corresponding distal alignment feature in the channel and inserting the compatible staple cartridge into the channel such that the proximal alignment protrusion interlocks with the corresponding proximal alignment feature and the distal alignment protrusion interlocks with the corresponding distal alignment feature.
Example 209 - The method of Example 208, wherein the method further comprises a bottom surface of the compatible staple cartridge being positioned against the channel when the compatible staple cartridge is inserted into the channel.
Example 210 - The method of Examples 208 or 209, wherein the method further comprises a firing lockout of the compatible staple cartridge preventing a firing stroke until the compatible staple cartridge is inserted into the channel.
Example 211 - The method of Examples 208, 209, or 210, wherein the method further comprises attempting to insert an incompatible staple cartridge into the channel, wherein the incompatible staple cartridge further comprises an interference feature relative to the corresponding proximal alignment feature on the channel.
Example 212 - The method of Example 211, wherein the method further comprises a bottom surface of the incompatible staple cartridge being spaced apart from the channel when the incompatible staple cartridge is inserted into the channel.
Example 213 - The method of Example 212, wherein the method further comprises a proximal portion of the incompatible staple cartridge obstructing clamping of an anvil against a distal portion of the incompatible staple cartridge when the incompatible staple cartridge is inserted into the channel.
Example 214 - The method of Examples 211, 212, or 213, wherein the method further comprises a lockout preventing at least one surgical function when the incompatible staple cartridge is positioned in the channel.
Example 215 - The method of Examples 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, or 214, wherein the channel comprises a jaw of an end effector, and the method further comprises matching a classifying indication on the end effector with a classifying indication on the compatible staple cartridge.
Example 216 - A system comprising a replaceable staple cartridge and a channel configured to receive the replaceable staple cartridge. The replaceable staple cartridge comprises a plurality of staples, a first downwardly-protruding tab, and a second downwardly-protruding tab. The channel comprises a first receptacle positioned and dimensioned to receive the first downwardly-protruding tab and a second receptacle positioned and dimensioned to receive the second downwardly-protruding tab.
Example 217 - The system of Example 216, wherein the replaceable staple cartridge further comprises a cartridge body and a pan positioned around a portion of the cartridge body, wherein the pan further comprises a base, and wherein the first downwardly-protruding tab and the second downwardly-protruding tab protrude from the base.
Example 218 - The system of Example 217, wherein the first downwardly-protruding tab and the second downwardly-protruding tab are comprised of metal.
Example 219 - The system of Examples 216, 217, or 218, wherein the replaceable staple cartridge further comprises a first laterally-extending lug and a second laterally-extending lug.
Example 220 - The system of Example 219, wherein the replaceable staple cartridge further comprises a first sidewall comprising a first cutout, wherein the first cutout is positioned and dimensioned to receive the first laterally-extending lug and a second sidewall comprising a second cutout, wherein the second cutout is positioned and dimensioned to receive the second laterally-extending lug.
Example 221 - The system of Example 220, wherein the replaceable staple cartridge further comprises a molded cartridge body, and wherein the first laterally-extending lug and the second laterally-extending lug are molded features of the molded cartridge body.
Example 222 - The system of Example 221, wherein the cartridge body is comprised of a plastic material.
Example 223 - The system of Examples 219, 220, 221, or 222, wherein the first laterally-extending lug and the second laterally-extending lug are located distal to the first downwardly-protruding tab and second downwardly-protruding tab.
Example 224 - A system comprising a replaceable staple cartridge and a channel configured to receive the replaceable staple cartridge. The replaceable staple cartridge comprises a plurality of staples and an outer surface comprising a plurality of ribs. The channel comprises a plurality of slots, wherein each of the slots is configured to receive one of the ribs.
Example 225 - The system of Example 224, wherein the plurality of ribs comprises a first rib and a second rib.
Example 226 - The system of Example 225, wherein the plurality of slots comprises a first slot and a second slot, and wherein the channel further comprises a first sidewall comprising the first slot and a second sidewall comprising the second slot.
Example 227 - The system of Examples 224, 225, or 226, wherein the replaceable staple cartridge further comprises a molded cartridge body, and wherein the ribs are molded features of the molded cartridge body.
Example 228 - The system of Examples 224, 225, 226, or 227, wherein the replaceable staple cartridge further comprises a first laterally-extending lug and a second laterally-extending lug.
Example 229 - The system of Examples 224, 225, 226, 227, or 228, wherein the channel further comprises a first sidewall comprising a first cutout, wherein the first cutout is positioned and dimensioned to receive the first laterally-extending lug and a second sidewall comprising a second cutout, wherein the second cutout is positioned and dimensioned to receive the second laterally-extending lug.
Example 230 - The system of Example 229, wherein the replaceable staple cartridge further comprises a molded cartridge body, and wherein the first laterally-extending lug and the second laterally-extending lug are molded in the molded cartridge body.
Example 231 - The system of Example 230, wherein the molded cartridge body is comprised of a plastic material.
Example 232 - The system of Example 231, wherein the first laterally-extending lug and the second laterally-extending lug are located distal to the rubs.
Example 233 - A system comprising a compatible staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples and a channel. The system further comprises means for permitting complete insertion of the compatible staple cartridge and for preventing an incompatible staple cartridge from being completely inserted in the channel, wherein the incompatible staple cartridge and the compatible staple cartridge comprise the same length and the same width.
Example 234 - The system of Example 233, wherein the means comprises proximal and distal alignment keys.
Example 235 - The system of Examples 233 or 234, wherein the system further comprises a second channel, and wherein the incompatible staple cartridge is compatible with the second channel.
Example 236 - A system comprising a replaceable staple cartridge and a channel configured to receive the replaceable staple cartridge. The replaceable staple cartridge comprises a plurality of staples, a proximal laterally-protruding lug, and a distal laterally-protruding lug. The channel comprises a sidewall comprising a proximal receptacle positioned and dimensioned to receive the proximal laterally-protruding lug and a distal receptacle positioned and dimensioned to receive the distal laterally-protruding lug.
Example 237 - The system of Example 236, wherein the channel further comprises an obstruction, and wherein the replaceable staple cartridge further comprises a complementary anti-obstruction positioned and dimensioned to overcome the obstruction.
Example 238 - The system of Example 237, wherein the system further comprises a second replaceable staple cartridge comprising a non-complementary anti-obstruction positioned and dimensioned to interfere with the obstruction.
Example 239 - The system of Examples 236, 237, or 238, wherein the proximal receptacle defines a cutout in the sidewall, and wherein the cutout comprises a depression and a projection.
Example 240 - The system of Example 239, wherein the projection is positioned within the depression.
Example 241 - The system of Examples 236, 237, 238, 239, or 240, wherein the system further comprises a second replaceable staple cartridge comprising a second plurality of staples, a second proximal laterally-protruding lug, and a second distal laterally-protruding lug.
Example 242 - The system of Example 241, wherein the second distal laterally-protruding lug is spaced apart from the second proximal laterally-protruding lug by a distance, and wherein the distance is different than a first distance between the proximal laterally-protruding lug and the distal laterally-protruding lug of the replaceable staple cartridge.
Example 243 - The system of Examples 241 or 242, wherein the second distal laterally-protruding lug matches the distal laterally-protruding lug, and wherein the second proximal laterally-protruding lug is different than the proximal laterally protruding-lug.
Example 244 - The system of Examples 241, 242, or 243, wherein the second replaceable staple cartridge further comprises a deck, wherein the channel further comprises a bottom surface, and wherein the deck is obliquely oriented relative to the bottom surface when the second replaceable staple cartridge is positioned in the channel.
Example 245 - The system of Examples 241, 242, 243, or 244, wherein the replaceable staple cartridge and the second replaceable staple cartridge comprise the same width and the same length.
Example 246 - The system of Examples 241, 242, 243, 244, or 245, wherein the plurality of staples and the second plurality of staples comprise the same quantity of staples.
Example 247 - The system of Examples 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, or 246, wherein the distal laterally-protruding lug comprises a different geometry than the proximal laterally-protruding lug.
Example 248 - The system of Example 247, wherein the proximal laterally-protruding lug comprises a wedge.
Example 249 - The system of Examples 247 or 248, wherein the proximal laterally-protruding lug comprises a cutout that matches a projection in the proximal receptacle.
Example 250 - The system of Examples 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, or 249, wherein the proximal laterally-protruding lug protrudes from a first side of the replaceable staple cartridge, and wherein the distal laterally-protruding lug protrudes from a second side of the replaceable staple cartridge.
Example 251 - The system of Examples 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, or 250, wherein the replaceable staple cartridge further comprises a deck, wherein the channel further comprises a bottom surface, and wherein the deck is parallel to the bottom surface when the replaceable staple cartridge is positioned in the channel.
Example 252 - A system comprising a channel comprising an obstruction, a compatible staple cartridge comprising a complementary anti-obstruction positioned and dimensioned to complement the obstruction when the compatible staple cartridge is received in said channel, and an incompatible staple cartridge comprising a non-complementary anti-obstruction positioned and dimensioned to interfere with the obstruction when the incompatible staple cartridge is received in the channel.
Example 253 - The system of Example 252, wherein the compatible staple cartridge and the incompatible staple cartridge comprise rows of staples of the same length.
Example 254 - The system of Examples 252 or 253, wherein the compatible staple cartridge and the incompatible staple cartridge comprise the same quantity of staples.
Example 255 - The system of Examples 252, 253, or 254, wherein the obstruction further comprises a cutout comprising a depression and a projection.
Example 256 - A system comprising a compatible staple cartridge comprising a first quantity of staples, an incompatible staple cartridge comprising the first quantity of staples, and a channel comprising means for permitting complete insertion of the compatible staple cartridge and for preventing the incompatible staple cartridge from being completely inserted into the channel.
Example 257 - A system comprising an end effector configured to receive a compatible replaceable staple cartridge, wherein the end effector comprises a first outer surface, and wherein a classifying identification of the end effector is inscribed on the first outer surface, and the compatible replaceable staple cartridge comprising a second outer surface, wherein a classifying identification of the compatible replaceable staple cartridge is inscribed on the second outer surface, and wherein the classifying identification of the compatible replaceable staple cartridge corresponds to the classifying identification of the end effector.
Example 258 - The system of Example 257, wherein the system further comprises an incompatible replaceable staple cartridge, wherein the incompatible replaceable staple cartridge comprises a third outer surface, wherein a classifying identification of the incompatible replaceable staple cartridge is positioned on the third outer surface, and wherein the classifying identification of the compatible replaceable staple cartridge is different than the classifying identification of the end effector.
Example 259 - The system of Examples 257 or 258, wherein the end effector further comprises a distal portion, and wherein the classifying identification of the end effector is positioned on the distal portion.
Example 260 - The system of Example 259, wherein the end effector further comprises an anvil, and wherein the classifying identification of the end effector is positioned at a distal end of the anvil.
Example 261 - The system of Examples 257, 258, 259, or 260, wherein the end effector further comprises an anvil comprising a pair of tissue stops, and wherein a secondary classifying identification of the end effector is positioned on each of the tissue stops.
Example 262 - The system of Examples 257, 258, 259, 260, or 261, wherein the compatible replaceable staple cartridge further comprises a wedge-shaped distal nose, and wherein the classifying identification of the compatible replaceable staple cartridge is positioned on the wedge-shaped distal nose.
Example 263 - The system of Examples 257, 258, 259, 260, 261, or 262, wherein the classifying identification of the end effector and the classifying identification of the compatible replaceable staple cartridge comprise the same alphanumeric characters.
Example 264 - The system of Example 263, wherein the same alphanumeric characters indicates a length of a resultant staple line fired from the compatible replaceable staple cartridge.
Example 265 - The system of Example 264, wherein the same alphanumeric character indicates a type of end effector.
Example 266 - The system of Examples 257, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264, or 265, wherein the classifying identification of the end effector and the classifying identification of the compatible replaceable staple cartridge comprise the same shape.
Example 267 - The system of Examples 257, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, or 266, wherein the classifying identification of the end effector and the classifying identification of the compatible replaceable staple cartridge comprise the same color.
Example 268 - The system of Examples 257, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, or 267, wherein the system further comprises a lockout configured to prevent at least one surgical function unless the compatible replaceable staple cartridge is positioned in the end effector.
Example 269 - A system comprising an end effector configured to receive a compatible replaceable staple cartridge, wherein the end effector comprises a first distal end comprising a cartridge compatibility indicator and the compatible replaceable staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples, wherein the compatible replaceable staple cartridge comprises a second distal end comprising an end effector compatibility indicator.
Example 270 - The system of Example 269, wherein the cartridge compatibility indicator is embossed on an outer surface of the end effector.
Example 271 - The system of Example 270, wherein the end effector compatibility indicator is embossed on an outer surface of the compatible replaceable staple cartridge.
Example 272 - The system of Examples 269, 270, or 271, wherein the cartridge compatibility indicator longitudinally overlaps the end effector compatibility indicator when the compatible replaceable staple cartridge is positioned in the end effector.
Example 273 - A system comprising an end effector configured to receive a compatible replaceable staple cartridge, wherein the end effector comprises a first outer surface comprising a first code and the compatible replaceable staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples and a second outer surface, wherein the second outer surface comprises a second code, and wherein the second code matches the first code.
Example 274 - The system of Example 273, wherein the first code is embossed on the first outer surface, and wherein the second code is embossed on the second outer surface.
Example 275 - The system of Examples 273 or 274, wherein the first code and the second code indicate a length of the compatible replaceable staple cartridge.
Example 276 - The system of Examples 273, 274, or 275, wherein the first code and the second code include at least one number and at least one letter.
a surgical end effector movably coupled to a shaft assembly by an articulation joint that is configured to facilitate selective articulation of said surgical end effector relative to said shaft assembly about an articulation axis that is transverse to a shaft axis that is defined by said shaft assembly, said shaft assembly comprising:
a proximal end;
a distal end operably coupled to said articulation joint; and
an elongate notch in said shaft assembly on one lateral side of said shaft axis and located adjacent said distal end.
a surgical end effector movably coupled to a shaft assembly by an articulation joint that is configured to facilitate selective articulation of said surgical end effector relative to said shaft assembly about an articulation axis that is transverse to a shaft axis that is defined by said shaft assembly, said shaft assembly comprising:
a proximal portion including an uninterrupted outer proximal perimeter; and
a distal portion extending from said proximal portion and being operably coupled to said articulation joint, said distal portion including a distal outer perimeter that includes a discontinuous distal portion that is located on one lateral side of said shaft axis.
a spine assembly comprising a distal spine end operably coupled to said articulation joint; and
a proximal closure member supported on said spine assembly for selective axial travel relative thereto and wherein said elongate notch further comprises:
an elongate spine notch in said distal spine end on said one lateral side of said shaft axis; and
an elongate closure member notch in said proximal closure member on said one lateral side of said shaft axis and corresponding with said elongate spine notch.
a spine assembly comprising a distal spine end operably coupled to said articulation joint; and
a proximal closure member supported on said spine assembly for selective axial travel relative thereto and wherein said discontinuous distal portion comprises an elongate closure member notch in said proximal closure member on said one lateral side of said shaft axis.
a first jaw operably coupled to said articulation joint; and
a second jaw supported for selective movable travel relative to said first jaw in response to closure motions applied thereto.
at least one first alignment member protruding from said proximal closure member at a first location and extending into a corresponding first axial slot in said spine assembly for axial travel therein; and
at least one second alignment member protruding from said proximal closure member at a second location that is diametrically opposed to said first location, said second alignment member extending into a corresponding second axial slot in said spine assembly.
a surgical end effector movably coupled to a shaft assembly by an articulation joint that is configured to facilitate selective articulation of said surgical end effector relative to said shaft assembly about an articulation axis that is transverse to a shaft axis that is defined by said shaft assembly, said shaft assembly comprising:
a proximal end;
a distal end operably coupled to said articulation joint;
an elongate notch in said shaft assembly on one lateral side of said shaft axis and located adjacent said distal end; and
an axially displaceable firing member axially aligned with said shaft axis.
REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
Patent documents cited in the description